About Refractometers
A refractometer is an instrument that measures the refractive index of a liquid. The more particles present in a solution, the greater the light refracted as it passes from one medium to another. Clinical refractometers exploit this principle to measure several clinically significant parameters.
What do Clinical Refractometers Measure?
There are three main scales commonly employed by clinical refractometer.
1. Refractive Index: The refractive index describes how fast light travels through the measured material. Refractive index measurement results are used with appropriate conversion charts to determine the particle concentration levels of various solutions.
2. Specific Gravity: A urine specific gravity test compares the density of urine to the density of water. In adult humans, typical specific gravity values range from 1.010 to 1.030.
3. Serum Protein: The serum protein scale measures the total protein levels present in a serum or plasma sample. Its resulting measures are displayed as g/dl (g/100ml).
Types of Clinical Refractometers
There are three main types of clinical refractometers available to suit various measuring applications. These are:
1. Optical Handheld: Also referred to as analogue refractometers, these meters enable quick and easy battery-free measurements. To see measurements, all that’s needed is to place a sample on the prism then look through a lens.
2. Digital Handheld: Digital handheld meters are accurate, easy-to-use, portable meters that calculate and display digital results.
3. Benchtop: You can’t go past a benchtop meter for laboratory precision and accuracy. Designed for ease of use, they sacrifice portability for accuracy.
How to Use Clinical Refractometers
Video: How to Use an Optical Refractometer For Urine (Specific Gravity)
Video: How to Use a Digital Refractometer For Urine (Specific Gravity)
Examples of Clinical Refractometers
The Instrument Choice Scientists have prepared a brief profile of some popular clinical refractometers sorted by type and specification. If you have any questions or need more information about any of the meters below, contact us.
|
Refractometer - Clinical
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity |
1.000 to 1.050 |
0.002 |
±0.002 |
|
Refractive index |
1.3330 to 1.3600 |
0.0005 |
±0.0005 |
|
Type: Optical handheld
New Handheld 0-12G/dl ATC Clinical Refractometer
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity |
1.000 - 1.050 |
0.005 |
±0.005 |
|
Refractive index |
1.330RI - 1.360 |
0.0005 |
±0.0005 |
|
Serum protein |
0 - 12g/dl |
0.2g/dl |
±0.2g/dl |
|
Type: Digital Handheld
Refractometer - Human Urine Scale
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity |
1.0000 - 1.0450 |
0.0001 |
±0.0005 |
|
Type: Digital Handheld
Digital Hand-held Pocket Urine Refractometer
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity |
1.000 - 1.060 |
0.001 |
±0.001 |
|
Type: Digital Handheld
Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer (Serum protein % g/mL)
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Serum protein |
0.0-12.0g/100 ml |
0.2g/100 mL |
±0.2g/100 ml |
|
Type: Digital Handheld
Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity - Dog |
1.000 to 1.060 |
0.001 |
±0.001 |
|
Urine specific gravity - Cat |
1.000 to 1.080 |
0.001 |
±0.001 |
|
Type: Benchtop
Laboratory Digital Refractometer (Clinical)
|
|
Scale(s) |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
|
Urine specific gravity |
1.000 to 1.090 |
0.001 |
±0.0002 |
|
Refractive index |
1.3330 to 1.4098 |
0.0001 |
±0.001 |
|
Serum protein |
0 to 12 g/dL |
0.1 |
±0.1 |
Conclusion
Clinical refractometers measure any combination of urine specific gravity, serum protein and refractive index. These devices are available in a wide variety of types to suit virtually any application.
Browse all clinical refractometers here
For more information on clinical refractometers or the products listed above, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! Call 1300 737 871 or email customer-service@instrumentchoice.com.au.
Further Reading: Clinical Refractometers
- How to Use the PAL-10s Digital Refractometer to Measure the Specific Gravity of Urine
- How to Measure the Specific Gravity of Urine with an Optical Refractometer
- How to use the Data Transmission Function on Atago Pocket Refractometers - Android Devices
- Types of Atago Refractometers
- Brand Spotlight: Misco Refractometers
- Seven Handy Tips to Help You Choose the Right Refractometer
