ANALYZER TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS

1.1. SERVICE FUNCTIONS

The analyzer has dedicated commands to allow Service and Diagnostic operations. The Service functions are divided into Analyzer Utilities and Mechanical Calibrations.

These functions are accessed from Analyzer’s main menu or through the appropriate direct access icons.

The commands are available in the form of buttons. To access a function just push a button.

The Exit button on both pages closes the window and saves any settings.

The Analyzer Utilities include items (FCC Calculation, Lamp Setup, Temperature Test and Empty Fluidics) normally dedicated to technical assistance personnel. These functions should not be used unless they have been suggested by qualified personnel. Just like for the other parts of the program or analyzer, these functions must be used according to the intended use established by the manufacturer, failure to do so will result in warranty invalidation.

1.1.1. Analyzer Utilities

Figure 1

Direct Access Icon

To activate any of the following commands click on the corresponding button (Figure 1):

Wash with water: washes, with the washing solution (bidistilled water and surface active agent) the cuvettes and leaves them filled with water. This function is recommended when a work session has ended and the analyzer is not going to be used again immediately.

However, after 20 minutes of inactivity, the analyzer goes into standby and automatically washes the cuvettes.

Wash cuvettes: is used for complete washing of the hydraulic circuit and reading cuvettes.

Once the command is given, a message appears asking to insert the bottle (50 ml for BT1000, BT1500 & BT2000 Plus – 80ml for BT3000 Plus and BT3500) containing the dedicated washing solution (code 393) in the indicated position. This function must be run daily when the analyzer is shut off (using the guided shut down procedure) or at the end of the day if the analyzer is not shut off.

Extra wash cuvettes: is used for complete washing of the hydraulic circuit and reading cuvettes with a special solution. Once the command is given, a message appears asking to insert the bottle (20 ml for BT1000, BT1500 & BT2000 Plus in the upper reagent position – 80ml for BT3000 Plus and BT3500) with the special washing solution (code 393E) in the indicated position. This wash is run with an acid solution and is necessary at least once a week or if the analyzer returns inconsistent results for no apparent reason. This wash will reset the Diagnostic page maintenance counter.

Dilutor prime: Performs a filling-up cycle with distilled water of the hydraulic circuit and sampling system.

I.S.E. module prime: Fills up the fluidic circuit of the I.S.E. module (where available).

Extra wash I.S.E. Module: see Chapter L, par. 1.3.

Zeroing on water: Performs photometer zeroing with distilled water. This procedure can be performed either on request or automatically. In this second case, when the zeroing time has elapsed the analyzer will propose a message on the screen requesting zeroing.

When the analyzer is first turned on each day, it waits for the reaching of the steady state (stabilization of the Peltier temperature and lamp), then it requests the photometer zeroing.

It is important to remember that zeroing is necessary to avoid any drift of the photometer zero.

Check volumes: The analyzer checks the volumes of reagents present in the reagent tray.

These volumes are updated in the corresponding window Reagents status for the reagents insertion procedure (F10 key).

Volumes calibration: used to allow the analyzer to create references used as a basis for determining the volume of reagents in the bottles and serum holder cups. A message will appear to guide the operator. Follow the instructions and place the empty containers in the correct positions. The bottles/cups are automatically filled with distilled water according to an internal procedure.

F.C.C. calculation: This procedure is for calculating the optical correction factor for the reading cuvettes. A screen message invites to insert a bottle with appropriate solution into the position #24 of the reagents tray. Generally a solution of Potassium Bichromate with absorbance around 0,500 Abs (read at 340 - 700nm) is used. The analyzer guides the user through the procedure. This function is password protected.

It is performed only when one or more cuvettes are replaced or after a thorough service is performed on the instrument computer (e.g. hard disk substitution) where correction factors may be lost.

Lamp Setup: this function is only necessary after the photometric lamp has been changed.

It is used to align the new lamp to preset internal values. It also carries out photometer zeroing at the same time. It is advisable that only technical assistance personnel use this function.

Temperature test: Verifies thermostatic temperature of the reading cuvettes plate. For a correct measurement it is important that the thermometer of low temperature absorbance (miniature probe tip) is used. The measurement cuvette should be filled with 300 to 400µl of distilled water (between 200µl and 300µl for BT1500 & BT3500). It is also important that the measurements are taken approximately 20 minutes after the instrument has reached the steady state.

Empty Fluidics: This command completely empties the fluidic circuit. It is to be used exclusively as preliminary operation for maintenance or eventual moving of the instrument.

NOTE: if one of the analyzer functions is active, remember not to make modifications in the Setup program. This will cause a reset of the analyzer thus terminating the activated function.

1.1.2. Mechanical Calibrations

This function allows mechanical centering and adjustments for the different positions of the sampling arm, cuvettes plate, sample plate and reagents tray. Bear in mind that the analyzers are already factory-calibrated and a new adjustment is seldom necessary. To perform calibrations, move the mouse cursor on the desired function and click to confirm:

the [-] Dec. and [+] Inc. command keys will be enabled on the screen, which determine the movement of the selected object either clockwise or counterclockwise, step by step. The [*]

Test key lowers and lifts the sampling needle or the wash piston to check centering.

NOTE:

It is highly recommended to calibrate the trays (Sample/Reagent/Cuvette) first and then the positions of sampling arm. In addition the sampling needle must be centered on the required positions.

Figure 2

Direct Access Icon

The Calibrations menu is subdivided into three columns: Clinical Chemistry Arm, I.S.E.

Arm and Tray as shown in Figure 2.

NOTE: bear in mind that only BT3000 Plus and BT3500 systems have two diluters, two sampling arms and the I.S.E. Module.

The following commands are available:

TRAY

Sample tray: centers the tray so that the arm is centered on the first position of the serum tray.

Reagents tray: It is recommended to insert a large reagent bottle matched with small bottle into position #4 prior to the calibration. By activating this command the reagents tray moves and puts position #4 below the hole for the first reagent. Center the bottle for the first reagent in this position. It is suggested to check also the position for the second reagent.

Cuvettes tray: The washing piston must be centered on the cuvette. Check correct centering through the piston up/down movement using the command (*) Test.