Roche's latest blood-gas analyser, the cobas b 123 POC system, provides rapid answers to medical questions when used in critical care units, emergency rooms and other point-of-care (POC) settings.
Easy to use and maintenance free except for the replacement of consumables, the cobas b incorporates a number of important infection-control features and consolidates important critical care tests on one system, allowing medical professionals in critical care and emergency settings to obtain rapid answers to a broad range of medical questions.
The blood-gas analyser is configurable to accommodate individual needs, with a wide array of connectivity options.
Its durable electronics and mechanics make it robust and reliable, ensuring minimal downtime and saving time required at the machine.
Furthermore, clot-free operation ensures that there is no unnecessary disruption to routine or waste of reagents.
Users are guided through operational processes step by step through a touchscreen system, while sampling or measuring are initiated by pressing one button.
The cobas b 123 includes all important critical care parameters including blood gases, haematocrit, bilirubin, electrolytes, glucose and lactate.
To make interpretation of results as easy as possible, the large colour screen presents unambiguous readings, with measurements that fall outside pre-defined acceptable limits highlighted clearly.
Smart chips on the consumables (sensors, fluid packs and QC packs) eliminate the need for scanning barcodes and swapping the consumables across instruments .
In addition, since the sensors are separate from the fluid pack, the latter can be stored conveniently at room temperature, freeing up fridge space.
Everything is front loaded, further reducing the footprint of the analyser for environments where space might be limited.
An additional feature is the ability to transfer data across instruments using a simple media card similar to those used in digital cameras.
A selection of safety features make it suitable for hospital use.
For example, there are no exposed needles and the protected sample input area remains closed during operation and between samples.
Infection control is further enhanced by the collection of waste in a sealed pack within the closed system.
Password authorisation ensures safe and appropriate use by locking the instrument to unauthorised and untrained users.
The cobas b 123 sample entry port ensures easy access for both left- and right-handed operators and accommodates all commonly-used sampling devices, including syringes and capillaries, without the need for a clot catcher or other adaptor.
A micro-mode (also due for launch in 2011) will enable the analyser to perform measurements for all parameters on very small samples (40uL), making it suitable for use in neonatal and paediatric wards.
Connectivity to the hospital network is achieved, wirelessly or via a network port, using cobas IT1000 software, the powerful, browser-based Roche POC data-management system.
This can also include access to cobas Academy, the online Roche e-learning program available for continuous professional accredited development.
