Piccolo Kidney Check Panel

The role of the Piccolo^® Reagent disc in Intelligent Quality Control (iQC)

The Piccolo^® reagent disc contains components that are integrated with the optical, electronic, and mechanical functions of the analyser, and takes part in all phases of the analysis of the sample.
A bar code ring on the top of the disc contains the ID code, lot number, expiration date, and calibration data. The transfer of this data to the analyser software is verified by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC).
The disc works with the analyser’s optical and electronic components in the calibration of the signals and rigorous checks of system functioning.
Sophisticated fluidics are employed to measure and mix the sample and diluent, and deliver them at precisely the right time to cuvettes located around the disc periphery. The cuvettes have specialised functions:

• A minimum-absorbance cuvette is used in signal
adjustments that optimise sensitivity
• A maximum-absorbance cuvette is used in quantifying
the noise performance of the electronic components
to ensure the accuracy of all readings
• 1 cuvette contains reagent beads for chemistry QC
• 2 cuvettes contain dye beads for instrument QC
• 1 “empty” cuvette fills with diluent only, as a
control on the system cuvettes
• 21 cuvettes contain test-specific lyophilised
reagent beads
• 2 cuvettes verify the presence of sufficient
sample and diluent, respectively
• 1 cuvette verifies that diluted sample was
delivered to all the reaction cuvettes
• The disc contains miscellaneous reservoirs to
isolate excess fluids.

Q1. Can expired discs be used in the Piccolo Xpress^®? 

A1. No. The analyser has a built-in sensor to determine if the disc has expired. If it has, the analyser will cancel the run and display a Code 13 error message.

Q2. What is the shelf life of the reagent discs?

A2. The shelf life of a reagent disc ranges from 6-18 months depending on the type of disc (see package for expiration date). Abaxis recommends that the discs be stored refrigerated at 2-8° C (36-46° F) and used directly from the refrigerator. Reagent discs stored above 8°C will degrade faster throughout their shelf life.

Q3. Do discs require warm-up time before use?

A3. No. We recommend that discs be used one at a time directly from the refrigerator for optimal performance.

Q4. Can discs be frozen and used later?

A4. No, discs MUST NOT be frozen. Reagent discs MUST be refrigerated at 2-8° C (36-46° F).

Q5. What types of samples can be used with the Piccolo Xpress^®?

A5. Lithium-heparin whole blood, lithium-heparin plasma, or serum. Do not use EDTA as an anti-coagulant.

Q6. What is the proper order of sample collection when filling multiple tubes?

A6.    1.Red top tubes (plain, no additive)
         2.Green top tubes (lithium heparin)
         3.Lavender top tubes (EDTA additive)

Q7. Should controls be run on the Piccolo Xpress^®?

A7. Abaxis recommends control testing as follows: 

•At least every 30 days or with each new lot number of disc panels (whichever comes first). 
•Whenever laboratory conditions have changed significantly. 
•When training or retraining of personnel is indicated. 
•When test results do not match patient symptoms or clinical findings.

Please see Section 2.4, “Testing Procedure and Interpretation of Results,” in the Piccolo Operator Manual. (see also iQC document for further information.)

The controls are analysed the same as the patient samples; the only difference is that the results are stored in a memory separate from the sample results memory. It makes recalling control results easier. See Section 6, “Calibration and Quality Control,” in the Piccolo Xpress^® Operator’s Manual.

Q8. Where can control samples be purchased?

A8. Controls can be ordered directly from POCT Ltd.

Kidney Check - Pack Insert

Kidney Check - MSDS

Reagent Panel Specification