automation

1. Automation in clinical
biochemistry
Amit Kumar Singh
Asst. Professor
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
RIMT University, Punjab

2. Automation in clinical biochemistry
▪ Branch of laboratory medicine which studies chemical and
biochemical methods (on blood, urine and other body
fluids)
▪ Clinical biochemistry tests comprise over one third of all
hospital investigations.
▪ Recent past has seen major advances in diagnostic
methodologies and instrumentation (automation).
▪ Uses of biochemical tests:
– diagnosis,
– screening the disease,
– monitoring patients or assessing the prognosis once a diagnosis
has been made.
– research studies and in clinical trials of new drugs.

3. Steps of the Analysing
Process
• There are several individual steps in the analysis
process as a whole in a laboratory such as:
– Identifying the patient
– Getting the correct sample
– Identifying and proper labeling of the sample
– Delivery of sample in proper storage condition and within
time
– Preparation of sample for test
– Sample loading/aspirating
– Analysis
– Reporting
– Entering in register

5. What is Automation
• Use of laboratory instruments and specimen processing
equipment to perform assays with only minimal
involvement of technologist .
• Automation in clinical laboratory is a process by which
analytical instruments perform many tests with the
least involvement of an analyst.
• IUPAC define automation as "The replacement of
human manipulative effort and facilities in the
performance of a given process by mechanical and
instrumental devices that are regulated by feedback of
information so that an apparatus is self-monitoring or
self adjusting”.

6. Benefits of Automation
▪ Automation has a lot of benefits for the laboratory
personnel.
– Reduces the workload
– Increases turnaround time (Saves time used per analysis)
– Increases total number of tests done in less time
– Eliminates repetition and monotony from human life so
decreases human error, improves accuracy
– Improves reproducibility (repeatability)
– Uses minimum amount of sample and reagent

7. Automation in:
• Sample collection
• Sample identification by Labeling and bar coding
• Sample delivery
• Sample preparation
• SAMPLE ANALYSIS

8. Sample identification
• It first generates a unique identity or hospital number for each
new patient.
• A record is maintained thereafter for him/her.
• All sample collected have to bear the name and details of the
patient along with this unique identity.
• The same is used while entering the details into auto analyzer
software and result is also published with this number and
other details.
• Some advanced labs are using computer generated bar coding
technology for labeling samples.
• It has the advantage that it can be scanned and read by bar
code reader accurately so transcriptional error (mistake in
writing manually) is avoided.

10. SAMPLE ANALYSIS -
ANALYSER
• Auto analyzers based on above principle can be divided into two
types: Open and closed system
• Open system: Operator can purchase reagents from any
company so he can save money by buying reagents which are
cheaper thereby reducing the cost per test.
• In a modular design: An auto analyzer is designed by
assembling pulling together of all parts.
• This increases the flexibility of machine according to customer’s
demand.
• For example: Ion selective electrode. Due to modular approach,
the facility for analysis of sodium, potassium and chloride can
be built into the system or can be added later on.

11. Introduction
• Closed system: Operator has to buy chemicals only
from a particular company. So operator can not
reduce the cost per test.
• Next, reagents have to be provided in unique
containers or format as prescribed by its
manufacturer. This too adds to cost per test.
• However, it allows high degree of automation.
• Laboratory can be managed by just one or two well
trained technical assistants.

13. Processing
• Now let us understand different types of processing by
auto analyzer. It is broadly of 2 types:
• (a) Continuous flow processing: Based on this principle a
continuous flow analyzer (CFA) is made of different
modules, such as:
– Sampler
– Pump
– Mixing coil
– Heater/incubator
– Sample treatment chamber (dialysis, distillation etc)
– Signal detector
– Read out device (data generator)

14. Semi automated Discrete Processing
Analyzer
• Semi automated as initial processing can be done by
technician itself
– Pipetting of reagent, sample, mixing, incubation
– Reading end point, rate of reaction, monochromatic or
dichromatic
– Result display, print and memory of result
• Economical
• Display and print system parameters
• User friendly software
• Perform statistics analysis also, plot Levey Jenning chart
• Can work without power on battery back up

16. Fully Automated Autoanalyzer
 Automatic dispensing of Reagent with
reagent probe
 Automatic dispensing of sample with
sample probe
 Automatic mixing of reaction mixture
 Incubating of mixture

17. Fully Automated Autoanalyzer
 Sampler for accommodate various sample, std,
calibrator, QC serum
 Programmable sample probe
 Reagent Probe for reagents
 Reagent Carousel
 Convenient peristaltic pump, syringe, water and waste
bottle
 Cuvette rinsing station
 Two types- Batch and Random access analyzer