Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Variant II
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. · Model Variant II
Complete automation Sampling from primary tubes Positive specimen identification Multi-analyte Objective results LIS interface Complete, ready-to-use test kits.
Key tips
- ·Run QC controls before trusting any repair - an analyzer that passes self-test can still report clinically wrong results.
- ·Rule out a reagent lot change before opening the instrument - it can look exactly like a hardware fault.
- ·Centrifuge rotors have a hard retirement age/cycle limit regardless of visible condition - don't eyeball it.
Typical Failure Modes
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Assay / QC failure across a channel or the whole system
HighSymptoms: Controls out of range, calibration fails, flagged results, drift over a shift.
Root cause: Reagent or cuvette issue, lamp ageing, a probe / mixer / wash-station fault, or ISE-module problems.
Sample / reagent probe clog or crash
MediumSymptoms: Short aspiration, no dispense, clot detection, probe-position error.
Root cause: Clogged or bent probe, or a clot in the sample.
Cuvette / reaction-rotor fault
MediumSymptoms: High cuvette blanks, non-uniform results by position, rotor-drive error.
Root cause: Worn / scratched cuvettes or a wash fault, or a rotor-drive fault.
ISE module fault (Na / K / Cl)
MediumSymptoms: Electrolyte results biased or noisy, ISE calibration fails.
Root cause: Aged ISE electrodes / reference, or a pinch-valve / tubing fault.
Water / vacuum / pressure system fault
MediumSymptoms: Multiple station alarms, priming failures, poor wash.
Root cause: Water / DI supply quality, a pump, or a vacuum / pressure regulator.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Sample / reagent probes
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Photometer lamp
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Reaction cuvettes / segment
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$R&R Easy
ISE electrodes (Na / K / Cl) & reference
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$R&R Fairly easy
Peristaltic / pinch-valve tubing
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Moderate
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample / reagent probes | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Photometer lamp | Frequent wear item | $$ | Moderate |
| Reaction cuvettes / segment | Frequent wear item | $$ | Easy |
| ISE electrodes (Na / K / Cl) & reference | Frequent wear item | $$ | Fairly easy |
| Peristaltic / pinch-valve tubing | Frequent wear item | $ | Moderate |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC controls run and reviewed
- ·Calibration verification per assay
- ·Routine cleaning and decontamination
- ·Scheduled reagent-path and pump-tubing maintenance
Troubleshooting Approach
A starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Assay or QC failure
- Run fresh controls at all levels.
- Confirm reagents are in date, correctly loaded and mixed.
- Run the photometer check and replace the lamp if energy is low.
- Clean the probes, mixers and wash stations.
- Recalibrate the affected assay / ISE module and re-run QC.
Symptom: Probe clog or crash
- Inspect the probe for a bend or blockage and clear it.
- Run the fluidics prime / wash cycle.
- Check for a clot in the sample.
- Verify liquid-level sensing and probe positioning.
- Replace the probe if aspiration is still short.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 21 in
- Length
- 16 in
- Weight
- 110 lbs
- Width
- 11 in
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Central / core laboratory
- Point-of-care testing stations
- Blood bank
- Microbiology lab
Documents & Manuals
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
There is an issue with the buffers which impacts the quantification of the Hemoglobin F peak. Calibration and Quality control are likely to fail if the affected lots are used.
- RECALL
It was discovered that the Variant II Turbo Link Calibrator Values card contains incorrect values for IFCC units. The numbers are missing a decimal point.
- RECALL
The Elution Buffer B, lot no. GA 10430, was shipped in a 2.0 L bottle instead of the standard 2.5 L bottle.
- RECALL
The presence of parameters for Version 40400-S on the labeled VARIANT Sickle Cell Short ROM Card instead of Version 80300-S.
- RECALL
The affected resin Update CD-ROMs cause all user-defined settings in the Setup/Test/Data Setup sub screen and Set/Test/Pattern Setting sub screen to be overwritten when the Update Kit procedure is performed.
- RECALL
The firm received customer complaints associated with the Update Kit CD-ROM not being able to generate a valid calibration after being uploaded, resulting in patient results not being generated.
- RECALL
The results from the blood device had the occurrence of some ramping baselines on their chromatograms. The ramping baseline can affect quantitation of the blood results.
- RECALL
Wrong lot number was found on the Hemoglobin Cartridge Insert . The insert did not match the lot number to the device cartridge or the device cartridge label or on the Update Kit CD.
- RECALL
Some customers have reported the occurrence of some ramping baselines on the chromatograms. The ramping baseline can affect hemoglobin test results.
- RECALL
Product update kit CD rom will not upload. As a result, the device cannot be run.
- RECALL
Calibration Failure-- due to high intercept values, the device fails calibration and users are unable to run samples.
- RECALL
Sample test results for the first run appears to be correct but all subsequent results during that run were assigned incorrect barcode and tube position.
- RECALL
The wrong barcode number and tube position number may be assigned to samples leading to discrepant sample results.
- RECALL
Sample results may be assigned to the wrong barcode number and tube position numbers, leading to discrepant sample results.
- RECALL
Some product ROM cards have an incorrect program loaded and are unable to be updated.
Related calculators
From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
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