Beckman Coulter Navios Flow Cytometer

The Beckman Coulter Navios Flow Cytometer features a sophisticated laser system including a 488 nm blue solid-state laser, a 638 nm red solid-state diode, and a 405 nm violet solid-state laser, all software controlled. Each laser utilizes beam-shaping optics with cross cylindrical lenses measuring 10 mm by 80 mm, producing elliptical beam spots of varying sizes: blue (10 μm high by 84 μm wide), red (9.6 μm high by 72 μm wide), and violet (8.9 μm high by 70 μm wide). The precise separation of laser beams is maintained at 125 μm (±12.5 μm).

The flow cell features a BioSense design, with a 150 μm x 460 μm rectangular channel and an integral lens in an upward flow path. Detector filters are tailored for specific applications, and sensors include photodiodes for forward and side scatter (FS and SS), and photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) covering a 200-nm to 800-nm spectral range for fluorescence detection.

With selectable flow rates—Low (10 µL/min), Medium (30 µL/min), High (60 µL/min)—the cytometer ensures optimal sample processing, consuming 780 mL/h of sheath fluid. Notably, carryover is less than 0.1%, with a dead volume as low as 2 µL when using compatible tubes.

This cytometer supports various acquisition modes: 32 tube Multi Carousel Loader (MCL), single tube sampling, automated, and manual work list modes, achieving a throughput of 82 tubes/hour for 10,000 leukocytes. Its scatter resolution distinguishes 0.4 micron particles from background noise, with maximum particle detection up to 40 microns. Fluorescence sensitivity reaches FITC < 107 MESF, PE < 64 MESF, and PC5 < 13 MESF.

Handling acquisition rates of up to 25,000 events per second with 90% yield efficiency, the Navios offers a robust analytical capability in a footprint of 950 x 610 x 730 mm and a weight of 104 kg. The supply cart measures 724 x 298 x 495 mm and weighs 30 kg. The cytometer comes complete with a PC and software, ensuring full operational readiness.