Measuring the velocity of small moving objects such as cells
US6507391B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/1497
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Frequency domain velocity measurements and time domain velocity measurements are made using light from cells or other objects. An optical grating is used to modulate the light from an object so that it has a frequency proportional to the velocity of the object. Depending upon the embodiment, the pitch of the optical grating is uniform or varying. The modulated light is detected, producing an analog signal that is then digitally sampled. Time domain signal processing techniques are used to determine the velocity of the object from the digital samples. Preferably, the velocity measured is applied in determining a timing signal employed for synchronization of an image of the object and an detector signal in an optical analysis system that uses a time delay integration (TDI) detector to determine characteristics of the object in response to light from the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.