Microfluidic Flow Cytometry with Planar Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers are large, expensive, difficult to port, and require extensive expertise and maintenance, with external optics limiting miniaturization and increasing costs due to the need for multiple lasers and detectors for uniform illumination and signal discrimination.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidics-based flow cytometer system with surface waveguides arranged in orthogonal planes around the fluid channel for uniform illumination and improved light collection, allowing for better system performance and sensitivity by controlling light phase and using wavelength filters for spectral discrimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If external optics are used for illuminating and detecting light signals, then illumination and detection can be achieved, but the system size increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates optical waveguides directly into the microfluidic chip structure, merging the optical illumination and detection functions with the fluid flow system. This eliminates the need for separate external optics components, thereby reducing system size while maintaining illumination and detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional external optical components to two-dimensional planar waveguide structures integrated on the chip surface. This dimensional reduction enables compact system design while preserving optical functionality for illumination and detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lasers and wavelength-filtered detectors are used for fluorochrome excitation and signal discrimination, then multi-parameter analysis capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical waveguide system is designed to support multiple wavelengths and detection functions within a single unified structure. The waveguides can guide different wavelengths for exciting multiple fluorochromes and collect fluorescence signals, providing multi-parameter analysis capability without requiring separate independent optical systems for each parameter.
3Productivity
If conventional stream-in-air or flow cell configurations are used, then flow cytometry functionality is achieved, but the system footprint increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the optical waveguide structures within and around the microfluidic channel architecture. The waveguides are embedded in the chip substrate and positioned in close proximity to the flow channel, creating a compact nested configuration that maintains flow cytometry functionality while minimizing system footprint.
4Illumination intensity
If external optics are used for light illumination and detection, then optical functionality is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical external optical systems with integrated planar optical waveguide structures. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive external lasers, detectors, and optical alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining optical functionality through the waveguide-based illumination and detection approach.
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
The system achieves improved precision in distinguishing cell subsets, reduced measurement variation, and higher sensitivity compared to prior art, enabling more accurate and efficient analysis with reduced system size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
two sets of surface waveguides disposed on a surface of the substrate... Each set of surface waveguides is arranged such that its end facets form a circular arrangement around the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
As the cells pass through the detection zone, they are illuminated by laser light, which scatters from each cell in a manner that depends on its structure
Implementation Method 3
When excited by light at their respective excitation wavelengths, each fluorochrome emits a characteristic fluorescence signal
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2
AI summary
A flow cytometry system having a flow channel defined through the thickness of a substrate is disclosed. Fluid flowing through the flow channel is illuminated by a first plurality of surface waveguides that are arranged around the flow channel in a first plane, while a second plurality of surface waveguides arranged around the flow channel in a second plane receive light after it has interacted with the fluid. The illumination pattern provided to the fluid is controlled by controlling the phase of the light in the first plurality of surface waveguides. As a result, the fluid is illuminated with light that is uniform and has a low coefficient of variation, improving the ability to distinguish and quantify characteristics of the fluid, such as cell count, DNA content, and the like.