Silicon microchannel optical flow cytometer
US5726751A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/058
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a flow cytometer made of two components: a flow cytometer optical head and a disposable flow module. The flow module utilizes a V-groove flow channel micromachined in a silicon wafer. The optical head comprises a laser to provide an illuminating beam and small and large angle photodetectors. Anisotropically etched facets of the V-groove reflect the illuminating beam. Small angle scattered light is also reflected by the V-groove wall and is collected by the small angle photodetector. Large angle scattered light and fluorescent light can exit the channel without reflection and are collected by the large angle photodetector. In addition, fluorescent light can be back-reflected by the V-groove, which enhances the collection efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.