By now, most of us have heard that we shouldn’t put plastic in the microwave, though many still do it without a thought. A quick search on the internet for phthalates turns up key phrases like endocrine disrupters and insulin resistance, baby bottles, water bottles and so on that all seem to be leading us [...]
We’re excited to announce the launch of our newly updated EZkem blog on our blog! We encourage you to bookmark our page or subscribe to our RSS feed. We are constantly dialoging with our clients about parts, repairs, reconditioned system builds and any questions they have to keep their lab running smoothly. Through our blog [...]
Used to help liquids flow through autoanalyzer tubing more easily and to help facilitate mixing, surfactant is a necessity for flow analyzers. Surfactant has been used since autoanalyzers were constructed and comes in many varieties, but I prefer basic Brij-35 and Dowfax 2A1. These two, tried and true surfactants were the mainstay for nearly all [...]
In this article, I am going to focus on flow cell maintenance. Keeping an older autoanalyzer running can save considerable amount of money for a lab, but this does not mean that its operation is free. If a lab takes a little time and money to keep up a few essential parts on an autoanalyzer [...]
As solutions flow through an autoanalyzer system the debubbler is a key component in providing the opportunity to evaluate the condition of the reagents and ultimately the sample. It’s through the debubbler that we can see if the bubble patterns are correct, if there is a block in the cartridge causing surging, how well the [...]
Gas diffusion modules are used in autoanalyzers whether segmented flow analysis (SFA), sometimes referred to as continuous flow analysis (CFA), or flow injection analysis (FIA). The purpose of the gas diffusion module is to function as an in-line cleanup eliminating particulates, potential ionic interferences and chemical complexes. The target analyte permeates through the membrane into a [...]
Standard curves and check standards can make all the difference in the successful operation of autoanalyzers and discrete anlayzers. The importance of validating results for accuracy becomes a very important rock of consistency when operating an autoanalyzer or discrete analyzer in the hazardous field laboratory analysis environment. We are taught how to make standards and validate them with [...]
In this series of discussions, I wanted to address specific problem areas that laboratories encounter while operating auto analyzers. These segments will each focus on the individual items that EZkem repairs, replaces, reconditions or in any way modifies while doing service in the field or in our repair facility, like inspecting the flow cell. Initially, I would [...]
The peristaltic pump is a very important component in the proper operation of an autoanalyzer instrument. If it is not functioning properly, it’s possible to have problems with reproducibility, accuracy, and prematurely worn pump tubing. These signs of a pump problem might be observed as poor peak shape, split peaks, tailing peaks, surging, and inconsistent [...]
I specifically remember my first day as a chemist with the FDA and not just because it was the first time I was expected to wear a tie to work. After leaving college, and a challenging, but predictable laboratory experience, I stepped into an extremely complicated, fast paced lab, an alternate reality where instead viewing [...]
