Apparatus and method for cell kill confirmation
Inventors
SAVAGE, Frederick • Appleyard, David • Xia, Zheng • Ebersole, Matthew • McAda, Daniel
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11753620-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and related apparatus for confirming whether a kill laser successfully destroys an undesired population of cells includes introducing fluorescent dye into cells, exciting the cells with a detection laser or a light emitting diode to cause the cell to fluoresce for a first time, measuring the amount of fluorescence in the cells with a detector capable of emitting a detection pulse, classifying the cells via embedded processing as undesired or desired cells based on the amount of fluorescence, firing a kill beam with a kill laser at any undesired cells, measuring the amount of fluorescence in the cells a second time to determine whether a fluorescent event was generated from the kill beam striking the cells, and providing feedback to an operator of the kill laser as to whether any fluorescent events were generated from the kill beam striking the cells.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a real-time feedback method for a system that destroys an undesired cell. The method detects a first fluorescence of a cell with a detector and classifies the cell as an undesired cell or a desired cell based on the detection of the first fluorescence. If the cell is classified as an undesired cell, the method destroys the undesired cell with a kill event.
During the detection event, the method confirms whether the undesired cell was destroyed by detecting a second fluorescence of the cell. The invention further provides a sexed semen system that uses a detection laser to excite a sperm cell and a computer processing unit to determine the sex based on an output of a first fluorescence detector. The system includes a kill laser to destroy undesired sperm cells and a second fluorescence detector.
A high-speed analog to digital converter digitizes pulse data sent upstream to confirm whether undesired sperm cells are destroyed by the kill laser based on an output from the second fluorescence detector. The disclosed implementations also include closed-loop feedback that utilizes high speed comparators in a ladder configuration and alternative confirmation electronics architectures to support real-time confirmation of cell destruction.
Claims Coverage
The provided excerpt includes three independent claims, each directed to real-time confirmation of destruction based on fluorescence measurement, with system-level embodiments for sexed semen and closed-loop feedback using high-speed electronics.
Real-time feedback using first and second fluorescence for cell destruction confirmation
A method providing real-time feedback for a system that destroys an undesired cell by detecting a first fluorescence, classifying the cell as undesired or desired, destroying the undesired cell with a kill event when classified as undesired, and confirming whether the undesired cell was destroyed by detecting a second fluorescence during the detection event.
Sexed semen system with kill laser confirmation via high-speed digitization
A sexed semen system comprising a detection laser to excite a sperm cell, a first fluorescence detector, a computer processing unit to determine sex based on an output of the first fluorescence detector, a kill laser, a second fluorescence detector, and a high-speed analog to digital converter that digitizes pulse data and sends pulse data upstream thereby confirming whether undesired sperm cells are destroyed by the kill laser based on an output from the second fluorescence detector.
Closed-loop feedback using high-speed comparators in ladder configuration for kill confirmation
A sexed semen system comprising a detection laser to excite a sperm cell, a fluorescence detector, a computer processing unit to determine sex based on an output of the fluorescence detector, a kill laser, and closed-loop feedback utilizing high speed comparators in a ladder configuration to assist in confirming whether undesired sperm cells are destroyed by the kill laser based on an output from the fluorescence detector.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on confirming destruction of undesired cells, including undesired sperm cells in sexed semen, by measuring fluorescence associated with the kill event, coupled with real-time feedback using high-speed detection electronics.
Stated Advantages
Provides real-time feedback for a system that destroys an undesired cell.
Confirms whether an undesired cell was destroyed by detecting a second fluorescence during the detection event.
Confirms whether undesired sperm cells are destroyed by the kill laser based on output from the second fluorescence detector.
Assists in confirming whether undesired sperm cells are destroyed by using closed-loop feedback with high speed comparators in a ladder configuration.
Documented Applications
Sexed semen systems for determining the sex of sperm cells and destroying undesired sperm cells with kill confirmation based on second fluorescence detection.
Interested in licensing this patent?