Infrared analysis in clinical chemistry: its use in the laboratory and in non-invasive near patient testing.
Laboratory based NIR analysers have been available for some time. The recent development of more portable equipment such as the commercially available Futrex-9000 NIR transmittance blood chemistry analyser, which can be used to analyse relatively opaque samples for a mixture of components, shows promise but requires further evaluation for routine clinical use. NIR equipment for general use has only recently become available and is therefore relatively expensive. However, as the development of new applications occurs the instrumentation will become more widely used, which will inevitably result in reduced capital cost. The advantages of NIR systems are speed, portability, lack of consumables, dry chemistry, non-invasive, modest running costs, virtually no moving parts and almost infinite applications in clinical biochemical analysis. It is likely that the first applications of NIR will be where there is a requirement for multiple assays such as glucose, urea and bilirubin and where sample size is a limitation. Thus non-invasive near patient testing may become common in the future in settings such as neonatal units, renal units, diabetic clinics and intensive care units.
Stevens
J F
JF
Department of Chemical Pathology, Chelsea, and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Vadgama
P
P
D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared