Flowcell holder and biological analysis systems and methods

Abstract

A biological imaging analyzer comprises a flowcell configured to flow biological cells therethrough, the flowcell including an imaging region where images of the biological cells are captured. The analyzer also comprises a lighting module configured to generate a light, the lighting module comprising a light guide configured to convey the light to an imaging region of the flowcell. The analyzer further comprises an imaging module configured to capture images of the biological cells at the imaging region of the flowcell. The analyzer also comprises a flowcell holder in operable connection with the flowcell. A method of positioning a flowcell for biological analysis comprises providing the flowcell configured to flow a biological sample for analysis, and operably connecting the flowcell holder with the flowcell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biological imaging analyzer comprising:
 a flowcell configured to flow biological cells therethrough, the flowcell including an imaging region where images of the biological cells are captured;   a lighting module configured to generate a light, the lighting module comprising a light guide configured to convey the light to an imaging region of the flowcell;   an imaging module configured to capture images of the biological cells at the imaging region of the flowcell; and   a flowcell holder in operable connection with the flowcell.   
     
     
         2 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging module comprises a camera. 
     
     
         3 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the biological cells are stained blood cells. 
     
     
         4 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the light is a pulsed light. 
     
     
         5 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the light guide is in operable connection with the flowcell holder. 
     
     
         6 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 5 , wherein a distance between the light guide and the flowcell is fixed. 
     
     
         7 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the light is a pulsed white light. 
     
     
         8 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the flowcell holder includes a connector contacting a portion of the imaging region of the flowcell. 
     
     
         9 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a pair of arcuate ridges. 
     
     
         10 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 9 , wherein the pair of arcuate ridges include respective engagement surfaces configured to frictionally engage the portion of the imaging region of the flowcell. 
     
     
         11 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 10 , wherein the engagement surfaces are configured to frictionally engage the portion of the imaging region of the flowcell on opposite sides of a flowpath of the flowcell. 
     
     
         12 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a metallic material. 
     
     
         13 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . The biological imaging analyzer of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the imaging region of the flowcell comprises glass. 
     
     
         15 . A flowcell apparatus for biological analysis comprising:
 a flowcell configured to flow a biological sample for analysis, the flowcell including an analysis region; and   a holder to adjust the position of the flowcell, wherein a portion of the holder abuts the analysis region of the flowcell.   
     
     
         16 . The flowcell apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a light guide configured to convey light from a lighting module to the analysis region of the flowcell 
     
     
         17 . The flowcell apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a distance between the light guide and the flowcell is fixed. 
     
     
         18 . A method of positioning a flowcell for biological analysis comprising:
 providing a flowcell configured to flow a biological sample for analysis; and   providing a holder to adjust a position of the flowcell, the holder including a horizontal translation element, a vertical translation element, and a rotational adjustment element.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising connecting a lightguide to the holder, wherein the lightguide is configured to convey a light from a light source to an analysis region of the flowcell. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the holder abuts an analysis region of the flowcell.