CELL-DYN
®
3200 System Operator’s Manual
3-7
9140181K—July 2002
Section 3
Principles of Operation
Flow Cytometry
Introduction to Flow Cytometry
The CELL-DYN 3200 uses flow cytometric techniques to analyze the RBC/PLT,
WBC, and NOC populations. This section gives a brief introduction to the
principles of flow cytometry.
2
Flow cytometry is a process in which individual cells or other biological particles
in a single file produced by a fluid stream are passed through a beam of light. A
sensor or sensors measure, by the loss or scattering of light, the physical or
chemical characteristics of the cells or particles.
3
Flow cytometry enables the rapid screening of large numbers of cells and provides
quantitative cell analysis at the single-cell level. The basic components of a flow
cytometer include:
A sample collector and transporter
A flow system to focus the sample flow stream
A light source and focusing optics
Light collectors, signal detectors, and polarizers
Data collection and storage
Data display and analysis
Figure 3.1 Optical Bench
1 Orthogonal (90° and
90°D) Scatter Light
Detectors
2 Laser Tube
3 Forward Angle (0° and
10°) Light Detectors
4 Optical Flow Cell
5 Laser
1
2
3
4
5
CAUTION –
CLASS 3B LASER LIGHT WHEN OPEN.
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.
PN 9230701