The COULTER PRINCIPLE- Gold Standard in Cell Count and Cell Size

Beckman Coulter has spent over 50 years perfecting its implementation of the
Coulter Principle. We are the undisputed technology leader in cell counting
and sizing. No other cell counters have been able to match our power, precision,
and accuracy—all delivered at a ten times lower cost per test. Others claim they
are equivalent, but there is only one COULTER COUNTER.*

1. The COULTER PRINCIPLE
The Gold Standard in Cell Counting and Sizing.
Beckman Coulter has spent over 50 years perfecting its implementation of the
Coulter Principle. We are the undisputed technology leader in cell counting
and sizing. No other cell counters have been able to match our power, precision,
and accuracy—all delivered at a ten times lower cost per test. Others claim they
are equivalent, but there is only one COULTER COUNTER.*
For more information and NEW improved pricing on our COULTER COUNTER Systems visit
www.coultercellcounter.com or contact your local sales representative.
Table 1: Published coefficients of variance when analyzing 10,000 cells per mL
COULTER COUNTER Slide-based System Pipette-based System
0.88%
1
5% error + >4% CV
2
21.81%
3
ACCURACY AND PRECISION
Data acquired using COULTER COUNTER is often used as a
benchmark upon which competitors base their marketing materials.
Our implementation of the Coulter Principle features several
important innovations that guarantee the highest precision and
accuracy available on the market.
• Precision-designed electronics contained within the
COULTER COUNTER minimize background noise and ensure
high fidelity. Substantial electronic shielding prevents spurious
electrical pulses. Competing designs with little or no shielding
can lead to significant measurement error.
• Highly precise, tunable, and automated metering pump
technology guarantees reproducible and accurate analytical
volumes. Slide- and pipette-based systems have little control
over the volume of cellular suspension analyzed, which can
lead to large discrepancies in cell counts. The COULTER
COUNTER metering pump also allows customization of
analysis time. Table 1 shows how our electronics design and
metering pump technology give the Beckman Coulter system
the best accuracy available today.

2. For more information and NEW improved pricing on our COULTER COUNTER Systems visit
www.coultercellcounter.com or contact your local sales representative.
Table 2: Dynamic Range
Z Series Coulter Counters
Multisizer Series
Coulter Counters Slide-based System Pipette-based System
1-120 micron 0.4-1600 micron 2-34 micron
2
3-36 micron
3
Table 3: Example of Consumable Costs per test (assuming Accuvettes are disposed after single use)
Number of Tests Accuvette Cassette Counters Pipette Counters
1 $0.37 $1.75 $3.38
10 $3.70 $17.50 $33.80
100 $37.00 $175.00 $338.00
1000 $370.00 $1,750.00 $3,338.00
3000 $1,110.00 $5,250.00 $10,140.00
5000 $1,850.00 $8,750.00 $16,900.00
7000 $2,590.00 $12,250.00 $23,660.00
10000 $3,700.00 $17,500.00 $33,800.00
DYNAMIC RANGE
The COULTER COUNTER uses exclusive aperture tubes featuring embedded wafers precision bored using a proprietary process
to ensure there are no surface defects that may contribute to electrical noise. This highly uniform and engineered surface is difficult,
if not impossible, to replicate with plastic apertures used in most competing instruments. Beckman Coulter’s process also allows for
manufacture of a wide range of aperture sizes, meaning the COULTER COUNTER family of instruments can measure most cell types
from the smallest bacteria to the largest plant cell aggregates. For references, see Table 2.
LOW COST PER TEST
Beckman Coulter’s Accuvette sample cups have a low cost per test. Other cell counters on the market provide single-use slides
and pipette tips with a significantly higher cost for a single use. For recent prices, see Table 3.
UNSURPASSED QUALITY, WORLD CLASS SERVICE, AND SUPPORT
The high quality components and technology built into every COULTER COUNTER means that the ten-thousandth test on an
instrument is just as accurate, precise, and powerful as the first. Beckman Coulter is committed to maximizing assay performance
and minimizing downtime. Our global field-based service team is comprised of systems and applications specialists. Service is
performed onsite at the customer’s location by trained service specialists. Many competitors require their instruments to be sent to
their manufacturing facility where repairs can take days or weeks in addition to shipping time, increasing downtime.
For over 75 years, Beckman Coulter has been building a global reputation in hospitals, labs, and universities, where our life science
research instruments are relied upon to perform vital roles day in and day out. Whether helping to solve complex biological problems,
investigate the causes of disease, or find potential new cures, Beckman Coulter is focused on innovations that ultimately lead to
healthier lives.
For Beckman Coulter’s worldwide office locations and phone numbers, please visit www.beckmancoulter.com/contact
FL-16705A B2012-13072 www.beckmancoulter.com © 2012 Beckman Coulter, Inc.
* For Laboratory Use Only; not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Beckman Coulter, the stylized logo and COULTER COUNTER are trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc. and are
registered in the USPTO. Multisizer is a trademark of Beckman Coulter, Inc.
References:
1. Rhyner, MN The Coulter Principle for Analysis of Subvisble Particles in Protein Formulations. AAPS Journal 2010.
2. “Comparison of Moxi Z Cell Counter with an Imaging Cell Counter and a High-End Coulter System”. Orflo Tech
note November, 2011.
3. “The Scepter
TM
Cell Counter Performs with High Precision and Speed Across Multiple Cell Lines” Millipore
Corporation. BS-GEN-09-02652. 2010.