US 12,140,524 B2
Linear resistance stepper flow control valve for sheath fluid of flow cytometry systems
David Vrane, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Cytek Biosciences, Inc., Fremont, CA (US)
Filed by CYTEK BIOSCIENCES, INC., Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/120,120.
Application 17/120,120 is a continuation of application No. 15/817,277, filed on Nov. 19, 2017, granted, now 10,871,438.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/517,147, filed on Jun. 8, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/424,464, filed on Nov. 19, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0096055 A1, Apr. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 15/1404 (2024.01); G01N 15/10 (2006.01); G01N 15/14 (2006.01); G01N 15/1409 (2024.01); G01N 15/1434 (2024.01)
CPC G01N 15/1404 (2013.01) [G01N 15/1434 (2013.01); G01N 15/1436 (2013.01); G01N 15/1459 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1006 (2013.01); G01N 2015/1027 (2024.01); G01N 15/1409 (2024.01); G01N 2015/1438 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A linear resistance stepper valve for flow cytometry systems, comprising:
a valve head including
a piston bore with a sidewall,
an inlet port in the side wall of the piston bore, the inlet port in communication with the piston bore to receive sheath fluid into the piston bore, and
an outlet port near an end of the piston bore in the valve head, the outlet port in communication with the piston bore to send sheath fluid out of the piston bore; and
a piston configured to travel a length into the piston bore, wherein an annular region between the piston and the sidewall of the piston bore can apply a physical fluid resistance between the inlet port and the output port to regulate a flow rate of the sheath fluid, and wherein the piston is configured to be coupled to a stepper motor that can readily push in and pull out on the piston to adjust the length that the piston travels into the piston bore and vary a height of the annular region to vary the physical fluid resistance;
wherein the inlet port is adjacent the piston in the valve head and within the annular region between the piston and the sidewall of the piston bore.