Today’s medical testing labs are performing more complex tasks than before. The number of tests and complexities has increased. Due to the sophisticated tests, medical laboratory technicians need specialized lab equipment. They need them to conduct pathological, hematological, microscopic, oncological, and immunologic tests.
The accuracy of test results heavily relies on the type of equipment used to handle the analysis. It is advisable to use standard medical laboratory equipment to ensure you get consistent performance. Your lab will also need other medical supplies and equipment, such as hot plates, disinfectants, stirrers, hot tubes, beakers, dispensers, racks, sample holders, refrigerators, and pipettes. The main focus of this post is the seven elaborate medical testing lab equipment you will need.
- Freezer/Refrigerator
Medical research laboratories require refrigeration to store samples at precisely controlled temperatures. Medical refrigerators, as opposed to regular kitchen refrigerators, need equipment specially designed for laboratory purposes. They provide uniform temperatures, therefore preserving critical biological samples.
Besides providing low and consistent temperatures with little fluctuations, medical refrigerators are studier and offer quick temperature recovery. This is crucial, especially when the refrigerator door is continually closed and opened. You will get unique quality, innovation, and timeless design in any of the refrigerators they manufacture. These freezers and refrigerators are ideal for the medical testing laboratory since they offer reliability, superior safety features, and ultra-low temperatures. You will optimize the storage of samples that are temperature sensitive and create an ample environment with these appliances.
- Cell Counter
Cell counters are used in medical testing laboratories for various reasons. They are useful in cell therapy, performing medical diagnosis, and microorganism research. Counting or sizing tiny organisms, cell types, and particles is essential to medicine.
Automated cell counters assist physicians, scientists, and researchers in knowing the exact number of cells in a culture, whether alive or dead. For instance, in the medical field, physicians need an accurate count of blood cells to find the correct treatment for a cancer patient. They can get this count using a cell counter.
The appliance can be used to examine cells in urine or blood samples to determine the types and numbers of cells. They can also check the viability of a cultured cell line for research purposes. You can perform a urinalysis or blood analysis depending on the counter type. However, if you require a stainless-steel rack for your small setup, check some of the best options from Australian brands, such as Andi-Co.
- Hematology Analyzer
Hematology is the scientific study of blood and organisms that produce blood. The state of a patient is understood in many cases by analyzing their blood. Hematology employs specific testing to monitor and screen for diseases such as lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other blood disorders, including clotting.
Blood disorders and diseases can affect any components of the blood, from vessels to cells to bone marrow. So, measuring blood cells and blood cell count can assist in diagnosing and treating patients. With a hematology analyzer, you can perform complete blood counts, and the good thing is that the machine is automated. The counts include white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin.
- Clinical Chemical Analyzer
A clinical chemical analyzer is a medical analysis equipment type that either uses standard or integrated chemical analysis. Photometry and ion-selective measurements are among the most common methods of chemical analysis. The machine has embedded systems that combine photometric testing and immunoassay capabilities.
You will find chemical analyzers in small clinics and clinical labs. They perform different tests on plasma, serum, urine, and blood. The appliance provides information on the concentration of analytes and specific hematology values like hemoglobin levels. The chemical analyzer can treat and diagnose several conditions and diseases. For instance, you can conduct a urinalysis to indicate whether a patient has a UTI.
- Microplate Reader
A diagnostic microplate reader is a standard appliance in medical laboratories. They can also be called plate readers, photometers, or microplate spectrophotometers. These readers work similarly to spectrophotometers. While a standard spectrophotometer measures a sample at a time, a microplate reader can measure the same application with higher throughput.
The readers vary by the kind of detection mode they offer. Samples are passed through the wells to cause or transmit light signals detected using a photomultiplier tube. The tube changes the photons into electricity, which the plate reader quantifies.
A microplate reader can perform a wide range of assays. This is true, especially if the appliance is multi-mode. The assays detect different chemical, biological, or physical signals in the sample.
- Clinical Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a crucial medical equipment used to separate mixtures with different densities, sediment-suspended solids, insoluble particles, immiscible liquids, and blood. The equipment can be used in research and clinical labs. It comes with a rapidly rotating container, which affects the centrifugal force acting on the contents. The centrifuge can separate blood components in the lab and perform tests and treatments.
- Microscopes
Microscopes are equipment to view small objects that the naked eye cannot spot. The microscope creates an enlarged image, allowing users to view the tiny structures closely. Microscopes have a variety of uses:
- They consider different red blood cell types – The cells can be counted and are categorized if they have abnormalities
- They identify various microorganism types like parasites and bacteria
- They check the presence of different crystal types – For example, they can check white blood cells in urine to indicate a bladder infection.
Wrapping Up
Medical laboratories have evolved over the years and have become more sophisticated. Opening a lab today is not easy, and the process can be costly. The cost can range from $5OK to several million depending on the location and the equipment you need. Most of the cost of starting a lab will be space and equipment. You can purchase or lease the equipment, which will significantly affect the final
price.
You only need some of the mentioned equipment when starting your lab. The appliances you get will depend on the scope of work you plan to do. You might buy all the equipment if you have enough funds, but you will need the patience to get a return on investment.
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