Immune analyzers are used in hospitals and clinical laboratories to run automated biochemical tests to detect the presence, and concentration of substances in samples.
Immune analyzers can perform many types of tests, including cancer marker testing, infectious disease diagnosis, cardiac analysis, therapeutic drug monitoring, and allergy testing.
Random sampling and continuous access sampling are two ways in which Immune analyzers process samples. Samples can be subjected to a variety of immune tests such as microsomal enzyme, ion capture, fluorescence polarization and chemiluminescence.
What is Immunodiagnosis?
Immunodiagnosis applies theories, techniques and methods of immunology to diagnose various diseases to determine immune status.
The main roles are: for the detection of tumor markers, thyroid function, endocrine, cardiovascular classes, congenital diseases, infectious diseases, etc.
According to the analysis method: enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) biological enzyme labeling; chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) with chemiluminescent substances labeling; fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) fluorescent substances labeling.
In discussing immunoassays and the different options available in the field, it is wise to cut to the heart of the matter; the way immunoassays function.
The immunoassay we developed verifies the presence of a specific marker in a clinical specimen by using antibodies and antigens. By setting up the correct conformation, a reaction is triggered. In short, any reaction indicates the presence of a specific substance.
If there is no reaction, the marker for which the test was created cannot be identified in the specimen. Biomarkers are measured in different kinds of immunoassays, and although the results are similar, the methods and techniques behind the tests may be completely different.
ELISA Immunoassay Testing
ELISA is a common laboratory technique used to detect the presence of a specific protein or antibody in a sample.
The basic principle of ELISA involves immobilizing a specific antigen or antibody onto a solid surface, such as a microtiter plate well. A sample containing the protein or antibody of interest is then added to the wells, and any specific protein or antibody binds to the antigen or antibody immobilized on the surface of the well.
Next, a detection antibody that recognizes the target protein or antibody is added, followed by an enzyme-linked secondary antibody that binds to the detection antibody.
When a specific substrate is added, the enzyme generates a measurable signal, such as a color change, which allows for the detection and quantification of the target protein or antibody in the sample.
ELISA can be used to detect a wide range of proteins and antibodies and is widely used in research, clinical diagnostics, and the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
CLIA is a laboratory technique that uses chemiluminescent molecules to detect the presence of specific proteins or antibodies in a sample (e.g., blood or urine).
In CLIA, the sample is mixed with an antibody labeled with a chemiluminescent molecule. If a target protein or antibody is present in the sample, it will bind to the labeled antibody. The mixture is then exposed to a trigger solution that causes the chemiluminescent molecule to glow and is measured by a detector.
CLIA has several advantages over other immunoassays. It is very sensitive, which means that it can detect very low levels of target molecules in the sample. It is also very specific, which means that it can distinguish between closely related molecules.
In addition, CLIA can be automated, making it a fast and efficient method for testing large numbers of samples. As a result, CLIA is widely used in clinical laboratories for diagnostic testing, as well as in research laboratories for studying biomolecules and their interactions.
Fluorescent Immunoassay
FIA is an immunoassay that uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to detect the presence of a specific target molecule in a sample.
Immunoassays are analytical methods that rely on specific binding between antibodies and antigens (target molecules) to detect and measure the amount of antigen in a sample.
In FIA, the sample is mixed with a fluorescently labeled antibody that is specific to the target antigen. If the target antigen is present in the sample, it will bind to the fluorescently labeled antibody, forming an antigen-antibody complex.
This complex can be detected and measured by the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent marker on the antibody.
FIA is widely used in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety testing, and many other applications where sensitive and specific detection of target molecules is required.
FIA offers several advantages over other immunoassays, including high sensitivity, specificity and speed. It is also a relatively simple and cost effective technique compared to other assays.
Common faults and maintenance
Luminous body error：
The surface of the luminous body is inspected, and if liquid is found to be oozing out, the fault is checked in three steps：
- The waste liquid probe, related piping and cleaning pool for blockage, leakage of liquid to check the situation.
- Check the sample addition solenoid valve, drainage solenoid valve, solenoid valve, if there is dirt, it will lead to poor water intake or drainage.
- Check whether there is a crack in the alkali pump and waste liquid probe pipeline connected to the alkali pump cleaning pipeline for air leakage.
TRACK ERROR:
The fault is due to the misalignment of the specimen rack in the track, which leads to the inability to run the track, because the track is long and airtight is not easy to remove.
Take a sec to check the horizontal lift connected to the track, if the results of the horizontal lift are normal, then check the track. All you need to do is take out the misaligned specimen rack to be able to remove the fault.
1.The Pressure Gauge Indicates 0:
The sound of the pump can be heard during the vacuum pressure test, however, the pressure gauge indicates 0.
First, the vacuum pipe connected to the waste bottle is inspected and the vacuum pressure is tested to determine whether the air leakage, or damage to the pressure gauge is what’s causing the malfunction.
Check the interface of each pipe for air leakage. Also, check the four related solenoid valves. If they do not work during the vacuum pressure test, they are closed. Repair or replace the faulty pipeline or solenoid valve in time.
2.Insufficient Vacuum Pressure:
You’ll have to carry out a vacuum pressure test. If you get a normal test result, then the vacuum sensor can’t detect the vacuum pressure as the cause of insufficient vacuum pressure.
The machine’s pressure test is high and low pressure is detected through two sensors. Make sure you adjust or clean the problematic sensor. After that, perform the vacuum pressure test again. When the pressure is normal there will be a high and low pressure indication through the sensor screw adjustment, to the specified range.
3.Self-diagnostic Functions：
Chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzers have a relatively high level of automation and self-diagnostic functions are all available as well. If a fault occurs, then the instrument is can automatically detect the fault and display the error message accompanied by an alarm sound.
The interior of the main probe, specimen sampling needle, and reagent needle is brushed once a month with a special stainless steel brush to remove contamination.
Because there is a small gap inside the needle, use a syringe of saline to repeatedly rinse the inside of the needle after brushing. Ensure you rinse off all the dirt, you can use alcohol to wipe the outside of the needle clean.
Weekly Inspection & Maintenance
We recommend a weekly inspection of the upper guide of the main probe. After completing the inspection, use a fiber-free swab to clean the lower guide of the main probe, then enter the maintenance program under the main menu for special cleaning as required.
As soon as you’re done cleaning, use an ethanol swab to clean the upper part of the main probe, then check the waste tank filter. The sensing points on the incubation strip are checked for dust and wiped clean using a fiber-free swab.
A system test must be done after weekly maintenance so that the system test data is guaranteed within the control limits. Make sure the machine casing is clean every day to prevent dust from entering the instrument.
Before carrying out routine daily maintenance, it must be necessary to check whether the system temperature status, liquid circuit part, consumables part, waste tank, buffer, etc.
Focus on meeting the requirements, and then operate the cleaning system for maintenance according to the maintenance procedure.
Immunoanalyzer Tech
Immunoanalyzer technology has revolutionized the field of diagnostic testing by allowing for rapid and accurate detection of a wide range of biomolecules.
Through the use of antibodies and other molecular probes, immunoanalyzers are able to detect even trace amounts of substances in complex biological samples, making them a valuable tool for clinical and research applications alike.
As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that immunoanalyzer technology will only become more powerful and versatile, paving the way for new discoveries and improved patient care.