AUTOMATION IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY  Continuous Flow Analyses

 Machine systems that incorporate Ex : Technician Autoanalyzer

continuously monitoring of the product
(information), with the results of the Typical Feature:
checking process used to control the  Continuous pumping of samples
entire process. and reagents using peristaltic
 Operates in the principle of "feedback" pumps
 Automatic analyzers do the following:  Protein removal by dialysis
1. Control the following operations  Segmentation of sample and
 Sampling reagent streams, separation
 Addition of reagents of one sample for the next by
 Photometric and oher mmts. air bubbles.
 Calibration  Flow through cuvettes un
 Calculation of results interferences filter
photometer
 Self-checking and other diagnostic  Recorder read-out (basic
processes systems) collated patient
 Error detection reports in latest symptoms
 Curve fitting programs for true (SMAC)
kinetic enzyme systems  Modular design
 Quality control processes
(calibration curves and quality  Discrete Analysis
 Each specimen is handled as a
control values)
separate process in its own
reaction vessel
 Upper surface of disk are concentric rings
 A logical replacement of manual
of shaped cavities
processes in the Clin. Chem Lab.
 Centrifugal force transfers and mixes the  Test or combiantion of tests can
reagents and samples and transfers them be presented using a keyboard.
into the cuvettes  Computer determines the
 Each cuvette is read by the photometric sequence in shich the various
system every 130 milliseconds tests will be run.
 Small volumes required (60-500)
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC ANALYZERS
 Technician continuous flow system  Discrete Analyzers with
 Discrete analyzers Discretionary Ability
 Centrifugal analyzers Examples:
 Thin-fil analyzers  Beckman Astra4 4'
Astra 8 analyzers
An analyzer may be  American Monitor
 Discretionary KDA
 Non Discretionary  DuPont ACA
1. The test or tests to be (Automatic Clinical
run on each sample can Analyzers)
be predetermined or
every sample can be  Test or combination of tests
processed for a test or can be preselected using a
series of tests keyboard
  Computer determines the  Each cuvette is read by the
sequence in which the photometric system every 130
various tests will be run milliseconds
 Small volumes (60-500)
 Thin Film Analyses

 Discrete Analyzers without specific 1. Example: - Kodak "Ektachem"

Discretionary Ability
Examples:  Unique due to the following
 Abbott ABA -100 features:
Bichromatic Analyzer  Only fluid used is the sample
 ABA -200  Exact measurement replaced
 VP Analyzer by drop wise dispensing
 Gilford Clinical  Transmission
Chemistry Analyzers spectrophotometry replaced
by reflectance
 Reaction vessels and cuvettes spectrophotometry
are combined into a single  Utilizes a square chip with several
dsposable plastic layers
compartment molding  Completely discretionary
 Uses ultra micro volumes (5µl)  10µl sample needed
 Absorbance readings taken at  Suitable for pediatric analysis 60-
two wavelenths 500mciroliter)
 Very sensitive (0.00015
absorbance)

 Centrifugal Analysers
Examples:
 ENI GeMSAEC Automatic Fast
Analyzer
 Rotochem II
 Centrichem

 Operate usinf the GeMSAEC

principle (National Institute of
General Medical Science and the
U.S Atom Energy Commission)
 The heart of the system is a thick
Telefon roto disc which can be spun
at high speed
 Upper surface of disk are concentrc
rings of shaped cavities
 Centrifugal force transfers and
mixes the reagents and samples
and transfers them into the
cuvettes