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Multisizer™ 3 COULTER COUNTER®
uses the Coulter Principle
(Electrical Sensing Zone Method)
for sizing and counting particles
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The Highest Resolution for Sizing and Counting Particles
The most versatile and accurate particle sizing and counting analyzer available today. Using The Coulter Principle (Electrical Sensing Zone Method), also known as ESZ, the Multisizer 3 COULTER COUNTER provides number, volume, mass and surface area size distributions in one measurement, with an overall sizing range of 0.4 µm to 1,200 µm. Its response is unaffected by particle color, shape, composition or refractive index. The Coulter Principle is the absolute leading technology in high resolution and accuracy and it is further enhanced in the Multisizer 3 by using a Digital Pulse Processor (DPP). You will get the ultra-high resolution, multiple channel analysis and accuracy not provided by any other technology. It all makes the Multisizer 3 indispensable for any industrial or life science research project involving sizing and/or counting. Equally a powerful tool for quality control, it provides the analyst with a system which is easy to use, yet so technologically advanced that it is able to solve most particle sizing problems.
The Coulter Principle
Particles suspended in a weak electrolyte solution are drawn through a small aperture, separating two electrodes between which an electric current flows. The voltage applied across the aperture creates a "sensing zone". As particles pass through the aperture (or "sensing zone"), they displace their own volume of electrolyte, momentarily increasing the impedance of the aperture.
This change in impedance produces a pulse that is digitally processed in real time. The Coulter Principle states that the pulse is directly proportional to the tri-dimensional volume of the particle that produced it. Analyzing these pulses enables a size distribution to be acquired and displayed in volume (µm3 or fL) and diameter (µm). In addition, a metering device is used to draw a known volume of the particle suspension through the aperture; a count of the number of pulses can then yield the concentration of particles in the sample.
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Product Features
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Proven Coulter Technology Ensures Your Results are Accurate and Reliable...
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Nearly half a century of experience counting and sizing particles and cells.
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Used in approved ASTM methods.
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Technology defined by the International Standard ISO 13319 (ISO 13319:2000: Determination of particle size distributions -- Electrical sensing zone method).
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The highest resolution available in the industry for particle counting and size distribution. It provides a direct measurement of a real parameter of a particle: its volume.
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Capable of counting a sizing particles at concentration levels not detected by other technologies.
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Color or refractive index does not affect results.
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Improved Instrument Design
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Easy to operate. Instrument completely controlled through the computer with user-friendly software.
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Digital Pulse Processor. Real-time measurements. Detection of any change in the sample over the length of the analysis. The pulse distribution offers information about the sample behavior such as cell volume, dissolution, agglomeration, etc.
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Suitable for both aqueous and organic electrolytes.
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Environmentally friendly, mercury-free metering system.
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New aperture system (no grease) makes it easy to reconfigure for a desired size range.
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Resolution can be selected from 4 to 300 channels at any selected range.
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Automated Quality Assurance Functions Put You in Control of the Results
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User defined Standard Operation Procedures.
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Multiple security levels.
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Enables 21 CFR part 11 Compliance.
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Powerful and flexible software allows the processing and presentation of data to fit all needs.
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Trending Capability allows for easy and quick monitoring of any process.
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Certification Program to ensure instrument performance.
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V-Check (IQ, OQ, PQ) instrument validation.
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More Info
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Overlay and Size Trend -- MCV (Mean Cell Volume) Changes
Change in Cell Volume is an important factor
involved in many biological processes.
- Cell Growth
- Cell Cycle
- Cell Death
- Compensation for Osmotic Stress
- Pathogenesis
- Phagocytosis
The Multisizer 3 is capable of detecting cell size
and volume changes even if they happen over a
few seconds or in a period of several hours.
Using the Overlay function allows for visualization
and comparison of cell populations with different
sizes.
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High Sensitivity -- Solid Contaminants in Liquids
The determination of particle size and
number is used to establish the level of
insoluble material contaminating liquids.
Usually the concentration of non-soluble
contaminants is too low to be characterized
with any other technology, but with the
Multisizer 3 purification processes can
easily be monitored.
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Multi-Tube Overlap -- Determining Bacterial Aggregation in a Culture
Bacterial aggregates can reduce the
effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. A
combination of detergents and filters can
be used to decrease the amount of 'clumps'.
The percentage of 'clumps' relative to single
cells can be determined by using two
different apertures. The Multi-Tube
Overlap function merges the results into a
single continuous distribution.
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Size Interpolation -- ISO Solid Contaminant Code for Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants
The Multisizer 3 software can be used to create sample data reports that will arrange the data to conform to a set of user defined boundaries, also called “channels”, “bins”, or “size classes” (this is similar to how particle data points are reported when different size sieves are used). The ISO Solid Contaminant Code for Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants is based on the number of particles larger than a series of given sizes. The Size Interpolation function allows the arrangements of the data to classify oils and lubricants as defined by this international standard.
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Standard Operating Procedures -- Consistency and Uniformity for Analysis and Results
The easy creation of SOP’s allows the
standardization of analysis methods and the
reporting of results. The use of SOP’s guarantee consistency
and uniformity regardless of the number
of applications, operators, instruments
and locations involved.
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Particle Count / Size Distribution -- Control of Particle Size of Raw Material
Traditionally volume % size distribution is used to
characterize powders because the results are comparable
to sieve results, an old technology used for many years.
If the size distribution is not Gaussian, the fine particles
respect the main population are not shown when using
volume %. If the presence of fine particles could affect
the quality of a product or process, the Multisizer provides
both, volume % and number % size distributions.
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Digital Pulse Processing (DPP) -- Real-Time Size Change Detection
The use of a Digital Pulse Processor (DPP) allows the detection of changes in cells or particles
in real time, even if it takes place over a few seconds. Using pulse data it is also possible to study the rate of
dissolution for a population of particles.The change in the
pulses generated during an analysis where particles are
dissolving shows how the mean size of the population
changes as the dissolution process advances.
The use of a Digital Pulse Processor (DPP) also allows storing all the original information from the pulses generated at the moment of the analysis. High-speed digitization of the signal allows the use of pulse area analysis and other techniques for additional particle characterization. This information may be used at a later time to recalculate the size distribution for a different range, number of channels, or even to change the calibration constant, thus eliminating the need for re-analysis of the sample. In addition to the size distribution, the DPP data also calculates the pulse distribution. By looking at the pulse distribution graph, it is possible to know if the sample preparation was stable over the length of the analysis. An unevenly distributed pulse pattern is an indication of changes in the dispersed sample that otherwise would not be possible to detect with the size distribution graph.
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Powerful and Flexible Software
The user-friendly and flexible software
that is packaged with the Multisizer™ 3
provides the operator with a vast array
of information at the click of a mouse. The software allows the customization of SOPs, SOM
and printed reports. Whether for Biological, Industrial,
Quality Control and/or Research applications, the
Multisizer™ 3 software will satisfy any requirements
for the presentation of results.
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Regulatory Compliance 21 CFR Part 11
The Electronic Records and Electronic Signatures
Rule (21 CFR Part 11) was established by the
FDA to define the requirements for submitting
documentation in electronic form and the criteria
for approved electronic signatures. This rule, which
has been in effect since August 20, 1997, does not
stand in isolation; it defines the standards by which
an organization can use electronic records to meet
its record-keeping requirements. Organizations that
choose to use electronic records must comply with
21 CFR Part 11. It is intended to improve an
organization’s quality control while preserving the
FDA's charter to protect the public. Since analytical
instrument systems such as the Multisizer™ 3
generate electronic records, these systems must comply
with the Electronic Records Rule. By selecting the 21 CFR Part 11 option in the software, the system
automatically reconfigures to comply with these regulations. In addition to 21 CFR Part 11, the software
offers other security levels that may be customized by the user.
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V-Check Program
Beckman Coulter Inc. is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for compliance
with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP's) for medical devices. This gives Beckman Coulter
a unique understanding of the strict requirements that users in regulated industries are subjected to. As
a result, Beckman Coulter has established a comprehensive program to address all aspects of the instrument
validation.
The V-Check program is a comprehensive package that addresses all appropriate aspects of a product’s life
cycle, from instrument development to ongoing performance verification (SQ, DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ). The
V-Check program contains all the necessary documentation for instrument validation. This documentation is required
to show auditors and investigators proof of proper
instrument validation. It consists of a number of
functional inter-linked components, which have been
designed to give the user assurance that
the product is fit for the purpose that it
has been designed for and will perform
on a consistent basis for these tasks. Where
other instrument manufacturers leave off,
Beckman Coulter and its V-Check program
assist with ongoing quality checks of the
instrument (PQ). This proves that it is
important to consider products from a
manufacturer who not only understands
your needs, but is also willing to develop
a partnership for the future.
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