A medical or clinical laboratory is a section in a hospital or a place where laboratory scientists carry out tests on clinical specimens to acquire information about a patient’s health to help in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.
Clinical laboratories differ in complexity and size and offer various testing services. These services require essential laboratory equipment for their proper operation and accurate results. Here are some of the devices used in a laboratory.
Tabletop Centrifuge
A tabletop centrifuge, also called a benchtop centrifuge, facilitates the separation and harvesting of particulates in suspension. Tabletop centrifuges mainly operate at 10,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) to 30,000 rpm. Lab scientists use them for tissue culturing, RNA/DNA research, cell harvesting, and protein work.
Micro hematocrit Centrifuge
Laboratory scientists use microhematocrit centrifuges to determine the volume fraction of red blood cells, called the packed cell volume (PCV) or hematocrit, in the blood and also to separate micro volumes of solutions and blood. Scientists use them in immunity, biochemistry, blood separation, genetics, and general clinical tests.
Hematology Analyzer
A hematology analyzer is a machine that conducts the complete blood count (CBC) of a blood sample to determine the health status. A CBC includes white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelet, ad hemoglobin counts, as well as PCV levels. There are slight differences in the three-part (3N) and five-part (5N) types of the hematology analyzer.
Chemistry Analyzer
A chemistry analyzer is a laboratory device that calculates the concentration of specific substances in samples of urine, blood plasma and serum, and other body fluids. The substances scientists analyze with this machine include electrolytes, specific metabolites, drugs, and proteins. There are several types of chemistry analyzers, each with its unique functions.
Microscope
A microscope is a lab device scientists use to view minute objects and cells that they cannot see with naked eyes. The microscope’s lens or lenses magnify the size of an object, making it appear larger than it is. The different types of microscopes include optical, fluorescence, transmission and scanning electron, and scanning probe microscopes.
Autoclave
An autoclave is a machine laboratory scientists use to carry out scientific processes that require elevated pressure and temperature concerning the ambient temperature and pressure. Scientists also use them to sterilize medical laboratory, dental, and surgical equipment and biological (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) cultures.
Laboratory Incubators
Laboratory incubators are devices that provide temperature-controlled environments to support the growth of microbiological (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites) cultures. Other applications of incubators include egg incubation, coliform determination, heated storage, pharmaceutical testing, and beverage and food testing.
Laboratory Refrigerators
Lab scientists use laboratory refrigerators to cool specimens or samples for preservation. They comprise refrigeration units for storing vaccines, blood plasma, whole blood, other blood products, and other pharmaceutical and medical supplies. They’re different from the regular refrigerators in homes or restaurants because they must be completely hygienic and reliable.
There are several other laboratory devices you can use in a laboratory, but these are the primary essential devices you need. Other minor equipment you’ll need include gloves, sample bottles, slides and coverslips, nose masks, reagents, stains, etc.
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