3 Laboratory Automation

Objectives Level I List four advantages of automated chemical analysis. Define the following terms: throughput, test menu, carryover, discrete testing, random-access testing, open-reagent analyzer, and closed-reagent analyzer. Identify five laboratory tasks associated with the preanalytical stages of laboratory testing.

Objectives Level I Identify three reasons why automation is necessary. Give examples of how automated analyzers perform the following functions: Mixing Incubating Transferring reagents

Objectives Level I List four tasks associated with the analytical stage of laboratory testing. Identify five demands placed on the laboratory that serve to drive automation. List three techniques used to mix samples and reagents in an automated system. Identify three techniques used to incubate samples and reagents. 4

Objectives Level I List three drawbacks of total laboratory automation. Identify three tasks associated with the post-analytical stage of laboratory testing. 5

Objectives Level II Explain the concept of total laboratory automation. Distinguish the three stages of laboratory testing from one another. Differentiate between proportioning reagent by volumetric addition and by continuous flow. Explain the operating principle of a Peltier thermal electric module. 6

Objectives Level II Distinguish between workstation and work cell. Explain the principle used for clot detection in automated analyzers. 7

Three Stages of Testing Preanalytical Analytical Postanalytical

Preanalytical Stage Methods to transport specimens Human carriers or runners Pneumatic tube delivery systems Electric-track-driven vehicles Mobile robots Conveyors and/or track systems

Specific Tasks Performed by Automated Sample Processors Presorting of samples Centrifugation Sufficient sample volume check Detection of the presence of clots in the samples

Specific Tasks Performed by Automated Sample Processors Removal of tube stoppers (decapping) Secondary tube labeling Aliquotting of samples Destination sorting into analyzer racks 11

Tasks Performed in Analytical Stage of Testing Sample introduction Dispense reagents: Open-reagent system Closed-reagent system Mixing Incubation Detection

Figure 3-1 COBAS Integra 800. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics 13

Postanalytical Stage of Testing Signal processing Data processing by computers includes: Data acquisition Calculations Monitoring and displaying data

Automated System Designs Total laboratory automated systems (TLAs) Integrated modular systems Workstations Work cells Figures 3-2 and 3-3 Fully integrated systems

Figure 3-2 Siemens StreamLAB Figure 3-2 Siemens StreamLAB. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics 16

Figure 3-3 Siemens Work Cell CDX Figure 3-3 Siemens Work Cell CDX. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics 17

Put It All Together Figure 3-4 Roche Modular Analytics Serum Work Area. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics 18

Future Trends Intelligent Laboratory Systems 19

Figure 3-5 Siemens Dimension Vista 1500 Figure 3-5 Siemens Dimension Vista 1500. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics 20

Molecular Diagnostics Analyzers Automated bench top analyzer for amplification and detection of PCR testing. 21

Figure 3-6 Roche COBAS Amplicor Analyzer Automated Real-Time PCR System. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics 22