This portable, battery-operated device, called the HemoCue Hb 301, was specifically designed to test anemia in pregnant women. It is rugged and engineered to withstand heat and humidity.  Tests in pregnant women in Cameroon showed that the test is very precise.  It operates with a cuvette that pricks for blood and the analyzer which provides a readout in 10 minutes. Click here for distributors listed by country.

Measurement range: 0-25.6 g/dL (0-256 g/L or 0-15.9 mmol/L).   Accuracy: Correlation of 0.99 when compared to the reference method (ICSH method).   Results: The analyzer displays the results in approximately 10 seconds.   Sample volume: 10 µL.   Sample material: Capillary, venous or arterial blood.   Calibration: The system is factory calibrated against the ICSH reference method for hemoglobin.   Principle: Hemoglobin concentration is determined by measuring the absorbance of whole blood at an Hb/HbO2 isobestic point. This method correlates well with the reference method for hemoglobin determination (the ICSH method). The analyzer uses a double wavelength measuring method, 506 nm and 880 nm, for compensation of turbidity.   Method: van Kempen E J and Zijlstra W G. Spectrophotometry of hemoglobin and hemoglobin derivativies. Advances in Clinical Chemistry, vol 23, 199-257 (1983).   Dimensions: 160 x 140 x 70 mm (6.29 x 5.51 x 2.76 inches).   Weight: 500 g (1.10 pounds) with batteries installed.   Power: 4 AA batteries or power adapter.   Storage and environmental requirements   Microcuvette: The microcuvettes are to be stored at 10-40 °C (50-104 °F). Short-term storage (6 weeks) -18-50 °C (0.4 - 122 °F). Once opened the microcuvettes are stable for three months.   Analyzer: The analyzer can be stored at temperature 0-50 °C (32-122 °F). The operating temperature is 10-40 °C (40-104 °F). Allow the analyzer to reach ambient temperature before use.