Condensed geometry nozzle for flow cytometry

摘要

Disclosed is a nozzle assembly that is compact in size and that uses plastic tubing as an injection needle. Standard plastic fittings are utilized, which are inexpensive and widely available. The nozzle assembly has a simple construction and can be easily assembled and disassembled in a few minutes by a user. Cleaning and/or replacement of parts is inexpensive. Plastic tubing can be used as an injection needle that has superior qualities over commonly used stainless steel injection needles. Flexure of the injection needle tubing is prevented because of the compact size of the nozzle cavity.

主权项

1. A nozzle assembly for a flow cytometer comprising:
a body portion that is formed from a plastic material, said body portion formed to have a nozzle cavity that has a compact size and shape that inhibits the formation of bubbles in a sheath fluid disposed in said cavity; an input sheath fluid port and an output sheath fluid port that are connected at off center positions to said nozzle cavity to create swirling of said sheath fluid in said nozzle cavity; a nozzle tip releasably attached to said body portion and concentrically aligned with said nozzle cavity; a fitting that is releasably attached to said body portion; plastic tubing centrally disposed in said nozzle cavity, said plastic tubing extending through said fitting and secured to said body portion by said fitting; an alignment disk seated in an opening in said body portion, said alignment disk engaging said plastic tubing and centering said plastic tubing in said nozzle tip for injection of sample fluids in said nozzle tip; a retainer that releasably secures said nozzle tip and said alignment disk to said body portion.