University of Washington

Jarred Egan Swalwell

Thomas J Matula

Oleg A Sapozhnikov

Brian E MacConaghy

Andrew A Brayman

Camilo Perez

Embodiments are generally related to differentiating and/or separating portions of a sample that are of interest from the remainder of the sample. Embodiments may be directed towards separating cells of interest from a cell sample. In some embodiments, acoustic impedances of the cells of interest may be modified. For example, the acoustic properties of the cells of interest may be modified by attaching bubbles to the cells of interest. The cell sample may then be subjected to an acoustic wave. The cells of interest may be differentiated and/or separated from the remainder of the sample based on relative displacements and/or volumetric changes experienced by the cells of interest in response thereto. The cells of interest may be separated using a standing wave and sorted into separate channels of a flow cell. Optionally, the cells may be interrogated by a light source and differentiated by signals generated in response thereto.

Methods for separating, concentrating, and/or differentiating between cells from a cell sample

An immersion cytometry system () having a primary focusing optic immersed in a fluid stream () containing suspended particles (). The system includes a light source () configured to illuminate a sensing region in the fluid stream that includes a focus of the primary optic. Light scattered and/or fluoresced from suspended particles passing through the sensing region is focused by an external tube lens on an external detector. The primary optic in one embodiment is a ball lens. In some embodiments, one or more filter/beam splitters on the optical axis reflect a portion of the signal light towards corresponding detectors, each filter being configured to reflect a preselected waveband of light.

System and method for immersion flow cytometry

Systems, devices, and methods for separating, concentrating, and/or differentiating between cells from a cell sample

A system and method for performing flow cytometry is disclosed wherein the alignment of the light source with respect to the sensing region of the fluid stream is continuously controlled using a feedback control loop. An imaging apparatus is provided that images the system along the optical axis, between the field stop and the sensing region. In an embodiment, the cytometer includes a field stop having an H-shaped aperture and light diverters over the ends of the aperture that divert a portion of the light to peripheral detectors.

Cytometer with automatic continuous alignment correction

A sheathless flow cytometry system is disclosed wherein a fluid containing particles of interest is illuminated in the sensing region with a light source. Light resulting from the interaction of the particles with the illumination is received by a lens, and focused toward a field stop having an aperture comprising relatively large end portions and a relatively small center portion. Light deflectors are disposed over the relatively large end portions of the aperture. The system is arranged such that light from particles in focus in the sensing region is focused on the relatively small center portion of the aperture. Peripheral detectors receive light from the light deflectors, and a center light detector receives light passing through the center portion. The detector signals may be used to identify which of the detector signals correspond to particles in focus as they passed through the sensing region.

Virtual core flow cytometry

A sheathless flow cytometry system is disclosed wherein a fluid containing particles of interest, for example cells, flows through a sensing region, and is illuminated in the sensing region with one or more light source. Light resulting from the interaction of the particles with the illumination is received by an objective, and focused toward a field stop having an aperture comprising relatively large end portions and a relatively small center portion. Light deflectors, such as prisms, are disposed over the relatively large end portions of the aperture. The system is arranged such that light from particles in focus in the sensing region is focused on the relatively small center portion of the aperture. Peripheral detectors are positioned to receive light from the light deflectors, and a scatter detector is positioned to receive light passing through the center portion. The detector signals may be used to identify which of the detector signals correspond to particles in focus as they passed through the sensing region.

Flow cytometry concepts are modified to enable dynamic characterizations of particles to be obtained using optical scattering data. Particles in flow will be introduced into a sample volume. Light scattered by a particle in the sample volume is collected and analyzed. What differentiates the concepts disclosed herein from conventional flow cytometry is the use of an acoustic source that is disposed to direct acoustic energy into the sample volume. As the particle passes through the sample volume, it responds to the acoustic energy, causing changes in the light scattered by the particle. Those changes, which are not measured during conventional flow cytometry, can be analyzed to determine additional physical properties of the particle.

Growing community of inventors

Shoreline, WA, United States of America

Jarred Egan Swalwell