A Two-Station Multidimensional Slit-Scan Flow System: Concept and Optical Implementation

A two-measurement station cytofluorometer has been fabricated to provide multidimensional slit-scan contours on biological cells in flow. A conventional one-dimensional slit-scan measurement station is followed by a three-dimensional measurement station which provides a "second look" at any desired cell-typically alarms detected at the first station. This provides the high throughput and high signal-to-noise ratio of a one-dimensional slit-scan system with multidimensional slit-scan information available when required. The system possesses the potential for providing the high cell throughput rates and low false alarm rates required in a clinical prescreening system and the simplicity and optical alignment insensitivities essential to a user environment.