Method and means for sorting individual particles into containers for

Abstract

Method and apparatus for sorting individual particles into containers, such as the wells of a microculture tray, are disclosed. The particles may comprise, for example, individual biological cells which then may be cultured, cloned, analyzed, or the like. The particles are incorporated into a flow stream which is jetted from a nozzle which is vibrated in the direction of the stream to break the jet stream into discrete drops. A particle sensor senses particles in the stream, and a signal processor in response to the particle sensor output produces an output when the sensed particle is of the type to be sorted from the stream. A pulse charger, responsive to the signal processor, is included for charging the drops as they break from the vibrating jet stream. The drops pass between charged deflection plates where they are deflected an amount related to the drop charge. For individual cell sorting, the signal processor is in normal inopertive condition to prevent sorting of drops from the drop stream. During this time all drops contained in the stream are caught by a stream catcher, and none are allowed to enter a tray well. When armed, by manual actuation of an arming switch, the circuit is conditioned to sort a single particle from the drop stream, at which time the circuit returns to normal inoperative condition. A tray support is provided for movable support of the multiwell tray along perpendicular X and Y directions, and a releasable detent releasably lock the tray support at any desired X-Y position. The tray support is provided with a target for use in initial alignment of the tray support relative to drops separated from the stream to assure entry of such drops into a tray well during subsequent operation of the cell sorter.