Flowcell systems and methods for particle analysis in blood samples
Inventors
Wanders, Bart J. • Adams, Thomas H. • Farrell, Gregory A. • Groner, Warren • Zhao, Xiaodong
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9909973-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. In some aspects the system comprises an analyzer which may be a visual analyzer. In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a particle imaging system comprising a flowcell through which a sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis of samples. Other compositions, methods and features of this disclosure are disclosed herein.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method for imaging particles using a particle analysis system configured for combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing, where the particles are included within a blood fluid sample. A sheath fluid is injected along a flowpath of a flowcell, and the sheath fluid has a viscosity different from the viscosity of the blood fluid sample.
The blood fluid sample is injected from a sample fluid injection tube at a flow rate into the flowing sheath fluid within the flowcell so as to provide a sample fluid stream with a first thickness adjacent the injection tube. The flowcell flowpath decreases in flowpath size such that the thickness of the sample fluid stream decreases from the initial thickness to a second thickness adjacent an image capture site, where imaging is performed.
The decrease in flowpath size is defined by a proximal flowpath portion having a proximal thickness and a distal flowpath portion having a distal thickness less than the proximal thickness. A downstream end of the sample fluid injection tube is positioned distal to the proximal flowpath portion, and symmetry in the decrease in flowpath size limits red blood cells imaging orientation misalignment to less than about 20%.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 is directed to imaging particles in a blood fluid sample using combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing in a flowcell. The claim includes five inventive features: viscosity-differential sheath injection, geometric narrowing of the flowpath to thin the sample stream, symmetry-based control of red blood cell imaging orientation misalignment, proximal/distal flowpath thickness definition, and distal positioning of the sample fluid injection tube.
Combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing for particle imaging
A method for imaging particles using a particle analysis system configured for combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing, the particles included within a blood fluid sample.
Viscosity-differential sheath injection along a flowcell flowpath
Injecting a sheath fluid along a flowpath of a flowcell of the particle analyzer, the sheath fluid having a viscosity that is different from a viscosity of the blood fluid sample.
Geometric hydrofocusing via decreasing flowpath size to thin the sample stream
Injecting the blood fluid sample from a sample fluid injection tube at a flow rate into the flowing sheath fluid within the flowcell so as to provide a sample fluid stream having a first thickness adjacent the injection tube, the flowpath of the flowcell having a decrease in flowpath size such that thickness of the sample fluid stream decreases from the initial thickness to a second thickness adjacent an image capture site.
Symmetry-defined red blood cell imaging orientation misalignment limit
Limiting red blood cells imaging orientation misalignment in the blood fluid sample to less than about 20% using symmetry in the decrease in flowpath size.
Proximal/distal flowpath thickness definition with distal injection tube positioning
The decrease in flowpath size is defined by a proximal flowpath portion having a proximal thickness, and distal flowpath portion having a distal thickness less than the proximal thickness, wherein a downstream end of the sample fluid injection tube is positioned distal to the proximal flowpath portion.
The invention is centered on combined viscosity and geometric hydrofocusing in a flowcell to produce a progressively thinned sample stream for imaging at an image capture site. It further requires symmetry in the flowpath narrowing to limit red blood cell imaging orientation misalignment to less than about 20%, while defining the proximal-to-distal flowpath thickness relationship and positioning of the downstream end of the injection tube.
Stated Advantages
Limits red blood cells imaging orientation misalignment to less than about 20%.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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