Coulter Electronics (1976 - 2009)

Epics V and 750 series - 1979 through 1985

A series of instruments which were essentially 5 watt argon ion laser instruments, complete with a multiparameter data analysis system, floppy drive and graphics printer

Stuart Schlossman

• Schlossman at the Farber Institute in Boston, began to make monoclonal antibodies to white blood cell antigens in 1978. Eventually he collaborated with Ortho Diagnostics who distributed the famous "OK T4"etc., Mabs
• Coulter Immunology also acquired rights to his antibodies

History of Coulter Hematology

1953 Model A

 

Electronically measured cells

1968 Model S

 

Completely Automated CBC

1977 S Plus

 

Completely Automated CBC

1985 VC

 

Integration of flow cytometry into a hematology analyzer

2000 Gen•S Cell

 

• AccuFlex
• Decision Support Rules
• IntelliKinetics
• Automated Reticulocytes
• Integrated SlideMaker and SlideStainer

1985 VC

 

• Random Access
• AccuCount Technology
• Extended Linearity
• Decreased need for Manual Intervention
• WBC Interference Correction
• NRBC enumeration

History of Coulter Flow Cytometry

1975 TPS

 

Two Parameter Cell Sorting

1984 Epics C

 

Clinical Flow Sorter

1986 Epics PROFILE

 

Clinical Flow Analyzer

1987 Q Prep

 

Automated Sample Prep

1988 Cyto-Stat Monoclonal Antibodies

 

• Ready to use
• No Wash
• Single and Multicolor Antibodies

1993 EPICS XL / XL-MCL

 

• Bench-top analyzer
• Four color analysis
• Autoloader for samples
• Digital Signal Processing

Flow Cytometers

Modern flow cytometers are able to analyze several thousand particles every second, in "real time," and can actively separate and isolate particles having specified properties. A flow cytometer is similar to a microscope, except that, instead of producing an image of the cell, flow cytometry offers "high-throughput" (for a large number of cells) automated quantification of set parameters. To analyze solid tissues, single-cell suspension must first be prepared.

Early flow cytometers were, in general, experimental devices, but recent technological advances have created a considerable market for the instrumentation, as well as the reagents used in analysis, such as fluorescently-labeled antibodies and analysis software. Modern instruments usually have multiple lasers and fluorescence detectors (the current record for a commercial instrument is 4 lasers and 18 fluorescence detectors).

Analysis of a marine sample of photosynthetic picoplankton by flow cytometry showing three different populations (Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, and picoeukaryotes)

Increasing the number of lasers and detectors allows for multiple antibody labeling, and can more precisely identify a target population by their phenotype. Certain instruments can even take digital images of individual cells, allowing for the analysis of fluorescent signal location within or on the surface of cells. The data generated by flow-cytometers can be plotted in a single dimension, to produce a histogram, or in two-dimensional dot plots or even in three dimensions. The regions on these plots can be sequentially separated, based on fluorescence intensity, by creating a series of subset extractions, termed "gates." Specific gating protocols exist for diagnostic and clinical purposes especially in relation to hematology. The plots are often made on logarithmic scales. Because different fluorescent dyes' emission spectra overlap [1], signals at the detectors have to be compensated electronically as well as computationally. Often, data accumulated using the flow cytometer can be re-analyzed (using software, e.g., Kaluza™ [5]) elsewhere, freeing up the machine for other people to use.

Commercial Instruments
Beckman Coulter's complete range of automation and information systems help you streamline processes for maximum efficiency. From delivery of more timely, accurate and reliable patient test results to the elimination of bottlenecks, our automation and information system solutions empower you to manage lab operations more efficiently and cost-effectively.