EP0614077A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow cell apparatus
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-01-24
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A flow cell apparatus for measuring particles suspended in a liquid comprises a sample liquid, supply device, a sheath liquid supply device, a flow cell which has a flow passage passing through a transparent measuring portion, and a nozzle for causing the sample liquid, from the supply device to flow in the flow passage of the flow cell. The nozzle has at least one discharge port which is disposed in the flow passage in a spaced relation from the inner wall of the flow cell flow passage. The sheath liquid supply device causes the sheath liquid to flow around the nozzle discharge port and surround the sample liquid flow to form a sheath flow. The flow passage of the flow cell and the nozzle are so formed as to ensure a sample liquid flow of a fixed width through the measuring portion. A stable sample flow having a fixed width can be formed in the measuring portion even when the flow is at a high velocity, and particles in the sample liquid can efficiently be photographed with high accuracy.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaetsu Matsumoto
- 👤 Isao Yamazaki
- 👤 Ryo Miyake
- 👤 Masaharu Ishii
- 👤 Ryohei Yabe
- 👤 Hiroshi Ohki
- 👤 Hideyuki Horiuchi
- 👤 Shinichi Sakuraba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1404; G01N2021/0346
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A flow cell apparatus for measuring particles suspended in a liquid, comprising: means for supplying a sample liquid to be measured; means for supplying a sheath liquid; flow cell means for defining a flow passage, said flow cell means having a transparent measuring portion for providing an unobstructed view of said flow passage in at least one transversal direction thereof; and nozzle means provided in fluid communication with said sample liquid supply means for causing the sample liquid to flow into said flow passage of said flow cell means, said nozzle means having at least one discharge port disposed in said flow passage in a spaced relation from an inner wall thereof; said sheath liquid supply means being in fluid communication with said flow passage of said flow cell means at a position upstream said discharge port of said nozzle means with respect to a flow of the sample liquid to cause the sheath liquid to flow around said discharge port and surround the sample liquid flow from said discharge port to form a sheath flow; and means for making the sample liquid flow have a substantially constant width in at least a direction perpendicular to a direction of the unobstructed view in said measuring portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially constant width sample liquid flow making means includes said flow passage of a constant width for preventing change in the width of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means has a substantially rectangular cross section, a height of which in the unobstructed view direction of said measuring portion is smaller than the width of said flow passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flow cell means further includes means provided upstream said measuring portion for narrowing the sheath flow in the unobstructed view direction of said measuring portion to increase a velocity of the sample liquid flow in the sheath flow and reduce a thickness of the sample liquid in the unobstructed view direction to form a flat flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle means further includes means for changing the width of the sample liquid flow in accordance with a measuring range in said measuring portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle means further includes means for changing a shape of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially constant width sample liquid flow making means includes guide means disposed on opposite sides of said discharge port in a widthwise direction of said flow passage for guiding the sample liquid from said discharge port to form a stable flow of the constant width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sheath flow narrowing means is set to increase the velocity of the sample liquid flow to 1000 mm/second or higher.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sheath flow narrowing means is set to reduce the thickness of the sample liquid for photographing particles of the sample liquid through a microscope in said measuring portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sheath flow narrowing means comprises a portion of said flow passage having a height in the unobstructed view direction, which is gradually decreased downstream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said nozzle means further includes means for changing the width of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said substantially constant width sample liquid flow making means includes guide means disposed on opposite sides of said discharge port in a widthwise direction of said flow passage for guiding the sample liquid from said discharge port to form a stable flow of the constant width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said flow width changing means comprises a plurality of discharge ports of said nozzle means, which are individually and selectively into communication with said sample liquid supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said flow width changing means includes a discharge port of said nozzle means, which is formed to be variable in opening width.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said flow width changing means comprises fixed guide plates which are respectively provided on both sides of said discharge port in a widthwise direction of said flow passage, said fixed guide plates being each formed to allow the sample liquid more than a certain flow rate to flow over said fixed guide plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said flow width changing means includes movable guide plates which are provided on both sides of said discharge port in a widthwise direction of said flow passage, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flow shape changing means includes a discharge port of said nozzle means, which is variable in opening shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flow shape changing means includes the nozzle means mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof in said flow passage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flow shape changing means comprises a plurality of discharge ports of said nozzle means, which are arranged both in a widthwise direction of said flow passage and in the unobstructed view direction of said measuring portion and are individually and selectively in communication with said sample liquid supply means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flow shape changing means are a plurality of discharge ports of said nozzle means, which each have different shapes of openings and individually and selectively in communication with said sample liquid supply means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sample liquid supply means is disposed separately from said flow cell means and formed to be selectively connected to said flow cell means in a sealed manner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sample liquid supply means and said sheath liquid supply means are capable of changing a quantity of said sample liquid and that of said sheath liquid, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheath liquid supply means is provided with a waste liquid port for discharging a liquid for cleaning said flow passage in said flow cell means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle means is detachably fastened to said flow cell means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said nozzle means is sealingly mounted to said flow cell means with said discharge port of said nozzle means inserted into said flow passage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising holder means for holding said flow cell means, wherein said flow cell means is attached to said holder means at both ends of said flow passage, said sheath liquid supply means includes an annular sheath liquid supply portion which is sealingly connected to one of said ends of said flow passage and mounted on said holder means, and said nozzle means is inserted into said flow passage of said flow cell means through said sheath liquid supply portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means includes a parallel flow passage portion which passes through said measuring portion and has a height substantially constant in the unobstructed view direction, and a flow contraction passage portion which is disposed upstream said parallel flow passage portion and has a height gradually decreased toward said parallel flow passage portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means is further provided with a deceleration flow passage portion, which is disposed downstream said parallel passage portion and increased in height gradually from said parallel flow passage portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means is further provided with another parallel flow passage portion which has a substantially constant height and is disposed upstream said flow contraction passage portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the height of said parallel flow passage portion is set in accordance with a depth of focus of a microscope to be used in measurement.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means is defined by plate-like members joined together, said flow contraction passage portion is defined by a pair of flow constructing plates, and said flow contracting plates each have a trapezoidal cross sectional shape in a direction of the sample liquid flow and are secured in said flow passage to face each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said plate-like members are transparent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said discharge port of said nozzle means has a substantially square cross section, and a pair of elongated guide plates are respectively provided on both sides of said discharge port in a widthwise direction of said flow passage to extend substantially in parallel to a direction of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said discharge port of said nozzle means has a substantially flat, elongated cross section, a height of which in the unobstructed view direction of said measuring portion is smaller than the width of said flow passage.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said nozzle means has three discharge ports arranged in a widthwise direction of said flow passage, two discharge ports at both sides of said three discharge ports are selectively in communication with said sample liquid supply means to change the width of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
109 words
The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said two discharge ports are provided at their outermost sides in the widthwise direction of said flow passages with a first pair of elongated guide plates, respectively, which each extend substantially in parallel to the sample liquid flow, a central one of said three discharge ports is provided at both sides thereof in the widthwise direction of said flow passage with a second pair of elongated guide plates, respectively, which each extend substantially in parallel to the sample liquid flow, and said first guide plates are larger in length in the direction of the sample liquid flow than said second guide plates.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said nozzle means further includes a first pair and a second pair of elongated guide plates respectively provided on both sides of said discharge port in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, said second guide plates are smaller in length in the direction of the sample liquid flow than said first guide plates and inclined inwardly toward each other to form the sample liquid flow of a small width, and said first guide plates are disposed outside the respective second guide plates and extend substantially in parallel to the direction of the sample liquid flow to form the sample liquid flowing over said second guide plates into a flow of a constant width.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein each of said second guide plates is tapered in a downstream direction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said flow passage of said flow cell means includes a guide plate that extends across said flow passage in the widthwise direction thereof to divide said flow passage into an upper flow passage portion and a lower flow passage portion, said nozzle means is disposed on said guide plate to open in said upper flow passage portion, and said guide plate is formed at a position downstream said nozzle means with a cutout of a fixed width into which the sample liquid accelerated in said flow contraction passage portion flows to form a flat flow.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus according to claim 39 further comprising means for holding said flow cell means, wherein said flow cell means includes a transparent housing having said flow passage formed therein, said holding means comprises a nozzle retaining member having passages for the sample liquid and the sheath liquid and a holder composed of two pairs of half portions, said nozzle means is, together with said guide plate, attached to said nozzle retaining member to communicate with said sample liquid passage, said housing is sealingly attached at an end thereof to said nozzle retaining member to surround said guide plate, and the respective pairs of the half portions of said holder clamp said nozzle retaining member and another end of said housing to secure said flow cell means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes a pair of elongated, stationary guide plates respectively provided on both sides of said discharge port in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, and said guide plates are inclined inwardly toward each other in a manner that the sample liquid smaller than a certain flow rate is regulated into a fixed width and the sample liquid more than the certain flow rate flows over said guide plates to form a wider flow.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said discharge port of said nozzle means is defined by a central portion and two side portions which are movable with respect to said central portion to change a width of opening of said discharge port, and said nozzle means further includes actuator means for moving said two side portions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes an elastic tube of a circular cross section connected to said sample liquid supply means, a pair of pressing plates movably provided adjacent to said elastic tube to change the cross section of said elastic tube, and actuator means for moving said pressing plates.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes a pair of elongated guide plates respectively provided for pivoting movement on both sides of said discharge port in the widthwise direction of said flow passage to change a distance between ends of said guide plates to regulate the width of the sample liquid flow, and actuator means for driving said guide plates.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said discharge port of said nozzle means has a substantially rectangular cross section, said nozzle means is mounted in said flow passage for rotation around a longitudinal axis of said nozzle means, and said nozzle means further includes actuator means for rotating said nozzle means and a pair of stationary guide plates respectively provided on shorter side portions of said discharge port.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
142 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes a first nozzle having a substantially rectangular cross section and a second nozzle disposed in said first nozzle, said first nozzle has a pair of stationary guide plates respectively provided on both sides of said discharge port in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, said second nozzle has a substantially rectangular cross section which is smaller than that of said first nozzle, said second nozzle is provided, respectively on both sides of a discharge port thereof in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, with a pair of stationary guide plates which are smaller in size than said guide plates of said first nozzle, and said first nozzle selectively communicates with said sample liquid supply means to change a shape of the sample liquid flow passing through said measuring portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said second nozzle is movably mounted to protrude from said first nozzle into said flow passage along a longitudinal axis of said first nozzle, and said nozzle means further includes actuator means for moving said second nozzle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means has three discharge ports arranged in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, and two discharge ports at both sides of said three discharge ports selectively communicate with said sample liquid supply means to change the width of the sample liquid flow.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein a first pair of elongated guide plates are respectively provided on both sides of said nozzle means in the widthwise direction of said flow passage to extend substantially in parallel to the direction of the sample liquid flow, a central discharge port of said three discharge ports is provided, respectively on both sides thereof in the widthwise direction of said flow passage, with a second pair of elongated guide plates which extend substantially in parallel to the direction of the sample liquid flow, and said first guide plates are larger in length in the direction of the sample liquid flow than said second guide plates.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes a plurality of discharge ports disposed around a common longitudinal axis, and said discharge ports selectively communicate with said sample liquid supply means to vary a combination of said discharge ports for discharging the sample liquid to change a shape of the sample liquid flow passing through said measuring portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said discharge ports each have a substantially square cross section and are arranged adjacent to one another to collectively define a larger square.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said nozzle means includes a central discharge port disposed on said common longitudinal axis, the other discharge ports are situated around said central discharge port at equal intervals, and said central discharge port and said other discharge ports each have an identical circular cross section.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for varying any one of a flow rate of the sample liquid, a flow rate of the sheath liquid and a shape of said discharge port of said nozzle means to change a velocity of the sample liquid flow and a cross sectional shape thereof.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for varying at least one of a flow rate of the sample liquid, a flow rate of the sheath liquid and a shape of said discharge port of said nozzle means to independently change a velocity, the width and a height in the unobstructed view direction of the sample liquid flow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.