External fluidics system for flow cytometer

A method for using a fluidic system, the fluidic system comprising a container, a tubing connecting the fluidic system to a flow-cytometer-based system that has a first pump, a measurement device, a second pump, a pressure sensor, a dry break connector, a tubing connected to the dry break connector at a first end thereof and the second pump at a second end thereof, a float sensor, and a controller in operable communication with the second pump, the pressure sensor, the measurement device, and the float sensor,

• wherein the container contains a first fluid that is a sheath fluid flowing to the flow-cytometer-based system or a waste fluid flowing from the flow-cytometer-based system, wherein the first fluid is a liquid,
• wherein the first pump is configured to supply a fluid to the flow-cytometer-based system, when the first fluid is the sheath fluid, and to extract a fluid from the flow-cytometer-based system, when the first fluid is the waste fluid,
• wherein the fluidic system further comprises a control panel in operable communication with the second pump and comprising a system on/off button configured to switch the second pump on or off, a system running indicator light configured to light up when the fluidic system is running, a system stopped indicator light configured to light up when the fluidic system is stopped, a silence alarm button configured to cause an alarm when pressed by a user, a full indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is full, an empty indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is empty, and at least one partially full indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is filled to a level indicated by the respective by the partially full indicator light,
• wherein the method comprises:
• operating, by the controller, the second pump to supply the first fluid from the container to the flow-cytometer-based system, when the first fluid is the sheath fluid, and to extract the first fluid from the flow-cytometer-based system and provide it to the container, when the first fluid is the waste fluid;
• sensing, by the pressure sensor, the pressure of the fluidic system between the second pump and the container;
• measuring, by the measurement device, a signal indicative of a volume of the first fluid in the container;
• measuring, by the float sensor, a level of the first fluid in the container;
• setting, by the controller, the pressure of the fluidic system, using the pressure sensor to determine when a desired pressure of the fluidic system is reached;
• adjusting, by the controller, speeds of the second pump based on a measurement result of the signal indicative of the volume of the first fluid in the container;
• and
• stopping, by, the controller, the second pump if the float sensor indicates that the level of the first fluid in the container is full or if the pressure sensor indicates the pressure of the fluidic system exceeds a predetermined threshold, the stopping of the second pump causing the system stopped indicator light to light up.

A system for cell/particle characterization or separation, the system comprising:

• a flow cytometer comprising a first pump and a three-way connector, the first pump being an internal waste pump or an internal sheath pump;
• and
• a fluidic system in operable communication with the flow cytometer,
• wherein the fluidic system comprises:
• a container configured to contain a liquid;
• a tubing connected to the flow cytometer via a dry break connector connected to a first end of the tubing, the dry break connector also connected with the three-way connector;
• a second pump connected to a second to a first end of the tubing opposite the first end;
• a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of the fluidic system between the second pump and the container;
• a measurement device coupled with the container and configured to measure a signal indicative of a volume of the liquid in the container;
• a float sensor coupled with the container and configured to measure a level of the liquid in the container;
• a controller in operable communication with the second pump, the measurement device, and the float sensor, the controller being configured to adjust speeds of the second pump based on a measurement result of the signal indicative of the volume of the liquid in the container;
• wherein the controller is further configured to operate the fluidic system based on a condition of the flow cytometer;
• wherein the controller is further configured to stop the second pump if the float sensor indicates that the level of the liquid in the container is full, when the container contains a waste fluid flowing from the primary system, wherein the controller is further configured to set the pressure of the fluidic system, using the pressure sensor to determine when a desired pressure of the fluidic system is reached, and wherein the controller is further configured to stop the second pump if the pressure sensor indicates the pressure of the fluidic system exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• and
• a control panel in operable communication with the second pump and comprising a system on/off button configured to switch the second pump on or off, a system running indicator light configured to light up when the fluidic system is running, a system stopped indicator light configured to light up when the fluidic system is stopped, a silence alarm button configured to cause an alarm when pressed by a user, a full indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is full, and empty indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is empty, and at least one partially full indicator light configured to light up when the second pump is filled to a level indicated by the respective partially full indicator light.