TN 194 CellDrop Variable Chamber Height Guide

Introduction

Most automated cell counters rely on single use plastic slides with a fixed chamber height to perform cell counts. Standard dimensions of the slide enable the counter to calculate the total cells in a sample by counting the number of cells present in a known volume. CellDrop™ Automated Cell Counters do not require slides, but instead use a patented DirectPipette™ Technology developed by DeNovix Inc. This method allows users to load a sample directly into the measurement chamber formed between two parallel sapphire surfaces (Figure 1). The CellDrop is capable of setting three different chamber heights allowing greater measurement accuracy across a wider range of cell densities and sizes compared to slide-based systems.

CellDrop Automated Cell Counters include three chamber height options to accommodate a wide range of sample concentrations. Adjusting the chamber height varies the volume of sample and consequently the number of cells that are deposited on the measurement surface. The default chamber height is 100 µm which is recommended for most samples. By editing the protocol settings within a count app the chamber height can be adjusted to 50 µm for extremely dense samples or to 400 µm for very dilute samples or larger cells or particles. The smaller 50 µm chamber height can also be useful in shortening the time required for cells to settle before counting.