We claim:
1. A multilumen filter device for use with an apparatus for providing inspiratory gases to a patient and for receiving expiratory gases therefrom, comprising:
a filter housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said filter housing containing a first filter chamber and a second filter chamber,
first filter means in said first filter chamber and second filter means in said second filter chamber,
said filter housing having a proximal first lumen and a proximal second lumen at said proximal end of said filter housing, said proximal first lumen forming a proximal inspiratory fluid path, and said proximal second lumen forming a proximal expiratory fluid path; said proximal first lumen being in fluid communication with said first filter chamber, and said proximal second lumen being in fluid communication with said second filter chamber, and
said filter housing having a distal first lumen and a distal second lumen at said distal end of said filter housing, said distal first lumen forming a distal inspiratory fluid path and being in fluid communication with said first filter chamber; and said distal second lumen forming a distal expiratory fluid path and being in fluid communication with said second filter chamber, wherein fluid passing between said proximal first lumen and said distal first lumen must pass through said first filter means in said first filter chamber, and fluid passing between said proximal second lumen and said distal second lumen must pass through said second filter means in said second filter chamber.
2. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said proximal inspiratory fluid path is operably connected to an inlet for a source of inspiratory gas and said proximal expiratory fluid path is operably connected to an expiratory port.
3. The filter device of claim 2, wherein, when said distal first lumen and said distal second lumen are operably connected to a mammal, inspiratory gas from a source of inspiratory gas may pass through said proximal inspiratory fluid path and subsequently through said filter means in said first filter chamber and subsequently through said distal inspiratory fluid path to be delivered to said mammal, and expiratory gas from said mammal may pass through said distal expiratory fluid path and subsequently through said second filter means in said second filter chamber and subsequently through said proximal expiratory fluid path to said expiratory port.
4. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said proximal first lumen is coaxial with said proximal second lumen.
5. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said first filter chamber has a first distal cross-sectional area in the region of said distal inspiratory fluid path, a first filter region cross-sectional area in the region of said first filter means in said first filter chamber, and a first proximal cross-sectional area in the region of said proximal inspiratory fluid path; said first filter region cross-sectional area being greater than said first distal cross-sectional area and said first proximal cross-sectional area.
6. The filter device of claim 5, wherein said second filter chamber has a second distal cross-sectional area in the region of said distal expiratory fluid path, a second filter region cross-sectional area in the region of said second filter means in said second filter chamber, and a second proximal cross-sectional area in the region of said proximal expiratory fluid path; said second filter region cross-sectional area being greater than said second distal cross-sectional area and said second proximal cross-sectional area.
7. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said filter housing forms a proximal connector for a unilimb breathing apparatus.
8. The filter device of claim 6, wherein said proximal end of said filter housing forms a proximal connector for a unilimb breathing apparatus.
9. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said filter housing forms a distal connector for a unilimb breathing apparatus.
10. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said filter means comprises a first filter element in said first filter chamber and a second filter element in said second filter chamber.
11. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said first and second filter means comprise a single filter element extending across said first and second filter chambers.
12. The filter device of claim 1, wherein said first filter chamber is not in direct fluid communication with said second filter chamber.
13. The filter device of claim 1, further comprising at least one connector fitting on at least one of said distal end and said proximal end, wherein said at least one connector fitting matches a mating connector of a least one component of an assisted ventilation system.
14. The filter device of claim 13, wherein said connector fitting has blocking means to prevent the connecting of said connector fitting to a component of an assisted ventilation system that does not have a mating connector.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. An automated particle sorter, comprising:
a fluid flow path for passage of biological particles, which comprises an optical cuvette; and a switch that alters the position of a collection conduit between two set points for sorting of particles according to their level of fluorescence;
a light irradiation system comprising a light source that emits light through said cuvette at a wavelength that causes fluorescence excitement;
a light detection apparatus comprising at least two detection elements for measuring emitted fluorescence;
a data processor that receives signals from said light detection elements and according to pre-set parameters, controls said switch to physically sort said particles.
2. The particle sorter of claim 1, wherein said light irradiation system comprises a laser, a filter and focusing optics.
3. The particle sorter of claim 1, wherein said light detection apparatus comprises one or more light separation elements.
4. The particle sorter of claim 3, wherein said light separation elements are diachroic mirrors that reflect fluorescent light below excitation wavelength of said fluorescent compound.
5. The particle sorter of claim 4, wherein said light detection elements comprise two or more photomultiplier tubes.
6. The particle sorter of claim 5, wherein said switch is a switch that moves a collection conduit.
7. The particle sorter of claim 1, wherein said collection conduit comprises two tubes separated by a thin membrane.
8. The particle sorter of claim 1, wherein said liquid flow path is an elongated member of square or rectangular cross-sectional geometry, wherein the position of said particle is constrained.
9. The particle sorter of claim 1, further comprising a fluid ring over the end of said optical cuvette, wherein said fluid ring injects fluid into a particle stream as it exits said cuvette.
10. The particle sorter of claim 1, wherein said fluid flow path leading to said optical cuvette comprises a high density particle chamber and low density particle chamber connected by a fluid valve controlled by a data processor, wherein particle density is maintained at a predetermined level by opening and closing of said fluid valve.
11. The particle sorter of claim 10, wherein said low density particle chamber comprises a magnetic stir bar set on a pin.
12. A method of sorting biological particles according to their level of fluorescence, the method comprising:
suspending said particles in solution;
moving said suspension through the a liquid flow path comprising an optical cuvette through which a light is emitted at a wavelength that excites a fluorescent compound;
detecting the level of fluorescence on said particle by at least two light detection elements, wherein the signal from said light detection elements in received by a data processor that controls a switch that alters the position of a collection conduit between two set points;
moving said collection conduit in accordance with the level of fluorescence associated with said particle.
13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step:
after said moving through a flow path comprising an optical cuvette, merging said suspension with a high velocity fluid flow that forces the particles into said collection conduit.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said particles are whole animals of from 10 to 105 cells in size.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said whole animals are viable embryos.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said fluorescent compound is a protein expressed by said animal.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said animals are Drosophila embryos expressing green fluorescent protein.