Dual-view transport of intensity phase imaging flow cytometry

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Flow cytometry is crucial for cell analysis.
• Quantitative phase imaging offers label-free cell characterization.
• Integrating these techniques in microfluidics presents challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multi-parameter phase imaging flow cytometry (MPFC) system.
• To enable single-shot quantitative phase imaging of cells in microfluidic channels.
• To analyze cell behaviors and motilities in real-time.

Main Methods:

• Designed an MPFC system integrating phase imaging and microfluidics.
• Utilized dual-view transport of intensity for accurate phase retrieval.
• Implemented high-speed imaging for cells flowing at high velocities.

Main Results:

• The MPFC system demonstrated simple configuration and high imaging contrast.
• Accurate phase retrieval and real-time imaging capabilities were achieved.
• Successfully imaged, recognized, analyzed, and tracked cell motilities (rotation, binary rotation).

Conclusions:

• MPFC provides an effective tool for imaging and analyzing cells in microfluidics.
• The system enables label-free, quantitative phase imaging of flowing cells.
• MPFC holds potential for fundamental research and clinical applications.