What is a laboratory cytometer?
A flow cytometer is a piece of equipment that analyzes the physical and chemical properties of cells in suspension, one by one, at very high speed. Cells are channeled through a fluidic capillary and pass through one or more laser beams that excite them. Each cell scatters light and emits fluorescence signals that are captured simultaneously by several detectors.
This multiparametric analysis makes it possible to characterize cell populations according to their size, granularity, and the intensity of the fluorescent markers they carry. The range of applications is very broad: immunophenotyping, measurement of cell viability, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis detection, and quantification of intracellular protein expression.
An analytical cytometer characterizes cell populations without physically isolating them. A sorting cytometer, also known as FACS, goes further by allowing living cells to be sorted and recovered based on their characteristics for use in subsequent experiments such as culture, sequencing, or cell therapy.
The different types of cytometers available
The Rewake collection covers the main families of cytometers used in laboratory and clinical settings. Each type meets specific application constraints, panel complexity, and performance level requirements. Identifying the right model from the start avoids selection errors and compliance costs.
Available equipment ranges from compact benchtop cytometers for laboratories with a moderate analysis volume to multiparametric instruments for technical platforms processing large numbers of samples. The number of lasers and detectors is the first criterion to evaluate based on the complexity of the antibody panels used.
Analytical cytometer
The analytical cytometer is the gold standard for characterizing cell populations without physical isolation. It simultaneously detects several fluorescence and light scattering signals on each cell, making it possible to identify and quantify subpopulations with high precision.
Its uses cover T and B lymphocyte immunophenotyping, leukocyte counting, cell cycle analysis, viability measurement, and apoptosis detection. The number of lasers, the number of detectors, and the analysis rate in cells per second are the three priority technical parameters to compare between available models.
Sorting cytometer (FACS) and spectral cytometer
The sorting cytometer allows for the physical sorting of living cells based on their immunological or functional characteristics, to be reused in culture, sequencing, or cell therapy. It is essential for research applications requiring isolated cell populations of high purity.
The spectral cytometer captures the full emission spectrum of each cell, which allows for resolving complex fluorochrome panels with better spectral unmixing. It is particularly well-suited for immunotherapy, stem cell research, and cancer studies requiring the simultaneous analysis of a large number of markers.
Technical criteria for choosing your cytometer
The first criterion is the number of lasers and wavelengths available. Each laser allows for the excitation of a specific set of fluorochromes. A cytometer equipped with two or three lasers covers the vast majority of common antibody panels. Advanced applications requiring complex panels of more than ten markers require instruments equipped with four or more lasers.
The number of detectors determines the number of parameters that can be analyzed simultaneously. It must correspond to the maximum complexity of the panels used in the laboratory's protocols. An additional detector represents a significant expansion of analytical capacity for multiparametric studies.
The analysis rate, expressed in cells per second, is decisive for laboratories processing large volumes of samples. Compatibility of the instrument with the reagents, kits, and antibodies already used in the laboratory should be verified before acquisition to avoid the costs of reformatting existing protocols.
The need or lack thereof to sort living cells will guide the choice toward an analytical cytometer or a sorter. The data analysis software, its ease of use, and its compatibility with the laboratory's export formats complete the evaluation. The level of maintenance required is a criterion to be included in the total cost of ownership calculation.
Rewake refurbished cytometers: our reconditioning process
Each cytometer integrated into the Rewake collection follows a structured reconditioning protocol, performed by technicians specializing in biological instrumentation. The goal is to restore analytical performance that complies with original specifications at a reduced acquisition cost.
The first step is a complete inspection of the fluidic system and optics. The condition of the capillaries, valves, nozzles, and fluidic connections is checked to detect any obstruction, leak, or wear likely to affect the quality of cell passage. The fluidic circuit is thoroughly cleaned before performance testing.
Lasers are checked for their actual power and stability. Detectors are tested for sensitivity and linearity of response. A full calibration is performed using certified reference beads to verify resolution, spectral compensation, and measurement reproducibility across all detection channels.
Software and connections are verified under real operating conditions. Each cytometer shipped comes with a warranty and complete traceability, including calibration values measured during validation tests, for immediate integration into your analytical protocols.
For what uses and sectors?
Cytometers from the Rewake collection cover a wide spectrum of professional applications. In clinical immunology and hematology, they are used for T and B lymphocyte immunophenotyping, leukocyte subpopulation counting, monitoring of HIV patients, and pre- and post-transplant immune assessment.
In oncology and cancer research, they are used to characterize tumor cells, analyze surface markers on cancer cells, and monitor the anti-tumor immune response. The detection of rare cell populations, such as circulating tumor cells, is one of the most demanding applications for these instruments.
Cell biology and cell culture use cytometers for cell viability monitoring, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis measurement in experimental models. Biotechnology and immunotherapy laboratories use sorters to isolate highly pure cell populations intended for the production of cell therapies.
University technical platforms, pharmaceutical laboratories, and clinical research units complete the spectrum of users. In all these environments, the reliability of calibration and the reproducibility of measurements are non-negotiable requirements.
Why choose a refurbished cytometer?
The main argument is economic. A refurbished cytometer is available at a price significantly lower than that of equivalent new equipment. For laboratories managing constrained budgets or wishing to access high-performance multiparametric instruments without a new capital investment, it is a concrete lever for increasing analytical capacity.
The major brands in cytometry are represented in the Rewake collection. Accessing cytometers recognized for their reliability, sensitivity, and analytical resolution at a controlled cost is a direct advantage for teams subject to strict reproducibility requirements.
Delivery times are generally shorter than for new orders, as equipment is available in stock and ready to ship. An urgent replacement after a breakdown or a rapid expansion of cell analysis capabilities thus becomes possible without tying up a significant investment budget.
From an environmental standpoint, extending the lifespan of a cytometer reduces manufacturing needs and limits electronic waste. Reconditioning contributes to more responsible management of biological equipment without compromising the operational quality of the delivered instrument.
Request a quote for a laboratory cytometer
Are you looking for a cytometer for the analysis and characterization of cell populations? Rewake offers refurbished equipment for professionals. Request your quote for a laboratory cytometer based on your applications and analytical needs.
FAQ — Refurbished cytometer
What is flow cytometry and how does it work?
Flow cytometry is a cell analysis technique that passes cells in suspension, one by one, in front of one or more laser beams. Each cell scatters light and emits fluorescence signals proportional to the intensity of the markers it carries. These signals are captured simultaneously by several detectors, which allows for characterizing each cell individually based on its physical and biological properties. Thousands of cells can be analyzed in a few seconds.
What is the difference between an analytical cytometer and a sorting cytometer?
The analytical cytometer characterizes cell populations and provides quantitative data without physically isolating the cells. The sorting cytometer (FACS) goes further: it electrostatically deflects cells according to their characteristics to recover them alive in separate collection tubes. The sorter is more complex, more expensive to purchase, and requires more intensive maintenance. The choice depends on the need to reuse the cells after analysis.
Are Rewake refurbished cytometers reliable for clinical or advanced research analyses?
Each cytometer is calibrated using certified reference beads and tested for detection sensitivity, resolution, and reproducibility before shipping. Lasers, detectors, and the fluidic system are verified under real conditions. Calibration reports are available upon request for laboratories that are accredited or subject to quality audits.
How many parameters can a laboratory cytometer analyze simultaneously?
The number of parameters that can be analyzed depends directly on the number of lasers and detectors in the instrument. Entry-level cytometers cover 4 to 6 parameters simultaneously, which is sufficient for common antibody panels. High-end models and spectral cytometers allow for the simultaneous analysis of more than 30 parameters, for immunological or oncological applications requiring complex panels.
What maintenance does a laboratory cytometer require?
Regular maintenance focuses on four points: daily cleaning of the fluidic system with appropriate solutions, regular calibration using certified reference beads, periodic verification of laser alignment and detector performance, and preventive maintenance of valves and the aspiration system. Rigorous maintenance is essential to maintain detection sensitivity and ensure the reproducibility of analyses over time.
