Removable Scatter Bar Assembly for Optical Detector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current jet-in-air cell sorters require precise alignment of the excitation laser to effectively block the disk of light scattered from the stream, making it difficult to detect small cells or particles without expert intervention.
Innovation Solution
An optical detector scatter cap assembly with a housing, scatter bar, and reversibly affixed cover bars, including magnetic materials, to reliably and repeatedly adjust the scatter bar configuration, reducing the amount of incident light reaching the detector and enhancing signal intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed scatter bar configuration is used in the scatter cap, then alignment precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scatter bar is divided into a fixed portion (attached to the scatter cap) and a removable portion (cover bar). This segmentation allows the fixed portion to maintain alignment precision while the removable portion can be exchanged to adapt to different applications and particle sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The scatter bar transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The removable cover bar allows users to adjust the scatter bar configuration by attaching or removing cover bars, enabling adaptation to different detection needs while maintaining proper alignment.
2Measurement precision
If expert alignment is required for the scatter bar, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scatter bar is pre-aligned and fixed to the scatter cap housing during manufacturing. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for expert alignment during operation, as users simply attach pre-configured cover bars to achieve the desired scatter effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-aligning through the fixed attachment of the scatter bar to the housing and the reversible attachment of cover bars. This self-service design allows users to operate the system without requiring expert alignment knowledge, as the mechanical structure maintains proper alignment automatically.
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 optical detector scatter cap assembly reduces incident light by up to 99.9%, significantly increasing detector signal intensity from fluorescence and scattered light, allowing for improved detection of small particles.
Implementation Method 1
cover bars may in certain embodiments, be a magnetic material such as an oxide-magnetic steel
Implementation Method 2
the scatter or obscuration bars in a jet-in-air cell sorter are thin bars that block the disk of light scattered from the stream
Implementation Method 3
light from the compounds in the flow stream is emitted (e.g., in the form of fluorescence) and scattered
Implementation Method 4
the interaction of the laser with the stream produces a disk of light that needs to be blocked
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include an optical detector scatter cap assembly. Optical detector scatter cap assemblies according to certain embodiments include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an orifice at the distal end of the housing, a scatter bar affixed to the housing and extending across the orifice and a cover bar that reversibly mates with the scatter bar. Also provided are systems that include the optical detector scatter cap assemblies, methods of using the systems, e.g., in sample processing, and kits that include component(s) of the optical detector scatter cap assemblies.