Patent ID: 7709821
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A flow cytometer comprising: a flow cell through which a fluid sample flows, the fluid sample containing particles to be detected, the flow cell including a plurality of different interrogation regions spaced from one another along a direction of sample flow, each of the plurality of interrogation regions being illuminated by a respective excitation beam, wherein the flow cell is configured such that the particles to be detected are carried in a stream successively through each of the plurality of interrogation regions; at least one excitation light source, each excitation light source emitting an excitation beam for illuminating at least one of the interrogation regions in the flow cell; at least one input fiber for each interrogation region, each input fiber receiving scattered light and fluorescent light from its associated interrogation region, wherein each input fiber is arranged to receive light scattered or emitted in directions out of an interrogation plane defined by an axis of the respective excitation beam and the direction of sample flow; a dispersion module for each interrogation region, each dispersion module being coupled to the at least one input fiber for the interrogation region with which the dispersion module is associated, the dispersion module including an optical element that disperses incoming light from the at least one input fiber coupled to the dispersion module; a plurality of output fibers for each dispersion module, each of the plurality of output fibers receiving light in a unique spectral range from the dispersion module with which the output fiber is associated; and at least one photosensitive detector for receiving light transmitted by the output fibers and generating signal information in response to the received light.