Medical Lab Equipment Key Terms

Learn about key lab equipment for your medical laboratory

Medical labs are an important part of the treatment process, as they provide the data for diagnosis as well as provide ongoing information about a person's condition. Equipment for medical labs need to be up-to date with the latest research and accurate in their analyses. Finding the right equipment for a medical lab requires some knowledge about the functions of various types of medical lab equipment available today. The following are some terms of medical lab equipment that will be useful to know for setting up or updating your medical laboratory.

 

Autoclave, sterilizer

Found in many laboratories, an autoclave/sterilizer uses pressurized steam to kill microorganisms to prepare equipment or samples for analysis. An autoclave/sterilizer is also used to decontaminate cultures, samples or equipment from any biohazards.
Try: For a more detailed description of an autoclave/sterilizer, visit Rapid Microbiology.

Blood gas analyzer

In the medical laboratory, a blood gas analyzer measures the pH, blood gas, electrolytes and metabolites in blood. The partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and the partial pressure of O2 (pO2) are measured using this analyzer; a reading of millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is given.
Try: Flinders University provides more information about a blood gas analyzer and how it works.

Centrifuge

A centrifuge is a laboratory equipment that uses high speed to spin liquids. Used commonly for blood samples in medical labs, a centrifuge can separate the content of blood based on mass. This can separate blood cells from the plasma for diagnostic testing.
Try: You can read more about a centrifuge at Wise Geek.

Hematology analyzer

A hematology analyzer is known as a cell counter as it counts and classifies red and white blood cells found in blood. There are various types of hematology analyzers, differentiated by the precision in which blood cells and platelets are separated. They can use laser or visible wavelength light technology.
Try: An article by Med Compare provides a good explanation of hematology analyzers.

Clinical chemistry analyzer

A clinical chemistry analyzer provides an analysis of the electrolytes, enzymes, proteins and lipids found in molecules contained in human fluids such as blood or urine. Routine analysis using this device can include bilirubin, creatinine, glucose and/or albumin.
Try: Global Medical Instrumentation has an example of a clinical chemistry analyzer and the functions it performs.

Immunoassay analyzer

An immunoassay analyzer detects and quantifies a specific substance by testing it against a reaction to antibodies or antigens.
Try: The Encyclopedia of Surgery provides a detailed explanation of immunoassay tests, while Beckman Coulter provides an example of an immunoassay analyzer.

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