Analyser Dimensions	Width: 7.68 cm (3.035 in) Length: 23.48 cm (9.245 in) Depth: 7.24 cm (2.85 in)
Weight	650 grams (22.9 oz) with rechargeable batteries 635 grams (22.4 oz) with disposable batteries
Power	Two 9-volt lithium batteries or rechargeable battery
Calibration	Factory: electronic, mechanical, thermal, pressure
Memory/Clock Backup Power	Lithium battery
Display	Dot matrix supertwist liquid crystal
Communication Link	Infrared light-emitting diode (LED)
Operating Temperature	16 – 30 °C (61 – 86 °F) for VetScan i-STAT cartridge testing
Transport Temperature	-10 – 46 °C (14 – 115 °F)
Relative Humidity	90% (maximum) non-condensing
Barometric Pressure	300 – 1000 mmHg
Laser Scanner	Complies with U.S. 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for wwwiations pursuant to laser Notice No. 50, dated July 26, 2001. EN 60825-1:1994 + A1:2002 + A2:2001 IEC 60825-1:1993 + A1:1997 + A2:2001

What technology does the VetScan i-STAT1 utilise? Electrochemistry. Measurement is accomplished using electrochemical sensing technologies. A group of thin film electrodes located at the top of a cartridge are coated with chemically sensitive films. These coated sensors react to small changes caused by chemical reactions in the sample. The sensors are either potentiometric, measuring changes in the electric potential, amperometric, measuring changes in electric current, or conductometric measuring changes in conductivity. The concentration of the analyte is determined by measuring the difference in signal from the calibrant and the sample. This difference in signal is then converted to the specific concentration units for the analyte using the analyser’s internal processor. What kinds of tests can be run on the VetScan i-STAT1 instrument? The VetScan i-STAT1 offers a variety of disposable, single-use cartridges (10) including tests for acid/base analysis, blood gases, chemistry, haematology, electrolytes, and some specialty tests like Lactate, ACT, and Cardiac Troponin I. These cartridges are configured with parameters that can give a clear patient’s condition depending on the clinical situation. What type of sample is used? Whole blood. What is the shelf-life of the VetScan i-STAT1 cartridges? The cartridges are manufactured with 5-11 months shelf life, depending on the stability of the analytes in each cartridge. What species does the VetScan i-STAT1 have reference ranges for? Cat, dog, and horse. These ranges are available in the user guide provided with the analyser. What analytes on the VetScan i-STAT1 system are measured and which are calculated? Measured: Hematocrit (Hct), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine (Crea), Ionized Calcium (iCa), Glucose (Glu), Chloride (Cl), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), pH, Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂), Partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂), Oxygen saturation (sO₂), Lactate, Activated Clotting time with Celite^® activator (ACT), Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) Calculated: Haemoglobin (Hb), Bicarbonate (HCO), Total carbon dioxide concentration (TCO₂), Anion gap (AnGap), Base Excess (BE) Does the VetScan i-STAT1 require calibration? No. Calibration is performed each time a cartridge requiring calibration is used, automatically. During the first part of the testing cycle, the calibrant solution is released from its foil pack and is positioned over the sensors. The signals produced by the sensors’ responses to the calibrant solution are measured. The calibration adjusts the offset of the stored calibration curve. Does the VetScan i-STAT1 require a lot of maintenance? No, not at all. Only maintenance required for the VetScan i-STAT is a software update every 6 months. Can I connect the VetScan i-STAT1 to an external computer? Yes. This can be accomplished by using the Central Data Station (CDS) software and the downloader provided in the VetScan i-STAT1 Starter Kit. The CDS can be used to save results onto a computer and get them into a Microsoft Excel file. Contact Abaxis UK Technical Support with questions regarding the CDS. How much blood is required to run an VetScan i-STAT1 cartridge? 17-95 µL, depending on the cartridge used. Where do I store the VetScan i-STAT1 cartridges? All VetScan i-STAT1 cartridges should be refrigerated at 2-8 °C (35-46 °F). Once removed from the refrigerator, cartridges can be stored at room temperature (18-30 °C or 64-86 °F) for up to two weeks. Once a cartridge has been warmed to room temperature, do not return it to the refrigerator. Do the cartridges require warm-up before use? Allow five minutes for an individual cartridge – or one hour for a box of 25 cartridges – to reach room temperature before use if taken from refrigerator. Can the VetScan i-STAT1 results be transmitted to my lab management software? This depends on the practice management software that you use. Check with your software vendor for updates/details. Can I print my results from the VetScan i-STAT1? Yes. Results can be printed from the VetScan i-STAT1 using the portable Martel Printer that is included in the VetScan i-STAT1 Starter Kit. The printer can receive data directly from the analyser via infrared transmission or through a data cable connected to a Downloader. The printer is battery powered and can be recharged from a power adapter that is included. Ok, the VetScan i-STAT1 is portable, how long do the 9V batteries last? Two 9 volt lithium batteries will provide power for approximately 400 chemistry cartridges. They are available for purchase from Abaxis UK. How many result records can the VetScan i-STAT1 store? The maximum number of records will depend on your handheld customisation settings, but the VetScan i-STAT1 will store at least 1,000 records. Why test for Cardiac Troponin I? Measurements of Cardiac Troponin I are useful in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of conditions causing myocardial damage in veterinary patients. Examples include hypertrophic, dilated and unclassified cardiomyopathy, subaortic stenosis and gastric dilation-volvulus.