VetScan® Classic FAQ
- If I inadvertently run an expired rotor, do I risk 'inaccurate results'?
- What is the shelf life of the rotors?
- If a rotor was exposed to heat do I risk unreliable results as with other systems? Or if run too cold?
- Do rotors require warm-up time before use? If used cold, any potential for inaccurate results?
- Is the VetScan a 'one test at a time' type system?
- Does the VetScan require calibration?
- Can rotors be frozen and used later?
- What types of samples can be used with the VetScan?
- Can samples such as pig or goat be used with the VetScan?
- What is the VetScan's warm up time?
- What is the proper order of sample collection when filling multiple tubes?
- What are the power requirements needed to operate the analyzer?
- Is surge protection or an uninterruptible power supply required for the VetScan instrument?
- What do the black diamonds on the result card mean?
- Can the analyzer be connected to an external computer?
- If I inadvertently run an expired rotor, do I risk 'inaccurate results'?
No. The analyzer has a built-in sensor to determine the rotor expiration date. The analyzer will cancel the run and display an error message.
back to top - What is the shelf life of the rotors?
The shelf life for rotors varies depending on the type of rotor. Average shelf life is approximately 9 - 12 months from the date of manufacture. To ensure optimal performance through the expiration date, Abaxis® recommends that the rotors be refrigerated at 2 - 8 ° C (36 - 46 ° F) and used one at a time directly from the refrigerator.
back to top - If a rotor was exposed to heat do I risk unreliable results as with other systems? Or if run too cold?
All efforts should be made to store rotors at the appropriate storage conditions in order to ensure accurate results. Rotors may tolerate brief exposure to heat or cold, however excessive exposure to extreme temperatures will suppress reporting of some results since the extensive built-in QC mechanisms protect against reporting of results for anlaytes potentially compromised.
back to top - Do rotors require warm-up time before use? If used cold, any potential for inaccurate results?
No. Rotors can be used one at a time directly from the refrigerator.
back to top - Is the VetScan a 'one test at a time' type system?
No, there are 23 assays in 8 preconfigured panels to give the utmost flexibility while requiring seconds of hands on time and the lowest possible operating costs
back to top - Does the VetScan require calibration?
The VetScan is self-calibrating. There are two aspects to calibration - 1) instrument calibration and 2) reagent calibration. The VetScan measures the optical absorbance to determine the concentration of the analyte. The instrument calibrates the optics automatically for each measurement. Unlike any other system, the VetScan reagents are factory calibrated and the calibration values are communicated to the analyzer through the bar code on the rotor.
back to top - Can rotors be frozen and used later?
Rotors must not be frozen. Rotors should be refrigerated at 2 - 8 ° C (36 - 46 ° F).
back to top - What types of samples can be used with the VetScan?
Lithium-heparin whole blood, lithium-heparin plasma or serum. No sample preparation is required. Do not use EDTA as an anti-coagulant.
back to top - Can samples such as pig or goat be used with the VetScan?
Abaxis has conducted field studies to determine reference ranges for cats, dogs, horses and cows. Other species, such as pig, goat, etc. can be run on the VetScan. Select 'OTHER' for species type and refer to an established source or generate your own normal ranges.
back to top - What is the VetScan's warm up time?
There is no warm up time. The VetScan is always ready to go
back to top - What is the proper order of sample collection when filling multiple tubes?
Red top tubes (no additive), green top tubes (lithium-heparin), lavender top tubes (EDTA). The VetScan iQC® will recognize interference due to EDTA contamination through effects (ie: K+) should it inadvertently occur.
back to top - What are the power requirements needed to operate the analyzer?
The analyzer requires 100 - 200 volts AC, 50 - 60 Hz or 12 - 15 volts DC. The VetScan may be operated by utilizing the included power supply, a 12-volt battery or auto cigarette lighter adapter.
back to top - Is surge protection or an uninterruptible power supply required for the VetScan instrument?
Abaxis recommends that the VetScan be plugged into a surge protector designed for use with a computer. Abaxis recommends the use of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) if the VetScan will be used in an area prone to electrical surges or power outages.
back to top - What do the black diamonds on the result card mean?
The three black diamonds mean that the iQC algorithm is functioning correctly and that results for that particular chemistry analysis were suppressed. If the VetScan analyzer is unable to assure reliable results as a result of sample quality, endogenous substances or immeasurable analysis, it will suppress the results as opposed to simply reporting unreliable 'numbers'.
back to top - Can the analyzer be connected to an external computer?
The VetScan can be connected to an external computer. Sample results and status reports are automatically transmitted to the RS232 port of the analyzer every time they are calculated or prepared. Popular terminal emulation software, such as Windows 95 HyperTerminal may be used to collect the data from the VetScan. The data is delivered in raw ASCII format and may easily be converted to text for formatting in other applications. The VetScan also interfaces with many commercial veterinary data management software packages. Check with your software vendor or Abaxis Technical Support for compatible programs.
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