| A biochemisty analyser is a device designed to | | | | The dry type biochemistry analyser requires the |
| perform a variety of biochemical tests. Invented by | | | | application of a chemical reagent to a test strip, such |
| Hans Baruch, they were introduced to the medical | | | | an antibody or enzyme, which will react directly with |
| community, commercially, in 1959, and allowed medical | | | | the test sample. With the dry type of testing there |
| laboratories and hospitals to process more samples | | | | is a greater risk of oxidation of the test strip which |
| more quickly and effectively than before. With this | | | | can allow for faulty readings. |
| automated testing process, the testing time went | | | | When using a biosensor type biochemistry analyser, |
| from days - sometimes weeks - to mere minutes. | | | | the test sample may be oxidized and placed on a thin |
| Before then, the most common form of biochemical | | | | film which is placed onto the surface of an electrode, |
| analysis involved open test tubes placed in racks | | | | such as pillar hydrogen peroxide, which is among the |
| which were then either moved along a track or spun | | | | most common, and then a polarized potential is |
| in a carousel. To protect the samples from | | | | applied to the anode and cathode, which releases |
| contamination, and the laboratory staff from illness or | | | | elctrodes, which may be measured. However, the |
| injury, closed tube sampling soon followed. The | | | | pillar electrodes require constant maintenance which |
| automated biochemistry analysers did not remove | | | | can lead to cross pollution which can lead to mistaken |
| the need for clinical lab technicians, however, but it | | | | readings. |
| did make working in the labs safer, and helped | | | | Some tests require more specialized tests and require |
| reduce errors. | | | | a separate biochemistry analyser. This analyser may |
| There are a variety of tests a biochemistry analyser | | | | be used for several tets, or a single test. Some of |
| performs. They can range from testing enzymes for | | | | these are performed frequently, but others are not, |
| liver function tests, to testing ions for sodium and | | | | and the majority are expensive to perform, as well |
| potassium levels. Blood glucose, creatine, and serum | | | | as time consuming. Due to the shortage of skilled |
| albumin - a plasma protein - among others, can also | | | | clinical laboratory professionals, manufacturers are |
| be analysed. | | | | working to develop automated systems for these |
| There are three categories of biochemistry analysers: | | | | rare tests. |
| The wet type, the dry type and the bio sensor. The | | | | With the recent contributions in biology, chemistry |
| wet type method involves mixing a test sample with | | | | and genetics, the biochemistry analyser has been |
| a reagent to encourage a chemical reaction. A reading | | | | evolving and improving. Biochemical research is being |
| device, such as a spectrophotometer or a calorimeter | | | | pushed, and is now moving from the study of a few |
| can then be used to read the color change before | | | | molecules to the functional study of all biomolecules. |
| and after the reaction, allowing for analysis. However, | | | | Today, biochemical analysers are being used to help |
| this form of testing requires expensive instruments | | | | tag proteins and nucleic acids with special dies thhat |
| and the ability to keep the reagents valid for long | | | | allow scientists to make great headway in their quest |
| periods of time. | | | | to sequence the human genome. |