The UriSed 2 is a fully automated urine sediment analyser based on traditional manual microscopy, detecting 15 different particle types including red and white blood cells, squamous epithelials, casts, crystals, yeast and bacteria. The performance of the UriSed 2 was evaluated by comparing results obtained from analysing 500 urine samples submitted to the laboratory with those obtained by manual microscopy and the current automated flow-cytometry system operating within the department.
Analysis involved the instrument aspirating a sample of urine into a disposable cuvette, which was passed to an in-built centrifuge where it was centrifuged for 10 seconds, creating a monolayer enabling the in-built microscope to examine the specimen. The in-built camera takes between 5 and 20 images. All images may be viewed on the PC where the user may confirm or edit any result as required. Urines were processed quickly with results ready for review in less than 1 minute. Most images presented a clear picture, comparable to what is observed by users in manual microscopy images. Evaluating images when required (usually when excess crystals, mucous, red or white cells present) was a reasonably easy process and once the user was accustomed to use, required little additional time. Operation of the UriSed 2 is uncomplicated with start-up, shutdown and maintenance procedures being quick and easy, with no filters to rinse or reagents to change and requiring only distilled water to operate.
The UriSed 2 proved to be reliable, easy to use and compared well with manual microscopy, providing excellent specificity, PPV and NPV results. The precision study showed no significant variation in results and no carry-over was evident. Compared with manual microscopy, which is labour intensive, poorly standardised, time-consuming, and operator dependent, automated urine microscopy provides standardisation of results and allows for rapid turn-around, enabling a more efficient use of staffing resources.