Hematology analyzer

See also: Hematology

Hematology analyzers (also spelled haematology analysers in British English) are used to count and identify blood cells at high speed with accuracy.^[1][2][3] During the 1950s, laboratory technicians counted each individual blood cell underneath a microscope. Tedious and inconsistent, this was replaced with the first, very basic hematology analyzer, engineered by Wallace H. Coulter. The early hematology analyzers relied on Coulter's principle (see Coulter counter). However, they have evolved to encompass numerous techniques.^[4]

Uses

Hematology analyzers are used to conduct a complete blood count (CBC), which is usually the first test requested by physicians to determine a patient's general health status.^[5] A complete blood count includes red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin, and platelet counts, as well as hematocrit levels. Other analyses include: ^{[citation needed]}

• RBC distribution width
• Mean corpuscular volume
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations
• WBC differential count in percentage and absolute value
• Platelet distribution width
• Platelet mean volume
• Large platelet cell ratio
• Platelet criteria^[6]

Techniques

• Flow cytometry
• Spectrophotometry
• Absorption spectroscopy
• Transmission Turbidimetry
• Electrical impedance (Coulter's principle)
• Digital microscopy with AI

Types

3-part differential cell counter

 

Schematic diagram of 3-part analyzer.

A 3-part differential cell counter uses Coulter's principle to find the size and volume of the cell. The sample is lysed and dissolved into an electrolyte solution in a container, which also holds a smaller container. The smaller container has two pumps running to and from its solution, one creating a vacuum and the other replacing the lost solution. The smaller container has a small hole (an orifice) near the bottom of the container. Coulter's principle is applied through the use of two electrodes. One electrode (the internal electrode) is within the smaller container, and the other (the external electrode) is outside of the smaller container but within the electrolyte/sample solution. As the vacuum draws the sample cells through the orifice, the cell momentarily causes electrical resistance to the current as it passes through the orifice. This resistance is recorded, measured, amplified, and processed which can then be interpreted by the computer into a histogram. The 3-part analyzer is able to differentiate between three types of white blood cells (WBCs): neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.^[7]

5-part differential cell counter

This type of hematology analyzer utilizes both Coulter's principle and flow cytometry to determine the granularity, diameter, and inner complexity of the cells. Using hydrodynamic focusing, the cells are sent through an aperture one cell at a time. During this, a laser is directed at them, and the scattered light is measured at multiple angles. The absorbance is also recorded. The cell can be identified based on the intensity of the scattered light and the level of absorbance.^[8] A 5-part cell counter can differentiate all WBC types (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes). 5-part analyzers are more expensive than 3-part analyzers, but provide more in-depth information about the sample. Specific jobs, such as allergy testing, require 5-part differential analysis. However, most medical tasks can be completed with the 3-part analyzer.^{[citation needed]}

Components

The hematology analyzer is broken down into five key components:^[9]

1. Power source
2. Control unit
3. Sample Reagent Tray
4. Collecting system
5. Data storage
6. Processing system

Producers

These are the major companies that are known to make quality Hematology Analyzers for hospitals and laboratories: ^[10]

1. Beckman Coulter
2. Sysmex Corporation
3. HORIBA Ltd
4. Abbott Laboratories
5. Bio-Rad Laboratories
6. Siemens AG
7. Mindray Medical International Limited
8. Boule Diagnostics AB
9. Roche Diagnostics
10. Nihon Kohden Corporation.
11. Seamaty Technology

References

1. Chhabra, Gaurav (2018). "Automated hematology analyzers: Recent trends and applications". Journal of Laboratory Physicians. 10 (1): 15–16. doi:10.4103/JLP.JLP_124_17. PMC 5784285. PMID 29403197.
2. Wenhao Zhang; Xudong Ma; Fang Fang; Xin Xu; Ziquan Dong (October 2016). "Development of management software for new Automatic Hematology analyzer based on PC/Windows". IECON 2016 - 42nd Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. New York City, U.S.: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. pp. 96–101. doi:10.1109/IECON.2016.7794038. ISBN 978-1-5090-3474-1. S2CID 3525954.
3. Palm, Lisa; Stephens, Laura; Bengtsson, Han-Inge; Broome, H. Elizabeth (2 December 2016). "Minimal Hematology Analyzer Plus Blood Smear Digital Imaging/ Analysis Provides Better Clinical Hematology Results Than a Complex Hematology Analyzer Alone". Blood. 128 (22): 4731. doi:10.1182/blood.V128.22.4731.4731. from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
4. Sullivan, Ellen (May 2006). "Hematology Analyzer: From Workhorse to Thoroughbred". Laboratory Medicine. 37 (5): 273–278. doi:10.1309/TMQ6T4CBCG408141.
5. "Complete blood count differential interpretation – 3-part or 5-part?". from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
6. "Hematology Analyzers". LabCompare. Compare Networks. from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
7. Dumas, Tim. "5-Part or 3-Part: What's the Difference?". Repertoire Magazine. from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
8. Ryan, Robinson. "What is flow cytometry (FACS analysis)?". Antibodies Online. from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
9. Kalstein (2023) What are the main components of laboratory hematology analyzers?, Kalstein.us. Available at: https://kalstein.us/blog/2023/02/03/what-are-the-main-components-of-laboratory-hematology-analyzers/ (Accessed: 09 May 2023).
10. Grand View Research (2019) GVR Report cover Hematology Analyzers And Reagents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 To 2025. Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/hematology-analyzers-and-reagents-market#:~:text=The%20major%20players %20of%20hematology%20analyzers%20and%20reagents,Diagnostics%20AB%2C%20Roche%20Diagnostics%2C%20and%20Nihon%20Kohden%20Corporation.