“ TheYellow IRISTM ” UrinalysisWorkstation - The FirstCommercial Applicationof “ AutomatedIntelligentMicroscopy ”

Since 1982, “automated intelligence microscopy” (AIM) has been refined and adapted to perform the portion of the urinalysis profile traditionally done by a microscope. AIM and analytical subsystems measuring relative density and performing dipstick chemistry compose the main elements of “The Yellow IRIS” urinalysis workstation, an attended system for automationand standardizationof routineurinalysis. Performancedata gathered at three laboratorytest sites show AIM to be analytically consistent over the required range of particulate enumeration, and show that it detects 20% more abnormalities than by conventional microscopy, and with greater precision (CV5 5 to 20%). Complete urinalysis, including the microscopic examination, requires little more than 1 mm for normal specimens, 3 mm for most abnormal specimens. Actual throughput rate varies with the particulate composition of specimens; typically, it averages >30 specimens per hour, a 300% improvementin urinalysis productivity by CAP standardsand an almost500% improvement when typical emergency-use demands are taken Into account.