The Technology and Principles of the SD3 Fully Automated Dry Chemistry Analyzer

The SD3 Fully Automatic Dry Biochemical Analyzer is a groundbreaking tool in biochemical testing, utilizing advanced microfluidic and dry biochemical analysis technologies. This compact, efficient device streamlines laboratory processes, reduces reagent and sample use, and minimizes contamination risks. In this article, we explore the key technologies and principles that make the SD3 analyzer a state-of-the-art solution for medical, biological, and chemical testing.

1. Microfluidic Technology

Microfluidics involves the science and technology of handling or manipulating tiny amounts of fluids within micrometer-scale channels. This technology is commonly used in biological, chemical, and medical fields. The Seamaty SD3 leverages microfluidic technology to integrate sample preparation, analysis, separation, and detection, which are typically required in a conventional laboratory, onto a small chip. Using detectors and readers based on light, electricity, and heat, it achieves miniaturized, portable, highly accurate, and highly integrated biochemical testing.

Advantages of microfluidic chips include:

• Miniaturization and Automation: Multiple steps of sample detection are concentrated on a small chip, integrating operations through the combination of channel dimensions and curvature, micro-valves, and cavity design.
• High Throughput: Microfluidics can be designed with multiple channels, allowing samples to be split into several reaction units simultaneously while keeping them isolated from each other. This enables parallel testing of multiple parameters on the same sample, significantly reducing detection time, increasing efficiency, and avoiding cross-contamination of reagents.
• Low Reagent Consumption: The miniaturized reaction chambers on microfluidic chips require much smaller volumes of reagents compared to conventional methods, despite potentially higher reagent concentration ratios. This greatly reduces reagent consumption.
• Minimal Sample Volume Requirement: Detection on the chip requires very small sample volumes, often in the microliter or even nanoliter range. It can also directly use whole blood for testing, making it more convenient for infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities who have difficulty with venous blood collection. For pet biochemical testing, it is also more suitable for exotic pets.
• Reduced Contamination: The integration of various operations on the microfluidic chip automates processes that previously required manual handling in the lab, minimizing sample contamination to the environment.

2. Dry Biochemical Analysis

Dry biochemical analyzers use pre-prepared dry reagents, making them simpler and quicker to use compared to wet chemistry analyzers. Users only need to add the liquid sample to the dry reagent, which then permeates through several thin layers. After a color reaction, the concentration of the analyte in the sample can be determined.

Since dry biochemical analyzers do not use a piping system, their structure is simpler, and maintenance is easier. They do not require regular pipe cleaning; periodic optical path checks and internal cleaning as needed suffice. When not in use for long periods, dry biochemical analyzers do not need frequent startup and flushing like wet chemistry analyzers. Instead, they should be stored in a dust-free, dry, and cool environment.

3. Disk-Type Biochemical Reagent Disks (Unique Fan-Shaped Reagent Disks)

The Seamaty SD3 biochemical analyzer's only consumable is the reagent disk. These disk-type reagent disks contain lyophilized reagent beads, diluent, and built-in centrifugation, supporting whole blood testing. They can be stored at 2-8°C for up to a year. A unique feature of the SD3 reagent disk is its fan shape, unlike the typical round reagent disks. Three fan-shaped reagent disks can be combined to form a circular disk, allowing the simultaneous testing of three samples. This design significantly enhances detection efficiency and reduces reagent waste.

Conclusion

The SD3 Fully Automatic Dry Biochemical Analyzer excels in modern biochemical testing with its microfluidic technology, dry biochemical analysis, and innovative fan-shaped reagent disk. These features enable high throughput, minimal reagent and sample consumption, and simplified maintenance, making the SD3 a highly efficient and versatile tool for a variety of applications.