Electrolyte Analyser

ELECTROLYTE ANALYZER
Lecture 2
What Are Electrolyte?
An electrolyte is a substance that contains free ions that

behave as an electrically conducting medium.
or
Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged molecules
called ions, that are found within the body's cells and
extracellular fluids, including blood plasma.
Electrolytes play multiple roles in the
maintenance of body functions:
1)They sustain osmotic pressure which control fluids

distribution in the body (related to sodium level).
2)Maintain proper body Ph .
3)Regulate the function of the heart and other muscles.
4)Assist in electron transfer reactions.
5)Participate in enzymatic reactions .

Some of the disorders associated with
electrolyte imbalances include:
1)Congestive heart failure.
2)Respiratory alkalosis (occurs when blood pH raise
above 7.35), and acidosis occurs( when blood pH falls
below 7.35).
3)Diabetes insipidus (water loss by the kidneys).
4)Gastrointestinal and kidney diseases.
5) Overhydration and dehydration. (When water loss is
greater than intake, or vice versa).
Doctors refer to a low electrolyte level with
the prefix “hypo_” and to a high level With
the prefix “hyper_”.
Because abnormal electrolyte levels can

result from or cause various disorders, their
analysis is a key factor in patient diagnosis
and treatment.
Electrolyte Analyzers measure these

electrolytes in the whole blood, serum,
plasma and urine.
Electrolyte analyzer
The electrolyte analyzer: is a device for measuring
the electrolytes in the human body.
They are primarily used in the quantitative

measurement of sodium, potassium, and chloride in
whole blood, serum, or plasma.
The measurement performed by this device are

used for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of
diseases involving electrolyte imbalance.
Analyzer component
❑Reagents
❑Electrode
Module
❑Peristaltic
Pump
❑Sample Probe
❑Waste Chamber
Reagents
❑Refers to the Cal and Slope standards and the Wash

solution.
❑Cal and Slope solutions are two calibration fluids

of different concentrations used during a Two Point
Calibration.
❑Wash solution may also be referred to as a flush or

rinse solution and does just what it implies, it cleans
and rinses the tubing after each analysis.
Electrode Module
• Also referred to as a Flow

Cell or Electrode Train.
• Houses the:
❑Air/fluid detector
❑Measuring electrodes
❑Reference electrode
Air Fluid Detector
Located at the entrance or exit

of the Electrode Module.
Verifies the presence of air or
fluid in the sample tubing.
– A small light source
shines through the tubing into a
photodetector.
–The photodetector is
monitored by the μP which
monitors the air/fluid detector so
it knows when to start and stop.
Reference Electrode
Supplies a continuous
electrical potential that
is used as a reference to
measure the electrical
potential produced by
each ISE.
• Constant 756 mV
potential
Peristaltic Pump
Pushes the reagent fluids and patient sample through the

tubing to the sample probe and Electrode Module out to the
waste bottle.
Fluid is drawn into the analyzer as the flexible tubing is
pressed by the rollers of the pump and drawn through the
tubing via the squeezing action of the rollers on the tubing.
Sample Probe
Aspirates fluids
into the analyzer
via the peristaltic
pump.
Measurement Methods
The most common methods of electrolyte analysis are
• Flame emission photometry (FEP) and
• Ion‐selective electrode (ISE)
Flame photometry is an indirect measurement

technique and mostly used to measure Na, K and Li.
The ISE method gives direct measurements of the

concentration of electrolytes and are therefore more
popular.
ISE
Measurement system in an electrolyte analyzer using

ion‐selective electrodes.
The ISE method of electrolyte measurement is based on the principle of
potentiometry in which the voltage that develops between the inner and outer
surfaces of an ISE (membrane) is measured.
( The membrane is made of a material that is selectively permeable to the ion being
measured. For example, sodium electrodes are made from a special glass formula that
selectively binds sodium ions. The inside of the electrode is filled with a fluid containing
sodium ions, and the outside of the glass membrane is immersed in the sample. )
The membrane acts as an ion exchanger, thereby causing a change in the
membrane potential.
The potential difference developed across the glass membrane is dependent upon
the difference in sodium concentration or activity on the inside and outside of the
glass membrane.
This potential is measured by comparing it to the potential of a reference
electrode. The potential of the reference electrode is kept constant, the difference
in voltage between the other two electrodes is thus due to the concentration of
sodium in the sample.
Referring to the Figure above, potential is conducted by the inner electrode to the
input of a very high input amplifier. The reference electrode is connected to the
ground as well as the second input of the amplifier.
The signal is further amplified, digitized, and processed to calculate ion
.concentration in the sample and displayed as numerical values
Note: The calibrations curve is done by two measured points
of standard solutions with precisely known ion concentrations.
Ion‐selective membranes are spe- cific for different electrolytes
Solid State ISEs
A cross‐sectional view of the sensors based on microfabrication technique.

Some electrolyte analyzers employ miniaturized ISE, which
are fabricated in planar type as shown in the figure above.
The development of solid state ISE has led to their
encapsulation in the form of multi‐usable cartridges for the
electrolyte analyser.
The cartridge incorporates all consumable parts such as
reagent, electrode, valve, tubing, sampler, and especially waste
bag.
The cartridges are cleaned automatically and can be removed
after use or expiration date. The use of cartridge allows easy
maintenance except for regular cartridge change, replacing
reagents, or other consumable part.

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ELECTROLYTE ANALYZER

An electrolyte is a substance that contains free ions that

1)They sustain osmotic pressure which control fluids

2)Maintain proper body Ph .

3)Regulate the function of the heart and other muscles.

4)Assist in electron transfer reactions.

5)Participate in enzymatic reactions .

Because abnormal electrolyte levels can

Electrolyte Analyzers measure these

They are primarily used in the quantitative

The measurement performed by this device are

❑Refers to the Cal and Slope standards and the Wash

❑Cal and Slope solutions are two calibration fluids

❑Wash solution may also be referred to as a flush or

• Also referred to as a Flow

Located at the entrance or exit

Pushes the reagent fluids and patient sample through the

Flame photometry is an indirect measurement

The ISE method gives direct measurements of the

Measurement system in an electrolyte analyzer using

A cross‐sectional view of the sensors based on microfabrication technique.

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