US 12,135,270 B2
Modular flow cytometry systems and methods of processing samples
Gary Klas, Madison, WI (US); Daniel McAda, Madison, WI (US); Zheng Xia, Middleton, WI (US); Matthew Ebersole, Sun Prairie, WI (US); Brian Lena, Sun Prairie, WI (US); David Appleyard, Madison, WI (US); Richard Lu, Sun Prairie, WI (US); Scott Buckley, Sun Prairie, WI (US); and Mark Abermoske, Middleton, WI (US)
Assigned to ABS GLOBAL, INC., Deforest, WI (US)
Filed by ABS Global, Inc., DeForest, WI (US)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/525,125.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/230,568, filed on Aug. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/162,222, filed on Mar. 17, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/119,769, filed on Dec. 1, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/117,104, filed on Nov. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0163438 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 15/1404 (2024.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 15/10 (2024.01); G01N 15/14 (2024.01)
CPC G01N 15/1404 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); G01N 15/1484 (2013.01); B01L 2200/028 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0652 (2013.01); B01L 2200/10 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1006 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular flow cytometry system for processing a sample, the system comprising:
a. a chassis sectioned into a plurality of levels;
b. an electronics module, wherein the electronics module is disposed in the first level of the chassis, the first level being the lowest of the plurality of levels, wherein the electronics module includes one or more computer processors and a plurality of electronic ports;
c. a sample pathway module, wherein the sample pathway module is disposed in the second level of the chassis, wherein the sample pathway module includes a microfluidic module for holding a microfluidic chip;
d. a fluidics module, wherein the fluidics module is disposed in the second level of the chassis, wherein the fluidics module is fluidically coupled to the sample pathway module for circulating one or more fluids through the sample pathway module;
e. an interrogation module, wherein the interrogation module is disposed in the third level of the chassis and operatively coupled to the electronics module, the interrogation module including a detection laser operatively coupled to a detection assembly, and a kill laser operatively coupled to the detection assembly for processing a sample flowing through the microfluidic chip, wherein the kill laser and the detection laser are disposed on a common side of the interrogation module with respect to each other; and
f. a sample mixing and collection module, wherein the sample mixing and collection module is disposed below the microfluidic module in the same second level of the chassis, wherein the sample mixing and collection module is configured to collect and automatically mix the processed sample exiting the microfluidic chip, wherein the sample mixing and collection module rotates about a pivot so as to move in an arcuate path, which allows for mixing of the sample in a uniform and controlled motion;
wherein each module is configured to be separately removed and re-installed or replaced with another of the same module for near-continuous operation of the modular flow cytometry system.