Fig. 4: Spaceflight modifications required for on-orbit operation.
From: Single drop cytometry onboard the International Space Station
a Pressurized clear plastic bottles provide the driving force for filtered water inside flexible bags. Left: the air space between the bottle and the flexible bags is pressurized (Pvial) and fluid pressure inside the bag (Pwater) drives the sample into the cytometry module. Middle: filled fluid bag with the connectors prior to assembly into the back of the unit. Right: The back of the device shows the sheath and cleaning bottle assemblies (each with filtered water), a waste line prior to connection to the waste bag, and a priming port. b Schematic of the sample consumable, sample loading, and instrument block diagram. The sample consumable containing 10 μL sample (blue) is loaded into the sample loader that generates a fluid–fluid interface at the leading edge and an intentional air bubble behind the sample. The sheath bottle holds water that drives the sample into the optical block and to the waste. The water in the cleaning bottle rinses the system between runs. c The device (shown on a ground HRF shelf) had an additional grounding cable attached. Electromagnetic shielding (copper tape) is installed on the inside of the device.
