Method and apparatus for orienting sperm in a fluid stream

US8206988B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INGURAN, LLC · US

Inventors

• Gary Durack · Urbana, US
• Jeffrey D. Wallace · Rantoul, US
• Gary P. Vandre · Mahomet, US
• Lon A. Westfall · Mahomet, US
• Jeremy T. Hatcher · Urbana, US
• Niraj V. Nayak · Redondo Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2012
• Expiry date: May 12, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/2575
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A flow cytometry nozzle and method for orienting sperm cells in a fluid flow path including an interior surface of a nozzle. The interior surface of the nozzle having a first, a second and a third axially tapered region for progressively accelerating the speed of a fluid stream in a downstream direction toward a nozzle exit. At least two of the regions having generally elliptical cross sectional shapes oriented in different directions for applying torsional forces to a fluid stream passing there through, tending to bring sperm cells in the stream into a desired orientation.