MINIMALLY INVASIVE CYTOMETRY SYSTEM WITH QCL INSPECTION OF SINGLE CELLS FOR CANCER DETECTION
This disclosure concerns a minimally invasive cytometry system including a handling system that presents single cells to at least one QCL laser source. The QCL laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce vibrational bond absorption in one or more analytes within the cell. The cytometry system also includes a detection facility that detects the mid-infrared wavelength light transmitted by the cell and identifies the cell as either cancerous or non-cancerous.
1 . A minimally invasive cytometry system, comprising:
a handling system that presents single cells to at least one quantum cascade laser (QCL) source;
the at least one QCL source configured to deliver light to a cell within the single cells presented in order to induce vibrational bond absorption in one or more analytes within the cell; and
a detection facility that detects a mid-infrared wavelength light transmitted by the cell and identifies the cell as either cancerous or non-cancerous.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising, a sort facility for sorting the cell according to its identification.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cancerous cell is a circulating tumor cell.