Chapter 2: Mass Cytometry and CyTOF XT
CyTOF XT System Components Overview
24
CyTOF XT User Guide
Syringe Pumps
The 2 syringes on the pump and valve unit alternate between wash and sample introduction
functions. The right fill-pump syringe contains a 3-port valve that connects the syringe to the
waste bottle and the switching valve. Its primary function is to draw sample, beads, Maxpar
Washing Solution (Maxpar WASH) or Maxpar CAS Plus into the sample loop. The left push-
pump syringe contains a 4-port valve that connects the syringe to the waste bottle, the
Maxpar CAS Plus reservoir bottles, and the switching valve. Its primary function is to push
sample, beads, Maxpar WASH, and Maxpar CAS Plus from the sample loop to the nebulizer
and to push Maxpar CAS Plus directly from the reservoir bottle to the nebulizer.
Rotary Valves
There are 2 rotary valves in the pump and valve unit: the selector valve and the switching
valve. The selector valve has ports connected to the probe line, to the 4 bottles in the bottle
station, and to an empty port that is used to draw in air bubbles. The position of the selector
valve determines whether the fill pump draws from the probe line, the Maxpar CAS Plus
bottle, the Maxpar WASH bottle, the Maxpar Water bottle, or the air-in port into the sample
loop. Fluids are also directed to the waste bottle using the selector valve as needed.
The switching valve switches the sample loop between the load and inject positions. When
the switching valve is in the load position, the sample loop can be filled via the fill pump. In
the inject position, the sample loop is in line with the nebulizer and its contents can be
pushed to the nebulizer via the push pump.
Figure 14. The Autosampler pump and valve unit (with all tubing removed)
Summary of Contents for CyTOF XT
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