TC20™ Automated Cell Counter Instruction Manual Catalog #145-0101
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TC20™ Automated Cell Counter Instruction Manual
Bio-Rad Laboratories Resources Table 1 lists Bio-Rad resources and how to locate what you need. Table 1. Bio-Rad resources. Resource How to Contact Local Bio-Rad Laboratories representatives Find information and contacts on the Bio-Rad Laboratories website by selecting your country on the Home page (www.bio-rad.com). Find the nearest international office listed on the back of this manual Technical notes and literature Go to the Bio-Rad Laboratories website (www.bio-rad.com).
Safety Compliance This instrument has been tested and found to be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the following safety and electromagnetic standards: • EN61010-1 — Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use • L Std No. 61010A-1 — Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use, Part U 1: General Requirements • UL Std No.
Bio-Rad Laboratories is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the use of this instrument for purposes other than those for which it is intended, or by modifications of the instrument not performed by Bio-Rad Laboratories or an authorized agent. We strongly recommend that you follow the safety specifications listed in this section and throughout this manual.
Table of Contents Bio-Rad Laboratories Resources.............................................................................ii Warranty..................................................................................................................ii Safety Use Specifications and Compliance............................................................ iii Chapter 1 — Introduction.................................................................................... 1 Instrument Overview........................
1 Chapter 1 — Introduction
Introduction Introduction The Bio-Rad TC20™ automated cell counter is a benchtop instrument that counts mammalian cells in one simple step, initiating auto-counts immediately upon slide insertion. The innovative autofocus technology and sophisticated digital image analysis algorithm produce accurate cell counts for most samples in less than 30 seconds. The TC20 cell counter rapidly provides a total cell count with or without trypan blue staining and assesses cell viability via trypan blue exclusion.
Introduction LCD screen Keys for navigation USB ports A and B Power switch Slide port Fig. 1. TC20 cell counter. User Interface The user interface contains a color LCD screen and the four navigation keys listed below: • Home — for accessing the Home screen or for exiting any screen • Up and down arrow keys — for moving to the desired setting within a screen • Enter — for confirming a selection Fig. 2. Home screen. Home Screen The Home screen can be accessed from any screen by pressing Home.
Introduction Options — for selecting additional operations Options Screen The Options screen (Figure 3) contains the following choices: Autosave/sample name — for setting up the automatic export of cell images to a USB flash drive and for setting up sample naming preferences System test — for verifying the performance of the instrument; a verification slide is needed for this function Set date/time — for setting the date and time on the instrument, results are associated with date/time stamps Fig. 3.
Introduction Fig. 4. Counting slides and trypan blue dye. Trypan Blue Dye The Trypan blue dye has been specially formulated for use with the TC20 counter to provide rapid staining for accurate determination of cell viability. The dye is composed of filter-sterilized 0.4% trypan blue dye (w/v) in 0.81% sodium chloride and 0.06% potassium phosphate dibasic solution. Trypan blue is a vital stain recommended for use in estimating the number of live and dead cells in the cell suspension.
2 Chapter 2 — Setting Up the TC20™ Automated Cell Counter
Setting up the TC20 Automated Cell Counter Setting Up the TC20 Automated Cell Counter System Components The TC20 automated cell counter (catalog #145-0102) includes: • • • • • • • TC20 automated cell counter Power cord with four regional adaptors USB flash drive Instruction manual Quick guide Counting slides with dual chambers, 1 box of 30 Trypan blue dye, 1.
Setting up the TC20 Automated Cell Counter 5. Finally, when you have made all the modifications use the up or down arrow key to reach the Yes or No options for the Save date and time? setting. 6. Press Enter to select Yes to save the changes and return to the Home screen or select No to return to the Home screen without saving the changes. Setting up Gating TC20 cell counter has two counting modes, automated and user defined.
Setting up the TC20 Automated Cell Counter 4. Finally, when you have made all the modifications use the up or down key to reach Yes or No options for the Save changes? setting. 5. Press Enter to select Yes to save the changes and return to the Home screen, or select No to return to the Home screen without saving the changes.
3 Chapter 3 — Performing Cell Counts
Performing Cell Counts Performing Cell Counts Loading Slides Handle the TC20™ counting slides using the edges and avoid touching the optical surface of the slides. Important: When loading the sample, place the pipet tip at a 45° angle at the bottom of the sample loading area (half circle at outer end of the chambers). Slide the tip along the surface and carefully touch the apex of the half circle (Figure 9). Once the tip is stopped, depress the plunger to begin the capillary loading process. Fig. 9.
Performing Cell Counts Counting Cells on the TC20 Automated Cell Counter 1. Simply inserting a counting slide into the slide slot of the TC20 cell counter will automatically initiate a cell count (Figure 10). The chambers are labeled A and B, with an arrow next to each chamber to indicate the direction of slide insertion. Make sure that the slide is completely inside the slide slot; otherwise the instrument does not detect the slide and counting does not start.
Performing Cell Counts Counting Samples with Multiple Cell Populations When counting samples with multiple cell populations that vary greatly in size (for example, fibroblasts with lymphocyte background) enable the User defined gates (Figure 7). A histogram (Figure 13) will be displayed at the beginning of the cell count; you can adjust the size gates to select the population of interest. Important: This histogram displayed at the beginning of the count shows all objects present in the sample.
Performing Cell Counts If automatic name serialization is enabled, you can select a name consisting of maximum six characters, the last two fields are reserved for automatic numerical serialization. Underscore symbol — create a space in the sample name Dot (.) — indicates the end of the name, cursor will move to the Use name? field To name a sample: 1. Insert a counting slide into the slide slot of the TC20 cell counter to initiate a cell count. 2.
Performing Cell Counts Printing the Current Cell Count The TC20 thermal label printer can be connected to the cell counter for printing results from the most recent count. The printer, which uses a direct thermal printing method, provides labels with results that can be placed into a laboratory notebook. To print results from the most recent count: 1. Connect the thermal printer using USB port A or USB port B on the cell counter. 2.
Performing Cell Counts Note: If a new slide is inserted while the instrument is exporting an image, the instrument queues the count until it completes the export. The instrument then detects the slide and asks if it should start counting the sample in the new slide. If a new slide is inserted after the image is exported, the instrument starts counting the sample in the new slide.
4 Chapter 4 — Saved Count Results
Saved Count Results Saved Count Results Viewing Previous Counts The TC20™ cell counter stores results from 100 reads, with the first result shown being from the most recent count. When the instrument performs the 101st count, the oldest result is deleted from the internal memory. Results are stored by their date/time stamp corresponding to when the count results were generated. To view previous count results: 1. From the Home screen, use the down arrow key to select Previous counts, and press Enter. 2.
Saved Count Results 2. Use the down key to select Export previous counts, and press Enter. If the USB flash drive is already inserted into instrument, the export starts automatically. Otherwise, “Insert USB flash drive into Port A to export counts. Press Enter to return” is displayed on the screen. 3. To proceed with the export, insert the USB flash drive into USB port A. The export starts automatically. Alternatively, cancel the data export by pressing Enter. 4.
Saved Count Results Deleting All Counts To delete all counts stored in the instrument: 1. From the Home screen, use the down arrow key to select Options, and press Enter. 2. From the Options screen, use the down arrow key to select Delete all counts, and press Enter. 3. “Delete all counts?” appears on the screen. 4. Use the up or down arrow key to select Yes or No, press Enter to confirm. 5. The Home screen appears.
5 Chapter 5 — Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Maintenance and Troubleshooting Performing the TC20 System Verification Test The TC20™ automated cell counter is calibrated at the time of manufacture and does not require further adjustment by the customer. A system verification slide can be purchased to validate the functionality and performance of the TC20 cell counter. It is a printed glass slide with a defined number of circles printed on each side. To perform the TC20 system test: 1.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Cleaning the TC20 Automated Cell Counter The TC20 cell counter requires little maintenance but with long and constant use it requires some cleaning and other maintenance. The instrument should be cleaned on a regular schedule to remove debris or dirt that might interfere with proper function. Cleaning the case — always turn off the instrument and disconnect the power cable before cleaning the case. Wipe the outer case with a soft, lint-free cloth and deionized water.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting To load a new roll of labels: 1. Turn the printer on. 2. Open the cover. 3. Place the new roll as directed, with the first label protruding approximately 1.5 cm. 4. Close the printer cover. Printer is now ready for use. Printer is powered off with labels already installed — if the printer is powered off with media already installed, perform the following procedure: 1. Turn the printer on. 2. Open the cover. 3. Pull the first label so it protrudes approximately 1.5 cm. 4.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Error Message Invalid result data Possible Cause and Solution Data were improperly stored and cannot be retrieved. Invalid dilution The value entered for the desired cell concentration is higher than the starting cell concentration. Ensure that the value of the desired cell concentration is not higher than the starting cell concentration. Incorrect slide, remove slide.
Ordering Information Catalog # Description TC10 Automated Cell Counter 145-0102 TC20 Automated Cell Counter, 120–240 V, includes instrument, power supply, USB key, USB cable, 30 double chamber counting slides, 1.5 ml trypan blue dye 145-0103 TC20 Automated Cell Counter with Label Printer, 120–240 V, includes instrument, power supply, USB key, label printer, 1 roll of labels, USB cable, 30 double chamber counting slides, 1.
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