3.

4 Sample Volume, Throughput, and Parameters

Description The Swelab Alfa is a fully automated cell counter reporting up to

20 parameters.

Sample volume < 90 µl

Throughput > 67 (open tube, whole blood) samples per hour.

20 Parameters See list of parameters below:

Leukocyte parameters 20 16 10
WBC Total White Blood Cell Count Yes Yes Yes
LYM% Lymphocytes percentage Yes Yes No
LYM# Lymphocytes (absolute) Yes Yes No
MID% Mid Cell Population percentage Yes Yes No
MID# Mid Cell Population (absolute) Yes Yes No
GRAN% Granulocytes percentage Yes Yes No
GRAN# Granulocytes (absolute) Yes Yes No

Erythrocyte parameters 20 16 10
RBC Total Red Blood Cell Count Yes Yes Yes
HGB Hemoglobin Concentration Yes Yes Yes
HCT Hematocrit Yes Yes Yes
MCV Mean Cell Volume of RBCs Yes Yes Yes
MCH Mean Cell Hemoglobin Yes Yes Yes
Mean Cell Hemoglobin
MCHC Yes Yes Yes
Concentration
Red Blood Cells distribution
RDW% Yes Yes Yes
width percentage
Red Blood Cells distribution
RDWa width (absolute) Yes No No

Thrombocyte parameters 20 16 10
PLT Total Platelet Count Yes Yes Yes
MPV Mean Platelet Volume Yes Yes Yes
PDW Platelet Distribution Width Yes No No
PCT Platelet Crit Yes No No
Large Platelet Concentration
LPCR Yes No No
Ratio

21
 Section 4: Instrument Setup
Section Overview

Introduction This section covers the initial configuration needed to customize the
instrument settings.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Menu Selection 22
Initial Setup 23
Advanced Setup 24
Reagent Setup 27
User Interface 28

4.1 Menu Selection

 The List Menu will be displayed upon initialization.

Main Menu upon
initialization  From this main screen all other menus can be accessed for setup.
 By selecting the MENU tab and then pressing [ADVANCED]
the Advanced Menus will be displayed.
List and
System Menu

Figure 4.1 Figure 4.2

22
4.2 Initial Setup

Setting up
Change of display language is performed by following the instructions below:
language

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP].
3 Press [SETUP MENU 2].
4 Press [REGIONAL SETUP], a list of local settings will be displayed.
5 Press [MORE] until language button is displayed.
6 Press [LANGUAGE] to enter language screen.
7 Choose the number that corresponds with the language desired
and press OK to save.
Menu

Figure 4.3 Figure 4.4

Activate Mixer
To activate mixer follow the instruction below:
(optional)

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP] and then [SETUP MENU 2].
3 Press [SETUP MENU 3].
4 Press [MIXER].
If the mixer is not activated the button will have empty
5
brackets ( [ ] ). To activate press button and select [X].
Upon sample aspiration mixer will discontinue rotation
Note until sample analysis is complete.
It is recommended that whole blood samples are mixed for
10 – 15 minutes and then analyzed. Mixing for more than
4 hours may cause erroneous results.
Important

Continued on next page

23
4.2 Initial Setup (Continued)

Setting up The date/time function is shown on all samples and printouts and should
date/time always be setup correctly. To set date/time follow the instruction below:

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP], then press [SETUP MENU 2].
3 Press [DATE/TIME SETUP] to enter the set date/time menu.
4 Press [DATE FORMAT] to select date specific setting.
1 = DD/MM/YY; 2 = YY/MM/DD, 3 = YY/DD/MM, 4 = MM/DD/YY

5 Press on the item that you want to change and enter the changes on the
numerical pad. See menus below.

Menus

Figure 4.5 Figure 4.6

4.3 Advanced Setup

Description This section describes how to install and configure external components
such as barcode readers, printers, data communication, etc.

Select Follow the instruction below for interfacing analyzer to printer.

Printer Type (To connect printer see Section 2.5)

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP] and then [PRINT SETUP] to enter the Print Setup
menu.
3 Press [MORE] to view Printer type. Printer types are as follows:
1 = Seiko DPU 411/12 and 414
2 = IBM proprinter / Epson compatible
3 = HP PCL 3 and 5 protocol compatible
4 To change printer type press [PRINTER TYPE], enter the
correct number and press [OK] to save.

24
4.3 Advanced Setup (Continued)

Print modes To select options for printing results.

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP].
3 Press [PRINT SETUP] to enter the printer setup menu.
4 To set Manual Print Mode function select from the following:
0 = None, 1 = Without Histograms, or 2 = With Histograms.
5 To select Auto Print Mode function select from the following:
0 = None, 1 = Without Histograms, or 2 = With Histograms.
Note Extended printer format settings and user definable print layouts
are also available. Please refer to Document 02012.
(www.Swelab.se/support/html/whatsnew.htm), for detailed
information on how to set up a user definable format.
Requirements: English language only. Requires basic
understanding of printer protocol, formats and font definitions.

Barcode Setup To setup the barcode reader follow the instructions below. (Note that
the default barcode setting is 9600N81).

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP].
3 Press [SETUP MENU 2].
4 Press [BARCODE SETUP] to enter the barcode setup menu.
5 Choose the format that is appropriate for the barcode reader being
installed. (The generic driver is most common and is Compatible
with most readers).

0 No barcode reader
1 Generic barcode reader (9600N81)
2 Panasonic ZE-84RMSM (9600O72)

Note An Internal barcode reader is also available on some models. To

activate follow Steps 1-4 and select [X] button.

Keyboard To setup the keyboard follow manufacturer instruction for setup and plug
Setup (optional) into analyzer keyboard port. See Section 2.3 for details.

Continued on next page

25
4.3 Advanced Setup (Continued)

Data The instrument is equipped with an output for connection to a

Communication computer (network). The serial output has a male 9 pin DSUB. It
fulfills the RS232 specification.

The pinning of the male 9-PIN-DSUB is as follows: (instrument end)

1 Not used
2 TX-OUTPUT
3 RX-INPUT
4 Not used
5 GND
6 Not used
7 CTS-INPUT
8 RTS-OUTPUT
9 Not Used

To connect to a PC computer that uses a 25 pin RS232 (Female -> Female)

see instructions below:

Cable end instrument (9 pin) Cable end PC (25 pin)

2 3
3 2
5 7
7 4
8 5
Connections to a pc using a 9pin RS232
Cable end instrument (9pin) Cable end pc (9pin)
2 2
3 3
5 5
7 7
8 8

To select options for sending results and data follow instruction below:
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP].
3 Press [SERIAL SETUP] to enter the serial setup menu.
4 To set Manual Send Mode function select from the following:
0 = None, 1 = Without Histograms, or 2 = With Histograms.
5 To select Auto Send Mode function select from the following:
0 = None, 1 = Without Histograms, or 2 = With Histograms.

26
4.4 Reagent Setup

Description This section describes the functions of the reagent setup menu and how
to access reagent statistics.

Reagent Input The Swelab Alfa System is interlocked with specified Boule reagents for
(Enter New optimal performance. The reagent containers must be identified by the
Reagents) instrument before analysis of samples can begin. To identify reagents scan in
or manually enter the barcodes on the reagent containers. See section 2.6.

View Reagent Reagent statistics can be viewed in two ways:

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [REAGENT SETUP] from the MENU tab.
2 On the lower left-hand side of the Reagent Setup Menu, both the
remaining cycles for Diluent and Lyse are displayed. (It is important to
remember that cycles include analyses, wash cycles, background
counts, primes, exit standbys, etc.)
3

Figure 4.7 Figure 4.8

4 The second method of viewing reagent statistics is by pressing [VIEW
REAGENTS] from the Reagent Setup Menu. This screen is divided
into the last four Lyse Reagent Statistics and the last four Diluent
Reagent Statistics. For each, the operator can view the following:
 [X] indicates which reagent is currently activated.
 The number of cycles left for specific reagent container.
 The Lot and Pack Numbers
 The expiration date of the specific reagent container.
 The Open Date, when the reagent container was first used on
the system.
 The Last Date, when the last time that reagent container was
used to run a cycle.

Continued on next page

27
4.4 Reagent Setup (Continued)

Inactivate It is possible for the operator to inactivate the current reagent box by pressing
Reagent the [INACTIVATE REAGENT] button and then [YES]. Once deactivated the
operator must scan in or manually enter another reagent container before
analysis of samples can begin.

Reagent The interlocked reagent system displays indicator and warning messages to
Indicators alert the operator when reagents are running low and need to be changed. See
Section 12.2 and 12.3.

4.5 User Interface

Description This section describes the functions of available menus in the instrument that
have not been described in any other section of this manual.

Analysis Profile It shall be possible for operators to customize analysis profiles. See following
menu options:

Step Action
1 Start by pressing [ADVANCED] from the MENU tab.
2 Press [SETUP], then [ANALYSIS PROFILE] to enter the Analysis
Profile Setup menu.
3

Figure 4.9 Figure 4.10

4 To set profile name press [NAME].
 Press [PREV] or [NEXT] to choose an open profile on list.
 Press [NAME ON DISPLAY] to enter new profile name and press
OK when complete.
 Press [NAME ON PRINTOUT] to enter new profile name to be
displayed on printout and press OK when complete.
5 To set new profile as default press [DEFAULT] and select [X].

Continued on next page

28
4.5 User Interface (Continued)

6 To block certain parameters press [BLOCK PARAMETERS] to see

list and then [MORE] to view specific parameters. Press any
parameter and select [X] to block parameter.
7 To change RBC/PLT discriminators press [RBC/PLT SETUP] to
see list and then [MORE] to view specific discriminators. Press
specific discriminator button to change value and then OK to save.
8 To change WBC discriminators press [WBC SETUP] to see list
and then [MORE] to view specific discriminators. Press specific
discriminator button to change value and then OK to save.
9 To change normal ranges press [NORMAL RANGES] to see list
and then [MORE] to view specific parameter range. Press specific
parameter range button to change value and then OK to save.
10 New profiles are automatically included in XB functions and Stats. To
not include new profile in Xb functions or Stats press [MISC SETUP]
and change [X] to ([ ]), respectively to inactivate default setting.

Sample Memory The following procedures explain how to search for previous sample analyses
and statistics, and print, send, and delete samples.

Step Action
1 To view previous analyses at a quick glance press [PREV] or [NEXT]
buttons to scroll through samples in either Sample or List menus.
2 To view a specific sample or a group of samples press [CHANGE] in
List Menu. In this menu samples can be selected by Sample ID,
SEQ, Date, and Sample profile. Press corresponding button to select.

Figure 4.11 Figure 4.12

3 To view Sample Statistics, select sample or group of samples to view,
and press [STATS] to enter the Statistical Results menu.
4 To print or send selected sample or sample statistics press [PRINT] or
[SEND].
5 To delete selected sample or group of samples press [DELETE]. The
instrument will display a prompt to verify deletions, press [YES].

29
 4.5 User Interface (Continued)

All Settings From Menu tab press [ADVANCED] and then [SETUP] to enter Setup Menu.
 To print all instrument settings, verify instrument is connected to a
 printer and press [PRINT ALL SETTINGS].
 To send all instrument settings, verify instrument is connected to a
computer and press [SEND ALL SETTINGS].

Change From Menu tab press [ADVANCED] and then [SETUP] to enter Setup Menu.
Sequence To change sequence number press [SEQ NUMBER SETUP], press [NEXT
Number SEQ NUMBER], enter in new sequence number and press OK to save.

Platelet Contact local distributor for more information on Platelet Concentrate Mode
Concentrate activation.
Mode
30