Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Premieres Fast, Low Sample Volume Analyser at analytica 2016

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences unveils a fast, low sample volume bioanalyte analyser, the Vi-CELL MetaFLEX, at ANALYTICA 2016.

The 25th International Trade Fair for Laboratory Technology, Analysis, Biotechnology and the analytica conference is in Munich, Germany, from May 10-13, 2016. The new, small footprint system is being premiered at booth # 302, Hall A3.

The company has leveraged the clinical precision technology behind Radiometer’s world leading acute care blood gas analyser to create the Vi-CELL MetaFLEX. As Beckman Coulter’s Lena Lee, Global Product Manager, Particle Counting & Characterization, explained: “Our collaboration with Radiometer, also a Danaher company, is a powerful example of the cross pollination of technological expertise within the Danaher companies.”

Designed for micro to large-scale cell culture applications, the biochemistry analyser delivers fast, accurate bioanalytical analysis (measuring pH, pO2, pCO2, glucose, lactate, electrolytes and more parameters). The compact and reliable Vi-CELL MetaFLEX is designed to be operational more than 22 hours a day, with a turnaround time of less than 60 seconds.

The magic is in the sensor cassette. The sensor is based on thick-film technology – several layers of ceramic slabs, microelectrodes and membranes; miniaturisation of conventional electrodes. The result is a shorter measuring time, and smaller sample size.

“In early stage research and process development, cell cultures are generally small scale. The Vi-CELL MetaFLEX delivers levels of pH accuracy that we know is critical to cell viability,” Ms Lee added.

The instrument is able to store up to 2,000 results on-board, with an automated sampling arm so that samples can be introduced from a syringe, tube, microfuge or Vi-CELL sample cup. Testing is quick and intuitive. The only consumables required are the sensor cassette and solution pack. The solution pack includes reagents, wash solutions, QC controls and waste collection. Inserting a new cassette and solution pack is the only maintenance needed. The Vi-CELL MetaFLEX’s quality management system automatically measures on three dedicated QC solutions, detecting and correcting any failures, and locking out any parameter that fails QC.