VetScan VS2® FAQ
- Does hemolysis, lipemia or icterus affect the results on the VetScan VS2?
- If I inadvertently run an expired rotor, do I risk 'inaccurate results'?
- Does the VS2 require calibration?
- Is the VS2 a 'one test at a time' type system?
- Do I need a separate instrument for electrolytes or blood gases?
- Is precision pipetting required?
- If there was any type of flaw or defect to the rotor, will it give unreliable results?
- How many different species can the VS2 hold for reference ranges?
- How many patient records does the VS2 hold?
- 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?
- What do the tilde '~ ~ ~' symbols on the result card mean?
- Is surge protection or an uninterruptible power supply required for the VetScan VS2?
- What is the VS2's warm up time?
- Can the analyzer be connected to an external computer?
- Does hemolysis, lipemia or icterus affect the results on the VetScan VS2?
Endogenous substances such as hemolysis, lipemia or icterus affect all blood chemistries regardless of what type of instrument, size or cost of unit being used. The VetScan VS2 is the only point-of-care analyzer that measures hemolysis, lipemia and icterus and determines assay by assay the level at which they will potentially interfere with the reliability of the results, and bringing it to the user's attention.
back to top - 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 - Does the VS2 require calibration?
The VS2 is self-calibrating. There are two aspects to calibration - 1) instrument calibration and 2) reagent calibration. The VS2 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 VS2 reagents are factory calibrated and the calibration values are communicated to the analyzer through the bar code on the rotor.
back to top - Is the VS2 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 - Do I need a separate instrument for electrolytes or blood gases?
No. The VS2 offers Na+, K+, tCO2, and Cl - on the same unit, same test procedure and same sample.
back to top - Is precision pipetting required?
No. Users add a gross amount of sample to the rotor (approximately two drops of sample). The VS2's on board microfluidics handle the rest.
back to top - If there was any type of flaw or defect to the rotor, will it give unreliable results?
No. VS2's extensive Intelligent Quality Control will detect any flaw or potential anomaly in the rotor. If a sample run is cancelled due to a flaw or potential anomaly, Abaxis will provide a credit guaranteed. This Performance Guarantee does not include cancellations or assay suppressions due to improper rotor storage, operator error or sample integrity.
back to top - How many different species can the VS2 hold for reference ranges?
In addition to cat, dog and horse, the VS2 has over 70 different pre-determined species for reference ranges as well an additional 99 species blanks to add more species that aren't already pre-determined.
back to top - How many patient records does the VS2 hold?
The VS2 holds 5,000 patient records.
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 analytes potentially compromised.
back to top - Do rotors require warm-up time before use?
No. Rotors can be used one at a time directly from the refrigerator.
back to top - What do the tilde '~ ~ ~' symbols on the result card mean?
The three tilde '~ ~ ~' symbols mean that the iQC algorithm is functioning correctly and that results for that particular chemistry analysis were suppressed. If the VS2 analyzer is unable to assure reliable results as a result of sample quality, endogenous substances or unmeasurable analysis, it will suppress the results as opposed to simply reporting unreliable 'numbers'. This is a feature similar to the processes and procedures in commercial labs.
back to top - Is surge protection or an uninterruptible power supply required for the VetScan VS2?
Abaxis recommends that the VS2 be plugged into a surge protector designed for use with a computer. Abaxis recommends the use of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) if the VS2 will be used in an area prone to electrical surges or power outages.
back to top - What is the VS2's warm up time?
There is no warm up time. The VS2 is always ready to go.
back to top - Can the analyzer be connected to an external computer?
The VS2 can be connected to an external computer. Sample results and status reports are transmitted through a USB port 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 VS2. The data is delivered in raw ASCII format and may easily be converted to text for formatting in other applications. The VS2 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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