Microparticle Analysis Apparatus SDRAM Buffer Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometers face challenges in simultaneously detecting multiple light beams with different wavelengths and directions from a single specimen, leading to time lags and increased costs due to the use of expensive SRAM for data storage, especially when multiple light sources are employed.
Innovation Solution
A microparticle analysis apparatus utilizing a combination of SDRAM for initial data storage and SRAM or FPGA for secondary storage, along with frequency conversion and delay adjustment units, to manage and process data from multiple photodetectors without increasing costs, allowing for precise adjustment of detected time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple photodetectors are used to detect multiple light beams from one specimen, then detection capability is improved, but time lag between detected data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing detected data from multiple photodetectors in a buffer memory before processing. This allows the system to capture all light beam data simultaneously and then process them in sequence, eliminating the time lag issue while maintaining the ability to detect multiple light beams from one specimen.
2Reliability
If SRAM is used for data storage to handle time lag, then data storage capability is improved, but apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) instead of expensive SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) for the buffer memory. SDRAM is a more cost-effective storage solution that still provides the necessary data storage capability to handle time lag between detected data from multiple photodetectors, thereby reducing apparatus cost while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are disposed along a flow channel to perform measurements, then measurement versatility is improved, but data amount to be stored increases and apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a buffer memory to preliminarily store all detected data from multiple light sources before processing. This allows the system to handle increased data amounts from multiple light sources without overwhelming the processing capability, enabling measurement versatility while managing data storage requirements efficiently.
4Quantity of substance
If a plurality of SRAM are mounted to store increased data amount, then data storage capacity is improved, but apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using SDRAM instead of multiple SRAM modules to achieve the required data storage capacity. SDRAM provides sufficient storage capacity for handling data from multiple light sources at a lower cost, avoiding the need to mount multiple expensive SRAM modules while still meeting the data storage requirements.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective simultaneous detection and processing of multiple light beams, reducing time lags and storage costs by using SDRAM for initial data storage and SRAM or FPGA for fine-tuning, while maintaining high precision in data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
detect fluorescence or scattered light emitted from the microparticles
Implementation Method 2
detect fluorescence or scattered light emitted from the microparticles
Implementation Method 3
detect light emitted from microparticles on which the excitation light is irradiated, at the photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
A microparticle analysis apparatus includes at least: a detecting unit having one or a plurality of light sources and a plurality of photodetectors, configured to emit excitation light from the light sources, and to detect light emitted from microparticles on which the excitation light is irradiated, at the photodetectors; a first storage unit configured to store, for each microparticle, data detected at the photodetectors of the detecting unit based on detected time; and a second storage unit configured to store data relating to a particular microparticle of detected data stored in the first storage unit.