Capillarys Hemoglobin Assay
Quantifies normal hemoglobins and variants
The Capillarys™ Hemoglobin assay from Sebia Electrophoresis, Norcross, Ga, separates, detects, and quantifies normal hemoglobins and hemoglobin variants. The assay has been adapted to Capillarys 2, the company’s capillary electrophoresis system, to provide complete automation. Direct analysis is performed from the bar-coded, primary tube on packed, unwashed red blood cells. Red cell hemolysate is automatically prepared on the instrument. Sample migration occurs, and relative quantification and presumptive identification of the hemoglobin fractions take place with a throughput of 34 samples per hour. Multiple capillaries functioning in parallel, yet independently, allow seven simultaneous analyses and are the primary reason for the assay’s high throughput.
Sebia Electrophoresis
(800) 835-6497
www.sebia-usa.com
QIAsymphony SP
Purification system
Qiagen, Valencia, Calif, introduces QIAsymphony® SP, a purification system for nucleic acids and proteins that offers medium- to high-throughput labs a combination of a broad application range and flexible processing with full sample traceability. The system handles many starting materials, such as blood, respiratory samples, tissues, and cultured cells, and uses proprietary magnetic-particle chemistry. The instrument is preinstalled with dedicated protocols for purification of proteins, RNA, DNA, and viral and bacterial nucleic acids that deliver high-analyte quality. It allows use of sample volumes up to 1 ml and satisfies a variety of throughput needs, from a few samples per day up to a few hundred. Laboratories may benefit from ease of use: the system offers prefilled reagent cartridges, bar-coding of samples and reagents, and touch-screen operation. QIAsymphony SP uses a process that allows continuous loading of one to 96 samples per run, and can perform different purification procedures within the same run of 96 samples. The technology provides inventory control and full process documentation. The unit measures 130 cm x 75 cm x 163 cm and weighs 175 kg.
Qiagen
(800) 426-8157
www1.qiagen.com
CellSearch™ Circulating Tumor Cell Kit
Monitors patients with metastatic prostate cancer
Immunicon Corp, Huntingdon Valley, Pa, has cleared the CellSearch circulating tumor cell (CTC) kit as an aid in the monitoring of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. A sample of the patient’s blood is processed with the kit using the CellTracks® system to capture and count CTCs. The kit has been cleared for three of the four most prevalent cancers—in 2004 it was cleared to predict progression-free and overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer, and was later expanded to include monitoring. In 2007, it was cleared by the FDA for monitoring metastatic colorectal cancer. The kit was developed by Immunicon and is exclusively marketed by Veridex LLC, Warren, NJ, in the cancer field.
Immunicon Corp
(877) 822-0777
www.immunicon.com
UniCel DxC 880i Synchron Access Clinical System
Integrated work cell
Beckman Coulter Inc, Fullerton, Calif introduces the UniCel DxC 880i Synchron® Access® clinical system, an integrated work cell that consolidates chemistry and immunoassay testing targeted to high-volume labs. The latest addition to the company’s work cell family combines the UniCel DxC 800 chemistry system with the UniCel DxI 800 immunoassay system. From a single point of sample entry, the system offers a menu of more than 150 different chemistry and immunoassay tests—with 120 tests on board—ranging from cardiac and tumor markers to tests for renal function. The system processes up to 1,440 chemistry tests per hour and up to 400 immunoassay tests per hour. It features the company’s closed-tube sampling and closed-tube aliquotting capabilities. By eliminating the decapping and recapping steps in the lab process, the features help labs increase efficiency, enhance operator safety, and reduce the potential for errors.
Beckman Coulter
(800) 352-3433
www.beckmancoulter.com
Microalbumin Reagent Application
Two-part liquid-stable reagent
Pointe Scientific Inc, Canton, Mich, introduces an application for the quantitative determination of microalbumin on Olympus AU series analyzers. The two-part liquid-stable reagent consists of a buffer reagent and an antiserum reagent. When a sample is mixed with antihuman albumin goat antiserum, agglutination is caused by the antigen-antibody reaction. Turbidity is measured at 340 nm and 700 nm, and albumin in the sample is quantitatively determined. Microalbuminuria is a condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt nephropathy, often caused by kidney damage from diabetes. Because microalbuminuria may be reversible if diabetes is well controlled, microalbumin testing is a useful tool for diabetic treatment programs.
Pointe Scientific Inc
(800) 757-5156
pointescientific.com
