Particle finder: a simple particle detection tool for continuous-flow systems

We describe a user-friendly, open source software for single-particle detection/counting in a continuous-flow. The tool automatically processes video images of particles, including pre-conditioning, followed by size-based discrimination for independent detection of fluorescent and non-fluorescent particles of different sizes. This is done by interactive tuning of a reduced set of parameters that can be checked with a robust, real-time quality control of the original video files. The software provides a concentration distribution of the particles in the transverse direction of the fluid flow. The software is a versatile tool for many microfluidic applications and does not require expertise in image analysis.