BD BACTEC FX - 1.3.14 Built-In Test; 1.3.15 Testing Overview; 1.4 Use of this Manual

BD BACTEC™ FX Instrument User’s Manual
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1.3.14 Built-In Test
When power is first applied to the instrument, each of the major subsystems performs its native
built-in-test (BIT) to ensure proper operation. Any failure of a component test is considered a fatal error
for the measurement system, and no measurement cycles will be initiated.
1.3.15 Testing Overview
The instrument acquires light readings, temperature, and dark readings for each station of each
drawer once every 10 minutes. If a drawer is opened during the data acquisition cycle, the cycle is
aborted. When the drawer is closed the test cycle restarts after one minute.
After readings for stations are acquired, the instrument applies normalization to improve signal
accuracy, and temperature compensation to minimize the impact of temperature transients on data.
After normalization and temperature compensation, the instrument applies signal conditioning
algorithms to improve overall data quality.
Next, data for stations is tested for signal quality with a series of Built-In-Tests. These tests determine
whether data is to be used for positivity processing, and whether fault conditions exist in stations that
would render them unusable.
The final step in the testing process is the application of positivity algorithms to determine whether a
culture contains evidence of microbial growth. The instrument uses general positivity algorithms as
well as algorithms specific to each medium type to optimize positivity analysis.
1.4 Use of this Manual
This user's manual is designed as an integral part of instrument operation for technologists,
supervisors, and other personnel who operate and maintain the BD
BACTEC FX instrument on a
regular basis. Every attempt has been made to include all information that would be required during
normal use and maintenance of the system. Should a question arise which is not answered in this
manual, please contact the following parties:
• Technical Information: In the United States contact BD Technical Service and Support at
1.800.638.8663 or bd.com.
• International contacts are listed in Section 9. Contact your local BD representative or bd.com.
Other documentation required for proper system operation includes:
BD BACTEC Media Package Inserts – These documents contain important information on the use,
storage, inoculation, performance, and limitations of each type of BD BACTEC medium. They are
included with each carton of media, and are available upon request from BD Technical Service and
Support.
BD EpiCenter System Help – The online Help utility provided with the BD EpiCenter system
provides comprehensive instructions on the operation of BD EpiCenter and the BD BACTEC FX
module within BD EpiCenter.