A new cobas point-of-care blood gas analyser was previewed at the UK Roche Symposium last year. Destined to find application across the hospital setting, the cobas b 123 is compact, configurable and flexible in use. Diagnostic tests or associated pre-analytical steps are being performed increasing outside the confines of the medical laboratory on a point-of-care (POC) basis. In the hospital setting, such procedures include blood gas testing in theatre and intensive care units. Modern POC blood gas analysers also provide the facility to test for other critical care parameters, such as electrolytes and glucose, as the system introduced in this article demonstrates.
The new cobas b 123 POC system generated much interest among delegates at the UK Roche Symposium last year. Designed specifically for use at the point of care (POC), the compact cobas b 123 is ideal for use in critical care units, emergency rooms and other POC settings. Easy to use and virtually maintenance-free, it incorporates a number of important infection control features and ensures minimal downtime with reliable, clot-free operation.
Flexible and configurable
Dr Thomas Vering, head of the Roche Global Sensor Program, commented “Consolidation of important critical care tests on one system allows medical professionals in critical care and emergency settings to obtain rapid answers to a broad range of medical questions. The cobas b 123 is flexible and configurable to accommodate individual needs and, with its intuitive operation and excellent connectivity options, it is ideal for use at the point of care. This latest addition to our POC portfolio demonstrates our ongoing commitment and innovation in this important area.”
The only manual maintenance steps required for the cobas b 123 are the replacement of consumables, which makes it ideal for use in POC settings. Its highly durable electronics and mechanics make it robust and reliable, ensuring minimal downtime and saving time required at the machine. Furthermore, clot-free operation ensures that there is no unnecessary disruption to routine processing or any waste of reagents.
Smart chips and critical care parameters
The cobas b 123 is extremely easy to use, so minimal training is required. With touchscreen operation, the system guides the user through operational processes step by step. The press of a single button is all that’s required to initiate sampling and measurement.
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