Transmission Flow Cells

          The Transmission Flow Cells are single or dual channel flow cells that use a standard microscope cover slip and microscope glass slide as viewing windows. The flow chamber is made from either clear polycarbonate plastic or black anodized aluminum. Both material types are fully autoclavable and reuseable. Anodized aluminum provides a more rugged material to last through numerous autoclave cycles (all plastics, including polycarbonate, will deteriorate with repeated autoclave cycles). The flow chambers on these flow cells are approximately 2.0” (50 mm) long by 0.5” (13 mm) wide by 0.10” (2.35 mm) deep. The flow cells are used to image biofilm formation on glass or irregularly shaped materials (suture, catheter section, porous media, etc) placed in the flow chamber.

          The Transmission Flow Cells are constructed in a sandwich of aluminum compression plates, silicone rubber gaskets, and the polycarbonate or anodized aluminum flow channel. they have integrated barbed fittings that accommodate size 16 (3 mm ID) tubing. These flow cells use commercially available microscope cover slips (60 x 24 mm; no. 2) and microscope slides (25 x 75 x 1 mm) as viewing windows. The use of cover slips as viewing windows combines high quality optical glass, thin dimensions (increases working focal depth into the chamber) and low cost. These viewing windows can be removed and replaced easily between experiments.

          The flow cells are provided with a standard, platform-stage microscope mount. Alternate mounting plates are available to mount the flow cells into 96-well microtiter plate holders that are common on many upright and inverted microscopes. The stage mount allows direct attachment to upright and inverted microscope stages. Transmission flow cells allow biofilm imaging using transmitted, epi-fluorescence, or confocal microscopy.

          These flow cells are designed for a maximum flow rate of 3.5 mL/minute.