Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer with Mechanical Clot Detection

What is the Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer with Mechanical Clot Detection?

This analyzer detects clot formation mechanically by monitoring the movement of a steel ball or magnetic particle as plasma viscosity rises. It suits laboratories that receive icteric, hemolyzed or lipemic samples where optical detection is less reliable.

Overview

A steel ball or magnetised particle rests in the cuvette, and a magnetic field or a tilting mechanism moves it at a defined rhythm. As fibrin forms, the viscosity rises and the movement amplitude decreases or stops, which the instrument detects as the clotting point. Because detection does not rely on light transmission, sample colour and turbidity have little influence, which is the main advantage for icteric, hemolyzed and lipemic plasma. The cuvettes are usually disposable and the measuring channel may be single or dual. Principles of this type do require that the ball is correctly seated and the cuvette free of bubbles, and cleaning or replacing the holder at the recommended interval keeps results stable.

How does it work?

A semi-automatic coagulation analyzer provides a temperature-controlled measuring position, usually at 37 degrees Celsius, a detection system and a timer. The operator pipettes plasma into the cuvette, incubates it, adds the reagent and starts the measurement. Optical instruments detect the increase in turbidity or the change in light scatter as fibrin strands form; mechanical instruments detect the change in movement or viscosity of a steel ball or magnetic particle; turbidimetric and chromogenic instruments measure light absorption changes from the fibrin network or from a coloured product released by a synthetic substrate. The analyzer stops the timer at the detection threshold and reports the clotting time in seconds, a ratio for prothrombin time or a concentration for fibrinogen. Because sample and reagent handling remain manual, pipetting accuracy and consistent incubation timing have a large influence on results.

What are the key features?

• Steel ball or magnetic particle movement detection
• Little influence from sample colour or turbidity
• Disposable cuvettes with correctly seated detection element
• Single or dual measuring channels available
• Continuous monitoring to identify failed measurements
• Stable performance with icteric, hemolyzed and lipemic plasma

What are the technical specifications?

A typical semi-automatic coagulation analyzer with mechanical clot detection configuration offers detection principle of Mechanical or magnetic ball movement, channels of 1 or 2 measuring channels, incubation temperature of 37 °C ±0.5 °C, sample volume of 100 µL plasma per test, reagent volume of 100–200 µL per test and measuring range of PT 5–120 s; APTT 20–180 s. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer with Mechanical Clot Detection is used in coagulation testing on lipemic or icteric samples, routine PT and APTT in small laboratories, fibrinogen measurement by the Clauss method and veterinary coagulation testing. Across the wider Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzers class, laboratories also deploy it for routine PT and APTT testing in clinics, anticoagulation monitoring with INR and pre-operative coagulation screening.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 15189, CLSI H57, CLSI H21, CLSI EP05, ICSH recommendations on coagulation testing, IEC 61010-1 and IEC 61010-2-101. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 13485 manufacturing and NMPA class II registration; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Place the analyzer on a level bench away from vibration and draughts, since both disturb optical clot detection, and allow the instrument to reach and hold 37 degrees Celsius before use. Verify performance at installation against a reference instrument or assigned plasma samples for prothrombin time, APTT and fibrinogen, and check the incubation temperature with an external thermometer. Daily work includes running normal and abnormal control plasma, checking reagent and cuvette lot numbers and recording all values. Reagents must be reconstituted, stored and expired strictly according to the instructions, and citrated plasma should be separated, frozen and thawed under controlled conditions because pre-analytical handling has a large influence on clotting times.

How do I select the right Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer with Mechanical Clot Detection?

Choose mechanical detection when a substantial share of samples is haemolysed, icteric or lipemic, or when you want a principle that is independent of optical quality. In the RFQ confirm the reagent volumes required, since mechanical systems often use more reagent than optical ones, and check that the cuvette and ball supply is available locally.

How does it compare with other Semi-Automatic Coagulation Analyzers variants?

Choose the detection principle according to the samples you receive: mechanical or magnetic detection tolerates icteric, hemolyzed and lipemic plasma, while optical detection is simpler and usually requires a clear sample. Then decide how many channels you need, because a four-channel instrument allows several patients or duplicate measurements in one run and reduces operator waiting time. Check the menu the instrument supports, especially whether fibrinogen, D-dimer or antithrombin assays are available, since not every semi-automatic platform can perform chromogenic or immunoturbidimetric tests. Confirm the sample and reagent volumes, the incubation temperature accuracy and the calibration requirements, and ask whether the analyzer stores calibrator values for each reagent lot.