US 11,698,333 B2
Sample liquid-sending apparatus, flow cytometer, and sample liquid-sending method
Katsutoshi Tahara, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to SONY CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 16/621,821
Filed by SONY CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Apr. 3, 2018, PCT No. PCT/JP2018/014244
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 12, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/235383, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 27, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 2017-121121 (JP), filed on Jun. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0124518 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. G01N 15/14 (2006.01); G01N 1/10 (2006.01); G01N 1/14 (2006.01); G01N 1/20 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 15/1404 (2013.01) [G01N 1/10 (2013.01); G01N 2001/1445 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2071 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sample liquid-sending apparatus, comprising:
a placement portion in which a sample container is placed, wherein the sample container contains a suspension of a sample;
a suction mechanism moveable relative to the sample container, wherein the suction mechanism includes:
a nozzle support;
a nozzle configured to be inserted into the sample container placed in the placement portion, wherein the nozzle is held by the nozzle support; and
at least one pump connected to the nozzle and configured to suction the sample through the nozzle;
a vibrator configured to vibrate the nozzle, wherein the vibrator is one of attached to the nozzle support or mounted on the nozzle;
a detector connected to and between the nozzle and the at least one pump, wherein the detector is configured to detect samples, including the sample, suctioned by the suction mechanism; and
a controller connected to the suction mechanism, the vibrator, and the detector, wherein the controller is configured to:
set a threshold with respect to a number of the samples detected by the detector; and
control, according to the threshold, at least one of a strength of the vibration or a length of time of the vibration.