CO2 L3K reagent
18-month shelf life
Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd, Oxford, Conn, has announced that its single-vial, liquid-stable carbon dioxide L3K reagent now has a full 18-month shelf life from date of manufacture. Using a patented technology, CO2 concentrations can be readily determined, in both serum and plasma specimens, by using PEPC and a stabilized coenzyme analog in the ensuing chemical reaction. The use of this synthetic analog produces a reagent system resistant to atmospheric CO2, resulting in an assay demonstrating onboard and calibration stability. The ready-to-use CO2 L3K reagent also features negligible interference from bilirubin and hemolysis, a low patient-sample-to-reagent ratio, and demonstrates superior performance in accuracy, precision, and linearity. DCL’s CO2 L3K reagent—available in a variety of operator-oriented packaging configurations ranging from 30 mL to 1,000 mL—is suitable for use with fully automated testing procedures.
Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd
(800) 325-2436
www.dclchem.com
ImmunoCard STAT EHEC
Detects Shiga toxin–producing strains of E. coli
Meridian Bioscience Inc, Cincinnati, has launched a rapid test that detects all Shiga toxin–producing strains of E. coli that differentiate between Shiga toxins 1 and 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new recommendations in 2006 stating that labs should use a test that detects all Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, not just the O157 strain. This test gives labs a practical method of adopting the recommendations.
Meridian Bioscience Inc
(513) 271-3700
www.meridianbioscience.com
AtheNA Multi-Lyte MMRV IgG Test System
Simultaneous detection in a single well
Inverness Medical Professional Diagnostics, Princeton, NJ, has announced the availability of the AtheNA Multi-Lyte MMRV IgG Test System, based on Luminex’s proprietary xMAP technology. The test system is intended for the qualitative detection of IgG-class antibody to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster in human serum simultaneously in a single well. Each result from the AtheNA Multi-Lyte System is the median of at least 50 discrete events. It has the capability to report results separately and/or simultaneously and allows for additional results to be obtained well after the sample is discarded by analyzing data stored within the system. The test system uses Intra-Well Calibration Technology, a proprietary technology designed to provide improved accuracy that includes a multipoint standard curve within the bead suspension. Each patient sample is calibrated internally without user intervention. The standard curve is designed to self-adjust based on the unique characteristics of the patient or control serum.
Inverness Medical Innovations Inc
(800) 257-9525
www.invernessmedicalpd.com
Direct HbA1c Reagent
Requires fewer calibrations
Pointe Scientific, Canton, Mich, has introduced an improved Direct HbA1c Reagent that shows minimal sensitivity loss of the combined R2 reagent onboard a chemistry analyzer. The reagent improvement can result in less frequent calibrations, particularly in smaller labs that do not use reagent as quickly as higher volume labs. The increase in calibration stability for these types of users will result in more cost-effective determinations of HbA1c. NGSP certification is valid for the improved reagent, and all current instrument applications from the company for its HbA1c Assay remain unchanged.
Pointe Scientific
(800) 445-9853
www.pointescientific.com
HemoPoint H2
CLIA-Waived hemoglobin/hematocrit testing system
Stanbio Laboratory, Boerne, Texas, continues to offer its latest generation hemoglobin and hematocrit system. The CLIA-Waived, Hemo-Point H2 Test System provides a dedicated hemoglobin and hematocrit meter for use in physicians’ offices and professional health care locations, including public health clinics and blood centers. The system consists of a proprietary test microcuvette and a photometer to accurately and precisely measure hemoglobin in whole blood. The meter is factory calibrated; therefore, no user calibration is required. The unit uses state-of-the-art electronics and a rechargeable battery for total mobility. After the microcuvette is inserted into the meter, the system automatically reads the microcuvette and displays the hemoglobin and hematocrit results in approximately 1 minute. The system utilizes optical photometry that reads a microcuvette using the azidemethemoglobin reaction to measure accurately hemoglobin in finger stick, venous, and arterial whole blood samples—requiring only 10µL of whole blood.
Stanbio Laboratory
(800) 531-5535
www.stanbio.com