Abstract: In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell. A stepper flow control valves are disclosed that apply a physical fluid resistance to a flow of sheath fluid in the flow cytometer. The physical fluid resistance regulates a flow rate of the sheath fluid and thereby regulates a flow rate of sample fluid in the flow cytometer.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell. A stepper flow control valves are disclosed that apply a physical fluid resistance to a flow of sheath fluid in the flow cytometer. The physical fluid resistance regulates a flow rate of the sheath fluid and thereby regulates a flow rate of sample fluid in the flow cytometer.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method are provided for a modular flow cytometer with a compact size. In one embodiment, the modular flow cytometry system includes the following: a laser system for emitting laser beams; a flow cell assembly positioned to receive the laser beams at an interrogation region of a fluidics stream where fluoresced cells scatter the laser beams into fluorescent light; a fiber assembly positioned to collect the fluorescent light; and a grating system including a dispersive element and a receiver assembly, wherein the dispersive element is positioned to receive the fluorescent light from the fiber assembly and to direct spectrally dispersed light toward the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method are provided for a modular flow cytometer with a compact size. In one embodiment, the modular flow cytometry system includes the following: a laser system for emitting laser beams; a flow cell assembly positioned to receive the laser beams at an interrogation region of a fluidics stream where fluoresced cells scatter the laser beams into fluorescent light; a fiber assembly positioned to collect the fluorescent light; and a grating system including a dispersive element and a receiver assembly, wherein the dispersive element is positioned to receive the fluorescent light from the fiber assembly and to direct spectrally dispersed light toward the receiver assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a smart flow cytometer includes a monitoring system to monitor differing operational parameters of the smart flow cytometer to detect an advanced failure of components and an advanced need for maintenance. In others, a smart flow cytometer includes a quality control system including a reservoir of quality control beads to periodically run a validation test with the quality control beads in order to determine the ability of the flow cytometer to generate quality data output from a plurality of light detectors. In some embodiments, a plurality of smart flow cytometers are coupled into communication with a computer communication network; a central repair server system is coupled into communication with the computer communication network and the plurality of smart flow cytometers; wherein each of the plurality of smart flow cytometers includes a monitoring system coupled to monitor differing operational parameters of the smart flow cytometer for possible failure.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell.

Abstract: Tissue dissociators configured to disrupt a biological tissue sample are provided. Aspects of the tissue dissociators may include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a cutting blade positioned at the distal end of the housing and a tissue actuator configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the housing. Also provided are methods of using the tissue dissociators, as well as kits including the tissue dissociators.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method are provided for a modular flow cytometer with a compact size. In one embodiment, the modular flow cytometry system includes the following: a laser system for emitting laser beams; a flow cell assembly positioned to receive the laser beams at an interrogation region of a fluidics stream where fluoresced cells scatter the laser beams into fluorescent light; a fiber assembly positioned to collect the fluorescent light; and a compact light detection module including a first image array having a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell. A stepper flow control valves are disclosed that apply a physical fluid resistance to a flow of sheath fluid in the flow cytometer. The physical fluid resistance regulates a flow rate of the sheath fluid and thereby regulates a flow rate of sample fluid in the flow cytometer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method are provided for a modular flow cytometer with a compact size. In one embodiment, the modular flow cytometry system includes the following: a laser system for emitting laser beams; a flow cell assembly positioned to receive the laser beams at an interrogation region of a fluidics stream where fluoresced cells scatter the laser beams into fluorescent light; a fiber assembly positioned to collect the fluorescent light; and a grating system including a dispersive element and a receiver assembly, wherein the dispersive element is positioned to receive the fluorescent light from the fiber assembly and to direct spectrally dispersed light toward the receiver assembly.

Abstract: Flow cytometer systems that include a sample manipulation chamber having an access hole that is adjustably sealed by a slider tape sealing cartridge are provided. Also provided are methods of using such systems, as well as components for use in such systems.

Abstract: Tissue dissociators configured to disrupt a biological tissue sample are provided. Aspects of the tissue dissociators may include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a cutting blade positioned at the distal end of the housing and a tissue actuator configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the housing. Also provided are methods of using the tissue dissociators, as well as kits including the tissue dissociators.

Abstract: Flow cytometer systems that include a sample manipulation chamber having an access hole that is adjustably sealed by a slider tape sealing cartridge are provided. Also provided are methods of using such systems, as well as components for use in such systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum-driven fluidic system for a flow-type particle analyzer. The system includes a vacuum pump which creates a pressure drop downstream of the flow cell, which pulls sheath fluid and sample fluid through the flow cell. A variable-resistance fluidic resistor is configured to control the ratio of sample fluid flow to sheath fluid flow. Dual feedback circuits, one configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop across the flow cell, referred to as the dynamic pressure drop, and a second configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop created by the vacuum pump relative to ambient pressure, referred to as the static pressure drop, are used to automatically control the system. The present invention enables adjustment of the sample fluid flow rate while maintaining a constant total fluid flow through the flow cell, and further, enables pausing the system without significant fluctuations in the vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum-driven fluidic system for a flow-type particle analyzer. The system includes a vacuum pump which creates a pressure drop downstream of the flow cell, which pulls sheath fluid and sample fluid through the flow cell. A variable-resistance fluidic resistor is configured to control the ratio of sample fluid flow to sheath fluid flow. Dual feedback circuits, one configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop across the flow cell, referred to as the dynamic pressure drop, and a second configured to modulate the vacuum pump power in response to the pressure drop created by the vacuum pump relative to ambient pressure, referred to as the static pressure drop, are used to automatically control the system. The present invention enables adjustment of the sample fluid flow rate while maintaining a constant total fluid flow through the flow cell, and further, enables pausing the system without significant fluctuations in the vacuum.