has part flow cell flow cytometer A flow_cytometer is an instrument for counting, examining and sorting microscopic particles in suspension. It allows simultaneous multiparametric analysis of the physical and/or chemical characteristics of single cells flowing through an optical and/or electronic detection apparatus. A flow cytometer is an instrument that can be used to quantitatively measure the properties of individual cells in a flowing medium. FACS Calibur John Quinn flow cytometer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_cytometer light source obscuration bar optical filter photodetector cytometer droplet sorter ready for release