Instrumentation in Medical Laboratories

Instrumentation in Medical Laboratories

• The course aims to assess biomedical laboratory equipment and its proper handling.
• Students will learn to classify instruments by function.
• Students will understand the principles behind instrument function.
• Students will select and operate appropriate instruments for specified laboratory investigations.
• Students will understand the rationale for choosing one instrument over another.
• Students will learn to care for and maintain biomedical instruments.

Basic Definition

• Laboratory instrumentation comprises laboratory test equipment or instruments used in performing tests.
• UV spectrophotometry and gas chromatography are examples of instrumental techniques.
• Instruments are devices used for measurements to provide quantitative or sometimes qualitative results.
• Biomedical instruments measure biological or medical quantities and provide quantitative or qualitative results.
• Instruments range from simple hand-held thermometers to complex multi-variable analyzers.

Laboratory Equipment

• Laboratory equipment consists of various tools used by scientists working in the laboratory.
• Equipment facilitates either performing experiments or collecting measurements and data.
• Sophisticated equipment is called scientific instrumentation.
• Open hardware principles are increasingly used to design and share laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Examples include Bunsen burners, microscopes, operant conditioning chambers, spectrophotometers, and calorimeters.

List of Biomedical Instruments

• A list of biomedical instruments is included (e.g., microscopes, incubators, autoclaves, water baths, ovens, vacuum pumps, centrifuges, pH meters, spectrophotometers, flame photometers, colorimeters, atomic absorption spectrophotometers, nephelometers, electrophoresis packs, Coulter counters, ELISA readers, polymerase chain reaction machines, microtomes, tissue processing machines, weighing balances, anaerobic jars, refrigerators, flow cytometers).

Selection Criteria

• Many factors need to be considered when selecting laboratory equipment, including initial selection assessment.
• Budgeting is crucial for equipment selection.
• Installation and training are also vital considerations.
• Laboratory evaluation, documentation, maintenance, and troubleshooting should be planned.

Instrument Selection

• Laboratory instruments have become more sophisticated.
• Selecting the right instrument needs a detailed assessment and evaluation process.
• Factors like performance characteristics, cost, and reagents are needed during the selection process.
• Considerations like ease of use, language support, warranty, safety, and suitability to the laboratory space are fundamental in the selection process.

Analytical Instrument Selections

• Analytical instruments include blood cell counters, multi-chemistry analyzers, single assay instruments, spectrophotometers, flow cytometers, and molecular biology equipment.

Equally Important Instruments

• Equally important instruments include automatic pipettes, pH meters, thermometers, water baths, centrifuges, and incubators.

Initial Selection Assessment

• The wide range of instruments available.
• Differences in cost, complexity, and functionality.
• Selecting the appropriate instrument for the particular needs is crucial.

Selection Considerations

• Considerations include throughput (sample capacity), range of applications, versatility, sample volume, sample preparation, QC and calibration requirements, and requisite technical skill levels.
• The laboratory's physical setup (electricity, water, space, door openings, elevator access) must accommodate the chosen instrument.
• Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity need to be evaluated.
• Running costs (reagents, spares, maintenance, service, power consumption) and instrument reliability and reputation are important factors.

Selection Considerations (Support)

• The level and quality of support and backup systems needed for training, technical advice, preventive maintenance, and rapid access to reagents and spares are crucial.

Budgeting

• Total costs, including the upfront purchase price or rental costs for the instrument, delivery, and installation, are important factors.
• Running costs such as service contracts and emergency call-outs, reagents, consumables, spares, controls, calibrators, services (utilities like electricity, water, gases), and staffing necessities need consideration.

Acquiring Equipment

• Equipment acquisition methods include purchase, lease, rent, donations, central acquisition, and bulk procurement contracts.

Care and Maintenance of Biomedical Instruments

• Medical equipment maintenance is a set of activities for keeping a device in good working condition comprising inspection, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance (breakdowns).

Importance of Maintenance

• Well-planned and implemented maintenance allows all equipment to be reliable, safe, and ready for diagnostic procedures, therapy, treatment, and patient monitoring. This extends the useful lifespan and minimizes ownership costs.

Preventive Maintenance

• Routine cleaning and adjustment are important.
• Replacement of equipment parts can prevent equipment failure.

Implementing a Maintenance Program

• Responsibility assignment is important.
• Develop written policies and procedures for the maintenance program.
• Maintain records of maintenance activities.
• Training staff on the maintenance procedures is necessary.

Developing a Maintenance Plan

• Routine maintenance plans should be developed for each piece of equipment.
• Maintenance plan frequency, function checks, and routine part replacement are included.

Create an Equipment Inventory Log

• Record the instrument type, model number, serial number, location in the laboratory, purchase date, manufacturer and vendor details, warranty expiration date, and spare parts.