AUTOMATION Flashcards
→ An analytical instrument performs many tests with only
minimal involvement of an analyst
→ also defined as the controlled operation of an apparatus,
process, or system by mechanical or electronic devices
without human intervention
AUTOMATION
→ many specimens are grouped in the same analytical
session
● BATCH ANALYSIS
→ Transport of a quantity of analyte or reagent from one
specimen reaction into and contaminating a subsequent
one
● CARRY-OVER
→ each specimen in a batch passes through the same
continuous stream at the same rate and is subjected to the
same analytical reactions
CONTINUOUS FLOW ANALYSIS
→ Sample is aspirated into the sample probe and then is
delivered, often with reagent, through the same orifice into
a reaction cup or another container
● DISCRETE ANALYSIS
→ Each specimen is subjected to multiple analytical
processes so that a set of test results is obtained on a
single specimen similar to random access analysis
● MULTIPLE CHANNEL ANALYSIS
→ Type of analysis in which all specimens are subjected to a
series of analytical processes at the same time and in a
parallel fashion
● PARALLEL ANALYSIS
→ most common configuration of an automated analyzer;
analyses are performed on a collection of specimens
sequentially and each specimen is analyzed for a different
selection of tests
● RANDOM ACCESS ANALYSIS
→ Type of analysis in which each specimen in a batch enters
the analytical process one after another and each result or
set of results emerges in the same order as the specimens
are entered
● SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS
→ Type of analysis in which each specimen is subjected to a
single process so that only results for a single analyte are
produced; similar to batch analysis
● SINGLE-CHANNEL ANALYSIS
→ The number of specimens processed by an analyzer
during a given period of time, or the rate at which an
analytical system processes specimens
THROUGHPUT
→ A clinical laboratory workstation dedicated to a defined
task and contains appropriate lab instrumentation to carry
out that task
WORKSTATION
● Describes the process whereby an analytical instrument
performs many tests with only minimal involvement of an
analyst
AUTOMATION
Enable laboratories to process much larger workloads without
comparable increases in staff
AUTOMATION
Automation used for:
Used for:
→ Test performance
→ Processing and transport of specimens
→ Loading of specimens into automated analyzers
→ Assessing the results of the tests performed
TPLA
First automated analyzer
Autoanalyzer by Technicon in 1957
Continuous-flow, single-channel, sequential batch analyzer
→ Single test result on approximately _______ samples per hour
40
Made by Dupont now known as ___________
Siemens
(ACA) means __________
Automated Clinical Analyzer
Production of thin film analysis technology
1976
Kodak Ektachem (now Vitros) Analyzer (now Ortho-clinical
diagnostics) in ________
1978
minimum time from initial sampling to the
production of a result
Dwell time:
maximum number of test results than can be
produced by an analyzer in a given time period usually an
hour
Throughput:
Employs an integrated track system that links all the
laboratory workstations together to create a continuous
comprehensive network that automates almost all the steps
involved in laboratory testing
Total Laboratory Automation
● To automate specific sections of the process that are still
manual operations
Stand-Alone Systems
→ all samples are loaded at the same time and a single test
is conducted on each sample
→ Most common, better, and more efficient
Batch analysis
The sample flow through a common reaction vessel or
pathway
Continuous flow analyzer
___________ is used to promote color development or
the completion of enzymatic reaction
→ Most CFA are colorimetric!
oil heating bath
Kodak ektachem
Vitros
Analyzer
Ortho-clinical diagnostics
Dupont
Siemens
No automation or standalone
More staff
Partial automation or modular
moderate amount of stalff
Total laboratory automation
fewest staff
● The sample flow through a common reaction vessel or
pathway
Continuous flow analyzer
→ Uniformity in the performance of tests: SAME REACTION
PATH
● Advantages
→ Significant carryover problems and wasteful use of
continuously following reagents
● Disadvantages
● Samples travel through the instrument in its own reaction
vessel
● Each test reaction takes place in a separate compartment
that is either cleaned out or disposed of after used
● Have the capability of running multiple tests one sample at a
time or multiple samples one test at a time
Discrete Analyzer
This is usually done by reading the bar code. This information can be also entered manually.
Sample identification
The LIS communicates to the analyzer which test have been ordered
Determine tests to perform
One or more reagents can be dispensed into the reaction cuvette
Reagent systems and delivery
A small aliquot of the sample is introduced into the reaction to cuvette
Specimen measurement and delivery
The sample and reagents are mixed and incubated
Chemical reaction phase
Optical readings may be initiated before or after all reagents have been added
Measurement phase
The analyte concentration is estimated from a calibration curve that is stored in the analyzer
Signal processing and data handling
The analyzer to communicates results for the ordered tests to the LIS
send results to LIS
→ Not common before especially when needed for
confirmatory
Courier service
→ Not used as often because it has problems
▪ Mechanical problems in the switching process have
been known to cause misrouting of carriers
▪ Prone to hemolysis due to the sudden acceleration and
deceleration and use of proper packing material
● Pneumatic tube systems
→ Larger carrying capacity than pneumatic tube systems
→ Not associated with problems such as damage to
specimens caused by acceleration or deceleration forces
● Electric Track Vehicles
→ Delivery of specimens to lab benches by a mobile robot is
usually more frequent than human pickup and has been
shown to be cost-effective
● Mobile robots
● Circular carousels or rectangular racks as specimen
containers
Specimen Loading and Aspiration
These machines for specimen loading and
aspiration offer cap-piercing technology
UniCell Analyzer
→ Also has cap-piercing technology
Hematology Analyzers (Sysmex and Pentra)
The reagent layer contains enzymes, dye precursor, and
buffers necessary for the analysis of a specific component
→ Sample, control, or standard is deposited on the spreading
layer
→ Selected components are allowed to penetrate to the
reaction layer which in turn activate the dehydrated
reagents
Dry chemistry slide
sample is distributed evenly
→ Spreading Layer
filters out substances that interfere
with results
Scavenger layer;
reagent reacts with sample
reagent layer
reacted sample collects for spectral
analysis
Indicator layer
: optical interference, serves as exit slit.
→ Support layer
→ Keep all reagents refrigerated until the moment of need
and then quickly preincubate them to reaction
temperature or store them in a refrigerated compartment
on the analyzer that feeds directly to the dispensing area
→ Provides reagents in a dried, tablet form and reconstitute
them when the test is to be run
→ Manufacture the reagent in two stable components that will
be combined at the moment of reaction
● Techniques of Preservation
→ Syringes, driven by a stepping motor, pipet the reagents
into reaction containers
→ Piston-driven pumps, connected by tubing, may also
dispense reagents
→ Use of pressurized reagent bottles connected by tubing to
dispensing valves
● Reagent Delivery Techniques
▪ Forceful dispensing, magnetic stirring, vigorous lateral
displacement, rotating paddle or ultrasonic energy
▪ Hardest to automate
Mixing
▪ Uses a very high reagent-to-sample ratio
→ Separation
− The sample will then be very diluted:
− Any turbidity caused by any precipitated protein will
not be sensed by the spectrophotometer
− Shorten reaction time to eliminate slower-reacting
interferents
Separation
Testing processes should be at 37C
▪ Heating bath: maintain the required temperature of the
reaction mixture
▪ Provides the delay necessary to allow complete color
development
▪ Components: heat-transfer medium, heating element,
and thermoregulator
→ Incubation
▪ Completion of reaction
▪ Rate at which the reaction is proceeding
→ Reaction time
