Lorrca®
Laser Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer
The Lorrca® Maxsis osmoscan (Lorrca®) is a unique instrument which combines Red Blood Cell (RBC) deformability by ektacytometry, osmoscan and aggregometry; all temperature controlled. It is capable of fully automated measurement and calculation of various phenomena of RBC’s by analysis of their rheological behavior. The technique accurately detects deformability as a function of shear stress, pre-hemolytic stability and aggregation of the RBC’s, which should be standard in the hematology laboratory. Therefore, the Lorrca® is not only vital in research, but also in the clinical diagnostic fields
Scope
Prominent reference laboratories and other experts already make intensive use of the Lorrca®:
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Hereditary RBC disorders
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Spherocytosis, Elliptocytosis, Stomatocytosis, Pyknocytosis, Ovalocytosis, South-east Asian Ovalocytosis
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Sickle cell disease and Thalassemia
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Pre-hemolytic quality control test (blood banks)
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Malaria tropica
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Diabetes mellitus
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Obesity
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Sepsis
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Microcirculation
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Influence of oxidative stress on RBC’s
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Influence of drugs (in development) on the RBC’s
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Aggregation
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Deformability
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Condition at the different osmotic values
Typical osmoscan curves
Possible measurements of the instrument Evaluation of the rheology of blood in different parts of the body is a very specific task, therefore it is important to have a technique available that can accurately measure the RBC properties. The Lorrca® incorporates a variety of techniques to perform these specific measurements:
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Deformability: Laser diffraction ektacytometry, Parameterization of deformation curve, Cell- and cell membrane stability
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Osmoscan: Deformability under an osmotic gradient, Osmotic Resistance Test
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Aggregation: Syllectometry – Extent of aggregation, aggregation kinetics and tendency
Deformability
Red blood cell deformability, expressed as the Elongation Index (El), is presented in a deformability curve. A thin layer of RBC’s, suspended in PVP, is sheared between two concentric cylinders. A known shear stress is applied to the cells, resulting in the elongation (deformation) of the RBC’s. This process is measured by a laser beam diffraction pattern; captured with a video camera and analyzed by a computer.
RBC deformability curve
Osmoscan
The osmoscan measures the RBC deformability under various osmotic conditions. This results in a continuous curve.
Osmoscan
Aggregation
The Lorrca measures the speed at which rouleaux formation occurs and is presented in a syllectogram. By means of a photodiode (which measures the change in light absorption) the tendency and kinetics of aggregation are displayed, as well as the minimal shear rate (threshold) needed to prevent RBC aggregation.
RBC Syllectrogram
For further information and insights in the possible applications of the Lorrca®, download Brochure
More information can be found at our RR Mechatronics portal.
