AUTOMATION

HISTORY OF AUTOMATED ANALYZERS

Automated systems that are commonly used in clinical chemistry laboratories today are Aeroset and ARCHITECT analyzers (Abbott Laboratories), Advia analyzers (Siemens), Synchron analyzers (Beckman Coulter), Dimension analyzers (Siemens), AU analyzers (Olympus), Vitros analyzers (OrthoClinical Diagnostics),and several Roche analyzer lines

open system

operators can purchase reagent from any company

centrifugal analysis

uses the force generated by centrifugation to transfer and then contain liquids in separate cuvette for measurement at the perimeter of a spinning rotor. ➢ most capable of running multiple samples, one test at a time, in a batch. ➢ 30 samples

SMA-6 and SMA-12

were analyzers with multiple channels (for different tests), working synchronously to produce 6 or 12 test results simultaneously at the rate of 360 or 720 tests per hour.

Advantages to automating procedures

▪ to increase the number of tests performed by one laboratorian in a given period ▪ to minimize the variation in results from one laboratorian to another ▪ automation eliminates the potential errors of manual analyses such as volumetric pipetting steps, calculation of results, and transcription of results. ▪ instruments can use very small amounts of samples and reagents.

Laboratory automation 1950s

- to reduce lab result times and eliminate human mistakes; is an instrument or set of instruments that standardize workflow in a clinical laboratory by accepting, processing, and resulting specimens.

IDENTIFICATION AND PREPARATION

1. Sample identification This is usually done by reading the barcode. This information can be entered manually 2. Determine test(s) to perform The LIS communicates to the analyzer which test(s) have been ordered. 3. Reagent systems and delivery One or more reagents can be dispensed into the reaction cuvette. 4. Specimen measurement and delivery A small aliquot of the sample is introduced into the reaction cuvette. 5. Chemical reaction phase The sample and reagents are mixed and incubated 6. Measurement phase Optical readings may be initiated before or after all reagents have been added. 7. Signal processing and data handling The analyte concentration is estimated from a calibration curve that is stored in the analyzer. 8. Send result(s) to LIS The analyzer communicates results for the ordered tests to the LIS.

Automatic Clinical Analyzer (ACA) (DuPont [now Siemens]).

It was the first non continuous flow, discrete analyzer as well as the first instrument to have random access capabilities, whereby stat specimens could be analyzed out of sequence from the batch as needed. Plastic test packs, positive patient identification, and infrequent calibration were among the unique features of the ACA.

continuous flow centrifugal analysis discrete analysis

THREE BASIC APPROACHES WITH INSTRUMENTS:

Preanalytic (sample processing) Analytic (chemical analyses) Postanalytic (data management)

THREE PHASES OF THE LABORATORY TESTING PROCESS TOTAL LABORATORY AUTOMATION (TLA)

The use of automation in clinical laboratories

The use of automation in clinical laboratories enables us to perform many tests by analytical instruments with minute use of an analyst.

Ion Exchange, Heating Incubation and recording of signal.

There are different apparatus for different functions such as ____________ The major uses is for batch analysis such as liver profile, lipid profile, renal profile assay etc.

Discrete analyzers

is the separation of each sample and accompanying reagents in a separate container. ➢ have the capability of running multiple tests one sample at a time or multiple samples one test at a time. ➢They are the most popular and versatile analyzers and have almost completely replaced continuous-flow and centrifugal analyzers.

Specimens include blood samples and bodily fluids to test hematology, chemistry, molecular, anatomic pathology,& microbiology samples.

specimens under automation

principle of continuous

the flowing carrier solution passes through small tubes continuously.

AutoAnalyzer" (AA)

was a continuous-flow, single channel, sequential batch analyzer capable of providing a single test result on approximately 40 samples per hour Simultaneous Multiple Analyzer (SMA) series.

closed system

➢ operators buy chemicals only from particular company ➢ certain reagents has its unique containers or format prescribed by manufacturers ➢ high degree of automation