What is AIM™ LPA?
The Automated Imaging Microscope (AIM™) is an advanced Liquid Particle Analyzer (LPA) that allows users to identify and measure microscopic particles in liquid samples from 1.5 to 200 microns automatically in 4 minutes.
In simple terms, AIM is a flow imaging microscope (FIM) for automated microscopy. In traditional automated microscope imaging, the sample is placed on a microscope slide, and the slide is moved to different positions for imaging. AIM flows the sample through an imaging area in a continuous fashion, stopping the flow to take a unique image of the sample.
AIM Combines the best features of a particle analyzer, a microscope and a flow cytometer.
New Insights via Imaging
AIM Features
- Continuous flow
- Simple, procedural-driven operation
- Automated Calibration and cleaning
- Particle size and shape measurements
- Automated particle characterization based on size/shape information
- "Test Plan" creation for generation of SOPs
- Compact, self-contained footprint (computer included inside)
How AIM-LPA works:
Simple Operation
The diagram above shows an overview of the AIM system. Sample is pipetted into a disposable sample cup; between 500µl and 3ml of sample is required, depending on sample characteristics. The internal pump pulls the sample through a narrow flow cell. At designated intervals the flow is stopped and imaged through the microscope optics.
The acquired images are then stored and processed by the embedded computer, producing reports such as particle size distributions and tabular results of the statistics, as determined by the particular test plan/SOP.