Lens Positioning Apparatus for Flow Cytometer Beam Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers require precise adjustment of the focused light beam on the core stream, which is costly and complex due to the need for high-resolution mechanical displacement devices, and existing solutions either rely on expensive components or lack sensitivity in focal spot positioning.
Innovation Solution
A lens positioning apparatus with a pivoting lens holder and actuator coupling, where the actuator is positioned at a greater radius than the lens, allowing for precise angular displacement and minimizing the displacement of the focusing lens, using a magnetic coupling for low friction and enabling precise focus spot adjustment with less expensive actuator mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional high-resolution mechanical displacement devices are used to position the light source or optical elements, then positioning precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical displacement devices with a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnets mounted on the light source or optical elements interact with a magnetic gradient field generated by external magnets to achieve precise positioning without complex mechanical mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field strength and gradient to control the position of light sources or optical elements. By varying the magnetic field parameters, precise positioning is achieved without requiring high-resolution mechanical displacement devices, thus reducing both cost and complexity
2Ease of operation
If a beam-adjusting lens with long focal length is used, then sensitivity of focus spot positioning is reduced, but positioning mechanism precision requirements are lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of focal length to a longer value, which reduces the sensitivity of focus spot positioning to lens displacement. This allows the use of less precise, simpler, and less expensive positioning mechanisms while still achieving adequate positioning accuracy
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 allows for precise and cost-effective adjustment of the focus spot in flow cytometers, reducing the need for expensive components and enhancing sensitivity, enabling accurate positioning of the light beam across the sample stream with minimal force and friction.
Implementation Method 1
using a magnetic coupling for low friction and enabling precise focus spot adjustment with less expensive actuator mechanisms
Implementation Method 2
The lens holder is adapted to rotate through an angle less than 10 degrees about a pivot axis parallel to the optical path
Implementation Method 3
The actuator is coupled to the lens holder at a radius greater than the lens, allowing for precise angular displacement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical analyzer having illumination optics that include a light source, such as a laser or other source, adapted to emit a collimated, or approximately collimated, light beam, and a focusing lens that focuses the beam onto a focus spot within a detection region, wherein the focusing lens is mounted in a lens positioning apparatus that allows for precise positioning of the focus spot within the detection region. The lens positioning apparatus comprises a lens holder adapted to rotate through a small angle around a pivot axis parallel to the optical path, such that the lens holder rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical path, and an actuator adapted to provide an angular displacement of the lens holder around the pivot axis. The lens holder holds the focusing lens at a first distance from the pivot axis, and is coupled to the actuator at a second distance from the pivot axis, wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance.