Particle Sorter Calibration Using Adjacent Mis-Sort Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle sorting systems require separate initial calibration steps that can introduce contamination and instability, necessitating high-cost, complex instrumentation, and disrupt high-throughput sorting processes.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system that adjusts operational parameters in real-time by measuring fluorescence emission from adjacent non-targeted sortable units during sorting, eliminating the need for separate calibration and enabling continuous calibration without strobed imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate calibration steps are performed using conventional methods, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity decreases due to reduced throughput and loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions by using adjacent non-targeted sortable units that are naturally present in the fluid stream. The monitoring system captures images of these units before they are sorted, allowing calibration data to be collected in advance without interrupting the main sorting operation. This eliminates the need for separate calibration steps that would reduce throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process continues uninterrupted during high-speed sorting operations. The monitoring system operates continuously, capturing images of adjacent non-targeted sortable units while the sorter simultaneously processes targeted units. This continuous calibration approach maintains productivity by eliminating idle calibration periods and keeping the system in constant operation.
2Measurement precision
If separate calibration steps are performed with external calibration particles, then measurement precision can be achieved, but loss of substance increases due to contamination and waste of valuable samples
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses adjacent non-targeted sortable units that are naturally present in the fluid stream for calibration purposes. These units serve dual functions: they are both part of the sample being processed and provide the reference material needed for calibration. This self-service approach eliminates the need to introduce external calibration particles that could contaminate or waste valuable samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjacent non-targeted sortable units perform multiple functions simultaneously. They are both part of the sample population being sorted and serve as reference material for calibration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate calibration particles and prevents sample contamination while maintaining calibration precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time adjustment of operational parameters is implemented, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system captures images of adjacent non-targeted sortable units and provides feedback to adjust operational parameters in real-time. The processing unit analyzes the captured images and automatically adjusts sorting parameters such as sort delay and sort masks. This feedback loop enables adaptability without requiring complex manual intervention, as the system self-regulates based on real-time data from the monitoring system.
4Measurement precision
If conventional calibration methods with strobed imaging are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity increases due to expensive instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the calibration approach by using adjacent non-targeted sortable units instead of requiring complex strobed imaging instrumentation. The monitoring system captures standard images of these adjacent units, which provide sufficient calibration data without needing the expensive and complex strobed imaging systems traditionally required for precise measurements.
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
Enables high-precision, cost-effective calibration of sort delay and sort masks, maintaining high throughput rates and optimizing particle recovery and purity levels without sample waste or system disruption.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic radiation source for interrogating the two or more sortable units at the inspection zone
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for particle sorting are presented including a monitoring system downstream of a particle separator or sorter. The system can utilize the monitoring system to adjust or calibrate operational parameters of the system in real time. When a particle of interest is mis-sorted, the probability is high that the particle of interest has been sorted into a non-targeted sortable unit that was adjacent in sequence to the sortable unit that was expected to include the particle of interest. The monitoring system monitors non-targeted sortable units in the system that were adjacent in sequence to targeted sortable units that are predicted to contain particles of interest. Signals from the monitoring system enable automated adjustment or calibration of operational parameters of the system such as sort delay or purity mask parameters.