24
TESTING PROCEDURES
Preparing for an Afinion
TM
analysis
- Allow the Afinion™ Test Cartridges to reach recommended operating temperature before use.
- Switch on your Afinion™ Analyzer so it is ready for the day's first analysis.
- Enter operator ID (optional). See procedure on page 21.
- The patient ID or control ID can be entered before or during processing of the Test Cartridge in
the Analyzer. See procedures on page 22 and 23.
Consult the Afinion™ test Package Insert or Quick Guide for assay specific information.
1
Open the foil pouch.
Grip the handle and remove
the Test Cartridge from the
pouch.
Discard the desiccant bag and
foil pouch in suitable waste
containers.
Once opened, the Test Cartridge
has limited stability.
2
Inspect the Cartridge.
Do not use the Test Cartridge
if it is damaged or if loose
desiccant particles are found
on the Test Cartridge.
Use the handle to avoid
touching the optical reading area.
3
Mark the Test Cartridge with
the patient or control ID.
Use the ID area on the opposite
side of the Test Cartridge.
An ID label can also be used.
Do not write on the barcode
label or allow it to become wet,
dirty or scratched.
If an ID label is used, this must
fit into the ID area.
Handle
Optical reading area
Tear strip
ID area
XX-NN
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25
TESTING PROCEDURES
Collecting a specimen with the Test Cartridge
• The patient sample material and control material to be used is specific for each Afinion™ test.
• The length of the capillary in the sampling device, and thereby the sample volume, might also vary
for the different Afinion™ tests.
• The time from filling the capillary until analyzing the Test Cartridge should be as short as
possible.
• Do not use the Test Cartridge if dropped on the bench or floor after the sample has been
collected.
Consult the Afinion™ test Package Insert or Quick Guide for assay specific information.
1
Remove the sampling device
from the Test Cartridge.
Use the handle to keep the
Test Cartridge steady against
the table and pull the sampling
device straight up.
2
Fill the capillary; hold the
sampling device close to
horizontal and bring the tip
of the capillary into contact
with the surface of the sample.
Make sure that the capillary fills
completely. It is not possible
to overfill.
Do not wipe off the capillary.
Avoid air bubbles and excess
sample on the outside of the
capillary.
3
Immediately and carefully
replace the sampling device
into the Test Cartridge.
The time from filling the capillary
until analyzing the Test Cartridge
should be as short as possible.
Examples:
Collecting capillary blood
Collecting control
material
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26
TESTING PROCEDURES
Analyzing a patient sample
1
Touch
to enter
patient sample mode.
The lid opens automatically.
If the lid is left open from
previous run and “Insert
Cartridge” is displayed, this
step is omitted and you can
start with step 2.
2
Insert the Test Cartridge with
the barcode label facing left.
Be sure that the Test Cartridge
is correctly placed in the
cartridge chamber.
3
Close the lid manually.
The Analyzer will start
processing the Test Cartridge.
The processing time depends
on the test in use.
4
Touch
and enter
patient ID.
Touch
to confirm.
Entering the patient ID will not
interrupt the processing.
See detailed procedure on
page 22.
5
Record the result, then
touch
to accept.
If a printer is connected,
touch
to print the
result.
The lid opens automatically.
The result will be saved in the
patient records.
6
Remove the used Test
Cartridge from the cartridge
chamber and discard it in a
suitable waste container.
Insert a new Test Cartridge
or close the lid manually.
Keep the lid closed to protect the
cartridge chamber when the
Analyzer is not in use.
Consult the Afinion™ test Package Insert or Quick Guide for assay specific information.
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27
TESTING PROCEDURES
Analyzing a control
1
Touch
to enter
control mode.
The lid opens automatically.
If the lid is left open from
previous run and “Insert
Cartridge” is displayed,
touch
then proceed
with step 2.
2
Insert the Test Cartridge with
the barcode label facing left.
A “C” in the upper left corner
indicates that the Analyzer is in
the control mode.
3
Close the lid manually.
The Analyzer will start
processing the Cartridge.
The processing time depends
on the test in use.
4
Touch
and enter
control ID.
Touch
to confirm.
Entering the control ID will not
interrupt the processing.
See detailed procedure on
page 23.
5
Record the result, then
touch
to accept.
If a printer is connected,
touch
to print the
result.
The lid opens automatically.
The result will be saved in the
control records.
6
Remove the used Test
Cartridge from the cartridge
chamber and discard it in a
suitable waste container.
Insert a new Test Cartridge
or close the lid manually.
Keep the lid closed to protect
the cartridge chamber when the
Analyzer is not in use.
Consult the Afinion™ test Package Insert for control and assay specific information.
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