Patent ID: 6597438
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61B,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A portable cytometer for identifying and/or counting selected particles in a sample fluid, comprising:a fluid receiver for receiving the sample fluid; at least one reservoir for storing one or more supporting fluids; a non-precision fluid driver coupled to the fluid receiver and the at least one reservoir for applying separate pressures to the sample fluid and the one or more supporting fluids to provide a fluid velocity to each of the sample fluid and the one or more supporting fluids; valve means coupled to the fluid driver for regulating the separate pressures that are applied to the sample fluid and the one or more supporting fluids; at least one flow sensor for measuring the fluid velocity of the sample fluid and the one or more supporting fluids provided by the fluid driver; control means coupled to the valve means and the at least one flow sensor for closed-loop control of the valve means so that the fluid velocities of the sample fluid and each of the one or more supporting fluids are at desired levels; a fluidic circuit for receiving the sample fluid and the one or more supporting fluids from the fluid driver, and for forming a flow stream; light providing means for providing a light through the flow stream; light receiving means for receiving the light from the flow stream, and for providing at least one signal in response thereto; and processing means for receiving the at least one signal from the light receiving means and for identifying and/or counting selected particles therein.