A miniaturized wide-angle 2D cytometer
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Published on: December 2, 2010
Kirat Singh1, Xuantao Su, Caigen Liu
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2V4, Canada. ksingh@ece.ualberta.ca
Background:
We present an optical waveguide based cytometer that is capable of simultaneously collecting the light scattered by cells over a wide range of solid angles. Such comprehensive scattering data are a prerequisite for the microstructural characterization of cells.
Methods:
We use latex beads as cell mimics, and demonstrate the ability of this new cytometer to collect back-scattered light in two dimensions (2D). This cytometer is based on a liquid-core optical waveguide, excited by prism coupling, that also serves as the microfluidic channel. In principle, our use of a hemispherical lens allows the collection of scattered light from 0 to 180 degrees in 2D.
Results:
The experimentally observed positions of the intensity peaks of the back-scattered light agree well with theoretical prediction of scattering from both 4.0- and 9.6-mum diameter latex beads. The position of the bead, relative to the axes of the hemispherical lens and the microchannel, strongly affects the scattering pattern. We discuss a computational method for determining these offsets.
Conclusions:
We show that wide-angle 2D light scattering patterns of cell-sized latex beads can be observed in a microfluidic-based optical cytometer that uses leaky waveguide mode excitation. This chip-based system is compatible with emerging chip-based technologies.
