Next generation flow cytometry
Lasers have been historically the key light sources utilized in flow cytometry due to their ability to deliver the precise amount of energy needed to trigger the Stokes shift, which is the key phenomena underlying flow cytometry operation. For the same reason lasers and optical system in general are referred to as the “heart of flow cytometer”, since they are the integral component initiating the instrument operation.
To ensure smooth and repeatable flow cytometer performance laser source needs to exhibit excellent pointing stability, along with providing uniform and precisely shaped output beam. The required high degree of laser monochromaticity implies the need for laser chips of superior quality. Since laser chips for our devices are grown and processed at Modulight’s facilities – we can guarantee that the reliability of the final laser engine starts at the laser-chip level.
Flow cytometry is a rapidly developing field and there are more and more things demanded of the excitation system, which could elevate flow cytometry instrumentation to the next generation. Among those thing are [1]:
- Implementation of advanced laser controls for laser management
- Elimination of excitation system alignment by the user
- Integration of AI concepts to flow cytometry
Laser alignment in flow cytometry
Optics system in flow cytometry consists of three main parts: excitation source, guiding optics, and detection sensors. Modulight’s ML6600 laser engine takes care of generating laser light, shaping it, and steering it all the way up to the flow cell*. Laser engine’s quality directly correlates to the accuracy of flow cytometer data output. Thus, in addition to ensuring excellent beam quality parameters for each individual measurement run, the long-term stability of the laser beam must be guaranteed. Deviations in the beam positioning pose a risk to the measured data accuracy and reliability. A need to not only monitor beam positioning, but also align it remotely when the need for recalibration arises is something which could significantly enhance operational experience when utilizing flow cytometer.
ML6600 features a built-in CCD camera for monitoring beams positioning, so that the user can be guaranteed that the lasers are aligned for optimal signal detection. Moreover, our laser engine implements a unique solution for active beam steering and alignment.
*Along with providing excitation solution for flow cytometry Modulight has vast experience in developing complete optical-system solutions, incorporating advanced detection systems. Reach out to us, to further discuss how your dream optical system could be realized.
Why go for automated alignment?
Periodical laser recalibration as part of the system maintenance contributes largely to the reduction of operational lifespan and introduction of system-to-system variability in flow cytometrical instrumentation. In ML6600 laser engine this issue has been overall eliminated by the introduction of active beam steering to the excitation platform. Automatic active beam alignment system implemented to ML6600 enables active steering of each individual laser beam. Thus, your system is always calibrated for optimal signal detection.
Explore the benefits made possible by automated alignment:
- Self-calibration to the pre-set position eliminates the need for periodical recalibration maintenance
- Automated recalibration can be performed if more/less wavelengths are taken into use
- Real-time monitoring of laser positioning for ensuring excellent measurement reproducibility
ML6600 offers advantages to Flow Cytometry applications
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