Clinical Auto-Analyzers: 3 Stage Advance Lab. Techniques Assist. Lec. Ahmed Alturki
Clinical Auto-Analyzers: 3 Stage Advance Lab. Techniques Assist. Lec. Ahmed Alturki
Clinical Auto-Analyzers: 3 Stage Advance Lab. Techniques Assist. Lec. Ahmed Alturki
ANALYZERS
theory
3rd stage
Advance Lab. Techniques
Principle of detection:
Detection is by measuring absorbency by
spectrophotometer through a continuous flow cuvet (cell)
at a certain wavelength.
When there is no sample, the sampler probe is placed in
distilled water to avoid blockages, clogging and
precipitation.
More sophisticated continuous flow analyzers use parallel
single channels to run multiple tests on one sample.
For single channel machines, results are plotted on a dot
blot to check for possible systemic or random errors.
For more sophisticated multi channel machines, computers
are used to store and analyze data and result may be reported
to appropriate units via intranet.
Uses:
Multi channel machines are used for certain test profiles (e.g.
liver function tests and lipid function tests) for a single
sample.
Single channel machines may be used for frequently
requested independent analysis e.g. blood glucose.
Disadvantages:
The machine does not allow test selection; all tests must be
performed even if not requested.
Cont…..disadvantages of continuous flow auto-analyzer
Mixing of sample and reagent occurs when the rotor holding the cuvette is spun
at high speed (4000 rpm) and then sudden stop. The spinning causes the
sample to be added to the reagent while the turbulence caused by sudden stop
results in mixing of sample and reagent.
After mixing, the rotor is spun at 1000 rpm. The reaction mixture is pushed
horizontally to the bottom of the cuvette.
Principle of detection:
It has clear transparent sides for spectrophotometric measurement.
Advantages:
Rapid test performance analyzing multiple samples. Batch analysis is a major
advantage because reactions in all cuvettes are read simultaneously
Cont….advantages of centrifugal analyzer
Requires small sample (as little as 2L of plasma, serum, urine or whole blood).
Disadvantages:
Principle:
Non-continuous flow using random access fluid which is a hydrofluorocarbon
Liquid to reduce surface tension between samples/reagents and their tubing
And therefore reduce carry over.
Discrete analyzers have the capability to run multiple tests one sample at a
time or multiple samples one test at a time. They are the most versatile analyzers.
Each sample is treated differently according to the tests requested and programmed
by the operator:
Sample is aspirated by the auto sampler from the sample cup and placed in the
reaction cuvet. This sampler is programmed or adjusted to reach a prescribed
depth in those cups to maximize use of available sample.
Mixing of sample and reagents may be achieved by several methods such as:
a)-Spinning of the cuvet at high speed followed by sudden stop.
b)-Introducing the reagent into the cuvet by jet action.
c)-Introducing air bubbles into the cuvet.
Advantages:
These machines are robust and produce reliable results with minimum problems.
These are high throughput machines that can analyze up to 75 samples or more in one go
for single or multiple testing
Results are directly sent to the clinics via compatible computer system
Printers are attached for printing hard-copy and error charts for the control samples
Dis-advantages:
These analyzers are expensive to purchase
Light is passed from beneath the support or plastic layer and is directed
through the reagent layer (s).
As the light hits the white spreading layer, some of the light reflects back
through the reagent layer(s) to a photocell while some is absorbed.
Scavenger layer
Reagent layer(s)
Support layer