Mindray BS 480: photometry errors and delayed test start
What happened
Photometry faults ('too much light', 'cuvette not installed'), yellowed cuvettes, and after calibration the test countdown started about 10 minutes late on a 15-minute test, as reported in the case.
What was checked
- Replaced the lamp with one from a verified supply channel
- Inspected and replaced cuvettes
- Wiped the photometer lens under the reaction disk
- Ran the photometer calibration procedure from the manufacturer's documentation
- Checked the fluid path and found the FIL02 filter and DGS01 degasser clogged
Cause
In this case there were two independent faults: the photometry errors came from a lamp change with different light output that was not followed by recalibration, and the delayed test start was caused by a clogged FIL02 filter and DGS01 degasser restricting flow — the engineers found both after tracing the timing problem to the fluid path.
What was done
The engineers reinstalled the original lamp and performed the photometer calibration procedure from the manufacturer's service documentation, done by authorised personnel, which cleared the photometry errors; then they cleared the blockage in the FIL02 filter and DGS01 degasser, and test timing returned to normal. Reported outcome: solved.
Safety
Treat cuvettes, the reaction disk and fluid lines as biohazardous — wear gloves and eye protection, let the lamp cool before handling it, and confirm quality control passes and an electrical safety check before returning the analyzer to use.
Lesson: Chase each symptom separately: recalibrate the photometer after any lamp change, and when test timing drifts, check the fluid path filters and degasser before blaming the optics.
Covered in the course: Lab Analyser Service — Level 2: Fault-Finding →
Written from an anonymised case shared by service engineers. It is not a manufacturer instruction and grants no authorisation. Independent note; names are trademarks of their owners.