FLOW CYTOMETRY SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A flow cytometry system having a flow channel defined through the thickness of a substrate is disclosed. Fluid flowing through the flow channel is illuminated by a first plurality of surface waveguides that are arranged around the flow channel in a first plane, while a second plurality of surface waveguides arranged around the flow channel in a second plane receive light after it has interacted with the fluid. The illumination pattern provided to the fluid is controlled by controlling the phase of the light in the first plurality of surface waveguides. As a result, the fluid is illuminated with light that is uniform and has a low coefficient of variation, improving the ability to distinguish and quantify characteristics of the fluid, such as cell count, DNA content, and the like.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a substrate that defines a first plane, the substrate comprising a flow channel that is operative for conveying fluid along a first direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane, the flow channel being located within a first region of the substrate; a first surface waveguide that is optically coupled with the flow channel, the first surface waveguide being located in a second plane within the first region, wherein the second plane is substantially parallel with the first plane; and a second surface waveguide that is optically coupled with the flow channel in the first region, the second surface waveguide being located in a third plane within the first region, wherein the third plane is substantially parallel with the second plane.