High speed flow cytometer droplet formation system and method

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:873315

Van den Engh, Ger ^[1]

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1. Seattle, WA

A droplet forming flow cytometer system allows high speed processing without the need for high oscillator drive powers through the inclusion of an oscillator or piezoelectric crystal such as within the nozzle volume or otherwise unidirectionally coupled to the sheath fluid. The nozzle container continuously converges so as to amplify unidirectional oscillations which are transmitted as pressure waves through the nozzle volume to the nozzle exit so as to form droplets from the fluid jet. The oscillator is directionally isolated so as to avoid moving the entire nozzle container so as to create only pressure waves within the sheath fluid. A variation in substance concentration is achieved through a movable substance introduction port which is positioned within a convergence zone to vary the relative concentration of substance to sheath fluid while still maintaining optimal laminar flow conditions. This variation may be automatically controlled through a sensor and controller configuration. A replaceable tip design is also provided whereby the ceramic nozzle tip is positioned within an edge insert in the nozzle body so as to smoothly transition from nozzle body to nozzle tip. The nozzle tip is sealed against its outer surface to the nozzle body so it may be removable for cleaning or replacement.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG06-93ER61662
• Assignee: University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6133044
• OSTI ID: 873315
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

speed
flow
cytometer
droplet
formation
method
forming
allows
processing
oscillator
drive
powers
inclusion
piezoelectric
crystal
nozzle
volume
otherwise
unidirectionally
coupled
sheath
fluid
container
continuously
converges
amplify
unidirectional
oscillations
transmitted
pressure
waves
exit
form
droplets
jet
directionally
isolated
avoid
moving
entire
create
variation
substance
concentration
achieved
movable
introduction
positioned
convergence
zone
vary
relative
maintaining
optimal
laminar
conditions
automatically
controlled
sensor
controller
configuration
replaceable
tip
design
provided
whereby
ceramic
edge
insert
smoothly
transition
sealed
outer
surface
removable
cleaning
replacement
fluid jet
droplet formation
nozzle tip
nozzle exit
pressure waves
provided whereby
outer surface
flow cytometer
laminar flow
sheath fluid
piezoelectric crystal
flow conditions
pressure wave
automatically control
relative concentration
nozzle container
smoothly transition
ceramic nozzle
form droplets
speed flow
/436/209/324/356/422/