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ROCHE ANALYZER INTERFACING GUIDE

Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 Bi-Directional LIS Interfacing Guide

Complete engineering specification, HL7/ASTM protocols, pinouts, and parameter mapping for Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 on AILS Cloud LIMS.

Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 Analyzer - AILS LIS Interfacing Guide
Manufacturer
Roche
Protocol
ASTM E1394 / Roche Host Protocol
Interface Mode
Bi-Directional
Throughput
Up to 1000 tests/hour

1. Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 Interfacing Overview & Diagnostic Workflow

The Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 is a high-performance clinical chemistry analyzer dedicated to routine photometric assays, enzymatic kinetics, and ion-selective electrode (ISE) electrolytes. Connecting the Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 to AILS Cloud LIMS establishes a closed-loop analytical cycle—automating test profile assignment, monitoring serum index flags (Hemolysis, Icterus, Lipemia), and preventing reporting errors across high-volume chemistry workloads.

Bi-Directional Host Query & Rack Loading

As sample tubes enter the Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 reaction carousels, the onboard barcode reader queries AILS Gateway via ASTM E1394 / Roche Host Protocol to pull ordered test profiles (e.g. Liver Function, Renal Panel, Lipid Profile) in under 300ms.

Serum Index & Auto-Dilution Reflux

AILS automatically reads HIL (Hemolysis, Icterus, Lipemia) interferent flags emitted by the Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400, warning technologists when sample integrity compromises photometric accuracy and logging auto-dilution rerun factors.

2. Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 TCP/IP Socket & Network Configuration

Hardware & Socket Configuration

TCP/IP Ethernet (Port 6000) / RS-232 Serial (19200/38400 Baud).

Protocol: ASTM E1394 / Roche Host Protocol
Interface Mode: Bi-Directional
Default Speed: 19200 / 38400
// RS-232 DB9 NULL-MODEM PINOUT SERIAL COM
[Instrument DB9]                   [AILS Gateway PC]
Pin 2 (TxD / Data Out) ---------> Pin 2 (RxD / Data In)
Pin 3 (RxD / Data In)  <--------- Pin 3 (TxD / Data Out)
Pin 5 (GND / Signal)   <========> Pin 5 (GND / Signal)
Pin 7 (RTS) & Pin 8 (CTS)        [Loopback or None]
Baud: 19200 / 38400 | Data Bits: 8 | Parity: None | Stop: 1
Verified with AILS Gateway Daemon & Real-Time Socket Router.

3. Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 ASTM E1394 Record Frame

Below is a validated communication frame transmitted between the Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 and AILS LIS middleware:

<STX>1H|\^&|||Roche Cobas c501|||||||P|1394-97|20260815134000<CR><ETX>5F<CR><LF>
<STX>2P|1||||Evans^Barbara|||F<CR><ETX>3D<CR><LF>
<STX>3O|1|ACC2026081512||^^^CHEM_CORE|||||||A<CR><ETX>4E<CR><LF>
<STX>4R|1|^^^GLUC|102.0|mg/dL|70.0-100.0|H||F<CR><ETX>1C<CR><LF>
<STX>5R|2|^^^CREAT|0.95|mg/dL|0.6-1.2|N||F<CR><ETX>2A<CR><LF>
<STX>6R|3|^^^NA|141.0|mmol/L|136.0-145.0|N||F<CR><ETX>18<CR><LF>
<STX>7L|1|N<CR><ETX>0A<CR><LF>

4. Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 Clinical Parameter LOINC & Reference Range Dictionary

Instrument Code LOINC Code Clinical Parameter Name Standard Units Default Reference Range
GLUC 2345-7 Glucose Fasting mg/dL 70.0 - 100.0
CREAT 2160-0 Creatinine mg/dL 0.6 - 1.2
NA 2951-2 Sodium ISE mmol/L 136.0 - 145.0

5. Roche Biomedical Engineering Field Notes & Gotchas

1

In Cobas Core software, configure Host Protocol to ASTM E1394 Mode 2 for bi-directional query.

2

Ensure rack barcode format matches the identification string configured in AILS LIMS.

3

Check that reagent cassette lot numbers are synchronized with QC validation tables.

TECHNICAL FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 LIS Interfacing

Common biomedical engineering questions regarding connection, worklist setup, and data capture with AILS Cloud LIMS.

Q: What interface standard is used by Roche Cobas c501 and cobas 6000 systems?

Roche Cobas systems utilize the Roche Host Interface (ASTM E1381/E1394) or HL7 v2.5 over TCP/IP socket (Port 6000) or RS-232 serial.

Q: How does Cobas c501 handle bi-directional sample worklist queries?

When a sample rack enters the loading line, the barcode reader sends a Q query. AILS Gateway responds with an O (Order) record containing requested test profiles.

Q: Can Cobas c501 chemistry and e601 immunoassay modules share one LIS connection?

Yes. Consolidated Cobas 6000 and 8000 core lab tracks connect via a single consolidated gateway interface.

Q: How are serum indices (Lipemia, Hemolysis, Icterus) handled in AILS?

Roche Serum Indices transmitted in comment or result records are linked to sample integrity flags in AILS LIMS.

Q: How are rerun and reflex tests scheduled on Cobas c501?

If a test result is out of linearity, AILS reflex rules can automatically command the Cobas to schedule an auto-diluted rerun.

INSTRUMENT DIRECTORY

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PRE-CONFIGURED DRIVER READY

Connect Your Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400 to AILS in Under 15 Minutes

Our specialized biomedical engineering team provides complete plug-and-play drivers, cable diagrams, and bi-directional test verification for the Roche Cobas c501 / c502 / Integra 400.