Pointe Scientific Pointe 180 QT (Quick Touch)
Pointe Scientific · Model Pointe 180 QT (Quick Touch)
• Portable • Light-weight • Durable • Maintenance Free • Excellent for Research • Ideal for Teaching
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
- 5 in
- Wavelength Range
- 340 to 630 mm
- Length
- 9 in
- Weight
- 10 lbs
- Light Source
- Tungsten lamp with lamp-saver feature
- Width
- 13.5 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
No documents available for this device yet.
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
A reduction in the reconstituted stability has been identified. Clinicians may notice a drop in recovery of the control after reconstitution, which could result in an out of specification result prior to the current reconstitution claim of 7 days. For this reason we suggest discontinuing use of the control set.
- RECALL
Crystals may be observed in the R1 reagent. Crystals may be a result of the reagent being frozen during transport. The crystals do not impact product performance.
- RECALL
Creatinine kit C7539-150 contains Creatinine reagent R1 that is labeled as Creatinine reagent R2 (30ml) and reagent R2 vial is labeled as R1 (120ml). With manual procedure, no result will be reported as the control will be out of specifications.
- RECALL
A process deviation occurred during the production of the R1 component which may affect its performance.
- RECALL
An additional 10% picric acid was added to the R2 component during production.
- RECALL
Turbidity formation could occur, resulting in invalid test results being reported out.
- RECALL
The firm initiated the recall due to the presence of visible contamination of the product.
- RECALL
Non-compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, as the manufacturing process for this product had not been validated.
- RECALL
There is a loss of linearity. The product fails to maintain linearity specification of 500 mg/dL.
- RECALL
R2 reagent component may fail because it may contain R1 reagent. The reagent was rendered inoperative and would not pass the required quality control (calibration and quality control testing) before beginning running the bilirubin assay.
- RECALL
The product performance fails due to precipitation of the R2 component.
- RECALL
The R1 reagent has microbial contamination.
- RECALL
The product is unable to maintain the specification for linearity through the shelf life of the product.
- RECALL
The inability of the product to maintain stated performance specifications through the stated shelf life.
- RECALL
The R1 component may be contaminated with Serratia liquefaciens, resulting decreased absorbances and failure of the reagent to produce test results.
- RECALL
May be contaminated with microorganisms.
- RECALL
Failure of the reagent to produce test results. The R1 reagent may be contaminated with microorganisms.
- RECALL
Unexpected changes in QC and proficiency results due to QC and proficiency material matrix.
- RECALL
The reagent may be contaminated with microorganisms.
- RECALL
Open vial stability-Potential microbial growth in the alcohol standard and possible unexpected QC changes in the ammonia portion of the control due to the lack of validation for long-term open vial stability.
- RECALL
Product does not meet performance specifications through its labeled expiration period.
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