Patent ID: 7252987

Claim:
An automated system for evaluation and selection of capsules a minority of which contain encapsulated cellular material comprising: a first channel through which a first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced into the system and will exit from the system if undeflected; a second channel through which a second fluid stream is introduced; a window defined between the first channel and the second channel across which the first fluid stream is directly adjacent the second fluid stream; a sensor system operably positioned along the first channel upstream of the window, the sensor system equipped to image the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from among the capsules contained in the first fluid stream; and a fluid jet system pulsed responsive to a control system coupled to the sensor system that identifies the minority of capsules which contain encapsulated materials and controls the fluid jet system for selectively deflecting the minority of the capsules which contain encapsulated cellular material from the first fluid stream across the window and into the second fluid stream such that fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid is generally created only when a capsule containing cellular material is detected by the sensor system, wherein a majority of the capsules not containing cellular material persists flowing through the first channel through which the first fluid stream containing capsules is introduced, without creating a fluid flow disturbance of the first fluid that affects imaging of the capsules by the sensor system.