US 11703443

Here's a concise summary of US patent 11703443:

Title: Flow cytometer

Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc. (Current), Iris International Inc (Original)

Inventors: Yong Qin Chen

Filing Date: November 4, 2022

Issue Date: July 18, 2023

Abstract:
A flow cytometer is disclosed that includes a laser diode (LD) based optical subsystem for directing a beam of light into a viewing zone through which a sample liquid carrying particles flows. The sample liquid is hydrodynamically focused within the viewing zone by a liquid sheath flow that also flows through the viewing zone. The cytometer also includes a composite microscope objective for imaging light scattered from and fluoresced by a particle within the viewing zone, and a fluidic subsystem for supplying the liquid sheath flow to the viewing zone such that it lacks pulsations. A peristaltic pump supplies the sample liquid carrying the particles. Additionally, a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) separates into multiple colored bands a beam of light emitted from the viewing zone and imaged by the composite microscope. The patent also discloses various improvements to the LD based optical subsystem, the composite microscope objective, the fluidic subsystem, the peristaltic pump, and the WDM.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a flow cytometer that combines several key components:

  • A laser diode (LD) optical system that shines an elliptical light beam into a "viewing zone" where particles are analyzed. The system ensures the minor axis of the beam is parallel to the flow of particles and the major axis's width is less than the sheath flow width.
  • A composite microscope objective with a concave mirror and an aberration corrector plate (an aspheric lens) to capture and correct light from particles in the viewing zone. The viewing zone is located between the mirror and the corrector plate.
  • A fluidic system that delivers a smooth, pulsation-free sheath liquid to hydrodynamically focus the sample.
  • A peristaltic pump for the sample liquid, designed with features in its track and tube to ensure a consistent, low-pulsation flow.
  • A wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) to separate the collected light into different color bands, using a collimating optical element, dichroic filters, focusing elements, and an image relay system to direct focused spots to detectors.

• Independent Claim 19: This claim focuses on a composite microscope objective device designed for characterizing microscopic species. It includes:

  • A viewing zone where the objects are located.
  • A concave mirror that reflects light from objects in the viewing zone.
  • An aberration corrector plate, which is an aspheric lens, located such that light reflected from the mirror passes through it, correcting optical aberrations. The aspheric lens has distinct zones with negative and positive optical power.
  • The viewing zone is located between the concave mirror and the aberration corrector plate, allowing for image formation outside the objective.

• Independent Claim 30: This claim describes a fluidic subsystem for a flow cytometer designed to supply a pulsation-free liquid flow. It comprises:

  • A liquid pump drawing liquid from a reservoir.
  • A T-coupling with an inlet receiving liquid from the pump and two outlets.
  • A first fraction of the liquid goes from one outlet back to the reservoir via a bypass.
  • A second fraction goes from the other outlet through a particle filter to the fluidic subsystem's outlet (e.g., the viewing zone).
  • The particle filter's inlet is designed to trap air, which acts as a pulsation dampener.

• Independent Claim 39: This claim describes a peristaltic pump designed for delivering liquid with minimal pulsation. Key features include:

  • A pump housing with an arcuate curved track.
  • Multiple rollers attached to a rotor, moving circularly within the track.
  • A compressible tube between the rollers and the track.
  • The track includes an exit section and at least one pumping section.
  • The tube progressively expands from fully closed at the start of the exit section to fully open at the pump outlet as a roller moves off.
  • The tube is compressed fully closed by at least one roller.

• Independent Claim 51: This claim describes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) for separating light into multiple colored bands. It includes:

  • A collimating optical element that magnifies an extended light source to produce an image.
  • At least one dichroic filter between the collimating element and its image, which splits the light into two distinct color branches.
  • A focusing optical element in one branch to focus the light into a small spot (less than 1.0 mm diameter).
  • An image relay optical element in the other branch, producing a unit-magnification image of the collimating element.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not reveal any specific litigation or appeals directly mentioning US Patent 11703443. The search results provided general information about CAFC activity in 2026, such as decisions on patent eligibility and IPRs, but no cases specifically involving this patent. However, the Google Patents page indicates that "Family has litigation" and mentions "PTAB case IPR2025-01319 filed (Pending)" and "US case filed in Delaware District Court" (1:24-cv-00945). These are litigation events, but they are not specifically found in the CAFC 2026 dockets search results provided, and the PTAB case is an IPR, not a CAFC appeal, though IPRs can lead to CAFC appeals. The Delaware District Court case is a lower court case. Therefore, while there is active litigation related to the patent family, the CAFC 2026 dockets specifically searched do not show an appeal for this patent as of the current date.