Methods that use more than 2 levels of calibrator are referred to as multi-standard calibration methods or MSTD methods in the ADVIA software. The calibrators for MSTD methods are placed on the STT tray for analysis. The ADVIA software allows for customization based on each method’s analytical parameters. The ADVIA software can use a maximum of 6 calibrators for MSTD methods. In addition, the ADVIA software uses the terminology Blank (BLK) for the standard that contains 0.0 concentration of an analyte and STD-1 through STD-5 for calibrators with an increasing concentration of analyte. All MSTD methods use a blank and at least 1 level of calibrator. The blank material is simply defined as blank or BLK and is not given a numeric designation. Running a blank establishes a concentration of 0.0 and the reagent baseline for a method.
Calibrators for MSTD methods are placed on the STT. You can define 2 STT trays: STT 98 and STT 99.
In general, ADVIA Chemistry MSTD methods use 2 different configurations.
If a method is provided with a set of 6 calibrators:
These calibrators may contain multiple analytes and consequently may be used for more than one method. When 6 calibrators are provided, calibrator level 1 is used as the blank. The remaining calibrator levels (2 – 6) are defined in the Multi-Standards Set window as STD-1 – STD-5. (At the Calibration Setup window, select Setting.)
The Therapeutic Drug Monitoring methods (TDM) use 6 separate calibrators that are labeled 1 – 6.
When a method is provided with a single calibrator:
When a single calibrator is provided, water, saline, or a method-specific material (such as a special diluent) is used as the blank. If a method does not indicate a specific material, you may use water or saline for the blank. The software is defined to make the required standard dilutions from a single calibrator. For example, the Transferrin method (a specific protein) uses water as the blank and Specific Protein Reference Serum as the calibrator. The software is defined to make the required dilutions from the one calibrator.
A few exceptions to the 2 configurations described above exist. Consult the individual method sheets for more specific calibration instructions.
At the Analytical Parameter (Chemistry) window, in the Standard Setting area, select Multipoint Cal Setting.
When the Multi-Standards Set window opens, verify that all the parameter information is already pre-defined.
If this is not the case, enter method-specific values from the method's parameter sheet.
NOTE
The parameters for each method are available on the Method Directory. This directory may already be loaded with the Operator's Guide. From the table of contents on your left, select Methods, then select Methods Directory.
Add the test name to the System Test List window.
Add the test to the Process Sequence window.
At the Calibration Setup window, select Setting and enter the multi-standard calibration information into the Multi Standard Setup window.
Select Return.
At the Calibration Setup window, select Save before continuing.
At the Calibration Setup window, select Ctrl/Cal Setup and define Meas.time and Container Type.
Select Save.
At the Test Select window, select the test.
At the Sample Select window, select the calibrators.
You are ready to run a multi-standard method.