Movable Light Detection Unit for Flow Cytometer Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cytometers face contamination risks due to aerosol generation during droplet formation, leading to cross-contamination and sample contamination issues, particularly in aseptic environments required for regenerative medicine and cell therapy research.
Innovation Solution
A microparticle measurement device with a movable light detection unit that can be rotated and separated from its housing, equipped with a light shielding portion and a cover, to reduce contamination risks by allowing for easy cleaning and minimizing exposure to aerosols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light detection unit is fixed in the housing, then the device structure is simple and stable, but cleaning becomes difficult and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light detection unit is separated from the housing into an independent movable component. This segmentation allows the detection unit to be easily removed for cleaning while keeping the housing structure simple, resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light detection unit is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned during measurement and removed for cleaning. This dynamic design enables easy cleaning and contamination prevention without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the light detection unit is always exposed for measurement, then measurement operation is convenient, but aerosol contamination and biohazard risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light detection unit can be extracted from the housing when not in use, removing it from the potential contamination environment. This extraction prevents aerosol contamination and biohazard exposure while maintaining measurement convenience when the unit is inserted for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the housing and light detection unit, allowing controlled insertion and removal. This intermediary design enables convenient measurement operation when needed while providing protection against contamination when the unit is removed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light detection unit is integrated with the housing, then manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning access is restricted and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light detection unit is segmented from the housing as a separate component that can be easily removed. This segmentation provides excellent cleaning accessibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward detachable connection design.
4Ease of operation
If droplet formation is performed in an open environment, then operation is simple, but aerosol generation causes cross-contamination between samples
Solution Approach 1:
The light detection unit is extracted from the housing during droplet formation operations, removing it from the aerosol-generating environment. This extraction prevents cross-contamination between samples while maintaining operational simplicity through the quick insert/remove mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection allows for disposable or easily replaceable detection units that can be quickly removed and replaced between samples, preventing cross-contamination without requiring complex cleaning procedures or expensive specialized components.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of contamination, enhancing the safety and reliability of sample analysis by preventing aerosol exposure and facilitating cleaning processes, thus minimizing biohazard risks and measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system to detect scattered light and fluorescence by emitting laser light to a cell
Implementation Method 2
an optical system to detect scattered light and fluorescence by emitting laser light to a cell
Implementation Method 3
a light detection unit that detects light generated from the microparticle at a predetermined detection position
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a microparticle measurement device including a light emission unit that emits light to a microparticle to be analyzed and a light detection unit that detects light generated from the microparticle at a predetermined detection position. The microparticle measurement device further includes an analysis unit that is connected to the light detection unit and analyzes a detection value of the light detected by the light detection unit. The light detection unit is movable from the detection position.