Outlet fittings are provided. Outlet fittings of interest include an elongate structure and an opening at a proximal end for receiving a flow stream from the distal end of a flow cell. In addition, the outlet fittings described herein are configured to reduce the formation of bubbles at the interface between the outlet fitting and the flow cell. In certain cases, outlet fittings do not include a planar surface in contact with the received flow stream. Flow cytometers and methods employing the subject outlet fittings are also provided.

The present disclosure provides circulation system and method for detecting immune adherence of porcine erythrocytes. The system includes: a flow chamber, a gasket, a mobile-phase liquid storage bottle, a peristaltic pump, silicone hoses, and a cell culture dish provided with a glass slide, where the gasket is placed on an edge of the glass slide, and the flow chamber is covered on the gasket; the flow chamber, the mobile-phase liquid storage bottle, and the peristaltic pump are connected in sequence with the silicone hoses to form the circulation system; and a porcine erythrocyte suspension of immune adherence-sensitized GFP-E. coli is injected into the mobile-phase liquid storage bottle. In the present disclosure, the circulation system and method for detecting immune adherence of porcine erythrocytes can be used for detection and analysis of working parameters such as a mobile phase flow velocity, a shear force, and a maximum retention time.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for modulating an intensity profile of a laser beam. Methods according to certain embodiments include irradiating an acousto-optic device with a laser to generate an output laser beam having a plurality of angularly deflected laser beams, capturing an image of the output laser beam, determining an intensity profile of the output laser beam along a horizontal axis from the captured image and adjusting one or more parameters of a waveform inputted into the acousto-optic device in response to the determined intensity profile to generate an output laser beam having a modulated intensity profile. Systems having a laser, an acousto-optic device, an imaging sensor and a waveform generator as well as non-transitory computer readable storage medium with instructions for practicing the subject methods are also described.

An electro-optical device for taking flow measurements includes a measurement tank through which a flow of fluid to be characterized flows, at least first and second guns for emitting light having separate spectra, a triggering gun allowing diffraction to be measured at small angles and a receiving gun allowing a measurement of attenuation and at least one fluorescence to be taken. The first emitting gun includes a light source defining a main optical axis perpendicular to the fluid flow, and the second emitting gun includes a second light source defining a secondary optical axis substantially orthogonal to the main optical axis and fluid flow. The first and second emitting guns are placed on one side of the measurement tank, the receiving gun is placed on the other side of the measurement tank along the main optical axis and the triggering gun is placed on the other side of the tank.

Methods for on-demand printing discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures and/or for in situ printing for microsurgeries. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Clamps for operably coupling one or more optical components to a mounting block are provided. Clamps of interest include a frame and one or more flexure tabs attached to the frame. Light detection modules and systems including one or more clamps are also provided. Aspects of the disclosure additionally include methods for analyzing a sample and assembling a light detection module.

A flow cytometer can include: at least one light emitter configured to emit light in a light path; a rectangular flow cell having flow cell width that is substantially lateral to the light path and a flow cell depth that is longitudinal to the light path, wherein the light path has an interrogation width at the flow cell that is narrower than the flow cell width; and a spherical reflector positioned adjacent to the rectangular flow cell and having a concave reflective surface that has a reflective direction that is positioned substantially orthogonal with the light path such that reflected light is reflected along a reflected path that is substantially orthogonal with the light path. At least one light absorbing member is positioned at least partially around the reflected path to absorb reflected light at an angle to the reflected path.

The invention relates to a system (10) adapted to measure multiple biophysical characteristics of cells, the system (10) comprising: a microfluidic chip (12) provided with a microfluidic channel (14) which allows cells to flow through, the microfluidic channel (14) having an inlet (14a), an outlet (14b), and a lateral opening (14c) situated between the inlet (14a) and the outlet (14b); and a capacitive sensor (30) integrated in the microfluidic chip, adapted to obtain biophysical characteristics of a single cell in the microfluidic channel (14) by directly manipulating the single cell by sensor elements (31, 32) through the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), the sensor (30) comprising a stationary part and an electrostatically driven movable part which is movable relative to the stationary part, the stationary part being fixed to the microfluidic chip (12), the movable part being arranged in the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), wherein a portion of the sensor elements (31, 32) provides an interface between fluid and air in the system.

Disclosed herein is a system to detect and characterize individual particles and cells using at least either optic or electric detection as the particle or cell flows through a microfluidic channel. The system also provides for sorting particles and cells or isolating individual particles and cells.

Apparatus and method for separating whole cells from a mixture, e.g., including liquid, other cell types, nucleic acid material, or other components. Focused acoustic energy may be used to move whole cells in a chamber so that the cells exit the chamber via a first outlet rather than a second outlet. A filter may, or need not, be used to assist in separation.