Patent ID: 7544326

Claim:
A sorting flow cytometer system comprising: (a) a flow cell, wherein said flow cell comprises: a flow cell body; a sample delivery tube extending into the flow cell body; at least one sheath flow port on said flow cell body, said at least one port allowing introduction of sheath flow liquid through said flow cell body; a cuvette having flat sides, joined to the flow cell body; a channel extending through said cuvette, said channel comprising an initial end and a terminal end, wherein liquid from said sample delivery tube and said at least one sheath flow port flows into said initial end of said channel flows out of said channel at said terminal end; and a nozzle at said terminal end of said channel having a single nozzle opening, wherein said nozzle opening is off center from a centered position within the channel; (b) a droplet generator associated with said flow cell body, said droplet generator allowing production of droplets from a stream exiting said nozzle; (c) illumination optics that focus and direct illumination light into said channel at an illumination region; (d) detection optics that collect light emitted from said channel, wherein said detection optics comprise a light collection lens positioned adjacent to a side of said cuvette; and (e) a coupling material joining said light collection lens to said cuvette, said coupling material allowing emission light to pass from said cuvette to said light collection lens without a transition into air.