BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTAION LAB MANUAL

MAM UMBER

2/14/2022
2019-BME-133
Noor ul ain mustafa
 Troubleshooting problems of chemistry analyzer and hematology
analyzer
A chemistry analyzer is a type of automated analyzer that processes a large
portion of the samples going into a hospital or private medical laboratory.
Automation of the testing process has reduced testing time for many analytes
from days to minutes.

1.Chemistry Analyzer
How to be a Better Troubleshooter in Your Laboratory:
Troubleshooting is an expected occurrence and needs to be managed effectively,
but there are basic laboratory quality tools that, if used as part of the overall
laboratory strategy, can ensure the need to troubleshoot is minimized

1. Identify the problem.

2. List all possible explanations.
3. Collect the data.
4. Eliminate some possible explanations.
5. Check with experimentation.
6. Identify the cause.

 Troubleshooting of analyzer includes occurrence management, such as

corrective and preventative action planning as part of a formal event, and
minor laboratory issues not related to a specific test or drug product

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  Troubleshooting is an ever-present requirement that needs careful and
considerate management, with adequate and thorough issue resolution
mechanisms in place. Well-engineered quality systems and processes--in
conjunction with well-trained analysts, robust and validated methods, and
a suitably designed laboratory facility--are the key ingredients that need to
be in place for consistently high-quality laboratory output.
 During troubleshooting of analyzer biomedical engineer points to a quick
fix, document the issue via a quality system, implement changes, and close
out the incident with necessary laboratory management approvals. When
the issue is more complex, assemble the appropriate people to process the
available information and ensure the ensuing actions are well defined and
approved before implementation, always maintaining a view in future
prevention.
 Errors in analyzer may occur due to human mistakes.while troubleshooting
these errors we ,take a significant proportion of atypical occurrences that
are directly related to human error, it is important not to underestimate
the importance of having team members trained in the use of human error
reduction processes.
 Disciplined approach using basic root cause analysis tools is the most
important factor to ensure successful outcomes for the troubleshooting of
analyzer, regardless of the nature of the atypical occurrence. This is
followed closely by the tools used to identify the root cause of the issue,
documenting the learning from the occurrence, and capturing the specifics
of the troubleshooting exercise so they can be used as part of preventive
planning for future projects.

 When we run a material in analyzer or while working in any system there

are always chances of failure in the smooth operation owing to technical,
physical or any other faults.
 For uninterrupted running of the system, we need to resolve the raised
issues as soon as possible and for this, we need to detect the cause of the
problem first and then fix it.

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  Cable Problem: The cable which is used to connect two devices can get
faulty, shortened or can be physically damaged.
 Connectivity Problem: The port or interface on which the device is
connected or configured can be physically down or faulty due to which the
source host will not be able to communicate with the destination host.
 Configuration Issue: Due to a wrong configuration, routing problem and
other configuration issues, network fault may arise and the services of the
analyzer will get affected.
 source will not be able to reach the destination IP through the network.

Initially, I would like to discuss the flowcell, which is arguably the most

important section of the entire pathway utilized during flow analysis. This is
where everything coalesces and the results of the sample collection,
reagent preparation, and instrument operation come together to produce
the final analytical conclusions. Often, an operator will report a variety of
possibilities that they consider to be the cause of an inoperative system
such as tubing, the heater, a cartridge, etc., but many times the problem
can be simply resolved with a thorough examination of the flowcell.

1. Flowcells have several components that can be checked for performance

issues and can be easily broken down, inspected, cleaned and/or rebuilt.
The types of problems that signal me to check the flowcell include: noisy
and drifting baselines, poor reproducibility, and poor peak shape.
Ultimately these problems can be resolved by cleaning or replacing the
glass flowcell windows.

TROUBLESHOOTING OF HEMATOLOGY ANALYZER:

Hematology analyzers determine the quantity of each type of cell that

makes up the patient's blood. Only recently has the role and importance of
each blood component been understood. As blood travels throughout the
body, it provides nourishment to each cell and removes its waste

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There are three methods of counting blood cells: manual, semi-automated, and
fully automated, in two different designs. All hematology analyzers fall into either
the semi- or fully automated methods.

TROUBLESHOOTING OF HEMATOLOGY ANALYZER:

 The risk management issues with hematology analyzers are no

greater than with other clinical laboratory equipment. The main risks
include inaccurate results, which could result in delay of treatment or
inappropriate treatment. The equipment manager should always err
on the side of caution when assessing risk.
 No electromechanical device operates correctly all of the time. Each
design has its advantages and problems. Analyzers based upon or
employing volumetric impedance occasionally experience aperture
clogging as well as counting errors when the specimen is cloudy.
Some samples from patients with uremia, leukemia, and those who
are immunosupressed can result in false low WBC counts caused by
cell damage occurring in the aperture. Additionally, RBCs can clump if
the specimen is cold, resulting in very high mean corpuscular
hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values. Most sample feed
problems can be traced to minute vacuum leaks in the maze of
plastic tubing, so it behooves the laboratory technician or biomed to
replace tubing at specified intervals as part of scheduled
maintenance, regardless of the condition of the tubing.
 Light-scattering designs can suffer from misalignment of the laser or
light beam, debris in the sample stream, and electronic noise.
Furthermore, they tend to record very high cell counts inaccurately.
Lastly, using the wrong or expired diluent, flush, etc., can introduce

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 problems where no instrument malfunction exists. Fortunately, most
of these problems are within the purview of the laboratory
technician to prevent or correct. The biomed will rarely encounter
these problems, but must be aware of them when dealing with
inexperienced technicians. Outside of the aforementioned problems,
the electronics used in modern hematology analyzers are remarkably
stable; trouble-free; and are closely monitored, both operationally
and for quality control purposes, by computer software that
continually evaluates instrument performance.
 To prevent the possibility of liquid flowing onto the base plate when
the tube connected to the valve is pulled out, the tube pulled out
needs to be placed into the small sample cup, and tissue paper
should be used as a pad to prop up any affected components. The
sample cup should be removed once the liquid has stopped flowing.
2. Disassemble the valve. Then open the valve cap to check if there is
any clogging caused by impurities; if so, remove the impurities
 Pull out the tubing and place it into the small sample cup. Then prop
up any relevant parts with tissue paper and disassemble the pump.
 . Remove the impurities and place the pump in its original position.

References
1. ↑ Rundle, Chris C. (5 May 2000). "A Beginners Guide to Ion-Selective Electrode
Measurements". Nico2000.net. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “Five Whys Tool for Root Cause
Analysis,” accessed April 18, 2017. 
2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “How to Use the Fishbone Tool for
Root Cause Analysis,” accessed April 18, 2017. 

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