A lab analyzer is a medical instrument that measures a biological sample (often blood) to determine its characteristics. An automated analyzer fulfills this role with minimal human interference or assistance. Analyzers are often used to help diagnose disease by measuring chemicals and characteristics in blood or other fluids collected from the human body. Here’s a brief overview of how these remarkable machines work and the benefits they offer.
Types of Automatic Analyzers
There are different types of lab analyzers, including hematology and immuno-based. Hematology analyzers are used to perform coagulation tests and blood counts. To perform coagulation tests, the machine measures the sample blood’s ability to clot. It uses a variety of tests to do this, including Prothrombin times, Partial thromboplastin times, D dimer assays and others. To classify and quantify a blood sample from a laboratory-grade syringe such as the hamilton 81320, an analyzer uses either an optical or electrical detection technique. An optical detection technique can reveal information about white cell populations. This technique sends a dilute cell suspension through a flow cell. The flow cell pushes single cells through a capillary tube. As the cells travel through the tube, they pass by a laser beam. As light scatters and reflects off the cells, it’s analyzed with advanced software and provides a numerical estimate of the white cell population.
Immuno-based analyzers are used to detect reactions and certain substances. Antibodies are often used in this type of analyzer to create and measure antibody-antigen reactions. If there is an insufficient concentration of compounds required to cause a measurable turbidity increase, other methods must be used.
Benefits of Automatic Analyzers
Automated testing in medical settings leads to faster turnaround times and higher testing volumes. It also frees up humans to do other tasks and allows more work to be done. Automatic analyzers also reduce human error and provide more accurate feedback.… Read More...