Beckman Instruments, Inc.

“Beckman ASTRA-8 Systems,” In 1977, Beckman developed a new computerized instrument which measures the quantities of various substances in the blood. This machine was developed chiefly for use in hospital laboratories to aid physicians in the diagnosis of disease by determining when the quantity of certain substances in the blood is abnormal. The Beckman analyzer uses "reagents," which are chemical solutions manufactured specifically for use in the machine, and which, when reacted with the blood, allow a technician to determine the quantity of certain substances in the blood. The reagents are not drugs and are never administered to humans.