Patent ID: 9034259
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for sorting cell particles in a liquid flow, comprising: a flow-defining block including a flow chamber configured to receive a sample conduit, a flow cell having a flow channel, and a discharge end; and a strobe block including an imaging device for taking an image of a jet flow ejected from the flow-defining block and a plurality of droplets in a given image area, and a nozzle plate, which includes a nozzle channel between a receiving end and a nozzle; wherein the flow-defining block and the strobe block are detachably connected to each other; wherein the discharge end of the flow-defining block is opposite to the receiving end of the nozzle plate; wherein the discharge end and the receiving end have substantially the same open distance within an alignment tolerance in a plane perpendicular to a flow direction; wherein said strobe block with the nozzle plate inserted therein is detachably connected with the flow-defining block within a horizontal mechanical alignment tolerance inevitably caused in response to connection between said strobe block and said flow-defining block; wherein the open distance is ten times or greater than the alignment tolerance; and wherein the flow-defining block further includes a channel enlarged portion having a cross section, taken along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction, including an area relatively increasing toward the discharge end; and wherein the nozzle plate has a channel reduced portion having a cross section, taken along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction, including an area relatively decreasing from the receiving end toward the nozzle.