BN™ II System Overview Online Training

Identify the exterior components of the BN™ II System, such as the system liquids, waste container, computer station, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) Identify general functions of the BN™ II System's components Identify the four basic functional units of the BN™ II System—the dispensing unit, the rack unit, the transfer arms, and the reaction unit Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Congratulations. You have completed the BN™ II System Overview Online Training course. Listed below are the key points that have been presented. Take time to review the material before you proceed to the final quiz. Identify the exterior components of the BN™ II System Now you know that the exterior components consist of the system liquids, the waste container, the computer station, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and an Emergency Stop button.   Identify the interior components of the BN™ II System You’ve learned that the four primary units of the analyzer are the dispensing unit, the rack unit, the transfer arms, and the reaction unit.   List general functions of the BN™ II System components Now you know that the dispensing unit helps to aspirate and deliver fluids; the rack unit transports samples, reagents, standards, and controls in and out of the central processing area; the transfer arms aspirate, heat, dispense, and mix fluids, as well as perform level sensing; and the reaction unit is where dilutions are made, nephelometric measurements are taken, and cuvettes are washed. The Siemens Healthineers BN™ II System is a nephelometer that analyzes proteins in serum, plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The system consists of an analyzer and a computer. It has the following key features: Performs over 40 different test protocols for protein analysis Samples from primary and secondary tubes of varying sizes Identifies samples, reagents, controls, and standards by barcode   The BN™ II System rack unit transports samples, reagents, controls, and standards in and out of the central processing area.   Types of Racks Learn about the types of racks. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentStandard/Control RacksHTML These white racks: Hold up to eight 2 mL–sized vials of standards, controls, or a combination of both. Barcode labels on these vials must face left. Hold vials at an angle to maximize fluid use. Select each checkbox to learn more about the types of racks. Reagent RacksHTML These white racks: Hold up to seven 5 mL–sized reagent vials. Barcode labels on these vials must face left. Hold vials at an angle to maximize fluid use. Sample RacksHTML These black racks: Hold up to 10 primary or secondary tubes that can be barcoded or non-barcoded. Can accommodate 3-, 5-, 7-, or 10-mL tubes for serum, plasma, urine, or CSF. Are available with strips in four colors, one for each sample type (red for serum, green for plasma, yellow for urine, and white for CSF). In addition, a special sample rack with a blue strip is available that holds 1.7-mL microcentrifuge tubes for pediatric or low-volume samples. Rack Unit Learn about the key features of the rack unit. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentTypes of RacksHTML To accommodate a variety of containers and fluids, the rack unit holds three types of racks: Standard/control racks Reagent racks Sample racks The analyzer is able to tell racks of different types and even racks of the same type apart. Each rack has a unique six-digit identification (ID) number. The number is encoded on an affixed barcode label at the front end of the rack (left arrow). The same number is also printed on a label affixed to the handle at the back end of the rack (right arrow). Rack LanesHTML The rack unit has 15 rack lanes, numbered from left to right. Lanes 1 through 5 are wider and are reserved for racks containing reagents (most supplemental reagents must be loaded in lane 3, 4, or 5) and a special cleaner.  Lanes 6 through 15 are narrower and are reserved for racks containing samples, standards, or controls. Lane Switches and Barcode ScannerHTML To load a rack, slide the rack into a vacant rack lane, front end first, until you hear a click. This activates the lane switch (solid arrow), which in turn activates the barcode scanner (dashed arrow). The scanner comes out to meet the rack as the transport system moves it into the processing area. (When it's not scanning, the scanner is hidden from view, behind the dispensing unit.)   The barcode scanner reads the rack barcode label as well as the labels on barcoded vials and sample tubes in the racks. If your samples do not have barcode labels, you must assign the samples to rack positions using the software  LEDsHTML You can load only one rack per lane. But how can you tell if a lane is vacant? Check the light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, located at the front of the rack unit. Each lane has its own LED. If the LED is off, the lane is vacant and you can load a rack in that lane. If it is on, a rack is in the lane, and you should NOT load another rack in that lane. If it is blinking rapidly, a rack has recently been inserted, activating the barcode scanner and the rack transport system.  The system has two transfer arms: a left transfer arm (left arrow) and a right transfer arm (right arrow). All of their movements are controlled through the software. Each transfer arm has a probe. The probes aspirate, heat, dispense, and mix reagents, standards, controls, samples, and dilutions. Liquids are maintained at 37ºC during transfers. The probes also sense the levels of these liquids in their containers. Each transfer arm also has its own wash station. There, the arm's probe is rinsed internally and externally to prevent cross-contamination of samples and reagents.   Transfer Arms Learn about the specific functions of the transfer arms. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentLeft Transfer ArmHTML The left transfer arm is the primary reagent transfer arm. It has the following functions: Pipettes reagents from each of the vials in the reagent lanes (lanes 1 through 5) Dispenses the fluid into reaction cuvettes Mixes the contents of the reaction cuvette Right Transfer ArmHTML The right transfer arm is the analyzer's main transfer arm. It has the following functions: Pipettes samples, standards, and controls, delivering them to dilution strips Performs and mixes the dilutions Pipettes the diluted samples, standards, or controls into reaction cuvettes For some assays, pipettes supplemental reagents from lanes 3, 4, or 5 into the reaction cuvettes Note:  The wash station for the right transfer arm is located to the right of the cuvette rotor, beneath the rotor's cover. The reaction unit has four components: The dilution unit, where all dilutions are made The cuvette rotor, where antigen-antibody reactions take place The optics, which include the light source needed to take nephelometric measurements The two-part cuvette washing unit, where cuvettes are washed and dried so that they can be reused Reaction Unit Learn about the reaction unit by selecting the image areas. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileThe dilution unit, where all dilutions are made The two-part cuvette washing unit, where cuvettes are washed and dried so that they can be reused The two-part cuvette washing unit, where cuvettes are washed and dried so that they can be reused The optics, which include the light source needed to take nephelometric measurements The cuvette rotor, where antigen-antibody reactions take place Reaction Unit Learn about the components of the reaction unit. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentDilution UnitHTML The dilution unit has two dilution frames that sit in a frame holder on the analyzer. Magnets at the ends of the frames (arrow) allow the analyzer to detect their presence.   Each frame holds 22 single-use dilution strips, and each strip contains six dilution wells for a total of 264 wells. The software keeps track of used wells automatically and indicates when the number is low. Note: Make sure that both dilution frames are placed properly in the frame holder before initializing the system. Cuvette RotorHTML The cuvette rotor holds 12 cuvette segments, and each segment has five cuvettes for a total of 60 reusable cuvettes. The rotor maintains the cuvettes at 37ºC.   Samples and reagents are mixed in the cuvettes to form immune complexes that are measured by nephelometry.    The cuvettes are cleaned automatically after each measurement, and they can be reused for up to one month. The software keeps track of usable cuvettes automatically and indicates when the number is low.   OpticsHTML You can't directly view the optics of the BN™ II System because they are located inside the analyzer, beneath the plate in front of the cuvette rotor. But these optics include: A high-intensity 840-nm light-emitting diode (LED); light from this source is scattered by immune complexes in the cuvettes. A photodetector that captures the scattered light and converts it to an electrical signal called bits.  Cuvette Washing UnitHTML The cuvette washing unit automatically cleans cuvettes after each measurement. This unit has two parts: a single washing shoe (left arrow) and a double washing shoe (right arrow).   A cuvette is washed twice and vacuum-dried three times. It is then available for reuse. The cuvettes are filled with different system liquids according to the status of the analyzer: When the analyzer is in standby or shutdown mode, the cuvettes are filled with wash solution to prevent deposits from forming or dust from accumulating.  When the analyzer is initialized, each cuvette is filled with diluent and a blank reading is taken. If a reading is above the acceptable threshold, the cuvette is not used. The exterior components of the BN™ II System include: System liquids Waste container Computer station Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) Emergency stop button Exterior Components Learn about the exterior components. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileUPSWaste ContainerComputer StationEmergency Stop ButtonSystem Liquids System liquids are used to make dilutions, enhance antigen-antibody reactions, and clean various components. Here are a few key facts about the system liquids: Diluent is used to dilute samples, controls, and standards Buffer is added to the sample and reagent mixture to optimize the reactions for most assays Wash solution (BN™ II Additive mixed with 5 L of distilled water) is used to clean the transfer arm probes between transfers, as well as to wash the cuvettes   System Liquids Learn about the system liquids area. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentContainersHTML System liquids are used to make dilutions, enhance antigen-antibody reactions, and clean various components. Here are a few key facts about the system liquids: Diluent is used to dilute samples, controls, and standards Buffer is added to the sample and reagent mixture to optimize the reactions for most assays Wash solution (BN™ II Additive mixed with 5 L of distilled water) is used to clean the transfer arm probes between transfers, as well as to wash the cuvettes Level SensorHTML The three containers for the system liquids are located on the left side of the analyzer. Rings on the tubing from the containers are color-coded: Blue: diluent container (5-L capacity) Red: buffer container (5-L capacity) White: wash solution container (5-L capacity) Connectivity PanelHTML Connections for the color-coded tubings (bottom row) and the electrical cables from the level sensors (top row) are located on a connectivity panel on the left side of the analyzer. The electrical cables transmit signals from the level sensors to the software. If the level of any system liquid is low, the border of the Info dialog (the main software screen) turns yellow to notify the operator. If a container is empty, the Info dialog turns red and processing stops. You’ll learn more about this dialog in the BN™ II System Software and Basic Operations course. Wash FilterHTML The tubing for the wash solution has an external wash filter. You must replace this filter monthly as a part of routine maintenance. You’ll learn more about this dialog in the BN™ II System Software and Basic Operations course. The external waste container has two lines that connect to the back of the analyzer, behind the reaction unit. The line from the waste outlet carries liquid from the internal waste container, and the line from the air outlet carries condensation from the vacuum pump. You can place the waste container on the floor or on a low cart shelf, or you can plumb the waste lines directly to a drain. The analyzer's internal waste container holds up to 2.5 L of waste. A pump automatically empties the contents of this container into the external waste container or drain every 20 minutes, when the system is shutting down, and when the internal waste container is full. Note: If the waste lines are not plumbed directly, or drained, be sure to monitor the fluid level in your external waste container.     The computer station is the interface between the operator and the analyzer. The BN™ II System applications software runs on an APPLE MACINTOSH computer and operating system. You’ll learn more about the applications software in the BN™ II System Software and Basic Operations course. The computer station includes these standard components: Computer Mouse Monitor Zip/floppy disk drive Keyboard Printer Your computer station may differ a bit from the one shown here. In addition, the system has a barcode wand (arrow) that you use to scan in lot numbers and assigned values for standards and controls. For easy access, the wand is stored in a holder.  Note: The product names and/or brands referred to are the property of their respective trademark holders.   Two connectivity areas on the analyzer's left side are used to connect it to the computer and power. The connectivity area nearest the back of the analyzer has three parts, from top to bottom: A fuse box A green on/off power switch A socket for a power cable The connectivity area in the middle has a connection for a cable from the analyzer’s hard drive to the computer. You've already learned about the third area, which you use for system liquids connections.   The power cable is connected to a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply. This can preserve your run if the power is interrupted. During a power outage, the system can continue to run for up to 20 minutes. You should perform a controlled shutdown before the end of the 20-minute period.   The Emergency Stop button is located at the front of the analyzer, just to the right of the rack unit. When you press this button: The transfer arms will stop in their current positions The rack unit will stop transporting and scanning racks Measurement of reaction mixtures in the cuvette rotor will continue No new reaction mixtures will be made To restart the analyzer, press the Emergency Stop button again. Alternately, you can lift the analyzer's front panel to invoke an Emergency Stop. To restart the analyzer, simply lower the panel.   The BN™ II System has four main interior components that work together to measure plasma proteins. The dispensing unit works with the transfer arms to aspirate and deliver fluids The rack unit transports samples, reagents, controls, and standards in and out of the central processing area The two transfer arms aspirate, heat, dispense, and mix fluids, and also perform level sensing (The left transfer arm is in its wash station and is hidden from view) The multicomponent reaction unit is where dilutions are made, nephelometric measurements are taken, and cuvettes are washed   Interior Components Learn about the locations of the interior components. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileRack UnitDispensing UnitReaction UnitTransfer Arms The dispensing unit is located behind the analyzer's door and it contains three syringes. The syringes' capacities are, from left to right, 1000, 2500, and 250 µL.   Dispensing Unit Learn about each syringe by selecting the image areas. Base ImageHotspotsText BlocksImage FileThe 1000 µL syringe primarily works with the left transfer arm to deliver reagents.  The 2500 µL syringe delivers diluent, reaction buffer, or washing solution and works with the 250 µL syringe to deliver the correct volume of sample, standard, or control.  The 250 µL syringe works with the right transfer arm to dilute and deliver samples, standards, and controls, and to deliver some reagents.   Welcome to the BN™ II System Overview course. In this course, you’ll learn about the exterior components of the BN™ II System, which include the system liquids, waste container, computer station, and uninterruptible power supply (or UPS). You’ll also become familiar with the four main functional units of the BN™ II System: the dispensing unit, the rack unit, the transfer arms, and the reaction unit. Finally, you’ll learn general functions of each of the components, which work together to form a single workstation that measures a variety of protein analytes.