396
Pathology (1978), 10, October
AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS EVALUATION OF THE ELECTRO-NUCLEONICS INC. GEMENI
N., WHITE, R., GEARY, T. D., ELSTON, D. & Veterinary Science, Adelaide, South Australia
POTENZNY,
FULLER,
B.
Institute of Medical and
The Gemeni is a low-priced miniature centrifugal analyser designed for small laboratories or as a stat or backup instrument for larger laboratories. It consists of a centrifugal analyser controlled automatically by a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed by coded test cards, which can be purchased separately or as part of the reagent test kit. A 20-place disposable cuvette disc is loaded manually with the aid ofa mechanical work station and pipettes. The protocol for evaluation and criteria of acceptability are based on that developed by the Committee for Evaluation of Kits and Instrumentation.
EVALUATION OF THE CHEMETRICS ANALYSER
R., POTENZNY, N., GEARY, T. D., ELSTON, Veterinary Science, Adelaide, South Australia
WHITE,
E.
&
FULLER,
B.
Institute of" Medical and
The Chemetrics Analyser consists of 4 interconnected systems; a computer, a sample processor, a spectrophotometer and a pump system. Features of the instrument include ease of change of assay procedure, ability to use different reagent formulation, ease of programme change and the potential to handle virtually any spectrophotometric procedure. The protocol for evaluation and criteria of acceptability are based on that developed by the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists Committee for Evaluation of Kits and Instrumentation. The protocol assesses accuracy, precision, linearity, carry over, a literature score and provides a technical section where the appearance, construction material, safety, service accessibility and after-sales service are discussed. Results from the evaluation indicate that the performance of the instrument is acceptable.
AN EVALUATION OF TWO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE LASER NEPHELOMETERS
R. L., COLES, M. E. & GEARY, T. D. Deparrmenr of Clinical Chemistry. Institute of" Medical and Vererinary Science, Adelaide, South Australia WALSH,
The Hyland and the Behring Laser Nephelometers and their recommended methods for the quanti tat ion of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were compared with the routine (IgG) method used in our laboratory, single radial immunodiffusion. Both instruments performed well during the trial period of 20 days yielding precision data which are highly acceptable being, in general, a marked improvement over radial immunodiffusion. The Hyland instrument gave the best intra batch figures but the Behring figures were not as good as those seen for radial immunodiffusion. But on the other hand, the Behring instrument gave the best interbatch figures. The operation of both instruments and the preparation of specimens proved to be fairly tedious, particularly in the case of the Hyland instrument. Both instruments appear to be suited for small batch work. There was no significant interference due to chylous or turbid sera in the specimens tested on either instrument. The Nephelometer system provides a rapid, accurate, precise and objective way to measure IgG. From the limited data available it would appear to be equally suitable for other proteins.
AUTOMATED SPECIFIC PROTEIN ANALYSIS USING A STANDARD CENTRIFUGAL ANALYSER
A. & HENSLEY, W. J. Camperdown, New South Wales
MUIR,
Department of Biochemisrry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital,
Use of Laser nephelometry to measure specific proteins by immunoprecipitation techniques has been reported; however in a routine clinical chemistry laboratory, such equipment has limited use and its expense may not be warranted. In this laboratory the kinetics of immunoprecipitation reactions have been studied using a 'Centrifichem' centrifugal analyser. Studies on immunoglobulin IgA, albumin and high density lipoprotein have shown that instrument time required for the estimation of 24 samples plus 5 standards varied from 4 min for albumin, 7 min for IgA and 30 min for high density lipoproteins. Precision and correlation studies with existing methods will be presented. Results suggest that the standard Centrifichem may be used routinely to estimate many antigens and possibly antibodies.