Designed in collaboration with fluorescence microscopy users, the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station captures high-quality, three-color fluorescent cell images right at your benchtop, with an interface that is so simple even novice users can collect data in just a few clicks of the mouse.

1. Frequently Asked Questions About FLoid™
Image Capture and Processing
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Q What is focus assist?
A Focus assist is a gauge designed to aid in rapid focusing and to help reduce the feeling of being “lost” while trying to focus on a
sample. The scale bar displays a number based on the position of the objective lens. That number can be correlated with a
particular sample vessel, allowing you to focus on a sample in that sample vessel more quickly in the future.
Q How do I capture images on the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A The FLoid™ device is primarily operated through a graphical user interface, much like a smart phone. You focus on the sample
with the turn of a knob.
Q Can the FLoid™ device measure cells in my image?
A Yes. The scale bar changes as the digital zoom level is changed, allowing easy estimation of sample sizes.
Q How do I process images on the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A Easily. The FLoid™ device has built-in image processing so you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast of your images.
You can also display images in color or black and white.
Q Can I print images from the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A Yes. The FLoid™ device is designed to operate like a molecular biology gel documenting station. You simply walk up and, after
a few clicks and a few moments, you walk away with a credit card–sized printed image that you can peel off and place directly into
your lab notebook.
Q Do I need special software to see my results saved to a thumb drive on my computer?
A No. Most computers have built-in image-viewing software that will open JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG files.
Instrument Operation
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Q How long does it take to generate images?
A The FLoid™ device can generate images in 1–2 minutes for most samples.
Q Does the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station need to be placed in a darkroom?
A No. The light shield helps block most ambient light and enables imaging at the bench or tissue culture facility in normal lighting
conditions.
Q Can I set up the device myself?
A Yes. You can unpack the device and collect images in little as 10 minutes. A field installation engineer is not necessary.
Q What types of vessels are compatible with the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A T-flasks, Petri dishes, 6-well plates, 96-well plates, microscope slides, coverslips, and Matek dishes.
Q How do I clean and maintain the instrument?
A Simply wipe the instrument exterior using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water. Wipe the instrument dry
immediately after cleaning.
Q How long do I need the device to warm up before use?
A The light sources do not require any warm-up time prior to imaging. The device start-up time is less than one minute, after which
it is ready to image.

2. Q Does the FLoid™ device require a computer?
A No. The Floid™ Cell Imaging Station is a fully integrated system combining optics, electronics, and mechanics with an onboard
computer and widescreen LCD monitor.
Q Can you connect the FLoid™ device to a computer?
A No, but you can easily transfer your data to a computer using a USB drive.
Q Do I need to load software on my computer?
A No. Most computers have built-in image-viewing software that will open the JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG files.
Q Does the FLoid™ device save images?
A Yes. The FLoid™ device saves images as JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG file formats. Save underlying channels to retain unaltered
TIFF files of each channel.
Q Can I select a different language for the user interface?
A Yes. You may choose from English, Spanish, German, simplified Chinese, French, Italian, and Japanese
Instrument Specifications
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Q What are the physical dimensions?
A 15.9” (W) x 21.1” (H) x 13.9” (D) (40.4 x 53.6 x 35.3 cm).
Q How heavy is the FLoid™ device?
A ~28 pounds or ~13 kg.
Q What channels are available on the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A Four channels are available: transmitted light, and blue, green, and red fluorescent channels.
Q What are the excitation sources?
A The excitation sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with wavelengths of 390/40 nm (blue channel), 482/18 nm (green
channel), and 586/15 nm (red channel).
Q What are the emission wavelengths?
A The emission wavelengths are 446/33 nm (blue channel), 532/59 nm (green channel), and 646/68 nm (red channel).
Q Can I change the emission filters on the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A The emission wavelengths on the FLoid™ device are fixed, which means that the filters are always there and ready for use.
Q What dyes are compatible on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
A The FLoid™ Cell Imagaing Station contains the three most common channels used in fluorescence imaging: DAPI, Alexa
Fluor® 488 dye, and Texas Red® dye. For a complete list of Molecular Probes® dyes that are compatible with the device, please
see the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station Dye compatibility page.
Q What reagents are on the Molecular Probes® reagents tab?
A The reagent information tab covers about 160 different reagents in 20 application categories, all related to cell imaging. Each
reagent has a protocol with quick-reference icons and concise text for maximum usability.
Q Is an extended warranty available for the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station?
A The instrument comes with a 12-month warranty, and you may purchase an extended warranty for an additional 12 months.
Q Does the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station come with a keyboard and a mouse?
A Yes. The device comes with a keyboard, mouse, power cable, and USB flash memory stick.
Q What type of magnification can I expect?
A The FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station has 460x optical magnification and up to 1,840x digital zoom.
See the full list of Floid™ specifications
For Research Use Only. Not intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use. © 2011 Life Technologies Corporation. All rights
reserved. The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Life Technologies Corporation or their respective owners.