Abstract: Environmental containment methods (16) for a flow cytometer (21) which provide an adjustably controllable environment in which biological particles can be differentiated and droplets separated into collection containers (15).

Abstract: A sample carrier system (1) with spatially adjustable configuration provides variable positioning as to the relative location of a plurality of sample containment elements (1). In a preferred embodiment, a slidably reconfigurable sampling system in which a matrix type, row-by-row arrangement of receptacles or sample retention elements (1) for specimen carriers such as cuvettes, test tubes and beakers, or the like (40), or for samples (41), may be reconfigured into a substantially linear arrangement of individual specimen carriers along with the entrained material contents, providing more accurate testing processes and more reliable test results.