Roche Cobas B 221
Roche · Model Cobas B 221
• One touch operation • Maximum compliance • Minimum maintenance • Acid Base Mapping • SMART Reagents • Patient Trending • Middleware Solutions • Pleural Fluid Testing • Zero-maintenance electrodesBreak resistance electrodes that function for 6 to 15 months (depending on parameter) and eliminate the need to refill, or replace membranes/caps. • Input unitFill port accommodates patient samples from syringe or other common sample containers (capillary tubes, Roche MICROSAMPLER sampling device, or ampoules). • “Load-and-Go” reagents with smart chipsEasy access for changing reagents, tracking levels, and monitoring expiration dates. • Barcode scannerConveniently captures operator and patient identification to ensure the right operator is performing the right test. • AutoQC moduleEasy management and access to lab grade quality AutoQC ampoules • LCD touch screenUser friendly touchscreen that delivers an instant “snapshot” of the patient’s condition and the instrument status.
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.
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.
Temperature control fault
MediumSymptoms: Incubator out of range.
Root cause: Failed heater/fan or sensor.
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.
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
Xenon / LED light source
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Moderate
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incubator heater / fan | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Sample aspiration probe Frequent R&R on high-throughput analyzers. | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Moderate |
| Peristaltic pump tubing Consumable - replace proactively. | Frequent wear item | $ | Easy |
| Xenon / LED light source | Periodic replacement | $$$ | 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 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
- 59 cm
- Length
- 60 cm
- Weight
- 45 kg
- Width
- 51 cm
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
The software responsible for starting scheduled AutoQC measurements (scheduler) will not activate.
- RECALL
Incorrect Urea results may be generated sporadically on cobas b 221<6>Roche OMNI S6 system and cannot be detected by QC. QC measurement results can be affected as well. This issue is only detectable if comparison result of a second measurement is available. The cause for this issue is an error in the software measurement procedure. In children, decreased urea results can point at inborn disorders or urea cycle. Therefore, false normal urea values could lead to delayed/incorrect diagnosis of such a disorder. Besides the patients most at risk, the risk for the overall patient population with falsely low or high values is considered remote. No severe adverse health effects are expected; but, unnecessary diagnostic measures may be initiated. Falsely normal results may result in further necessary examination not being carried out, with the possibility of a delay in the diagnosis and treatment
- RECALL
The affected S2 fluid packs may generate a transponder error when the fluid pack is loaded on to the cobas b 221 system. The error prevents the fluid from being recognized by the system and the instrument cannot start measurements until the affected S2 Fluid Pack is replaced.
- RECALL
Chemical component of the F3 Fluid pack and environmental bacterial contamination causes a positive bias up to 39% at 4.1 mmol/l for the glucose measurement and 30% at 4.12 mmol/l for lactate. Urea readings are unaffected.
- RECALL
Reference electrode used beyond the guaranteed in-use 52 week lifetime,may leak and potentially cause erroneous pH and/or sodium results. Other Ion parameters are not affected.
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