Flow Channels
for cytometry and particle analysis
Flow cytometry is a technique of quantitative single cell analysis, that works by sensing optical properties of microscopic particles or components in a flow stream with light. Today the rapid and automated sorting and multiparameter analysis of cell preparations by measuring volume, light scattering and fluorescence of multiple dyes in a single instrument, makes flow cytometry one of the most powerful and important technologies for applied sciences in the 21st century.
The heart of every flow cytometer is a small quartz glass flow channel providing reliable stability of the fluidic system and precise optical analysis of single cells. The flow channel typically has a square or rectangular channel profile with dimensions of only a few hundred microns with highly polished surfaces.
As a consequence, micro flow cells have to be manufactured up to the highest standards.