User Manual

iCheck
Iron

iCheck Iron is a test kit to measure Iron,

empowering you with instant results to make
confident decisions.

Quality
Guarantee
Dear customer,
Congratulations on your acquisition of a new iCheck Iron!
iCheck Iron will be your reliable partner for the iron analysis.
iCheck is a high-tech portable photometer with precise and reliable results.
iCheck is produced following strict rules of quality assurance according to ISO
9001:2008. This is accomplished by the use of high-grade components and
equipment as well as a stream-lined production process. This process includes
quality controls of each component and rigorous calibration of the device by
trained technicians.
Your iCheck Iron comes with a 2-year warranty.

If you have any questions, please contact us by calling +49 (0)33 28 35 15 000
or sending an e-mail to support@bioanalyt.com.
www.bioanalyt.com
www.facebook.com/bioanalyt
www.linkedin.com/company/bioanalyt

TOP 100 INNOVATOR 2014

Development, manufacture and sales of all BioAnalyt test kits (devices, reagent vials) are carried out in
accordance with ISO 9001:2008 and have been certied by TV NORD, Germany.

Contents
Case Content

Device Description

Instructions
Menu Functions

6 12
13 14

Software Installation

15

Data Transfer

16

Technical Data

17

Frequently Asked Questions

Power Supply

18

Measurement

19 21

General

22

USB Stick

23

Copyright 2014 by BioAnalyt

Version 1

Check your
Case Content
Your iCheck Iron is delivered in a portable case.
The items included in the case are listed below.

iCheck Iron with metal cap

USB cable for data transfer to computer

Battery charger and 4 rechargeable batteries

Stand for reagent vials

User Manual and software on USB stick

Digital balance and calibration weight

Device
Description

Measurement chamber for iCheck Iron reagent

vials with removable metal cap (not shown)
Display monitor

Measurement key

Escape key

Power key (On / Off)

USB cable mini-port for data transfer

Use the 4 keys marked with triangles to navigate the

menu structure of the device. To select an option,
press the enter key. To exit an operation or to navigate one directory up, press the escape key.

Menu navigation keys: left, right, up, down

Enter (OK) key

Not shown:
Battery compartment on the bottom side.

Instructions
Iron
1Insert the batteries

2Switch on the device

The iCheck is equipped with 4 rechargeable

batteries (AA). Please charge them fully before
device use.
Open the battery compartment in the back of the
iCheck by using a at object.

Start by placing the iCheck on a flat and stable

surface. Make sure the metal cap is covering the
measurement chamber.
Switch on your iCheck by pressing the power key.
You are automatically in the measurement mode
and you can proceed with the measurement.
Before your first measurement the monitor will
display Empty file.
IRON
Empty file

Insert the batteries as indicated.

Note:
The batteries can be recharged with the supplied
charger. It takes about 2-3 hours to fully charge an
empty battery. Charging is best performed within the
temperature range of +5 C to +45 C.

Important: iCheck must be used with charged batteries at all times even when connected to the computer
via USB cable.
6

After your first measurement your device will

display Batch 1, Sample 1.
IRON
Batch 1
Sample 1

The iCheck has an energy-saving function. 10 minutes after the last keystroke the photometer will
switch off automatically.

3Control the device

Perform calibration control of your iCheck Iron
before each measurement set. Please refer to
the section Service > Check Sensors on page
14 for instructions.

4Prepare your sample

iCheck Iron quantitatively analyzes total iron in
food samples. iCheck Iron measurement range is
1.5 - 12.0 mg/L.
If the expected concentration of your sample is
above iCheck Iron measurement range, dilute
your sample in distilled or bottled water to t the
middle of the measurement range (i.e. 5 mg/L).
Record the weight of the sample, the total diluted
sample volume and calculate the dilution factor (DF):
DF = (mL total sample volume)/(g sample weight).
Total sample volume is the nal volume of the
sample that you obtain after mixing your sample
with the water.

Weigh in your sample

Place a weighing dish on the balance and press
Z/T to 0 (tare) the weight of the dish. The display
should show 0.0 g. Now you are ready to weigh in
your sample.
Weigh in your sample and record the exact weight
in your documentation.
Next, measure and record the water volume in
your documentation.
Mix your sample and water until a homogenous suspension. Record the final total volume of your sample
solution for dilution factor calculation.
For support with dilution and calculation please contact BioAnalyt Support at support@bioanalyt.com.

Important: The iron concentration of the sample solution has to be in the measurement range of iCheck
Iron which is 1.5 - 12.0 mg/L.
7

Instructions
Iron
5Prepare the additive
The additive is supplied in the vial with red top. To
prepare the additive you need to inject 3.3 mL distilled or bottled water into the vial with dry additive.

The syringe can take up maximum 1 mL water,

therefore you need to inject 3 times 1 mL and 1
time 0.3 mL water. This will sum up to 3.3 mL.
Take up water with the syringe and place the thin
green needle on the syringe. Hold the syringe with
the needle pointing up and gently tap on it with
fingers in order to release air bubbles.
Adjust the water volume to exactly 1 mL or 0.3 mL
by ejecting excessive volume into the paper tissue.
After you injected all 3.3 mL of water shake the
vial vigorously until the additive is completely dissolved. This process may take up to 5 minutes.
NOTE:
The volume of one solubilized additive vial is sufficient
to activate approx. 15 iCheck Iron reagent vials. Solubilized additive vials can be stored up to 3 weeks at 4 C.

Important: For preparation and injection of ad-

ditive use the thin green needles supplied with
the additive vials.
8

6Activate the reagent vial

7Inject your sample

Activate the iCheck Iron reagent vial just before

analysis by injecting 0.2 mL (200 L) of additive
solution.
To do so, draw up slowly 0.2 mL additive solution
using the syringe with a thin green needle. Push
the needle through the red rubber septum of the
vial. Draw up exactly 0.2 mL of the additive solution while holding the vial upside down. Make sure
there are no air bubbles in the syringe.
Take a new iCheck Iron reagent vial and inject
0.2 mL additive solution into it. Vigorously shake
iCheck Iron reagent vial for 10 seconds. The syringe used to take up additive can be reused next
time after rinsing it twice with water.
Now let the activated reagent vial stand upright at
room temperature for 5 minutes. The color of the
activated iCheck Iron reagent vial will turn yellowish.

Mix your sample well. Use a new syringe without a

needle and take up approx. 0.6 mL of the sample.
Clean the end of the syringe with a paper tissue.
Place a thick white needle on the syringe. Hold the
syringe with needle pointing up and gently tap on
the syringe with your fingers to get the air bubbles
to move up.
Adjust the volume of the sample to exactly 0.4 mL
(400 L) by ejecting excessive volume into the paper tissue. Make sure no air bubbles are left inside.
Slowly inject 0.4 mL of the sample solution into
the activated iCheck Iron reagent vial through the
red septum using the thick (white) needle.
Vigorously shake the vial for 10 seconds.

Instructions
Iron
8Reaction time

9Check phase separation

Wait minimum 30 minutes

Let the vial with the sample stand upright at room
temperature for at least 30 minutes. Reaction time
varies for different iron source types :
ferrous sulfate 30 minutes
ferrous fumarate 60 minutes
intrinsic iron of flour 60 minutes
NaFeEDTA 6 hours at 25 C and 3 hours at 50 C.
Shake the vial every 15 minutes during the incubation
time. If iron is present in the sample, you will see a
red color develop inside the vial.

To proceed with the measurement you must observe a clear upper phase of approx. 0.8 cm.
If you do not observe a clear upper phase then
briey centrifuge the vial at low speed (approx.
300 rpm) for 1 minute.
Portable hand centrifuge can be purchased from
BioAnalyt.
When no centrifuge is available, let the vial stand
for at least 1 hour until a distinct phase separation
has occurred.

10

10Insert the vial

11Start the measurement

Press the measurement key. The device will instruct you to Insert sample.
Control the glass surface of the vial. If the glass
is not clean, wipe it with a paper tissue before
inserting into the iCheck.
Be sure to hold the iCheck reagent vial only by its
top. Insert the vial into the iCheck and cover the
vial with the metal cap.

Press the measurement key again. This will initiate

one of 8 measurements of your sample.

Important: Take care that no other objects, liquid or

dust enters the measurement chamber. This would
result in damaging the sensor and interfere with accurate measurement.

Reposition the vial

When the display indicates ...next position, the
position of the vial must be changed in order to
take another measurement.
To do this, lift the metal cap, turn the vial in the
measurement chamber and cover the vial with
metal cap again.
Press the measurement key again.
Repeat repositioning of the vial as many times as
indicated by the display.

NOTE:
Turn the vial by of a turn. Repositioning and multiple measurement of the same vial increases the
precision of your result.

11

Instructions
Iron
12Result display

14Disposal

When the sample measurement has been completed, iCheck Iron calculates the average over
the eight measurements. The result is displayed in
mg/L and indicates the total iron concentration in
the sample.
If you diluted your sample before measurement then
multiply the result with the dilution factor. For support contact BioAnalyt at support@bioanalyt.com.

Reagent vials contain hazardous chemicals and

are disposed of according to national regulations
for hazardous material. Collect the vials in a container and hand them over to a chemical waste
company. Material safety data sheet (MSDS) of
the reagent vials is provided with each shipment.
Take extra care when disposing of the used needles to prevent injury: discard used needles into
special container.

IRON

Batch 1, Sample 3
5.15 mg/L

13Data storage
For documentation purposes, iCheck Iron has an
internal memory to store up to 400 individual
measurements including such information as batch
number, sample number, date, time, and result.
For detailed description of the data transfer to a
computer please refer to the Data Transfer section.

12

Menu
Functions
By pressing the enter key you enter the menu of
iCheck Iron. Using the arrow keys you can scroll
through the different options of the menu and with
the enter key you can choose a function.
IRON
View Data
Delete Data
Transfer Data
Service

Delete data
You can select the following options:
Delete Sample
To delete an individual result.
Delete Batch
To delete a batch with several measurements.
Delete File
To delete the file with all measurements performed on the device.

Transfer data
View data
You can select the following options:
View Samples
To display individual measurement results.
View Statistics
To display the meanstandard deviation
of a specific batch.

Use this function to transfer the data from the

iCheck to your computer. Refer to the section Data
Transfer of this manual.
Note:
Data menu function is only displayed after a minimum
of one measurement. Data Transfer menu function is
only displayed after a minimum of two measurements.

13

Menu
Functions
Service
To configure your iCheck you can select the following options:
Service
Display
Date & Time
Check Sensors

Display
Set the brightness and contrast of the display.
Date & Time
Set the correct time and date of your time zone.

Check Sensors
Use this function to check the calibration of your
device. To do this cover the measurement chamber with the metal cap and select Check Sensors
with the enter key.
Control that the value displayed at 525 nm (e.g.
250) is within the range indicated in the back
of the device (e.g. OPC: 140 - 240). OPC stands
for Optical Performance Control.
If the value is within the range proceed with your
measurement. If the value is outside the indicated
range, repeat the measurement. If the value remains outside contact BioAnalyt Support at
support@bioanalyt.com for assistance.
Check Sensors
[4] 450 nm

70

[5] 525 nm

267

[6] 565 nm

105

[7] 610 nm

271

Note:
The Calibration Data of your iCheck can be provided
on request. For this contact BioAnalyt Support at
support@bioanalyt.com and provide the serial number indicated on the back of your device.

14

Software
Installation
Software installation

Software update

The data stored on your iCheck can be transferred

to a computer. To do so, install BioAnalyt Lab software which is provided on the USB stick
.
Initiate BioAnalyt Lab software set-up by doubleclicking on the Set-up icon on the USB stick. Follow the instructions on your computer and make
sure that BioAnalyt Lab is installed in the Programs directory. Create a shortcut to your desktop if you wish to. Finish installation by clicking
Finish. The driver will automatically be installed.
Upon accepting the License Agreement, a window
will pop up where you can enter your personal
information. This information can be viewed and
edited by clicking on the Settings window.

BioAnalyt Lab software can be updated by clicking on the Update window. For the program to
detect whether there are new updates available
from BioAnalyt computer must be connected to
the internet.
If your current version (e.g. 1.1.0) is dierent from
the newest version click on the Update key to
proceed with the software update.

Note:
BioAnalyt Lab software only works with Windows
operating system (XP and later versions).

15

Data
Transfer

Start BioAnalyt Lab program by double-clicking

the link on your desktop or by going to the Start
Menu >> Programs >> BioAnalyt GmbH >> BioAnalyt Lab.
Plug in your iCheck to your computer via USB
cable. A conguration window will appear after
you connect your device to the computer. Here
you can enter the information about your device.
The serial number of the device can be found on
the back of the iCheck.
Now the information about iCheck is saved on
your computer and will be displayed the next time
you connect your iCheck to your computer. This
way, information about multiple iCheck devices
can be stored on your computer.

16

To initiate data transfer click on Start Transfer.

Wait for data transfer to proceed and the sign
Data Transfer in Progress to disappear.
Now, all your data is saved and listed under Documents. You can view, save and edit this data by
clicking on the Documents window.
To save your data in CSV or EXCEL format select
the le in the Documents, select the format and
save the les to the desired location.

Technical
Data
Quality assurance
iCheck Iron is a state-of-the-art portable photometer
for measuring quantitatively iron in vitamin premix,
flour, beverages, fish and soy sauce. The iCheck is
specifically developed and equipped with innovative technology to enable technically sophisticated
measurement of absorption. iCheck Iron displays iron
concentration in mg/L.
iCheck Iron is equipped with the latest light emitting diode (LED) technology. Using LEDs as the light
source eliminates all known problems with halogen
lamps used in other readers. Modern LEDs emit particularly stable light and have very low energy consumption. Furthermore, each iCheck Iron is calibrated
at the production site in Germany with iron standards
according to quality management system. This eliminates the need for the user to calibrate the device.
Based on the half life of the LEDs, approximately 10
million measurements can be performed reliably on
iCheck. iCheck Iron is a 2-in-1 disposable reaction
vial and cuvette. iCheck Iron reagent vials contain a
patented combination of reagents developed to efficiently extract iron from the sample. One iCheck Iron
test kit consists of 100 reagent vials and 20 additive
vials each with a certified volume of reagents. No additional chemicals or equipment are required.

iCheck and iCheck Iron reagent vials are produced

according to quality management system (DIN EN
ISO 9001:2008) certied by TV Nord in Germany.
We guarantee that each vial contains the exact mixture of reagents safely sealed and crimped to ensure
a shelf-life of 12 months (at 20 - 30 C), and that your
iCheck delivers reliable results for at least 2 years.
TECHNICAL DATA
Analyte:

Ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, NaFeEDTA, intrinsic iron

Sample type:

Vitamin premixes, flour, soy- and

fish-sauce, beverages

Sample preparation:

Dilution and homogenization in

water for solids

Analysis method:

Photometric

Sample volume per analysis:

400 L (0.4 mL)

Linear range:

1.5 12.0 mg/L

Time per analysis:

45 min

Optimal measuring temperature:

20 30 C

Variation:

20 %

Method comparison:

Validated against reference

method Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS)

Staff qualification:

1 day training

Weight:

0.45 kg

Dimensions:

11 x 4 x 20 cm (W x H x L)

17

Frequently Asked
Questions
Power Supply
iCheck does not turn on.

Make sure that the batteries are fully charged. In the

lower right corner of the display a battery symbol
is shown indicating the remaining battery charge.
To recharge the batteries, place them in the charger
provided in the case, connect it to a power supply
and wait until the light turns green, indicating that
power is at 100%. Place the batteries back in the
device, switch it on. If iCheck is still not turning on,
please contact BioAnalyt Support.

May I use other batteries?

You may use other AA/2100mAh/1.2V batteries. However you cannot recharge those in the supplied charger.

18

Measurement
During Check Sensors test the value displayed is
outside the range. What should I do?

If during Check Sensors test the value is outside

of the range indicated on the back of your device,
measure again. If the value is out of the range again,
please contact BioAnalyt Support.

Do I need to calibrate iCheck Iron?

No, there is no need to calibrate iCheck Iron, because the device is calibrated during the manufacturing process and calibration is programmed into
the software.

The result I received for a sample is higher/lower

than expected. What might be the reason for this?

1. iCheck Iron variation for repeated measurements

of the same sample is below 20%. Therefore 20%
deviation from expected value is acceptable.
2. Incorrect activation of the reagent vials:
It is very important, that the exact amount of additive
is added to the reagent vials.
3. Incorrect volume:
Make sure, that exactly 400 L (0.4 mL) of sample is
injected into iCheck Iron reagent vial.
4. Make sure to take into account that the total iron
content is different from the total fortificant content (i.e. ferrous sulfate has 37% of iron and ferrous
fumarate 33%) and that there is intrinsic iron commonly present in the samples.

19

Frequently Asked
Questions
Measurement
5. The accuracy also depends on the mixing of the
sample. When measuring solid samples make sure
that you do not wait for the particles to settle down
in the water. Mix the sample and immediately take
up the suspension into the syringe.

6. The result can be additionally influenced by environment, sample preparation and skills of the operator.
7. The operator was not well trained. Contact BioAnalyt to obtain training and iCheck certification.
What might interfere with the measurement
procedure?

1. Incorrect sample extraction:

It is very important, that the extraction and phase
separation has occurred. Wait for at least 30 minutes.
2. Unclean vial surface:
Check, if the vial you used is absolutely clean and
does not have any fingerprints on it. If not, wipe the
vial with a paper tissue (optional: wet the tissue with
alcohol to improve the cleaning).

20

3. Sunlight:
Do not measure in the direct sunlight.
How should I store the reagent vials?

iCheck reagent vials must be stored upright at room

temperature and protected from direct sunlight.

Do temperature or humidity inuence the iCheck

measurements?

1. It is recommended to measure in the range of

20 - 30 C (68 - 86 Fahrenheit). Do not use iCheck at
temperatures above 40 C.
2. It is further recommended to store the iCheck
and the iCheck reagent vials at least two hours before starting the measurement in the room in which
the measurement will be performed. This procedure
ensures that both, the vials and the device have the
same temperature.
3. Humidity does not aect iCheck measurements.

What is a batch and how can I select a new batch?

For selecting a new batch press the right arrow key.

The batch function is used to group samples, e.g.
samples from 1 day or 1 region can be measured in
batch 1. If you proceed to measure the samples of a
different day or region, select a new batch (i.e. 2).

21

Frequently Asked
Questions
General
Which form of iron can be measured?

iCheck Iron measures total iron: extrinsic iron (i.e. the

fortificant) plus the intrinsic iron (i.e. natural iron).
iCheck Iron measures ferrous salts (i.e. ferrous sulfate
and ferrous fumarate) and ferric salts (i.e. NaFeEDTA
and ferric pyrophosphate). The incubation time necessary to recover ferric iron is longer when compared
to ferrous iron and can take over 3 hours. iCheck Iron
does not work for elemental or electrolytic iron.

Does the Data Transfer work with other operating

systems like Apple OSX etc.?

No, BioAnalyt Lab may only be used with Windows

Operating System.

How can iCheck Iron test kits be ordered?

An order can be placed by visiting the BioAnalyt

website www.bioanalyt.com/shop or by sending
e-mail to contact@bioanalyt.com.

Where do I get help with other questions that are

not mentioned here?

We would love to hear from you! Please send us an

e-mail at support@bioanalyt.com.
You can also join the discussion by following us via
Facebook or LinkedIn.
www.facebook.com/bioanalyt
www.linkedin.com/company/bioanalyt

22

USB Stick
Find the BioAnalyt Lab Software and further product
information on the USB stick.

measure for life

BioAnalyt GmbHRheinstrae 1714513 Teltow, GermanyT +49 (0)33 283 51 5 000
contact@bioanalyt.comwww.bioanalyt.com