COULTER HmX Hematology Analyzer, Reference Manual

Page: 37 / 128

PN 4237523A 3-3
OPERATION PRINCIPLES
SPECIMEN TRANSPORT - HmX HEMATOLOGY ANALYZER WITH AUTOLOADER
3
Stained reticulocytes differ from mature erythrocytes (RBCs) and other cell populations by
light scatter, direct current measurements, and opacity characteristics.
3.2 SPECIMEN TRANSPORT - HmX HEMATOLOGY ANALYZER WITH AUTOLOADER
Samples in the loading bay are automatically transported, mixed, aspirated, and analyzed.
Sample tubes which can be identified by bar-code labels are loaded into five tube cassettes.
Cassettes and the tube position in the cassette are identified by bar-code labels on the
cassette. You can load up to 25 samples in the HmX Hematology Analyzer with Autoloader at
one time.
These are the normal steps in specimen transport in an Autoloader:
r
Place the cassettes in the loading bay, see Figure 3.3.
Figure 3.3 Loading a Cassette
r
At the DMS, instruct the instrument to run samples in the Primary mode.
r
The right lift platform beneath the stacked cassettes rises and the bottom cassette is
deposited on the rocker bed.
r
The platform lowers the cassette to the level of the rocker bed where it is rocked back
and forth, mixing the samples.
r
The cassette moves along the bed, while rocking, until the first tube reaches the piercing
station.
r
The cassette stops moving forward but continues rocking.
t
The bar-code scanner reads the Cassette/Position label and the tube label.
t
The cassette continues rocking.
t
The Autoloader stops if the Cassette/Position label is not read.
r
If the labels are read, the bed is brought forward into the piercing position.
r
The needle pierces the tube.
r
After aspiration, the needle is retracted.