JP2017122734A - Particle sorting apparatus, particle sorting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a particle sorting apparatus, a particle sorting method, and a program, capable of accurately sorting target particles even when the target particles are large.SOLUTION: A particle sorting apparatus includes a vibration element that gives a vibration to a fluid that flows in a channel that generates a fluid stream, a camera that captures an image of at least some of droplets of the fluid stream, and a vibration control unit that controls the size of a vibration according to a distance from a break-off-point of the fluid stream to a first satellite.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present technology relates to a particle sorting device, a particle sorting method, and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for separating and collecting particles based on the result of analysis by an optical method or the like.

  Conventionally, an optical measurement method using flow cytometry (flow cytometer) has been used for analysis of biologically relevant microparticles such as cells, microorganisms, and liposomes. A flow cytometer is a device that irradiates light to microparticles that flow through channels formed in flow cells, microchips, etc., and detects and analyzes fluorescence and scattered light emitted from individual microparticles. is there.

  Some flow cytometers have a function to sort and collect only microparticles with specific characteristics based on the analysis results, and the microparticle device specifically for sorting cells is called a “cell sorter”. It is. In the cell sorter, generally, the fluid discharged from the flow path is made into droplets by applying vibration to the flow cell or the microchip by a vibration element or the like (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The droplets separated from the fluid are given a plus (+) or minus (−) charge, and then their traveling direction is changed by a deflecting plate or the like and collected in a predetermined container or the like. In addition, using the sorting function of this cell sorter, a technique has also been proposed in which specific cells are distributed one by one to each reaction site of the base material used in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) methods. (See Patent Document 3).

Special table 2007-532874 gazette JP 2010-190680 A Japanese translation of PCT publication 2010-510882

  However, conventional particle sorters such as a cell sorter, when particles of different sizes are mixed in the sample liquid, the liquid droplet traveling direction becomes unstable and is not distributed to a predetermined container or reaction site. There is a problem in that the accuracy and efficiency of collection are reduced. For this reason, in the conventional particle sorting apparatus, the particle size that allows stable sorting is set to 1/5 or less of the orifice diameter. In this case, the orifice size is adjusted according to the size of the particles to be sorted. There is a problem that the diameter needs to be increased and the sorting speed is lowered.

  Therefore, the main object of the present disclosure is to provide a particle sorting device, a particle sorting method, and a program that can sort accurately even when the particles to be sorted are large.

  As a result of intensive experiments to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has found that a break-off (Break-off) in which the fluid discharged from the orifice becomes a droplet when large cells or particles are present in the droplet. It was found that the timing of off) tends to be delayed. When the break-off timing is shifted, a suitable charge is not applied to the droplet, so that a droplet containing a large cell falls inward from a properly charged one. In other words, if the particles to be sorted contain large particles, the break-off timing becomes unstable, and as a result, the angle of the side stream becomes unstable and the droplets to be sorted are splashed. It was found to occur.

  Therefore, in the present disclosure, the charge application end time is adjusted in accordance with the delay of the break-off timing that occurs when the large-sized particles are separated. As a result, it is possible to stably apply charges even to droplets containing large-sized particles, and to reduce the occurrence of splashing.

That is, the particle sorting apparatus according to the present disclosure has a charging unit that applies a charge to at least a part of droplets ejected from an orifice that generates a fluid stream, and a size of particles included in the droplets. A charge control unit that adjusts a charge application end time in the charge unit.
The charge control unit changes the timing of charge application according to, for example, the size of particles contained in the droplet.
Or the said charge control part changes charge provision time according to the magnitude | size of the particle contained in the said droplet, for example.
The particle sorting apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a forward scattered light detection unit that irradiates particles flowing through the flow path with light and detects forward scattered light generated from the particles by the light irradiation. In that case, the charge control unit adjusts the charge application end time based on the detection result of the forward scattered light detection unit.
For example, when the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the charge control unit is more likely to apply the charge than when the intensity of the forward scattered light is less than the threshold. The charging unit can be controlled so as to slow down.
Furthermore, the particle sorting apparatus of the present disclosure includes a delay amount calculation unit that calculates a delay amount of the charge application timing based on the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit, and the charge control unit The charge unit may be controlled so that the charge application timing is delayed by the delay amount calculated by the delay amount calculation unit.
Alternatively, for example, when the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit is equal to or higher than a preset threshold, the charge control unit applies charge more than when the intensity of the forward scattered light is less than the threshold. The charging unit can also be controlled so as to increase the time.
Furthermore, the particle sorting apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an application time calculation unit that calculates a charge application time based on the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit, and the application of the application by the charge control unit. You may control the said charging part so that an electric charge for the time calculated in the time calculation part may be provided.
On the other hand, in the particle sorting device of the present disclosure, the orifice is formed in a replaceable microchip, and the charging unit includes a sheath liquid that flows in a flow path provided in the microchip and / or Alternatively, a charged electrode arranged in contact with the sample solution may be provided.
Alternatively, the orifice may be formed in the flow cell.

  The particle sorting method according to the present disclosure includes a step of applying a charge to at least a part of droplets ejected from an orifice that generates a fluid stream, and depending on the size of the particles contained in the droplets, Adjust the charge application end time.

  A program according to the present disclosure causes a charge control unit of a particle sorting apparatus to execute a function of adjusting a charge application end time according to the size of particles contained in a droplet discharged from an orifice that generates a fluid stream. .

According to the present disclosure, even when the particles to be sorted are large, sorting can be performed with high accuracy.
Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

It is a figure showing typically the example of composition of the particle sorting device of a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a flowchart figure which shows the charge provision end time adjustment method by the change of a charge provision timing. It is a flowchart figure which shows the electric charge provision end time adjustment method by the change of electric charge provision time. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the electric charge provision in "normal mode", and a droplet formation state. It is a figure which shows the droplet formation state at the time of adjusting a charge provision end time by the change of a charge provision timing. It is a figure which shows the droplet formation state at the time of adjusting a charge provision end time by the change of a charge provision time. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a charge control mechanism of a particle sorting device of the 1st modification of a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a flowchart figure which shows the electric charge provision end time adjustment method in the particle | grain fractionator of the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment of this indication. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a charge control mechanism of a particle sorting device of the 2nd modification of a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a flowchart figure which shows the electric charge provision end time adjustment method in the particle sorting apparatus of the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment of this indication. It is a figure which shows typically the structural example of the particle sorting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this indication. It is a figure which shows typically the example of the image imaged with the camera 12 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structural example of the particle sorting apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this indication. A is a diagram schematically showing a relationship between a side stream and a well plate in the particle sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 13, and B is a diagram schematically showing a relationship between a side stream and a well plate in the conventional particle sorting device. FIG. It is a side view which shows typically a state when a well plate is mounted in the plate holder in which the plate mounting part inclined. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation example of the particle sorting apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this indication is not limited to each embodiment shown below. The description will be given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment (Example of Particle Sorting Device that Adjusts Charge Application End Time According to Particle Size)
2. First Modification of First Embodiment (Example of a particle sorting apparatus including a delay amount calculation unit)
3. Second Modification of First Embodiment (Example of a particle sorting apparatus including a grant time calculation unit)
4). Second Embodiment (Example of Particle Sorting Device that Controls Vibration Element Based on Imaged Droplet Image Together with Adjustment of Charge Application End Time)
5. Third Embodiment (Example of a particle sorting apparatus in which droplet collection plates are arranged obliquely)

<1. First Embodiment>
First, the particle sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a particle sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[Overall configuration of the device]
The particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment sorts and collects particles based on the result of analysis by an optical method or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the microchip 2, the vibration element 3, and the charging unit 4 , A charge control unit 7, deflection plates 5a, 5b, and the like.

[Particles]
The particles analyzed and sorted by the particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment include biologically related fine particles such as cells, microorganisms and ribosomes, or synthetic particles such as latex particles, gel particles and industrial particles. included.

  Biologically relevant microparticles include chromosomes, ribosomes, mitochondria, organelles (organelles), etc. that make up various cells. In addition, the cells include plant cells, animal cells, blood cells, and the like. Furthermore, microorganisms include bacteria such as Escherichia coli, viruses such as tobacco mosaic virus, and fungi such as yeast. The biologically relevant microparticles can include biologically relevant polymers such as nucleic acids, proteins, and complexes thereof.

  On the other hand, examples of the industrial particles include those formed of an organic polymer material, an inorganic material, a metal material, or the like. As the organic polymer material, polystyrene, styrene / divinylbenzene, polymethyl methacrylate, or the like can be used. Moreover, glass, silica, a magnetic material, etc. can be used as an inorganic material. As the metal material, for example, gold colloid and aluminum can be used. The shape of these particles is generally spherical, but may be non-spherical, and the size and mass are not particularly limited.

[Microchip 2]
The microchip 2 includes a sample inlet 22 into which a liquid (sample liquid) containing particles to be sorted is introduced, a sheath inlet 23 into which a sheath liquid is introduced, a suction outlet 24 for eliminating clogging and bubbles, and the like. Is formed. In the microchip 2, the sample liquid is introduced into the sample inlet 22, merged with the sheath liquid introduced into the sheath inlet 23, and sent to the sample flow path, and the orifice 21 provided at the end of the sample flow path. It is discharged from.

  In addition, a suction flow path communicating with the suction outlet 24 is connected to the sample flow path. This suction channel is used to eliminate clogging and air bubbles by creating a negative pressure in the sample channel and temporarily reversing the flow when clogging or air bubbles occur in the sample channel. A negative pressure source such as a vacuum pump is connected to 24.

  The microchip 2 can be formed of glass or various plastics (PP, PC, COP, PDMS, etc.). The material of the microchip 2 is desirably a material that is transparent to measurement light emitted from a light detection unit described later, has less autofluorescence, and has less optical error due to small wavelength dispersion.

  The microchip 2 can be formed by wet etching or dry etching of a glass substrate, or by nanoimprinting, injection molding, or machining of a plastic substrate. The microchip 2 can be formed, for example, by sealing a substrate formed with a sample flow path or the like with a substrate of the same material or a different material.

[Vibration element 3]
The vibrating element 3 generates a fluid stream (droplet flow) S by converting the fluid discharged from the orifice 21 into droplets by applying minute vibrations to the liquid flowing through the flow path. A piezoelectric element or the like can be used. The vibration element 3 only needs to be provided at a position where vibration can be imparted to the liquid flowing through the flow path. In addition to being disposed in contact with the inside of the microchip 2 or the microchip 2, the vibration element 3 can You may attach to the piping which introduce | transduces a liquid into a path.

[Charging part 4]
The charging unit 4 imparts positive or negative charges to the droplets discharged from the orifice 21. The charging electrode 41 and a voltage source (voltage supply unit 42) for applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode 41 are provided. Etc. The charging electrode 41 is disposed in contact with the sheath liquid and / or sample liquid flowing through the flow path, and applies charge to the sheath liquid and / or sample liquid. For example, the charging electrode inlet of the microchip 2 is used. Inserted into.

  In FIG. 1, the charging electrode 41 is disposed so as to contact the sample liquid, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be disposed so as to contact the sheath liquid. You may arrange | position so that both a liquid and a sheath liquid may be contacted. However, in consideration of the influence on the cells to be sorted, it is desirable that the charging electrode 41 is disposed so as to be in contact with the sheath liquid.

  In this way, by charging a desired droplet with a positive or negative charge (charging), it becomes possible to separate a droplet including arbitrary particles by an electric force. In addition, by synchronizing the timing of charging by the charging unit 4 and the supply voltage to the vibration element 3, it is possible to charge only an arbitrary droplet.

[Deflecting plates 5a, 5b]
The deflecting plates 5a and 5b change the traveling direction of each droplet in the fluid stream S by an electric force acting between the electric charges applied to the droplets and guide them to predetermined recovery containers 6a to 6c. Are arranged opposite to each other across the fluid stream S. For the deflection plates 5a and 5b, for example, commonly used electrodes can be used.

  A different positive or negative voltage is applied to each of the deflecting plates 5a and 5b, and when a charged droplet passes through the electric field formed thereby, an electric force (Coulomb force) is generated, and each liquid Drops are attracted in the direction of one of the deflecting plates 5a and 5b. In the particle sorting apparatus 1, the direction of the droplet flow (side stream) attracted by the electric field can be controlled by changing the sign of the charge to the droplet and the amount of charge. It becomes possible to sort the particles simultaneously.

[Recovery containers 6a to 6c]
The collection containers 6a to 6c collect droplets that have passed between the deflection plates 5a and 5b, and general-purpose plastic tubes, glass tubes, and the like can be used for experiments. It is preferable that these collection containers 6a-6c are arrange | positioned so that replacement | exchange is possible in an apparatus. Moreover, you may connect the drainage path of the collect | recovered droplet to the thing which receives the particle | grains which are not collection object among the collection containers 6a-6c.

  In addition, the number and kind of collection | recovery containers arrange | positioned at the particle sorter 1 are not specifically limited. For example, when more than three collection containers are arranged, each droplet is guided to one of the collection containers depending on the presence / absence of the electric force between the deflecting plates 5a and 5b and the size thereof. It can be recovered. Moreover, instead of the collection containers 6a to 6c, a base material on which a plurality of reaction sites (wells) are formed can be used, and specific particles can be distributed one by one to each reaction site.

[Charge control unit 7]
The charge control unit 7 adjusts the charge application end time in the charging unit 4 according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet. The method for determining the size of the particle is not particularly limited, but can be determined based on, for example, the detection result of the forward scattered light measured by the light detection unit described later. In that case, the charge control unit 7 determines, for example, the time for starting the charge application (charge application timing) and the charge depending on whether the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the light detection unit is greater than or equal to a specific value (threshold value). The applying time (charge applying time) is changed to adjust the charge applying end time.

  Specifically, when the intensity of the forward scattered light is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value, the charge control unit 7 causes the timing of charge application to be delayed as compared with the case where the intensity of the forward scattered light is less than the threshold value. Or the charge part 4 should just be controlled so that electric charge provision time may become long. Thereby, even if the particles to be sorted are large, charges can be applied at an appropriate timing, so that the liquid droplets can be stably guided by the deflecting plates 5a and 5b.

[Photodetection section]
Furthermore, in the particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, light (excitation light) is irradiated to a predetermined part of the sample flow path, and light (measurement target light) generated from the particles flowing through the sample flow path is detected. A light detection unit (not shown) is provided. The light detection unit can be configured in the same manner as conventional flow cytometry. Specifically, a laser light source, an irradiation system consisting of a condensing lens, dichroic mirror, bandpass filter, etc. that collects and irradiates laser light onto particles, and measurement light generated from particles by laser light irradiation And a detection system for detecting.

  The detection system includes, for example, a PMT (Photo Multiplier Tube), an area imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS device. The irradiation system and the detection system may be configured by the same optical path or may be configured by separate optical paths. In addition, the measurement target light detected by the detection system of the light detection unit is light generated from the particles by irradiation of excitation light, and includes various types of light such as forward scattered light, side scattered light, Rayleigh scattering, and Mie scattering. It can be scattered light, fluorescence, or the like.

  Among these measurement target lights, the forward scattered light changes in intensity in proportion to the surface area of the cell, and serves as an index for evaluating the size of the particles. For this reason, it is preferable that the particle sorting apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the forward scattered light detection part which detects forward scattered light, and, thereby, adjustment of the charge application end time by the charge control part 7 is facilitated. Can be done.

[Others]
Note that the particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment supplies a stable air pressure to each of the sheath liquid and the sample liquid in addition to the above-described parts, so that an air pressure apparatus such as a compressor, a pressure sensor, etc. The air pressure detector may be provided. Thereby, a sheath flow and a sample flow can be stably formed, and stable droplet formation can be realized.

[Operation]
Next, regarding the operation of the particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, that is, the method of sorting particles using the particle sorting apparatus 1, the case where the charge amount is adjusted using the detection result of the forward scattered light. An example will be described.

  When the particles are sorted by the particle sorting device 1 of the present embodiment, the sample liquid containing the particles to be sorted is introduced into the sample inlet 22, and the sheath liquid is introduced into the sheath inlet 23, respectively. Then, for example, by the light detection unit, detection of the particle flow rate (flow velocity), particle spacing, and the like are performed simultaneously with detection of the optical characteristics of the particles. The detected optical characteristics, flow velocity, interval, etc. of the particles are converted into electrical signals and output to the overall control unit (not shown) of the apparatus.

  The laminar flow of the sample liquid and the sheath liquid that has passed through the light irradiation part of the sample channel is discharged from the orifice 21 to the space outside the microchip 2. At that time, vibration is applied to the liquid flowing through the flow path such as the sheath liquid by the vibration element 3, and the fluid discharged from the orifice 21 is made into droplets. Each liquid droplet is changed in its traveling direction by the deflecting plates 5a and 5b based on the detection result in the light detection unit, and is guided to the predetermined recovery containers 6a to 6c to be recovered.

  At this time, in the particle sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the charge application end time in the charging unit 4 is adjusted according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a charge application end time adjusting method by changing the charge application timing, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a charge application end time adjusting method by changing the charge application time. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between charge application and droplet formation state in the “normal mode”. Further, FIG. 5 shows a droplet formation state when the charge application end time is adjusted by changing the charge application timing, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a droplet formation state when the charge application end time is adjusted by changing the charge application time.

  The charge control unit 7 can adjust the charge application end time for the droplet including each particle based on, for example, the intensity Sfsc of the forward scattered light. Specifically, the charge application end time can be automatically adjusted by controlling the charge application timing and the charge application time, for example, for particles whose forward scattered light intensity is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value. .

  For example, when adjusting the charge application end time by changing the charge application timing, as shown in FIG. 2, each particle flowing in the flow path is detected, and the forward scattered light intensity (Sfsc) is calculated. get. If the forward scattered light intensity of the particle is less than the threshold value (Tfsc), charge is applied at the normal timing shown in FIG. 4, and if the forward scattered light intensity is greater than or equal to the threshold value (Tfsc), it is shown in FIG. Charge is applied at a timing delayed from the normal timing.

  That is, the charge control unit 7 determines that the charge of the forward scattered light (Sfsc) is equal to or higher than the threshold (Tfsc) when the intensity of the forward scattered light (Sfsc) is less than the threshold (Tfsc). The charging unit 4 is controlled so that the application timing is delayed. Here, the delay amount of the charge application timing can be appropriately selected based on the assumed particle size or the like, and may be set in advance.

  Also, for example, when adjusting the charge application end time by changing the charge application end time, as shown in FIG. 3, each particle flowing through the flow path is detected, and the forward scattered light intensity ( Sfsc) is acquired. When the forward scattered light intensity of the particle is less than the threshold value (Tfsc), a charge is applied with the normal length shown in FIG. 4, and when the forward scattered light intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Tfsc), FIG. The charge is applied for a longer time than usual shown.

  That is, the charge control unit 7 determines that the charge of the forward scattered light (Sfsc) is equal to or higher than the threshold (Tfsc) when the intensity of the forward scattered light (Sfsc) is less than the threshold (Tfsc). The charging unit 4 is controlled so that the application time becomes longer. Here, the extension time of the charge application can also be appropriately selected based on the assumed particle size or the like, and may be set in advance.

  In this way, by delaying the charge application timing or extending the charge application time for droplets containing large-sized particles, it is possible to reliably charge even droplets with delayed break-off timing. Can be given. The “normal charge application timing” and “normal charge application time” described above adjust the amplitude (drive value) supplied to the vibration element 3 before measurement so that the most stable side stream is obtained. Decided upon. At this time, the relationship between the charge waveform and droplet formation is the timing at which charge application ends immediately after the droplet breaks off, and this is the “normal mode”.

  On the other hand, in order to stabilize the sorting of large-sized particles, it is important to apply charge until immediately after the droplet breaks off. When comparing the above-described two methods for adjusting the charge application end time, the method for increasing the charge application time is to increase the charge application time with a margin so that the liquid application time can be increased regardless of fluctuations in the break-off timing. A charge can be reliably applied to the droplet. However, in this method, when the variation in the break-off timing is large, there is a possibility that the amount of charge applied to each droplet varies.

  On the other hand, the method of delaying the charge application timing does not change the charge application time, and the total amount of charge applied to each droplet is constant, so that the above-described problem of fluctuation of the charge amount does not occur. In this method of delaying the charge application timing, if the delay amount of the break-off timing can be accurately estimated by the method described later, the charge amount of each droplet is delayed by delaying the charge application timing accordingly. It is possible to stabilize the sorting while keeping the constant.

  Furthermore, the above-described adjustment of the charge application end time creates a program for realizing the function of changing the charge application timing and the charge application time according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet, and the particle sorting device. By mounting on one charge control unit 7, it can be performed automatically. Alternatively, a configuration in which the user selects and executes the “normal mode” and the “large particle mode” as necessary can be adopted.

  As described above in detail, in the particle sorting apparatus of the present embodiment, the charge application end time in the charging unit is adjusted according to the size of the particles contained in the droplets. Charges can be stably imparted to the droplets that appear. As a result, even when the particles to be sorted are large, the disturbance of the side stream caused by the break-off timing delay can be reduced, and sorting can be performed with high accuracy.

  As a result, in the conventional sorting apparatus, when sorting large particles, the orifice diameter had to be increased. However, according to the present disclosure, even if the size of the particles is large, the orifice diameter is increased. Therefore, sorting can be performed at a higher speed than in the past.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the microchip 2 is used has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the same may be applied even if a flow cell is used instead of the microchip 2. An effect is obtained.

<2. First Modified Example of First Embodiment>
Next, a particle sorting device according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charge control mechanism of the particle sorting apparatus of the present modification, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the charge application end time adjusting method.

[Device configuration]
Since the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc is a value that is substantially proportional to the surface area (size) of the particles, the amount of charge application timing is set based on the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc of each particle to stabilize the sorting. The property can be further improved. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the particle sorting apparatus according to the present modification includes a delay amount calculation unit that calculates the delay amount D of the charge application timing based on the intensity Sfsc of the forward scattered light detected by the light detection unit 8. 9 is provided.

[Operation]
In the particle sorting device of this modification, the charge control unit 7 controls the charge unit 4 so that the charge application timing is delayed by the delay amount D calculated by the delay amount calculation unit 9. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, first, particles are detected by the light detection unit 8, and the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc is obtained. Then, based on the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc data, the delay amount calculation unit 9 calculates the delay amount D of the charge application timing. The data of the delay amount D is sent to the charge control unit 7 and used for controlling the charge application by the charge unit 4.

  As described above, in the particle sorting device of the present modification, the charge application timing delay amount D is calculated from the intensity Sfsc of the forward scattered light, and the charge control unit 7 determines the charge application timing by the charging unit 4 based on the value. Since it is controlled, the sorting stability can be further improved.

  The configuration and effects of the particle sorting device of this modification other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

<3. Second Modification of First Embodiment>
Next, a particle sorting device according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charge control mechanism of the particle sorting apparatus of the present modification, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the charge application end time adjusting method.

[Device configuration]
As described above, the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc is a value that is substantially proportional to the surface area (size) of the particles. Therefore, by setting the charge application time based on the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc of each particle, The stability of can be further improved. Therefore, in the particle sorting apparatus of the present modification, as shown in FIG. 9, an application time calculation unit 10 that calculates the charge application time T based on the intensity Sfsc of the forward scattered light detected by the light detection unit 8 is provided. ing.

[Operation]
In this particle sorting apparatus, the charge control unit 7 controls the charging unit 4 so that charges are applied to the droplets during the time T calculated by the application time calculating unit 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, first, particles are detected by the light detection unit 8, and the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc is obtained. Based on the forward scattered light intensity Sfsc data, the application time calculation unit 10 calculates the charge application time T. The data on the charge application time T is sent to the charge control unit 7 and used for control of charge application by the charge unit 4.

  As in the particle sorting apparatus of this modification, the charge application time T is calculated from the intensity Sfsc of the forward scattered light, and the charge control unit 7 controls the charge application time by the charging unit 4 based on the value. Further, the sorting stability can be further improved.

  The configuration and effects of the particle sorting device of this modification other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

<4. Second Embodiment>
Next, a particle sorting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a particle sorting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the particle sorting device 11 of the present embodiment includes an imaging device (camera) 12 that acquires an image of a fluid or a droplet, and a camera 12. An excitation control unit 14 that controls the drive voltage of the vibration element 3 based on the image picked up at is provided.

[Image sensor (camera) 12]
The image pickup device (camera) 12 is configured so that the fluid and liquid droplets before droplet formation at a position (break-off point BP) where the laminar flow of the sample liquid discharged from the orifice 21 and the sheath liquid are dropletized are formed. Is taken. In addition, for imaging of fluids and droplets, various imaging elements such as photoelectric conversion elements can be used in addition to an imaging apparatus such as a CCD or a CMOS camera.

  The camera 12 is preferably provided with a position adjusting mechanism 15 for changing its position. Thereby, the position of the camera 12 can be easily controlled by an instruction from an excitation control unit 14 described later. In addition, the particle sorting apparatus 11 of the present embodiment may be provided with a light source (not shown) that illuminates the imaging region in combination with the camera 12.

[Voltage supply unit 13]
The voltage supply unit 13 supplies a drive voltage to the vibration element 3. In order to form a stable droplet, the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 is supplied in accordance with a sine wave and controlled by two of frequency (clock value) and amplitude (drive value).

[Excitation control unit 14]
The vibration control unit 14 controls the driving power of the vibration element 3 based on the image captured by the camera 12 and controls the position of the camera 12 as necessary. Specifically, the state of the fluid before droplet formation in the image, or the state of the satellite droplet existing between the break-off point and the droplet closest to the break-off point, or Based on both of them, the voltage supply unit 13 and the position adjustment mechanism 15 are controlled.

  The vibration control unit 14 can be configured by an information processing device including, for example, a general-purpose processor, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. In that case, the image data captured by the imaging device such as the camera 12 is input to the vibration control unit 14 and the programmed control algorithm is executed to automatically control the voltage supply unit 13 and the position adjustment mechanism 15. It becomes possible. Such a computer program may be stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, and may be distributed via a network.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the particle sorting apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described. In addition to the control of the charging unit 4 by the charge control unit 7, the particle sorting device 11 of the present embodiment acquires images of fluid and droplets at the break-off point by the camera 12, and based on the images, The vibration element 3 is controlled by the vibration control unit 14.

(Acquire droplet image)
The imaging method of the fluid and the droplet by the imaging element (camera) 12 is not particularly limited. For example, a liquid at a specific timing of droplet formation is obtained by causing the light source to emit light for a certain period of time every droplet formation cycle. Drop images can be acquired. It is also possible to confirm how droplets are formed in one cycle by changing the light source emission timing in the droplet formation clock. In addition, since the droplet formation frequency is about 10 k to 30 kHz and the frame frequency of the image sensor (camera) 12 is usually about 30 fps, one droplet image is composed of several hundred to several thousand droplets superimposed. It will be.

(Control of drive voltage)
In the case where the drive voltage of the vibration element 3 is controlled by the vibration control unit 14, for example, an image (reference image) obtained by adjusting a fluid or a droplet in an optimal state in advance is prepared, and an image at the time of sorting is prepared. The drive voltage is adjusted so as to match the reference image. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an image captured by the camera 12. The comparison between the reference image and the image at the time of sorting is as follows: the distance from the break-off point BP to the first satellite SD1 (first satellite upper space) d, the width of the constricted portion in the fluid immediately before droplet formation ( (Liquid column constriction width) w or the like.

  The first satellite upper space d, the liquid column constriction width w, and the liquid column length L (the position of the break-off point BP) are closely related to each other. The liquid column length L and the first satellite upper portion The interval d and the constriction width w of the liquid column are indicators that directly indicate the stability of the break-off point BP. The droplet shape of the fluid stream S can be stabilized by controlling the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 based on the values of the first satellite upper space d and the liquid column constriction width w.

  For example, the vibration control unit 14 drives the vibration element 3 so that the first satellite upper interval d in the image at the time of sorting is the same as the first satellite upper interval dref in the reference image 71 illustrated in FIG. Control the voltage. When the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 is increased, the value of the first satellite upper interval d is increased, and conversely, when the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 is decreased, the value of the first satellite upper interval d is decreased. 14 can control the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 using this relationship.

  The first satellite upper space d is sensitive to changes in the droplet shape of the fluid stream S. Therefore, by continuously adjusting the first satellite upper space d so as to coincide with the first satellite upper space dref of the reference image 71, the droplet shape at the time of sorting is maintained in a stable state similar to that of the reference image. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 can be controlled using the liquid column constriction width w instead of the first satellite upper interval dref described above. In that case, the drive voltage of the vibration element 3 is controlled so that the value of the liquid column constriction width w in the image at the time of sorting is the same as the liquid column constriction width wref in the reference image 71 shown in FIG. When the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 is increased, the value of the liquid column constriction width w decreases. When the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 is decreased, the value of the liquid column constriction width w increases. Can be used to control the drive voltage of the vibration element 3.

  The constriction width w of the liquid column also changes sensitively in response to the change in the droplet shape of the fluid stream S, like the first satellite upper interval dref described above. Therefore, by continuously adjusting the liquid column constriction width w so as to coincide with the liquid column constriction width wref of the reference image 71, the fluid stream S can be maintained in a stable state, and the break-off point BP can be maintained. The position is also stable.

  In addition, the drive voltage control of the vibration element 3 by the vibration control unit 14 can use either the first satellite upper space d or the liquid column constriction width w as an index. Thus, the droplet shape in the fluid stream S can be further stabilized. Alternatively, the driving voltage of the vibration element 3 can be controlled based on only the fluid state without using the satellite droplet state.

(Camera position control)
When the sheath liquid temperature fluctuates with a change in the environmental temperature during sorting, the droplet interval in the fluid stream S changes due to the flow velocity fluctuation accompanying the viscosity change, and the position of the break-off point BP, that is, the liquid column The length L varies. As a result, the number of droplets FD in the liquid column in the image changes, and the break-off point BP may not be stably detected and discriminated.

  Therefore, in the particle sorting apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, the position of the camera 12 can be moved according to the change in the liquid column length L in the image by the vibration control unit 14 as necessary. Thus, when the position of the camera 12 is made to follow the position fluctuation of the break-off point BP, the value of the liquid column length L in the image can be kept constant. As a result, since the break-off point BP is stably held at a predetermined position corresponding to the reference image in the sorted image, the number of droplets FD in the liquid column is kept constant and adjusted in advance. It becomes possible to maintain the drop delay time for a long time.

  As a method for keeping the position of the break-off point BP in the image constant, there is a method for changing the cutout position of the image in addition to the method for moving the camera 12 itself. For example, the fluid and the droplet are imaged using a wide-angle camera, and an image including the break-off point BP is cut out from the image and used for control by the vibration control unit 14. In this case, when the position of the break-off point BP fluctuates, the image cut-out position is changed so as to suppress the fluctuation of the value of the liquid column length L. As a result, it becomes possible to realize control of the imaging position accompanying the movement of the break-off point BP in a pseudo manner.

  Since the particle sorting apparatus of this embodiment controls the driving voltage of the vibration element based on the state of the fluid stream S in conjunction with the adjustment of the charge application end time, the break-off point BP can be set with high accuracy. Can be maintained. This stabilizes not only charging of the droplets but also droplet formation, so that even when the particles to be sorted are large, sorting can be performed at high speed and with high accuracy.

  The configuration and effects of the particle sorting apparatus of this embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

<5. Third Embodiment>
Next, a particle sorting device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In a particle sorting apparatus such as a cell sorter, when sorting particles such as cells, plate sorting using a base material (hereinafter referred to as well plate) in which a plurality of reaction sites (wells) are formed may be performed. is there. There are various types of well plates used for this plate sorting, such as 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384. The larger the number of wells, The diameter of the well opening is reduced.

  For this reason, when a plate having a large number of wells is used in the conventional particle sorting apparatus, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to accurately distribute target particles in the wells. In addition, since the conventional particle sorting device makes it easier for the droplets to hit the wall surface when the diameter of the well is reduced, if the particles to be sorted are cells, the sorted cells are damaged and the cells survive. There is also a problem that the risk of reducing the rate increases.

[Overall configuration of the device]
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the particle sorting apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 14A is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between the side stream and the well plate, and FIG. 14B is a conventional particle. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the side stream and well plate in a fractionation apparatus. In FIG. 13, the same components as those of the particle sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the particle sorting device 31 of this embodiment includes a microchip 2, a vibration element 3, a charging unit 4, deflection plates 5a and 5b, a waste liquid collection container 35, a well plate 36, and the like. In the particle sorting device 31 of the present embodiment, the well plate 36 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the incident angle θ of the fluid stream S with respect to the opening surface of the well 36a approaches 90 °.

[Waste liquid collection container 35]
The waste liquid collection container 35 collects droplets containing particles that are not to be sorted or droplets that do not contain particles. A general-purpose plastic tube, glass tube, or the like can be used for experiments. The waste liquid collection container 35 may be connected to a drainage path for collected droplets. Further, it is preferable that the waste liquid collection container 35 is disposed in the apparatus so as to be replaceable at a position where the liquid droplet collection by the well plate 36, particularly the movement of the well plate 36 is not hindered.

[Well plate 36]
The well plate 36 is used for a PCR method or the like, and a plurality of wells (reaction sites) 36a are formed on a substrate, and each well 36a includes one or more liquids containing specific particles. Drops are collected. In the particle sorting device 31 of the present embodiment, the well plate 36 is disposed to be inclined toward the fluid stream S. When the well plate 36 is disposed horizontally as in the conventional particle sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 14B, the droplet (fluid stream S) is incident from an oblique direction, so that the droplet may come off the opening of the well 36a (the accuracy rate). ) And easily hits the side wall of the well 36a.

  On the other hand, in the particle sorting apparatus 31 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 14A, the well plate 36 is inclined toward the side stream S, so that the droplets easily enter the well 36a. Hard to hit the side wall. As a result, the particle sorting device 31 of the present embodiment can accurately sort the particles without damaging, and in particular, when the sorting target particles are cells, the survival rate after sorting. Can be increased.

  Here, the inclination angle of the well plate 36 is not particularly limited, but the well plate 36 is configured so that the incident angle θ of the fluid stream S is approximately 90 ° or the vicinity thereof with respect to the opening surface of the well 36a. Are preferably inclined. Further, the number of wells 36a of the well plate 36 used in the particle sorting apparatus 31 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but the above-described effect becomes more remarkable as the number of wells 36a is larger. Further, the shape of the well 36a is not limited, and various shapes such as those having a flat bottom surface and a curved surface can be used.

  A method of incliningly arranging the well plate 36 is not particularly limited, and for example, there is a method of inclining a plate mounting portion of a plate holder that holds the well plate 36 by a predetermined angle. FIG. 15 is a side view schematically showing a state when a well plate is placed on a plate holder whose plate placing portion is inclined. As shown in FIG. 15, by providing the plate mounting portion 37a of the plate holder 37 with an angle α in accordance with the angle of the fluid stream S, the well plate 36 mounted thereon is turned into a fluid stream. It is possible to tilt it.

  Alternatively, the well plate 36 or the plate holder on which the well plate 36 is placed may be placed on a stage inclined at an arbitrary angle, and the well plate 36 may be inclined toward the fluid stream S by tilting the stage. Good.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the particle sorting device 31 of the present embodiment will be described. The particle sorting apparatus of the present embodiment moves specific wells to each well 36a by sequentially moving the well plate 36 by a moving mechanism or the like so that the fluid stream S and the position of the well 36a of the well plate 36 coincide. Distribute one or the desired number.

  At this time, when the well plate 36 is inclined, the horizontal distance between the wells 36a changes. Therefore, when the well plate 36 is moved as in the horizontal arrangement, the positions of the fluid stream S and the well 36a are changed. An error occurs. Therefore, in the particle sorting apparatus 31 of the present embodiment, for example, a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism is provided, and the movement amount of the well plate 36 at the time of sorting is adjusted according to the inclination angle of the well plate 36. As a result, even when the well plate 36 is inclined, the positions of the fluid stream S and the well 36a can be made to coincide with each other.

  In addition, when sorting cells, a buffer (buffer solution) is stored in the well 36a in advance. However, in the case of the well plate 36 having a shallow depth of the well 36a, the buffer may leak if the well plate 36 is inclined. is there. When the bottom of the well 36a is a flat surface (flat bottom), or when only a small amount of buffer is stored in the well 36a, if the well plate 36 is inclined, the portion covered with the buffer decreases.

  Therefore, the particle sorting device 31 of the present embodiment can be configured to automatically adjust the inclination angle of the well plate 36 according to the type of the well plate 36 and / or the amount of buffer stored. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the particle sorting apparatus 31 of this embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the user inputs the type of well plate (number of wells, shape, etc.) or the data stored in the barcode or tag attached to the product. Read and determine the type of well plate. Further, the user inputs the amount of buffer stored in the well or automatically determines it.

  Next, for example, in a tilt control unit provided in the apparatus, the tilt angle of the well plate is determined according to the type of the well plate and / or the amount of buffer stored. Then, for example, the well plate is tilted so as to have the determined tilt angle by the tilt angle adjusting mechanism. After that, for example, a plate movement control unit provided in the apparatus determines the amount of well plate movement when tilted by a predetermined angle, and sorts particles while controlling the movement of the well plate based on the result.

  As described above, by adjusting the inclination angle of the well plate in accordance with the amount of the buffer in which the type of the well plate is stored, it is possible to realize sorting with high accuracy. When a well plate with a small number of wells is used, the diameter of the well is sufficiently large with respect to the positional accuracy of the fluid stream S, so that the merit of tilting the well plate is reduced. That is, the configuration of the present embodiment is particularly effective when a well plate having a large number of wells and a small well diameter is used.

  In the particle sorting apparatus of the present embodiment, the well plate is inclined toward the side stream, so that the particles to be sorted can be accurately sorted into a predetermined well without causing damage. .

  In addition, the particle sorting apparatus of this embodiment can also combine the structure of 1st Embodiment, its modification, or 2nd Embodiment with the structure mentioned above. For example, by combining a configuration that adjusts the adjustment of the charge application end time in the charged portion according to the size of the particles contained in the droplets, even for droplets containing large-sized particles, Charges can be imparted, and sorting accuracy can be further improved. In addition, for example, the break-off point can be maintained with high accuracy by controlling the driving voltage of the vibrating element based on the state of the fluid stream in the vibration control unit together with the adjustment of the charge application end time. In addition to charging the droplets, droplet formation can be stabilized.

In addition, the present disclosure can take the following configurations.
(1)
A charging portion that imparts a charge to at least a portion of the droplets ejected from an orifice that generates a fluid stream;
A charge control unit that adjusts a charge application end time in the charging unit according to the size of particles contained in the droplet;
A particle sorting apparatus.
(2)
The said charge control part is a particle sorting apparatus as described in (1) which changes the timing of electric charge provision according to the magnitude | size of the particle contained in the said droplet.
(3)
The said charge control part is a particle sorting apparatus as described in (1) which changes charge provision time according to the magnitude | size of the particle contained in the said droplet.
(4)
Irradiating the particles flowing through the flow path with light, and having a forward scattered light detection unit for detecting forward scattered light generated from the particles by the light irradiation,
The particle sorting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the charge control unit adjusts a charge application end time based on a detection result of the forward scattered light detection unit.
(5)
When the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, the charge control unit has a charge application timing more than when the intensity of the forward scattered light is less than the threshold value. The particle sorting apparatus according to (4), wherein the charging unit is controlled to be delayed.
(6)
A delay amount calculation unit that calculates a delay amount of the charge application timing based on the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit;
The particle sorting apparatus according to (4) or (5), wherein the charge control unit controls the charge unit so that the timing of charge application is delayed by the delay amount calculated by the delay amount calculation unit.
(7)
When the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the charge control unit has a longer charge application time than when the intensity of the forward scattered light is less than the threshold. The particle sorting apparatus according to (4), wherein the charged unit is controlled to be
(8)
An application time calculation unit that calculates the charge application time based on the intensity of the forward scattered light detected by the forward scattered light detection unit;
The particle sorting apparatus according to (4) or (7), wherein the charge control unit controls the charge unit so that the charge corresponding to the time calculated by the application time calculation unit is applied.
(9)
The orifice is formed in a replaceable microchip,
The particle according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the charging unit includes a charged electrode disposed in contact with a sheath liquid and / or a sample liquid flowing through a flow path provided in the microchip. Preparative device.
(10)
The particle sorting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the orifice is formed in a flow cell.
(11)
Applying a charge to at least some of the droplets ejected from the orifice generating the fluid stream;
A particle sorting method in which the charge application end time is adjusted according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet.
(12)
A program for causing a charge control unit of a particle sorting apparatus to execute a function of adjusting a charge application end time according to the size of particles contained in droplets ejected from an orifice that generates a fluid stream.

Further, the present disclosure may take the following configurations.
(1)
A charging portion that imparts a charge to at least a portion of the droplets ejected from an orifice that generates a fluid stream;
A deflection plate that changes the traveling direction of the charged droplets;
A plurality of recesses, and a substrate on which droplets containing specific particles are collected in the recesses;
Have
The particle sorting apparatus, wherein the base material is inclined toward a fluid stream formed by droplets containing the specific particles.
(2)
A substrate holder for holding the substrate;
The substrate sorting unit of the substrate holder is the particle sorting device according to (1), in which the substrate is inclined so that the substrate is inclined.
(3)
The particle sorting apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the base material is inclined so that an incident angle of the fluid stream is approximately 90 ° with respect to an opening surface of the concave portion.
(4)
Having an inclination angle adjustment part of the substrate;
The said inclination angle adjustment part is a particle | grain fractionator in any one of (1)-(3) which adjusts the inclination angle of the said base material based on the information of at least one of the kind and state of the said base material.
(5)
A base material moving mechanism that changes the position of the base material so that one specific particle or a desired number of particles are distributed to each recess;
A substrate movement control unit for controlling movement of the substrate by the substrate movement mechanism;
The particle sorting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the substrate movement control unit adjusts a movement amount of the substrate according to an inclination angle of the substrate.
(6)
The particle sorting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), further including a charge control unit that adjusts a charge application end time in the charging unit according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet.
(7)
An imaging device for acquiring an image of the fluid and droplets at a position where the fluid discharged from the orifice generating the fluid stream is formed into droplets;
Based on the state of the fluid in the image and / or the state of satellite droplets present between the location where the fluid is dropletized and the droplet closest to the droplet formation location, An excitation control unit for controlling a driving voltage of a vibration element that applies vibration;
The particle sorting device according to any one of (1) to (6).

  Note that the effects described in the present specification are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11, 31 Particle sorter 2 Microchip 3 Vibrating element 4 Charging part 5a, 5b Deflection plate 6a-6c Collection container 7 Charge control part 8 Photodetection part 9 Delay amount calculation part 10 Assignment time calculation part 12 Imaging element ( camera)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13, 42 Voltage supply part 14 Excitation control part 15 Position adjustment mechanism 21 Orifice 22 Sample inlet 23 Sheath inlet 24 Suction outlet 35 Waste liquid collection | recovery container 36 Well plate 36a Well 37 Plate holder 41 Electrode 71 Delay amount calculation part 72 Grant time calculation part S fluid stream

That is, a microparticle sorting apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a vibration element that vibrates a fluid flowing in a flow path that generates a fluid stream, a camera that images at least a part of droplets of the fluid stream, An excitation control unit that controls the magnitude of vibration according to the distance from the break-off point of the fluid stream to the first satellite .
Further, in the microparticle sorting device according to the present disclosure, an image including the break-off point is cut out from the fluid and the droplet image captured by the camera, and is controlled by the vibration control unit. It may be used.
Furthermore, in the fine particle sorting device according to the present disclosure, the cutout position of the image may be changed when the position of the break-off point varies.
In addition, in the microparticle sorting apparatus according to the present disclosure, the vibration control unit may further control the magnitude of vibration according to the width of the constricted portion in the fluid immediately before being formed into droplets. .
In addition, the fine particle sorting device according to the present disclosure includes a charging unit that applies charge to at least a part of the droplets discharged from the orifice that generates the fluid stream, and a size of the particles included in the droplets. And a charge control unit that adjusts a charge application end time in the charge unit. In this case, the charge control unit may change the charge application time according to the size of the particles contained in the droplet. In this case, the orifice is formed in a replaceable microchip, and the charging unit is arranged in contact with a sheath liquid and / or a sample liquid flowing through a flow path provided in the microchip. A charged electrode may be provided.

A fine particle sorting method according to the present disclosure includes a vibration applying step for applying vibration to a fluid flowing in a flow path for generating a fluid stream, and an imaging step for imaging at least a part of droplets of the fluid stream. to have a, a vibration controlling step for controlling the magnitude of the vibration in accordance with the distance from the break-off point of the fluid stream to a first satellite.
In the fine particle sorting method according to the present disclosure, in the vibration control step, the magnitude of vibration may be further controlled according to the width of the constricted portion in the fluid immediately before being formed into droplets.

A program according to the present disclosure vibrates a fluid flowing in a flow path that generates a fluid stream, images at least a part of droplets of the fluid stream, and a break-off point of the fluid stream. The particle sorting device is caused to execute a function of controlling the magnitude of vibration according to the distance from the first satellite to the first satellite .
In the program according to the present disclosure, the particle sorting apparatus may further execute a function of controlling the magnitude of vibration according to the width of the constricted portion in the fluid immediately before being formed into droplets.

Claims (1)

A vibrating element that vibrates the fluid flowing through the flow path that generates the fluid stream;
A camera that images at least some of the droplets of the fluid stream;
An excitation controller that controls the magnitude of vibration according to the distance from the break-off point of the fluid stream to the first satellite;
A particle sorting apparatus.