Multi-Needle Flow Cytometer Fluidic Line Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow cytometers are limited by a single sample injection needle configuration, which hinders the focus of fluid flow and reduces throughput, requiring fully prepared assays and increasing analysis time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A flow cytometer design incorporating multiple assay fluidic lines and a sheath fluidic line system that allows for the central alignment of assay fluids within the interrogation flow cell, enabling simultaneous or sequential injection of multiple assay fluids at a given pressure differential, improving fluid focus and flow cytometer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sample injection needles are used in the interrogation flow cell, then the throughput of the flow cytometer is improved, but the fluid focus is hindered because the needles would be off-center
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sample injection function into multiple separate injection needles (first sample injection needle, second sample injection needle, etc.) that can be independently positioned and controlled. Each needle can be centrally positioned relative to its own injection axis while multiple needles work together to achieve high throughput, resolving the contradiction between multiple injections and fluid focus.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a multi-dimensional positioning system where injection needles are arranged at different radial positions and angular orientations around the flow cell axis. This spatial arrangement allows multiple needles to inject samples simultaneously while maintaining proper fluid focus through coordinated positioning in three-dimensional space.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single injection needle configuration is used, then the fluid focus is maintained, but the throughput is limited and assays must be fully prepared prior to injection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables assays to be prepared and positioned in advance on the injection needles, allowing samples to be ready for immediate injection. The multi-needle system permits pre-preparation of multiple assays simultaneously, eliminating the bottleneck where a single needle requires full assay preparation before each injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple injection needles operate continuously and simultaneously, with each needle capable of injecting samples without interrupting the others. This continuous multi-sample injection capability maintains fluid focus while dramatically increasing throughput compared to sequential single-needle injection.
3Device complexity
If a single injection needle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the analysis time and cost increase due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple injection functions into a single integrated multi-needle system where multiple needles share common control mechanisms and positioning systems. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while enabling simultaneous multi-sample injection that decreases total analysis time compared to sequential single-needle processing.
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 design enhances the throughput of flow cytometers by allowing for the simultaneous or sequential analysis of multiple samples, reducing preparation time and costs, and enabling more efficient fluid handling and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
when the fluidic line assembly is arranged within the flow cytometer and fluid is dispensed from one or more of the capillary tubes at a given pressure differential with respect to an encompassing sheath fluid flow within an interrogation flow cell
Implementation Method 2
The sample is then injected through a sample injection needle into an interrogation flow cell (e.g., cuvette) which hydrodynamically focuses the sample via a sheath fluid. This focusing technique serves to separate particles for individual interrogation and confines the particles to a known location in the flow cell.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow cytometer is provided which includes an interrogation flow cell and a plurality of assay fluidic lines extending into the interrogation flow cell. A method of operating such a flow cytometer includes priming the interrogation flow cell with a sheath fluid and injecting different assay fluids into a flow of the sheath fluid through the plurality of fluidic lines. A fluidic line assembly is provided which includes a plurality of capillary tubes coupled to a base section configured for coupling to an interrogation flow cell assembly of a flow cytometer. The capillary tubes are dimensionally configured such that when the fluidic line assembly is arranged within the flow cytometer and fluid is dispensed from one or more of the capillary tubes at a given pressure differential with respect to an encompassing sheath fluid within the interrogation flow cell the fluid is substantially centrally aligned within the interrogation flow cell.