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
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Sample probe / pipette clog
MediumSymptoms: Aspiration error, short sample, carryover.
Root cause: Clot/crystal obstruction.
Centrifuge imbalance / bearing
HighSymptoms: Vibration, loud noise, stop error.
Root cause: Worn bearing or unbalanced rotor.
Reagent / wash flow fault
MediumSymptoms: Clogs, high blank, QC fail.
Root cause: Pump tube wear, air in line.
Optics / lamp degradation
LowSymptoms: Low signal, wavelength drift.
Root cause: Lamp/LED or monochromator aging.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Centrifuge rotor & bearings
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Incubator heater / fan
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Sample aspiration probe
Frequent R&R on high-throughput analyzers.
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Moderate
Peristaltic pump tubing
Consumable - replace proactively.
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifuge rotor & bearings | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Incubator heater / fan | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Sample aspiration probe Frequent R&R on high-throughput analyzers. | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Moderate |
| Peristaltic pump tubing Consumable - replace proactively. | Frequent wear item | $ | Easy |
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 structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Sample probe / pipette clog
- Confirm the presentation - typically aspiration error, short sample, carryover - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: clot/crystal obstruction.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the sample aspiration probe per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Reagent / wash flow fault
- Confirm the presentation - typically clogs, high blank, QC fail - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: pump tube wear, air in line.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the peristaltic pump tubing per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
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.
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