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| Typical Number in Hospital: 1 | Cost Bands: 4 | References: 5,9 |
This is a form of flame photometer which measures the absorption of particular wavelengths of light when passing through a flame in which atoms from metal salts (e.g. sodium and potassium) are being ionized. Small samples of body fluids are aspirated into a nebulizer and injected into a flame of propane or natural gas, or into a flameless electrothermal arc (e.g. carbon rod furnaces). Light is passed through the flame generated by a hollow cathode lamp lined with a coating of the metal to be analysed. The characteristic spectral lines of the metal in question are radiated from the lamp and partially absorbed in the flame. A photometer detecting the radiation passing out of the flame can measure the quantity absorbed. Light emitted in the flame is separated from that absorbed, by pulsing the light source.
Although many metals may be determined in this way, calcium, magnesium, and lead, are the most common in the clinical chemistry department.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details