This chapter explains the technology and chemistry behind the ARCHITECT® random-access family of analyzers for the quantitative determination of a broad range of analytes. The system consists of a family of immunoassay analyzers and modules, which may be combined with clinical chemistry tests (such as tests for glucose and sodium) by linking analyzers or using an integrated analyzer. Samples may be loaded at any time and urgent requests can be run in Stat mode. The immunoassays have a range of chemistries: immunoturbidimetric, particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA), particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA), and enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), Assay designs may be homogeneous or heterogeneous, competitive or immunometric. The analyzers can run one- and two-step assay protocols. The features of the different members of the analyzer family are listed, and the designs and principles explained. There are also sections on calibration, antibodies, separation, signal generation and detection, and data processing, including interfacing to laboratory information systems.

Frank A. Quinn, Ph.D., FACB, is currently Director of Global Scientific Affairs at Abbott Diagnostics. He has been with Abbott Diagnostics for over 21 years, and during this time has conducted research in a broad range of areas in clinical biochemistry. He has published on a number of topics in laboratory medicine, and has given more than 100 symposia, workshops, educational programs, and invited lectures in over 40 countries. He has also collaborated extensively with colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry on projects in thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, therapeutic drug monitoring, reproductive health, and kidney disease. He received his Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, and his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Florida. Dr. Quinn is a Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, an active member of several professional societies, and serves on the IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests.

David A. Armbruster, Ph.D. DABCC, FACB, is currently a Global Scientific Affairs manager at Abbott Diagnostics. He received a doctorate in Clinical Chemistry from the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond. Dr. Armbruster retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving as a biomedical laboratory officer for 20 years and joined Abbott in 1999, where he held positions in Clinical Chemistry R&D and Medical Affairs before joining Scientific Affairs. His interests include metrological traceability of calibrators, controls, and patient test results; measurement uncertainty; the standardization of creatinine and Cystatin C assays and estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); the Metabolic Syndrome, diabetes, and Hb A1c; adult and pediatric reference intervals; harmonization of nomenclature and reporting units in the clinical laboratory, and immunochemistry automation. Dr. Armbruster is active with several professional societies including the AACC, CLSI, IFCC, JCTLM, and is voting member of the U.S. TAG for ISO TC/212.

ARCHITECT^®, microparticle, immunoturbidimetric, particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA), particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA), enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), paramagnetic, chemiluminescence, random-access, homogeneous, competitive, immunometric, calibration, antibodies, separation, signal generation, signal detection, Stat test, auto retest.