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Figure 1-5
The instrument stores the operating parameters, plus
up to 500 patient results and 200 control results, in a
battery-backed RAM memory. This memory is saved
regardless of whether the power is on or off. The operat-
ing parameters (including those selected by the user) are
also stored on the program card and can be copied to
other CLINITEK 500 instruments.
Revised 9/99
Optical System
The instrument contains two readheads, each of which
contains an incandescent lamp and photodiode pack.
When a strip is moved into position under the readhead,
the calibration cycle is performed (see "Calibration" next),
then the readhead scans the entire length of the strip, mea-
suring the light reflectance of each reagent pad. A portion
of the light striking the pad is reflected back to the pho-
todiode pack. The light reflected at specific wavelengths
from the test pad is dependent upon the degree of color
change in the pad and is directly related to the concen-
tration of the particular constituent in the urine.
The photodiode pack contains four filters, one each at
400–510 nm (blue), 510–586 nm (green), 586–660 nm
(red), and 825–855 nm (IR). The light intensity detected
by the photodiode pack is converted into electrical im-
pulses, which are processed by the instrument's micro-
processor and converted into clinically meaningful results.
The results can be printed by the internal printer; they can
also be sent to a computer and/or a form or 80-column
printer.
Calibration
Calibration is performed at each readhead immediately
before each Reagent Strip is read. The fixed platform
contains two white calibration bars that are positioned
directly under each readhead. As a strip comes into posi-
tion under a readhead, the instrument is calibrated for that
scanning cycle by reading the calibration bar. The Reagent
Strip is then scanned and the data stored in memory.
1.3
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Troubleshooting
