Carl A. Burtis

The Feasibility of Miniaturizing a Fast Analyzer

Abstract The design and fabrication of a miniature Fast Analyzer that utilizes a small, multicuvet, plastic rotor and a unique optical system to measure the light transmittance of each cuvet is described. The system was developed to accept small, discrete volumes of reagent and sample, which are then transferred and mixed in less than 10 seconds. A serum albumin analysis was performed to indicate the feasibility of miniaturization.

Simultaneous Determination of Silica and Phosphate in Water from a Single Experiment Using a Miniature Centrifugal fast Analyzer

Abstract The utility of Centrifugal Fast Analyzers for kinetic analyses of inorganic constituents is discussed and is illustrated for the simultaneous determination of silica and orthophosphate as the unreduced heteropoly acids. Silica is determined by an initial-rate approach, whereas the absorbance intercept is a measure of the orthophosphate content of the sample.

The Development of Rotors Having Separate Sample and Reagent Transfer Channels for Use with Centrifugal Fast Analyzers

Abstract Two new rotors have been designed and developed for use with Centrifugal Fast Analyzers. These rotors incorporate separate sample and reagent chambers and transfer channels, which prevent premature mixing of the aliquots of sample and reagent and also provide for their simultaneous and rapid transfer and mixing when the rotor is accelerated.

Techniques for Fabrication and Assembly of Rotors for Use in a Miniature Fast Analyzer

Abstract Several techniques are potentially useful for fabricating and assembling small, multicuvet, plastic rotors to be incorporated in a Miniature Fast Analyzer based on the GeMSAEC principle. Individual rotor components are machined or molded from acrylic plastic and assembled by heat sealing, gluing, or ultrasonic welding. The resulting rotors, which will ultimately be disposable, are useful in performing colorimetric biochemical analyses and are produced with a pathlength variation of only ±1%.

Variability of ethics education in laboratory medicine training programs: Results of an international survey

BACKGROUND Ethical considerations are increasingly important in medicine. We aimed to determine the mode and extent of teaching of ethics in training programs in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. METHODS We developed an on-line survey of teaching in areas of ethics relevant to laboratory medicine. Reponses were invited from directors of training programs who were recruited via email to leaders of national organizations. RESULTS The survey was completed by 80 directors from 24 countries who directed 113 programs. The largest numbers of respondents directed postdoctoral training of scientists (42%) or physicians (33%), post-masters degree programs (33%), and PhD programs (29%). Most programs (82%) were 2years or longer in duration. Formal training was offered in research ethics by 39%, medical ethics by 31%, professional ethics by 24% and business ethics by 9%. The number of reported hours of formal training varied widely, e.g., from 0 to >15h/year for research ethics and from 0 to >15h for medical ethics. Ethics training was required and/or tested in 75% of programs that offered training. A majority (54%) of respondents reported plans to add or enhance training in ethics; many indicated a desire for online resources related to ethics, especially resources with self-assessment tools. CONCLUSION Formal teaching of ethics is absent from many training programs in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, with heterogeneity in the extent and methods of ethics training among the programs that provide the training. A perceived need exists for online training tools, especially tools with self-assessment components.