Milestones in the history of blood gas- and electrolyte analysis
Set by ESCHWEILER – Kiel
It began on January 07, 1951, with the founding of L. Eschweiler & Co., whose aim was to utilize the results of research for commercial purposes. Wilhelm Eschweiler, as a member of the Physiological Institute at Kiel University, brought his experience and his contacts to wellknown scientists into the new company. Through the years up to 1990 he has determined the course of developments in a decisive way.
Shortly after the company had been founded, developments took place which were decisive for blood gas analysis at all. Below you find a short abstract of only the most important ones:
1951
The first commercially-manufactured apparatus in the world for measuring oxygen pressure was put on the market. It is the HAEMOXYTENSIOMETER I with a mercury drop electrode. (According to Bartels, Pflügers Archiv, Vo. 254, pp. 107-125)
1952
Further development of the apparatus.
With the HAEMOXYTENSIOMETER II follows – in addition to the oxygen measurement – the pH-measurement, which makes it possible to measure the acid-base-status (Astrup method) and the indirect pCO2 -measurement.
1959
We patented a photometric process for plotting the oxygen-binding curve.
1960
The first, previously not possible direct pCO2 -measurement is introduced with a stabilized all-glass electrode according to D.W. Lübbers and collaborators with technical cooperation of W. Eschweiler. Out of this originates the COMBI-ANALYSER for macro- and micro-samples with an open thermostat.
1961
In place of the open thermostat the COMBI-ANALYSER U is equipped with a circulation thermostat with thermostatized measuring units. At that point all methods were known which are now used in blood gas analysers. From then on the methods were merely improved and the operation made more convenient.
1962
We patented an Electrode arrangement for polarographic oyxgen analysis and Procedure and equipment for determining acid-base-status in small amounts of fluid.
1963
We introduce an Apparatus for showing changes in O2-concentration as a result of biological organisms located in a closed space.
1964
Development of a device for culture of micro organisms and higher cells in submersion culture under controlled conditions, the system FERMENTER KIEL.
1971
The worldwide first equipment for continuous measurement of pO2 ,pCO2 and pH, the ANALYSER D, is developed.
1972
The COMBI-ANALYSER MT, a compact apparatus with only one measuring unit and a sample volume of only 80 microliters, is introduced.
1976
As the only blood gas analyser up to then, the ANALYSER D is equipped with a temperature converter from the standard temperature to the actual body temperature.
1977
The COMBI-ANALYSER MT – program is expanded to include the electronic acid-base-calculator R6.
1978
As the first combination of blood gas/pH- and electrolyte measurement, the ANALYSER D is equipped with a K+ -measuring channel.
1979
We introduce our blood gas/pH-automat Type MT-A 100. In this apparatus the dialogue procedure known from computer technology is applied for the first time in blood gas analysis. Self-testing programs and automatic plotting of the polarogram add the operational safety.
1980
The new future-oriented conception for the 80‘s had begun with the COMBI-ANALYSER MT 55 for semi-automatic measurement of pO2 , pCO2 , pH , K+ and Na+ from a blood specimen of only 100 microliters.
1981
The new fully-automatic systems COMBI-ANALYSER MT-A 300, MT-A 400 and MT-A 500 which are equipped with screens, round about 30 years of ground-breaking research and development in the sector of blood gas/pH- and electrolyte analysis for the present.
1984
ESCHWEILER goes new ways and introduces a blood gas-electrolyte program as an expandable modular system – the SYSTEM 2000.
1988
The additional Ca++ -measurement is included in the SYSTEM 2000.
1993
The first analysing system for blood gases plus 5 electrolytes (ISE) and hemoglobin (tHb) is introduced to the international markets.
1995
The modern compact systems ECOSYS for blood gases and ECOLYTE for up to 5 electrolyte parameters meet the new demand.
1996
The premium-class COMBISYS for the combined measurement of 3 blood gas parameters plus 5 ISE-electrolyte parameters and total hemoglobin is placed.
1998
Introduction of the new mobile ECOSYS II for blood gas measurement with progressive liquid calibration for „point of care“ use. No bulky gas cylinders or external gas supply are required anymore. The ECOSYS II Hb with an integrated t-Hb sensor allows the simultaneous measurement of blood gases and t-hemoglobin.
1999
The fully automatic analysing system
COMBISYS II
for the direct measurement of blood gases, electrolytes and t-hemoglobin is changed to liquid calibration without external gas connections.
2001
The next generation: ESCHWEILER modular, extensible analysing systems, easy and economical in a modern and functional design. Direct measurement of blood-gases, electrolytes and t-hemoglobin. New generation of Biosensors for glucose and lactate determination in whole blood.
50 years ESCHWEILER company
2004
ESCHWEILER modularPRO , the new PC-based generation of analysing systems. Easy to use operation by touch screen, barcode reader, connection to clinic-internal networks via LAN-interface.
2005
ESCHWEILER combi line – flexible, expandable and economical analysing system for bloodgas-, electrolyte and tHb measurements.
2007
ESCHWEILER combi line with additional metabolite parameters glucose and lactate.
Since the founding of the company we have worked closely with scientific research. Extreme measuring precision is therefore a most important policy matter for us. We make great demands on ourselves and our equipment.
2010
Presentation of the new ESCHWEILER Hb sensor for total Hb measurement in whole blood samples.
Introduction of the further developed ESCHWEILER combi line 2.
2011
60 years ESCHWEILER company
2012
The new Hb sensor is now available as standard in the ESCHWEILER combi line 2.
The ESCHWEILER modular pro 2 is presented as the successor of the modular pro. The decisive advantage is the associated introduction of the easy-to-change ESCHWEILER CalPack calibration cassettes.
2013
Certification of the ESCHWEILER quality management system according to EN ISO 13485.
2014
The ESCHWEILER combi line 2 is upgraded with a barcode reader as standard. Reading in the sample number as well as the calibration values increase usability.
2015
The hardware of the ESCHWEILER combi line 2 receives a comprehensive update.
2017 – 2021
Intensive work on the “CLIII” design study – many technical innovations can be successfully demonstrated in their feasibility.
The results will be incorporated into further developments of the ESCHWEILER combi line 2 and ESCHWEILER modular pro 2.
2020
Modernization and expansion of the ESCHWEILER production facilities in Kiel.
2021
70 years ESCHWEILER company
The quality management team is being expanded in order to be able to react adequately to new IVDR requirements.
2023
Successful integration of the R&D processes into our QM system according to EN ISO 13485. This creates a further basis for meeting the new IVDR requirements.