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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Quality-Controlled Sputum Analysis by Flow Cytometry
Published on: August 9, 2021
Characterization of the sensitivity of side scatter in a flow-stream waveguide flow cytometer
R P Mariella1, Z Huang, R G Langlois
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA. Mariella1@llnl.gov
Background:
We previously reported a new optical configuration, in which both the side scatter and the fluorescence are collected using the index-guided, total internal reflection of a flow stream in air (the flow-stream waveguide).
Methods:
Using a mixture of 0.202-microm and 0.093-microm diameter polystyrene beads, we have characterized the side scatter (SSC) sensitivity of a custom-built flow cytometer (miniFlo) which incorporates a flow-stream waveguide.
Results:
The SSC-triggered SSC signal of 0.093-microm polystyrene beads in water was almost baseline resolved from the background. We also measured the SSC-triggered SSC signal of the same beads in water on our FACScan, which is a commercial unit with the conventional optical arrangement that uses a custom imaging objective to collect light from a sheath flow cuvette in perpendicular direction-the signal from 0.093-microm beads was not resolved from the background.
Conclusions:
The SSC sensitivity of miniFlo is one of the best reported in the literature. Cytometry 37:160-163, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
