Optical Detection Systems and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

Optical detection systems configured to collect and detect light emitted by a sample are provided. Aspects of the systems include a core region selective side scatter (SSC) collection module configured to allow for the selective detection SSC wavelength light from a core region of collected light. Also provided are methods of using the systems.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An optical detection system comprising:
 a light collection system configured to produce objective lens imaged collected light from a detection zone of a flow cell;   a detector configured to receive the objective lens imaged collected SSC wavelength light;   an optical filter configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light, and wherein the first path is transmitted to the detector; and   an aperture configured to block passage of SSC wavelength light in the first path that is outside of a core region from reaching the detector.   
     
     
         9 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first path comprises from 50 to 99% of the collected SSC wavelength light. 
     
     
         10 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a light dispersion module configured to separate the second path of objective lens imaged collected light into at least two wavelengths of light; and   a second detector configured to detect a first of the at least two wavelengths of light and a third detector configured to detect a second of the at least two wavelengths of light.   
     
     
         11 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the aperture has a diameter ranging from 50μ to 500μ to match the core region. 
     
     
         12 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the second path comprises at least one non-SSC wavelength light. 
     
     
         13 . The optical detection system according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-SSC wavelength light is light that is emitted from a particle in the flow stream. 
     
     
         14 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a fiber optic light conveyer positioned between the aperture and the detector, wherein the fiber optic light conveyor is configured to convey objective lens imaged collected light that has passed through the aperture to the detector. 
     
     
         15 . The optical detection system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fiber optic light conveyor comprises a core that has a diameter that is larger than the core region. 
     
     
         16 . The optical detection system according to  claim 15 , wherein the aperture is attached directly to the fiber optic light conveyor. 
     
     
         17 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the aperture is attached directly to the detector. 
     
     
         18 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the optical filter is configured to reflect the objective lens imaged collected light to produce the first path. 
     
     
         19 . The optical detection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the optical filter is configured to pass the objective lens imaged collected light to produce the first path. 
     
     
         20 . An optical detection system comprising:
 a light collection system configured to produce objective lens imaged collected light from a detection zone of a flow cell;   a detector configured to receive the objective lens imaged collected SSC wavelength light;   an optical filter configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light, and wherein the first path is transmitted to the detector; and   a fiber optic light conveyer configured to selectively transmit SSC wavelength light in the first path from a core region of the SSC wavelength light to the detector.   
     
     
         21 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the first path comprises from 50 to 99% of the collected SSC wavelength light. 
     
     
         22 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a light dispersion module configured to separate the second path of objective lens imaged collected light into at least two wavelengths of light; and   a second detector configured to detect a first of the at least two wavelengths of light and a third detector configured to detect a second of the at least two wavelengths of light.   
     
     
         23 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the light transmitting core of the fiber optic light conveyer has a cross-sectional diameter ranging from 50μ to 500μ to match the core region. 
     
     
         24 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein second path comprises at least one non-SSC wavelength light. 
     
     
         25 . The optical detection system according to  claim 24 , wherein the non-SSC wavelength light is light that is emitted from a particle in the flow stream. 
     
     
         26 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the detector comprises a photodiode based light detector or a photomultiplier tube (PMT). 
     
     
         27 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is configured to reflect the objective lens imaged collected light to produce the first path. 
     
     
         28 . The optical detection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is configured to pass the objective lens imaged collected light to produce the first path. 
     
     
         30 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method of analyzing a flow stream, the method comprising:
 irradiating a flow stream with a light source;   generating objective lens imaged light collected from a detection zone of the irradiated flow stream;   directing the objective lens imaged collected light onto an optical filter configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light; and   at least one of:   transmitting the first path of collected SSC wavelength light through a fiber optic light conveyer configured to selectively transmit a core region of the of SSC wavelength light in the first path to a detector; and   passing the first path of collected SSC wavelength light through an aperture to a detector, wherein the aperture blocks side scatter (SSC) wavelength light outside of a core region from passing through;   to analyze the flow stream.   
     
     
         37 - 56 . (canceled)