Quantum Analysis and Partec flow cytometers are very reliable flow cytometers and rarely have instrument failures caused by a failed component. However, flow cytometers are complex instruments and even users of Quantum Analysis and Partec flow cytometers can encounter problems. The following diagnostic tips and simple solutions to the most common problems have been developed by the experts at QuantaCyte, Quantum Analysis and Partec:
PROBLEM: No data or poor data quality
DIAGNOSTIC STEPS:
- Confirm that the problem is with the instrument, not with the sample by running a tube of calibration beads. If the beads look good, the problem is with the sample. If the beads do not produce a good peak, proceed to the following steps.
- Check for proper sheath flow by observing the rate of fluid dripping into the waste bottle. This should be about 1 to 2 drops per second. If the drip rate is slower, check that the blue cap is tight on the sheath bottle on pressure-based fluidics like PA, PA-II, PAS and CyFlow Space or that the red cap is tight on the waste bottle on vacuum-based fluidics like the CyFlow Counter, CyFlow PA and the Cube instruments. If the cap is tight but there is still no flow or the flow is slow, remove the cap and check for air coming from the air tubing on pressure-based systems or suction on vacuum-based systems. If the pressure or vacuum is ok, the flow may be blocked by either debris in the cuvette or a failed valve. If the cuvette is blocked by debris, the debris may be removed by following our debris-removal procedure.
- Check for proper light illumination by carefully inspecting the laser or UV-LED light. (WARNING: Do not put any object in the laser beam path which might reflect the light into your eye and cause blindness.) If the light is not illuminated, confirm that it is switched on. If it is switched on, but still not working, power down the instrument, check all cables for proper connections and then restart the instrument and check the light again. If it is still not illuminated, the laser or UV-LED may have failed.
- Check for proper sample flow by observing the rate of decrease of volume in the sample tube. If the sample volume is not decreasing at the expected rate, there may be a clog in the sample line. On pressure-based systems, remove the sample and check the rate at which sheath drips from the sample port when Sheath Fluid Prime is activated, or the software is in Run mode. There should be several drips per second. If it is slower or not dripping, the sample line may be clogged.
- An air bubble or some debris in the cuvette may be the problem, if the sheath flow, sample flow and light illumination are working ok. Check visually for an air bubble in the base of the cuvette. Air bubbles and debris can usually be removed from the cuvette by following the QuantaCyte procedures for de-bubbling and de-clogging that can be downloaded from the following link:
