Patent ID: 6507400
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A particle analyzing apparatus for discriminating particulate element(s) in a fluid flow for purposes of analysis, classification, sorting, and presentation, the apparatus having an illumination source for emitting an illumination beam, the apparatus comprising:a flow cell having a flow passage through which a fluid flow containing particles can pass, a first exterior face perpendicular to a first axis of the flow cell, and a second exterior face perpendicular to a second axis of the flow cell, wherein the first axis is substantially co-axial with an illumination beam emitted from the illumination source, the flow passage is positioned between the illumination source and the first exterior face, and the first exterior face and the second exterior face are orthogonal; and a light sensor to receive light from the illumination source via the flow cell, the light sensor being oriented substantially parallel to the second exterior face of the flow cell and displaced a sufficient distance from the second axis in a direction in parallel with the first axis to enable receipt of a prescribed range of light passed by the first exterior face.