Micro-particle sorting apparatus and method of determining a trajectory of an ejected stream carrying micro-particles

Abstract

A flow cytometer includes apparatus for evaluating a trajectory of an ejected stream that carries micro-particles. The stream may be ejected from a micro-orifice of a micro-fluidic chip. The apparatus includes an imaging device and at least one processor configured to evaluate a trajectory of the ejected stream in at least two directions, e.g., a focusing direction and a direction transverse to the focusing direction. Based upon a detected trajectory, the system may execute an alarm function if the trajectory indicates an abnormal condition, or may move sample collection containers to accommodate for measured deviations in the trajectory of the ejected stream.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow cytometer comprising:
 a micro-orifice configured to eject a fluidic stream;   an imaging device configured to image an ejected stream, the ejected stream being at least a portion of the fluidic stream ejected from the micro-orifice; and   at least one processor configured to receive and process an image of the ejected stream imaged by the imaging device, detect one or more contrasted spots located centrally within the ejected stream, and evaluate a trajectory of the ejected stream from the received image.   
     
     
         2 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the ejected stream comprises a continuous liquid stream or comprises a stream of separated liquid droplets. 
     
     
         3 . The flow cytometer of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 electrostatic deflection apparatus configured to deflect the liquid droplets; and   charging apparatus configured to apply charges to individual liquid droplets so that individual liquid droplets carrying micro-particles may be sorted according to pre-selected sorting criteria.   
     
     
         4 . The flow cytometer of  claim 2 , further comprising automated focusing apparatus, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to measure a first brightness level within at least one central region of the liquid stream or liquid droplets and a second brightness level in at least one remaining portion of the liquid stream or liquid droplets and control the focusing apparatus based upon the measured first and second brightness levels so as to change a focus of the received image. 
     
     
         5 . The flow cytometer of  claim 4 , wherein the focus of the received image is changed according to a contrast ratio computed from the first and second brightness levels. 
     
     
         6 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to evaluate the trajectory of the ejected stream based upon an arrangement of one or more bright spots detected within the image of the ejected stream. 
     
     
         7 . The flow cytometer of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to evaluate the trajectory by identifying a line that connects the one or more bright spots. 
     
     
         8 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to compute an angle associated with the trajectory of the ejected stream. 
     
     
         9 . The flow cytometer of  claim 8 , wherein the computed angle is a measure of deviation of the ejected stream from a predetermined direction. 
     
     
         10 . The flow cytometer of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to detect an abnormality in operation of the flow cytometer if the computed angle is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         11 . The flow cytometer of  claim 10 , wherein the detected abnormality is associated with a micro-fluidic chip having the micro-orifice. 
     
     
         12 . The flow cytometer of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute an alerting function if the computed angle is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         13 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , further comprising movable sample collection tubes that are configured to be moved in an automated manner responsive to the at least one processor determining that the trajectory of the ejected stream deviates from a predetermined trajectory. 
     
     
         14 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to calculate the trajectory of the ejected stream in a focus direction based upon a first focus condition of a first portion of the ejected stream and a second focus condition of a second portion of the ejected stream. 
     
     
         15 . The flow cytometer of  claim 14 , wherein the first focus condition is evaluated by focusing a first bright spot centrally in the ejected stream near a first end of the ejected stream and the second focus condition is evaluated by focusing a second bright spot centrally in the ejected stream near a second end of the ejected stream. 
     
     
         16 . The flow cytometer of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to calculate the trajectory of the ejected stream based upon a difference in positions associated with the first focus condition and second focus condition. 
     
     
         17 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify a width of the ejected stream in the received image and determine a diameter of the micro-orifice based upon the identified width of the ejected stream. 
     
     
         18 . The flow cytometer of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-orifice is an exit orifice of a micro-fluidic chip. 
     
     
         19 . A trajectory evaluation system for an ejected stream of a flow cytometer, the trajectory evaluation system comprising:
 an imaging device configured to image the ejected stream, wherein the ejected stream is at least at portion of a fluidic stream ejected from a micro-orifice of the flow cytometer; and   at least one processor configured to receive and process an image of the ejected stream imaged by the imaging device, detect one or more contrasted spots located centrally within the ejected stream, and evaluate a trajectory of the ejected stream from the received image based upon the one or more contrasted spots.   
     
     
         20 . A method of measuring a trajectory of an ejected stream in a flow cytometer, the method comprising:
 imaging, with an imaging device, the ejected stream, wherein the ejected stream is at least a portion of a fluidic stream ejected from a micro-orifice of the flow cytometer;   receiving, by at least one processor, an image of the ejected stream imaged by the imaging device; and   processing, by the at least one processor, the received image to detect one or more contrasted spots located centrally within the ejected stream and to evaluate a trajectory of the ejected stream based upon the one or more contrasted spots.