Oil-Immersion Flow Chamber with Stiffening Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical flow imaging systems in particle analysis instrumentation face inefficiencies due to the use of medium numerical aperture optics, leading to mediocre resolution, suboptimal light collection, and fragility of flow cells, which can fracture under pressure and experience immersion oil leakage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a high numerical aperture oil-immersion objective and condenser lens system with stiffening wires attached to the flow cell to enhance durability and retain immersion oil, preventing leakage and improving optical resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture oil-immersion objectives are used, then imaging resolution and optical coupling are improved, but the flow cell becomes extremely fragile and prone to fracturing under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the critical optical path components (the bottom and top surfaces of the flow cell) thin and optically clear, while the side walls are made thick and rigid for structural support. This localized differentiation allows the flow cell to maintain both optical quality for high NA imaging and mechanical strength for durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is constructed as a composite structure combining different material properties in different regions: the optical surfaces are made of optically clear material with appropriate thinness for high NA objectives, while the side walls use rigid reinforcing materials to provide mechanical strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between optical performance and structural durability.
2Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture oil-immersion objectives are used, then optical resolution is improved, but immersion oil leaks from between the flow cell and objective lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the critical optical path components (the bottom and top surfaces of the flow cell) thin and optically clear, while the side walls are made thick and rigid for structural support. This localized differentiation allows the flow cell to maintain both optical quality for high NA imaging and mechanical strength for durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is constructed as a composite structure combining different material properties in different regions: the optical surfaces are made of optically clear material with appropriate thinness for high NA objectives, while the side walls use rigid reinforcing materials to provide mechanical strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between optical performance and structural durability.
3Ease of operation
If medium numerical aperture optics are used, then ease of operation is improved, but imaging resolution and light collection efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the critical optical path components (the bottom and top surfaces of the flow cell) thin and optically clear, while the side walls are made thick and rigid for structural support. This localized differentiation allows the flow cell to maintain both optical quality for high NA imaging and mechanical strength for durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is constructed as a composite structure combining different material properties in different regions: the optical surfaces are made of optically clear material with appropriate thinness for high NA objectives, while the side walls use rigid reinforcing materials to provide mechanical strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between optical performance and structural durability.
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 results in sharper, more detailed imaging capabilities, enabling detection of smaller particles and weaker fluorescent signals while maintaining robustness and reducing oil leakage, thereby improving the overall performance of flow cytometry systems.
Implementation Method 1
The oil-immersion objective and the flow chamber include a high index of refraction immersion oil so as to enhance the optical resolution and optical coupling therethrough
Implementation Method 2
When the flow cell is placed onto the condenser for imaging, it will hold any immersion oil in place due to the surface tension of the oil
Data Source
AI summary
A flow chamber, imaging objective, condenser and imaging light source as part of an optical system includes an oil-immersion objective and high numerical aperture condenser matched to a rectangular flow chamber. The oil-immersion objective and flow chamber include a high index of refraction immersion oil so as to enhance the optical resolution and optical coupling therethrough. The flow chamber is reinforced with stiffening wires that are arranged to extend above a surface of the sidewalls of the flow chamber so as to function as a barrier to leakage of the immersion oil away from the surface of the flow chamber.