We're celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, and launching not one, but 2 new products! Over the years since its inception, the FlowCam (and VisualSpreadsheet software) have evolved and expanded to encompass more functionality, a wider particle size range, a more intuitive user interface, and an ever growing user base.
We've incorporated your feedback to make the newest version of VisualSpreadsheet 5 more powerful and easier to use. Users can now easily analyze large data sets as well as compare data captured from multiple runs and multiple objectives. It's the biggest software update in our company's history.
We're also in the process of launching a new FlowCam. This newest member of the FlowCam suite is a streamlined instrument designed for ease of use, process specific monitoring applications, and has a smaller foot print... stay tuned.
Best Regards,
Cybele Brooks
Marketing Manager
Collage of the Quarter
Pictured above: C elegans (also known as roundworm or nematode) captured on a FlowCam 8100 at 10x
C elegans are tiny and slippery. The FlowCam allows for imaging and categorizing of thousands at once, instead of painstakingly counting through a microscope. Our back light technology also allows for quick identification and interpretation of internal structural changes resulting from genes or chemicals added during development.
FlowCam Compares Favorably to MFI and Light Obscuration: Collaborative Study by Japanese Biopharmaceutical Consortium
Currently the compendial method for quantifying subvisible particles equal to or greater than 10 µm and 25 µm uses light obscuration (LO), which is internationally harmonized in the U.S., European, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia. However, numerous reports have indicated that subvisible particles smaller than 10 µm could elicit immune responses.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the guidance on the immunogenicity assessment for therapeutic protein products, wherein they recommend assessment of subvisible particles below 10 µm. The FDA recommends the characterization of subvisible particles during the product life cycle using orthogonal methods, of which flow imaging (FI) is one.
UNE Researchers use FlowCam to Study Engineered Proteins
A class of engineered proteins called elastin-like polymers (ELP) have shown promise for advanced drug delivery applications. In order to fully realize their potential however, they need to be rigorously characterized to determine how they behave in different environments. The FlowCam is ideally suited to help with the characterization process.
How do you perform Oil in Water analysis? Flow Imaging Microscopy provides more comprehensive data than laser diffraction. Beyond just count and size data, FlowCam provides particle images and morphological analysis. The FlowCam's image analysis software VisualSpreadsheet is equipped with an algorithm specifically designed for the petroleum industry to quickly and easily analyze the Oil in Water content.
Steve is a former employee of Fluid Imaging Technologies (FIT), and is excited to be back in a new sales role covering the Western US and Canada. Steve has an M.S. from Stanford University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, as well as extensive experience in software and instrumentation sales. He also speaks fluent Japanese. Welcome back, Steve!
Sarah Isakson, Marketing Coordinator
Sarah is a marketing professional who comes to us from Eldredge Lumber in Portland. She has a B.A. from Vassar College as well as a history working in Film and Television and is looking forward to bringing those skills to this position. Sarah loves design in all its forms, and spends her free time cooking, singing, and enjoying the Maine outdoors with her family.
Dominic Benfatta, Customer Care Associate
Dominic finished his degree in Portland at the University of Southern Maine where he was awarded a B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Human Biology and a Minor in Biochemistry, graduating this past December. While in school Dominic worked as a lab technician and wellness specialist at a local compounding pharmacy, in an on-campus optogenetics lab, and as a fellow for an international non-profit geared towards spreading meditation and stress management skills to college students. He enjoys hiking, slacklining, drawing, reading, and cooking in his free time.
Meet the FlowCam's World-Class Technical Support Team
When you buy a FlowCam, you gain access to a team of technical experts dedicated to supporting and improving your FlowCam and VisualSpreadsheet experiences. Residing in the Fluid Imaging Technology headquarters in Maine, USA, our support team works directly with our engineering department to stay up-to-date on the most pertinent FlowCam and VisualSpreadsheet updates and improvements. In turn, they provide you with the most accurate, beneficial, and efficient customer service.
FIT is excited to announce the release of VisualSpreadsheet 5 (ViSP 5), available on July 1st to customers in the U.S. and Canada for the following platforms:
FlowCam 8000 (without ALH or 21 CFR for this initial launch)
FlowCam Cyano
FlowCam Macro
VisualSpreadsheet Satellite Licenses
With ViSP 5, you can:
Increase efficiency of data storage to improve data retrieval, processing time and file stability
View and create data sets from multiple runs, allowing you to quickly load, manipulate, and analyze large data sets
Compare data captured from multiple objective and/or flow cells
While ViSP 5 is not compatible with Legacy VS instruments, VS users are eligible to upgrade their satellite licenses to enjoy the benefits of easier data analysis as ViSP 5 can import data from as far back as ViSP 3.2!
ViSP 5 will be available for international customers, ALH customers and 21 CFR customers in the following months, please stay tuned for availability.
U.S. and Canadian customers can reach out to Katie Clegg (katie.clegg@fluidimaging.com) for more information about eligibility and quoting the cost of upgrading their current FlowCam and satellite licenses.