Methods of sperm cell sensing utilizing an avalanche photodiode and cytometer apparatus
Inventors
SAVAGE, Frederick • Szejna, Glenn J. • Xia, Zheng
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11342473-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cytometer includes an avalanche photodiode, a switching power supply, a filter, and voltage adjustment circuitry. The switching power supply includes a feedback loop. The filter is electrically connected between the switching power supply and the avalanche photodiode. The voltage adjustment circuitry adjusts a voltage on the feedback loop based at least in part on a voltage measured between the filter and the avalanche photodiode.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a flow cytometry apparatus that interrogates a particle at an interrogation location using a first electromagnetic radiation source, and detects emission of electromagnetic radiation by the particle at the interrogation location using an avalanche photodiode. The avalanche photodiode outputs a signal based on the detected emission, and the output signal is used to control a second electromagnetic radiation source.
The system emits a deactivation beam of electromagnetic radiation toward the particle based on the avalanche photodiode output signal. In representative implementations, the particle is a sperm cell stained by a DNA-interlacing dye, and the interrogated emission is associated with fluorescence caused by interrogation.
The invention also describes a cytometer power/bias architecture in which a switching/DC-DC supply with a feedback loop reads a filtered voltage at or near the avalanche photodiode and uses voltage adjustment circuitry to adjust an avalanche photodiode reverse bias voltage to maintain predetermined optical gain. The temperature compensation and the conditioning of the avalanche photodiode signal support low-noise detection and processing of the time-varying analog signal into digitized signal processing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to systems and methods for causing deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus using an interrogation radiation source, avalanche photodiode detection, and a deactivation radiation source controlled by the avalanche photodiode output signal, with narrowing to sperm cells stained by a DNA-interlacing dye.
Interrogation-to-deactivation using an avalanche photodiode
A system for causing deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus comprising a first electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit an interrogation beam at a particle in an interrogation location, an avalanche photodiode configured to detect emission at the interrogation location and output a signal based on the detected emission, and a second electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit a deactivation beam at the particle based on the avalanche photodiode output signal.
Deactivation method using avalanche photodiode-controlled deactivation beam
A method for causing deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus comprising emitting an interrogation beam at a particle in an interrogation location by a first electromagnetic radiation source, detecting emission by the particle at the interrogation location by an avalanche photodiode, outputting an output signal based on the detected emission, and emitting a deactivation beam by a second electromagnetic radiation source directed to the particle and based on the output signal.
Sperm cell stained by a DNA-interlacing dye in a deactivation system
A system for causing deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus comprising a first electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit an interrogation beam at a particle in an interrogation location, an avalanche photodiode configured to detect emission at the interrogation location and output a signal based on the detected emission, wherein the particle is a sperm cell stained by a DNA-interlacing dye.
Across the independent claims, deactivation is achieved by linking an interrogation beam, avalanche photodiode detection of emission at an interrogation location, and emission of a deactivation beam directed at the particle based on the avalanche photodiode output signal, with claim narrowing to sperm cells stained by a DNA-interlacing dye and corresponding interrogation, detection, and deactivation workflows.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Causing deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus based on avalanche photodiode detection and a deactivation beam.
Sperm cell deactivation in a flow cytometry apparatus using a DNA-interlacing dye with interrogation and detection via an avalanche photodiode.
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