Radiometer approached us during their product development to provide a subsystem that would pierce closed sample tubes, extract the sample and dispense this into a processing vessel. It required very high precision and accuracy, and use of the same piercing probe.

We leveraged our vast expertise in precision fluidics and robotics and worked with Radiometer to clearly define the subsystem requirements and boundaries. Following this, our work included:

• Concept generation and selection of the best subsystem concepts
• The development of several test systems and experimental analyses, including the application of robust engineering principles
• Subsystem design and development while concurrently evolving instrument design
• Subsystem prototype and building
• Execution of a rigorous performance and reliability test program
• Design transfer to Radiometer for instrument manufacture

Working collaboratively with Radiometer, we embedded the subsystem into the evolving design of their compact instrument. This was done with Pro/ENGINEER and Intralink in the client’s own engineering database.

Our integrated team of scientists and engineers focused on meeting key subsystem requirements such as:

• Closed tube (Vacutainer) sample extraction
• Low-volume, high-precision sample dispense a piercing probe
• Dispensed volume 5¬µl to 25¬µl
• 2 percent dispense volume CV
• 2 percent dispense volume inaccuracy
• Broad range of sample viscosities
• Minimized carryover and system fluid use
• Handling whole blood, serum and plasma samples

Through our partnership, we provided Radiometer a critical subsystem breakthrough in acute care testing, and supported the overall system sensitivity and specificity through its high accuracy and precision. Effective communication between our teams was critical to the success of the project, as well as discipline management of the interface between the instrument and the subsystem (via Interface Control Specification) and a rigorous experimental test program.