FAQ's

General

 You can contact us directly to arrange a personal demonstration.  Our product specialists can come to your laboratory, or alternatively, we can offer virtual product demonstrations via video conference. To make an appointment, simply contact our team by e-mail: info@anvajo.com. In addition to a demonstration, you can also test the fluidlab R-300 for 2 weeks free of charge. 

Several times a year, we also exhibit at national and international trade fairs. To make sure you don't miss out, feel free to follow us on social media.

 The fluidlab R-300 is CE marked in accordance with the applicable EU regulations for laboratory equipment. The fluidlab R-300 can only be used for research purposes.

Maintenance

Problems or questions about measurements and applications can be solved by using the supplied user manual. If you have any further questions, please contact our support team by e-mail (support@anvajo.com).

 The fluidlab is not waterproof and should only be used in a dry environment. For cleaning, we recommend wiping it dry with 99% isopropanol/ethanol, with a soft microfibre cloth or, in a laboratory environment, with a soft disposable paper towel. If the measuring chamber is stubbornly dirty, the supplied cleaning sticks can be moistened with 99% isopropanol beforehand.  The following video explains the cleaning of the fluidlab in detail.

Analysis

The fluidlab R-300 combines three central laboratory technologies "spectrometry", "cell counting" and "staining-free viability measurement" in one instrument. The anvajo technology is based on the holographic microscopy method. The optical signal is processed by anvajo's mathematical reconstruction software. Machine learning methods, such as Deep Neural Networks, subsequently ensure accurate counting and classification. In addition to the cell counter, the fluidlab R-300 is also the smallest spectrometer available. Spectrum can be acquired between 375 nm and 700 nm, with a spectral resolution of less than 2 nm. Optical absorption measurements and scattered light measurements can thus be easily performed over the entire wavelength range.

 Our spectrometer is linear in the value range of 0 - 2.5 with a photometric accuracy of 0.01 or 1 %. The spectrum can be recorded between 375 nm and 700 nm, with a spectral resolution of less than 2 nm. For more information, please refer to the spectrometer performance report.

 Our cell counter shows a high correlation (99% accuracy, coefficient of determination R²=0.9956) with both the manual method (Neubauer chamber) and established automated cell counters.

Robust and fast image signal processing and data-parallel operations combined with high computing power enable automatic cell counting to be performed within 40 to 60 seconds.

Our neural networks have been trained with a representative number of cell shapes, allowing them to distinguish cells from contaminants.  With the fluidlab, cell counting is possible for cells between 3 μm and 80 μm and viability measurement between 8 μm and 80 μm.  The fluidlab can be used with a wide variety of cell types.  Here is a list of cell lines that were used for validation. However, they do not represent the entire performance spectrum of the fluidlab R-300. If you are unsure whether your cells are suitable for the fluidlab, our customer support will be happy to help you (support@anvajo.com). 

 The fluidlab R-300 uses the staining-free technique of digital holographic microscopy (DHM) to analyze cell number and viability directly in the cell culture environment. Unlike brightfield microscopy, DHM does not use optical lenses, but generates so-called "holograms" of the cells that are analyzed by a computer.

Importantly, these holographic images contain information about both the external cell morphology and the cytoplasmic composition based on differences in the refractive indices of the cell structures. This feature makes DHM imaging technology suitable for sensitive measurements of various cellular events such as cell death. 

Usability

Our acella sample carriers can be used for automated cell counting and staining-free viability determination. Requiring only 4 to 20  µl, they minimize the volume of precious sample required to achieve an accurate measurement.

For the spectrometer measurements you can use standard cuvettes.

 When using the spectrometer Cuvettes can be used in the same way you would with a standard photospectometer.  For cell counting or viability applications acella slides must be used.  We recommend starting with the acella 100 (20 μl chamber volume, 100 μm chamber height). For suspensions with small cells at the upper concentration limit, we recommend switching to a smaller sample carrier variant (acella 50 or acella 20). If you are unsure which acella is the right one for your application, please feel free to contact our customer advisors via support@anvajo.com.

 The fluidlab R-300 is delivered factory calibrated and does not require regular maintenance.

 The fluidlab R-300 has an internal memory that can store up to 1000 measurements. You have access to your measurement results via the history tab and can retrieve and edit them at any time. Should the memory ever be full, the results can be transferred to a computer via the anvajo datalab. The measurements can then be deleted from the device so that new measurements can be saved.

 We ask that you ensure that you only connect the fluidlab R-300 to trusted networks (WLAN) that are protected by firewalls. Ensure that data is only shared and received with devices that are trusted and properly secured. anvajo does not record personal data and assumes no liability for the loss, interception or misuse of data sent or received using the device's wireless communication methods.

Yes, you can transfer the measurement results using anvajo datalab, a desktop application developed for scientists. It allows direct access to data collected with the fluidlab R-300. You can download our software free of charge here.

 The battery runtime is up to 5 hours. Battery specifications depend on network configuration and many other factors. Battery life may vary depending on usage and settings.