Patent ID: 8441624

Claim:
A system for measuring properties of a particle contained in a flow of fluid, comprising: (a) a sampling volume into which the flow of fluid containing the particle can be directed, the sampling volume including a region of interest; (b) a pressure generator for subjecting the particle to changes in pressure when the particle is proximate the region of interest; (c) a light source for illuminating the region of interest with light; (d) a light sensor for capturing light scattered or emitted by the particle as a result of subjecting the particle to changes in pressure, producing a light sensor signal; (e) a sound sensor for capturing sounds scattered or emitted by the particle as a result of subjecting the particle to changes in pressure, producing a sound sensor signal; and (f) a processor coupled to at least one of the light sensor and the sound sensor, the processor manipulating at least one of the light sensor signal and the sound sensor signal to determine at least one property of the particle in the region of interest.