The Roche cobas c 502 is a fully automated clinical chemistry module designed for high-volume laboratory testing. As part of the cobas 8000 modular analyzer series, it is used for quantitative and qualitative in vitro testing with photometric methodology. Roche lists the module for clinical chemistry and HbA1c whole blood measurement, with throughput of up to 600 tests per hour. Therefore, the Roche cobas c 502 is well suited to laboratories that need strong routine chemistry capacity in a modular platform.

Technology / Core Function

The Roche cobas c 502 is a photometric analyzer module built for automated clinical chemistry testing. It is intended for a broad array of routine and specialized in vitro assays, and Roche identifies clinical chemistry and HbA1c whole blood measurement among its testing capabilities. In addition, the system includes contact-free ultrasonic mixing and serum index measurement for lipemia, hemolysis, and icterus. Automated sample rerun and dilution are also listed by Roche, which supports consistent processing in higher-volume laboratory settings.

Applications

This module is intended for hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, and other diagnostic facilities handling moderate to high chemistry volumes. Because of its throughput and modular design, the Roche cobas c 502 is commonly used for routine serum and plasma chemistry, urine testing, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and selected whole blood applications such as HbA1c. Consequently, it fits laboratories that need a chemistry analyzer module within a larger scalable Roche automation platform.

Technical Overview

Verified Roche technical information identifies the cobas c 502 as a fully automated photometric module with throughput of up to 600 tests per hour. Supported sample types listed by Roche include serum or plasma, whole blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, supernatant hemolysate, and other sample types. The module provides up to 60 reagent cassette positions. Within the cobas 8000 series technical documentation, Roche also lists an average sample volume of 7.0 µl for the c 502 module, dimensions of 150 x 114 x 130 cm including MSB, weight of 535 kg including MSB, electrical requirements of 200/208/220/230 VAC at 50/60 Hz, and power consumption of 2.5 kVA with actual maximum 1.7 kVA. However, configuration and installed options may vary between individual pre-owned systems, so final confirmation should be made on the specific unit offered.

Additional Identification

The Roche cobas c 502 is manufactured by Roche Diagnostics and is identified in Roche documentation as a module within the cobas 8000 modular analyzer series. It is not a standalone chemistry platform in the same sense as a compact bench analyzer. Instead, it is part of Roche’s modular laboratory ecosystem, where it may be combined with other clinical chemistry, immunoassay, and ISE components depending on system configuration. This distinction is important for buyers evaluating compatibility, footprint, and installation requirements.

Key Features

Key verified features of the Roche cobas c 502 include fully automated photometric analysis, throughput up to 600 tests per hour, clinical chemistry and HbA1c testing capability, up to 60 reagent cassette positions, automated sample rerun and dilution, contact-free ultrasonic mixing, clot and liquid level detection, and serum index measurement for hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia. Furthermore, the module is designed for use within the Roche cobas 8000 modular analyzer series, which supports scalable laboratory configurations.

The Roche cobas c 502 remains a recognized option for laboratories seeking a high-throughput clinical chemistry module within the cobas 8000 environment. It combines automated photometric testing, broad sample handling, and modular integration for routine laboratory use. For buyers considering used laboratory equipment, the Roche cobas c 502 is most appropriate when system configuration, included accessories, software status, and installation requirements are reviewed carefully before purchase.