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Introduction
1.1 BACTEC® 9050 Overview
The BACTEC® 9050 instrument is designed for the rapid detection of bacteria
and fungi in clinical cultures of blood. Samples are drawn from patients and in-
jected directly into BACTEC culture vials.Vials are then entered into the instru-
ment as soon as possible to insure performance efficacy.
When microorganisms are present, they metabolize nutrients in the culture me-
dium, releasing carbon dioxide into the medium.A dye in the sensor reacts with
CO2.This modulates the amount of light that is absorbed by a fluorescent mate-
rial in the sensor.The instrument's photo detectors measure the level of fluores-
cence, which corresponds to the amount of CO2 released by organisms. Then
the measurement is interpreted by the system according t o preprogrammed
positivity parameters. (See Figure I.)
At system start-up, the BACTEC® 9050 instrument performs self-diagnostics
and loads its operating instructions.Then the instrument begins automated test-
ing.A row of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) behind the vials illuminate, activating
the vials' fluorescent sensors.The instrument's photo detectors then take the
readings.A test cycle is completed every ten minutes. Positive cultures are imme-
diately flagged by an indicator light on the front of the instrument, an optional
audible alarm, and are displayed on the LCD screen.
When positive vials are identified, the lab technologist pulls them from the in-
strument for confirmation of results, and for isolation and identification of the
organism.
MA-0103-.
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