BASIC APPROACHES

1. Complete Automation
-online sending from sample handling up to reporting of validated result
2. Partial Automation
- first and last step is manually done
3. Serial (TECHNICON AUTOANALYZER)
- Elimination of air bubbles due to the design flow tube
- extremely narrow diameter, coupled with direct injection

4. Parallel Automation (GEMSAEC)

5. Batch mode
- sample are processed in concert as a group or batch in the same analytical
analysis
6. Random

MAJOR DISADVANTAGE OR DRAWBACK

1. Carryover problem
2. wasteful use of the reagent
- run unrequested test
3. analyzer need to be configured when analyte is to be measured

4 APPROACHES

1. Continuous flow analysis (Skeggs)

• Describe the way in which the chemical and sample travel through the
instrument
• Sequential type of analysis where all sample pass through the same
continuous process- same time
• All assays in the profile are performed whether or not they had been
requested by the specific patient
• The use of air bubbles in the samples and reagent streams
• NO SELECTIVITY
a. Segmented
• air injected into the stream, a series of small bubblesm that travels
along with the reaction system
• air bubbles minimizes diffusion of reagent and mixing because sample
preserve the integrity of each individual reaction
b. Flow injection
• direct injection of sample into small diameter (0.5mm) tubing for
reaction and measurement
• NO AIR BUBBLE INTRODUCTION
 Reagent stream (tubing)  sample tubing- sample slug  mixture
process  detector  absorbance measured  concentration determined

*sample slug
– allowing estimated mixing with a few sec with the reagent samplee volume (50uL
or less); reaction time less than 1 min
- with fluorocarbon coats the ___ of reagent transfer probe thus eliminates contact
between samples and reagents ___ then inside wall of the probe
* The flow (the sample directly forming “slug”- dispensed during air pressure

2. Discrete analysis
3. Centrifugal analysis
4. Dry-Slide Analysis (KODAK EKTACHEM)
5. Reagent package technology (DUPONT ACA)