[Advantages and constraints of recent multichannel selective analyzers]

The analyzers have been defined as follows: the analyzers are multiparametric (at least 5 parameters available simultaneously), selective, operating patient by patient, list price on May 1, 1984 below 1,000,000 francs, and distributed in France after January 1, 1981. This definition applies in particular to systems already widely used in French Laboratories, such as the Technicon RA 1000, and the Hitachi Boehringer 705. It also applies to systems distributed more recently, such as the Kone "Progress" and the Coultronics "Dacos". Based on data provided by the manufacturers (technical instructions, operating instructions, evaluation reports, etc) and data provided by a certain number of users, we have tried to appraise the advantages and constraints of these analyzers with respect to the following points: required environment (installation, electrical current, temperature), training of personnel, ease of adaptation, work organization, rhythms, operating cost, ease of use, verification of correct function, format of results, maintenance, etc. Lastly, we discuss the problem of the reliability of the results (precision, accuracy), in particular the problems of referencing in substrate assays, and the problems of accuracy in the measurement of enzymatic activities, considering the current norms of standardization.