Powerful, intuitive software
The Attune Cytometric Software is designed to provide powerful data acquisition and analysis using an intuitive user-friendly interface. Experiment settings can easily be set up, optimized, customized, and saved for future studies. Voltration and compensation are automated and can be set up using a guide. The software is designed to maximize efficiency in performing data analysis, with fast refresh rates for large data sets (up to 20 million events per sample) with the ability to immediately visualize changes on data plots as you make adjustments.
The software has unique tools to simplify experimental setup, including reagent selection using the filter configuration manager. This provides guidance for matching the right reagent to the optimized channel on the instrument by selecting reagents from a drop-down menu of prepopulated or customized reagents, which is then applied to plot labels.
Image processing with the Attune Cytometric Software version 6.21
The Attune Cytometric Software version 6.21 enables high throughput automated image processing of brightfield images generated on the Attune CytPix flow cytometer. High resolution brightfield images provide more descriptive features about cells or particles of interest such as size, complexity, texture, and shape, that have previously not been available in tandem with fluorescence and scatter parameters. The software employs machine learning models that are pre-trained using leukocytes and beads to automate image processing and generate large measurement datasets rapidly from thousands of Attune CytPix images. These datasets are provided to the user as distinct image-derived parameters for plotting against fluorescence or scatter data and back-gating with images. You can choose to gate your samples using these parameters to improve gating strategy, verify sample quality, delineate complex samples and develop new applications.
| Intensity features |
| Maximum Intensity |
| Minimum Intensity |
| Total Intensity |
| Average Intensity |
| Intensity Standard Deviation |
| Intensity %CV |
| Intensity Skewness |
| Intensity Kurtosis |
| Intensity Entropy |
| Shape features |
| Area (µm2) |
| Perimeter Area (µm) |
| Circularity (%) |
| Pseudo Diameter (µm) |
| Major Axis (µm) |
| Minor Axis (µm) |
| Minor to Major Axis Ratio (%) |
| Eccentricity (%) |
| System Features |
| On Border |
| Confidence Score |
| Processed |
| Processable |
| Object Features |
| Particle/Cell Count |
| Pixel Features |
| Pixel Count |
The image analysis feature of the Attune Cytometric Software 6.21 is intuitive to use, and can be managed in a user defined queue. The system can process images at speeds up to 1,000 images/second, depending on size and complexity of images. Image-derived data can be exported into the FCS files.
Software features
Core capabilities
- Compensation—fully automated and manual compensation
- Instrument tracking—automated baseline and performance test for all channels and linearity
- Traceability—21 CFR part 11 option for flow cytometry data security, auditing, and electronic signature capabilities
- File formats—FCS 3.0 and FCS 3.1
Maintenance
- Automated maintenance—startup (<15 min), shutdown, rinse, wash, debubble, deep clean, monthly decontamination
- User account maintenance—administrative and individual accounts with user log
Visualization
- Image gallery view of imaged events
- Back-gating of images onto flow plots
- Visualize images from specific gate
- Gates—standard and customizable gates
- Plot previews—easy workspace setup
- Zoom filmstrip viewer—easy visualization and navigation of plots to set gates and plot attributes
- Graphics resolution—publication-quality images (customizable)
Image processing with ACS 6.2.1 & Attune CytPix flow cytometer
- Automated image processing of more than 25 image parameters
- Choice of 3 processing models
- Correlate image parameters with standard flow cytometric fluorescence and scatter parameters
Compensation tools
Compensation for spectral overlap between fluorescence channels is both rapid and accurate using a guided software system. The software streamlines the compensation process by performing automated voltration with Baseline Functional Response with Attune™ Performance Tracking beads providing starting points for voltages that can still be adjusted if desired. The system adjusts the compensation and applies it to the samples so that you only need to prepare the proper controls and adjust the voltage gates.
Automated compensation supports both negative and unstained parameters and allows you to set up and collect compensation controls directly from a plate if needed. This automation eliminates trial and error and delivers compensation rapidly and accurately. In addition, on-plot compensation controls allow for fine tuning, and compensation can be subsequently modified should you need to add or remove parameters after setup.
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Optional 21 CFR Part 11 Software
The FDA released the Electronic Records and Signatures Rule, known as 21 CFR Part 11 in August 1997.* This rule defines the requirements for use of electronic documents in place of paper documents. The law specifies the system elements, controls, and procedures that are necessary to ensure the reliability of electronically stored records.
This software license for the Attune acoustic focusing cytometers supports compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 FDA guidelines for Security, Auditing, and Electronic Signatures using a SAE console. The Attune 21 CFR software is available for use only for flow cytometry data on Windows 10 computers.
* https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/part-11-electronic-records-electronic-signatures-scope-and-application#i (accessed February 27, 2020)
The software enables the administrator to restrict access to authorized personnel via user ID and password.
The software allows the administrator to set expiration duration for both passwords and user IDs. In addition, the system will log users out after established duration of inactivity.
ID and password must be re-entered to sign or modify a record.
Event notification automatically records and reports any forgery attempts in the administrator dashboard.
The software lets the administrator set access and manipulation controls at a granular level over various software functions and options using user role definitions.
Auditing features track actions performed by users and changes to the Security Auditing Electronic signatures (SAE) module settings. The SAE module automatically audits some actions silently. This allows the administrator to audit specific user actions and specify the audit mode, as well as generate reports of audited user actions, SAE module changes, software, and instrument activity.
An electronic signature determines if users are required to fulfill signature requirements before performing specific functions. The software allows administrators to configure an e-signature so that a given user can start a run only if the associated data are signed. In addition, settings allow for an e-signature to be set so that multiple signatures are required and that only specified roles can sign.
A Sign Record feature allows records to be signed on demand.
An e-signature sign record is prepared by creating a PDF preview.
Subsequently the Sign Report is prepared for signature.
The experiment is signed and user is notified that subsequent edits will obsolesce the e-signature.
Request Signature allows the user to request an e-signature.
E-signature request alerts ensure that signatures are assigned to your documents.
The approver is notified of e-signature request at login and may view pending signatures. The approver may sign the report and designate the reasons for signature.
Advanced data analysis software
In collaboration with De Novo Software, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers FCS Express Flow Cytometry Analysis Software. FCS Express software gets you from raw data to easily understandable, beautifully formatted, presentation-ready results more easily and in less time than any other flow cytometry software. This product consists of a one-year license for FCS Express software obtained via digital download.
FCS Express software features include:
- Fully integrated analysis, statistics, graphing, and reporting
- Microsoft Office inspired interface that makes learning easy, while integrated spreadsheets and direct high-resolution exports save you from using multiple software tools to achieve a final, publication-ready result
- Full support for Attune instruments that helps ensure a seamless transition from instrument acquisition to final result
- Dedicated and knowledgeable support team with less than 24-hour response times
Additional software licenses
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.