Metrohm presents a fully automatic system for the determination of fluoride in blood samples, which the company said guarantees a high sample throughput and accuracy.
Prosecution of drunk driving depends on reliable testing for blood alcohol.
Sodium fluoride is added as a preservative to blood samples taken from suspected offenders.
This prevents glycolysis and the formation of ethanol, which may render samples useless as evidence in court.
The Metrohm system consists of a PC-controlled 855 Robotic Titrosampler with three 800 Dosinos for pipetting the blood samples, adding Tisab buffer solutions and titration with La(NO3)3.
With a specially designed sample rack for glass vials, the automated system can analyse 317 samples in one continuous run; the time required for each blood sample is three minutes including sample transfer and rinsing.
In a similar way, the special rack for McCartney bottles allows 102 samples to be analysed in one run.
