Flow cytometer system including flow cytometer, autosampler and system integration structure

Abstract

A flow cytometer system includes a flow cytometer, an autosampler and a system integration structure to accommodate interconnection and interface of the flow cytometer and autosampler for operation together and providing for convenient interface with equipment for handling process liquids.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A flow cytometer system, comprising:
 a flow cytometer with a sample inlet for receiving a sample fluid for flow cytometry analysis of the sample fluid for particles within the sample fluid;   an autosampler in fluid communication with the sample inlet of the flow cytometer and operative to automatically provide a series of batches of sample fluid to the flow cytometer for flow cytometry analysis;   a system integration structure, comprising:
 an upper shelf disposed above the autosampler and on which the flow cytometer is supported above the autosampler; 
 a container rack comprising a plurality of container receptacles to receive a corresponding plurality of process liquid containers to provide a source of process liquid to and receive used process liquid from operations of the flow cytometer and autosampler; and 
 a routing channel to route fluid conduits from process liquid containers toward the flow cytometer and the autosampler when the liquid containers are received in the container rack; 
   wherein the at least one access opening includes a plurality of holes through the side wall of the support member.   
     
     
         6 . A flow cytometer according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of holes includes a number of the holes that is at least equal to a number of the receptacles of the container rack. 
     
     
         7 . A flow cytometer system according to  claim 6 , wherein the container rack includes at least four of the receptacles and the at least one opening includes at least six of the holes. 
     
     
         8 . A flow cytometer according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the routing channel extends from the at least one access opening in a upward direction through the support member for routing of one or more of the fluid conduits to the flow cytometer located at a higher elevation than the at least one opening; and   the routing channel extends from the at least one access opening in a downward direction through the support member for routing one or more of the fluid conduits to the autosampler.   
     
     
         9 . The flow cytometer system according to  claim 8 , wherein the routing channel is open to an opening through the upper shelf that provides for routing one or more of the fluid conduits from the routing channel below the upper shelf to the flow cytometer. 
     
     
         10 . The flow cytometer system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the system integration structure comprises a lower shelf on which is supported the autosampler; and   the routing channel extends downward to a space located below the lower shelf for routing one or more of the fluid conduits under the lower shelf directed to the autosampler.   
     
     
         11 . A flow cytometer system according to  claim 10 , wherein the support member extends from the lower shelf to the upper shelf. 
     
     
         12 . A flow cytometer system according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the support member is a first support member and the system integration structure comprises a second support member; and   wherein at least a portion of the autosampler is disposed on the lower shelf between the first support member and the second support member.   
     
     
         13 . A flow cytometer system according to  claim 12 , wherein the lower shelf has a front edge and a back edge;
 the autosampler has a side access between the front edge and the back edge of the lower shelf; and   neither the first support member nor the second support member is disposed opposite the side access.   
     
     
         14 . A flow cytometer system according to  claim 13 , the autosampler has a front and a back corresponding to front and a back of the system integration structure and the system integration structure is open to the front and the back between the first and second support members to provide access to the front and the back of the autosampler. 
     
     
         15 - 40 . (canceled)