Patent ID: 8467040

Claim:
A method of selecting a first set of particles from a population of particles including the first set of particles and a second set of particles, the method comprising: labeling the population of particles so that the first set of particles can be distinguished from the second set of particles; providing a closed flow path having an interrogation area disposed therein, and a flow axis; creating a core-in-sheath flow through the flow path, the core-in-sheath flow flowing along the flow axis toward an optical element having an optical axis coaxial with the flow path; providing an excitation energy source, arranged such that the energy emitted from the excitation energy source acts on individual particles as they pass through the interrogation area and causes emission or transmission of secondary radiation from the particles; focusing the secondary radiation from the individual particles as the particles pass through the interrogation area; detecting, using a detector, the focused secondary radiation from the individual particles; determining from the detected secondary radiation whether the individual particles are in the first set or the second set; selecting, with energy selectively transmitted from a destructive or disabling energy source to the particles at a point in the flow path between the proximal and distal ends, particles determined to be in the first set; and diverting the flow path before it reaches the optical element.