HOW IT WORKS
Reagent alternative for the Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell
The Vi-Cell system by Beckman Coulter is an imaging system. designed for the analysis of mammalian cells suspended in culture media. The system automates the traditional and well-accepted trypan blue dye exclusion method for determination of cell viability. By reporting the percentage of viable cells in the culture, users can assess the health of their cells.
Many industries measure cell viability or the health of cells and cell culture systems grown in bioreactors. This information is then used to make modifications to the cell culture environment and optimize the culture to ensure cell growth.
The traditional trypan blue dye exclusion method functions in a way that. when a cell dies the cell membrane becomes permeable, which allows the dye to be absorbed into the cell. Live cell walls are not permeable to the trypan blue dye. Under a microscope, using the manual method as well as with the Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell, dead cells are seen as darker in color due to the trypan blue dye being absorbed. The live cells apear bright.
Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell system
The Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell system. automates this traditional method using a camera to take images. As cells are passed by the measurement zone, the determination and counting of live/dead cells are recorded.
The software then determines the percentage of viable cells by using imaging contrast between the live, bright, cells and the non-viable, dark, cells. The reagent system resides inside the Vi-Cell and is designed. for the user to install and replace as needed.
Vi-Cell Reagent Kit
The Vi-Cell system uses four reagent lines to connect to the reagent pack. These lines are all color-coded to allow for easy and proper installation. Please note the improper installation of the reagent lines. to the reagent pack will result in erroneous data. The reagent kit includes trypan blue as well as cleaning agents required for proper operation of the instrument.
The Cell Viability Reagent Kit from Cell Viability Incorporated is a direct replacement for the reagent system for the Vi-Cell system from Beckman Coulter. For more information on how our reagent kits compare, visit our Q&A section.
The performance of these packages has been proven to be equivalent to those from Beckman Coulter with similar quality and performance at significant savings in price. The system consists of bottles that are clearly color coded.
After installing the Cell Viability Reagent Pack follow the instructions as listed. in the Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell. instrument manual including the “Instrument” and “Replace Reagent Pack” from the instrument software toolbar.
This will prime the Vi-Cell system with the new reagent pack and reset the reagent level meter. Manual verification is recommended which is done by checking the five LED lights in the reagent compartment to ensure they are all illuminated.
Please note that if any of these LED indicators are not illuminated. select the “Prime” function in the “Instrument” toolbar.
The LED indicators point out the lines connected to the Cell Viability reagent pack are primed or not.
- Green line is for the Buffer solution. Green on the Reagent Pack
- Red line is for the Disinfectant solution. Red on the Reagent Pack
- Yellow line is for the Cleaning solution. Yellow on the Reagent Pack
- Blue line is for the Trypan Blue reagent solution. Blue on the Reagent Pack
- There is also an LED indicator for the Waste bottle indicating when the reagent waste bottle is filled and must be replaced
