Launch of First Acoustic Flow Cytometer

Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies, presents the Attune Acoustic Focusing Cytometer. It uses sound waves to control the movement of cells. Flow cytometers count and examine cells by passing them through a laser-based detection device.

Attune’s acoustic technology uses ultrasound waves to position cells into a focused line along the central axis of a flow channel without high-velocity or high-volume sheath fluid. Acoustic focusing separates the alignment of cells from the particle flow rate and enables scientists to increase or decrease the flow of the cells without disrupting the focus of cells in the capillary.

Attune delivers sample input rates that are nearly an order of magnitude higher than those delivered by other flow cytometers. This allows the acquisition of statistically significant numbers of rare events in dramatically shorter periods of time.