Roche Instrument Center AG

cobas c 111 instrument

Host Interface Manual

Version 1.0

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DISCLAIMER
ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH
RESPECT TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO CASE SHALL
ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

COPYRIGHT
COPYRIGHT 2006 BY ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF
THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN
PERMISSION OF ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS.

VERSION HISTORY

Version Date Modifications Author

Beta Apr 2006 regeneration Martin Burri
V1.0 Oct 2006 Release Didier Dantz (GSS)

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Table of contents

1 Purpose 5
1.1 Scope 5
1.2 Audience 5
1.3 Further Help 6
2 Introduction 7
2.1 System Overview 7
2.2 System Information 8
2.2.1 Sample Carriers 8
2.2.2 Samples 8
2.2.3 Sample Type 8
2.2.4 Repeat / Rerun a Sample 8
2.2.5 Sample Number and ID Modes 8
3 LIS Interface configuration 10
3.1 Connection settings / General Setup 10
3.2 RS-232 serial cable specifications 12
4 Supported Work Flow 13
4.1 Communication methods 13
4.1.1 Automated Real Time Communication (REAL) 13
4.1.2 Manually Triggered Communication (BATCH) 14
4.2 Host Communication Settings 17
4.2.1 Definitions 17
4.3 Physical Layer Specifications 18
4.3.1 Communication Options 18
4.4 Messages used in cobas c 111 instrument Communication 19
4.4.1 Messages received: Host Analyzer 23
4.5 System behavior on communication errors 23
5 ASTM Protocol 24
5.1 General ASTM Protocol Information 24
5.1.1 Background 24
5.1.2 Communication Processing Layers 24
5.1.3 ASTM Lower Layer 25
5.1.4 ASTM Syntax 26
5.1.5 Checksum Calculation/ Message Frame 30
5.2 Communication Text Content 31
5.2.1 Record Levels 31
5.2.2 Record Description 32
5.3 Manufacturer Specific Records (MSR) 50
5.3.1 Reagent Disk Loading 50
5.3.2 Database Factory Reset 51
5.4 MSR Segment Definitions used with cobas c 111 instrument 52
5.4.1 Equipment detail segment (EQU) 53
5.4.2 Inventory detail segment (INV) 54
5.4.3 Equipment command segment (ECD) 57
5.4.4 Equipment command response segment (ECR) 59
5.5 Data types 60
6 Appendix A - Communication Examples 61
6.1 Order Query - Realtime / Analyzer to Host 61

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6.2 Order Query Response- Realtime / Host to Analyzer 62

6.3 Order Query Host Analyzer 62
6.4 Order Query Reply Analyzer Host 62
6.5 Result Query Host Analyzer 62
6.6 Result Query Reply Analyzer Host 64
6.7 Result Query Host Analyzer (unknown sample) 65
6.8 Abort Query Analyzer Host (unknown sample) 65
6.9 Result Upload Analyzer Host 66
6.10 Result Upload Retransmit with Abs Rawdata Analyzer Host 67
6.11 Add Order Request - Host Analyzer 69
6.12 Delete Order Request - Host Analyzer 69
6.13 Abs-Calibration Upload - Analyzer Host 70
6.14 Reagent Disk Loading - Host  Analyzer 71
6.15 Database Init Command - Host  Analyzer 72
7 Appendix B – ASTM Simulator. 73
8 Appendix C - ASCII Table 74

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1 Purpose
This document details the specifications for the cobas c 111 host interface (HIF). This
interface defines data transmission between the instrument and the Laboratory Information
System (LIS) computer.

This document gives the reader a basic understanding of the system operation with a host
computer and describes the following:
• Basic System Architecture
• Sample Processing
• Sample Types
• Rerun Modes
• Test Orders
• Operational Modes

1.1 Scope
The cobas c 111 instrument uses a serial port (RS 232) for asynchronous communication
with host systems. The designated port is the topmost RS232 connector located on the right
hand side of the instrument (marked as “Host”).

1.2 Audience
This document is written for technicians who must configure the cobas c 111 interfaces in the
environment of a lab. Depending on the type of host system and workflows in the laboratory,
the cobas c 111 host interface offers a set of configurable features. The assigned reader
should have basic knowledge of laboratory terms and workflows.

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1.3 Further Help

In case of questions or difficulties please contact your Roche Diagnostics Service Department
or alternatively the Global Systems Support (GSS) at:

Roche Instrument Center AG

T-SLI
Forrenstrasse
CH-6343 Rotkreuz

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Clarify Queue: GSSLABIN

To understand all the details of the cobas c 111 host interface it is important to know the
context of the LIS interface between the cobas c 111 and the host, e.g. a Laboratory
Information System.

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2 Introduction

2.1 System Overview

Before discussing the host communication’s working principle, it is important to understand the
basic architecture of the system. This section provides an overview of the architecture and
discusses some specialized items of interest pertaining to the analytical system.
• The Sample Area is the place where the sample tubes are kept for processing.
• The Pipetting Unit is responsible for collecting the reagent and sample fluids, filling them
into the reaction cuvette and mixing of the various fluids.
• The LCD with a Touch Screen interface allows operator interaction with the system, such
as entering orders, displaying results and changing configuration settings.

Pipetting Unit Sample Area

LCD with
Touch Screen

Figure 1: cobas c 111 instruments System Architecture

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2.2 System Information

2.2.1 Sample Carriers
The cobas c 111 instrument has a direct sample reception area and does not use or support
separate sample carriers such as racks.

2.2.2 Samples
The sample area can accommodate various types of sample tubes and cups. A sample must
be identified prior to positioning at the sample area. Containers that are introduced without
prior identification will be refused and will not be processed. During analysis, the analyzer
retrieves the identification of a sample from its memory and matches it to the corresponding
sample position, then analyzing it according to the test orders defined for that sample.
• Standardized material used for calibration
• Control material used for quality control
• Patient samples

2.2.3 Sample Type

The cobas c 111 system database does not support the definition of ‘Sample Types’, therefore
a specific ‘sample type parameter’ is not available in this host interface protocol.

2.2.4 Repeat / Rerun

Repeating an order will just do the same the basic processing again.
Rerunning an order means to repeat according to the settings given in the application
configuration, such as predefined dilution factors.
Note: For easy reading only the term ‘Rerun’ instead of ‘Repeat / Rerun’ will be used in this
document.

2.2.4.1 Manual Rerun

The operator can manually ask for a Rerun.
To do so, the operator has to display the result in question and ask for a Rerun. This action
can also be initiated via the host. Once the sample is recognized by the system (i.e. already
present or re-inserted by the operator) the measurement will be initiated.

2.2.4.2 Automatic Rerun

Automatic Rerun is not supported on cobas c 111 instruments.

2.2.5 Sample Number and ID Modes

The analyzer can be operated in one of two modes for identifying samples:
• ID Mode (using barcoded samples).
• Sample Number Mode (each sample number is manually entered by the operator)

The most common mode used is ID Mode, which also allows processing of samples that have
damaged, unreadable or missing barcode label. The user can switch between ‘ID Mode’ and
‘Sample Number Mode’ during standby without clearing the database, but switching is strongly
discouraged. Generally, once a mode is decided upon, it should not be changed.
The sample identification item (Sample ID) however remains the same in both modes.

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2.2.5.1 ID Mode
This is a random mode that allows barcoded samples to be placed on the system in any order.
In ‘ID Mode’, samples without barcodes and samples with damaged or unreadable barcodes
can be processed by a manual setting. The ‘ID Mode’ is applicable for both routine and Stat
samples.

2.2.5.2 Sample Number Mode

In this mode, the barcode reader is turned off for sample barcodes. Samples are tracked by an
internal sample number that increments sequentially as samples are processed or the sample
number given by the operator while placing the sample on the system.
The ‘Sample Number Mode’ together with host communication requires the operator to either
load the analyzer by using a load list generated by the host system, or make test selections
manually on the analyzer.

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3 LIS Interface configuration

Note:
All records are held as compatible as possible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface
specification Changes are made to the wording – if an original option is not supported, it will be
mentioned explicitely.

3.1 Connection settings / General Setup

The communication with a host computer is highly configurable and requires to be set accord-
ing to the needs and capabilities of the laboratory equipment and the host interface computer.

A) The Host Interface is enabled under Utilities – Configuration – System – Host Server

B) The workflow with host computer is enabled in Utilities – Workflow – Working Mode.
• Manual The instrument is used as a stand-alone system. Orders are defined in 3
steps: 1 – defining order number; 2 – selecting tests; 3 – placing sample
• Host Orders are mostly downloaded from a host computer and results are uploaded to
it. Orders are defined in 2 steps: 1 – defining order number; 2 – placing sample. (The
test selection is downloaded via HIF automatically)

C) Various properties of the host connection and its behavior can be changed in Utilities –
Configuration – Host Settings
The following items can be setup:

Configuration Range / Remark

*Default
RS-232 Settings --- See chapter 4.1

Communication Type of host communication

*OFF Offline
BATCH Only manual upload is supported
REALTIME cobas c 111 instrument sends results and queries in
process
Checksum
OFF The checksum is ignored on arrival
*ON The checksum is validated and required
Note:
A valid checksum is always sent by cobas c 111 instrument

Send Order Query Allows Real-Time Communications for orders

OFF No queries are sent

ONCE A query is sent once the sample is seen for the first time
*ALWAYS A query is sent every time the sample is seen on-board
(used to inquire Rerun/Repeat orders)

The analyzer will send inquiries for test and rerun orders
only when this function is enabled.
If disabled, test orders have to be made either manually by
the operator at the analyzer or by download from the host.

Query Timeout (10 - 300) Time before cobas c 111 instrument assumes that the host
*10 sec does not answer.
This function allows the operator to set a timeout interval for
‘Query’ for Routine, STAT and Rerun Samples. The specified
timeout interval determines how long the analyzer will wait for
a response from the host. The range is 10-300 seconds, with
a default of 10 seconds.
Note: This function cannot be disabled.

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Send Result Mode Allows Real-Time Communications for results

OFF No results are sent automatically

*COMPLETE Send results only if all results are complete avail.
IMMEDIATE Send each result when it is complete

Note: QC results will be sent immediately if not switched OFF

Only when this function is enabled, the analyzer will send

analytical result records to the host computer according to
the description above.
If disabled, result records have to be sent manually to the
host computer or the host may send an inquiry to upload
such results.

Raw-Data
*OFF Raw data records are not sent
ON Raw data records (M.RR) are added to result record (if
raw data is still available)

Trace
ON A communication trace file is written
*OFF No communication trace file is written

When this function is enabled, the content of the communi-

cation with the host can be stored at the analyzer. The
Communication Trace report can be saved via media inter-
face to a Memory Stick. This report can be used as an
analysis tool if a problem occurs.

System ID char[10] The instrument device identification

*c111

Name used on reports and in communications for the cobas

c 111 instrument system or the ID number used to identify
the system in communications with the host.
Host ID char[10] The host device identification
*host
Name used on reports and in communications for the host
system or the ID number used to identify the host in com-
munications with the analyzer.

Note: Automatic result upload is only supported in Real-Time Communication mode.

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3.2 RS-232 serial cable specifications

Figure 2 shows the wiring diagram of the connection cable between the analyzer and the host.
The plug for the RS232 host interface cable is the topmost RS232 connector on the right side
of the analyzer (marked as “Host”).

Host Cable wiring diagram for DB-9 type plug

Analyzer Host
Sig. Pin Sig. Pin
TxD 3 TxD 3
RxD 2 RxD 2
RTS 7 RTS 7
CTS 8 CTS 8
DTR 4 DTR 4
DSR 6 DSR 6
DCD 1 DCD 1
GND 5 GND 5

Figure 2: Host Interface Connection Cable

The dotted lines indicate jumpers at host side (if required by host system)

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4 Supported Work Flow

4.1 Communication methods
cobas c 111 instruments support real-time communication and batch communication for test
ordering and analytical data upload.

4.1.1 Automated Real-Time Communication (REAL)

Real-time communication refers to a communication model where the reception of a sample
on the system triggers an inquiry for test orders from cobas c 111 instrument to host. The
host may now download the known orders for this specific sample order (also known as Host
Query Mode).

The relationships between real-time communication functions and types of samples are shown
in Table 1. The following are the details regarding communication procedures and communi-
cation functions.
Patient Samples
Communication Functions Control Calibration
Routine Stat Rerun Sample Sample

Test order inquiry (host query) × ×

Analytical data transmission (result upload)
Rerun test order reception × 1) × ×
Rerun test order inquiry × 1) × ×
Rerun analytical data transmission × 1) × ×
( = Possible; × = not possible) 1) Rerun of a rerun is not supported

Table 1: Real time Communication Functions

4.1.1.1 Sample Introduction

Samples (tubes and cups) are placed directly into one of the sample carrier slots of the cobas
c 111 instrument. (Sample Area)

4.1.1.2 Sample Identification and Test Ordering

A sample is identified by the sample ID either read via barcode reader or the number given by
the operator. On cobas c 111 instruments a sample is never referred to by a position.
The system looks for test orders for each sample, depending on configuration settings. Test
orders can come from:
• The host prior to testing
• The host as a result of a ‘Test order inquiry’ initiated by the analyzer
• Manually programmed test orders on the analyzer by the operator

4.1.1.3 Sample Aspiration

The aspiration of sample will take place at the position in the Sample Area. Once all sample
aspirations have been done, the sample can be removed without disturbing the performance
of the system.

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4.1.1.4 Rerun Initiation

Once a sample is processed, the measurements and result calculations are done according to
the application definitions.
When all measurements for a sample are finished, the cobas c 111 instrument system is
ready to upload the results (automatically after the last result is available in real-time mode).
At this point the host may place additional test orders (also reruns) for this sample. Of course,
if the sample has been already removed, it has to be reinserted into the Sample Area, before
a rerun is possible.
If all measurements are finished and a sample is recognized back on the system, the cobas c
111 instrument will initiate a ‘Rerun test order inquiry’ for this sample, if the host has not al-
ready submitted such an order. The host may then either ask for rerun measurements or ans-
wer with no further test orders.

Results from Rerun measurements are submitted as ‘Rerun analytical data transmission’.

4.1.2 Manually Triggered Communication (BATCH)

Manually triggered communication is shown in Table 2. Each of the communication functions
is explained in detail below.

Patient Sample
Communication Functions Request Control Calibration
Originator Routine Stat Rerun Sample Sample

Test order reception Host × ×

Host ×
Analytical data transmission
Analyzer ×
Photometric / ISE raw data Analyzer ×
transmission *)
( = Possible; × = not possible)
*) the raw data transmission has to be enabled in the Instrument Configuration

Table 2: Batch Communication Function Table

4.1.2.1 Test Order Reception

A host can send Test Orders (TO) for patient sample(s) prior to introduction of the sample(s)
onto the analyzer.
Key Information Used for Registration
In Batch Mode, the type of key information is the same as in real-time Mode. If the key
information of a patient sample is the same as the one already known in the database, the
patient sample is overwritten; otherwise, it is stored as a new sample.
The key information is the ‘Sample Number’.

4.1.2.2 Number of Samples Possible for Registration

The system database holds a maximum of 60 samples, for both routine and stat records com-
bined. Due to this restriction, an error occurs when the Test Orders received from a host
exceed this limit. The Test Order is not stored if this limit is reached.

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4.1.2.3 Analytical Data Transmission in Batch Mode

The operator can initiate a Batch Data Transmission of routine results and of control sample
results from the “Workplace/Result Review/Edit” screen on the analyzer.

The host can also request results for a specific sample, but control sample results cannot be
requested from the host.

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4.1.2.4 Application & Test Order Codes

Each application (test) for cobas c 111 instruments is identified within Roche Diagnostics by
an Application Code Number (ACN). This ACN is often referred to as “Test Number” that
consists of a 3-digit number. For host orders, a mapping table is available to translate the
laboratory-specific number space for applications into the cobas c 111 instrument ACN num-
ber space. This table is located on cobas c 111 instruments at “Configuration”. In order to
adapt the translation table, you have to export the table to an external ccomputer, change the
table accordingly using an ASCII editor (e.g. Windows Notepad), and import that table into the
instrument.
This laboratory-specific number space is referred to as Host Application Code (HAC). The
HAC is used in communication with the Host whenever Patient and QC orders are communi-
cated. For Calibration records and Inventory communication the original ACN is used.

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4.2 Host Communication Settings

4.2.1 Definitions
Sample ID
Sample ID (also named Sample Number etc.) on cobas c 111 instruments are specified as
strings of a maximum of 23 ASCII printable characters [6].

RS232C Settings
See description in chapter 4.1.

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4.3 Physical Layer Specifications

4.3.1 Communication Options
Host communication options such as baud rate can be found on the Utility / System / Host
Communication Setting screen.

Item Specifications Remarks

Communication Speed 1200 , 2400 , 4800 , *9600 Baud rate
[bps] 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200

Handshake OFF No handshake

HW RTS, CTS mode
*SW Xon, Xoff mode

Parity Check *OFF Parity check disabled

ON Parity check enabled

Line Mode *N_8_1 None Parity, 8 bit, 1 stop bit

E_8_1 Even Parity, 8 bit, 1 stop bit
O_8_1 Odd Parity, 8 bit, 1 stop bit
N_8_2 None Parity, 8 bit, 2 stop bits
E_7_1 Even Parity, 7 bit, 1 stop bit
O_7_1 Odd Parity, 7 bit, 1 stop bit
E_7_2 Even Parity, 7 bit, 2 stop bits
O_7_2 Odd Parity, 7 bit, 2 stop bits

Communication Port 1
Electrical Signal In accordance with EIA-232-D-1986
Cable Length Maximum 15m

Table 3: Physical Level Specifications

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4.4 Messages used in cobas c 111 instrument Communication

All messages are shown in Table 8.The following section shows detailed information for each
of the messages and the included ASTM records.

Communication Text Communication Automated Manually

Direction Communication triggered
Communication
Test Order Inquiry Analyzer → Host ×
Rerun Test Order Inquiry Analyzer → Host ×
Test Orders Host → Analyzer
Rerun Test Order Host → Analyzer ×

Patient Sample Analytical Data Analyzer → Host

Control Sample Analytical Data Analyzer → Host

Photometric Calibration Data Analyzer → Host

ISE Calibration Data Analyzer → Host

Photometric Raw Data according to Analyzer → Host supported Supported

Configuration

Analytical Data Transmission Request Host → Analyzer ×

Factory used communication items:

Reagent Disk Loading Inquiry Host → Analyzer ×
Reagent Disk Loading Analyzer → Host ×
Database Factory Reset Inquiry Host → Analyzer ×
Database Factory Reset Analyzer → Host ×

( = Possible; × = not possible)

Table 4: Communication Text Table

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Automated Communication

Test Order Inquiry

Return Test Order Inquiry

Test Orders

Return Test Order

Host Analyzer
Patient Sample Analytical Data

Control Sample Analytical Data

ISE Calibration Data

Photometric Calibration Data

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Messages transmitted: Analyzer Host

Messages transmitted by the analyzer (messages received by the host) are indicated in the
table below. The identifier is set in the Comment or ‘Special Instruction’ field in the Message
Header Record with the reason for the messages.

Messages Syntax / Records Comment or Reasons

Special Instructions

Test Order Inquiry H TSREQ^REAL Inquiry is made for the ordered tests just after
Q|n|^SID the identified sample has been introduced
L into the system. SID=SampleID, Test ID is al-
ways ALL
Patient / Control H RSUPL^REAL Reports on the result at the point when the re-
Sample Order List P|n sults for the sample have been accumulated.
O|1|^SID.. Reports on the result as a response for the in-
[C|1|..] RSUPL^REPLY quiry from a host.
L Transmits results of the selected sample(s) by
RSUPL^BATCH instruction at the analyzer.

Patient / Control H RSUPL^REAL Reports on the result at the point when the
Sample Analytical P|n results for the sample have been
Data O|1|^SID.. accumulated.
[C|1|..] RSUPL^REPLY Reports on the result as a response for the
inquiry from a host.
{R
RSUPL^BATCH Transmits results of the selected sample(s) by
[C|1|..]}n instruction at the analyzer.
L
n = 0~60
Photometric Raw H RSUPL^BATCH Reports results including the absorbance of
Data P|n the photometric tests
O|1|^SID.. RSUPL^REAL
[C|1|..]
{R
[C|1|..]
[M-RR]}n
L
Photometric H PCUPL^REAL The current calibration is reported
Calibration Data M-CR immediately after becoming valid.
L
ISE Calibration H ICUPL^REAL The current calibration is reported
Data M-ICR immediately after becoming valid.
L
Reagent Disk H INU^U05 Reports the current loading of a reagent disk
Loading M.EQU including reagent lot numbers in response to
such an inquiry
0{M.INV}27
L
Database factory H EAR^U08 Reports the reception of the command or that
reset response M.EQU the request has been ignored
M.ECD
M.ECR
L

Table 5: Messages Transmitted by the Analyzer

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4.4.1 Messages received: Host Analyzer

Messages transmitted by the host are shown in the table below (messages received by the
analyzer).

Messages Syntax / Records Comment or Reasons

Special Instructions

Analytical Data H RSREQ ^ REAL Makes inquiry for the results of a test.
Transmission Q|n|^SID SID=SampleID, Test ID is assumed as ALL
Request Sample L System replies with RSUPL.
Analytical Data H RSREQ ^ REAL Makes inquiry for the results of a calibration
Transmission Q|n|||AppCode Only one appCode allowed
Request Cal L The system replies with PCUPL or ICUPL .
Note: the system reports calibration results of
the currently active calibration if still available
– receive the real time uploads to avoid gaps
in the reporting sequence.
Test Orders H TSDWN ^ REPLY Orders test request for a sample as answer to
P|n a Test Selection Inquiry
O|1|SID…
[C|1|..] TSDWN ^ BATCH Orders test request for a sample by
instruction at the host
L
Reagent Tray H INR^U06 Makes an inquiry for the reagent tray loading
Loading Inquiry M.EQU cobas c 111 instrument replies with INU
M.INV
L
Database factory H EAC^U07 Factory command to reset the database to its
reset request M.EQU default status (reloads the empty database
M.ECD stored on the system)
L cobas c 111 instrument replies with
EAR

Table 6: Messages Transmitted by the Host

4.5 System behavior on communication errors

There will be an error message sent to the alarm monitor (incl. red LED at button), if a host
system does no confirm a data communication within a defined amount of time. The uncon-
firmed communication records are not re-sent.
If a host receives data, but responds with a content error (e.g. checksum failed), the erroneous
sequence will be repeated. After 3 failed attempts, the communication of this data block is
aborted and an error message sent to the alarm monitor (incl. red LED at button).

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5 ASTM Protocol
5.1 General ASTM Protocol Information
5.1.1 Background
ASTM (American Society of Testing and Material) has a plan for communications between
automatic analyzers and host computers for standards E1381-97 (Specification for Low-Level
Protocol to Transfer Messages Between Clinical Laboratory Instruments and Computer Sys-
tems) and E1394-97 (Standard Specifications for Transferring Information Between Clinical
Instruments and Computer Systems). The basic specifications of the standards are regulated
on X12 of ANSI.
The host communication interface installed in the cobas c 111 instrument systems meets the
standards of ASTM.

5.1.2 Communication Processing Layers

The communication process between the system and the host is divided into three layers as
shown below. This specification explains the processing and operation methods for the appli-
cation layer.

Service Specification Host

Application Layer Communication

ASTM E1394-97
ASTM Upper Layer

ASTM E1381-97
ASTM Lower Layer

EIA-232-D-1986
Physical Layer

Figure 3: Host Communication Processing Layers

Details of the ASTM protocol can be found in the Annual Book of ATSM Standards.
Copyright American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, USA.
• ASTM E1381-97 Low Level Protocol
Specification for Low Level Protocol to Transfer Messages Between Clinical Laboratory
Instruments and Computer Systems
• ASTM E1394-97 High Level Protocol
Standard Specification for Transferring Information Between Clinical Instruments and
Computer Systems.

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5.1.3 ASTM Lower Layer

ASTM lower layer receives messages for a transmission request from the upper layer. These
messages are then split into frames and sent to a communication medium to be transmitted to
other parties. ASTM lower layer also constructs frames received from a communication me-
dium to recreate messages to be transferred to the ASTM upper layer as reception messages.
Configuration and communication procedures for transmission and reception of frames are
explained in the following chapters.

Item Method Explanation

Frame For Middle Frame • Control character (characters enclosed in <>):

Configurations <STX> FN text <STX> is control character (HEX 02)
<ETB> C1 C2 <ETB> is control character (HEX 17)
<CR><LF> <CR> is control character (HEX 0D)
<LF> is control character (HEX 0A)
For Last Frame <ETX> is control character (HEX 03)
<STX> FN text • FN: FN is a single ASCII number. FN indicates the se-
<ETX> C1 C2 quence number for a frame (the frame number modulus
<CR><LF> 8). Frames of a single transmission phase are con-
secutively numbered beginning with 1, so FN runs from
1 to 7, then continues with 0, 1, and so on.
• Text: the data content of a frame (maximum 240 charac-
ters). Records are sub-divided into intermediate (middle)
frames with 240 or fewer characters. Text is part of a
split message.
• C1 and C2: When 1 byte resulting from adding each
byte, FN to <ETB> for the middle frame and FN to
<EXT> for the last frame, is expressed in hexadecimal,
1
the upper character (16 ) is C1 and the lower character
0
(16 ) is C2. Characters used are ‘0’ to ‘9’ or ‘A’ to ‘F’.

Frame Characters other than <SOH> is control character (HEX 01)

<SOH><STX><ETX> <EOT> is control character (HEX 04)
Character
<EOT><ENQ><ACK> <ENQ> is control character (HEX 05)
Configuration of
<ACK> is control character (HEX 06)
Text <DLE><NAK><SYN>
<DLE> is control character (HEX 10)
<ETB><CR><LF> <NAK> is control character (HEX 15)
<DC1><DC2><DC3> <SYN> is control character (HEX 16)
<DC4> <DC1> ~ <DC4> are control characters (HEX 11 ~ 14)

Maximum 247 characters For one frame, maximum of 240 characters for text, 7 cha-
racters for frame control characters.
Length of the
Frame Messages equal to or less than 240 characters are trans-
mitted as one final frame. Messages greater than 240 cha-
racters are split into frames that have character lengths that
fall within the 240-character limit. The only or final remaining
frame becomes the last frame and is indicated by <ETX>. All
others are intermediate (middle) frames and are indicated by
<ETB>.

Table 7: ASTM Lower Layer Communication Methods

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5.1.4 ASTM Syntax

The structure of the sentences to be transferred is explained in this section according to
ASTM Communication Regulation. Between the analyzer and the host, various data such as
Test Orders and Results are transferred back and forth. All of these data conform to this
syntax.
This section deals with message coding rules as well as special characters, such as de-
limiters, used to develop messages provided by records and fields.

5.1.4.1 Definitions
Message A message is constructed with an arrangement of several records (refer to the next
item). It is the smallest unit of information transferred between a host and an ana-
lyzer. Messages begin with a ‘Message Header Record’ that indicates the beginning
of a message and end with a ‘Message Termination Record’ that indicates the end
of a message.
Record A record is constructed from several fields and expresses a single purpose (such as
to specify result reports or test requests). A record may be repeated or used singu-
larly in a message. Code that indicates the purpose of a record, is noted in the first
character of that record.
Field A field is the ASTM’s smallest element to construct information. Attributes for a field
(name, format, and meanings) are defined as units in a record.

5.1.4.2 Messages
Each message has a number of records. A message is a group of records that begins with a
Header Record and ends with a Message Terminator Record. Each record has a number of
fields. Each field is by default separated by the vertical bar | character (the actual definition of
which character is used for field separation is done with the Header Record).
Following is a description of the records and the fields within each record:

ID Record Types
H Header Record
L Message Termination Record
P Patient Record
O Test Order Record
R Result Record
C Comment Record
Q Request Record
M-X Manufacturer specific records

Note: The record type ID is not case sensitive; however, it is suggested to always use uppercase
characters.

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5.1.4.3 Delimiters
Delimiters are ASCII characters used to separate fields within a record and to separate com-
ponents within fields. Below is a description of the delimiters and how they are commonly
used:
Character Name Used as
| vertical bar Field delimiter
\ Backslash Repeat delimiter
^ Caret Component delimiter
& ampers-and Escape delimiter
<CR> carriage return Record delimiter
<CR><LF> carriage return, line feed Record delimiter (alternate form - NOT USED)

5.1.4.3.1 Field Delimiter = Vertical Bar ‘|’

A Field delimiter is a character used to separate fields that are next to each other in a record.
This is also a delimiter for the first Record ID (character that appears in the beginning of a
record) and the next field. According to the 2nd character that appears in the Message Header
Record (record that appears in the front of a message), a Field delimiter can be defined with
an optional character within the Message Header Record; however, it is recommended that a
vertical bar ‘|’ (ASCII 124dec) is used.

5.1.4.3.2 Repeat Delimiter = Backslash ‘\’

When a field is constructed by the same data repeated several times, it is referred to as a
Repeated Field. The delimiter between the repeated items for the Repeated Field is called the
Repeat delimiter. Repeat delimiters can be defined with an optional character within the
Message Header Record; however, it is recommended that a backslash ‘\’ be used.

5.1.4.3.3 Component Delimiter = caret ‘^’

When a field is constructed by several elements, it is referred to as a Component Field. The
delimiter between these elements is the Component delimiter. The Component delimiter can
be defined with an optional character within the Message Header Record; however, it is re-
commended that a caret ‘^’ be used.

5.1.4.3.4 Escape Character = Ampersand ‘&’

An Escape character is provided to indicate a delimiter for the fields that include general text.
When this character occurs in a relevant field, the next character holds a special meaning (dis-
cussed below). An Escape character can be defined with an optional character within the
Message Header Record; however, it is recommended that an ampersand ‘&’ be used.

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5.1.4.3.5 Expression of Special Characters with Escape Character

If you want to use any of the characters that are predefined as delimiters, within a text, you
can use the following Escape sequence (starting with & and ending with &). When this se-
quence is detected in a field, the corresponding character is set as text character and the
escape sequence is deleted.
Escape sequences other than these are skipped and treated as NULL value.
&F& Indicates Field delimiter
&S& Indicates Component delimiter
&R& Indicates Repeat delimiter
&E& Indicates Escape

5.1.4.3.6 Record Delimiter / End of Record Character

The ASCII CR character (HEX 0D) is always used to indicate the end of a record.

5.1.4.3.7 Null values

All fields are position dependent and are obtained by counting field delimiters by their position
starting from the beginning of the record. This means if a field is null (no information avail-
able), the field delimiters must be included in the record. This ensures that the nth field can be
identified by counting n-1 delimiters. Trailing null fields do NOT need to be included. Delimiters
are not needed after the last field containing data.
Null values may be sent for the following reasons:
• The value is not known.
• The sender knows the field is irrelevant to the receiving system.
• The value has not changed since the last transmission.
A field containing only a pair of double quotes “” is not a NULL field instead it should be
treated by the receiving system as an instruction to delete any existing contents of that field.
Note: The receiving system may ignore any field it does not require. However, fields must
always be transmitted in the order specified.

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5.1.4.4 Message Transmission Phases

To establish which system sends and which system receives information and to ensure the
actions of sender and receiver are well coordinated, there are three distinct phases in trans-
ferring information:
• Establishment Phase
• Transfer Phase
• Termination Phase

Establishment Transfer Phase Termination

Phase Phase

Sender ENQ intermediate frame end frame EOT

Receiver
ACK ACK ACK

Figure 4: Message Transmission Phases

Within the transfer phase, all records of the corresponding message are grouped into longer
frames to increase speed. The records are separated through a [CR] character. Therefore, to
obtain pure ASTM records again, the receiver must concatenate all the frames and wait for a
[EOT] character. Finally he can process the frame and split it into different records using the
[CR] as separator.

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5.1.5 Checksum Calculation/ Message Frame

5.1.5.1.1 The Intermediate Frame

[STX] FN Text first char. ...... Text last char. ETB CH CL [CR] [LF]

5.1.5.1.2 The End Frame

[STX] FN Text first char. ...... Text last char. ETX CH CL [CR] [LF]

[STX] The ASCII code 2, indicating the beginning of a frame transmission.

FN The frame number modulus 8. Frames of a single Transmission Phase are
consecutively numbered beginning with 1. So FN runs from 1 to 7, continues
with 0, 1, and so on. Use ASCII codes for the digits ‘0’ to ‘7’ (48-55).
Text The data content of a frame (max. 240 characters).
Records are sub-divided into intermediate frames with 240 characters.
Maximum is indicated by [ETB]. The only or last remaining frame is indicated
by [ETX]. Different records must be sent in different frames.
[ETB] The ASCII code 23 (17hex), indicating the end of the text block of an inter-
mediate frame.
[ETX] The ASCII code 3, indicating the end of the text block of an end frame.
CH, CL Represents the high nibble (= most significant 4 bit) respectively, the low
nibble (=least significant 4 bit) of the 8-bit checksum. CH and CL are repre-
sented as two digits of hex numbers. The checksum is the modulus 8 of the
sum of ASCII values of the frame characters starting with and including ‘FN’
and completing with [ETX] respectively [ETB].

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Example for Checksum Calculation

[STX]1Test[ETX]

Character Value Sum

(hex)
[STX] 02h 00h
‘1’ 31h 31h
‘T’ +54h 85h
‘e’ +65h EAh
‘s’ +73h 15Dh
‘t’ +74h 1D1h
[ETX] +03h 1D4h
= 1D4h
Mod 100h
= D4h

to be sent:
[STX]1Test[ETX]D4[CR][LF]

5.2 Communication Text Content

5.2.1 Record Levels
The following table shows the Standard Record types and levels (see ASTM E 1394-97
Section 5, 'Information Requirements in Clinical Testing')

Level Record Name Identifier

0 Message Header Record H
0 Message Termination Record L
1 Patient Information Record P
2 Test Orders O
3 Result Record R
1...3 Comment Record C
1...3 Manufacturer Information Record M
1 Request Information Record Q

Table 8: Standard Record Types and Levels

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The Manufacturer Specific Records are specific for the cobas c 111 instrument and must be
received by the host

Level Record Name Identifier

1 Photometry Calibration Result M.CR
1 ISE Calibration Result M.ICR
3 Photometric Raw Data M.RR
1 Reagent Disk Loading INR^U06
INU^U05
1 Database Factory Reset (Command) EAC^U07
EAR^U08

Table 9: Manufacturer Defined Record Types and Levels

5.2.2 Record Description

5.2.2.1 Field Attributes

Types of attributes held by a field are explained below.

No. Attribute Description

1 Field Name Name of the relevant field.

Fields printed with underlined-italic font are mandatory fields.
2 Reference Position of the field. Order in which the relevant fields appear in a record.
3 Format The format for a field is one of the following:
• ST: String: A character string
• TX: Text: A group of character strings that can be printed at the
terminal. It is an optional character string; however, a special
escape sequence is defined for a display at the terminal.
• NM: Numeric: A numeric value. Positive (+) or negative (-) is
indicated before the numeric value. If it is not indicated, it is
treated as positive (+).
If a decimal point is not included, the numeric value is treated as an integer. There are no
restrictions for placing ‘0’ in the front and for ‘0s’ placed at the
end of numbers with decimal points.
For certain fields where the resolution with a decimal number cannot be achieved a
scientific format is used i.e. (1.234E03)
• DT: Date. Always use the 4-digit Christian year. The format is
YYYYMMDD (YYYY is the 4-digit Christian year, MM is the
month, DD is the day). For example, September 5, 1998 is
indicated 19980905.
• TM: Time: 24h format (corresponds with the U.S. Military time)
The format is HHMMSS (HH is the hour, MM is the minute, and SS is the second).
• TS: Time Stamp. A combination of DT and TM.
The format is: YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.
• CM: Combination. A field in which multiple data are combined
by a component delimiter.
4 Comments Contains field contents and any relevant field comments.
(Data Content) Note: A field with the message ‘Field does not contain data‘ in the column means that
even though it is provided by ASTM, it may be ignored when received.

Table 10: Field Attributes

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5.2.2.2 Message Header Record (H)

This record must always be the first record in a transmission. This record contains information
about the sender and receiver, instruments, and computer system whose records are being
exchanged. It also identifies the delimiter characters. The minimum information that must be
sent in a Header record is: H|\^&{RT}
The H corresponds to the record type, H=Header. The | (vertical bar) is used as the field
delimiter. The \ (backslash) is the repeat delimiter. The ^ (caret) is the component delimiter.
The & (ampersand) is the Escape delimiter. {RT} is the record delimiter i.e. <CR>.
The entire header record consists of the following fields:
H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005|||||host|RSUPL^BATCH|P|1|200510211
52259{RT}
Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface specification.
Fields 07.1.05 and 07.1.10 have been updated to match [7]

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) H|7.1.
Record Type ID (H) 07.1.01 ST ‘H’
Delimiter Definition 07.1.02 ST The first character is the field delimiter, the second is the repeat delimi-
ter, the third is the component, and the fourth is the escape character
i.e. |\^&
Message Control ID 07.1.03 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Access Password 07.1.04 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument .
Sender Name or ID: 07.1.05 CM Name of the machine transmitting this message.
cobas c 111 instrument receives data: These fields will be logged but
Name not used to confirm the proper sender.
^Manufacturer cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^Instrument Type 1
<Name > The analyzer name given .
^SW Version ^<Manufacturer> “Roche”
^Protocol Vers.
^Serial Number ^<Instrument Type> “c111”
^<SW Version > Instrument e.g. 1.2.3.1234
^<Protocol Vers.> Comm. Protocol 1
^<Serial number> Instrument e.g. 1235
Others 07.1.06 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
…
07.1.09
Receiver ID: 07.1.10 ST Name of the machine receiving this message.
2
Name cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: The host name given .
cobas c 111 instrument receives data: This field will be logged but not
used to confirm the proper receiver (myself).

1
The name of the analyzer which has been setup in Utilities. See also Definitions – System. Characters that can be used are
printable ascii as defined in the appendix.
2
The name of the host computer which has been setup in Utilities. See also Definitions – System. Characters that can be used
are printable ascii as defined in the appendix.

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) H|7.1.
Comment or Special 07.1.11 CM A comment regarding the message is entered here.
Instructions
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
To indicate the classification of the transmitted message from the ana-
lyzer one of the defined messages (see above) is transmitted.
The first component element indicates the purpose for the message,
e.g.
TSREQ: Test request inquiry
RSUPL: Result report
…

The second component element indicates the cause of the message.

REAL: Message automatically generated
BATCH: Message generated due to operator command
REPLY: Response to an inquiry from a host

Or in case of HL7 based Manufacturer spec. recs.:

INU^U05: Automated equipment inventory update (MSR)
…

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

To indicate classification of the transmitted message from the host, one
of the defined messages (see above) shall be sent by the host.

Processing ID 07.1.12 ST Indicates the processing method for the messages. Currently ‘P’ is
used.
Version No. 07.1.13 NM Enter version number of the communication program. Currently ‘1’ is
used.
Date and Time of 07.1.14 TS Format: YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.
Message
EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.3 Message Termination Record (L)

This record occurs at the end of a message to indicate the end of a message.
L|1|N{RT}

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) L|13.1.
Record Type ID (L) 13.1.01 ST ‘L’
Sequence Number 13.1.02 NM ‘1’
Termination Code 13.1.03 ST Input the value shown below.
N Normal termination
E Unspecified System error
EndOfRecord

5.2.2.4 Patient Information Record (P)

This record is used to transfer patient information to the analyzer (test order messages) or to
the host (result messages).
Note: On the cobas c 111 instrument there is no patient information stored or maintained in
the database, this record is therefore ignored when sent to a cobas c 111 instrument and
filled with a default patient information record when originating from the cobas c 111 instru-
ment in e.g. transmission of result records.
P|1{RT}

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) P|8.1.
Record Type ID (P) 08.1.01 ST ‘P’
Sequence Number 08.1.02 NM Sequence number of the Patient Information Record in the message.
Always ‘1’.
Rest of List 08.1.03 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
…
up to
…
08.1.35
EndOfRecord

5.2.2.5 Test Order Record (O)

This record holds information regarding analysis order and sample information to the analyzer
(within test order message) and to the host (within result message).
O|1||Sample1|^^^111\^^^121\^^^211\^^^212\^^^221|R||||||N||||||||||||||O\Q{RT
}

Note:

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This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.
Fields 09.4.04, 09.4.05 and 09.4.26 have been updated to match [7]

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) O|9.4.
Record Type ID (O) 09.4.01 ST ‘O’
Sequence Number 09.4.02 NM Indicates the sequence number of the Test Order Record at the current
layer. This record is in the layer following the Patient Information Re-
cord and is reset to 1 for each occurrence of a new Patient Information
Record. It is numbered consecutively; 1, 2, etc., for each occurrence of
this record.
Specimen ID* 09.4.03 CM Identification for samples host analyzer.

Sample ID cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

^Rack ID / Carrier ID The identification of a sample i.e. a barcode or an assigned number.
^Position on The max. Length is 23 characters.
Rack/Carrier Only the SampleID element is handled (the positional indicators are
ignored, as the position is recognized by the system itself and a sample
cannot be entered without having been identified before)

Samples: The identification

Controls: empty see action code field 09.4.12

cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: empty – field 09.4.04 will

be used instead

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) O|9.4.
Instrument 09.4.04 CM Identification for samples analyzer host.
Specimen ID:
cobas c 111 instrument receives data: Field is ignored (09.4.03 is
Sample ID / read)
Sequence
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^Rack ID / Carrier ID
The sample identification known by the instrument
^Position on
Rack/Carrier Format
<Sample ID>^^<Position ID>
^Tray ID / Location Element Max Length Format
ID
Sample ID 23 ST
^Rack/Carrier type Position ID 1 NM

^Tube/Cont. type Elements & Description

Sample ID
Samples:
Instrument’s sample-order identification, e.g. either the barcode, a
sequence # (returned unchanged or a new ID if is entered on
instrument)

Controls:
‘1000 + Control Code (ACN/BCN)’ is used.
e.g.
PNU: Control No. = 300, is sent as “1300”
See also action code field 09.4.12

Position ID
Values 1 to 8. Counting from the sample area left to right positions first
sample is 1
Position on the sample area if the sample is still on-board, otherwise
empty.

Note: All other Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS fields are not

used / ignored
i.e. the fields: Rack ID, Rack Type, Container Type

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) O|9.4.
Universal Test ID: 09.4.05 CM Repeat Field (example: ^^^2^1\^^^100\^^^744^1)
repeat Specifies Test Orders.
^^^Test ID
Format ^^^<HostCode>^<Dilution>
^Treatment The first three elements for this format are empty. Currently Universal
Type (and value) Test IDs are not supported.
^Pre-Treatment
Type (and value)
^Result Evaluation This format is used repeatedly with delimiters when ordering several
Type (and value) tests. Maximum of 60 tests can be specified.

Element Max Length Format

Test ID = Host Code NumberΩ 5 NM
Treatment 3 ST
Element Description

Test ID, Profile ID (Host Application Code):

This is a key field for orders. When transmitting results, this field is left
empty, i.e. the relevant Test ID is part of the Result Record.

The analyzer identifies the test order with 3-digit numbers.

Range : 1-999

NOTE: the Host Application Code is translated from and into the
cobas c 111 instrument ACN space using a configurable table.

Treatment:
General: Specifies treatment to be done on instrument: (A)utodilution,
(D)ilution and factor, (C)oncentration and factor, etc., e.g. A, D100,
etc. (Roche specific field)

cobas c 111 instrument receives data: Any Value but NULL

dilution / concentration is done according to the value entered in the
application protocol
If NULL - pipetting and testing is done using the standard analysis
parameters.

Pre-Treatment & Result Evaluation:

Not supported on cobas c 111 instrument

Priority 09.4.06 ST Indicates the priority order of the Patient Samples. Ignored for Control
Samples. Values are one of the following:

Field Value Description

R Indicates routine analysis of the patient samples
S Indicates Stat analysis of the patient samples

Ω
The record should be sent with this field left blank when the host has no Test Selections. See example on page 80.

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) O|9.4.
Others 09.4.07 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
…
09.4.11
Action Code∗ 09.4.12 ST Indicates type of information for the report.

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

A : Add tests to an existing order

NOTE: If the sample does not exist it creates a new sample

C : Cancel i.e., delete a previously downloaded order

NOTE: the sample involved will not be deleted if the last test order is
cancelled!

Q : Quality control order, the specimen ID in field 09.4.3 is ignored

cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:

N : New order (Instrument dependent: If not explicitly implemented it
behaves like A)
Q : Quality control result data

Others 09.4.13 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument

..
09.4.22
Date/Time Results 09.4.23 TS Indicates the date and time the result was obtained. This field is not
Reported or Last specified by a host.
Modified Format: YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.
cobas c 111 instrument receives data: Field is ignored
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: contains the timestamp of
‘Now’ i.e. Results Reported TS
Instrument Charge to 09.4.24 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Computer System
Instrument Section 09.4.25 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
ID
Report Types∗ 09.4.26 ST Indicates type of communications.
Repeat
O : Order record
X : Results cannot be done / request cancelled

Z : No record of this patient/sample (in response to an instrument

query) if the host does not have test order(s) for a query
F : Final results

Q : Query response - a repeat delimiter and the code Q will follow (e.g.
O\Q) - indicates that this order record and all associated information
are being sent in response to a query.
Rest of List 09.4.27 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
..
09.4.31
EndOfRecord

∗
Indicates a required field or field component.
∗
Indicates a field or field component required in ID and Sample No. modes.

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5.2.2.6 Comment Record (following the Order Record)

Record to transfer comments regarding the patient’s demographic data. This record is trans-
mitted by the host (within test selection message) and the analyzer (within result message).

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.
cobas c 111 instrument does not transmit Comment records. It however can receive such records
most of the content is ignored however.

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) C|11.1.
Record Type ID 11.1.01 ST ‘C’.
Sequence Number 11.1.02 NM Indicates the sequence number of the Test Request Record in the cur-
rent layer. Since this record is in the layer following the Test Request
Record, it is reset to ‘1’ each time a new Test Request Record is pre-
sented and then numbered consecutively; 1, 2, etc.
Comment Source 11.1.03 ST Indicates the source of the comment.
If issued by the host it is 'L'.

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

The record is ignored if not set to L
Comment Text 11.1.04 CM Format
<Comment-1>
Only one comment regarding the sample can be specified.
From Host to Analyzer
Element Max Length Format
Comment-1 30 ST

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

For cobas c 111 instrumenst only Comment-1 is used as and
replaces any contents of the sample comment field. Comment-2 to n
is ignored and allowed here for compatibility reasons.

Comment Type 11.1.05 ST Always G for generic/free text comment

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

The record is ignored if not set to G
EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.7 Result Record

Record to transmit analytical data.
R|1|^^^111|1480.00|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest{RT}

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.
Fields 10.1.03, 10.1.04, 10.1.06, 10.1.07 and 10.1.09 have been updated to match [7]

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) R|10.1.
Record Type ID 10.1.01 ST ‘R’
Sequence Number 10.1.02 NM Indicates sequence numbers for the Test Request Record in the cur-
rent layer. Since this record is the layer that follows the Test Request
Record, it resets to 1 for each occurrence of a new Test Request Re-
cord. It is numbered consecutively; 1, 2, etc., for each occurrence of
this record.
Universal Test ID: 10.1.03 CM Example: ^^^103^D
The first three elements for this format are empty. Currently Universal
Test IDs are not supported.
^^^Test ID
Element Max Length Format
^Treatment
<Test ID> Host Code NumberΩ 5 NM
type (and value)
^Treatment 3 ST
^Pre-Treatment
type (and value) Element Description
Test ID, Profile ID (Host Code Number):
^Result evaluation This is a key field for orders. When transmitting results, this field is left
type (and value) empty, i.e. the relevant Test ID is part of the Result Record.
The analyzer identifies the test with 3-digit numbers.
Range: 1-999

NOTE: the Host Application Code is translated from and into the
cobas c 111 instrument ACN space using a configurable table.

Treatment:
General: Specifies treatment to be done on instrument: (A)utodilution,
(D)ilution and factor, (C)oncentration and factor, etc., e.g. A, D100,
etc. (Roche specific field)

cobas c 111 instrument : Dilution or Concentration depending on the

treatment done according to the value entered in the application
protocol
D / C / <empty>

<empty> - pipetting and testing is done using the standard analysis

parameters.

Pre-Treatment & Result Evaluation:

Not supported on cobas c 111 instrument

Ω
The record should be sent with this field left blank when the host has no Test Selections. See example on page 80.

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) R|10.1.
Data or 10.1.04 ST When “result status" = ‘X’ (i.e. No Value) no data is set in this field.
Measurement Value
Element Description
Quantitative results:
The value corresponds to the measured concentration:
e.g., 1.97, 123.4, etc.
In case a result is above / below a limit (measurement range), the
characters ‘<’ or ‘>’ are added in front of the result (limit) e.g., <0.05,
>10.0, etc.
(for new instruments use the “10.1.6. Reference Ranges” field instead)

Qualitative results: ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON cobas c 111

instrument
this section is included for further developments only
e.g. 1, 0, -1 or POS, NEG, etc.
Format: <Evaluation>

Where <Evaluation> is:

‘1’ or ‘POS’: corresponds to “positive”
‘0’ or ‘GREY’ : corresponds to “border line/grey zone”
‘-1’ or ‘NEG’: corresponds to “negative”

If an option of “Send concentration of chemistry qualitative test” is

selected on the Host communication setting screen:
Format: <Evaluation>^<Measurement Value>
Example :
In case a qualitative value is 0 and concentration is 8.60:
Format: 0^8.60
Units 10.1.05 CM Example: mg/dL

Format;
<UnitString>

Indicates units of the analytical data.

Reference Ranges 10.1.06 NM Format: LowerLimit/UpperLimit/OtherRange

Relates to field 10.1.07:
L or H: Below/Above reference range (Reference Range),
< or >: Low/High scale of assay (test range)
Qualitative N: Positive/Negative/Grey Zone

For QC samples: target value/ranges for

Lower limit/Upper limit
The system submits the values entered in the application protocol, if no
value is specified the corresponding field is left empty.
Remark: Modular used a field delimiter i.e. ^ not a repeat field

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) R|10.1.
Result Abnormal 10.1.07 ST Field Value Description
Flags L: Less than reference range
H: Higher than reference range
<: Below absolute low scale of assay (test range)
>: Above absolute high scale of assay (test range)
N: Normal
A: Abnormal Technical problems
Roche instruments provide more instrument specific flags than those
defined above by ASTM. The detailed flag information is transmitted to
the Host using an additional Comment Record.
Nature of 10.1.08 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Abnormality Testing
Result Status 10.1.09 ST Indicates the number of the test conducted for the analytical data.
Field Value Description
F: Final Result:
Used to indicate initial transmission of result (Validated Result)
C: Correction of previously transmitted result
(i.e., the result of a test-re-run is transmitted)
X: Test cannot be completed:
Used to indicate an error during processing
(e.g. the result has been blocked by instrument)
R: Repeat:
Used to indicate previously transmitted result
(i.e. indicates re-transmission of already sent result)
Date of Change in 10.1.10 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Instrument
Normative Values
Units
Operator 10.1.11 ST Identifies the operator.
Identification cobas c 111 instrument receives data: Field is ignored
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: Field contains the ID of the
operator who released the result or the operator who placed the
sample if no manual release was required.
Rest of list 10.1.12 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
…
10.1.14
EndOfRecord

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The following section is Included for compatibility and future reference only
Qualitative result format may be activated for certain applications.

Analytical Result Range Transmis- sion

Data

Analytical Result ≤ Qualitative Analysis Concentration 1 -2

Qualitative Analysis Concentration 1 < Analytical Result ≤ Qualitative Analysis Concentration 2 -1

Qualitative Analysis Concentration 2 < Analytical Result ≤ Qualitative Analysis Concentration 3 0

Qualitative Analysis Concentration 3 < Analytical Result ≤ Qualitative Analysis Concentration 4 1

Qualitative Analysis Concentration 4 < Analytical Result ≤ Qualitative Analysis Concentration 5 2

Qualitative Analysis Concentration 5 < Analytical Result 3

Table 11: Qualitative Analysis Transmission Data

5.2.2.8 Comment Record (following the result record)

Record to transfer comments regarding the analytical data. This record is transmitted by the
analyzer only; it is not transmitted by the host (i.e. ignored when a cobas c 111 instrument
receives such a record).
C|1|I|43|I{RT}

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.
Fields 11.1.04, has been updated to match [7]

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) C|11.1.
Record Type ID 11.1.01 ST ‘C’
Sequence Number 11.1.02 NM Indicates the sequence number of the Comment Record in the current
layer. Since this record is in the layer following the Test Request Re-
cord, it is reset to ‘1’ each time a new Test Request Record is presen-
ted and then numbered consecutively; 1, 2, etc.
Comment Source 11.1.03 ST Indicates the source of the Comment.
Currently, this record is issued only from the analyzer, so ‘I’ is always
used.
Comment Text: 11.1.04 NM A comment record is added following a flagged result.
repeated All activated flags are transmitted.
Flag Code Repeat delimiters are used if more than one flag is activated.
^Flag Comment

Comment Type 11.1.05 ST Character limiting the comment format.

This record is issued only from the analyzer, so ‘I’ is always used.

Note: There may be a second comment record added to results in the future with information
about the related reagents etc. used to generate the result. The implementation and format is
not decided yet.

EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.9 Request Information Record

Record to request information from the other device. It is sent by the analyzer (within test or-
der request message) and the host (within result request message)
Q|1|^Sample1||ALL||||||||O{RT}

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec.
Fields 12.1.03, has been updated to match [7]

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) Q|12.1.
Record Type ID 12.1.01 ST ‘Q’.
Sequence Number 12.1.02 NM Indicates the sequence numbers for the Test Request Record in the
current layer. Since this record is the layer that follows the Test
Request Record, it resets to ‘1’ each time a new Test Request Record
is presented, and then it is numbered consecutively; 1, 2, etc.
Starting Range ID 12.1.03 CM Format: ^<Sample ID>
Number
Element Max Length Format
Sample ID 23 ST
Element Description
Sample ID The sample ID is found on a barcode attached to
the test tube. It is read by a barcode reader in the analyzer. Total valid
character number is 23
It can be a manually entered number on the analyzer if barcode
reading is not enabled.

cobas c 111 instrument receives data:

The SampleID ‘ALL’ i.e. report on all known samples is not supported
by cobas c 111 instrument .
Note: All other Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS fields are not
used / ignored
i.e. the fields: Sample No, Rack ID, Position No, Rack Type,
Container Type
For ‘C’ requests (12.1.13) this field is ignored
Ending Range ID 12.1.04 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Number
Universal Test ID 12.1.05 NM cobas c 111 instrument receives data:
For ‘C’ = calibration requests the application code number (ACN)
For other requests the implementation assumes 'ALL' i.e. all available
results for the sample will be reported
Others 12.1.06 Not used / ignored cobas c 111 instrument
…
12.1.12
Request Information 12.1.13 ST Field Value Description
Status Codes F The final patient sample result.
A Rejects the previous request and accepts the new
request. Information can only be requested through the Request
Record one at a time. To use this code, it is necessary to reject a
current request for information before requesting the next.
O Request for Test Request only (no results). Inquiry
is sent to a host from the analyzer using this code.
C Request a calibration result
EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.10 Photometric Calibration Result Record (M.CR)

Record used to transfer results of cobas c 111 instrument photometric calibration measure-
ment.
2M|1|CR^BM^c111^1|211^Ap211|Rea1.1|mmol/l|BS^Rea1||N^R|2|20051221083459|A^$S
YS$||1.650000E-01^-3.909952E-
05|SD^^^St1.1|2110^0.0825^0.055^0.11^0^0\0^0.165^0.11 ^0.22^0^0{RT}
Note:
This record is held compatible with the Roche Diagnostics ASTM 2.0 interface spec. BM.CR record

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) M.CR
Record Type ID M.CR.01 ST ‘M’
Sequence Number M.CR.02 NM This record appears as the next layer of the Message Header Record.
For one record, the field value is ‘1’; for specifying several, sequence
numbers starting from 1 are assigned.
Record type sub-ID M.CR.03 CM CR^BM^c111^1
^BMtag Roche specific record identifier
^Instrument
^Version#
test number M.CR.04 CM Application Code (ACN - as given in masterset)
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
ACN^ShortName (5 chars)
test lot numb. M.CR.05 ST Reagent lot no.
Units M.CR.06 ST Example: mg/dL Indicates units of the analytical data.
Format: <UnitString > StdUnits
Test Container M.CR.07 CM Format: |BS^GLUC^1|
Description cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only one field for a bottle set
carrier type => “BS” (indicates a Bottle Set)
^ShortName
^ExpirationFlag (1 = 'Expired Bottleset ', otherwise 0)
Test Package M.CR.08 CM Format: |313^R1^1234567\313^SR^2345678|
Number repeat cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only one field for a bottle set
BCN (Bottle Code Number)
^BottleTypeText
^SerialNbr (7 digits) - repeat field for all bottles

Calibration method M.CR.09 CM N – quantitative

N^M, L - qualitative (not currently supported by cobas c 111 instrument)
N^R,
M - master (Lot Master Calibration)
R - recalibration (Bottle set Calibration)
I - instrument calibration (not currently supported cobas c 111
instrument)
Replication number M.CR.10 Number of Replicates actually done i.e. 1 or 2
date/time calibration M.CR.11 TS date/time when result is ready
completed
result states M.CR.12 CM A – Accepted (with or without flags)
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
A^<operator> the user who accepted the cal will be submitted
O – Calculated no flags
F – Calculated with flags
X – cannot be measured (less than calculated)

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Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) M.CR
Result M.CR.13 Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
characteristics
Curve Parameters M.CR.14 CM list of test number specific (application) curve parameters, e.g., A, B, C,
D for LogitLog4
NOTE: the parameter transmitted is the original internal data. For linear
models the factor is usually displayed as 1/parameter
curve parameter[0]^
curve parameter[1]^
curve parameter[2]^
curve parameter[3]^
curve parameter[4]
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: Scientific notation i.e.
1.3454E2
Calibrators M.CR.15 CM field components:
Container carrier type^^^calibrator lot number
Description
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only one field for a calibrator
(set)
carrier type = “SD”
calib. lot nr (8 chars)
Calibrator Result M.CR.16 CM effective signal (only one value per single measurements, n values for
text \CM replicates); this field component is repeated for each calibrator level
{^ ... } .. Nbr of replicates is in M.CR.10
{\...} cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
Repeated from STD1 to max. STD6 for as many as there are. Format
<Targetvalue> (Conc)
^<Rate – dAbs or dAbs/Min>
^<Replicate1 – dAbs or dAbs/Min> (Rate)
^<Replicate2 – dAbs or dAbs/Min> (Rate)
^<Data Alarm> i.e. highest priority flag of a STD measurement
^<Prozone Value> (Antigen Excess Rate)
Detail specification is shown below;

EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.11 ISE Calibration Result Record (M.ICR)

Record used to transfer results of ISE calibration measurement.
M|1|IC|….{RT}

CONTENT AND FORMAT NOT FINAL

Note:
This record is held compatible with Roche/Hitachi MODULAR® ANALYTICS interface spec. BM.IC
record

Field Name Reference Format

Comments (Data Content) M.IC
Record Type ID M.IC.01 ST ‘M’.
Sequence Number M.IC.02 NM This record appears as the next layer of the Message Header Record.
The field value is ‘1’ for one record. To specify several records, a
sequence number starting from 1 is assigned.
Record Type Sub ID M.IC.03 ST ‘ICR’.
Operator ID M.IC.04 ST ID of the operator that performed the calibration at the analyzer.
Module ID M.IC.05 ST ID of the analytical unit (module) the test belongs to.
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: Currently set to I1 for ISE
measurements.
Note: it may be become enumerated for multiple configurations in the
future.
Na Calibration Alarm M.IC.06 NM Na test calibration alarm. (See Appendix A.)
K Calibration Alarm M.IC.07 NM K test calibration alarm. (See Appendix A.)
Cl Calibration Alarm M.IC.08 NM Cl test calibration alarm. (See Appendix A.)
Na Data Alarm M.IC.09 CM Na test data alarm. (See Appendix A.)
List of ISE Calib alarms <flag a>^<flag b>^<flag c>^ …

Detail specification is shown below:

Element Max Len Format
<flag a> 3 NM
<flag b> 3 NM
<flag c> 3 NM
K Data Alarm M.IC.10 CM K test data alarm. Refer to Na data alarm.
(See Appendix A.)
Cl Data Alarm M.IC.11 CM CI test data alarm. Refer to Na data alarm.
(See Appendix A.)
Na Data M.IC.12 CM Na test calibration analytical data.
(All Elements: Max Length = 6, Type =NM)
<Internal standard solution electromotive force data>^<Low solution
electromotive force data>^<High solution electromotive force
data>^<Calibrator solution electromotive force data>^<Slope for
display data>^<Internal standard solution concentration
data>^<Calibrator solution concentration data>^<Numbers for
compensations data>
K Data M.IC.13 CM K test calibration analytical data. Refer to Na data.
Cl Data M.IC.14 CM Cl test calibration analytical data. Refer to Na data.

EndOfRecord

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5.2.2.12 Photometric Absorbance Data Record (M.RR)

Record used to transfer raw absorbance data of photometric tests.
Only the analyzer can send this record.
For transfer of raw results (more values - array - for one measurement); this record is sent in
addition to the Result Record depending on the configuration settings (see Instrument Con-
figuration record)
M|5|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\200\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\
425\450\475\500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775\800\825\850\875\
900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.055000{RT}
Note:
This record is held compatible withRoche Diagnostics ASTM 2.0 interface spec. BM.RR record

Field Name Reference Format Comments (Data Content) M.RR

Record Type ID M.RR.01 ST ‘M’
Sequence number M.RR.02 NM The field value is ‘1’ for one record. To specify several records,
sequence numbers starting from 1 are assigned.
Record type sub-ID M.RR.03 CM Roche specific record identifier
^BMtag RR^BM^c111^1
^Instrument
^Version#
Starting value M.RR.04 NM cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
Empty cuvette signal. For bi-chromatic measurements: the difference
between the main wavelength and sub-wavelength absorbance data of
the system calibration (‘water and air control)
Only one point is reported
A measuring point in [Abs] is multiplied with 10’000 to be transmitted.
i.e. 1.2 Abs 12000 transmitted
Value list M.RR.05 NM Repeat field.
repeat cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
ANCUV(Lm, Lr, n) or mono ANCUV(Lm,n) [uAbs]
For bi-chromatic measurements: the difference between the difference
between the main wavelength and the sub-wavelength absorbance
data
All measured points are reported.
A measuring point in [Abs] is multiplied with 10’000 to be transmitted.
i.e. 1.2 Abs 12000 transmitted
Effective signal M.RR.06 NM effective signal (only one value per single measurement)
The signal is sent in dAbs or dAbs/Min (depends on reaction model)
EndOfRecord

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5.3 Manufacturer Specific Records (MSR)

Newly introduced functions will use the MSRs specified in [7] – the use of specific fields for
cobas c 111 instruments is outlined below.
The specified below collection of Manufacturer Specific Records bases on the standards:
1. Health Level 7, version 2.4 (HL7v2.4), chapter 13.
2. NCCLS standards AUTO3 “Laboratory Automation: Communications with Automated Clinical La-
boratory Systems, Instruments, Devices, and Information Systems”.
Please refer to these documents for any additional details.

Data flows and messages

• The data flows based on concepts and definitions from the NCCLS standards AUTO3.
• The messages are described in detail in the HL7v2.4 and NCCLS-AUTO3 standards.
• The message and event identifiers send with the MSH-9 segment-field “Message type” of HL7
should be sent with the field 7.1.11 “Comment or Special Instructions” of Header.

5.3.1 Reagent Disk Loading

Request or send information from and to the other device. It is sent by the host as inquiry or
by the analyzer as response to an inquiry. Uses the INR / INU commands.

5.3.1.1 Automated equipment inventory request (INR - event U06)

General: This message is used to request information about inventory items from one appli-
cation to another (e.g., Laboratory Automation System to automated equipment). The equip-
ment specified in the EQU segment should respond with the information about inventory item
requested in the INV segment (or all items).

cobas c 111 instrument: The message will trigger an upload of the reagent disk status. For
specific queries only the field 5 of the INV segment “Container Carrier Identifier” is accepted.

INR^U06 Inventory Request Message

H Message Header

M|1|EQU Equipment Detail

M|1|INV Inventory Detail ( query for reagent disk only )

5.3.1.2 Automated equipment inventory update (INU - event U05)

This message is used to send information about inventory items from one application to an-
other (e.g., automated Equipment to a Laboratory Automation System).

INU^U05 Inventory Update Message

H Message Header

M|1|EQU Equipment Detail

0{ M|1|INV }27 Inventory Detail 0 to 27 segments

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5.3.2 Database Factory Reset

Request the database initialization to factory default from the other device. It is sent by the
host.
The system can only be reset in ‘Standby’ mode.
Once such a command is received it will be confirmed an EAR and will then change to the
‘error’ state immediately – a restart is required to make the reset active - the database is re-
placed with the factory provided during startup only.

5.3.2.1 Automated equipment command (EAC - event U07)

General: This message is used to send equipment commands from one application to another
(e.g., automated Equipment to a Laboratory Automation System).

cobas c 111 instrument: The message will trigger the initialization of the database at the next
system startup. See segment description for specifics.

EAC^U07 Equipment Command Message

H Message Header

M|1|EQU Equipment Detail

M|1|ECD Equipment Command Detail – see segment information

5.3.2.2 Automated equipment response (EAR - event U08)

This message is used to send equipment responses to previously issued commands from one
application to another (e.g., automated Equipment to a Laboratory Automation System).

EAR^U08 Equipment Command Message

H Message Header

M|1|EQU Equipment Detail

M|1|ECD Equipment Command Detail – reply command reference number as received

M|1|ECR Equipment Command Response OK or UN if the command cannot be accepted

See segment information for details

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5.4 MSR Segment Definitions used with cobas c 111 instrument

The table definition of fields of the MSRs below and the description of the fields base directly
on the HL7v2.4 – chapter 13

Column description for:

“Data Type” The data types as outlined in the previous section

Column description for:

“Opt In” optionally for incoming messages = “Processed on Instrument”
“Opt Out” optionally for outgoing messages = “Transmitted to Host”

R Required / mandatory key information

(unique processing key required to identify the information).
C Conditional information, that is, information which is required in certain
circumstances
O Optional information, supported by Roche universal ASTM driver, processed on
instrument if applicable, transmitted if available on instrument.
— Not processed / not required

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5.4.1 Equipment detail segment (EQU)

The equipment detail segment contains the data necessary to identify and maintain the equip-
ment that is being used throughout the Laboratory Automation System.

Data Opt Opt Re-

# Field Name Description
Type In Out peat
1 Record Type ID Char R R M : Manufacturer Record
Instrument transmits upper case characters and
receives upper or lower case.
2 Sequence Number Pos_int R R 1 : Sequence number is always one (1).
3 Record type sub ID Text R R cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
^text — O ignored
^text — O cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^text — O Format: |EQU^RO^c111^1|
EQU
^RO (Roche specific record identifier)
^Instrument abbreviation (c111)
^Version# of protocol implementation (1)
4 Equipment Instance EI R R |c111|
Identifier cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
ignored
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
<entity identifier (ST)> cobas c 111 instrument
5 Event Date/Time TS R R cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
ignored
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
YYYYMMDDHHMMSS
6 Equipment State CE C C Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
7 Local/Remote Control CE O O Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
State
8 Alert Level CE O O Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
EndOfRecord

5.4.1.1 Equipment instance identifier (EI)

Components: <entity identifier (ST)> ^ <namespace ID (IS)> ^ <universal ID (ST)> ^ <universal ID
type (ID)>

Definition: This field identifies the equipment. This is the identifier from an institution’s master
list of equipment. The <namespace ID> identifies the institution.

5.4.1.2 Event date/time (TS)

Definition: This field is the date/time when the event (e.g., state transition, issuing of com-
mand, finishing of command execution) occurred.

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5.4.2 Inventory detail segment (INV)

The inventory detail segment is the data necessary to track the inventory of substances (e.g.
reagent, tips, waste) on equipment.
Data Opt Opt Re-
# Field Name Description
Type In Out peat
1 Record Type ID Char R R M : Manufacturer Record
Instrument transmits upper case characters and
receives upper or lower case.
2 Sequence Number Pos_int R R 1 : Sequence number is always one (1).
3 Record type sub ID Text R R cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
^text — O ignored
^text — O cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^text — O Format: |INV^RO^c111^1|
INV
^RO (Roche specific record identifier)
^Instrument abbreviation (c111)
^Version# of protocol implementation (1)
4 Substance Identifier CE — R Format: |2-123^R1-GLUC| or |4-123^SR-GLUC|

cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the

first 2 fields
<identifier (ST)> BottleCode (ST5)
^<text (ST)> BottleCodeTx (ST)

One element is composed of the reagent type (NM1)

and the bottle code (NM3) i.e. n-nnn
The textual version carries the Reagent type as ST2
followed by a dash and the material name
Reagent type is defined as:
1 – No / 2 - R1 / 3 - R2 / 4 – SR (1 - No is used in
case of auxiliary liquids such as Cleaner or Diluents)
5 Substance Status CE — R Y Format: |OK |
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> is used according to the table below
6 Substance Type CE — O Format: |MR |
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> is used according to the table below
7 Inventory Container NM — O Format: |1234567|
Identifier cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
<SerialNbr (NM7)>
8 Container Carrier NM — O Format: |5|
Identifier cobas c 111 instrument receives data:
Number of the reagent disk to be reported (1…8) or 0
to request the currently loaded.
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
<diskID (NM)>
ID of the reagent disk reported.
9 Position on Carrier NM — — Format: |1234567|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> SerialNbr (ST7)

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Data Opt Opt Re-

# Field Name Description
Type In Out peat
10 Initial Quantity NM — O Format: |100|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> Full = 100% (NM3)
11 Current Quantity NM — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
12 Available Quantity NM — O Format: |68|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> ActualLeft (NM3) (e.g. 68%)
or “n.a.” for bottles where volume management is
disabled
13 Consumption Quantity NM — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
14 Quantity Units CE — O Format: |%|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> % (ST1)
or “uL” for bottles where volume management is
disabled
15 Expiration Date/Time TS — O Format: |200411|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> <ExpiryDate> YYYYMM
16 First Used Date/Time TS — O Format: |20041105|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> <1stUseDate> YYYYMMDD
17 On Board Stability TQ — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Duration
18 Test/Fluid Identifier(s) CE — — Y Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
20 Manufacturer Lot Number ST — O Format: |1254abcd|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> LotDescriptor (ST8)
21 Manufacturer Identifier CE — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
22 Supplier Identifier CE — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
EndOfRecord

5.4.2.1 Substance identifier (CE)

Components: <identifier (ST)> ^ <text (ST)> ^ <name of coding system (IS)> ^ <alternate
identifier (ST)> ^ <alternate text (ST)> ^ <name of alternate coding system (ST)>

Definition: Unique identifier for the substance that is in inventory. This is a manufacturer-spe-
cific identifier.
User-defined table – Manufacturer identifier
Value Description

ALL Used for query of all inventory items

5.4.2.2 Substance status (CE)

Components: <identifier (ST)> ^ <text (ST)> ^ <name of coding system (IS)> ^ <alternate
identifier (ST)> ^ <alternate text (ST)> ^ <name of alternate coding system (ST)>

Definition: The status of the inventoried item. The status indicates the current status of the
substance. Refer to HL7 table 0383 – Substance status for suggested values.

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Table 0383 - Substance status supported by cobas c 111 instrument

Value Description

EW * Expired Warning

NW * Not Available Warning

OK * OK Status

5.4.2.3 Substance type (CE)

Components: <identifier (ST)> ^ <text (ST)> ^ <name of coding system (IS)> ^ <alternate
identifier (ST)> ^ <alternate text (ST)> ^ <name of alternate coding system (ST)>

Definition: The type of substance. Refer to HL7 table 0384 – Substance type for suggested
values.
Table 0384 - Substance type supported by cobas c 111 instrument
Value Description

MR Multiple Test Reagent (consumption cannot be tied to orders for single test)

DI Diluent

LI Measurable Liquid Item (e.g. Cleaner)

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5.4.3 Equipment command segment (ECD)

The equipment command segment contains the information required to notify the receiving
component what is to happen. Currently Database Reset is the only command in use:

NOTE: Due to the consequences when initiated it is not recommended to implement this
message unless the command is supposed to be issued (manufacturing purposes).

Data Opt Opt Re-

# Field Name Description
Type In Out peat
1 Record Type ID Char R R M : Manufacturer Record
Instrument transmits upper case characters and
receives upper or lower case.
2 Sequence Number Pos_int R R 1 : Sequence number is always one (1).
3 Record type sub ID Text R R cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
^text — O ignored
^text — O cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^text — O Format: |ECD ^RO^c111^1|
ECD
^RO (Roche specific record identifier)
^Instrument abbreviation (c111)
^Version# of protocol implementation (1)
4 Reference Command NM R — Format: |12345|
Number cobas c 111 instrument receives data: numeric
(NM5)
See below
5 Remote Control CE R — Format: |IN |
Command cobas c 111 instrument receives data: only the first
field
<identifier (ST)> is used according to the LECIS table
only “IN” is supported see also parameters
6 Response Required ID O — cobas c 111 instrument receives data:
Execution is never synchronized, so N is assumed
and the field is ignored
7 Requested Completion TQ O — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
Time
8 Parameters ST O — Y Format: |C111-2509|
cobas c 111 instrument receives data: only one
field (ST9)
Use ‘C111-2509’ a string field which has to match
exactly – otherwise the request will be ignored.
EndOfRecord

5.4.3.1 Reference command number (NM)

Definition: This field contains the unique identifier for this particular command that should be
used by the various components for future referral to this command. This number is generated
by the originator of this command.

5.4.3.2 Response required (ID)

Definition: This field identifies the mode of synchronization that is to be used in relation to the
execution of the command. “Y” (Yes) means that the response is required immediately after
execution; “N” (No) response is not required at all. Refer to HL7 Table 0136 – Yes/no indicator
for valid values.

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5.4.3.3 Parameters (ST)

Definition: This field identifies the parameters of the command (if they are not included in se-
parate segment[s]).

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5.4.4 Equipment command response segment (ECR)

The equipment command response segment contains the receiving component’s response to
the previously received command.

Data Opt Opt Re-

# Field Name Description
Type In Out peat
1 Record Type ID Char R R M : Manufacturer Record
Instrument transmits upper case characters and
receives upper or lower case.
2 Sequence Number Pos_int R R 1 : Sequence number is always one (1).
3 Record type sub ID Text R R cobas c 111 instrument receives data: field is
^text — O ignored
^text — O cobas c 111 instrument transmits data:
^text — O Format: |ECR ^RO^ c111 ^1|
ECR
^RO (Roche specific record identifier)
^Instrument abbreviation (c111)
^Version# of protocol implementation (1)
4 Command Response CE — R Format: |OK|
cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only the
first field
<identifier (ST)> is used according to the table below
only “OK” and “UN” is supported see parameters
5 Date/Time Completed TS — — Not used / ignored by cobas c 111 instrument
6 Command Response ST — O Y Format: |C111 -2509|
Parameters cobas c 111 instrument transmits data: only one
field (ST9)
Reports the same tag to confirm the reset or an
empty field to indicate that the reset request was
ignored
‘C111 -2509’ a string field which has to match
exactly.
EndOfRecord

5.4.4.1 Command response (CE)

Components: <identifier (ST)> ^ <text (ST)> ^ <name of coding system (IS)> ^ <alternate
identifier (ST)> ^ <alternate text (ST)> ^ <name of alternate coding system (ST)>

Definition: This field identifies the response of the previously issued command. Refer to HL7
table 0387 – Command response for valid values.
Table 0387 - Command response
Value Description

OK * Command completed successfully

UN * Command cannot be completed for unknown reasons

5.4.4.2 Command response parameters (ST)

Definition: This field identifies any associated parameters that relate to the returned response
command message.

EndOfRecord

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5.5 Data types

Because ASTM E1394 does not support sub-components, every field that requires data type
consisting of sub-components will be defined in the Roche Diagnostics ASTM 2.0 specification
explicitly. In most cases it is sufficient to consider the 1st sub-component of component only.
List of data types used in the Roche Diagnsotics ASTM 2.0 MSRs based on the HL7v2.4
chapter 13 is presented below. For details refer to the chapter 2 of the current version of HL7
standard.

Data Type Data Type Name Notes/Format

Category/ Data
type
Alphanumeric
ST String
FT Formatted text Roche ASTM does not require support for any specific formatting characters, i.e.
FT=ST. Any format characters should be send using escape delimiters as defined in
the ASTM E1394, e.g., &XA& could equal line feed.
Numerical
CQ Composite quantity <quantity (NM)> ^ <units (CE)>
with units
NM Numeric
SN Structured numeric <comparator> ^ <num1 (NM)> ^ <separator/suffix> ^ <num2 (NM)>
NA Numeric Array <value1 (NM)> ^ <value2 (NM)> ^ <value3 (NM)> ^ ...
Identifier
ID Coded values for
HL7 tables
IS Coded value for
user-defined tables
EI Entity identifier <entity identifier (ST)> ^ <namespace ID (IS)> ^ <universal ID (ST)> ^ <universal ID
type (ID)>
Date/Time
TS Time stamp YYYY[MM[DD[HHMM[SS[.S[S[S[S]]]]]]]][+/-ZZZZ] ^ <degree of precision>
Code Values
CE Coded element <identifier (ST)> ^ <text (ST)> ^ <name of coding system (IS)> ^ <alternate identifier
(ST)> ^ <alternate text (ST)> ^ <name of alternate coding system (IS)>
Roche ASTM requires that only the 1st component will be implemented.
Implementation of other components is optional. Of course in case of implementation
of the 1st component only, the trailing component delimiters can be omitted.
Generic
CM Composite <specimen source name or code (CE)> ^ <additives (TX)> ^ <freetext (TX)> ^ <body
site (CE)> ^ <site modifier (CE)> ^ <collection method modifier code (CE)> ^
<specimen role (CE)>
Time Series:
TQ Timing/quantity <quantity (CQ)> ^ <interval (*)> ^ <duration (*)> ^ <start date/time (TS)> ^ <end
date/time (TS)> ^ <priority (ID)> ^ <condition (ST)> ^ <text (TX)> ^ <conjunction
(ID)> ^ <order sequencing (*)>

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6 Appendix A - Communication Examples

In this section, some examples of communication on ASTM Upper Layer are shown.
This example text contains some non-realistic cases for standard clinical chemistry analysis to
show variable examples of communication.
In this section, the analyzer is shown as ‘c111’, External system is shown as ‘host’.

6.1 Order Query - Realtime / Analyzer to Host

c111: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<ENQ>
host: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<ACK>
c111: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<STX>1
H|\^&|||c111_DB_B^Roche^0.5.1.0505^PROTO_SIM|||||host|TSREQ^REAL|P|1|2
0050720142948<CR>
<ETB>52<CR><LF>
host: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<ACK>
c111: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<STX>2
Q||1235ASD||ALL||||||||O<CR>
<ETB>42<CR><LF>
host: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<ACK>
c111: 20-07-2005T14:29:49
<STX>3
L|1|N<CR>
<ETX>06<CR><LF>
host: 20-07-2005T14:29:50
<ACK>
c111: 20-07-2005T14:29:50
<EOT>

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6.2 Order Query Response- Realtime / Host to Analyzer

host: 20-07-2005T15:11:04
<ENQ>
c111: 20-07-2005T15:11:04
<ACK>
host: 20-07-2005T15:11:04
<STX>1
H|\^&|||WinCAEv^1.0.0|||||c111|TSDWN^REPLY<CR>
P|1<CR>O|1|000001||^^^326^\^^^333^\^^^322^\^^^989^\^^^990^\^^^991^|R||
||||A||||||||||||||O\Q<CR>
C|1|L|^^^^|G<CR>
L|1|N<CR>
<ETX>6E<CR><LF>
c111: 20-07-2005T15:11:04
<ACK>
host: 20-07-2005T15:11:04
<EOT>

6.3 Order Query Host Analyzer

HOST 14:51:04,77 [ENQ]
C111 14:51:04,80 [ACK]
HOST 14:51:04,89 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|RSREQ^REAL|P|1|
20050613010333[CR]Q|1|^Sample1||ALL||||||||O[CR
]L|1|N[CR][ETX]BB[CR][LF]
C111 14:51:04,93 [ACK]
HOST 14:51:04,93 [EOT]

6.4 Order Query Reply Analyzer Host

C111 14:51:05,02 [ENQ]
HOST 14:51:05,02 [ACK]
C111 14:51:05,93 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005
|||||host|ORUPL^REPLY|P|1|20051021145014[CR]
[ETB]21[CR][LF]
HOST 14:51:05,93 [ACK]
C111 14:51:05,99 [STX]2P|1||[CR][ETB]4B[CR][LF]
HOST 14:51:06,00 [ACK]
C111 14:51:06,53 [STX]3O|1||Sample1|^^^111\^^^121\^^^211\^^^212\
^^^221|R||||||N||||||||||||||O\Q[CR][ETB]F9[CR]
[LF]
HOST 14:51:06,53 [ACK]
C111 14:51:06,60 [STX]4L|1|N[CR][ETX]07[CR][LF]
HOST 14:51:06,61 [ACK]
C111 14:51:06,63 [EOT]

6.5 Result Query Host Analyzer

HOST 14:59:06,32 [ENQ]
C111 14:59:06,35 [ACK]
HOST 14:59:06,45 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|RSREQ^REAL|P|1|
20050613010402[CR]Q|1|^Sample1||ALL||||||||F[CR
]L|1|N[CR][ETX]AF[CR][LF]

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C111 14:59:06,48 [ACK]

HOST 14:59:06,48 [EOT]

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6.6 Result Query Reply Analyzer Host

C111 14:59:06,66 [ENQ]
HOST 14:59:06,67 [ACK]
C111 14:59:07,33 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005
|||||host|RSUPL^REPLY|P|1|20051021145816[CR]
[ETB]2F[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:07,33 [ACK]
C111 14:59:07,39 [STX]2P|1||[CR][ETB]4B[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:07,40 [ACK]
C111 14:59:07,77 [STX]3O|1||Sample1||R||||||N||||||||||||||F\Q[C
R][ETB]19[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:07,78 [ACK]
C111 14:59:08,14 [STX]4R|1|^^^111|1480.00|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]91[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:08,14 [ACK]
C111 14:59:08,30 [STX]5C|1|I||I[CR][ETB]4F[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:08,30 [ACK]
C111 14:59:08,66 [STX]6R|2|^^^121|1613.33|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]99[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:08,66 [ACK]
C111 14:59:08,76 [STX]7C|2|I||I[CR][ETB]52[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:08,76 [ACK]
C111 14:59:09,18 [STX]0R|3|^^^211|2813.33|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]97[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:09,18 [ACK]
C111 14:59:09,24 [STX]1C|3|I||I[CR][ETB]4D[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:09,24 [ACK]
C111 14:59:09,64 [STX]2R|4|^^^212|2826.67|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]A6[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:09,64 [ACK]
C111 14:59:09,73 [STX]3C|4|I||I[CR][ETB]50[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:09,73 [ACK]
C111 14:59:10,06 [STX]4R|5|^^^221|2946.67|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]AC[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:10,06 [ACK]
C111 14:59:10,14 [STX]5C|5|I||I[CR][ETB]53[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:10,14 [ACK]
C111 14:59:10,20 [STX]6L|1|N[CR][ETX]09[CR][LF]
HOST 14:59:10,21 [ACK]

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6.7 Result Query Host Analyzer (unknown sample)

HOST 15:16:26,61 [ENQ]
C111 15:16:26,64 [ACK]
HOST 15:16:26,73 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|RSREQ^REAL|P|1|
20050613010333[CR]Q|1|^dummy||ALL||||||||O[CR]L
|1|N[CR][ETX]54[CR][LF]
C111 15:16:26,76 [ACK]
HOST 15:16:26,76 [EOT]

6.8 Abort Query Analyzer Host (unknown sample)

C111 15:16:26,82 [ENQ]
HOST 15:16:26,82 [ACK]
C111 15:16:27,53 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005
|||||host|RSREQ^REPLY|P|1|20051021151536[CR]
[ETB]22[CR][LF]
HOST 15:16:27,53 [ACK]
C111 15:16:27,71 [STX]2Q||dummy||||||||||A[CR][ETB]E4[CR][LF]
HOST 15:16:27,72 [ACK]
C111 15:16:27,79 [STX]3L|1|N[CR][ETX]06[CR][LF]
HOST 15:16:27,80 [ACK]
C111 15:16:27,83 [EOT]

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6.9 Result Upload Analyzer Host

C111 15:20:52,44 [ENQ]
HOST 15:20:52,44 [ACK]
C111 15:20:52,77 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005
|||||host|RSUPL^BATCH|P|1|20051021152001[CR]
[ETB]F5[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:52,77 [ACK]
C111 15:20:52,81 [STX]2P|1||[CR][ETB]4B[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:52,81 [ACK]
C111 15:20:52,97 [STX]3O|1||Sample3||R||||||N||||||||||||||F[CR]
[ETB]6E[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:52,97 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,11 [STX]4R|1|^^^111|1480.00|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]91[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,11 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,15 [STX]5C|1|I||I[CR][ETB]4F[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,15 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,32 [STX]6R|2|^^^121|1613.33|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]99[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,33 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,36 [STX]7C|2|I||I[CR][ETB]52[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,38 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,54 [STX]0R|3|^^^211|2813.33|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]97[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,55 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,59 [STX]1C|3|I||I[CR][ETB]4D[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,59 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,74 [STX]2R|4|^^^212|2826.67|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]A6[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,75 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,78 [STX]3C|4|I||I[CR][ETB]50[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,79 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,92 [STX]4R|5|^^^221|2946.67|mmol/l||||F||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]AC[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,93 [ACK]
C111 15:20:53,97 [STX]5C|5|I||I[CR][ETB]53[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:53,98 [ACK]
C111 15:20:54,05 [STX]6L|1|N[CR][ETX]09[CR][LF]
HOST 15:20:54,05 [ACK]
C111 15:20:54,08 [EOT]

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6.10 Result Upload Retransmit with Abs Rawdata Analyzer

Host
C111 15:23:50,64 [ENQ]
HOST 15:23:50,65 [ACK]
C111 15:23:50,98 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0509^1^1005
|||||host|RSUPL^BATCH|P|1|20051021152259[CR]
[ETB]04[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:50,99 [ACK]
C111 15:23:51,03 [STX]2P|1||[CR][ETB]4B[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:51,04 [ACK]
C111 15:23:51,21 [STX]3O|1||Sample3||R||||||N||||||||||||||F[CR]
[ETB]6E[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:51,21 [ACK]
C111 15:23:51,37 [STX]4R|1|^^^111|1480.00|mmol/l||||R||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]9D[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:51,38 [ACK]
C111 15:23:51,42 [STX]5C|1|I||I[CR][ETB]4F[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:51,42 [ACK]
C111 15:23:51,92 [STX]6M|1|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\2
00\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\425\450\475\
500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775
\800\825\850\875\900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.05
5000[CR][ETB]66[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:51,92 [ACK]
C111 15:23:52,07 [STX]7R|2|^^^121|1613.33|mmol/l||||R||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]A6[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:52,08 [ACK]
C111 15:23:52,14 [STX]0C|2|I||I[CR][ETB]4B[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:52,14 [ACK]
C111 15:23:52,64 [STX]1M|2|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\2
00\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\425\450\475\
500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775
\800\825\850\875\900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.05
5000[CR][ETB]62[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:52,64 [ACK]
C111 15:23:52,79 [STX]2R|3|^^^211|2813.33|mmol/l||||R||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]A5[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:52,80 [ACK]
C111 15:23:52,86 [STX]3C|3|I||I[CR][ETB]4F[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:52,87 [ACK]
C111 15:23:53,37 [STX]4M|3|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\2
00\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\425\450\475\
500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775
\800\825\850\875\900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.05
5000[CR][ETB]66[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:53,37 [ACK]
C111 15:23:53,51 [STX]5R|4|^^^212|2826.67|mmol/l||||R||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]B5[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:53,54 [ACK]
C111 15:23:53,57 [STX]6C|4|I||I[CR][ETB]53[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:53,58 [ACK]
C111 15:23:54,40 [STX]7M|4|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\2
00\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\425\450\475\
500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775

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\800\825\850\875\900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.05
5000[CR][ETB]6A[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:54,40 [ACK]
C111 15:23:54,78 [STX]0R|5|^^^221|2946.67|mmol/l||||R||UnitTest[
CR][ETB]B4[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:54,79 [ACK]
C111 15:23:54,84 [STX]1C|5|I||I[CR][ETB]4F[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:54,85 [ACK]
C111 15:23:56,16 [STX]2M|5|RR^BM^c111^1|10|10\0\87\109\131\153\2
00\225\250\275\300\325\350\375\400\425\450\475\
500\525\550\575\600\625\650\675\700\725\750\775
\800\825\850\875\900\925\950\975\1000\1025|0.05
5000[CR][ETB]66[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:56,17 [ACK]
C111 15:23:56,23 [STX]3L|1|N[CR][ETX]06[CR][LF]
HOST 15:23:56,24 [ACK]
C111 15:23:56,27 [EOT]

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6.11 Add Order Request - Host Analyzer

HOST 15:11:50,27 [ENQ]
C111 15:11:50,30 [ACK]
HOST 15:11:50,45 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|TSDWN^BATCH|P|1
|20050720003527[CR]O|1|1235ASD||^^^212\^^^221\^
^^111|S||||||A|||||||||||20050523163300|||O[CR]
L|1|N[CR][ETX]3A[CR][LF]
C111 15:11:50,47 [ACK]
HOST 15:11:50,47 [EOT]

6.12 Delete Order Request - Host Analyzer

HOST 15:13:21,13 [ENQ]
C111 15:13:21,16 [ACK]
HOST 15:13:21,31 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|TSDWN^BATCH|P|1
|20050615222346[CR]O|1|1235ASD||^^^212\^^^221\^
^^111|S||||||C|||||||||||20050523163300|||O[CR]
L|1|N[CR][ETX]41[CR][LF]
C111 15:13:21,33 [ACK]
HOST 15:13:21,33 [EOT]

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6.13 Abs-Calibration Upload - Analyzer Host

Host Request PCUPL (Photometer Calibration Data Request)
HOST 16:05:11,75 [ENQ]
C111 16:05:11,78 [ACK]
HOST 16:05:11,87 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|RSREQ^REAL|P|1|
20050613010402[CR]Q|1|||111||||||||C[CR]L|1|N[C
R][ETX]75[CR][LF]
C111 16:05:11,91 [ACK]
HOST 16:05:11,91 [EOT]

Analyzer Reply PCUPL^REPLY (Calibration Data)

C111 16:05:12,04 [ENQ]

HOST 16:05:12,04 [ACK]
C111 16:05:12,83 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.8.1.0601^1^??||
|||host|PCUPL^REPLY|P|1|20060105160412[CR][ETB]
7E[CR][LF]
HOST 16:05:12,86 [ACK]
C111 16:05:14,06 [STX]2M|1|CR^BM^c111^1|111^Ap111|Rea1.1|mmol/l|
BS^Rea1||N^R|2|20051221083459|A^$SYS$||1.650000
E-01^-7.432432E-05|SD^^^St0.1|1110^0.0825^0.055
^0.11^0^0\0^0.165^0.11^0.22^0^0[CR][ETB]3F[CR][
LF]
HOST 16:05:14,07 [ACK]
C111 16:05:14,14 [STX]3L|1|N[CR][ETX]06[CR][LF]
HOST 16:05:14,14 [ACK]
C111 16:05:14,17 [EOT]

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6.14 Reagent Disk Loading - Host  Analyzer

Host Request INR (Inventory Request Reagent-Disk)

HOST 15:50:39,47 [ENQ]

C111 15:50:39,50 [ACK]
HOST 15:50:39,61 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|INR^U06|P|1|200
50613010402[CR]M|1|EQU|c111[CR]M|1|INV|||||0[CR
]L|1|N[CR][ETX]1F[CR][LF]
C111 15:50:39,64 [ACK]
HOST 15:50:39,64 [EOT]

Analyzer Response INU (reply of the inventory)

C111 15:50:39,72 [ENQ]

HOST 15:50:39,72 [ACK]
C111 15:50:40,43 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.8.1.0601^1^??||
|||host|INU^U05|P|1|20060105154940[CR][ETB]1D[C
R][LF]
HOST 15:50:40,43 [ACK]
C111 15:50:40,83 [STX]2M|1|EQU^RO^c111^1|c111|20060105154940|||[
CR][ETB]C0[CR][LF]
HOST 15:50:40,84 [ACK]
C111 15:50:41,63 [STX]3M|1|INV^RO^c111^1|1-151^R1-Rea1|OK|MR|1|6
|0|0||n.a.||uL|200601|20051221|||Rea1.1[CR][ETB
]F2[CR][LF]
HOST 15:50:41,64 [ACK]
C111 15:50:42,40 [STX]4M|2|INV^RO^c111^1|1-151^R1-Rea1|OK|MR|2|6
|1|0||n.a.||uL|200601|20051221|||Rea1.1[CR][ETB
]F6[CR][LF]
HOST 15:50:42,41 [ACK]
C111 15:50:43,19 [STX]5M|3|INV^RO^c111^1|1-152^R1-Rea2|OK|MR|1|6
|2|0||n.a.||uL|200601|20051221|||Rea2.1[CR][ETB
]FB[CR][LF]
HOST 15:50:43,19 [ACK]
C111 15:50:43,27 [STX]6L|1|N[CR][ETX]09[CR][LF]
HOST 15:50:43,28 [ACK]
C111 15:50:43,30 [EOT]

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6.15 Database Init Command - Host  Analyzer

Host Request EAC (Init database during next power cycle)

HOST 17:27:53,90 [ENQ]

C111 17:27:53,93 [ACK]
HOST 17:27:54,04 [STX]1H|\^&|||ASTM_SIM|||||c111|EAC^U07|P|1|200
50613010402[CR]M|1|EQU|c111[CR]M|1|ECD|12345|IN
|N||C111-2509[CR]L|1|N[CR][ETX]66[CR][LF]
C111 17:27:54,06 [ACK]
HOST 17:27:54,06 [EOT]

Analyzer Response EAR (the command was accepted or not)

C111 17:27:54,11 [ENQ]

HOST 17:27:54,12 [ACK]
C111 17:27:54,87 [STX]1H|\^&|||c111^Roche^c111^0.5.4.0511^1^1005
|||||host|EAR^U08|P|1|20051205173116[CR][ETB]99
[CR][LF]
HOST 17:27:54,88 [ACK]
C111 17:27:55,20 [STX]2M|1|EQU^RO^c111^1|c111|20051205173116|||[
CR][ETB]BD[CR][LF]
HOST 17:27:55,21 [ACK]
C111 17:27:55,62 [STX]3M|1|ECD^RO^c111^1|12345|IN|||C111-2509[CR
][ETB]50[CR][LF]
HOST 17:27:55,63 [ACK]
C111 17:27:55,99 [STX]4M|1|ECR^RO^c111^1|UN||C111-2509||[CR][ETB
]6C[CR][LF]
HOST 17:27:55,99 [ACK]
C111 17:27:56,06 [STX]5L|1|N[CR][ETX]08[CR][LF]
HOST 17:27:56,06 [ACK]
C111 17:27:56,09 [EOT]

OK indicates that the command was accepted, otherwise UN is reported (as in the example
above).

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7 Appendix B – ASTM Simulator.

Short description : Refer to Grips

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8 Appendix C - ASCII Table

Char Char Char Char Char Char Char Char
Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec
NUL DLE Space 0 @ P ` p
00 0 10 16 20 32 30 48 40 64 50 80 60 96 70 112
SOH DC1 ! 1 A Q a q
01 1 11 17 21 33 31 49 41 65 51 81 61 97 71 113
STX DC2 " 2 B R b r
02 2 12 18 22 34 32 50 42 66 52 82 62 98 72 114
ETX DC3 # 3 C S c s
03 3 13 19 23 35 33 51 43 67 53 83 63 99 73 115
EOT DC4 $ 4 D T d t
04 4 14 20 24 36 34 52 44 68 54 84 64 100 74 116
ENQ NAK % 5 E U e u
05 5 15 21 25 37 35 53 45 69 55 85 65 101 75 117
ACK SYN & 6 F V f v
06 6 16 22 26 38 36 54 46 70 56 86 66 102 76 118
BEL ETB ' 7 G W g w
07 7 17 23 27 39 37 55 47 71 57 87 67 103 77 119
BS CAN ( 8 H X h x
08 8 18 24 28 40 38 56 48 72 58 88 68 104 78 120
HT EM ) 9 I Y i y
09 9 19 25 29 41 39 57 49 73 59 89 69 105 79 121
LF SUB * : J Z j z
0A 10 1A 26 2A 42 3A 58 4A 74 5A 90 6A 106 7A 122
VT ESC + ; K [ k {
0B 11 1B 27 2B 43 3B 59 4B 75 5B 91 6B 107 7B 123
FF FS , < L \ l |
0C 12 1C 28 2C 44 3C 60 4C 76 5C 92 6C 108 7C 124
CR GS - = M ] m }
0D 13 1D 29 2D 45 3D 61 4D 77 5D 93 6D 109 7D 125
SO RS . > N ^ n ~
0E 14 1E 30 2E 46 3E 62 4E 78 5E 94 6E 110 7E 126
SI US / ? O _ o DEL
0F 15 1F 31 2F 47 3F 63 4F 79 5F 95 6F 111 7F 127

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