Hematology analyzer explained

See also: Hematology.

Hematology analyzers (also spelled haematology analysers in British English) are used to count and identify blood cells at high speed with accuracy.[1] [2] [3] During the 1950s, laboratory technicians counted each individual blood cell underneath a microscope. Tedious and inconsistent, this was replaced with the first, very basic hematology analyzer, engineered by Wallace H. Coulter. The early hematology analyzers relied on Coulter's principle (see Coulter counter). However, they have evolved to encompass numerous techniques.[4]

Uses

Hematology analyzers are used to conduct a complete blood count (CBC), which is usually the first test requested by physicians to determine a patient's general health status.[5] A complete blood count includes red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin, and platelet counts, as well as hematocrit levels. Other analyses include:

Techniques

Types

3-part differential cell counter

A 3-part differential cell counter uses Coulter's principle to find the size and volume of the cell. The sample is lysed and dissolved into an electrolyte solution in a container, which also holds a smaller container. The smaller container has two pumps running to and from its solution, one creating a vacuum and the other replacing the lost solution. The smaller container has a small hole (an orifice) near the bottom of the container. Coulter's principle is applied through the use of two electrodes. One electrode (the internal electrode) is within the smaller container, and the other (the external electrode) is outside of the smaller container but within the electrolyte/sample solution. As the vacuum draws the sample cells through the orifice, the cell momentarily causes electrical resistance to the current as it passes through the orifice. This resistance is recorded, measured, amplified, and processed which can then be interpreted by the computer into a histogram. The 3-part analyzer is able to differentiate between three types of white blood cells (WBCs): neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.[7]

5-part differential cell counter

This type of hematology analyzer utilizes both Coulter's principle and flow cytometry to determine the granularity, diameter, and inner complexity of the cells. Using hydrodynamic focusing, the cells are sent through an aperture one cell at a time. During this, a laser is directed at them, and the scattered light is measured at multiple angles. The absorbance is also recorded. The cell can be identified based on the intensity of the scattered light and the level of absorbance.[8] A 5-part cell counter can differentiate all WBC types (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes). 5-part analyzers are more expensive than 3-part analyzers, but provide more in-depth information about the sample. Specific jobs, such as allergy testing, require 5-part differential analysis. However, most medical tasks can be completed with the 3-part analyzer.

Components

The hematology analyzer is broken down into five key components:[9]

  1. Power source
  2. Control unit
  3. Sample Reagent Tray
  4. Collecting system
  5. Data storage
  6. Processing system

Producers

These are the major companies that are known to make quality Hematology Analyzers for hospitals and laboratories: [10]

  1. Beckman Coulter
  2. Sysmex Corporation
  3. HORIBA Ltd
  4. Abbott Laboratories
  5. Bio-Rad Laboratories
  6. Siemens AG
  7. Mindray Medical International Limited
  8. Boule Diagnostics AB
  9. Roche Diagnostics
  10. Nihon Kohden Corporation.
  11. Seamaty Technology

Notes and References

  1. Automated hematology analyzers: Recent trends and applications . Chhabra . Gaurav . 2018 . Journal of Laboratory Physicians . 15–16 . 10.4103/JLP.JLP_124_17 . 5784285 . 29403197 . 10. 1 . free .
  2. Book: Development of management software for new Automatic Hematology analyzer based on PC/Windows . Wenhao Zhang . Xudong Ma . October 2016 . . New York City, U.S. . 96–101 . 10.1109/IECON.2016.7794038 . Fang Fang . Xin Xu . Ziquan Dong. 3525954 . IECON 2016 - 42nd Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society . 978-1-5090-3474-1 .
  3. Minimal Hematology Analyzer Plus Blood Smear Digital Imaging/ Analysis Provides Better Clinical Hematology Results Than a Complex Hematology Analyzer Alone . Palm . Lisa . Stephens . Laura . 2016-12-02 . . 4731 . 2019-06-02 . Bengtsson . Han-Inge . Broome . H. Elizabeth . 128 . 22 . 10.1182/blood.V128.22.4731.4731 . 16 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190916040643/https://www.bloodjournal.org/content/128/22/4731 . live . subscription .
  4. Sullivan . Ellen . Hematology Analyzer: From Workhorse to Thoroughbred . Laboratory Medicine . May 2006 . 37 . 5 . 273–278 . 10.1309/TMQ6T4CBCG408141. free .
  5. Web site: Complete blood count differential interpretation – 3-part or 5-part?. 6 March 2022. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127145238/https://boule.com/knowledge-center/hematology-analyzers-3-part-or-5-part-that-is-the-question/. live.
  6. Web site: Hematology Analyzers . LabCompare . Compare Networks . 5 May 2019 . 5 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505213536/https://www.labcompare.com/Clinical-Diagnostics/5110-Hematology-Analyzers/ . live .
  7. Web site: Dumas . Tim . 5-Part or 3-Part: What's the Difference? . Repertoire Magazine . 7 May 2019 . 13 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170213142340/https://old.repertoiremag.com/Article.asp?Id=4035 . live .
  8. Web site: Ryan . Robinson . What is flow cytometry (FACS analysis)? . Antibodies Online . 6 May 2019 . 6 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190506000332/https://www.antibodies-online.com/resources/17/1247/what-is-flow-cytometry-facs-analysis/ . live .
  9. Kalstein (2023) What are the main components of laboratory hematology analyzers?, Kalstein.us. Available at: https://kalstein.us/blog/2023/02/03/what-are-the-main-components-of-laboratory-hematology-analyzers/ (Accessed: 09 May 2023).
  10. Grand View Research (2019) GVR Report coverHematology Analyzers And Reagents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 To 2025.Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/hematology-analyzers-and-reagents-market#:~:text=The%20major%20players%20of%20hematology%20analyzers%20and%20reagents,Diagnostics%20AB%2C%20Roche%20Diagnostics%2C%20and%20Nihon%20Kohden%20Corporation.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Hematology analyzer".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.