Flow Cytometry Optical Detection With Wide-Field Cell Jet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometry installations for differentiating animal semen cells require complex and costly adjustments to align the focal points of the optical detection system with the cell jet, making them inconvenient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The installation employs an optical detection system with low magnification collection elements and a large detection area, allowing for a wide field of view and simplified alignment, using a light radiation source focused on a differentiation zone with detection and collection organs arranged to detect light re-emission from cells, and a mobile feeding device for easy positioning of the cell jet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high magnification collection organs (microscopic lenses) are used to detect cells in the jet, then the detection precision is improved, but the alignment complexity and adjustment difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnification parameter of the collection organs from high (microscopic, ~50x) to low (macroscopic, <10x). This parameter change fundamentally simplifies the optical system while maintaining detection capability through the large detection area compensates for the lower magnification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a microscopic dimension approach (high magnification lenses) to a macroscopic dimension approach (large area detectors). By increasing the detection area dimension, the system achieves adequate detection without requiring high magnification, thereby simplifying the optical alignment requirements
2Measurement precision
If high magnification collection organs are used to achieve precise cell detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive microscopic lenses with cheaper macroscopic optical elements. The collection organs use simple lenses or even curved transparent surfaces instead of costly microscopic optics, significantly reducing equipment manufacturing costs while maintaining functional effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the magnification parameter from high to low, the patent enables the use of less expensive optical components. The large detection area parameter compensates for the lower magnification, allowing cost-effective implementation without sacrificing cell differentiation accuracy
3Measurement precision
If the detection area is reduced to focus on individual cells, then the measurement precision is improved, but the alignment tolerance decreases making adjustment more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands the detection area to a macroscopic scale, creating a large field of view that encompasses the entire cell jet. This dimensional expansion provides generous alignment tolerance, making the system easy to adjust and operate while still enabling precise cell signal detection through the large collecting area
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This setup simplifies the alignment process, reduces equipment costs, and maintains effective cell differentiation without the need for precise focal point alignment, making the system convenient and economical for sperm cell processing.
Implementation Method 1
a light radiation source configured to emit light radiation focused on said differentiation zone
Implementation Method 2
at least one collection organ which is focused, on a first side, on said differentiation zone and on a second side opposite said first side, on said at least one detection organ
Implementation Method 3
at least one detection organ configured to detect a quantity of light re-emitted by said cells which are illuminated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow cytometry apparatus comprising an optical detection system (3) which is configured to differentiate cells in a stream of cells directed towards a differentiation zone (17) and is provided with a light radiation source (12) configured to emit light radiation (16) focused on said differentiation zone; at least one detection member (14) which is configured to detect an amount of light re-emitted by said cells which are illuminated; and at least one collection member (15) which is focused both on said differentiation zone and on said detection member and configured such that said at least one collection member has a magnification of less than 10 and said at least one detection member has a viewing zone having a surface area at least 10 times larger than a surface area of the stream of cells at said differentiation zone.