cytosense flow cytometer

cytosense scanning flow cytometer - basic version

  • 20 mW blue-green (488 nm) high quality laser module (other wavelengths or power available, flat light distribution for high flow rates
  • volumetric, valveless, auto-ranging sample dosing system
  • ultrawide (1x1mm ) flow cuvette with 2-stage hydrodynamic sheath fluid injection system, speed controlled, external & recirculating mode
  • 3 detectors: one (1) forward scatter (photodiode) and two (2) photomultiplier tubes (PMT) for side scatter and/or fluorescence (selectable);
  • scanning data format: full pulse profile digitizing electronics for morphological particle analysis(nano- and microplankton)
  • laptop computer with 'CytoUSB' software for instrument operation in various modes (automated, interactive and scheduled-mode)
  • 'CytoClus' data analysis software: flow cytometry cluster analysis software extended with individual particle profile visualization and parameterization: up to 8 parameters from each detector output

extra measuring detectors

The standard CytoSense PMT detectorunit can be upgraded with maximally 2 extra PMT's and the forward scatter unit can be upgraded with one extra detector for curvature analysis. Therewith the main system can contain up to a total of 6 detectors.

examples of extra pmt's

Deep red fluorescence:the main chlorophyll emission band
Orange fluorescence:allows distinction of species containing accessory pigments such as erythrins and phycobilins
Yellow/Green fluor.:typical for certain ciliates and cysts and sometimes lysing cells (such as after being ingested by zoo-plankton) - also useful for arteficial fluorescent staining of cellular components, DNA etc.
Side scatter:allows classification of particles with relatively high internal/external structure, for instance Coccolithophores and gas vacuolate species.
Curvature detector:Upgrades the existing FWS photodiode to a pair of photodiodes with polarization analysis for the combined detection of forward scatter, lateral position and curvature. For the detection of spiral shapes, tabellaria type and curved cells and colonies.

picoplankton options

for the detection of very small particles such as picoplankton species and bacteria we offer three options for upgrading your CytoSense.
Picoplankton option A - Instrument settings (including PMT yield, sheath and sample flow rates, higher laser power etc.) optimized for small particles. Note that this renders scanning data less useful for big species.
Picoplankton option B - Control circuitry and software that allows 'mouse click' switching (also in preprogrammed mode) between two types of instrument settings such as 'high' sensitivity (as in option A) and 'low' sensitivity.
Picoplankton option C - Includes the mounting of an extra detection unit with 1 to 4 extra detectors operated at high sensitivity for the detection of picoplankton.

2-laser option

The CytoSense optical unit can be upgraded with a second laser to increase the available excitation/emission combinations for optimum species recognition and/or multiple color flow cytometry. In the case of 2-laser operation the following laser lines can be chosen from:
For laser 1: 460 nm or 488 nm or 532 or 561 nm.
Laser 2: 445 nm or 635 or 640 or 660 nm.


PDF brochures for download: Product overview, CytoSense, CytoClus software