Our cassette technology
Precision, accuracy & reproducibility eliminates human bias in cell counting
The volume-calibrated single-use Via1-Cassette™ and Via2-Cassette™ are true all-in-one solutions for optimized cell counting. The disposable plastic units contain fluorescent dyes used for analysis. You can load a cell sample into the cassettes by simply submerging the built-in pipette into the cell suspension and pressing on the piston.
How it works
Integrated pipette
Via1-Cassette™ and Via2-Cassette™ function as single-use pipettes with pre-loaded dyes, simplifying how you obtain your cell sample, mix cells with dyes and load your sample into the cell counter, all to eliminate operator bias. Pressing the piston creates a vacuum, pulling the cell sample into the cell staining channels without the usual pipetting errors, thereby increasing precision.
The cassettes are loaded with immobilized acridine orange (AO) and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) for labeling total cell and dead cell populations, respectively. The instrument’s software performs a consistent analysis of AO and DAPI fluorescence data each and every time. No human bias will influence cell definition and analysis results.
For further precision and reproducibility of results, the cassette’s measurement chamber has a pre-calibrated volume, detected individually for each sample analysis run. No user or pipetting errors interfere with data generation, and the instrument will tell you if you are working within the recommended cell concentration range.
Mixing channels
Via1-Cassette™ and Via2-Cassette™ mixing channels are pre-loaded with AO for total cell stain and DAPI for non-viable cell stain. The intricate shape of the mixing channels ensures cells and dyes are mixed evenly and a homogeneous sample is delivered into the measuring chamber.
Cassette calibration – the dot code system
Via1-Cassette™ and Via2-Cassette™ are individually volume-calibrated and dot-coded to ensure the volume of measuring chamber in each cassette is exact. In a standard hemocytometer, the spacing can vary up to 10-50%, leading to inaccurate cell concentration calculations.
Cassette comparison
A safe, non-toxic cell counting system
Many cell counting methods, whether automated or manual, use trypan blue to stain and identify dead cells.Trypan blue is toxic and classified as a Group 2B carcinogen and can put the operator at risk of harmful exposure while pipetting and handling the stain and cell sample. The cassettes are pre-loaded with AO and DAPI to stain all cells and dead cells, respectively.
Furthermore, the cassettes are custom-made single-use plastic devices designed for optimal sample handling and safe disposal. The sample and dyes are contained within the cassette and will not be released during use. It can be safely disposed of after use, supporting a safe and clean working environment.
Propidium iodide-based cassettes for reproducible cell counts
The NucleoCassette™, PI-Cassette™, SP1-Cassette™ and SCC-Cassette™ are the accompanying cassettes to the NucleoCounter® 100™-series of automated cell counters and the NucleoCounter® NC-3000™ advanced image cytometer.
These cassettes contain propidium iodide (PI), the fluorophore which binds to cell nuclei, and is highlighted in red when viewed through the image analysis in using the NucleoView™ software.
Similar in design to the Via1-Cassette™ and Via2-Cassette™, the cassette channels contain immobilized PI, where the cell sample and reagent are mixed before analysis.
With a closed cassette design, the user avoids contact with the stain and sample, which ensures user safety and avoids the possibility of human interference.