AUTOMATION Flashcards by Unknown Unknown

→ 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

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→ many specimens are grouped in the same analytical
session

● BATCH ANALYSIS

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→ Transport of a quantity of analyte or reagent from one
specimen reaction into and contaminating a subsequent
one

● CARRY-OVER

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ 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

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→ A clinical laboratory workstation dedicated to a defined
task and contains appropriate lab instrumentation to carry
out that task

WORKSTATION

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● Describes the process whereby an analytical instrument
performs many tests with only minimal involvement of an
analyst

AUTOMATION

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Enable laboratories to process much larger workloads without
comparable increases in staff

AUTOMATION

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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

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First automated analyzer

Autoanalyzer by Technicon in 1957

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Continuous-flow, single-channel, sequential batch analyzer
→ Single test result on approximately _______ samples per hour

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Made by Dupont now known as ___________

Siemens

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(ACA) means __________

Automated Clinical Analyzer

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Production of thin film analysis technology

1976

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Kodak Ektachem (now Vitros) Analyzer (now Ortho-clinical
diagnostics) in ________

1978

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minimum time from initial sampling to the
production of a result

Dwell time:

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maximum number of test results than can be
produced by an analyzer in a given time period usually an
hour

Throughput:

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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

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● 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