YSI (UK) has exhibited the compact and fully automated Mindray BS-120 biochemistry analyser at Focus 2009.
The Mindray BS-120 is designed for smaller laboratories or as a backup/satellite instrument for departments or clinics such as accident and emergency wards or veterinary hospitals, where typical workload requirements add up to 180 tests per day with samples usually coming one by one.
Routine sample tests are carried out using absorbance photometry, with single or dual reagents for mono or bi-chromatic measurement; turbidimetry (for immunology tests) and ion selective electrode technology (ISE) for measuring Na+, K+, Cl- and Li+.
The practical testing speed depends on the parameters of tests.
The averaged actual testing speed of BS-120 is about 50-60 tests/hour (chemistry test only) and ~200 t/h (with ISE, testing four ions).
STAT exams can be carried out immediately without interrupting the obtained data or currently undergoing readings.
The BS-120 has intelligent and user-friendly hardware and software and is easy to learn and operate.
An optional hand-held barcode reader allows users to automatically recognise samples and reagents, reducing human error even further.
Running the sample analysis is simple.
After being collected, the samples are labelled and centrifuged.
The operator then places sample tubes on the relevant positions and loads the clean, empty cuvettes.
The next step is to request samples and input the patient information in the software.
While analysing, the screen shows dynamic display of running status of the reagent, reaction or sample wheels respectively.
BS-120 has a flexible sample/reagent tray, which fits into a refrigerated compartment and is easily removed, reloaded or split between sample and reagent parts.
The software supports multi virtual trays, which means while running the first batch of samples, the position information of the second tray can be added.
After finishing the tests of the first eight samples, the trays can be swapped and the testing can continue straight away.
An extra sample tray is provided free with every order.
The same method can be applied to reagents.
The Mindray BS-120's main safety features include vertical collision protection, liquid level detection, depth adjustments for aspirating and dispensing and inner and outer wash of the probes.
BS-120 has an independent mixing stirrer, which provides thorough mixing while avoiding extra contaminations.
The stirrer is also washed completely between two actions.
To avoid cross-contamination of the samples and reagents, the operation software provides a special carryover-avoiding program.
It also features a multi-calibration mode with optimised calibration curve.
The Mindray BS-120 requires 69 x 57 x 60cm of bench space.
The analyser can test reagent blank before adding the sample, and has the option of auto and scientific result analysis.
As an open system, it is compatible with most brands of reagents.
The use of low-cost disposable cuvettes, a minimum reaction volume as low as 180ul, long-life lamps (1,000-2000h) and real-time monitoring of residual reagent volume combine to keeping running costs down.