Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein advantageously provide extended dynamic range capabilities to detect low intensity and high intensity emitted or scattered light from particles at high speeds with high sensitivity. Independently controlled first and second optical detector elements that handle light intensities in different dynamic ranges, large overall dynamic range is created. Signals from the detector elements can be combined to create a single combined signal that has excellent sensitivity over a large dynamic range. The detector systems and methods taught herein are particularly advantageous in particle processing where the population of particles can emit or scatter light over a large range of intensity values.

Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

Abstract: This relates to acoustic microfluidic systems that can generate emulsions/droplets or encapsulate particles of interest (including mammalian cells, bacteria cells, or other cells) into droplets upon detection of the particles of interest flowing in a stream of particles. The systems operate on the detect/decide/deflect principle wherein the deflection step, in a single operation, not only deflects particles of interest from a stream of particles but also encapsulates the particles of interest in an emulsion droplet. The microfluidic systems have an abrupt transition in the channel geometry from a shorter channel to a taller channel (i.e., in the shape of a ‘step’) to break the stream of the dispersed phase into a droplet upon acoustic actuation. When there is no acoustic wave present, no droplets/emulsions are generated and the stream of particles proceeds uninterrupted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved particle processing (e.g., cytometry and/or cell purification) systems and methods that can operate in an autonomous fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and methods for analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting and/or enriching) particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) where human intervention is not required and/or is minimized. The systems, assemblies and methods of the present disclosure advantageously improve run performance of particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems, cytometers) by significantly reducing and/or substantially eliminating the burden of operation for human intervention by automating numerous functions, features and/or steps of the disclosed systems and methods.

Abstract: Microfluidic flow-through elements and methods for forming and using the same, particularly, low cost, easily sterilized, disposable microfluidic flow-through elements may include an orifice region suitable, for example, for fluid jet formation (such as in a droplet sorter or flow cell) or sample injection or hydrodynamic focusing (such as in a non-droplet flow cytometer). Laser drilling, for example laser ablation, may be used to form an orifice region extending through an orifice wall section of a base substrate. The base substrate may be unitarily-formed by injection molding a polymeric material. The orifice region may be advantageously configured to form a predetermined geometry by controlling the characteristics of the ablating beam.

Abstract: A method of sorting cells including magnetically coupling a nozzle assembly to a flow cytometer in a predetermined orientation to form a fluid stream having a sheath fluid and a sample fluid. Particles within the sample fluid are oriented and then interrogated at an inspection zone to produces signals representative of emitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation is analyzed to classify the cells and the cells are sorted according to their classification.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly may include the step of over molding a nozzle housing, or a portion of a nozzle housing, onto at least one nozzle component, such as an injection tube. Nozzle assemblies and flow cytometers incorporating nozzle assemblies may include any combination of straight smooth injection tubes, improved features for securing a nozzle assembly, improved features for debubbling a nozzle assembly, and aggressive orienting geometries. A method of sorting cells may include the step of magnetically coupling a nozzle assembly with a flow cytometer.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A flow cell for particle processing such as particle sorting, may be operatively engaged to a particle processing apparatus. The fluid contact surfaces of the flow cell may be fully enclosed. Further, the flow cell may encapsulate all fluid contact surfaces in the particle processing apparatus. The enclosing or encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The flow cell may employ any suitable technique for processing particles. The flow cell may be disposable and suitable for use in droplet sorting. The flow cell may include an operatively sealed sort chamber having a particle stream focusing region, an orifice, an interrogation zone and a sorting region.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical crosstalk reduction in particle processing (e.g., cytometry including flow cytometry using microfluidic based sorters, drop formation based sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods in order to improve performance. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assemblies, systems and methods for minimizing optical crosstalk during the analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching) of particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.). The exemplary systems and methods for crosstalk reduction in particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems) may be particularly useful in the area of cellular medicine or the like. The systems and methods may be modular and used singly or in combination to optimize cell purification based on the crosstalk environment and specific requirements of the operator and/or system.

Abstract: Particle processing systems and methods utilize a sort monitoring system to monitor an operational characteristic for a particle sorting system. The operational characteristic may be related to the performance and operation of a sorter or a group of sorters in the particle sorting system. The operational characteristic may be monitored based on monitoring particles for an output of a sorter or of a group of sorters. Operational characteristics which may be monitored include sort error, sort fraction, yield, purity and recovery percentage. The sort monitoring system may evaluate the monitored operational characteristic, for example, as related to sort performance, and take an action, for example, a corrective action or a notifying action, based on the evaluation of the operational characteristic.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to cell sorting methods, and particularly cell sorting methods that improve the efficiency or productivity of sorting in a particle sorting instrument utilizing a measured parameter of sorting efficiency. In one embodiment, minimum productivity and minimum purity may be established and maintained while attempting to maximize the sorting efficiency. While in another embodiment, a minimum sorting efficiency and a minimum purity may be established and maintained while attempting to maximize the productivity of a sort.