BluVision™ Discrete Analyzer

Overview

Skalar will launch a new automation technology; The BluVision^TM discrete analyzer, for the analysis of basic colorimetric parameters.

The BluVision^TM is specially designed  for environmental labs that have a wide variety of sample types and matrices for analysis. The Skalar discrete analyzer automates the sample & reagent pipetting into the cuvettes, mixing, heating and measuring of the reaction product.

With the BluVision^TM discrete analyzer we complement our range of products for the automation of colorimetric analysis, which already consists of the San⁺⁺ continuous flow analyzer and the SP2000 test kit robotic analyzer.

Operation

The BluVision has 100 sample positions divided over 5 racks of 20 samples each. Sample volumes can range from 3.5 up to 10 ml. For reagents, (stock) standards and QC’s the analyzer has 24 positions of 50 ml and 8 positions of 10 ml. The sample and reagent racks can be cooled during the analysis run.

The analyzer is equipped with a cuvette tray of 160 test positions. The cuvette blocks are automatically loaded into the cuvette tray via an autoloader system.  The autoloader holds  additional cuvette blocks, giving a total of 640 tests running without any operator intervention. The cuvette tray is temperature controlled.

The cuvette blocks are disposable, which eliminates any carryover between tests. Used cuvette blocks are automatically stored in a waste bin for safe removal after analysis. The BluVision has a separate waste container for toxic reagents, selectable per method.

The instrument uses one needle for dispensing sample and reagent into the cuvettes. The needle can pre-heat the samples and reagents before dispensing. A long-life and high-precision pump is used for sample and reagent pipetting.

The detector of the BluVision analyzer is equipped with a halogen light-source and a filter wheel containing 8 filters with different wavelengths. The BluVision is therefore capable of running more than 8 different parameters in one run without any operator intervention. The filters can be easily changed for different parameters.

The cuvette has an optical path-length of 15 mm which allows accurate low ppb level detection.

The BluVision provides a true “walkaway” automatic analyzer, which creates calibrations from stock solutions, auto-dilutes over-range samples or performs re-analysis of samples all in one run.

Software

The BluVision^TM discrete analyzer is fully computer controlled. The instrument  has got an integrated touch screen display, which provides all relevant instrument information, for example analyzer status, temperatures of the cuvette and sample trays. In addition, a range of tasks can be executed from this display, like loading cuvette blocks, changing filters etc.

For running the analysis, data collection and calculation the analyzer uses  a comprehensive software package, DiscreteAccess^TM , which complies with all current laboratory requirements. An easy-to-use user interface allows the operator to start up the analyzer within seconds. Each analysis run can be set-up batch-wise or random access. For each sample, the user types in the sample ID’s or uploads them from LIMS, then selects the desired analytical parameters to be analyzed and starts the analyzer.

The analyzer automatically pre-dilutes samples or if a sample goes over-range during analysis, the sample is automatically re-run in a different analytical range or re-run after automatic post-dilution.

Extensive QC protocols are available such as CLP and 21 CFR part 11, which includes password protection, data integrity, data safety and audit trails. Final results can be printed using a user-definable report format or exported to LIMS for further data handling.