Use of a spherical multiparameter transducer for flow cytometry

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Optical Physics

Background:

• Multiparameter flow cytometry enables simultaneous measurement of multiple cellular characteristics.
• Existing flow cells present limitations in signal detection and analysis.
• Fused silicon dioxide transducers offer potential for improved flow cytometry performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of spherical fused-silica transducers in multiparameter flow cytometry.
• To compare signal output from spherical transducers with conventional cylindrical flow cells.
• To validate theoretical models for electro-optical flow cytometry transducers.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of multiparameter flow transducers from fused silicon dioxide with specific dimensions.
• Mounting of a spherical transducer in an EPICS CVA flow-cell housing on a research prototype.
• Simultaneous measurement of DC and RF impedance, fluorescence, and multiple-angle light scattering.
• Utilizing an argon-ion laser for excitation and EPICS DNA-Check and Immuno-Brite beads for testing.

Main Results:

• Spherical transducers yielded a 1.73x greater signal with EPICS DNA-Check beads compared to standard cylindrical cells.
• An average signal increase of 1.96x was observed with EPICS Immuno-Brite beads using spherical transducers.
• Coulter impedance and light-scattering measurements were comparable between spherical and cylindrical flow cells.
• Experimental results confirmed the theoretical arguments of Leif and Wells regarding transducer design.

Conclusions:

• Monolithic, spherical fused-silica transducers represent an optimal design for advanced flow cytometry.
• These transducers significantly improve signal detection for combined electro-optical multiparameter analysis.
• The findings support the use of spherical designs for next-generation flow cytometry analyzers.