Comparison of an electrochemical biosensor with optical devices for hemoglobin measurement in human whole blood samples.

Background: An electrochemical based biosensor for hemoglobin measurement was developed as an alternative to the traditional optical method, and underwent testing for use in professional settings.

Methods: The affects of samples' freshness, hemolysis, bilirubin on the electrochemical method, as well as the repeatability, precision and accuracy were studied, using optical method devices as references.

Results: Samples were stored at room temperature or in a cold environment for 7 days, partially or completely hemolyzed samples, and samples containing bilirubin with a concentration of up to 150 mg/l were investigated with no effects for interfering studies. Repeatability of finger blood testings was verified with six consecutive tests on nine volunteers, results ranged from 3% to 8% variation. The test results of BeneCheck were correlated with Sysmex, Beckman Coulters, Cell-Dyn and HemoCue methods, the results have shown similar and 95% of test results were within a ±15% bias.

Conclusions: BeneCheck hemoglobin test system performed well and accurately, while requiring 1 μl of blood sample and 10 s detection time. Based on the cost, accuracy, sample volume, measuring time, ease of viewing and portability, BeneCheck deliver the best characteristics for these purposes.