Patent ID: 8891084

Claim:
A method of detecting particles in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a microfluidic device, said microfluidic device comprising: a substrate; a first microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said first flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of first cells flowing in said first flow channel; and a second microfluidic flow channel formed in said substrate, wherein said second flow channel extends through a portion of said substrate adapted to facilitate cytometry analysis of second cells flowing in said second flow channel; b) producing an excitation beam aimed at said first and second flow channels; c) spatially varying said excitation beam in a first patterned manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said first flow channel such that a first patterned excitation beam illuminates said first flow channel; and d) spatially varying said excitation beam in a second patterned manner prior to said excitation beam reaching said second flow channel such that a second patterned excitation beam illuminates said second flow channel.