Scintillation Counter Purchase Decision

2015-01-13

azim58 - Scintillation Counter Purchase Decision

Basically there are only 2 types of counters we're interested in:

PerkinElmer TopCount
PerkinElmer Microbeta Trilux

There are lot's of other instruments, but these are basically the only 2
that accept a plate format which we will need.
Deciding between the TopCount and the Trilux is actually a very difficult
decision. Basically, the Trilux seems a little better, but is more
expensive.

Trilux Advantages
-2 PMT (photo multiplier tubes) for "true coincidence counting"
-TopCount just has 1 detector and uses some time-resolved algorithms to
determine which signals are actually real signals.
-Accepts plates or 4 mL scintillation vials
-More sensitive than TopCount

This paper (Comparison of benchtop microplate beta counters with the
traditional gamma counting method for measurement of chromium-51 release
in cytotoxic assays) found that TopCount with Lumaplates was the least
sensitive, while Trilux with scintillation fluid was the most sensitive
(a dedicated gamma counter was slightly more sensitive than this).

TopCount Advantages
-Many plates can be stacked into the instrument at once
-Seems more common (everyone else knows how to use it and can help us)

If we decide that the TopCount is the way to go, then I think a $9,995
TopCount in good condition from 2001 with 12 detectors is our very best
option. Our current broken TopCount is from 1992 and only has 2 detectors.

There's basically 2 companies that have used scintillation Counters.
-Biosurplus (from the Bay area; they have a lot of equipment from
downsizing Biotech companies)
-American Laboratory Trading (from Connecticut)

Here are the quotes from the two companies.

"C:\Users\kurtw_000\Documents\kurt\storage\CIM Research Folder\DR\2014\01-18-2014d1351\wikispaces download 01-18-2014d1351\01-18-2014d1352\Counter_Quotes.PNG"
"C:\Users\kurtw_000\Documents\kurt\storage\CIM Research Folder\DR\2014\01-18-2014d1351\wikispaces download 01-18-2014d1351\01-18-2014d1352\Counter_Comparison.PNG"

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