Patent ID: 7728974
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for analyzing particles in a flow stream, comprising: an objective configured to direct light from a sensing region within said flow stream, the sensing region including an in-focus position, to an aperture having a proximate side and a distal side, the proximate side being closer to the objective than the distal side, wherein said aperture is elongated and has a center region, a first side region adjacent to one edge of the elongated dimension, and a second side region adjacent to an edge of the elongated dimension, opposite said first side region; a lens configured to focus said light directed by said objective from said in-focus position within said sensing region onto said aperture, a first peripheral diverter positioned to receive light from said first side region of said aperture, and a first peripheral detector configured to receive light transmitted through said first peripheral diverter; a second peripheral diverter positioned to receive light from said second side region of said aperture, and a second peripheral detector configured to receive light transmitted through said second peripheral diverter; and a first parametric characteristics detector positioned to receive light from said center region of said aperture; wherein said elongated dimension of said aperture is oriented such that light emitted from said sensing region that is outside of said in-focus region in a sideways direction relative to the direction of the flow stream will be directed to one of said peripheral prisms.