Hemocue Hb 201+ Hemoglobin Analyzer: Precision and Simplicity in Hemoglobin Testing
The Hemocue Hb 201+ Hemoglobin Analyzer is appreciated by users worldwide for its simplicity, speed, and small sample volume. This hemoglobin testing system stands as the long-standing original choice for lab-quality hemoglobin testing at the point-of-care. The system is composed of a specially designed analyzer and microcuvettes, ensuring precise and accurate hemoglobin measurements.
As a hand-held analyzer, the HemoCue Hb 201+ System offers various features and benefits. The optimal cuvette packaging allows flexibility and mobility, making it possible to use the system anytime and anywhere. This user-friendly design is particularly advantageous for healthcare professionals who require reliable hemoglobin testing in diverse settings.
The accuracy of the Hb 201+ System is ±1.5% when compared to the international reference method for hemoglobin (the ICSH method). Numerous studies have demonstrated excellent correlation with various laboratory systems. One of the significant advantages of this system is that it does not require recalibration when new batches of cuvettes are introduced. Additionally, the system measures at two wavelengths, automatically compensating for sample turbidity caused by high WBC counts and lipids, thus enhancing accuracy.
The HemoCue hemoglobin systems achieve precision and accuracy that match those of a central laboratory. Each product leaving the production facility meets or exceeds rigorous specifications for within-lot variation, lot-to-lot variation, calibration, instrument-to-instrument variation, and total system variation. With more than 400,000 cuvettes produced each day, each one is meticulously inspected to ensure quality.
HemoCue analyzers require no recalibration, maintaining their accuracy throughout their lifetime and from one cuvette lot to the next. This consistency ensures that HemoCue’s testing systems remain as accurate as the day they left the factory, providing healthcare professionals with reliable and precise hemoglobin measurements every time.
The HemoCue Hb 201+ System is designed to be easy to learn and use. After a brief instruction, even non-laboratory personnel can perform the test safely and accurately. The analyzer comes factory calibrated, and this calibration is automatically verified every time the instrument is switched on. The built-in “self-test” feature eliminates the need for a control cuvette, simplifying the process further. Additionally, the cuvette holder design minimizes the contamination of the optronic unit, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
The HemoCue Hb 201+ System consists of two main components: a disposable microcuvette containing a dry reagent and a factory-calibrated analyzer. The analyzer is specifically designed to be used with HemoCue Hb 201 Microcuvettes, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance. This combination of components provides a robust and reliable system for hemoglobin testing.
The Hb 201+ System uses a modification of Vanzetti's reagents, utilizing an azidemethemoglobin reaction that yields results within one minute. This method has been shown to correlate well with the international reference method for hemoglobin determination (ICSH), ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test results.
Measurements with the Hb 201+ Analyzer are made at two wavelengths: 570 nm for hemoglobin measurement and 880 nm for turbidity compensation. This dual-wavelength approach helps to ensure accurate readings by compensating for any turbidity in the sample. The analyzer's design also includes features that make it easy to use and maintain, such as the cuvette holder that reduces contamination.
The assay requires only 10 µL of capillary, venous, or arterial blood. Results are displayed in g/dL within 15 to 60 seconds, depending on the hemoglobin concentration. This quick turnaround time allows for rapid decision-making and patient management.
The HemoCue Hb 201+ System has a measuring range of 0-25.6 g/dL, covering the typical range of hemoglobin concentrations found in clinical practice. This broad range makes the system suitable for various patient populations and clinical scenarios.
The HemoCue Hb 201+ includes an internal electronic “self-test” that automatically verifies the proper functioning of the optronic unit each time the analyzer is switched on and every two hours thereafter. This feature ensures ongoing accuracy and reliability of the instrument. For additional quality control testing required for regulatory reasons, HemoCue, Inc. can provide further information and support.
In summary, the HemoCue Hb 201+ Hemoglobin Analyzer offers a combination of ease of use, rapid results, and laboratory-quality accuracy. Its design and features make it an excellent choice for point-of-care hemoglobin testing in various clinical settings.
