LED Light Source Electrode Mask for Flow Cytometry Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle analysis apparatuses using halogen lamps face issues with performance degradation, downsizing limitations, and high costs due to heating problems, and when replaced with LEDs, accurate measurements are hindered by electrode obstacles causing non-uniform light intensity in small irradiation segments, leading to inaccurate particle determination.
Innovation Solution
Employing LEDs with parallel stripe-shaped electrodes and adjusting the optical system to utilize light emitted between these electrodes, ensuring uniform light intensity across the irradiation segment by selecting only the high-intensity light through the mask member's through-hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If halogen lamps are used as light sources, then sufficient light intensity is provided, but heating problems occur causing performance degradation and downsizing limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful heating component from the light source system by replacing the halogen lamp with an LED, thereby eliminating the thermal problems while maintaining the necessary light intensity for particle analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts LED technology which, although having different operational characteristics, provides a cost-effective and maintenance-friendly alternative to halogen lamps, eliminating the need for frequent lamp replacements and reducing operational costs
2Temperature
If LEDs are used as light sources, then heating problems are eliminated and downsizing is enabled, but electrode obstacles cause non-uniform light intensity leading to inaccurate particle determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific electrode configuration where parallel stripe-shaped electrodes are arranged to define light emission regions, ensuring uniform light intensity is achieved in the critical irradiation area despite the inherent limitations of LED structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mask member as an intermediary component that selectively transmits light from specific regions between the electrodes, thereby mediating the light path to achieve uniform intensity distribution across the irradiation segment
3Measurement precision
If mask member is added to select light regions, then uniform light intensity is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mask member with the optical system components, integrating multiple functions into a compact arrangement that achieves uniform light intensity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
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 configuration provides sufficient and uniform irradiation light intensity over the entire irradiation segment, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of particle determination while maintaining a compact design and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
employing incoherent light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and detectors. The light emitting diodes operate as the excitation light sources and emit light toward said flow stream
Implementation Method 2
the detectors detect light, in particular, fluorescent light, emanating from the particles in response to the excitation light striking the particles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
A particle analysis apparatus for flow cytometry, which contains a flow cell 1 having a flow channel 11 for flowing a sample solution M1 containing particles to be analyzed X1, a light source device 2 for emitting an irradiation light L1, an optical system OP1 for irradiating the irradiation light L1 on an irradiation segment in the flow channel, and a light receiving device 3 for detecting the light L2 obtained thereby. A light source of the light source device 2 is LED20, and an electrode 22 formed on a light extraction surface 21 thereof mainly contains a plurality of electric conductor lines arranged in parallel to each other.