News & Topics

Aug 09, 2012

The world’s first fully-automatic hemoglobin A1c analyzer:
Entry into the Analyzer/ Scientific Instrument Hall of Fame

Glyco-hemoglobin Automatic Analyzer AUTO A1c HA-8110 (1981)

The AUTO A1c HA-8110 from ARKRAY, Inc. has been inducted into the Analyzer/ Scientific Instrument Hall of Fame as the world’s first automatic HbA1c analyzer. HbA1c values reflect the average blood glucose from the preceding 1-2 months and are an essential clinical test item used in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Previous to release of this device in 1981, HbA1c measurement at the time was very troublesome resulting in restrictions on the number of samples that could be measured. As HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) required a significant degree of technical expertise, its use was restricted to select facilities such as university hospitals. One of the features of the AUTO A1c HA-8110 is that measurement of a single sample took just 13 minutes. In addition to this, the device featured a high degree of operability achieved through a specially developed column as well as advanced mechanization and automation. This device solved all the problems associated with the previous measurement method in a single bound and served to popularize HbA1c measurement and bring rise to a clinical environment in which all patients could be judged against a standard HbA1c test level.

*This device was developed together with Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Now Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.)

Explanation of terminology

○HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)
This is a produced when hemoglobin and glucose bind together within blood cells. It is an indicator of the patient’s average glucose value over the preceding 1-2 months and as such is used in a wide range of diabetes applications from diagnosis to treatment as a key test marker of blood glucose control. The new diabetes diagnostic criteria released on 1 July 2010, has added HbA1c as a test item for the diagnosis of diabetes which has increased the importance of this as a test item. When the HbA1c reading exceeds the set criteria and the blood glucose value exceeds the current standard, diabetes may be diagnosed in a single test session.

○HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography)
HPLC is used to determine the ratio of a certain constituent from matrix that has been fractioned. In Japan, the gold standard for HbA1c is performed using another HPLC method, the KO500. The most recent HbA1c measurement device from ARKRAY, the ADAMS A1c HA-8181 uses HPLC to perform high precision measurement of samples in just 38 seconds per sample.

About the awarding body behind the Analyzer/ Scientific Device Hall of Fame

○Overview
Japan Analytical Instrument Manufacturer’s Association (Chairman: Shigehiko Hattori, Shimadzu Corporation, Chairman of the Board) and the Japan Scientific Instruments Association (Chairman: Hideto Yazawa, Dalton Co., Ltd., President) operates the hall of fame to pass on a cultural legacy to the next generation and showcase analyzers and scientific equipment that have contributed to the lifestyles, economy and culture of Japan. 20 devices were inducted during this cycle. Each member company was able to nominate 2 devices with a total of 49 up for induction. Judging and final selection was made by 6 experts from manufacturing, government and academia. All selected devices/ technology were a source of pride at the time of release and will be passed down to the next generation as evidence of the nation’s scientific strength.

○Conditions of entry into the hall of fame

(1) Must have provided results toward the development of analytical technology and devices and pass on significant meaning to the next generation whilst fulfilling the following criteria

  *Must have been an important aspect of, or stage in the development of that science or
   technology
  *Must have been seen internationally as a sign of Japan’s unique development in science
   and technology,
  *Must have contributed to the creation of a new scientific technology or device field.

(2) Must have had a significant impact on Japan’s way of life, economy or culture and achieved the following:

  *Must have made a key contribution to the development of people’s lives or the creation
   of a new way of life.
  *Must have made a significant contribution to the development of the Japanese economy
   or the improved international position of the country for that generation.
  *Must represent an important event relating to society, culture, science and technology.

○Classification of candidates
(1) Archived or collected instruments.
(2) Documents or material pertaining to technology or instruments with historical significance

○Ceremony for the induction and display of selected items
The induction ceremony will be held from 5 September (Wednesday) at the Makuhari Messe as part of the exhibition and JASIS 2012 event.