Flow Cytometer Disinfection Module

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention is a disinfection module for flow cytometers that uses UV-C and/or UV-B light sources—preferably semiconductor LEDs—to disinfect the sheath fluid that passes through the device. This modular system can be integrated into existing flow cytometers, sterilizing the carrier (sheath) fluid without the need for chemical reagents or lengthy cleaning procedures. By irradiating the sheath fluid with germicidal UV light, the module effectively destroys microorganisms and reduces the risk of sample contamination during cell sorting and analysis.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Sterilizing sheath fluid in flow cytometers used for biological research and clinical diagnostics
• Maintaining aseptic conditions in cell sorting procedures, including FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) and magnetic cell sorting
• Retrofitting existing flow cytometers with rapid, non-chemical disinfection capabilities
• Reducing contamination during cell-based therapeutics manufacturing and precision diagnostics
• Automating sterile workflows in research and hospital labs without labor-intensive cleaning cycles

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces microbial contamination in the sheath fluid, improving accuracy and reliability of cell analysis and sorting
• Eliminates or greatly reduces the use of chemical disinfectants, thus avoiding chemical residues, lowering operational costs, and minimizing toxicity risks to cells and users
• Enables faster turnaround and less downtime as time-consuming manual sterilization is minimized or eliminated
• Can be retrofitted to existing equipment without extensive modification or system replacement
• Uses compact, robust, mercury-free, and energy-efficient UV LEDs, enhancing operational safety and environmental friendliness
• Includes automatic control and monitoring features for optimized disinfection performance and energy efficiency
• Improves overall sample integrity, enabling more reliable research and clinical results

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention describes a flow cytometer disinfection module for disinfecting a sheath fluid in a flow cytometer, comprising a flow cell and at least one UV-C and/or UV-B light source.