Smart Workflow for High-Efficiency Routine Analyses

The composition of medical cleaning solutions must be accurate and tested with great care. A fully automated, multi-parameter system designed by Mettler Toledo performs all required analyses for Dr. Weigert GmbH (including automatic method selection, secure data handling, and even waste solution management). Dr. Weigert GmbH, a Hamburg-based German chemical manufacturer, produces cleaning solutions used to clean and disinfect medical devices. The composition and quality of such solutions is extremely important and must be tested with great care. Given the high demands on these solutions and its responsibility to customers, Dr. Weigert was seeking an automated system that could accelerate its multi-parameter analyses.

A modern, multi-parameter system with high sample throughput. Dr. Weigert's Quality Control laboratory, with its high sample processing volume, required a modern, fully automated system offering automatic method selection capability for each sample to perform its multi-parameter analyses.

Depending on sample conditions, density, refractive index, acid/base number, active chlorine content, and pH can be determined. Mettler Toledo implemented a system that performs all analyses followed by automatic cleaning, preparation, and waste management.

The system also ensures secure data handling. The heart of the system is a DM40 density meter connected to LabX® PC software.

The density meter is connected to an Excellence T90 titrator, an RX50 refractive index cell, and an SC30 automation unit equipped with a barcode reader. Samples are labeled in flasks with a 2D barcode and placed in the SC30, which reads the data.

The SmartCodes™ functionality in LabX automatically selects the correct analysis method for the sample.

Due to the high alkalinity of the measured chemicals, contact with the density measurement cell must be minimized to prevent damage to the glass. The system ensures the density cell is completely rinsed as soon as measurement is complete.

Due to the different chemical properties of the samples, the automated system ensures the separation of waste solutions and their proper storage.

All data is stored by LabX software, analytical results are automatically transferred to a LIMS system, and there a probability control determines whether the results meet technical specifications.

To have preparation processes performed at the start of the day, a task scheduler is also predefined in LabX. This way, when the first operator arrives at the laboratory, the system is ready for the first sample.

The multi-parameter system provides a fully automated and secure workflow encompassing pre-analysis preparation, method selection, cleaning, waste management, and data processing steps. Productivity increases, recording errors are eliminated, and operator time is minimized.

All the operator needs to do is press the 'Start SmartCode' button on the main density meter interface and place new samples into the automation unit. For Dr. Weigert, this means an easy, secure, and effective quality control system.

Translator: Ceren Eryılmaz - Marketing Manager - METTLER TOLEDO Turkey

Author: Daniel Buchmann - Density and Refractometry Product Manager - Mettler-Toledo AG