BD FACSCalibur
BD · Model FACSCalibur
The BD FACSCalibur was the first system to provide standard multicolor analysis capabilities by incorporating an alignment free optical design, interbeam compensation, and dual-laser technology. Dual laser design for multicolor analysis. A dual-laser design provides the flexibility and sensitivity needed for multicolor analysis on the BD FACSCalibur system. Two lasers, an air-cooled argon laser and a red diode laser, are spatially separated for high sensitivity, minimal need for compensation, and flexibility in fluorochrome selection. BD High Throughput Sampler (HTS) option The BD™ High Throughput Sampler (HTS) option provides flexible, easy-to-use automation. For those who prefer to work with multiwell plates, BD Biosciences offers the first walkaway sample introduction device for 96- and 384-well plates. The HTS option allows users to rapidly acquire samples with the BD FACSCalibur™ flow cytometer in a microtiter plate. As a modular option for new or existing BD FACSCalibur flow cytometers, the HTS option is designed to speed through a variety of microtiter plates in less than 15 minutes* and support a wide range of applications including the BD™ Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) assay. The HTS option supports 96 U-, V-, and flat-bottom plates as well as 384-well microtiter plates. BD™ Plate Manager software allows you to create customized protocols with user-defined mixing, wash, and analysis parameters that can be reused. BD FACS Loader Option The BD FACS™ Loader option available for the BD FACSCalibur system provides walkaway automation for routine applications. Featuring a removable 40-tube carousel, on-board mixing, and BD™ Worklist Manager software, the BD FACS Loader option offers superior flexibility to efficiently address the workflow demands of the busy laboratory. Unique easy-to-use sorting technology (optional) The BD FACSCalibur cell sorting option allows users to identify and isolate a population of interest. Sorting on the BD FACSCalibur occurs in a completely enclosed, aerosol-free environment for enhanced safety which is especially important when processing biohazardous samples. The sorting process is designed to be straightforward. After the population of interest is gated, simply click Acquire to begin the sort. After the sample is acquired and cells pass through the laser, a unique catcher tube mechanism moves in and out of the sample core stream at a rate of roughly 300 times per second to capture designated cells and direct them to a collection tube or to an optional cell concentrator module for further processing. The BD FACSCalibur™ system is appreciated for its user-friendly design, high sample throughput, improved workflow management through automation, and simple yet sophisticated software applications that enhance routine analyses. While performing any of a wide range of supported applications, the BD FACSCalibur system provides the tools to obtain results quickly, easily, and accurately. The ease of use of the BD FACSCalibur system is enhanced by the BD FACStation™ data management system, which has become one of the most popular, user-friendly data management systems in flow cytometry. The BD FACStation system automates many software functions and delivers high-performance acquisition and analysis tools for creating plots, gating, statistical analysis, and reporting. The BD FACStation workstation takes advantage of the intuitive Mac® environment by using simple pull-down menus and icons. It performs all the computing tasks required for fast, accurate results, including instrument setup, data collection, analysis, and management. A comprehensive quality assurance system BD Biosciences offers a complete family of products designed to ensure the highest quality clinical results from the BD FACSCalibur system. BD FACSComp™ software, in conjunction with BD Calibrite™ beads, provides a comprehensive system to set up the instrument, assess sensitivity, and set compensation for immunofluorescence applications. For clinical applications, BD Biosciences offers a wide variety of cellular controls to verify performance for immunophenotyping, reticulocyte analysis, stem cell enumeration, and rWBC applications.
Key tips
- ·Run QC controls before trusting any repair - an analyzer that passes self-test can still report clinically wrong results.
- ·Rule out a reagent lot change before opening the instrument - it can look exactly like a hardware fault.
- ·Centrifuge rotors have a hard retirement age/cycle limit regardless of visible condition - don't eyeball it.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Sample probe / pipette clog
MediumSymptoms: Aspiration error, short sample, carryover.
Root cause: Clot/crystal obstruction.
Centrifuge imbalance / bearing
HighSymptoms: Vibration, loud noise, stop error.
Root cause: Worn bearing or unbalanced rotor.
Reagent / wash flow fault
MediumSymptoms: Clogs, high blank, QC fail.
Root cause: Pump tube wear, air in line.
Optics / lamp degradation
LowSymptoms: Low signal, wavelength drift.
Root cause: Lamp/LED or monochromator aging.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Centrifuge rotor & bearings
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Incubator heater / fan
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Sample aspiration probe
Frequent R&R on high-throughput analyzers.
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Moderate
Peristaltic pump tubing
Consumable - replace proactively.
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifuge rotor & bearings | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Incubator heater / fan | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Sample aspiration probe Frequent R&R on high-throughput analyzers. | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Moderate |
| Peristaltic pump tubing Consumable - replace proactively. | Frequent wear item | $ | Easy |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC controls run and reviewed
- ·Calibration verification per assay
- ·Routine cleaning and decontamination
- ·Scheduled reagent-path and pump-tubing maintenance
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Sample probe / pipette clog
- Confirm the presentation - typically aspiration error, short sample, carryover - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: clot/crystal obstruction.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the sample aspiration probe per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Reagent / wash flow fault
- Confirm the presentation - typically clogs, high blank, QC fail - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: pump tube wear, air in line.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the peristaltic pump tubing per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Central / core laboratory
- Point-of-care testing stations
- Blood bank
- Microbiology lab
Documents & Manuals
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Describe a symptom or error code. Bio answers from this device's own documented error codes, failure modes, parts, and guides.
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