Particle analyzing apparatus having pressure control system

Claim 2

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and for signalling said control means when the level of the sheath liquid reaches a predetermined level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 3

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheath liquid supply means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means signals said control means when a relative difference between a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container being filled to capacity with the sheath liquid and a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container filled to less than capacity becomes higher than a predetermined first value.

Claim 4

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 5

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a clogging level of said filter means and producing a warning signal when the clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 6

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a clogging level of said filter means and producing a warning signal when the clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 7

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means produces the warning signal when an absolute value of the pressure applied to said sheath liquid container becomes higher than a predetermined level.

Claim 8

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 9

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and a clogging level of said filter means and for producing a warning signal when either one of said sheath liquid level and said clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 10

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and a clogging level of said filter means and for producing a warning signal when either one of said sheath liquid level and said clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 11

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means produces a first warning signal of liquid shortage when a relative difference between a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container being filled to capacity with the sheath liquid and a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container filled to less than capacity becomes higher than a first predetermined value and a second warning signal of filter clogging when an absolute value of pressure applied to said sheath liquid container becomes higher than a second predetermined level.

Claim 12

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 13

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; a control valve provided between said filter means and said particle receiving means for controlling flow of the sheath liquid; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 14

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to be examined to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; a control valve provided between said filter means and said particle receiving means for controlling flow of the sheath liquid; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 15

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and further comprising means for measuring a sheath liquid level on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor obtained when said control valve is closed and a predetermined level of pressure is applied to said sheath liquid container.

Claim 16

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for judging whether said sheath liquid container is filled with said sheath liquid by measuring the liquid level in said sheath liquid container previous to the measurement of the sample liquid.

Claim 17

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for signalling when said sheath liquid container is not filled with the sheath liquid.

Claim 18

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for compensating for an initial setting value of said sheath liquid container when said sheath liquid container is not filled with the sheath liquid in accordance with the measured sheath liquid level.

Claim 19

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 20

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and for producing a warning signal when the level of the sheath liquid reaches a predetermined level; and measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 21

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and for producing a warning signal when the level of the sheath liquid reaches a predetermined level; and measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 22

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said sheath liquid supply means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means signals said control means when a relative difference between a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container being filled to capacity with the sheath liquid and a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container filled to less than capacity becomes higher than a predetermined first value.

Claim 23

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 24

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a clogging level of said filter means and producing a warning signal when the clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 25

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a clogging level of said filter means and producing a warning signal when the clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 26

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means produces the warning signal when an absolute value of the pressure applied to said sheath liquid container becomes higher than a predetermined level.

Claim 27

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 28

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and a clogging level of said filter means and for producing a warning signal when either one of said sheath liquid level and said clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 29

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; signalling means for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container and a clogging level of said filter means and for producing a warning signal when either one of said sheath liquid level and said clogging level reaches a predetermined warning level; and measuring means for measuring a diameter of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 30

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and said signalling means produces a first warning signal of liquid shortage when a relative difference between a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container being filled to capacity with the sheath liquid and a pressure level applied to said sheath liquid container filled to less than capacity becomes higher than a first predetermined value and a second warning signal of filter clogging when an absolute value of pressure applied to said sheath liquid container becomes higher than a second predetermined level.

Claim 31

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 32

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; a control valve provided between said filter means and said particle receiving means for controlling flow of the sheath liquid; and measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 33

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; control means, including a pressure sensor, for controlling pressure of said sheath liquid supplying means so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a constant diameter of the converged thin flow; a control valve provided between said filter means and said particle receiving means for controlling flow of the sheath liquid; and measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 34

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said sheath liquid supplying means includes pressure regulating means for pressurizing said sheath liquid container, and further comprising means for measuring a sheath liquid level on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor obtained when said control valve is closed and a predetermined level of pressure is applied to said sheath liquid container.

Claim 35

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising means for judging whether said sheath liquid container is filled with said sheath liquid by measuring the liquid level in said sheath liquid container previous to the measurement of the sample liquid.

Claim 36

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising means for signalling when said sheath liquid container is not filled with the sheath liquid.

Claim 37

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising means for compensating for an initial setting value of said sheath liquid container when said sheath liquid container is not filled with the sheath liquid in accordance with the measured sheath liquid level.

Claim 38

A particle analyzing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said measuring means includes a laser source and optically measures the particles to be examined.

Claim 39

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; sheath liquid level measuring means, including a pressure sensor, for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor; and particle measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 40

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; sheath liquid level measuring means, including a pressure sensor, for measuring a level of the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor; and particle measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 41

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; filter level measuring means, including a pressure sensor, for measuring a clogging level of said filter means on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor; and particle measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 42

A particle analyzing apparatus having a pressure control device, comprising: particle receiving means for receiving particles to be examined; sample supplying means for supplying sample liquid containing particles therein to said particle receiving means; a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein; sheath liquid supplying means for supplying the sheath liquid in said sheath liquid container to said particle receiving means; convergent stream forming means for generating a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing through said particle receiving means; filter means provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said particle receiving means for removing impurities contained in the sheath liquid; filter level measuring means, including a pressure sensor, for measuring a clogging level of said filter means on the basis of an output of said pressure sensor; and particle measuring means for measuring information of a particle flowing in the converged thin flow at said particle receiving means.

Claim 43

A sheath-flow system for a sample measuring apparatus comprising: a flow-cell for receiving liquid flowing therethrough; a sample supplying system, including a pressure source, for supplying a sample liquid to said flow-cell; a sheath liquid supplying system, including a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein and a pressure source, for supplying the sheath liquid to said flow-cell by pressurizing said sheath liquid container; a filter, provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said flow-cell, for removing impurities in the sheath liquid; a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in said sheath liquid supplying system at a portion between said filter and said flow-cell; a liquid flow system for forming a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid to flow through said flow-cell; and a control system for controlling the pressure applied to said sheath liquid container so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a stable thin flow of the sample liquid flowing through said flow-cell.

Claim 44

A sheath-flow system for a sample measuring apparatus comprising: a flow-cell for receiving liquid flowing therethrough; a sample supplying system, including a pressure source, for supplying a sample liquid to said flow-cell; a sheath liquid supplying system, including a sheath liquid container for storing sheath liquid therein and a pressure source, for supplying the sheath liquid to said flow-cell by pressurizing said sheath liquid container; a filter, provided in a flow path between said sheath liquid container and said flow-cell, for removing impurities in the sheath liquid; a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in said sheath liquid supplying system at a portion between said filter and said flow-cell; a liquid flow system for forming a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid to flow through said flow-cell; and a control system for controlling the pressure applied to said sheath liquid container so that an output of said pressure sensor is a predetermined value so as to maintain a stable thin flow of the sample liquid flowing through said flow-cell.

Claim 45

A particle measuring system having a pressure control device, comprising: pressure regulating means for regulating pressure in a sheath liquid container containing a sheath liquid and in a sample liquid container containing a sample liquid including particles; convergent stream forming means for forming a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing one by one in the thin flow; measuring means for measuring each of the particles flowing in the thin flow; pressure sensing means for sensing pressure between the sheath liquid container and the converged thin flow and generating a pressure signal; filter means provided in a flow path between the sheath liquid container and said pressure sensing means for removing impurities in the sheath liquid; signalling means for detecting a level of the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid container and generating a first warning signal; and control means for controlling said pressure regulating means on the basis of the pressure signal for stabilizing the converged thin flow.

Claim 46

A particle measuring system having a pressure control device, comprising: pressure regulating means for regulating pressure in a sheath liquid container containing a sheath liquid and in a sample liquid container containing a sample liquid including particles; convergent stream forming means for forming a thin flow of the sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles included in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing one by one in the thin flow; measuring means for measuring each of the particles flowing in the thin flow; pressure sensing means for sensing pressure between the sheath liquid container and the converged thin flow and generating a pressure signal; filter means provided in a flow path between the sheath liquid container and said pressure sensing means for removing impurities in the sheath liquid; signalling means for detecting a level of the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid container and generating a first warning signal; and control means for controlling said pressure regulating means on the basis of the pressure signal for stabilizing the converged thin flow.

Claim 47

A system according to claim 34, wherein said signalling means detects the level of the sheath liquid on the basis of the pressure applied to the sheath liquid container.

Claim 48

A system according to claim 34, wherein said signalling means further detects a clogging level of said filter means and generates a second warning signal.

Claim 49

A system according to claim 34, wherein said control means further controls said pressure regulating means to stop the pressure on the basis of the first warning signal generated by said signalling means.

Claim 50

A system according to claim 34, wherein said convergent stream forming means includes a flow-cell, and the converged thin flow is formed in said flow-cell.

Claim 51

A system according to claim 34, wherein the converged thin flow is formed in air.

Claim 52

A system according to claim 34, wherein said pressure regulating means comprises a pressure pump, a first regulator provided between said pump and the sample liquid container and a second regulator provided between said pump and the sheath liquid container.

Claim 53

A system according to claim 34, wherein said measuring means comprises a light source and an optical device for detecting scattered light or a fluorescence from the particles passing through an inspection portion and irradiated with light from said light source.

Claim 54

A system according to claim 34, wherein the sample liquid contained in the sample liquid container includes a blood sample and the particles includes blood cells.

Claim 55

A particle measuring system having a pressure control device, comprising: pressure regulating means for regulating pressure applied to a sheath liquid container containing a sheath liquid and applied to a sample liquid container containing a sample liquid including particles; convergent stream forming means for forming a thin flow of sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing one-by-one in the converged thin flow; measuring means for measuring each of the particles flowing in the thin flow; pressure sensing means for sensing pressure between the sheath liquid container and the converged thin flow and generating a pressure signal; signalling means for detecting a level of the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid container and generating a warning signal; and control means for controlling said pressure regulating means on the basis of the pressure signal generated by said pressure sensing for stabilizing the converged thin flow.

Claim 56

A particle measuring system having a pressure control device, comprising: pressure regulating means for regulating pressure applied to a sheath liquid container containing a sheath liquid and applied to a sample liquid container containing a sample liquid including particles; convergent stream forming means for forming a thin flow of sample liquid surrounded by the sheath liquid, with particles in the sample liquid being individually separated and flowing one-by-one in the converged thin flow; measuring means for measuring each of the particles flowing in the thin flow; pressure sensing means for sensing pressure between the sheath liquid container and the converged thin flow and generating a pressure signal; signalling means for detecting a level of the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid container and generating a warning signal; and control means for controlling said pressure regulating means on the basis of the pressure signal generated by said pressure sensing for stabilizing the converged thin flow.

Claim 57

A system according to claim 43, wherein said signalling means detects the level of the sheath liquid on the basis of the pressure applied to the sheath liquid container.

Claim 58

A system according to claim 43, wherein said control means further controls said pressure regulating means to stop pressure on the basis of the warning signal generated by said signalling means.

Claim 59

A system according to claim 43, wherein said convergent stream forming means includes a flow-cell, and the converged thin flow is formed in said flow-cell.

Claim 60

A system according to claim 43, wherein the converged thin flow is formed in air.

Claim 61

A system according to claim 43, wherein said pressure regulating means comprises a pressure pump, a first regulator provided between said pump and the sample liquid container, and a second regulator provided between said pump and the sheath liquid container.

Claim 62

A system according to claim 43, wherein said measuring means comprises a light source, and an optical device for detecting scattered light or a fluorescence from the particles passing through an inspection portion and irradiated with light from said light source.

Claim 63

A system according to claim 43, wherein the sample liquid contained in the sample liquid container includes a blood sample and the particles include blood cells.