BD FACSymphony A1 Flow, User Manual

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Fluidics system
Introduction
The fluidics system carries the sample out of the sample tube and into the interrogation region of the flow cell.
Cells are carried in the sample core stream in single file and measured individually.
Note: If your system has the HTS option, see the BD® High Throughput Sampler User's Guide for additional
information on the sample flow rates and fluidic controls.
System indicators
There are two system indicators (System Status and Activity) on the control panel as well as Sheath Tank Air
Pressure, Sheath, and Waste indicators on the graphic display.
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System Status bar. Shows the status of the system by displaying a green, yellow, or red LED indicator. The
following table describes the LED indicators, conditions that trigger them, and any action that must be
taken.
LED
color Status Action Condition
Green Good None Good
Yellow Sheath and/or waste tanks need
attention. Check tank levels Sheath low and/or waste
nearly full
Red Take immediate action.
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Empty waste tank
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Fill sheath tank
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Check air pressure
Sheath empty and/or
waste full
Air pressure is out of
specification
System status is also displayed on the Status screen. See Status screen (page 18) for a description of the
Status screen.
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Activity. Shows whether the cytometer power is on and the status of acquisition. The following table
describes the indicator LEDs, and status that triggers them.
Indicator LED color Status
Steady pulse blue Cytometer is powered on
Fluctuates blue Forward scatter is registering cells or particles
Fluid control
The three fluid buttons (RUN, STANDBY, and PRIME) control the fluidics subsystem.
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RUN Pressurizes the sample tube to transport the sample through the sample injection tube and into the
flow cell.
The RUN button is green when the sample tube is on and the support arm is centered and the sample tube is
pressurized. When the tube support arm is moved left or right to remove a sample tube, the cytometer
switches to an automatic standby status to conserve sheath fluid, and the RUN button changes to orange.
16 BD FACSymphony™ A1 Flow Cytometer User's Guide