Chip-based flow cytometer type systems for analyzing fluorescently tagged particles

Abstract

Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A chip-based flow cytometer comprising:
 (a) a substrate having fixedly arranged therein:
 (i) a first input conduit for receiving a sample fluid containing fluorescent particles; 
 (ii) a second input conduit for receiving a sheath fluid; 
 (iii) a fluid flow chamber coupled to the first and second input conduits, wherein the fluid flow chamber is configured to generate a fluid stream with the sample fluid confined within the sheath fluid; 
 (iv) a channel coupled to the fluid flow chamber for routing the fluid stream through an optical interrogation region; and 
 (v) an outlet coupled to the channel configured for the sample fluid and the sheath fluid to exit the substrate after passing through the optical interrogation region; 
   (b) an illumination system configured to direct light at a plurality of different spots within the optical interrogation region of the channel; and   (c) a collection system comprising a plurality of detectors configured to gather fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent particles in the optical interrogation region, wherein the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent particles at each of the different spots is collected by a different detector of the collection system.   
     
     
         30 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the illumination system comprises a light source and a beam splitter. 
     
     
         31 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the light source is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         32 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the illumination system comprises a different light source for each of the different spots within the optical interrogation region. 
     
     
         33 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the light sources emits light within a different wavelength range than another of the light sources. 
     
     
         34 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of detectors comprises a silicon avalanche photodiode. 
     
     
         35 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the fluorescent particles are beads. 
     
     
         36 . The chip-based flow cytometer of  claim 29 , wherein the fluorescent particles are cells.