Automation
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naveentni007Automation
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naveentni007AUTOMATION
OBJECTIVES
1. Define automation
2. List the uses of automation in clinical lab
3. Automation at each step of analysis
4. Different types of auto analyzers
5. Advantages and disadvantages of
automation
AUTOMATION
International union of pure and applied chemistry
(IUPAC) define automation as “The replacement of
human manipulative effort and facilities in the
performance of a given process by mechanical and
instrumental devices that are regulated by feedback
of information so that an apparatus is self-monitoring
or self adjusting”
Automation in clinical laboratory is a process by
which analytical instruments perform many tests with
the least involvement of an analyst.
In a clinical laboratory set up automation is
useful in
1.Clinical Biochemistry
Routine parameter-Sugar, urea, creatinine
etc
Immunochemistry-Harmones, tumour
markers etc
2. Pathology-hematology- CBP-cell counters
3.Microbiology- immunological assay- ELISA,
CLIA, IFA, viral antigens , antibodies etc.
Daily processing of large number of samples
etc.
Usefulness of automation in advanced and
well equipped clinical laboratory can be also
extended
1. Transport of specimen
2. Processing of specimen
3. Loading of specimen into auto analyzer
4. Assessment of results of performed tasks
The analytic process can be divided into three
major phases—
preanalytic,
analytic,
Postanalytic.
Substantial improvements have occurred in all
three areas during the past decade.
The analytic phase is the most automated, and
more research and development efforts are
focusing on increasing automation of the
preanalytic and postanalytic processes.
USES
Reduction - variability of results
-Errors of analysis
Avoidance-
-Manual- boredom or inattention
Improved reproducibility-Quality
improvement
Minimize errors
Use less sample and reagent
Good analytical methods
Effective QA program
Cost Effectiveness -Increase the number of tests
by one person in a given period of time
STEPS
Individualsteps – “Unit operations”
Specimen acquisition
Specimen Identification.
Specimen delivery to lab.
Specimen preparation.
Specimen Loading and aspiration.
Reagent handling and storage.
Reagent delivery.
Chemical reaction Phase.
Measurement approaches.
Signal processing , data handling and
process control.
SPECIMEN ACQUISITION
Zivonovic and Davis –Robotic
System.
-Flat headed probe – location of vein.
-Automatic needle withdrawal.
ZIVONOVIC AND DAVIS –ROBOTIC
SYSTEM
FLAT HEADED PROBE – LOCATION OF
VEIN.
SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION
Labeling , Bar-coding ,Optical character
recognition, Magnetic stripe, Radio frequency
identification, Touch screen, Optical Mark
Reader, Etc.
Bar-coding – Technology of choice.
Maintained throughout
-Transport
-Analysis
-Reporting.
Ensures- integrity
of the specimen
identity
SPECIMEN DELIVERY TO LAB.
Courier
Pneumatic tube system
Electric track vehicles
Mobile robots
SPECIMEN PREPARATION.
After centrigation
1.Assay system-Directly sample is put in the
Analyzer or whole blood
Specimen preparation time-Elimination
Eg. ISE- with in minutes
2.Application of whole blood to dry reagent
films.
Visual
Instrumental observation (Quantitative)
SPECIMEN LOADING AND ASPIRATION.
Loading of Specimens- correct sequence as per loading list
Automatic Specimen Identification- Reposition of Specimens
Loading- Second run (Separate tray)
Provision of Continuous loading.
Ideal/ Desirable features: (STAT Mode)
New sample insertion at anytime/ all the times. Ahead of
already running sample
Timely analysis -Emergency samples.
REAGENT HANDLING AND STORAGE.
Liquid reagents-Plastic/glass containers.
System Packs-No refill
Mostly single reagent
Impregnated slides/Strips
Electrodes Storage
Refrigeration
Reagent storage compartment(40- 100 C)
Stable 2-12 months.
HITACHI 902 ANALYZER
REAGENT DELIVERY.
Peristaltic pumps
Syringes Devices
Washing and Flushing facility
CHEMICAL REACTION PHASE.
Chemical Reaction=Specimen + Reagent Issues of
concern in designing Analyzer.
1.Vessel- Reaction occurs, Cuvet- reaction
monitored.
2.Timing of reaction
3.Mixing and transport of reactants .
4.Thermal conditioning of fluids.
Types of reaction vessels and cuvettes:
Continuous flow systems- Tube- Flow container -
Cuvet
Discrete Systems
-
1. Individual (Dispensable/Reusable) Reaction
vessels. -Transported
2. Stationary reaction chamber Cuvets – Reusable /
Disposable
-Simplification
-Avoid carry over
-Superior plastic (Acrylic & polyvinyl chloride)
MEASUREMENT APPROACHES.
Chemistry Analyzer-
- Photometers
-Spectrophotometer
Alternative Approaches-
- Reflectance Photometry
-Fluorometry
Immunoassay:
-Florescence
-Chemilluminiscence
-Electro chemilluminiscence
Electrolytes:
ISE- Electrochemical
SIGNAL PROCESSING , DATA
HANDLING AND PROCESS CONTROL
Computers-Integral Components -Analysis
-Reporting Process -Control of Data inputs
-Monitoring -Data Reporting
Work Station- Integration
Interphasing of individual Analyzer.
Acquisition
Processing of Analytical Data
Software (Sophisticated)
Monitoring & Integration
Accept test order,
Monitoring of testing process
Assisting with process quality
Review and verification of results.
Display of L J Chart.
Troubleshoot monitoring
Auto verification of results.
HITACHI 902 ANALYZER
DRY CHEMICAL ANALYZERS
Dry chemical methods utilize reagent slides
that are composed of several layers which may
include:
• 1-spreading layer
• 2-scavenger layer
• 3-reagent layer(s)
• 4-plastic or support layer
• - The reagent layer(s) contains; enzymes,
dye precursor, and buffers necessary for the
analysis of a specific component.
• A dry chemical method to determine
sodium, potassium, chloride, and
carbon dioxide (electrolytes) has
been introduced which employs ion-
selective electrodes (ISE) that are
joined by a paper bridge:
Uses
1.- Widely used in many clinical
laboratories.
2.- Many offer the ability for the
operator to include his own test
procedures (open system).
Examples; The Hitachi group of analyzers (Hitachi
717, Hitachi 917), The Technicon RA 1000.
Advantages
- Uses dry chemistry hence incurring minimum
storage costs.
- ISE has a major advantage which allows a sample
to be analysed for electrolytes separately even when
the analyser is analysing a batch of other samples
for various other tests.
WITH AUTOMATION THERE IS
STILL SOME VERY BASIC STEPS
Specimen preparation and Identification
Labeling still critical
Programming of instrument
Laboratory personnel must perform and
observe:
Quality Assurance
Quality Control
TOTAL LABORATORY AUTOMATION
SELECTION PROCESS
What is your lab’s workload like?
Discrete or large batch testing?
Single instrument or multiples?
Storage of reagents
Need refrigeration or freezing?
expense
Kept at room temperature until
reconstituted
ADVANTAGES TO AUTOMATING
PROCEDURES
-Increase
the number of tests
performed by one individual in a
given time period (short turn
around time)....speeds up the
result .
- Human factor is decreased
during the mechanical and
repetitive part of an assay as
labor is an expensive commodity
Tominimize the variation in
results from one individual to
another (for accuracy, coefficient
of variation is reduced hence the
reproducibility increases).
-Thequality of patients test
results is monitored continuously
for improvement of testing
process.
Automation eliminates the
potential errors of manual
analyses (volumetric pipetting steps,
calculation of results, and transcription of
results ,human error is reduced).
Instrumentscan use very small
amounts of samples and reagents
subsequently (decreases the cost
of consumable)
DISADVANTAGES
Monitoring is necessary
Not cost effective
Low work load doesn’t serve purpose and
proves costly
Software integrity is needed equipment
based training is necessary.
• Increase in our work load ?
• Tackling increase work load ?
• Quality Result Reporting ?
• Error Prevention ?
• Complete control ?
• Improve TAT ?
• Adding new assays ?
• Stream lining the processes ?
• Improving Services ?
• Over coming shortage trained technicians ?
•
• Single Answer is -Automation