RE: The Mystery of The High Throughput Sampler, The Sampler Port, and the Clumped Cells

Dear Rafael
 
Do you by any chance use the FFSS (Facs Flow Supply System)?
We saw the same problem as you, and it was (I hope) related to this device. The waste from the HTS goes directly into the waste tank in the FFSS, wheras waste from the Calibur goes to the internal waste tank. When the FFSS empty the internal waste tank, it also goes to the FFSS waste tank. If the little 1 µm vent filter placed on the FFSS waste tank gets wet, the pressure is not released quick enough, and a back pressure is created through the waste line to the HTS. It seems as if the backpressure is only a little too high, there is no warning from the plate manager software, but when it gets really high, you get a warning. Exactly why this creates all the damage and prevents cells to reach the flow cell I do not know, but removing the vent filter seem to have solved the problem. This filter is NOT being replaced on a maintenance service visit!! 
 
hope this information can be helpful.
 
Jesper Kastrup
Symphogen A/S
Denmark

	-----Original Message-----
	From: Villasmil, Rafael [mailto:VillasmilR@MedImmune.com] 
	Sent: 18. maj 2005 23:33
	To: Cytometry Mailing List
	Subject: The Mystery of The High Throughput Sampler, The Sampler Port, and the Clumped Cells
	
	
	Good Afternoon Everyone
	 
	I want to find out why the sample port clogs when I use the HTS but it works fine when doing Manual Tube Loading (MTL) 
	I have an assay that runs perfectly when I use tubes to load the samples.  However, the Calibur sample port clogs constantly when I use the HTS. 
	Looking at the samples under the microscope, we found that there are some clumped cells. 
	We think that the boost pressure of the HTS is higher than the boost pressure of the Calibur when doing MTL
	 
	Any comments are welcome
	 
	Thanks

	Rafael Villasmil 
	Associate Scientist I

	Medimmune Inc 
	Phone Number (301) 398-4478
	One MedImmune Way
	Gaithersburg, MD 20878 

	"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."

	George S. Patton