Automated Chemiluminescence Analyzer

Yantai Addcare Bio-Tech Co. Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the development, production and sales of fully automated liquid handling systems, immunoassay workstations and related products. We are currently the only manufacturer in China holding independent intellectual property rights in this product segment.

It combines all functions required to process microplate- based immunoassays on an efficient, convenient and fast platform. Sample- and reagent transfer are performed by the pipetting system with high precision. An array of shaker-incubators carry the microplates, assure accurate reaction temperature and efficient mixing. The 96-well microplate washer module of high performance provides fast and efficient washing. The measurement module provides reliable raw data to be evaluated and the plate transfer arm moves the plate between the modules used for each individual processing step.

The system is complemented by ADCstation, a powerful PC-software providing an intuitive user interface to control all system functions, define and execute the desired processes, perform evaluation and provide access to results and process data.

The pipetting modules in Addcare's assay processors utilize drip-proof air displacement pipetting with disposable tips. This technology eliminates any risk of cross contamination by carryover and prevents sample dilution with system liquid, both common in washable tip systems. Different sizes of disposable tips can be used to match the specific pipetting requirements.

During tip-loading, pipetting and tip-ejecting, the system continuously monitors the presence and proper fixing of each tip. In case of a problem the software will automatically set necessary actions, like retry loading the tips to assure continuous operation or display the related warning and ask for user intervention if necessary.

During aspiration the pipetting system automatically monitors three parameters vital for accurate pipetting and reliable assay processing. If a problem is identified the system provides an alarm and the operator can eliminate the reason immediately.

Liquid level monitoring is used to detect the surface of the liquid to be pipetted, to assure identical conditions for aspiration and accurate pipetting across all channels. The pressure based detection system allows for the use of standard pipetting tips.

Clot monitoring, based on sophisticated analysis of the pressure profile for each individual channel during aspiration, is used to detect clogged tips.

Tube volume monitoringuses the detected liquid level, the sample- or reagent-container geometry- and its position data to calculate the liquid volume available in the related vessel. If the available volume is not sufficient to continue the scheduled process, the system will provide a warning and ask for user intervention.

All 8-, 4- and 2-channel systems provide the possibility to deactivate faulty channels if necessary. The system can then still be operated and continue the protocol with the remaining, intact channels until the problem is eliminated. This feature prevents critical down time of the system while your lab is busy and gives you the chance to plan maintenance when appropriate.

The automatic pipetting head allows simultaneous, independent vertical movement of each individual pipetting channel. At the same time the spacing between the individual channels can be automatically adjusted to the required, equidistant grid. This design increases flexibility and processing speed in sophisticated pipetting tasks like the parallel transfer of samples from sample tubes to the microplate or other reaction vessels.

Multiple Dispensing: The aspirated samples can be subsequently distributed to a number of target vessels.

Diversified Dispensing: The aspirated samples are simultaneously transferred to different target vessels.

Together with sophisticated pipetting head, the intelligent plate transfer arm makes up the centerpiece of the Addcare assay processing platform. It can rapidly, precisely and safely pick up microplates and transfer them between the different modules on the workbench involved in the assay process. In order to increase speed and flexibility the plate transfer arm can be simultaneously positioned along the Y-axis, independent of the pipetting head. In order to increase operating safety the transfer arm will keep holding the plate even during a power failure.

The shaker incubator modules allow individual control of the required temperature setting and shaking parameters. Depending on the number of pipetting channels available on the system, the number of incubators is carefully defined to match the specific processing speed and system throughput and grouped in arrays of 2, 4, 9 or 16 modules.

Sample pipetting and reagent dispensing are performed with the plates positioned on their assigned incubator. This allows setting the target temperature after pipetting is completed to decrease time shift effects across the plate. If desired, the empty plate can be pre-incubated, resulting in a faster rise of temperature after pipetting.

If required, light protection covers may be placed on the plates during incubation.

All Addcare immunoassay processing systems are equipped with a high performance microplate washer modules, designed to provide high throughput and consistent washing performance across the plates with a specified residual volume after aspiration of less than 2ml(2ul) per well. Depending on the model the systems are either equipped with an 8 - (optionally 16- or 24) or 96-channel washer module. The high throughput system ADC CLIA 1100 even incorporates 3 parallel 96-channel washer modules located between the two cabinets.

In order to process plates partially filled with strips, each (3) column of the 96-channel manifold can be individually activated or deactivated. ADCstation provides full control over all relevant parameters like the selection of the wash buffer, the wash mode, wash liquid volume, overflow washing height, wash cycles, soak time and others. In order to simplify method definition wash protocols can be predefined and assigned to the related processing methods.

The plate carrier of the 96-channel washer module can hold up to three microplates at a time, so plates can remain on the washer during soak time while other plates are processed in parallel without the need to transfer them unnecessarily(when 1plate is soaking, the washer can wash the other plate to save time) . This eliminates a common bottleneck in automated immunoassay processing and significantly increases throughput of the complete system.

Different wash buffers can be held available in parallel and selected automatically. Each wash buffer container is equipped with a liquid level sensor. Distilled water provided in a separate container is used to purge the manifold and avoid clogging.

The intelligent clot washing system can aspirate the clot to avoid repeated washing and potential clogging of the channel.

The manifold can not detect the clot automatically, the short needles can shot to wash the clot exist at the top of the long needles because long needle only aspirate, and clot can only exit on long needles), but the effect of doing this, whether the shot needles can shot down the clot or not, is not sure.

Addcare Immunoassay Workstations are equipped with high quality microplate measurement modules, matching the assay technology to be processed. They assure reliable and accurate measurement data acquisition. Alternatively a photometric microplate reader module (CLIA version), a microplate luminometer (CLIA version) or a fluorescence reading module (FIA version) is installed onto the desired processor platform to create a system tailored to your specific needs.

Control of the reader function as well as evaluation, validation and assignment of the results to the sample IDs is completely integrated in the processing methods defined in ADCstation.

Multiangle barcode scanner

It can be used to identify sample tubes in the tube racks, distinguish between tubes with barcode, tubes without barcode and rack positions without tube. Additionally the location of reagent carriers can be identified.

Workbench Layout

Component description

Platform versions

All Addcare systems are supplied with ADCstation, a versatile Windows® based software package designed to control all functions of the instrument connected. It allows the user to configure, run and control the required assay or liquid handling procedure and manage sample and result data. The intuitive user interface closely follows and supports the workflow defining the procedures in the lab.

ADCstation is designed to equally handle large workloads of routine assays as well as small sample quantities supplied discontinuously to the lab. Multiple assays can be processed in parallel and different assays can be assigned to individual samples.

The software controls each individual operation and interaction of the modules on the work bench synchronously. It schedules the tasks and provides permanent feedback on the progress and status of the work in progress.

The software utilizes a complex simulation algorithm to schedule parallel processing of assays, to minimize delays and maximize throughput. The working sequence of the assay process in visualized along a common timeline. During operation the user is informed if an intervention is necessary.

Each module can be individually controlled and adjusted to meet the specific requirements of the application, optimize performance and eliminate potential problems.

ADCstation generates detailed track records of the complete assays process, corresponding to the strict guidelines for electronic records, tracking instructions and automated test process records for IVDs.

The software provides convenient interfacing to existing LIS/HIS systems through a standardized laboratory data exchange format.

Westgard or L-J QC functionality supports automatic creation of quality control charts and validation.

The recorded traceability data can be filtered and monitored conveniently, supports identification and elimination of irregularities in the assay process.

Addcare‘s system platforms can be customized to meet the requirements of a wide variety of laboratory applications. A number of standard and optional modules can be combined to perfectly match the desired workflow. ADCstation will display your specific configuration and provide integration of its functionality to implement your individual processing methods.

The specialists at Addcare will be glad to provide assistance in configuring a system tailored to your specific needs.

Accessories

These accessories are identical with the modules included in standard configuration. In order to facilitate preparation of the necessary material prior to starting a process, additional racks can be ordered to be filled while the system is operating. Custom vial racks is not standard configuration.