Description

Key Benefits

• Rapid analysis: ~6 seconds per strip, continuous strip loading without measurement cycle delay
• High throughput: Up to ~600 test strips per hour
• Integrated workflow: Combine strip results and manual microscopy via sediment terminal for unified reporting
• Flexible sample tracking: IDs via LIS, barcode scanning or manual entry; lot number tracking for strips, calibration and control materials
• User-friendly reporting: Built-in thermal printer, customizable result flags, and comprehensive result management

Core Features & Specifications

• Parameters measured: Specific gravity, pH, leukocytes, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketones, urobilinogen, bilirubin, blood, and color (10 analytes)
• Measuring system: Reflectance photometry at 470 nm, 555 nm, and 620 nm
• Workload capacity: ~30–100 samples/day (600 strips/hour)
• Memory: Up to 1,000 sample results and 300 control results (three levels)
• User interface: LCD touchscreen (approx. 90 × 120 mm); optional barcode reader
• Printer: Built-in thermal printer, single print-out consolidating strip and microscopic data
• Connectivity: USB slot, serial interfaces to barcode reader, sediment terminal, PC/host; support for ASTM+ and Urisys 2400® ASTM protocols
• Dimensions & weight: ~16.7″ × 13.3″ × 10.2″ (W × D × H); ~11.7 kg (26 lb)

Recommended Use Cases

• Medium-volume clinical laboratories and hospital settings performing routine urinalysis
• Facilities seeking efficient, consolidated results across automated strip reading and manual sediment analysis
• Labs requiring sample traceability, controlled QC workflows, and customizable result reporting

Common Observations & Additional Insights

• Calibration interval approximately every 4 weeks reduces hands-on time and costs
• Operators on professional forums have reported occasional protein QC issues and recommend frequent cleaning of waste trays and strip wells with alcohol to resolve trace-positive readings on controls
• One FDA MAUDE report noted inconsistent leukocyte readings on repeat testing, later traced to quality control issues resolved by instrument servicing
• Anecdotal feedback from users notes that Cobas systems may require consistent maintenance and service support to avoid reliability issues and downtime

Summary

The cobas® u 411 is a reliable semi‑automated urine strip analyzer ideally suited for mid-volume lab environments. With fast readout, continuous loading, integrated sediment reporting, and support for workflow traceability, it streamlines urinalysis. However, users should maintain regular QC and cleaning routines, and ensure service coverage to optimize instrument performance and uptime.