Corning® Cell Counter
Accurate Cell Counts in a Flash
Instruction Manual
Cat. No. 6749
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CORNING CELL COUNTER
Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Safety Information ............................................................4
1.0 Introduction ..............................................................5
Technology to Make Your Work Easier ......................................5
How Easy the Corning® Cell Counter Works .................................5
Operating Range ..........................................................5
Instrument Overview ......................................................6
2.0 Getting Started ...........................................................7
3.0 Setting Up the Corning Cell Counter .......................................8
Setup Procedure ...........................................................8
Registration of the Device .................................................9
Error Codes ............................................................. 10
Start a Project ........................................................... 11
Start a Cell Count ........................................................12
Adapter Plate Placement .................................................12
Sample Loading ..........................................................13
Live/Dead Sample Loading ................................................14
Counting Chamber Placement ............................................14
4.0 Performing a Cell Count ..................................................15
Focusing of the Cells ......................................................15
Performing a Count ......................................................16
5.0 Connecting to the Cloud ..................................................17
Confirmation Email .......................................................17
Project Overview .........................................................18
Experiment Overview .....................................................19
Experiment Results .......................................................20
6.0 Cleaning and Troubleshooting ............................................21
Cleaning and Maintenance ...............................................21
Troubleshooting ..........................................................21
USB device does not connect ...........................................21
No cells are visible .....................................................22
Too many cells ....................................................... 22
Cell clumps ............................................................22
Bubbles ...............................................................23
Debris .................................................................23
7.0 Technical Specifications ...................................................24
8.0 Limited Warranty .........................................................25
9.0 Equipment Disposal ......................................................26
Contact Information ................................................ Back cover
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Safety Information
To avoid damage or malfunction of the Corning® Cell Counter:
Be sure to set this device on a firm, stable, and horizontal surface.
Shut down the device if it produces smoke, a strange odor or unusual noise. Continued
use may lead to fire. Unplug the USB cable immediately.
Do not connect the USB cable in ways other than those mentioned in this manual.
If water or other liquid enters the device, discontinue use immediately. Continued use
may lead to fire. Unplug the USB cable immediately.
Do not attempt to repair or remove the outer case of the device.
Never attempt to repair, disassemble, or modify this device yourself, as tampering
with this product may result in injury or fire.
Do not drop the device or allow objects to fall onto it.
Do not allow the device to be submerged in liquid.
Do not place heavy objects on top of this device, and never stand or lean on this
device. Failure to follow this may cause the equipment to fall or collapse, which may
result in possible breakage and/or injury.
Do not autoclave this device.
Do not perform the sterilization cycle of an incubator with the device inside.
Do not use acetone to clean the device.
1.0 Introduction
Technology to Make Your Work Easier
Thank you for purchasing the Corning® Cell Counter.
The Corning Cell Counter is a benchtop automated image-based cell counter, which
uses state of the art optics and image analysis software. Its innovative design combines
the best qualities of manual cell counting with those of automated image-based cell
counting. With this, the Corning Cell Counter can accurately and precisely measure cell
concentrations and viability – live, dead, and total cells – using the standard Trypan blue
technique.
How Easy the Corning Cell Counter Works
The Corning Cell Counter system can be installed within several minutes and requires
minimal training.
The Corning Cell Counter uses a standard counting chamber or customer supplied
hemocytometer to analyze cell samples. Images from the cell sample are obtained by
CytoSMART™ Cloud App analyses of these images in the cloud. Sophisticated image
analysis algorithms produce accurate cell counts within a few seconds.
You can directly obtain your cell concentration on the results page or look it up later on
the CytoSMART™ Connect.
Operating Range
The Corning Cell Counter can be used to determine cell concentrations of mammalian
cells. The system works within a cell size range between 5.0 to 70 µm. Expect accurate
results for concentration samples within a range of 5.0 x 105 to 1.0 x 107 cells/mL.
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Instrument Overview
The hardware of the Corning® Cell Counter is shown below (Figure 1):
1. Light arc – Contains the light source for imaging
2. USB cable – For connecting the device via USB, which is also the power source for
the device
3. Optical window – Cover glass on which the counting chamber is placed
4. Adapter plate – Used to guide the counting chamber across the optical window
5. Focus knob – Allows for changing the focus of the image
Figure 1. Instrument overview of the Corning Cell Counter
1. Light Arc
2. USB Cable
5. Focus Knob
3. Optical Window
4. Adapter Plate
2.0 Getting Started
Product contents include the following items (Figure 2):
1. Manual and Quick Starter Guide
2. Corning® Cell Counter
3. License key
4. Adapter plate for the counting chamber
5. Counting chamber with two cover slips
6. Download link to the CytoSMART™ Cloud App software
7. USB drive for software
Figure 2. Package overview
Manual Corning Cell Counter Adapter plate for
counting chamber
License keyCounting chamber
with two cover slips
For additional information or any questions regarding your purchase, visit
support@cytosmart.com or contact our support staff at corning.support@cytosmart.com.
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3.0 Setting Up the Corning® Cell Counter
To set up the Corning Cell Counter, the following items are needed:
A Windows® 10 computer with internet access (preferably via a LAN-cable), and a USB
port (preferably USB 3.0). The computer or tablet must be on AC power, rather than on
battery power.
The Corning Cell Counter
The download link for the CytoSMART™ Cloud App software
A license key to activate the device within the software
Setup Procedure
1. Open an internet browser and download the CytoSMART Cloud App using the
download link provided. If no link has been provided, please contact your sales
representative or contact our support staff via corning.support@cytosmart.com.
2. When the download is finished, double click the file to install the CytoSMART Cloud
App on the Windows computer.
3. Be sure to remove any wrapping before first time use of the Corning Cell Counter.
Also clean the device with a damp, lint-free wipe to clean the outer case with
70% ethanol or isopropanol. After the installation has completed, an icon for the
CytoSMART Cloud App will be visible on the desktop (Figure 3).
4. Start the CytoSMART Cloud App by double clicking the icon on the desktop. A
notification to connect the device will appear (Figure 4).
5. Next, connect the cleaned Corning Cell Counter to the Windows computer using
the USB cable. Connect via USB 3.0 port, if possible. This is required for optimal
performance.
6. When the Corning Cell Counter is connected, the green LED will activate in the light
arc. This indicates that the device is ready for use.
Figure 3. CytoSMART
Cloud App icon
Figure 4. Connect the device notification
Registration of the Device
Before you can use the Corning® Cell Counter, you must register it. By clicking on
the “Register a new user” button (Figure 5), you will be led to the registration form
(Figure 6). Please fill in all the details and click “Sign up”.
Figure 5. Create an account
Figure 6. Sign up registration form
Figure 7. Register a device
The next step is to register the device. In the product box, you will find the license key
for this device. Enter the license key that is provided in the field “License” and click
“Register” (Figure 7).
Congratulations, you have now successfully registered and activated your Corning
Cell Counter!
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Error Code: Multiple Customer Environments
Is your personal account linked to more than one company? In that case, you will see
the comment box as shown in Figure 8 after signing in with your email address and
password. Select the desired environment that you would like to use from the drop-down
menu and click “Select”. This will lead you to the right environment to start your project.
Signing In
If your device is already activated and you already have an account, you can easily sign
in. Fill in your email address and password, and click “Log in” (Figure 9).
Figure 10. Warning: account not connected to environment
Figure 9. Sign in
Figure 8. Select an environment
Start a Project
With the Corning® Cell Counter you can perform a single count or multiple counts
within a project. The CytoSMART™ Cloud App software automatically stores the results
within a project, which you can view later in the CytoSMART Connect.
Figure 11. Create a project
Figure 12. Start a project
Error Code: Wrong Account or Company
If your personal account is not connected to the environment of the device, you will see
a warning (Figure 10). This means that the device is already activated and registered to a
company, but your personal account is not linked to this company.
After selecting “Create a new project” (Figure 11), you will be led to the “Start a project”
page (Figure 12). Next to the project owner details, which are already filled in, you can
also fill in the email address of collaborating users such as your colleagues. Name the
project, and give it a description. The final step is to assign a colored icon to the project.
This helps you to find your project easily, based on the color of the icon.
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Start a Cell Count
To start a cell count, you need to create an experiment. First, select
the project that your experiment belongs to using the drop-down
menu (Figure 11). If the cell count doesn’t belong to any of the
projects shown, click “Create a new project” to create a new project.
Next, give the cell count a name. We recommend always including
the date of the cell count in the file name to easily find the
experiment later on. After entering the details, click “Start cell
count” (Figure 13) and count your cells!
Adapter Plate Placement
You can use the adapter plate to guide the counting chamber during image acquisition
of the sample. We recommend to place the adapter plate on the Corning® Cell Counter,
but this is not required to perform a cell count. Using the adapter plate will produce the
most reliable results, as it allows for precise and repeatable handling of the counting
chamber.
To install the adapter plate:
Make sure that both the Corning Cell Counter and the adapter plate are clear of any
debris. Note: Use a lint-free wipe to clean the device, if needed.
Carefully slide the notch of the adapter plate around the base of the light arc (Figure 14).
Push the adapter plate downwards, until it clicks into place on-top of the Corning
Cell Counter (Figure 15).
Figure 13. Start
cell count
Figure 14. Slide the
adapter plate into place.
Figure 15. Carefully press the
adapter plate downwards.
Ensure the adapter plate is correctly placed. If it is placed incorrectly, this can lead to
false results (Figure 16).
To remove the adapter plate, carefully pull it upwards near the base of the light arc.
Then carefully slide the plate from the Corning® Cell Counter.
Figure 16. Correct adapter plate placement
Sample Loading
A counting chamber is used for cell sample analysis. Most common hemocytometers are
compatible with the Corning Cell Counter. This is because these counting chambers have
a similar counting chamber depth of 0.1 mm.
The Corning Cell Counter does not require the counting grid – essential for manual
counting – to be included to perform a cell count. Therefore, you can also use disposable
counting slides, if they have a counting chamber depth of 0.1 mm.
Load the counting chamber with a cell sample according to your loading protocol. We
recommend loading 10 µL of the sample in the counting chamber with a 10 µL or 20 µL
pipet. The Corning Cell Counter operates within a concentration range of 5 x 105 to
1 x 107 cells/mL. If the cell solution is out of this concentration range, use Phosphate
Buffered Saline (PBS) or medium to resuspend the cells in an appropriate volume;
otherwise, you may obtain false results.
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Live/Dead Sample Loading
To perform a live/dead analysis, we recommend using the standard Trypan blue
technique. Mix a minimum of 20 µL sample with 20 µL trypan blue by using a 20 µL
pipet. Next load 10 µL of the sample mixture into the counting chamber.
Note: Remember to correct the results when a dilution is used, as the Corning®
Cell Counter does not correct for this automatically.
Counting Chamber Placement
The optical window of the Corning Cell Counter must be clean. You can check this by
monitoring the live screen. If any debris is present, you will see it in the CytoSMART™
Cloud App.
If any debris is visible, clean the optical window using lint-free wipes before placing the
counting chamber in the adapter plate.
When the sample is loaded in the counting chamber and the adapter plate has been
installed, you can place the counting chamber in the adapter plate that has been
inserted on the Corning Cell Counter.
4.0 Performing a Cell Count
After placing the loaded counting chamber on the Corning® Cell Counter, you can see an
image of the cell sample in the live screen (Figure 17).
Focusing of the Cells
Use the focus knob to adjust the focus of the image. To focus, turn the knob clockwise or
counter clockwise. For best results, ensure you have the correct focus on your tablet or PC.
For proper analysis, you should be seeing a contrast: living cells having bright centers
and dark edges (Figure 18). To achieve this, using the focus knob, set the focus just
above the cell.
We recommend trying multiple focus levels to determine which focus setting to use.
Figure 18. Correct focus settings
Figure 17. Live screen of the CytoSMART™
Cloud App
A
Important: The image seen on the live screen is a digital magnification of the field of
view, to allow for better focusing. The unmagnified image can be seen by clicking on the
magnifying glass (Figure 17A).
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Performing a Count
When the focus is set, you are ready to perform a count. To obtain your cell count, follow
the protocol below:
1. Make sure that the counting chamber is correctly placed in the adapter plate.
2. Check the image to see if the focus is correct – correct it if needed – and select
“Count” from the start screen (Figure 17).
3. The CytoSMART™ Cloud App will now analyse the image and present the results.
Within the analyzed image (Figure 19), you will see green and red circles (A). Green
circles represent living cells, red circles are dead cells. Next to the image, the number
of (live and dead) cells is displayed (B) together with experiment data (C).
4. In this window you can also add notes (D). These will be included in the CytoSMART™
Connect environment.
5. If you want to perform another cell count, simply press “Start new cell count” (E).
Figure 19. Overview of the result page
A
B
C
D
E
5.0 Connecting to the Cloud
One of the features of the Corning® Cell Counter is that the experiment results can be
accessed through the CytoSMART™ Connect. To access the cloud, the following items
are required:
PC, tablet, or another device with a web browser.
Active internet connection.
Cloud login details.
After starting an experiment, the captured images will be stored in the cloud. To allow
for this, make sure the system has an active internet connection. All time logs in the
cloud are set to GMT.
Confirmation Email
After starting an experiment, a confirmation email is sent that contains a link to the
cloud (Figure 20).
Important: If you did not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder.
Alternatively, go to https://cloud.cytosmart.com/ to log in and view your projects and
experiments.
Figure 20. Confirmation email
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This link will lead you to the CytoSMART™ Connect login page (Figure 21). Log in using
the credentials you created earlier. If you have multiple customer environments, choose
which environment you would like to access (Figure 22).
Figure 21. Connect login page Figure 22. Choose an environment
Figure 23. Project overview
A
C
DE
B
Experiment Overview
After selecting a project (C), you will get access to an overview of all experiments
assigned to that project (Figure 24). At the top, you can see an overview of the project
data (F). As with the project overview, use the ‘Search’ bar (G) to find a specific
experiment within a project.
Figure 24. Overview of all experiments assigned
F
G
H
E D
Project Overview
After logging in to the Cloud, you will get access to an overview of all projects (Figure 23).
Navigating the portal is simple. If you have multiple projects in an account, use the
“Search Projects” bar (A) to quickly search for a project. To create a new project, select
“New Project” (B). This is similar to beginning a new project, as described in Section 3.
It is not possible to start an experiment from the cloud.
To access a project and all its assigned experiments, select the projects corresponding
“Project Icon”, “Project Title”, or “Arrow Icon” (C).
To delete a project, select the “Waste Bin Icon” (D). Select the “Pencil Icon” (E) to edit
project details. This allows you to change the project name and its description.
Select a specific experiment by clicking on its “Experiment Image”, “Experiment Title”, or
the “Arrow Icon” (H). This will bring up the experiment page of that specific experiment.
To edit details of an experiment, select the “Pencil Icon” (E). This allows you to change
the name and description of an experiment. To delete an experiment entirely, select the
“Waste Bin Icon” (D).
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Experiment Results
After you select a specific experiment, the data collected during that experiment will be
presented in the Experiment Page (Figure 25). Below, you will find an overview of the
panes in this Experiment Page.
Figure 25. Experiment page
6.0 Cleaning and Troubleshooting
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Corning® Cell Counter requires minimal cleaning for reliable operation. Unplug the
USB cable before cleaning the device. Use a damp, lint-free wipe to clean the outer case
with 70% ethanol or isopropanol.
If you see dust particles on the optical window, remove them by cleaning with a lint-free wipe.
Important: Do not autoclave the Corning Cell Counter, as this can result in damage to
the electronics.
The Corning Cell Counter does not need regular maintenance. Do not perform any
repairs or service on the device yourself. Contact Corning if a problem should arise via
corning.support@cytosmart.com.
Troubleshooting
Figure 26. USB not connected
Overview
1. Analyzed image
2. Experiment pane
3. Notes pane
4. Logbook pane
Analyzed Image
The analyzed image shows live cells within green circles and dead cells within red circles
Experiment Pane
The experiment pane provides an overview of the experiment (i.e., project start date,
owner, number of cells, and viability).
Notes Pane
Notes that you have added after counting the cells are shown here. You can also add
additional information regarding your experiment (e.g., passage number, experiment
conditions, etc.). This information will be stored in the database with your experiment,
including a date and time-stamp.
Logbook Pane
The logbook pane shows a log of all the changes made to the experiment.
USB device
does not
connect
The Corning Cell Counter
can be connected via USB to
various Windows computers,
such as PC, laptop, or tablet.
When receiving an error
message (Figure 26), that
the computer cannot
communicate with USB
devices, make sure that
the USB cable is properly
connected.
Also, with certain mobile Windows computers, such as laptops or tablets,
connectivity problems with the Corning Cell Counter may arise. This is
often due to a low battery. To resolve:
Ensure the mobile Windows computer is connected to a working power
source.
Ensure the power source is functioning properly (e.g., check by plugging
in another electrical device).
Switch off the Windows computer. Unplug and reconnect all cables,
and reboot the computer.
When using a hub connector, older versions might not provide enough
power for the Corning Cell Counter to operate properly.
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WARNING! This count is below our optimum counting range (5.0 x 105 cells/mL).
Figure 27. Warning message: not enough cells to count
WARNING! This count is above our optimum counting range (1.0 x 107 cells/mL).
Figure 28. Warning message: too many cells to count
Bubbles While looking at the images in the
CytoSMART™ Cloud App, you may
see bubbles (Figure 30). They are
recognizable as big black circles.
Bubbles can lead to false results, as they
influence the distribution of cells and
the volume inside the counting chamber.
The cause for bubbles is often due to
incorrect pipetting. Thus, make sure no
air is included during pipetting a new
sample.
Debris When looking at the images from the
CytoSMART Cloud App, you may see (cell)
debris (Figure 31). This may be caused by
not having properly cleaned the counting
chamber. To resolve this, properly clean
the counting chamber before loading a
new sample.
Figure 29. Cell clump
example
Figure 30. Air bubble
example
Figure 31. Debris present
in the counting chamber
No cells are
visible
This may be due to cell concentration of the sample being below
5 x 105 cells/mL, which is below the operating range of the Corning®
Cell Counter (Figure 27). To resolve this, pellet the solution by
centrifuging and resuspend the cells in a smaller volume.
Another cause may be that the bulk sample solution has been left
to stand for some time. Cells have then gravitated towards the
bottom of the vial. By pipetting the suspension up and down before
loading the counting chamber, you should obtain a homogenous cell
suspension.
Too many cells This may be due to cell concentrations being above 1 x 107 cells/mL
(Figure 28). Dilute your cell suspension to obtain a lower concentration
and count again.
Cell clumps Cells can aggregate into clumps, leading
to false results when analyzed (Figure 29).
When cell clumps are visible, prepare a
new sample. By gently resuspending the
stock cell suspension, aggregates can be
broken down.
Troubleshooting (Continued)
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Counting Range 5 x 105 to 1 x 107 cells/mL
Counting Range 10 to 70 µm
Minimal System Requirements Windows® 10 computer with internet access
2.4 GHz i5 CPU
4GB of RAM
128GB of free drive space
USB 3 connection
Internet connection
Weight 1.0 kg
Power Supply AC 100-240V, 2A, 10W, 50/60Hz
Field of View 2.0 x 1.5 mm
Magnification 200X
Image Resolution 2048 x 1536 pixels
Exported Formats PNG
Light Source LED
Camera 5 MP CMOS
Optical Filters No optical filters
Unit Dimensions 122 x 122 x 125 mm (L x W x H)
Data Storage Available upon request
Operating Environment 5°C to 40°C, 20% to 95% humidity
Cable Length 750 mm with option to extend with extra USB 3 cable
8.0 Limited Warranty
Corning Incorporated (Corning) warrants that this product will be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from date of purchase. CORNING
DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. Corning’s sole obligation shall be to repair or replace, at its option, any
product or part thereof that proves defective in material or workmanship within the
warranty period, provided the purchaser notifies Corning of any such defect. Corning
is not liable for any incidental or consequential damages, commercial loss or any other
damages from the use of this product.
This warranty is valid only if the product is used for its intended purpose and within the
guidelines specified in the supplied instruction manual. This warranty does not cover
damage caused by accident, neglect, misuse, improper service, natural forces or other
causes not arising from defects in original material or workmanship. This warranty
does not cover motor brushes, fuses, light bulbs, batteries or damage to paint or finish.
Claims for transit damage should be filed with the transportation carrier.
In the event this product fails within the specified period of time because of a defect
in material or workmanship, contact Corning’s Customer Service at the following
numbers: USA: 1.800.492.1110; Canada: 1.978.442.2200. For other regions of the world,
visit www.corning.com/lifesciences or see the included instruction manual for a list of
Worldwide Support Offices.
Corning’s Customer Service team will help arrange local service where available or
coordinate a return authorization number and shipping instructions. Products received
without proper authorization will be returned. All items returned for service should be
sent postage prepaid in the original packaging or other suitable carton, padded to avoid
damage. Corning will not be responsible for damage incurred by improper packaging.
Corning may elect for onsite service for larger equipment.
Some states do not allow limitation on the length of implied warranties or the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state.
No individual may accept for, or on behalf of Corning, any other obligation of liability, or
extend the period of this warranty.
For your reference, make a note of the serial and model number, date of purchase, and
supplier here.
Serial No. ___________________________________ Date Purchased ______________________________
Model No. ________________________________________________________________________________
Supplier __________________________________________________________________________________
7.0 Technical Specifications
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9.0 Equipment Disposal
According to Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE),
the Corning Cell Counter is marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin and
must not be disposed of with domestic waste.
Consequently, the buyer shall follow the instructions for reuse and recycling
of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) provided with the
products and available at the following link: www.corning.com/weee
Register your product warranty online at www.corning.com/lifesciences/warranty.
For a listing of trademarks, visit www.corning.com/clstrademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more specific information on claims, visit the Certificates page at www.corning.com/lifesciences.
Warranty/Disclaimer: Unless otherwise specified, all products are for research use only. Not intended
for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Corning Life Sciences makes no claims regarding the
performance of these products for clinical or diagnostic applications.
For additional product or technical information, visit www.corning.com/lifesciences or
call 800.492.1110. Outside the United States, call +1.978.442.2200 or contact your local
Corning sales office.
© 2018 Corning Incorporated. All rights reserved. 2/18 CLS-EQ-486/11319-30504
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