Beckman and coulter

Types of Beckman and Coulter

Generally, the Beckman and Coulter machines can be divided into four parts according to their working process: mixing, dispensing, and counting and analysis.

• Mixing

  Before a sample or reagent is put into the machine, your sample needs to be mixed. The Beckman Coulter Mixers will gently invert and agitate the sample. Other products, like the centrifugal force of the Beckman LH750 Centrifuge, will uniformly mix the sample by spinning it.

  The devices include:

  • Refrigerated sample storage unit

  • Analyzer and sample handler

  • Quality control and management system

  • Stand-alone or integrated configuration.

• Dispensing

  Using a random access analytical approach, the Beckman Coulter Dispensing machines or analyzers will fill the designated container according to the preset instructions. The following will be the parameters of the dispensed analyte.

  • Volume: the amount of liquid specified by the measurement.

  • Contents: the reagent to be added to a particular sample.

  • Destination: the container (test tube, well, etc.) to which the reagent should be added.

  • Order: the sequence in which the destination containers should be filled.

• Counting and analysis

  As the name suggests, the counting and analysis part of the machine is used to count different kinds of cells. For example, the Beckman Coulter CD4 Count is used to see how many CD4 cells are in the blood sample and provide information about the immune system of the body.

  There are more than 300 cell types in the human body. Some important cells are the white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These three blood cells are crucial for human health. For example, the CD4 cells play an essential role in the immune system. So, knowing their count helps us see how strong or weak the immune system is.

Specifications and maintenance of Beckman and Coulter

Proper maintenance of hematology analyzers is crucial for accurate and reliable test results, as well as for extending the life of the analyzer. Manufacturing hematology analyzers involves precise engineering to meet the demands of clinical laboratories. These analyzers are capable of providing a wide range of hematological parameters with high sensitivity, specificity, and throughput.

Some general maintenance requirements for Beckman and Coulter hematology analyzers are as follows: The exterior of an analyzer must be cleaned with a soft cloth periodically to keep dust and debris out. Once a week, all sample areas and moving parts must be decontaminated with a suitable cleanser. Analyzers should be flushed with a cleaning solution to remove any clogs or remnants in the system. Cleaning schedules and procedures for different analyzers may vary. Therefore, users must consult the provided manuals for specific recommendations. It is also essential to calibrate and run controls on the hematology analyzer regularly. This helps ensure that it is functioning correctly and producing accurate results. By following these simple yet critical maintenance routines, users can enjoy a longer lifespan for their machines while still having confidence in their test results.

The following are some specific maintenance requirements in relation to particular models:

• Beckman DU 640A

  In this model, the filter system and cell compartment must be cleaned weekly. First, the drain bottle has to be uncapped to allow drainage of the filter. After that, about 30 ml of cleaning solution is added to the cell compartment using a syringe. A cotton swab is then used to clean the sides of the compartment gently. The process is repeated two more times, but only using distilled water. Finally, the drain bottle is recapped after the final washing procedure.

• Beckman Coulter AcT 5 Diff

  This model requires a daily cleaning routine. In the case of this analyzer, cleaning should be done once the instrument is not going to be used for a long time. The sample probe should be cleaned, and lukewarm, distilled water should be used. The sample probe will be cleansed at least three times. Doing so prevents the buildup of contaminants and debris.

• Beckman Coulter LH 750

  According to the user manual, this analyzer has a routine cleaning procedure that should be done at least once daily. It is also necessary to perform the operation before running quality control and patient samples. The analyzer has given a recommended cleanser that must be used when performing this routine. To prevent contamination and prolong its life, the recommended routine should be performed and avoided only to clean the sample probe.

To sum up, these hematology analyzers are highly reliable and need little maintenance. However, users should always read the manufacturer’s manual and adhere to the given instructions. This will ensure that the machine works accurately and as required.

Scenarios

The advanced analysis systems and unique detecting principles of Beckman Coulter make them suitable for various usage scenarios, providing comprehensive solutions for laboratories in different fields.

• Clinical diagnostics:

  Beckman and Coulter clinical analyzers are the gold standard for hospitals, clinical laboratories, and outpatient facilities to perform routine and specialty tests on blood, urine, spinal fluid, and various other bodily substances. Such tests could include but need to be limited to: identifying the blood group's composition, the biochemical constituents of the blood, lipid profiles, liver function, kidney function, electrolyte levels, blood enzyme activity, thyroid function, hormonal levels, blood coagulation parameters, and, last but not least, the presence of specific proteins, antibodies, and antigens. The same or even higher standards are usually expected from these tests in clinical settings to determine a patient's medical state and the ultimate quest of medicine: trying to cure it.

• Research and development:

  In addition to the clinical diagnostics already mentioned, Beckman Coulter's flow cytometry is also applied in drug development and quality control of biomedical product development. For example, it is used to monitor cell culture purity, quantify cells transformed for therapeutic use, and assess the genetic stability of cell lines. Furthermore, it could also be used to investigate potential side effects of new drugs at the cellular level, such as compounds inducing apoptosis in a certain percentage of cells, which should be assessed and quantified accordingly. Other examples include analyzing the effects of a specific drug on cell surface markers, intracellular signaling pathways, or cell cycle distribution. Beckman Coulter's cellular analysis is crucial in identifying compounds with therapeutic potential, assessing the safety profiles of new drugs, and streamlining the drug development process.

• Environmental monitoring:

  Regarding environmental monitoring, Coulter's particle counters play a significant role in identifying and enumerating the presence of airborne microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, virus-like infectious particles, and other unwanted pests from a health perspective. In addition to this, it can also be used to monitor the quality of water in natural and artificial reserves, drinking water, swimming pool water, and laboratory-grade water (deionized and distilled) to ensure it is free of potentially harmful or diva-worthy contaminants. Also, the following parameters are needed in the analysis to describe this deionized or distilled water: turbidity, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity. Thus, particle counters play a crucial role in detecting and quantifying the presence of microorganisms in air and water, aiding environmental assessment and ensuring compliance with quality standards.

• Food and beverage testing:

  Regarding food and beverage testing, particle counters shine. They are employed in the food and beverage industry (let's be honest, who doesn't wish to be there?) to monitor the presence and levels of microorganisms in production processes, final products, and cleaning validation procedures. By providing rapid and accurate quantification of microbial contaminants, particle counters help ensure the safety and quality of food and beverage products, supporting compliance with regulatory standards.

• Industrial process control:

  Last but not least and certainly not the least relevant, the industrial process control that Beckman Coulter equipment contributes to is essential for maintaining the desired standards and quality of products. It is a wide range of applications, such as monitoring particulate contamination in pharmaceutical manufacturing, analyzing cell culture processes in biotechnology production, assessing the quality of raw materials in food production, and ensuring the integrity of water systems in various industrial facilities.

How to choose a Beckman Coulter

When choosing a Beckman-Coulter hematology analyzer or any other hematology analyzer, several factors must be considered to ensure that the selected equipment meets the user's needs.

• Understanding the Requirements: A thorough needs assessment is required before selecting a hematology analyzer. The factors to consider are the daily sample volume, sample type, and desired parameter measurement.
• Choosing the Right Analyzer:2-4 tier analyzers are suitable for primary care and general practitioner offices. 4-5 tier analyzers are suitable for medium-sized laboratories. 5-10 tier analyzers are suitable for large hospital laboratories.
• Understanding the Technology: There are two main types of hematology analyzers. Random access means that the instrument can test an individual sample at any time, while batch processing requires samples to be processed in groups. Consider the laboratory's workflow when selecting an analyzer.
• Calibration and Quality Control: It is critical to the quality of hematology testing to ensure that the analyzer can be calibrated and that it can be periodically serviced and maintained.
• Cost-effective: Initial acquisition costs, servicing, consumables, and quality of results all play integral parts in the life cycle cost of hematology testing in a laboratory.
• Supplier’s Reputation and Support Service: The supplier's service support will be needed throughout the product's lifetime, from its installation to training and any required servicing.

FAQ

Q1: What is the significance of Beckman Coulter's cell counter in the industry?

A1: The Coulter cell counter revolutionized the field of hematology and cell biology by introducing the first automated system for counting cells, now commonplace in clinical and research laboratories.

Q2: How do Beckman Coulter's analyzers benefit laboratory operations?

A2: Beckman Coulter analyzers enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in laboratory testing by offering high-throughput, automated solutions for various diagnostic and research parameters.

Q3: Are Beckman Coulter products compliant with regulatory standards?

A3: Yes, Beckman Coulter products are designed to comply with applicable regulatory standards, including those set by the FDA, CLIA, and other internationally recognized organizations.

Q4: What kind of service does Beckman Coulter provide for its instruments?

A4: Beckman Coulter offers comprehensive instrument services, including maintenance, repair, and technical support, to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of its instruments.