A technology capable of preventing a sample from being retained is to be provided. Provided are a microchip (1) that includes at least: a sample inlet (11) into which a sample is introduced; a sample flow path (12) through which the sample introduced from the sample inlet (11) flows; and a sorting flow path (16) in which a target sample is sorted out from the sample, in which a first tube (T1) is inserted into and fixed to the sample inlet (11), and a sample sorting kit that includes at least the microchip (1).

The present invention provides an apparatus for analyzing particles in a solution including a unit configured to place a flow cell having a flow path for flowing a sample solution containing the particles; a unit configured to illuminate the sample solution flowing through the flow path of the flow cell; a photodetector that detects a scattered light and/or fluorescence generated from the particles in the sample solution; and a unit configured to analyze the particles based on their signal intensities detected by the photodetector, wherein the flow cell has the flow path formed in a substrate, a reflection plane is formed on the side surface of the flow path, the reflection plane leads the lights generated in the flow path of the flow cell and advancing in the substrate in-plane direction to a specified region of the surface of the flow cell, and the photodetector detects the light exiting from the specified region to the outside.

The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.

A system, method, and apparatus are provided for flow cytometry. In one example, the flow cytometry system includes dual laser devices and dual scatter channels to measure velocity of particles in a core stream of sample fluid. The total flow rate of the sample fluid and the sheath fluid around the sample fluid is controlled, and thus held constant, by a feedback control system controlling a vacuum pump based on differential pressure across ends of a flow channel in the flow cell. A stepper flow control valves are disclosed that apply a physical fluid resistance to a flow of sheath fluid in the flow cytometer. The physical fluid resistance regulates a flow rate of the sheath fluid and thereby regulates a flow rate of sample fluid in the flow cytometer.

An apparatus and method of identifying objects includes: a microfluidic chip in which are disposed a plurality of channels, the microfluidic chip including: a main fluid channel into which a sample fluid mixture of objects to be identified is introduced; a plurality of sheath fluid channels into which sheath fluids are introduced, the sheath fluids which orient the objects in the main fluid channel in a predetermined direction while still maintaining laminar flow in the main fluid channel; an interrogation apparatus which detects and interrogates the oriented objects in the main fluid channel; and a focused energy apparatus which performs an action on the objects.

Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid. The sensor device measures transmission of light absorbed by either the metal oxide gel particles or the drive fluid, so that transmission of light through the drive fluid changes for a period of time as a metal oxide gel particle passes the optical sensor. If a measured particle size is not about equal to a desired particle size, the particle size may be corrected by adjusting a ratio of the first flow rate to a total flow rate, where the total flow rate is the sum of the first and second flow rates.

A particle detector, having a housing defining a chamber; an air stream injector, producing an airstream in said chamber from air taken from outside said chamber; a light source, producing a light beam that crosses the air stream and wherein said light beam is shaped so that a transverse extent of said light beam has a uniform intensity over said transverse extent of said air stream. Also, a photon detection assembly, including an optical train of lenses, is positioned to accept light from said light beam, emitted by the particles, and to focus this light onto a a photon detector. A particle detection assembly detects the particles, responsive the photon detection assembly. Finally, a particle size estimation assembly estimates size for each detected particle, based on number of photons detected by said photon detection assembly from said particle, as it crosses said light beam.

Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid. The sensor device measures transmission of light absorbed by either the metal oxide gel particles or the drive fluid, so that transmission of light through the drive fluid changes for a period of time as a metal oxide gel particle passes the optical sensor. If a measured particle size is not about equal to a desired particle size, the particle size may be corrected by adjusting a ratio of the first flow rate to a total flow rate, where the total flow rate is the sum of the first and second flow rates.

According to various aspects, a flow system for transporting microparticulate samples in a hydrodynamically planar flow in a selected flow direction includes a flow chamber extending in the flow direction, having first and second apertures on opposed surfaces of the flow chamber. A sheath-fluid channel has first and second branches to carry the sheath fluid into the flow chamber through the first aperture and having orientations separated by less than about 15 at the first aperture; and third and fourth branches to carry the sheath fluid through the second aperture and having orientations separated by less than about 15 at the second aperture. In some examples, guide channels extend from the apertures substantially perpendicular to the flow chamber at the apertures, and sheath-fluid channel supply sheath fluid to the guide channels. Flow systems can be used in image flow cytometers for observing microparticulate samples, e.g., using scanning irradiation.

The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.