Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ZE5 Cell Analyzer
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. · Model ZE5 Cell Analyzer
Fully automated sample acquisition from 5 ml sample racks or microplates (up to 384 wells) plus a stat tube option for urgent samples High-throughput mode can analyze a 96-well plate with < 0.5% carryover in less than 15 minutes On-board calibration beads provide automated QC without user intervention to reduce setup time Up to five spatially separated lasers ranging from 355 nm to 640 nm Up to 28 fluorescence detectors Dual forward-scatter design allows standard FSC detection while simultaneously collecting small-particle or alternate-wavelength scatter data Built-in ports to connect to a house DI and waste system High-velocity sheath flow delivers unparalleled analytical throughput Measured peak, area, and width parameters available simultaneously for every channel Zero dead-time processing with dynamic window extension.
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
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Poor optical alignment / low signal / high CV
HighSymptoms: Bead CVs out of spec, scatter or fluorescence signal low or noisy, compensation drift.
Root cause: Flow-cell contamination or an air bubble, laser degradation / misalignment, or an optics / PMT fault.
Fluidics / sheath-pressure fault
MediumSymptoms: Unstable event rate, boost / prime failures, sheath or waste alarm, clogs.
Root cause: Sheath / waste tank issue, a peristaltic / vacuum fault, or a partially blocked sample line / flow cell.
Sample probe / SIP clog or crash
MediumSymptoms: No or low event rate, probe-position error, carryover.
Root cause: Clogged or bent sample probe, or a clot.
Laser fault
MediumSymptoms: A laser-line-specific parameter fails, laser-error message.
Root cause: Laser at end of life or a power-supply / interlock fault.
Workstation / software fault
LowSymptoms: Acquisition hangs, data will not export, instrument not recognised.
Root cause: Workstation PC or the acquisition software / link.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Flow cell
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Sample probe / SIP
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Peristaltic pump tubing
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Moderate
Sheath / waste filters
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Easy
Laser
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$$R&R Difficult
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flow cell | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Difficult |
| Sample probe / SIP | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Peristaltic pump tubing | Frequent wear item | $ | Moderate |
| Sheath / waste filters | Frequent wear item | $ | Easy |
| Laser | Periodic replacement | $$$$ | Difficult |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ 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 starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Poor optical alignment / low signal / high CV
- Run the daily startup / cleaning and a flow-check bead panel.
- Prime / de-bubble the flow cell and de-gas the sheath.
- Run an unclog / long-clean cycle.
- Verify each laser-line parameter against the beads.
- Escalate a confirmed laser or optics fault to the OEM.
Symptom: Fluidics / sheath-pressure fault / unstable event rate
- Check the sheath and waste tanks and their connections.
- Inspect the sample probe / SIP for a bend or clog and clear it.
- Replace worn peristaltic pump tubing and the sheath filter.
- Run a boost / prime.
- Confirm a stable event rate on a control.
Symptom: Workstation / acquisition software fault
- Restart the acquisition software and the instrument.
- Check the instrument-to-PC link.
- Confirm free storage and the database.
- Update to compatible software / firmware.
- Escalate a persistent link fault to the OEM.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 26 in
- Length
- 27 in
- Weight
- 200 lbs
- Width
- 29 in
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
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
The problem is with the Bio-Rad VARIANT nbs Sickle Cell Program Resin Update CD-ROM software; Model Number: 250-3020, included in VARIANT nbs Sickle Cell Progam Reorder Pack #250-3000. This CD-ROM software included in specific lots of VARIANT nbs Sickle Cell Progam Reorder Pack causes all customized settings in the Setup/Test/Data Setup subscreen and Setup/Test/Pattern Setting subscreen to be overwritten with the default settings when the Update Kit procedure is performed.The VARIANTnbs Sickle Cell Program has been validated using the default Resin Update CDROM parameters for the intended use. However, there is a risk that the customer's custom pattern settings may be different than the default settings, resulting in a different pattern being assigned to some samples that the laboratory has validated. Following the complaints from 4 customers who experienced these issues, the firm initia
- RECALL
Inaccurate results with high bias-- Inaccurate results may be read by the machine, creating the risk for untreated hypoglycemia at elevated altitudes.
- RECALL
The presence of parameters for Version 40400-S on the labeled VARIANT Sickle Cell Short ROM Card instead of Version 80300-S.
- RECALL
Incorrect values: An error was found in the BioPlex 2200 Software, Version 2.0 that results in assignment values being utilized for the BioPlex assay Calibrator Set that may be slightly different from those printed on the Value Assignment Data Sheet. Some values may be identical between the lot assignment combinations with the ANA Screen with MDSS kit.
Related calculators
From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
Troubleshoot this device with Bio
Describe a symptom or error code. Bio answers from this device's own documented error codes, failure modes, parts, and guides.
Ask Bio