PLAC Test
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Measures lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2
Atherotech Inc, Birmingham, Ala, now offers the PLAC® test from diaDexus for the measurement of Lp-PLA2, adding to its line of cardiometabolic tests that complement the company’s VAP cholesterol test. The PLAC Test formats are FDA cleared for the quantitative determination of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in human plasma or serum. Lp-PLA2 serves as a specific indicator of vascular inflammation, to be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient risk assessment. The PLAC test is the only blood test cleared by the FDA to aid in assessing risk for both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis.
Atherotech
(877) 901-8510; www.atherotech.com
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VANTAGE System
Complete pathology automation solution
Specifically designed for pathology, the Ventana VANTAGE workflow solution, from Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, Ariz, automates lab processes to ensure efficiency and safeguard against errors that could compromise patient safety. Featuring fast, safe results, the system can improve lab workflow by increasing capacity. The complete solution, including hardware, software, and workflow consulting, provides a useful view of even the most complex organization. Released in 2008, the software has been updated with new releases four times since its launch with additional capabilities and new features.
Ventana Medical Systems
(800) 227-2155; www.ventanamed.com
KOS
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Multifunctional Histostation
Milestone Medical, Kalamazoo, Mich, has launched the KOS multifunctional microwave tissue processor, ideally suited as a complement to existing capabilities found in histology laboratories. The instrument’s multitasking nature can enhance and accelerate various typical applications encountered, such as fixation, decalcification, special staining, gross hardening, and tissue processing. Additional features designed to facilitate adaptation into existing lab environments include an icon-driven interface, preprogrammed protocols, step-by-step protocol guidance, a compact footprint, and a safety sensor system.
Milestone Medical
(866) 995-5300; www.milestonemed.com
Virtuoso Software
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End-to-end digital pathology solution
Recently released in July 2009, Virtuoso 4.0 digital pathology software, from BioImagene, Cupertino, Calif, works with the company‘s iScan™ family of slide scanners to provide an end-to-end digital pathology solution. The software allows users to view, manage, archive, manipulate, and analyze digital images; produce digital reports; and collaborate with one another. It combines telepathology functionality, powerful analysis algorithms, and a user-friendly interface to assist pathologists in providing accurate and objective diagnoses of tissue samples. Features include real-time collaboration; analysis algorithms for breast, prostate, and other panels of IHC markers; and detailed information reporting.
Biolmagene
(877) 724-6244; [removed]www.bioimagene.com[/removed]
iScan Coreo
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Integrates with Viruoso Software
The iScan Coreo, from BioImagene, Cupertino, Calif, is a part of the iScan™ family of automated digital slide scanners, offering sophisticated hardware and software on a single platform. The scanner combines high-speed slide scanning with high image quality and is fully integratable with BioImagene software. It features a 160-slide capacity, automatic slide-detection capability, a large color LCD display, and an automated turret with support for four objectives (4x, 10x, 20x, and 40x). Additionally, users can perform high-speed, walkway scanning at all four magnifications.
Biolmagene
(877) 724-6244; [removed]www.bioimagene.com[/removed]
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SlideMate
On-demand slide printer
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kalamazoo, Mich, introduces the SlideMate, which brings on-demand slide printing to the microtome. The new slide printer alleviates the need for handwritten slides or sorted batch printed slides, ending the potential for sample misidentification in the lab. The SlideMate’s small footprint (about the size of a toaster) and on-demand printing capabilities make it ideal for printing slides next to the microtome. Its chemical-resistant print media dries instantly and ensures print reliability throughout all laboratory processes.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 522-7270; www.thermo.com
Cytogenetics Module
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Provides access to pathology studies and specialized results
The Novovision Cytogenetics Module, from Novovision, Princeton, NJ, integrates full-featured, customizable chromosome karyotyping and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) workflow into the NovoPath electronic AP platform. From specialized accession and resulting fields to built-in selection of probes and customized reports, the new module helps meet the specific needs of cytogenetics departments. Featuring an integrated application-wide NovoPath database, the module provides users with access to all pathology studies as well as specialized cytogenetics results. The new module also provides unlimited analysis set-up options, including definition of all test and culture defaults. Specific probes can also be manually or auto-selected based on test type. Specimen-specific culture sheets are available for full electronic workflow.
Novovision Inc
(877) 668-6123; www.novovision.com
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Ventana Image Analysis System
Aids in detection of breast cancer cells
The Ventana Image Analysis System (VIAS), from Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, Ariz, is a computer-assisted and interactive microscopy system intended as an aid to the pathologist in the detection, classification, and counting of breast cancer cells of interest. VIAS is optimized and FDA 510(k) cleared for use with Ventana’s breast panel of protein assays. The VIAS also aids in the management, prognosis, and prediction of therapy outcomes of breast cancer when used with in vitro diagnostic reagents marketed for these indications and automatically generates patient reports.
Ventana Medical Systems
(800) 227-2155; www.ventanamed.com
Cystatin C
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Kidney function test
Atherotech Inc, Birmingham, Ala, adds the Cystatin C to its portfolio of diagnostic lab tests. The test expands Atherotech’s cardiovascular disease and metabolic panels that complement the company’s advanced lipid profile, the VAP Test. Cystatin C helps to detect and monitor acute and chronic kidney dysfunction. When the kidneys are functioning normally, concentrations of Cystatin C in the blood are stable, but as kidney function deteriorates, the concentrations begin to rise. Unlike creatinine, Cystatin C serum levels are virtually unaffected by age (>1 year), muscle mass, gender, and race.
Atherotech
(877) 901-8510; www.atherotech.com
Digital IHC Solution
Helps improve IHC scoring
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The complete Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Digital IHC Solution, from Aperio, Vista, Calif, features remote reading of slides on a computer monitor, the use of sophisticated image-analysis tools, and the automatic creation of professional reports to assist labs in increasing the accuracy and consistency of IHC scoring. In addition, the solution improves turnaround time from glass slides to reports and helps facilitate communication with oncologists and patients. The company’s digital pathology platform (scanning, management, viewing, and analysis) has been cleared by the FDA for HER2, ER, and PR image analysis and the reading of HER2 and PR slides on a computer monitor.
Aperio
(866) 478-4111; www.secondslide.com
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Pathos Delta
The first microwave/conventional hybrid processor
Pathos Delta, the first microwave/conventional hybrid processor, from Milestone Medical, Kalamazoo, Mich, provides the ideal combination of automated microwave and conventional technology to offer a wide range of xylene and xylene-free protocols, reagent efficiency, and environmental sensitivity, without sacrificing morphology and quality. Additional benefits include smoothing out daily workflow peaks, an open system not tied to proprietary consumables, an easy-to-use icon-driven user interface, and ease of adoption through an experienced applications support organization.
Milestone Medical
(866) 995-5300; www.milestonemed.com
SecondSlide
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Web-based sharing service
Aperio, Vista, Calif, introduces the SecondSlide™, a new digital slide sharing service for pathology. The Web-based service enables the exchange of information such as whole-slide and photomicrograph images, documents, and commentary, and allows data to be managed for use in a variety of applications. Users can use the service to hold global conferences to discuss cases or projects and swap teaching assets with colleagues. Additional features include the ability to organize photomicrographs and link to whole slides in publications.
Aperio
(866) 478-4111; www.secondslide.com
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TB-Finder
Integrated color-coded slide viewer
The TB-Finder, from Applied Spectral Imaging, Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel, is aimed at assessing suspected tissue section or sputum samples for TB (Tuberculosis) infection. It allocates acid-fast TB mycobacteria stained by Ziehl-Nielsen. In its full flow, a prescan session automatically finds the tissue regions on the slide, which is under inspection. It is followed by a fast, high-magnification scan that finds TB bacilli in real time. The system presents the pathologist with possible candidates for identified bacilli along with their location context.
Applied Spectral Imaging
+972-4-654-7567; www.spectral-imaging.com
Duo Tissue
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Part of the CAT PathEx diagnostic suite
Applied Spectral Imaging, Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel, introduces its new DUO Tissue, which provides pathologists with a full statistical description of examined tissue regions with regard to the expression of two antibodies. It can classify each object (for example, a cell) and mark it according to its class association. It supports the pathologist diagnosis under circumstances where two, usually standard, stains are used to cut the examined population into four categories: nonstained objects, singly stained objects (of each stain), and doubly stained objects. The system displays the resultant statistics for the entire sample, for each image/frame, and for specific regions of inserts as defined by the user. In addition, the DUO generates a summary report with the user’s selected images and text notes.
Applied Spectral Imaging
+972-4-654-7567; www.spectral-imaging.com
NovoWebReporter
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Access the NovoPath AP platform remotely
Novovision Inc, Princeton, NJ, introduces its NovoWebReporter, a Web-based module that makes the advanced functionality and convenience of the NovoPath™ AP platform accessible from any Web browser. Pathologists can now result and electronically sign cases, order additional stains and levels, and run administrative reports from any remote location. Along with major NovoPath standard features, NovoWebReporter supports predefined macros, including microscopic and diagnosis text entry, and can work with a lab’s medical dictionary and voice-recognition systems. It also provides optional multiple screen layouts. Supporting real-time lab workflow, the module immediately communicates remote orders for additional stains and levels to lab personnel for timely execution. It also provides convenient management of frozen section diagnosis, amendments, addendums, and billing from a single screen.
Novovision Inc
(877) 668-6123; www.novovision.com
Prostate Px+
Predicts postsurgery cancer progression
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Using biopsy tissue, the Prostate Px+, from Aureon Laboratories, Yonkers, NY, can predict the extent of prostate cancer progression and the likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence postsurgery. The company’s technology platform generates and analyzes an integrated, digital view of clinical findings, tissue microanatomy, and tissue molecular pathology to determine which combination of features predicts specified individual clinical outcomes. At diagnosis, Prostate Px+ can predict disease progression after prostatectomy; assist objective, informed treatment decisions; identify high-risk patients presenting as lower risk; assess the actual risk of intermediate-risk patients; and assess favorable pathologic stage that may indicate indolent disease.
Aureon Laboratories
(888) SYS-PATH; www.aureon.com
