The challenge
Blood collection and laboratory testing in pediatric populations presents multiple challenges (i.e. draw volume limitations, vein collapse and high hematocrit).
These result in low or insufficient serum or plasma volume available for testing and potentially no reportable laboratory results.
The solution
One path to alleviate these issues is to reduce the sample volume required for laboratory testing. A series of new Vitros® XT Chemistry Products Slides with dual test capability have been developed that are intended to reduce sample size while maintaining analytical performance versus a conventional single assay test element.
The total sample volume to run the 12 XT Slides is 45.6 μL ranging from 2.7 μL for GLU to 5.0 μL for ALKP and decreasing the sample volume by 49% from the low 89.5 μL sample volume required for the current VITROS Slide products.
| Sample volumes (µl) comparison between standard MicroSlide and XT MicroSlide assays | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ca | Glu | Crea | Urea | Chol | Trig | TP | Alb | AST | ALTv | ALKP | TBIL | Total | |
| MicroSlide | 10 | 10 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 89.5 |
| XT MicroSlide pairs | 6.2 | 7.5 | 6.8 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 10 | 45.6 | ||||||
Figure: Small sample volume with Multi-Test Vitros® XT Chemistry Slides supports difficult draws to Enhance Pediatric Testing.
The Smart Metering feature automatically checks for bubbles and clots/debris every time the system aspirates or dispenses fluid, acting as an analytical control process for each test and thus ensuring result integrity is maintained.
Moreover, if the sample is detected to be insufficient, or if there are bubbles or a clot, the analyzer will return the precious sample into the tube ('Save the Sample' feature).
Figure: Patented Pressure Level-Sensing technology
