Biochemistry Auto Analyser
Lab Equipment Orientation Index
What does “Biochemistry Auto Analyser” mean?
 Bio - pertaining to life or the body
Chemistry – pertaining to chemicals
Auto – automatic, self moving
Analyser – machine which performs the chemistry test or analysis
Machine which can conduct chemical tests on samples from humans or animals.
What does it do?
 Performs up to 50 different tests on a test tube of patient serum sample and reports the results to a Laboratory Information System. Modern analysers are capable of 1200 tests per hour. The analyser requires between 2 and 35 micro litres (uL) of sample per test. (One drop of whole blood is about 10uL)
Physiology
 Healthy people have biochemistry test results that fall within normal ranges. Results outside normal ranges may indicate a disease condition.

How it works

Biochemistry analysers are constructed with an automated sample holder and changer, automated dilutors, calibration systems, temperature controlled analyser chambers and an output device with computer communications.
They may take the raw specimen as it is collected or usually require some pre-processing, like centrifuging or filtering.
Most analysers use light passing through the sample to make a colorimetric measurement. (colori meaning colour and metry meaning measurement).
The diluted, clear sample with the necessary reagent chemicals is pumped into an optically clear sample tube (cuvette). A light beam is passed through the sample and cuvette and the intensity measured by a photo detector at the other side.
The greater the distance from one side of the sample to the other (path length) and the darker the colour, the more Absorbance that occurs. The light beam has a single wavelength, or colour, determined by the chemistry to be analysed.
Some chemistries (electrolytes eg Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) are tested using ion specific electrodes.
Units of measurement milli mol per litre (mmol/l)
micro litre (uL)

Typical values

Calcium: 2.00 – 2.50 mmol/l
Chloride: 96 – 112 mmol/l
Glucose: 3.0 – 5.5mmol/l
Picture of equipment
Typical auto analyser

Updated: July 14, 2006