Matrix Laser Scanning Flow Imaging for High-Speed Cell Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow imaging technologies face challenges with long time consumption, low reliability, and limited practicability, particularly in high-throughput imaging applications where cells move at high speeds, due to insufficient frame rates, low signal-to-noise ratios, and high data flow.
Innovation Solution
A flow imaging system based on matrix laser scanning, which uses a laser source to generate continuous laser beams split into multiple beams by a beam splitter, creating two-dimensional matrix spots that focus on cells in motion, exciting scattered light or fluorescence signals that are collected and processed to obtain cell images efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If array-based detector (CCD/CMOS) is used for flow imaging, then cell image quality is improved, but frame rate becomes insufficient and data flow increases for high-speed cell movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination into multiple laser spots arranged in a matrix pattern, allowing parallel illumination of multiple cell positions simultaneously. This segmentation approach enables high-speed imaging by distributing the imaging task across multiple spatial locations, effectively increasing frame rate while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point sequential scanning to two-dimensional matrix spot illumination. By adding spatial dimensionality with multiple spots arranged in rows and columns, the system can capture information from multiple cell positions in parallel, dramatically improving frame rate for high-speed flow imaging.
2Productivity
If time-stretching technology with dispersion fiber is used, then single-point detector imaging is achieved, but system complexity increases and stability decreases due to km-length fiber requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex time-stretching technology and km-length dispersion fiber from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified approach with matrix laser spots and single-point detection, removing the problematic components while maintaining high imaging flux capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex optical time-stretching mechanism with a simpler spatial multiplexing approach using multiple laser spots. This substitution eliminates the need for long dispersion fibers and complex signal processing, reducing system complexity and improving stability.
3Productivity
If compression sensing with random structured light is used, then high imaging flux is achieved, but time consumption increases due to inverse problem solving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-arranging the laser spots in a structured matrix pattern rather than using random illumination. This predetermined spatial arrangement allows for more efficient signal processing and reduces the computational burden of solving inverse problems, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining high imaging flux.
4Productivity
If single-point detector with spectral marking is used, then high-throughput imaging is achieved, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser spots into a matrix arrangement that simultaneously illuminates multiple cell positions. This combining approach increases the total signal collected while maintaining the single-point detection capability, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio without sacrificing throughput.
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 approach enables fast imaging with high reliability and high imaging flux, capable of processing over 10,000 cells per second, improving the speed and quality of flow imaging while simplifying the implementation process.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source configured to generate continuous laser that irradiates a beam splitter component
Implementation Method 2
the illumination objective located downstream of the light splitter component, and configured to focus the multiple beams of laser and generate a two-dimensional matrix spots on a focal plane
Implementation Method 3
when the cells pass through an illumination area of the two-dimensional matrix spots sequentially, the cells excite scattered light or fluorescence as signal light
Implementation Method 4
when the cells pass through an illumination area of the two-dimensional matrix spots sequentially, the cells excite scattered light or fluorescence as signal light
Implementation Method 5
the photoelectric detector located downstream of the light collecting objective, and configured to convert the signal light received into a voltage signal
Data Source
AI summary
A flow imaging system based on matrix laser scanning are provided. In the system, a beam splitter component modulates continuous laser generated by a laser source, and the continuous laser is focused on a focal plane by an illumination objective to form matrix spots. The matrix spots are irradiated on a single-cell axial flow of a fluid focusing component. When cells in the single-cell axial flow pass through the matrix spots, a fluorescent signal and a scattered light signal generated are received by a light collecting objective, and then sent to a photoelectric detector through a condenser. The photoelectric detector converts the fluorescence and scattered light signals excited into voltage signals, and the collecting card collects and converts the signals into digital signals, and sends the digital signals to a computer to be recovered through the computer, so as to obtain a cell image.