Development of a Miniature Fast Analyzer

Abstract

Abstract Design features and operation of a prototype miniaturized Fast Analyzer are described, and some results obtained with it are presented. The Analyzer occupies only one cubic foot of space. It has a 17-cuvet plastic rotor that rotates through a stationary optical system at speeds up to 5000 rpm. The resulting centrifugal force is utilized to transfer and mix a series of sample(s) and reagent(s) into the cuvets. The ensuing reactions are monitored spectrophotometrically, and the data evaluated in real time by an on-line computer. Samples (1 to 10 µl) and reagents (70 to 110 µl) are loaded into the rotor either discretely or dynamically; various rotor configurations can be used to do this. Many of the standard clinical analyses, including most of the NADH-linked enzymatic analyses, have been adapted for use with this analyzer. Precision obtained ranges from 1 to 4%. This report considers, specifically, analyses of some serum enzymes. Results show that the small analyzer possesses the previously demonstrated advantages of Fast Analyzers and, in addition, has several beneficial features arising from miniaturization.