Particle Imaging System with Varying Flow Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle imaging systems face challenges in achieving long exposure times for high-quality imaging at low illumination intensity, particularly in fluorescent imaging, due to the need for high fluid flow velocities which result in streaking and require intense illumination, limiting the analysis of particles in microbiology and medicine applications.

Innovation Solution

A system that periodically slows down the fluid flow during image capturing and rapidly accelerates it between captures, allowing for increased exposure times and high image capture rates while maintaining low illumination intensity, by using a flow control mechanism to minimize particle displacement within the field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high fluid flow velocity is used to achieve high image capture rates, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to particle streaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture rateVSAvoidparticle imaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic pulsed illumination combined with periodic flow rate variation. During each pulse cycle, the flow rate is increased during illumination to capture images at high capture rates, then decreased during the dark period to allow particles to return to original positions. This periodic modulation of flow rate resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity during imaging while maintaining measurement precision through low flow rates during particle repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the fluid flow rate based on the illumination state. A controller modulates the flow rate in real-time, increasing it during illuminated periods for high-speed imaging and decreasing it during dark periods to minimize particle displacement. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve both high image capture rates and high measurement precision by optimizing flow conditions for each operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If high illumination intensity is used to achieve acceptable signal to noise ratio with fast detectors, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to sample damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal to noise ratioVSAvoidsample damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic pulsed illumination where the light source is activated only during brief intervals to capture images. The illumination is synchronized with high flow rate periods, allowing short exposure times at high intensity to achieve adequate signal-to-noise ratios without continuous exposure that would damage the sample. Between pulses, the sample rests from illumination stress while the system prepares for the next measurement cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If long exposure time is used to achieve high-quality imaging at low illumination intensity, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced image capture rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage capture rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic pulsed illumination with synchronized flow rate modulation. During each pulse, the flow rate is increased to enhance particle throughput while illumination is activated for brief intervals to capture images. This allows the system to maintain high image capture rates by rapidly cycling through illumination and non-illumination periods, achieving both high productivity and acceptable image quality without requiring long continuous exposures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach enables high-quality imaging with longer exposure times and higher image capture rates, reducing streaking and improving data collection efficiency while minimizing sample damage, particularly beneficial for fluorescent imaging in microbiology and medicine.

Implementation Method 1

a flow control means for slowing down the fluid flow through the sample cell during capturing of the images and for accelerating the fluid flow through the sample cell between capturing the images

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 2

an imaging means for capturing a plurality of images of the particles within the sample cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging:

Implementation Method 3

so that an average displacement of the particles within the field of view in the sample cell in the direction of the fluid flow during each of the image captures is less than 10% of the average particle diameter or size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion control during exposure:

Data Source

PatentUS7307721B2Particle imaging system with a varying flow rate

Publication Date: 2007.12.11 PROTEINSIMPLE

AI summary

A particle imaging system and a method provided for analyzing particles in a fluid; the system comprising a means for capturing image data of the fluid within a sample cell, and a means for flow control, a valve and a pump, wherein the fluid within the sample cell is periodically stopped, or slowed down, for image capturing and moved rapidly between image capturing events. Advantageously, the present invention allows to increase exposure times, which is particularly significant for fluorescent imaging at low illumination levels.