ChemoMetec NC-3000 - Manual (Page 24)

2 Advanced cell analysis with the NucleoCounter
®
NC-3000 ™
991-3001 Rev. 1.3 June-2013 8
2.2.2 Loading the Cassette
The Cassette is loaded by fully immersing the tip of the Cassette into the sample
and then gently pressing the white piston, which creates a partial vacuum in the flow
system. This results in the sample being loaded into the flow system. Approximately
60µl is loaded into the flow system.
Figure 3 Loading of the Cassette
The Cassettes to be used with NucleoCounter
®
NC- 3000™ are highly specialized
devices, which hold the key to several of the unique features of the NucleoCounter
®
NC- 3000™ concept. For instance in the Via1-Cassette™ the fluorescent dyes AO
(acridine orange) and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) are immobilized inside
the flow channels of the disposable Cassette. W hen the Cassette has been loaded
with approximately 60 µl of sample mixture the dyes are dissolved and mixed with
the sample, staining the cells.
After being placed in the NucleoCounter
®
NC-3000 ™, the stained mixture is
automatically transferred to the measurement chamber , where the fluorescent image
is recorded. In a Cassette the measurement volume is as large as 3. 2 µl.
After analysis the sample and dyes are contained inside the Cassette, which can be
safely discarded. This offers a unique and safe sample handling and disposal.
As the Via1-Cassette ™ (and all other cassettes) contains the entire flow system as
well as measurement chamber, neither cleaning nor maintenance of the
NucleoCounter
®
NC- 3000™ instrument itself is needed.
2.2.3 Sample volume
During production, a calibration parameter for all Cassettes is found, which specifies
the precise depth or thickness of the measurement chamber of the device. The
calibration parameter is used by the instrument during analysis and the volume
analyzed is determined by multiplying the imaged area with the depth of the