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Beckman Coulter, AU680 (Chemistry 2012)

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Contact Information

Chemistry analyzer for mid-volume laboratory
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Burch Ekener
bekener@beckman.com
250 S. Kraemer Blvd.
Brea, CA 92821
714-961-6698


Name of instrument/First year sold in U.S. AU680/2008
List price/Total No. sold in 2011 $213,000/30
Number of units in clinical use in U.S./Outside U.S. 350/>800
Where designed/Manufactured/Where reagents manufactured Japan/Japan/U.S. and Ireland
Operational type/Reagent type random access, discrete, continuous random access/open reagent system
Sample handling system/Model type rack and stat carousel/floor standing
Dimensions in inches (H x W x D)/Footprint in square feet 50 × 76 × 45/23.7
Number of tests for which analyzer has FDA-cleared applications 125
Tests released for clinical use in last 12 months —
Tests cleared but not released for clinical use —
Tests not available in U.S. but submitted for 510(k) clearance —
Tests not available in U.S. but available in other countries —
Research-use-only assays —
Tests in development —
Methodologies supported/immunoassay methodologies photometry, potentiometry, calculated tests/homogeneous
Number of direct ion-selective electrode channels 3
Number of different measured assays onboard simultaneously up to 63
Number of different assays programmed and calibrated at once 120
Number of user-definable (open) channels/Number active simultaneously 116/60
Number of different analytes for which system accommodates reagent containers onboard at once/Tests per container set 63/100 to 1,500
Shortest/Median onboard reagent stability/Refrigerated onboard 120 hr/30 days/yes (4°–12°C)
Multiple reagent configurations supported yes
Reagent container placed directly on system for use yes
Instrument has same capabilities when third-party reagents used yes
Walkaway capacity in minutes/Specimens/Tests or assays varies/up to 172/varies
Uses disposable cuvettes/Maximum number stored no/—
Uses washable cuvettes/Replacement frequency yes/permanent
Minimum sample volume aspirated precisely at one time 1 µL
Supplied with UPS (backup power)/Requires floor drain no (optional)/yes (no with optional water pump)
Requires dedicated water system/Water consumption per hour yes/28 L peak consumption
Noise generated in decibels 60
Dedicated pediatric sample cup/Dead volume no/—
Primary tube sampling/Pierces caps on primary tubes yes/no
Sample bar-code reading capability/Autodiscrimination yes, on sample transport, shortly before sample is aspirated (2 of 5 interleaved, Codabar, codes 39 and 128)/yes
Reagent bar-code reading capability yes
Bar code placement per CLSI standard Auto2A yes
Onboard test auto inventory (determines volume in container) yes
Measures number of tests remaining/Short sample detection/Clot detection yes/yes/yes
Hemolysis/Turbidity detection-quantitation yes/yes
Sample volume can be reduced yes
Increased to rerun out-of-linear-range high/low results yes
Autocalibration or autocalibration alert yes
Calibrants stored onboard/Multipoint calibration supported yes/yes
Typical calib. frequency for ISE/Metabolites/Therapeutic drugs/Drugs of abuse 1 day/30 days/14 days/14 to 20 days
Automatic shutdown programmable/Startup programmable yes/yes
Stat time to completion of all analytes and throughput per hour for:
• Sodium, potassium, chloride, TC02 including TCO2, TAT <9 minutes, 200 specimens
• Sodium, potassium, chloride, TC02, glucose, urea, creatinine including TCO2, TAT <9 minutes, 160 specimens
• Albumin, direct and total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP 9 minutes, 133 specimens
Typical time delay from ordering stat test to aspiration of sample 1 minute
How often QC required/Onboard SW capability to review QC per CLIA and laboratory’s decision/yes
Onboard real-time QC/Support multiple QC lot numbers per analyte yes/yes
System can automatically transfer QC results to LIS yes
Data management capability/Instrument vendor supplies LIS interface onboard/no (optional)
Interfaces to what LISs up and running in active user sites all common interfaces, including Cerner, Antrim, CCA, Chemware, Dawning Technology, ADAC, Dynamic Healthcare, Antek, Siemens, McKesson (Data Innovations), CPSI, Meditech, Misys, Citation, SCC
Bidirectional interface capability yes (broadcast download and host query)
Uses LOINC to transmit orders and results across interface no
How labs get LOINC codes for reagent kits —
Interface available (or will be) to automated specimen-handling system yes
Modem servicing available/System can diagnose own malfunctions/System can determine malfunctioning component yes/yes/yes
On-site time of service engineer <24 hours
Mean time between failures/Mean time to repair failures average two calls per year/<24 hours
Average time to complete maintenance by lab personnel daily: 4 minutes; weekly: 27 minutes; monthly: 45 minutes
Onboard maintenance records/Maintenance training demo module yes (includes audit trail of who replaced parts)/yes
Training provided with instrument purchase 3–5 days on site, 5 days at company offices
Distinguishing features (provided by vendor) standardization with its family of chemistry/immuno systems—the AU480, AU2700, and AU5400; test menu of 130 methods; fully automated HbA1c option available; reduced sampling volume; laboratory-definable enhanced options for reflex, repeat, predilution, autocalibration, auto QC, and multi-lot advanced calibration
Note: a dash in lieu of an answer means company did not answer question or question is not applicable