9
ANALYZER SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
How the Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer System works
The Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer System uses different chemical and mechanical assay methods combined with
advanced, computerized processing and measuring technology.
A Test Cartridge with patient sample or control is placed in the cartridge chamber of the Analyzer. By manually
closing the lid, the Test Cartridge is transported into the analysis compartment of the Analyzer.Test and lot
specific information is obtained from the barcode label, which then initiates the processing of the Test
Cartridge.The sample and reagents are automatically transferred between the wells. A monochrome solid-state
camera monitors the entire process.When the assay is completed, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) illuminate the
final reaction area, which can be either a colored membrane or a reaction well.The camera detects the
reflected or transmitted light, which is converted to a test result and displayed on the touch screen.When
the user accepts the result, the lid covering the cartridge chamber opens automatically and the used Test
Cartridge can be removed and discarded.The Analyzer is then ready for the next run.
Internal process control
The Analyzer self-test
A self-test is performed during start-up of the Analyzer to ensure that the instrument is operating according
to established specifications.The self-test validates:
• Hardware and software integrity
• Test Cartridge transport system
• Liquid transport system
• Camera vision system
If the self-test fails at any point the red LED will start flashing and an information code will be displayed on
the touch screen (see “Information codes and troubleshooting”, page 29). If the Analyzer is unable to use the
display, only the red LED will be flashing.
When the Analyzer is switched on for a longer period, it will automatically restart once a day to ensure that
a self-test is done regularly.This procedure will not interrupt any Test Cartridge measurements.
The fail-safe mechanisms
Fail-safe mechanisms are included to secure safe processing.The integrated camera inspects the test cartridges
initially before the process starts. If defects are detected (e.g. broken capillary, the cartridge is used past its
expiration date), the Test Cartridge is rejected and an information code is displayed. During processing vital
functions and components (e.g. pumps, heater) are supervised.When problems are detected by the built-in
safety mechanism, the process will be aborted and an information code will be displayed.
Calibration
The Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer has been manufactured to deliver reliable and accurate results. During
manufacturing, the Analyzers are calibrated against a reference system.This procedure has been established
to ensure that all Analyzers operate within identical tolerance limits.
Test specific calibration data are established for each lot of test cartridges and then stored in the barcode label.
When the Test Cartridge enters the Analyzer, the integrated camera reads the barcode.The calibration data
for the actual lot are transferred to the instrument and used for calculating results. Calibration by the operator
is thus not required.
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GALLERY OF ICONS
The icons and their function
Touching an icon on the screen will activate the function of this icon. All the icons that may appear during
operation of the Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer are explained below by their function.
Icon
Name
Function
Patient sample mode Select patient sample mode.
Control mode
Select control mode.
Patient ID
Enter patient ID.
Control ID
Enter control ID.
Patient records
View patient result records.
Control records
View control result records.
Main menu
Enter main menu (operator ID, patient records,
control records and configuration menu).
Operator ID
Enter operator ID.
Settings
Enter configuration menu (language, patient ID on/off,
date/time and screen/beeper).
Language
Enter language selection.
Patient ID on/off
Enable/disable patient ID function.
Date/Time
Enter date/time settings (date and time).
Exit
Exit current menu and return to previous screen view.
Date
Enter date setting.
Time
Enter time setting.
Screen/Beeper
Enter screen and beeper settings (screen contrast,
screen adjustment and beeper volume).
Screen contrast
Enter screen contrast setting.
Screen alignment
Enter screen alignment function.
Beeper volume
Enter beeper volume setting.
Accept
Accept (a setting or a test result).
Print
Print result on connected printer.
ON
Disable patient ID function (turns OFF when touched).
OFF
Enable patient ID function (turns ON when touched).
Table continued on next page.
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GALLERY OF ICONS
Icon
Name
Function
Enter
Enter and return to previous view.
Backspace
Delete previous character.
Increase
Increase contrast/volume.
Decrease
Decrease contrast/volume.
Scroll up
View next result in the patient or control records.
Scroll down
View previous result in the patient or control records.
Other symbols and signs
Other symbols, signs and abbreviations that may appear during operation of the Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer are
explained below.These symbols or signs are only informative and cannot be activated like the icons.
Symbol
Meaning
Appears when?
Wait!
Hour-glass icon that appears in the start-up procedure.
Information
Icon used along with a code number [#] that corresponds to
code
specific information or an error message
[#]
(see “Information codes and troubleshooting”).
Operator ID
Icon illustrates the operator ID.
Patient ID
Icon illustrates the patient ID.
Control ID
Icon illustrates the control ID.
Control
The letter C will appear on the screen when the control
mode is selected.
O-ID
Operator ID
Abbreviation used in the patient and control records.
P-ID
Patient ID
Abbreviation used in the patient records.
C-ID
Control ID
Abbreviation used in the control records.
RUN#
Run number
Abbreviation used in the patient and control records for the
run number of the analysis.This numbering is reset each day
at 24:00h.
LOT#
Lot number
Abbreviation used in the patient and control records for the
lot number of the Test Cartridge.
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