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History
Accuri Cytometers, Inc. was founded to address a compelling need:
life scientists love the rapid cell-by-cell analysis capability of flow
cytometers, but too few have a flow
cytometer in their lab. The barriers for most researchers include cost
of the instrument, complexity of the software, effort required for maintenance,
and the large amount of bench space required for the instrument.
...Ask customers what they want
We started by asking life science researchers what they thought
about the possibility of having a full featured analytical flow cytometer
for $25K. Almost every one said the same thing: "I don't believe
it is possible, but wow, that would be great! When can I get one?" We
thought we knew how it could be done, so we started building one. Along
the way we interviewed and surveyed hundreds of researchers to understand
their needs, and we translated those needs into the specifications that
guided the development of the entire Accuri product line.
How we made a high performance
$25K flow cytometer
With a tight focus on creating an affordable, robust, easy-to-use
flow cytometer, our engineering team went back to basic principles
and designed an innovative instrument from the ground up to meet
our customer-driven specifications.
...do the simplest thing that might possibly
work
- Researchers asked for very precise fluidic control for maximum
data quality, so we invented an easy to maintain fluidics system
that independently controls the core size and sample flow rate,
a first in the marketplace.
- Our potential customers requested affordable, reliable optics
with precision focusing that can survive jostling, so we invented
compact, robust optics with long-life lasers and low cost detectors. This
makes it possible to deliver the C6 Flow Cytometer quickly and cost-effectively
through express shipping.
- Cytometrists told us that one of the most difficult things to
teach new users is the ’Äúart’Äù of setting voltage/amplification/gain
levels. So we invented new electronics that deliver
best-in-class dynamic range, which eliminates entirely a common
source of error in data collection. This makes the C6 Flow Cytometer easier-to-use
than any other cytometer.
- Researchers also asked for a product that is easy to install
and takes up little space in their labs, so we engineered our instrument
to weigh less than 30 pounds and take up less space than a typical
microwave. As a result the C6 Flow Cytometer can fit on to just
about any bench.
How we made software that requires
little or no instructions
Conversations with flow cytometry
users made it clear that the software was just as important as
the hardware in coloring the users’Äô experience. In our interviews,
many people told us they found available software to be difficult
to navigate and time consuming to learn. This was especially
true for new users, who felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the
user interface. So we partnered with Menlo Innovations (www.menloinnovations.com),
who are experts in developing user-friendly software. Together
we focused on understanding the needs of flow cytometry users and
designed system functionality and user interfaces to match those
needs. All along the way we tested our designs with many
researchers who volunteered to help us create software that
was so intuitive that no training course was required to get started.
...make products that fit elegantly into
our customers' world.
We never stop thinking about our customers
In less than two years, our team met our first milestones
by creating a powerful cell analysis tool designed to delight our
customers. And we are nowhere near finished yet! We worked equally
hard to figure out ways to support our customers. Most scientists
told us that they preferred to get information on new products from
their colleagues and from the web, and would rather not make time
to schedule visits from sales representatives. We structured our
business to make readily available the information researchers
need to make an informed purchase decision. On our website, you can see product specs, software demos,
FAQs and even actual prices (no negotiating required!). Our support
team is just a phone call away. We want you to be so delighted with
the C6 Flow Cytometer System that you'll tell your friends all about it!
...seek to delight.
What’Äôs next on the horizon for Accuri? We are continually adding
more user-friendly features to our CFlow software, including enabling
it to run on either Mac or Windows platforms. We will soon
offer a 96 well auto-loader that will attach to the C6 Flow Cytometer. And
we are developing some exciting new instruments, all based on the
same ideas’Äîpowerful, easy to use and affordable. We welcome
your ideas and suggestions for how we can improve and what you would
like to see next. And we’Äôd love to hear about how the C6 Flow Cytometer has
helped you do your work better (TechSupport@AccuriCytometers.com).
Thank you for your interest and support. |
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