Laser Flow Cytometry
The LaserCyte® Hematology Analyzer uses reference laboratory technology to analyze blood samples. The analyzer focuses a laser beam on each individual cell and quantifies the scatter of light on four separate detectors.
Simultaneously, the analyzer measures the amount of time it takes a cell to travel through the laser beam. This cell travel time is referred to as the “time of flight” and it provides data on the diameter of the cell.
Example:
Think of a flashlight as an analogy for the laser. Passing a golf ball in front of the light is quicker than passing a basketball through the same light.
While the time of flight, or cellular diameter, is being measured, four other detectors are measuring the quantity of light bouncing off the ball.
The dimpled design of a golf ball will refract light differently than the seamed design of a basketball. Therefore, in this analogy, the golf ball would be classified as a different “cell” from the basketball.
The four detectors quantify the scatter of light from each cell to measure size, complexity, granularity and light absorption—the same qualities a pathologist would examine when looking at a blood film.
The LaserCyte analyzer provides the data needed for a more complete diagnosis because it can:
- Analyze red blood cells
- Arrive at an absolute reticulocyte count
- Analyze the full five-part white cell differential
Advantages of laser flow cytometry
- Because a laser flow cytometry-based analyzer evaluates multiple parameters (nuclear and cytoplasmic material) of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, it produces more accurate and reliable counts than other systems.
- Clumped cells or platelets can be detected and ignored, which prevents interference with other cell counts.
- Large platelets (frequently encountered in cats) can be distinguished from erythrocytes due to difference in the scatter of light caused by the platelet granules.
- Laser flow cytometry-based analyzers are able to rapidly count large numbers (>200,000) of erythrocytes, which are needed to produce accurate and repeatable reticulocyte counts.
View the LaserCyte Analyzer: Case Study Book and Technical Guide (PDF) for detailed information on the LaserCyte analyzer, including case studies, dot plots, and laser flow cytometry technology.
LaserCyte Analyzer Specifications
| Parameters (24) | Hct, RBC, Hgb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, reticulocytes (absolute number and percentage), WBC, neutrophils (number and percentage), lymphocytes (number and percentage), monocytes (number and percentage), eosinophils (number and percentage), basophils (number and percentage) and platelets (number, MPV, PDW and PCT) |
| Units | Conventional or SI units |
| Sample Size | 95 µL whole blood with EDTA anticoagulant is used per evaluation (500 µL of whole blood in a 13 mm x 74 mm IDEXX VetCollect® tube is required. |
| Time to Results | The LaserCyte analyzer will return resutls in approximately 10 minutes. |
| Reagents | The CBC5R kit includes 50 CBC5R tubes, 50 IDEXX VetCollect 1-mL draw sample collection tubes, one tube of enzymatic wash solution, one discard tube and one bottle of sheath reagent. |
| Calibration | Performed at IDEXX. Lot-specific reagent information is bar-coded onto each consumable tube. |
| Internal Standard | Each CBC5R tube has a set number of qualiBeads®. qualiBeads are known particles with specific characteristics that are used by the analyzer as an internal standard to verify pipetting accuracy and laser performance. |
| Sample Flow Cell | 250-micron quartz cuvette using focused-flow hydrodynamics to create a single-cell stream |
| Operating Temperature | Instrument 15º–27ºC (60º–80ºF) |
| Dimensions | LaserCyte analyzer: width x depth x height = 34 x 36 x 33 cm |
| Net Weight | LaserCyte analyzer: 8 kg (17 lb) |
