Digital holographic microscope with electro fluidic system, said electro-fluidic system and methods of use
The current invention concerns a fluid microscope system for analyzing and/or monitoring the contents of one or more fluid-based reactors or canalizations such as bio-reactors, micro-reactors, brewing reactors, water supply systems or sewer systems. The fluid microscope system includes a digital holographic microscope (DHM) with one or more electro-fluidic systems, capable of guiding fluid from the reactors to the DHM. The current invention also concerns an electro-fluidic system for such a fluid microscope system having any or all of the elements mentioned above. Furthermore, the current invention encompasses a method for installing, replacing and removing such an electro-fluidic system in and from a fluid microscope system, and lastly, a method for monitoring and/or observing suspended objects in a fluid in a fluid-based reactor or canalization.
1. A method for observing and/or monitoring suspended objects in a fluid in a fluid-based reactor or canalization, comprising the following steps:
a. inducing a fluid flow from said reactor or canalization by an electrically powered pumping system;
b. capturing a sample in the fluid flow and observing said sample with a Digital Holographic Microscope (DHM), wherein the pumping system is controlled and optionally powered by the DHM.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step:
c. inducing a fluid flow from said DHM to said reactor or canalization.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein step c. further comprises returning the sample to the fluid flow.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein in step a., the fluid flow is induced and controlled by a pumping system, and wherein the fluid flow is induced from said reactor or canalization to the DHM.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein in step b., the fluid flow is stopped when the sample is captured.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the DHM electronically steers the pumping system.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the fluid flow is a continuous fluid flow.
8. The method according to claim 5 wherein the pumping system comprises a diaphragm pump.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the sample is observed with the DHM in a flow cell and/or a microfluidic system.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said flow cell and/or microfluidic system comprises a cross section and has a height and/or width that varies along the cross section.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the DHM is a stand-alone DHM, and the electrically powered pumping system is fluidly connected to the DHM by external tubing.