JPH0442621B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to scattering of flowing microparticulate objects, in which light is irradiated to a solution in which microparticles are floating at high speed, and the shape of microparticles, such as cells, is analyzed from the scattered light. This invention relates to improvements in optical measurement devices.

A conventional device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 is a laser that emits laser light A, 2 is a lens, and 3 is a flow cell having a channel in the center, in which a microparticulate matter suspended solution B containing microparticulate objects 4 flows in the direction of the arrow. flows. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, a flow tube 5 is used instead of the flow cell 3. 6 and 7 are condenser lenses that condense the scattered light from the flowing microparticulate matter 4. The condenser lens 6 is arranged in the radiation direction of the laser beam A across the flow cell 3 (flow tube 5), and condenses the light. The lens 7 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the radiation direction of the laser beam A and the flow direction of the microparticle suspended solution B.
Detectors 8 and 9 detect scattered light collected by condensing lenses 6 and 7, respectively.

Laser light A emitted from laser 1 passes through lens 2
, and irradiates the fluid microparticulate matter 4 contained in the fluid microparticulate matter suspension solution B flowing through the flow cell 3 (flow tube 5). Then,
Scattered light is emitted from the flowing microparticulate object 4, and a part of this scattered light is focused onto photodetectors 8 and 9 by condensing lenses 6 and 7, and is converted into electricity by the photodetectors 8 and 9. converted into a signal. The electrical signals output from the photodetectors 8 and 9 are analyzed by a signal processing circuit (not shown). In this way, the flowing fine particulate matter 4
By analyzing the scattered light from the flow, the shape etc. of the flowing microparticulate object 4 becomes clear.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, scattering occurs in all directions (360°) in a plane that includes the optical axis of the laser beam A, which is perpendicular to the flow of the flowing fine particulate matter 4 (fine particulate matter suspension solution B). There are also conventional devices that detect light. In this case, the scattered light from the flowing microparticle object 4 is reflected by the elliptical mirror 10 and detected by a plurality of (for example, 32) photodetector groups 11 arranged in an annular shape.

However, in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical system (condensing lenses 6 and 7) for condensing the scattered light onto the photodetectors 8 and 9 is installed outside the flow cell 3 (flow tube 5). must be placed in
When the condensing lenses 6 and 7 are arranged as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only forward scattered light and perpendicular scattered light can be measured. The device shown in Figure 3 can measure scattered light in all directions (360°), so it can perform more reliable analysis than the devices shown in Figures 1 and 2. There was a problem in that it was difficult to adjust the flow direction of the particulate matter suspension solution B and the arrangement of the elliptical mirror 10 and the photodetector group 11.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scattered light measuring device for a flowing microparticulate object that solves the above-mentioned problems, is easy to adjust the arrangement, and can measure scattered light in all directions. .

In order to achieve this object, the present invention includes a lens having the function of condensing light in the meridian direction around the flow path of the flow cell, thereby concentrating the scattered light emitted from the flowing microparticulate object into the flow cell. The feature is that the light is focused over 360° around the flow path.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

4 and 5 show an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an outline of the apparatus for measuring scattered light of microparticulate objects, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of a part of the photodetector group shown in FIG. 4 and a signal processing system. The same parts as in FIG. 1 are represented by the same symbols. Reference numeral 12 denotes a flow cell consisting of a lens that has a condensing effect on the scattered light emitted from the flowing microparticulate matter 4 flowing inside the tube 13 fitted in the center. On the other hand, it is rotationally symmetrical, and the plane connecting the vertices of the lens surface is naturally perpendicular to the tube 13. The laser 1 is positioned so that the optical axis of the laser beam A is included in this plane. 14
is on a plane perpendicular to the tube 13 and containing the laser beam A,
a group of photodetectors 15 arranged on a circumference substantially conjugate with the flowing microparticulate matter 4 with respect to the flow cell 12;
16 is a photodetector; 17 is a light guide that guides the scattered light collected in the flowcell 12 to the photodetector 16; Consists of type lenses. The photodetector group 14 includes a plurality of light guides 17 and photodetectors 16. 18 processes (analyzes) the signal obtained by the photodetector group 14
This is a signal processing circuit that performs

The laser beam A emitted from the laser 1 passes through the lens 2 and the hole 15, and the flowing microparticulate matter contained in the microparticulate matter suspension solution B flowing through the tube 13 fitted in the center of the flow cell 12. Irradiate 4. Then, scattered light is emitted from the flowing microparticulate matter 4. Of this scattered light, the scattered light emitted at an angle within a predetermined angle with respect to the plane containing the laser beam A that is perpendicular to the tube 13 is collected by each light guide by the condensing action of the flow cell 12 consisting of a lens. The light is focused on the incident surface of light guide 1
7 and enters the photodetector 16. The photodetector 16 photoelectrically converts the incident scattered light and outputs it as an electrical signal to the signal processing circuit 18. In this way, all electrical signals obtained by the photodetector group 14 are sent to the signal processing circuit 18 and analyzed by the signal processing circuit 18. Note that it is also possible to independently analyze the signals from each photodetector 16 by the signal processing circuit 18. Further, conventional measurements using forward scattered light and perpendicular scattered light are possible by using the photodetector 16 shown in parts A and B shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, since the flow cell 12 is formed of a lens with a light condensing function, the flow cell 12
The optical axis of the laser beam A and the photodetector group 14 can be placed on the plane determined by the lens forming the laser beam 2. It is easy to adjust the arrangement with 14, making it possible to measure scattered light in all directions (360 degrees). Further, since it is possible to independently process the electrical signals obtained by each photodetector 16, highly accurate measurement is possible. Furthermore, the conventional example (first
Since there is no need to newly arrange a condensing optical system as shown in Figures 1 to 3), the device can be downsized.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the flow cell is provided with a lens having the function of condensing light in the meridian direction around the flow path, and thereby the scattered light emitted from the flowing microparticulate object is collected in the flow cell. Since the light is focused over 360 degrees around the flow path, it is easy to adjust the arrangement, and scattered light in all directions can be measured.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional scattered light measuring device, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing another example of the conventional scattered light measuring device, and Fig. 3 is another example of the conventional scattered light measuring device. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of a part of the photodetector group shown in FIG. 4 and a signal processing system. 1... Laser, 2... Lens, 4... Flowing microparticulate object, 12... Flow cell, 13... Tube,
14... Photodetector group, 15... Hole, 16... Photodetector, 17... Light guide, 18... Signal processing circuit, A... Laser light, B... Microparticulate matter suspension solution.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A flow cell having a flow channel in the center through which a micro-particle suspended fluid containing micro-particle objects flows, and an irradiation optical system that irradiates laser light toward the flow channel of the flow cell; In an apparatus for measuring scattered light of a flowing microparticulate object that is equipped with a photometric optical system that measures scattered light from a microparticulate object that is irradiated with a laser beam, the action of condensing light in the meridian direction around the flow path of the flow cell is provided. 1. An apparatus for measuring scattered light of a flowing microparticulate object, comprising a lens having the following characteristics. 2. The apparatus for measuring scattered light of a flowing microparticulate object according to claim 1, wherein the photometric optical system includes a light detection means arranged all around the lens.