Multiple phase flow system for detecting and isolating substances

摘要

A multiple flow system and method for detecting substances in a fluid is provided. More specifically, a first fluid tube containing a first fluid and a second fluid tube containing a second fluid are coupled to a common fluid tube via a connector, such that alternating discrete compartments of the first fluid and the second fluid flow through the common fluid tube. The first and second fluids are immiscible. A substance detector, having a flow chamber with an internal wall, is coupled to the common fluid tube. The alternating discrete compartments of the first and second fluids flow through the flow chamber and are analyzed by the substance detector.

主权项

1. A multiple flow system for detecting substances in a fluid, the system comprising:
a first fluid tube containing a first fluid, wherein the first fluid comprises a first type of analyte and a second type of analyte; a second fluid tube containing a second fluid, wherein the first fluid is different from the second fluid, wherein the first and second fluids are immiscible; a common fluid tube; a connector coupled to the first fluid tube, the second fluid tube, and the common fluid tube, wherein fluid flows from the first fluid tube and the second fluid tube into the common fluid tube via the connector such that alternating discrete compartments of the first fluid and the second fluid flow through the common fluid tube; and a substance detector coupled to the common fluid tube, the substance detector configured to receive each alternating discrete compartment and analyze each alternating discrete compartment, wherein the substance detector comprises a flow chamber having an internal wall, wherein the internal wall is made of acrylamide gel that provides an acoustic path from an excited cell to an acoustic sensor, wherein the alternating discrete compartments flow through the flow chamber and are analyzed by the substance detector such that the substance detector is configured to identify a first signal corresponding to detection of the first type of analyte and a second signal corresponding to the second type of analyte, wherein the substance detector comprises a photoacoustic laser, wherein the photoacoustic laser is directed transversely to the flow or along the axis of the flow using an optical waveguide to irradiate the entire discrete compartments, wherein the multiple flow system is for photoacoustic detection of circulating tumor cells.