R R Mechatronics

 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
One of the oldest and most frequently requested blood tests is ESR. It has not changed fundamentally in the way it is carried out since Westergren described it in 1921. In 2011, the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) defined the Reference Method for ESR to be the Westergren Method; the Gold Standard. The objective of ESR testing is to measure inflammatory state. The Westergren Method measures both infections related to infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. In addition to being very reliable, the Westergren Sedimentation Method is also amongst the cheapest laboratory tests available.

Westergren Sedimentation Method
One of the oldest and most frequently requested blood tests is ESR. It has not changed fundamentally in the way it is carried out since Westergren described it in 1921. In 2011, the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) defined the Reference Method for ESR to be the Westergren Method, the Gold Standard. The objective of ESR testing is to measure inflammatory state. The Westergren Method measures both infections related to infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. In addition to being very reliable, the Westergren Sedimentation Method is also amongst the cheapest laboratory tests available.

Starrsed TL
A very small footprint and all functions integrated within a single instrument. It is extremely versatile, because it can be integrated into almost any track system in the world. It provides the highest possible ESR test capacity with an absolute minimum of handling. Maximum automation, yet still able to run an emergency sample. The crux is the addition of a pick & mix unit that is fully integrated into the instrument design. The unit picks tubes from a given point-in-space on the connected track that runs through the lab. This allows for the highest possible ESR throughput volumes with the absolute minimum of handling. Despite maximum automation, lab technicians are still able to take back full control of Starrsed TL to slip in one or more emergency samples.
Starrsed TL is compatible with all common types and brands of tracks.

 

Starrsed RL
Fully automated Rack line ESR analyser
Starrsed RL makes continuous production of the ESR analyses available, as a segment within a complete production line or as a stand-alone instrument. Easy loading of the samples from the racks into the instrument. Fully automatic barcode reading for an optimum co-operation with the administration- and report software. Fully automated preparation of samples before aspiration.

After filling the start pool with blood cell counter racks, the Starrsed RL starts with a pre-mixing phase before actually drawing the sample from the tube. The built-in barcode reader identifies which sample tube has to be aspirated. The instrument communicates with the Laboratory Information Management System. The aspiration system is activated, and the needle pierces the cap. Blood is drawn from the tube. The Starrsed RL has a fully integrated diluting system, which dilutes the blood with the Starrsed citrate diluent in a 4:1 ratio, in full accordance with the Westergren Method. The diluted blood sample is then drawn up into one of the 84 Westergren pipettes inside the instrument. After 30 or 60 minutes the ESR is read, and the result is sent automatically to the LIMS.

A fully intuitive touch screen or mouse is all you need to operate the Starrsed RL. The connected PC stores all data and allows for easy access. A push of a button is all that is needed to produce the entire instrument operating history. The built-in QC-program monitors the performance of the Starrsed RL daily and generates output files for use in Excel or external QC-programs.

The used Westergren pipettes are automatically cleaned and dried after each test and ready for a new sample. Additionally, all 84 pipettes receive an automatic end of day cleaning and rinsing that uses special Starrsed reagents. This prevents any bacterial growth or protein build-up. All waste fluids, i.e. blood, diluents, cleaning agent and disinfectant, are collected in a built-in waste container, ready for disposal as stipulated by local regulations. 

The Westergren glass tubes are re-usable after each automatic cleaning with Starrsed Cleaning Agent, there are no additional costs for new pipettes. No disposable plastics are used.

As opposed to other ESR test instruments, Starrsed instruments identify and report hazy samples so that the lab technician may decide on further testing.
Starrsed instruments makes use of EDTA sample tubes. The advantage is that EDTA blood is very stable compared to pre-citrated samples, allowing for accurate ESR test results up to 24 hours after collection. The instrument dilutes the blood, which agreeing with the Westergren Method, it compensates for different haematocrit levels. The haematocrit level of the sample therefore will not influence the accuracy of the ESR measured.

Starrsed RS
Does your busy laboratory perform up to 135 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tests per hour and are you looking to automate this process? Or did you already automate this process but are you looking for a smarter product? If so, the Starrsed RS is the obvious solution. Building on the success of the Starrsed line, the Starrsed RS has a built-in rack loader and a large capacity. Starrsed is the world’s only product line that allows laboratories to perform ESR tests at large scale that are fully in agreement with the Westergren Method (the Gold Standard). An hourly capacity of approximately 135 samples brings ESR sampling to new heights. Starrsed RS achieves the highest degree of reliability in testing, leaving you and your operators available for other tasks in the laboratory.

Starrsed RS works with standard blood cell counter racks and performs dedicated ESR measurements fully unattended. Simply place any blood cell counter rack in the rack-adapter and walk away – the Starrsed RS takes over. The rack loader minimizes the operator’s time to virtually zero and makes it is easy to use.

A built-in barcode reader identifies each sample. Capable of bi-directional communications with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), the Starrsed RS knows which samples require ESR testing and which do not. Starrsed RS  can process up to five racks at a time, containing up to 12 blood sample tubes each. Room for extra samples is available as soon as the initial racks are processed. Starrsed RS pre-mixes the blood sample automatically by rotating the rack nine times before actually drawing the sample from the tube.  Starrsed RS checks the barcodes and then starts sampling each tube requiring an ESR test.

The aspiration system is activated, and the needle pierces the cap. Blood is drawn from the tube. Starrsed RS has a fully integrated diluting system, which dilutes the blood with the Starrsed citrate diluent in a 4:1 ratio, in full accordance with the Westergren Method. The diluted blood sample is then drawn up into one of the 84 Westergren pipettes inside the instrument. The optional printer gives the result that is also sent automatically to the LIMS.

The used Westergren pipettes are automatically cleaned and dried after each test and ready for a new sample. Additionally, all 84 pipettes receive an automatic end of day cleaning and rinsing that uses special Starrsed agents. This prevents any bacterial growth or protein build-up. All waste fluids, i.e. blood, diluents, cleaning agent and disinfectant, are collected in a built-in waste container, ready for disposal as stipulated by local regulations.

A fully intuitive touch screen or mouse is all you need to operate the Starrsed RS. The connected PC stores all data and allows for easy access. A push of a button is all that is needed to produce the entire instrument operating history. The built-in QC-program monitors the performance of the Starrsed RS daily and generates output files for use in Excel or external QC-programs.

The Westergren glass tubes are re-usable after each automatic cleaning with Starrsed cleaning-agent, there is no additional costs for new pipettes. No disposable plastics of any kind are used. Starrsed RS accepts virtually every brand of blood cell counter rack and all regular types of sample tubes. As opposed to other ESR test instruments, Starrsed instruments identify and report hazy samples so that the lab technician may decide on further testing.

The Starrsed RS makes use of EDTA sample tubes like the Starrsed RL.

Starrsed RS, Starrsed RL and Starrsed ST are instrument names of RR Mechatronics. Until 2014 the Starrsed ST was called Inversa 24M, the Starrsed RS was called AutoCompact, the Starrsed RL was called Interliner. RR Mechatronics changed the product names to benefit better from the worldwide recognizability of the brand name Starrsed.

Starrsed ST
Starrsed ST is entirely automated and standardized, which makes it easy to use.  Starrsed ST achieves the highest degree of reliability in testing, leaving you and your operators available for other tasks in the laboratory.

RR Mechatronics has developed the Starrsed ST, which is a tube based ESR analyzer with a small footprint.  Starrsed ST, in full operation, produces sample results up to every 30 seconds. After manually applying the sample tube for aspiration, the entire process is fully automated. A built-in barcode reader identifies each sample. The Starrsed ST will then perform an ESR measurement fully unattended.

After presenting a sample tube, the aspiration system is activated. A needle pierces the cap and blood is drawn from the tube. Starrsed ST has a fully integrated diluting system, which dilutes the blood with the Starrsed citrate diluent in a 4:1 ratio, in full accordance with the Westergren Method. The diluted blood sample is then drawn up into one of the 24 Westergren pipettes inside the instrument (for immediate testing, a single sample can be analysed). Starrsed ST measures the sedimentation for each pipette within 30 or 60 minutes. Most users prefer the 30-minute mode.

The built-in printer produces the result that is also sent automatically to the LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System). Simultaneously, the used Westergren pipette is automatically cleaned and prepared to receive a new sample. Additionally, all 24 pipettes receive a fully automated, intensive end-of-day cleaning using Starrsed X-Clean. All waste fluids, i.e. blood, diluent and X-Clean, are collected in a built-in waste container, ready for disposal as stipulated by local regulations.

The Westergren glass tubes are re-usable after each automatic cleaning, there are no additional costs for new pipettes. No disposable plastics are used.

The Starrsed ST makes use of EDTA sample tubes like Starrsed RL.

Control
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) advises the use of controls to ensure the continued reliability of the test results. RR Mechatronics supports this with Starrsed Control. It is to be used in the ESR analysers as if it were a real patient sample. Starrsed Control is processed the same way and is fully compliant with the ICSH recommendations and CLSI procedures. The QC test results are saved separately from patient test results and appear on a designated QC page. As a result, your laboratory is always able to check on the instrument’s status. Starrsed Control gives you maximum reliability at minimal effort and costs.