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
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.
Sensor / electrode fault or drift
HighSymptoms: pH, pCO2, pO2, electrolyte, glucose / lactate or CO-oximetry results flagged, QC fails, stability / response errors.
Root cause: An electrode / membrane at end of life, an air bubble or protein in the measuring path, or a calibration fault.
Sample-path / inlet clog or clot
MediumSymptoms: Sample not aspirated, clot detected, inlet / preheater alarm.
Root cause: Clot in the inlet probe / preheater, or a worn inlet gasket.
Solution / cartridge / gas / waste fault
MediumSymptoms: Reagent-empty, gas-supply or waste-full alarm, calibration fails.
Root cause: Empty or expired solution pack / cartridge, an empty / expired gas cylinder, or a full waste container.
Pump / valve / pneumatic fault
MediumSymptoms: Poor sample transport, calibration or rinse failures, pressure alarms.
Root cause: Worn peristaltic pump tubing, a pinch-valve fault, or a pneumatic-pressure fault.
CO-oximetry / optical fault
MediumSymptoms: tHb, sO2 or dyshaemoglobin results implausible, optics / lamp error.
Root cause: Optics contamination, a lamp fault, or the haemolyser.
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.
Sensor cassette / individual electrodes & membranes
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$$R&R Fairly easy
Solution pack / reagent cartridge
Class ConsumableRel. cost $$R&R Easy
Calibration gas cylinder
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$R&R Easy
Peristaltic pump tubing / pinch valves
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Moderate
Inlet probe / preheater gasket
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Fairly easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor cassette / individual electrodes & membranes | Frequent wear item | $$$ | Fairly easy |
| Solution pack / reagent cartridge | Consumable | $$ | Easy |
| Calibration gas cylinder | Frequent wear item | $$ | Easy |
| Peristaltic pump tubing / pinch valves | Frequent wear item | $ | Moderate |
| Inlet probe / preheater gasket | Frequent wear item | $ | Fairly 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 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: Sensor / electrode fault or drift / QC failure
- Run the relevant calibration and check the sensor / electrode status screen.
- De-bubble / rinse the measuring path and check for protein deposits.
- Replace an electrode / membrane / sensor cassette at end of life or that fails calibration.
- Confirm the solution pack / reagent cartridge and calibration gas are in date and not empty.
- Re-run QC at the relevant levels before releasing results.
Symptom: Sample not aspirated / clot / inlet alarm
- Run the inlet / preheater clot-removal or rinse routine.
- Inspect the inlet probe and gasket.
- Replace the inlet gasket or probe.
- Confirm free sample aspiration with a QC sample.
- Replace worn peristaltic pump tubing if transport is still poor.
Symptom: Result flagged / questionable vs the clinical picture
- Repeat with a fresh sample / strip / cassette from correctly stored, in-date stock.
- Run the QC controls at each level.
- Confirm the meter / analyzer is coded / calibrated to the current lot.
- Clean the measurement chamber / strip port and the optics per the manual.
- Quarantine the lot if QC fails; refer the analyzer if QC passes but a result still looks wrong.
Symptom: Will not power on / short battery life / strip-port fault (handhelds)
- Fit fresh batteries or confirm the charger / dock.
- Clean the strip-port contacts / optics.
- Try several strips from a fresh vial.
- Replace the battery.
- Replace the meter if it will not read known-good strips.
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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