How Immunoassay Analyzers Work & How We Save You Time & Money
Our lease program can source all instrument types and accommodate any brand preferences your end-user might have. Request an IA analyzer lease estimate today and see how leasing can reduce your clinical lab equipment’s upfront costs.
All equipment brands/models are available
The Advantages of Excedr’s Immunoassay Analyzer Leasing Program:
- Eliminates the upfront cost of purchasing equipment by spreading its cost over time
- Minimizes equipment downtime with included complete repair coverage and preventive maintenance
- Takes advantage of potentially 100% tax deductible* payments, providing you significant cash-savings
- Expedites the administrative work needed for instrument procurement and logistics
- Conserves working capital, enabling you to reinvest in your core business and operations (staffing, inventory, marketing/sales, etc.)
- Accommodates all manufacturer and model preferences
*Please consult your tax advisor to determine the full tax implications of leasing equipment.
An immunoassay is a type of biochemical diagnostic test that identifies and quantifies an analyte in a solution by using an antibody or antigen that binds with the specific structure of a molecule as the method of detection.
An immunoassay analyzer is an automated instrument that uses immunoassay methodologies to produce accurate immunoassay test results using a variety of techniques. Whether you run dozens or hundreds of tests daily, it is a reliable and intuitive device that can help optimize your lab’s performance.
Hospitals and clinical or medical laboratories can use immunoassay analyzers to run automated biochemical tests that detect the presence and concentration of a substance within a sample.
The test is performed using an antibody as a reagent, which is chemically linked with a specific label such as an enzyme. These conjugated labels allow the detection of antibodies and antigens present in a sample. Without labeling, the binding that does occur would not be measurable.
Immunoassay testing is extensively used in scientific research. It’s capabilities include diagnosing infectious disease, targeting cancer, therapeutic drug monitoring, cardiac analysis, allergy testing, as well as protein, bacterial, and toxin determination. The type of immunoassay you use, along with technique and label, depends on the results you wish to obtain.
IA Method, Types of Immunoassays, & Labels Used
When choosing an immunoassay analyzer, it is important to consider the type of tests required, which labels must be used, and the potential for automation of a technique.
How It Works
In principle, an immunoassay relies on the binding properties of an antibody in order to obtain results. An antibody, or immunoglobulin, is a large, y-shaped protein that is produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a recognized antigen, also known as an immunogen.
An antigen can be defined as a toxin or foreign substance that elicits an immune response. Antigens may include pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses, as well as proteins, polysaccharides, antibiotics, toxins, and more. It is important to note that not all antigens elicit a response from the immune system. Incomplete antigens, or haptens, must be bound with a larger carrier molecule in order to create a response. Immunogens have distinct surface features which result in specific responses from antibodies.
An antibody will attach itself using two binding sites, or paratopes, to a specific and limited area of the surface on the antigen known as an epitope. This means that one specific type of antibody is capable of recognizing, binding to, and neutralizing another specific type of antigen. This occurrence is also known as an antigen-antibody reaction. Harnessing the binding powers of antibody-antigen interaction makes any immunoassay a powerful diagnostic tool.
Enzyme
Referred to as enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), this technique relies on an enzyme-labeled antibody, rather than radioactivity, to detect and measure bound antibodies and antigens present in a solution. EIA uses the enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), as a probe. The probe provides a detectable color change when a substrate or chromogen is applied. A substrate is typically a solid substance or medium that acts as an adhering layer for another substance, in this case, the enzyme. This type of testing is quick, convenient, sensitive, and easy to automate. One drawback to consider is that the enzyme-substrate reaction ends quickly and must be read as soon as possible.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence methods include fluoroimmunoassay (FIA), a technique that is comparable to radioimmunoassay (RIA). Rather than using a radioisotope, fluorophores are used to create a measurable signal. Fluorophores, fluorescent chemicals that can re-emit light upon excitation, can include Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as well as phycoerythrin, a type of red photosynthetic pigment that is present in red algae. This technique is also sensitive, specific, and easy to automate. Multiple labels can be used, which is something to consider when requiring many tests to be performed simultaneously.
Chemiluminescence
Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) determines the concentration of a sample according to the intensity of luminescence that a chemical reaction emits. CLIA is a variation of EIA, in that it employs the same enzyme-labeled antibodies for detection, but instead applies a luminescent substrate to create a measurable signal. This converts the substrate to a reaction product, emitting a photon of light instead of developing a noticeable color. This technique is highly sensitive, easy to automate, and can be used in a high throughput system. It has a wider dynamic range than other immunoassay methods and, due to its extreme sensitivity, can detect very small amounts of a biological molecule. Its linear relationship between luminosity and the level of concentration also provides reliable results.
Radio
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) technology was the first type of testing to be developed, however, it has fallen out of favor due to developments in other immunoassay techniques, its difficulty to perform, and the potential dangers presented when working with any amount of radioactivity. However, it is still widely used as it offers distinct advantages in terms of simplicity and sensitivity. By utilizing radioactive isotopes to label an antibody, RIA can measure the concentration of an analyte as it binds with unlabeled antigens.
Label-Free Methods
Although some types of labels are generally used in immunoassays, there are label-free methods available. These detection methods don’t rely on any modification or labeling to measure the concentration of a sample. These include surface plasmon resonance instruments and quartz crystal microbalances.
Benchtop Immunoassay System Leases to Fit Every Need
Antibody testing is widely used today, and will continue to be needed in the future.
Automation of immunoassays has proven highly effective and can increase a company’s throughput and overall performance dramatically. Automated EIA, FIA, and CLIA analyzers have become essential instruments in clinical laboratories, and can be used for a variety of clinical and medical applications, providing diagnostic results that offer highly useful information for assessing patient treatment, improving the overall state of patient care and the healthcare system.
However, it’s also possible to integrate systems, which streamlines your workflows. Whether you’re interested in a standalone IA analyzer, or want to acquire an integrated immunoassay and chemistry analyzer, we can lease you exactly what you need and support you through the entire procurement process and lease term.
That said, acquiring an analyzer for your lab, whether it’s an immunoassay, chemistry, or hematology analyzer, can be challenging due to burdensome upfront costs. But, leasing provides an excellent alternative to purchasing instruments!
We offer a comprehensive lease program that helps you both retain financial flexibility and acquire new and necessary equipment. Request a lease estimate today or simply reach out to learn more.
Operating Lease
This off-balance sheet financing structure provides three options at the end of the term. The lessee has the option to return the equipment to the lessor, renew at a discounted rate, or purchase the instrument for the fair market value. Monthly payments are also 100% tax deductible which yields additional cash savings.
Sale-Leaseback
If you recently purchased equipment, Excedr can offer you cash for your instrument and convert your purchase into a long-term rental. This is called a sale leaseback. If you’ve paid for equipment within the last ninety days, we can help you recoup your investment and allow you to make low monthly payments. This also frees up cash in your budget rather than tying it down to the instrument.
IA Analyzer Manufacturers & Models on the Market
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Beckman Coulter:
Access 2, UniCel Dxl 600, UniCel Dxl 800
Thermo Fisher Scientific:
Phadia 5000 Immunoassay Analyzers, Phadia 250, Phadia 1000, Phadia 2500
Roche Diagnostics:
cobas e 601 module, cobas e 602, cobas e 801 analytical unit
Modular analyzer systems:
cobas 8000 series, cobas pro integrated solutions, cobas 6000 series, cobas 4000 series
Abbott:
ARCHITECT i1000SR, ARCHITECT i2000SR, ARCHITECT i4000SR
DiaSorin:
LIAISON systems, LIAISON XS, LIAISON XL
PerkinElmer:
SuperFlex Chemiluminescent Immunoassay System
Siemens Healthineers:
ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System, ADVIA Centaur XP, ADVIA Centaur CP, IMMULITE 2000 XPi, IMMULITE 1000
EUROIMMUN AG:
EUROLabWorkstation IFA, IF Sprinter, Sprinter XL,
Polymedco:
PATHFAST
Bio-Rad Laboratories:
Bio-Plex 200 Systems, Bio-Plex 3D Suspension Array System
Randox:
Evidence Biochip Immunoanalyser, Evidence Investigator, Evidence MultiSTAT
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics:
VITROS XT 7600, VITROS 5600, VITROS 3600, VITROS ECiQ
Tosoh Bioscience:
AIA-2000 Automated Immunoassay Analyzer, AIA-900, AIA-360
Snibe Co., Ltd.:
MAGLUMI 600, MAGLUMI 800, MAGLUMI 2000, MAGLUMI 2000 Plus, MAGLUMI 4000 Plus, MAGLUMI X8, Biolumi 8000
