Droplet deflectors and methods for using the same
Aspects of the present disclosure include a droplet deflector configured to apply a deflection force to a flow stream at a plurality of different angles. Droplet deflectors according to certain embodiments include one or more sets of parallel metallic plates that are configured to apply a deflection force to droplets in a flow stream flowing therebetween. Systems and methods for sorting particles in a sample with the subject deflector plates are also provided.
1. A particle sorting module comprising:
a flow cell nozzle comprising a nozzle orifice configured to flow a flow stream through the flow cell nozzle; and
a droplet deflector configured to apply a deflection force from a plurality of different directions to the flow stream flowing therebetween, wherein the droplet deflector comprises two parallel twisted metallic plates.
2. The particle sorting module according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection force is constant along the length of the twisted metallic plates.
3. The particle sorting module according to claim 1 , wherein the metallic plates have a width from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
4. The particle sorting module according to claim 1 , wherein the metallic plates have a length from 1 mm to 25 mm.
5. The particle sorting module according to claim 1 , wherein the twist angle is 5° or more.
6. The particle sorting module according to claim 5 , wherein the twist angle is 30° or more.
7. The particle sorting module according to claim 1 , wherein the two parallel twisted metallic plates are spaced apart by 1 mm or more.
8. A system comprising:
a light source;
a flow cell nozzle comprising a nozzle orifice configured to flow a flow stream through the flow cell nozzle;
a detector for measuring one or more wavelengths of light; and
a droplet deflector configured to apply a deflection force from a plurality of different directions to the flow stream flowing therebetween, wherein the droplet deflector comprises two parallel twisted metallic plates.
9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflection force is constant along the length of the twisted metallic plates.
10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the metallic plates have a width from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the metallic plates have a length from 1 mm to 25 mm.
12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the twist angle is 5° or more.
13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the twist angle is 30° or more.
14. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the two parallel twisted metallic plates are spaced apart by 1 mm or more.
15. A method comprising:
irradiating with a light source a sample comprising particles in a flow stream;
detecting one or more wavelengths of light; and
sorting the particles in the sample into two or more sample collection containers with a droplet deflector configured to apply a deflection force from a plurality of different directions to the flow stream flowing therebetween, wherein the droplet deflector comprises two parallel twisted metallic plates.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the deflection force is constant along the length of the twisted metallic plates.
17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the metallic plates have a width from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.
18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the metallic plates have a length from 1 mm to 25 mm.
19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the twist angle is 5° or more.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the twist angle is 30° or more.
21. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the two parallel twisted metallic plates are spaced apart by 1 mm or more.