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Problem
It solves a significant problem in basic and clinical medical research of making precise measurements of objects in flow like characterizing a sample containing fluorescently labeled cancer cells.
Invention
NIST scientists have developed a microfluidic flow cytometer that is capable of robust and repeated measurements that provide first-of-their-kind uncertainty estimates, which support better comparability and classification of cytometry data. The device measures single objects in flow several times along a microchannel with integrated waveguides that deliver and collect emitted, transmitted, and scattered light and provide additional details about object shape.
Potential Commercial Applications
- Only cytometer capable of per-object uncertainties
- Better counting accuracy and classification of samples
- Accounts for sources of uncertainty that might be related to the shape, deformability, stability, or activity of objects in a liquid sample
- Does not require a microscope
- Compatible with on-chip sorting technologies