First 13-colour Flow Cytometer for the Clinical Laboratory Introduced

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has introduced the DxFLEX, Europe’s first CE-IVD, 13-colour clinical flow cytometry system. The sensitivity and resolution of the DxFLEX expands laboratory testing capabilities, especially those focusing on user-defined assays.

As well as being marketed in Europe, the DxFLEX will be available in countries that accept the CE mark as the basis for their country-specific registration. It has already been introduced successfully into China, India and Japan.

The DxFLEX uses avalanche photodiode (APD) technology, which creates a highly sensitive semiconductor electronic device able to convert light to electricity. This addresses the limitations of traditional PMT–based flow cytometers. Beckman Coulter Life Sciences first harnessed the use of fibre optics in their flagship research flow cytometry system, the CytoFLEX. The use of APD technology transforms the way a compact flow cytometry instrument can deliver high content research analysis.

“The DxFLEX flow cytometer opens up the possibilities for large hospitals and commercial laboratories looking to expand their high content analysis work with a compact, easy to use system,” said Dr Mario Koksch, Vice President and General Manager of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Cytometry Business Unit.

The APD technology in the DxFLEX reduces compensation spillover compared to PMT-based cytometers, delivering greater confidence in results, streamlining the lab’s workflow and reducing manual steps. Running compensation on a conventional, photomultiplier tube (PMT) flow cytometer involves significant hands-on time, even when features like auto-compensation setup are available in the software.

“The biggest challenge for user-defined testing, particularly when using 10 or more fluorescent parameters, is the compensation process and the burden it places on lab staff. The time it can take may hold back the overall competitiveness of the lab,” explained Dr Koksch. “However, incorrect compensation is one of the main reasons for false results when running multi-colour flow cytometry panels in the clinical lab.” 

The DxFLEX comes with ready-to-use QC beads and is available in four configurations, from a one-laser/five-colour system to a three-laser/13-colour configuration. An optional autoloader, with a 32-position MCL carousel and an adapter for 96-wellplates, can be added to each configuration. The flow cytometer is also supplied with a dongle which makes it easy for the lab to upgrade the system. The dongle simply switches on additional lasers or detectors for more complex configurations.

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