Integrated Design

The Clinitek 50 Urine Chemistry Analyzer was designed for Bayer Diagnostics as a low cost highly versatile bench top laboratory urine analyzer to rapidly perform a multitude of tests by simply dipping and blotting a reagent strip which is placed in the instrument for analysis. Integrated Design’s development team closely worked with Bayer’s clinicians, engineers and marketing staff to design this highly successful analyzer. The Clinitek 50 has been advertised with the following features:

• Low-cost, versatile and reliable operation
• Compact, lightweight and portable (instrument weighs 3 lbs. and measures 9.2" D x 6.0" W x 6.1" H)
• For traditional urinalysis, using  Multistix 10 SG Reagent Strips for Urinalysis to perform up to 10 chemistries.
• Results reported in formats of your choice
• Reporting options include:
  • 2-line, 24-character liquid crystal display (LCD)
  • Printed report from integral 24-column printer
  • Direct-to-computer results reporting
• Instrument provides specimen sequence number for positive patient identification
• Each result is time and date stamped in a user-defined format
• 50-result memory for transfer to a computer
• Operates on line power with optional battery pack for alternate site operation
• Battery pack provides approximately 200-test capacity

The Clinitek 5 is the evolution of two previous generation products, the Clinitek 10 and Clinitek 100. Concepts for this most recent instrument were based upon the development of an attractive, distinctive image for the Clinitek 5, expressing the most recent technological advances in analytical chemistry.

The Clinitek 5 includes a newly designed sample table, compact printer, two line LCD and densely populated surface mount PCB.  These components have been fully integrated into an easily assembled injection molded case. All of the features of the Clinitek 100 have been incorporated into this design, excluding database management capabilities and the large, adjustable LCD display.

The Clinitek 5 includes a newly designed sample table, compact printer, two line LCD and densely populated surface mount PCB.  These components have been fully integrated into an easily assembled injection molded case. All of the features of the Clinitek 100 have been incorporated into this design, excluding database management capabilities and the large, adjustable LCD display.

Hundreds of concepts exploring component arrangements, human factors’ issues, overall orientation, and different sample table mechanisms were reviewed before the realization of the final design.

Four practical alternatives were further developed and a final design was established. Marketing, manufacturing, and engineering personnel carefully evaluated each concept for aesthetic, practical, and functional advantages before a final selection was made.

The graphics of the LCD tie in with the function keys.  The keypad was intentionally contoured within this surface to address human factors issues and to enhance  the overall aesthetics of the instrument. Each element of the instrument’s function was integrated within the overall hierarchy of the design. This is especially noticeable in the printer, where the functions of paper loading and printed output were designed to be easily accessible, to be protected from liquids, and to add distinction to the product’s appearance.