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ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer
When every second counts
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Fast analysis
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Reliable results
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Easy to use and maintain
Because speed and efficiency matter
If your workflow demands quick analysis, efficiency and extensive insights from small sample sizes, the ABL90 FLEX PLUS is the blood gas analyzer for you.
Parameters measured
Potential of hydrogen
The degree of acidity or alkalinity of any liquid (including blood) is a function of its hydrogen ion concentration [H+], and pH is simply a way of expressing hydrogen ion activity. The relationship between pH and hydrogen ion concentration is described thus:
pH = -log aH+
where aH+ is hydrogen ion activity.
Low pH is associated with acidosis and high pH with alkalosis [1,2].
The pH parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
- CLSI. Blood gas and pH analysis and related measurements; Approved Guidelines. CLSI document CA46-A2, 29, 8. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-1898 USA, 2009
- Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an acidic gas; the amount of CO2 in blood is largely controlled by the rate and depth of breathing or ventilation. pCO2 is the partial pressure of CO2 in blood. It is a measure of the pressure exerted by that small portion (~5 %) of total CO2 that remains in the gaseous state, dissolved in the blood plasma. pCO2 is the respiratory component of acid-base balance and reflects the adequacy of pulmonary ventilation. The severity of ventilator failure as well as the chronicity can be judged by the accompanying changes in acid-base status [1,2].
The pCO2 parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
- Higgins C. Parameters that reflect the carbon dioxide content of blood. www.acutecaretesting.org Oct 2008.
- Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014
Partial pressure of oxygen
The amount of oxygen in blood is controlled by many variables, e.g. ventilation/perfusion. pO2 is the partial pressure of oxygen in a gas phase in equilibrium with the blood. pO2 only reflects a small fraction (1 – 2 %) of total oxygen in blood that is dissolved in blood plasma [1]. The remaining 98 – 99 % of oxygen present in blood is bound to the hemoglobin in the erythrocytes. pO2 primarily reflects the oxygen uptake in the lungs. [2]
The pO2 parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Wettstein R, Wilkins R. Interpretation of blood gases. In: Clinical assessment in respiratory care, 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 2010.
2. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Glucose
Glucose, the most abundant carbohydrate in human metabolism, serves as the major intracellular energy source (see lactate). Glucose is derived principally from dietary carbohydrate, but it is also produced – primarily in the liver and kidneys – via the anabolic process of gluconeogenesis, and from the breakdown of glycogen (glycogenolysis). This endogenously produced glucose helps keep blood glucose concentration within normal limits, when dietary-derived glucose is not available, e.g. between meals or during periods of starvation. [1]
The cGlu parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Lactate, the anion that results from dissociation of lactic acid, is an intracellular metabolite of glucose. It is produced by skeletal muscle cells, red blood cells (erythrocytes), the brain, and other tissues during anaerobic energy production (glycolysis). Lactate is formed in the intracellular fluid from pyruvate; the reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [1,2].
1. Robergs RA, Ghiasvand F, Parker D. Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2004; 287: R502-16.
2. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Creatinine
Creatinine is an endogenous waste product of muscle metabolism, derived from creatine, a molecule of major importance for energy production within muscle cells. Creatinine is removed from the body in urine and its concentration in blood reflects glomerular filtration and thereby kidney function. [1]
The cCrea parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Urea
Urea (molecular formula CO(NH2)2) is the principal nitrogenous waste product of protein catabolism, which is eliminated from the body in urine. It is the most abundant organic component of urine. Urea is transported in blood from the liver to the kidneys, where it is filtered from the blood and excreted in the urine. Renal failure is associated with the reduced excretion of urea in urine, and a consequent rise in blood (plasma/serum) urea concentration. [1]
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Calcium
The calcium ion (Ca2+) is one of the most prevalent cations in the body, where approximately 1 % is present in the extracellular fluid of blood. Ca2+ plays a vital role for bone mineralization and many cellular processes, e.g. contractility of the heart and the skeletal musculature, neuromuscular transmission, hormone secretion and action in various enzymatic reactions such as, e.g. blood coagulation. [1]
The cCa2+ parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Chloride
Chloride (Cl-) is the major anion in the extracellular fluid and one of the most important anions in blood. The main function of Cl- is to maintain osmotic pressure, fluid balance, muscular activity, ionic neutrality in plasma, and help elucidate the cause of acid-base disturbances. [1]
The cCl- parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Potassium
Potassium (K+) is the major cation in the intracellular fluid, where it has a 25 - 37-fold higher concentration (∼150 mmol/L in tissue cells, ∼105 mmol/L in erythrocytes) than in the extracellular fluid (∼4 mmol/L) [1, 2]. K+ has several vital functions in the body, e.g. regulation of neuromuscular excitability, regulation of heart rhythm, regulation of intracellular and extracellular volume and acid-base status. [3]
The cK+ parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE. Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics. 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2012.
2. Engquist A. Fluids/Electrolytes/Nutrition. 1st ed. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1985.
3. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Sodium
Sodium (Na+) is the dominant cation in the extracellular fluid, where it has a 14-fold higher concentration (∼140 mmol/L) than in the intracellular fluid (∼10 mmol/L). Na+ is a major contributor of the osmolality of the extracellular fluid and its main function is largely in controlling and regulating water balance, and maintaining blood pressure. Na+ is also important for transmitting nerve impulses and activating muscle concretion. [1]
The cNa+ parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Carboxyhemoglobin
FCOHb is the fraction of total hemoglobin (ctHb) which is present as carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). By convention the fraction is expressed as a percentage (%).
In the range of 0 – 60 % COHb in arterial (COHb(a)) and venous blood (COHb(v)) is similar, i.e. either venous or arterial blood may be analyzed [1]. In most medical texts FCOHb(a) is referred to as simply COHb. [2]
The COHb parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Lopez DM, Weingarten-Arams JS, Singer LP, Conway EE Jr. Relationship between arterial, mixed venous and internal jugular carboxyhemoglobin concentrations at low, medium and high concentrations in a piglet model of carbon monoxide toxicity. Crit Care Med 2000; 28: 1998-2001.
2. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is the yellow breakdown product of the degradation of the heme group of hemoglobin. It is transported in blood from its site of production – the reticuloendothelial system – to the liver, where it is biotransformed before excretion in bile. Jaundice, the pathological yellow discoloration of skin, is due to abnormal accumulation of bilirubin in the tissues, and is always associated with elevated blood concentration of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia). [1]
The ctBil parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Total hemoglobin
The concentration of total hemoglobin (ctHb) in blood includes oxyhemoglobin (cO2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (cHHb), as well as the dysfunctional hemoglobin species that are incapable of binding oxygen:
carboxyhemoglobin (cCOHb) (see COHb), methemoglobin (cMetHb) (see MetHb) and sulfhemoglobin (cSulfHb).
Thus:
ctHb = cO2Hb + cHHb + cCOHb + cMetHb + cSulfHb
The rare sulfHb is not included in the reported c tHb in most oximeters. [1]
The ctHb parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Fraction of fetal hemoglobin
FHbF in total hemoglobin in blood. [1]
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Fraction of deoxyhemoglobin
FHHb in total hemoglobin in blood. [1]
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Metahemoglobin
FMetHb is the fraction of total hemoglobin (ctHb) that is present as methemoglobin (MetHb). By convention the fraction is expressed as a percentage (%) [1]. In most medical text boxes MetHb(a) is referred to as simply methemoglobin (MetHb). [2]
The MetHb parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. CLSI. Blood gas and pH analysis and related measurements; Approved Guidelines. CLSI document CA46-A2, 29, 8. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-1898 USA, 2009.
2. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation (sO2) is the ratio of oxyhemoglobin concentration to concentration of functional hemoglobin (i.e. oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) capable of carrying oxygen [1].
The sO2 reflects utilization of the currently available oxygen transport capacity. In arterial blood 98 – 99 % of oxygen is transported in erythrocytes bound to hemoglobin. The remaining 1–2 % of the oxygen transported in blood is dissolved in the blood plasma – this is the portion reported as partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) [2,3].
The sO2 parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. CLSI. Blood gas and pH analysis and related measurements; Approved Guidelines. CLSI document CA46-A2, 29, 8. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-1898 USA, 2009.
2. Higgins C. Parameters that reflect the carbon dioxide content of blood. www.acutecaretesting.org Oct 2008.
3. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on /en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
Fraction of oxyhemoglobin
FO2Hb in total hemoglobin in blood. [1]
The FO2Hb parameter is measured on these ABL blood gas analyzers:
1. Acute care testing handbook. Radiometer Medical ApS, 2700 Brønshøj, Denmark, 2014. As accessed on https://www.radiometer.com/en/knowledge-center/handbooks/acute-care-testing-handbook.
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Fast analysis of up to 19 parameters
With a high uptime of more than 23.5 hours per day and only 60 seconds between each sample measurement, the analyzer is quickly ready for you to test the next sample*.
Reliable results
In addition, automatic patient registration, automatic sample mixing, and safePICO syringes help reduce the risk of patient sample mix up and preanalytical errors.
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Easy to use and maintain
The ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer is designed to be easy to use and maintain so your staff spends less time in front of the analyzer. Instructional videos provide on-screen guidance for operation and maintenance.
And, with only two consumables to replace, remote service and full IT connectivity, your ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer is ready when you are—whether it’s in the lab or at the point of care.
Patient safety is at the centre of everything we do and determines the procedures, our activities and all other actions performed in the ED.
- ED Director, Axel Plessman, ED director at the DRK Hospital Group in Thüringen, Germany
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Built-in cybersecurity
The ABL90 FLEX PLUS is built on the Radiometer cybersecurity model, which works alongside hospital security measures in a series of defense layers.
These defense layers help prevent cyberattacks from compromising patient data and analyzer performance. For extra protection, Security packages update analyzers’ security levels throughout their lifetime.
Get the latest Microsoft supported operating system, patches for ongoing security upgrades, and proactive protection with Application Control. Visit Security packages to learn more.
Creatinine and Urea measuring performance
An analytical evaluation of ABL90 FLEX PLUS analyzer with creatinine and urea compared to 3 common laboratory analyzers.
A study by Sánchez et al in 2020 concluded that the analytical performance results of the
ABL9O FLEX PLUS for creatinine and urea are interchangeable when compared to 3 common
central laboratory analyzers.
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