[AUTOMATION]
Syringe Pump
Enables total system calibration
The SmarTouch with UltraMicroPump 3 represents the next generation of syringe pumps from World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Fla. It features total system calibration, which eliminates the variability of the syringes and delivers the calibrated volume, and smart smoothness, which sets the controller to adjust microstepping automatically according to the injection rate to deliver the smoothest flow. In addition, users can set the system’s software to define travel limits for a specific syringe. All operations are controlled through an interactive touchscreen, and the device offers graphical indication of the flow and volume in the syringe.
World Precision Instruments
(941) 371-1003; www.wpiinc.com
[EQUIPMENT]
Benchtop Chilling Incubators
Holds 66 assay plates without stacking
Torrey Pines Scientific Inc, Carlsbad, Calif, has launched larger EchoTherm vibration-free benchtop chilling incubators suited for protein crystallography. The incubators feature a 100 L capacity and can hold 66 assay plates without stacking. The incubators are Peltier-based for heating and chilling, and are suitable for performing protein crystallization. Two models are available: the IN55 is fully programmable for temperature-cycling crystals for better growth, while the IN50 is digital. They are settable from 4.0ºC to 70.0ºC, feature temperature control to ± 0.1°C, and can be controlled at or near room temperature.
Torrey Pines Scientific
(866) 573-9104; www.torreypinesscientific.com
Advanced Cooling Systems
Suited for blood product storage
Century Refrigeration, Pryor, Okla, offers a portfolio of advanced cooling systems for blood product storage applications. The refrigeration systems are custom designed, with individual components selected and sized to sustain the necessary low temperatures, avoid contamination and product loss, and simplify maintenance. The units feature extremely low temperature coils, safe refrigerants, and appropriate redundancy. They are designed to ensure total uptime and protect valuable blood products in blood bank and laboratory settings.
Century Refrigeration
(918) 825-7222; www.raecorp.com
Handheld Incubator Monitor
Offers real-time data logging
The AQ Incuba from E Instruments, Langhorne, Pa, is an all-in-one instrument suited for professionals interested in incubator air quality monitoring and real-time data logging. The handheld unit offers CO2 measurement ranges of 0–5%, 0–10%, and 0–20%. The standard model is able to measure barometric air pressure, percent relative humidity, and temperature. Also included are an active internal sampling pump and magnetic rubber boot. The unit is Bluetooth-enabled.
E Instruments
(215) 720-1136; www.e-inst.com
Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS System
Supports ultralow detection limits
The Thermo Scientific iCAP triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass, was developed to support ultralow detection limits, and offers advanced interference removal capabilities for overcoming interferences common in challenging matrices. The system enables users to switch between single and triple quadrupole modes in a single multielement experiment, so that laboratories can keep their existing workflow as well as add new capabilities over time. When combined with Thermo Scientific Qtegra intelligent scientific data software, an intuitive user interface, and the reaction finder tool, researchers can reduce time-consuming method development.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 556-2323; www.thermofisher.com
[MISC SUPPLIES]
Low-Volume Storage Tube
Ideal for genomic applications
Micronic, Lelystad, the Netherlands, has launched a 0.30 mL tube with external thread that enables miniaturization of reaction volumes required in genomic applications. The tube eliminates the need for intermediate screening plates and is designed to be more accessible by low-volume liquid handlers. In addition, an automation-friendly 0.30 mL tube, with a working volume of 210 µL, is especially suited for RNA/DNA libraries, offering unique aliquoting and storage capacity. Due to thick tube walls, the tube has a sturdy design and excellent properties for ultra-low temperature storage.
Micronic
(484) 480-3372; www.micronic.com
Electronic Verification Thermometers
Allows custom calibration
Equipped with liquid or glass bead filled bottles that mimic samples, H-B electronic verification thermometers from SP Scienceware, Wayne, NJ, deliver temperature verification without the risk of sample contamination. Multiple models are available, with features including dual zone, single or multiple displays, alarms, and more. Thermometers are calibrated specifically for freezers, incubators, and refrigerators. Customers can order the temperature range and calibration points specific to common applications right off the shelf. Custom calibration services, plastic molding, specialty coatings, and wire manufacturing are also available.
SP Scienceware
(800) 423-5278; www.spindustries.com/spscienceware
Certified Liquid Barrier Gown
Protects against spills
The Kimtech A7 certified liquid barrier gown from Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, Ga, delivers stringent liquid barrier protection for scientists and operators and the environments in which they work. It is suited for protection against spills and splashes from blood-borne pathogens, biologics, or other harmful liquids. The gown meets US Pharmacopeial Convention 800 guidelines to protect compounding pharmacy workers and the pharmacy environment from hazardous drugs. Features include a seamless front design to minimize the risks posed by working with harmful fluids. The gown also offers enhanced liquid barrier protection, an easy don-and-doff design, thumb loops, and low lint.
Kimberly-Clark Professional
(800) 241-3146; www.kimtech.com
Magnetic Conjugation Kit
Used in immunoprecipitation experiments
A magnetic conjugation kit from Innova Biosciences, Cambridge, UK, is the latest addition to the company’s line of particle conjugation technologies. The new kit enables researchers to conjugate antibodies and proteins covalently to 0.5 µm magnetic particles without the need for extensive optimization of the conjugation reaction, thereby saving precious antibody or protein. The kit is suited for use in immunoprecipitation experiments, as covalent attachment provides a more stable alternative to noncovalent antibody attachments using traditional protein A or protein G resin. The specially treated iron oxide magnetic particles offer a balance between high surface area and fast separation.
Innova Biosciences
(855) 466-6821; www.innovabiosciences.com
Valveless Waste Transfer Pump
Streamlines waste removal
The valveless waste transfer pump from Fluid Metering Inc, Syosset, NY, was designed for removal of waste fluid generated by medical diagnostic instrumentation during the process of analyzing a variety of patient fluid samples. Such waste fluids generally consist of a mixture of patient materials, including blood components and urine samples, combined with reagents, byproducts of reagent reactions, and wash fluids. The pump utilizes the company’s unique CeramPump valveless piston fluid control technology. One moving part—a rotating and reciprocating ceramic piston—accomplishes all fluid control functions within the pump.
Fluid Metering
(800) 223-3388; www.fmipump.com
Centrifuge Cell Windows
Impervious to acids, plasma
A line of sapphire UV cell windows for Beckman centrifuges that simplify field replacement and are impervious to acids, alkalis, body fluids, and plasma are available from Meller Optics Inc, Providence, RI. Meller Sapphire centrifuge windows are intended for use where chemical-, scratch-, and high-pressure resistance are required. Suited for Beckman centrifuges and similar instruments, the windows measure 19.03 mm dia. ±0.03 mm by 5 mm thick ±0.10 mm, and are offered wedged 1° or 2° and plano, with chamfers 0.35 mm x 45° in two places, and have a 30-5 scratch-dig surface finish. For less-demanding applications, windows made from quartz are offered with a 10-5 scratch-dig surface finish and a 16.00 mm central clear aperture.
Meller Optics
(800) 821-0180; www.melleroptics.com
Intelligent Pipette Stand
Accommodates four pipettes
The Rainin SmartStand from Mettler Toledo, Columbus, Ohio, is an intelligent, customizable, and scalable pipette asset management system that can be adapted to any laboratory’s standard operating procedures. Each SmartStand can accommodate four manual or electronic Rainin XLS or XLS+ pipettes, reading the embedded radiofrequency identification chip to determine the current calibration status, which is instantly and clearly displayed on the color LCD screen. A detailed view of each pipette’s service history and calibration status is revealed when it is removed from the stand, enhancing compliance by minimizing the risk of accidentally using out-of-specification equipment.
Mettler Toledo
(800) 472-4646; www.mt.com/us/en/home.html
Pipetting Module
Sports antidroplet control
Hamilton Company, Reno, Nev, offers a choice of intelligent pipetting modules, including the Zeus and the new Zeus LT OEM pipetting module. Each module incorporates Hamilton’s pipetting technology, reducing the integrator’s learning curve. Both are suited for analytical instrument and clinical diagnostic systems, and Zeus LT offers the option for integrators to custom design the z-axis. More than a simple pipette module, the Zeus LT incorporates Hamilton’s intelligent air displacement pipetting technology, including qualitative pipette monitoring for clogged tips or foam aspiration, antidroplet control for pipetting of volatile liquids, capacitive and pressure-based level detection, tip detection, and liquid class definitions.
Hamilton Company
(800) 648-5950; www.hamiltoncompany.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Drugs of Abuse Screening Menu
Designed for Mindray chemistry analyzer
MedTest, Canton, Mich, has launched urine drugs of abuse screening reagents for the Mindray BA-800M chemistry analyzer for use in clinical laboratories in the United States. A complete chemistry testing menu is also in development for the analyzer. The analyzer produces 800 photometric test results per hour with an overall throughput of 1,200 tests per hour with ion-selective electrode. The sample delivery module provides a sample capacity of 440 positions. The analyzer’s reagent consumption design minimizes reagent usage per test and reduces the reagent bottle dead volume. Advanced features offer such processing efficiencies as clot detection, collision recovery, continuous reagent loading, one-key stat touch button, probe liquid level, reagent bubble detection, and water quality monitor.
MedTest
(800) 445-9853; www.medtestdx.com
Blood Collection Device
Cleared for hemoglobin A1c testing
Seventh Sense Biosystems Inc (7SBio), Medford, Mass, has received FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance for its TAP blood collection device. TAP is placed on an individual’s upper arm, and blood collection starts with a simple press of a button. The process typically takes 2–3 minutes. The current clearance allows healthcare workers to use TAP to collect capillary blood for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, which is routinely used to monitor blood sugar levels in diabetic or prediabetic patients. 7SBio is working with FDA to expand the use of TAP to add more tests.
Seventh Sense Biosystems
(617) 335-2796; www.7sbio.com
P16 Biomarker Test
Performed in conjunction with H&E staining
Roche, Basel, Switzerland, has received FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance for its CinTec histology test. The clinically validated p16 biomarker test, when used in conjunction with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, helps pathologists determine which women should receive treatment for cervical precancer. To provide a more-conclusive diagnosis, the test uses the p16 biomarker for a distinctive visual confirmation of precancerous cervical lesions that can be missed by H&E interpretation alone. The CinTec test is fully automated on the Ventana BenchMark in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry instruments.
Roche
(800) 428-5076; www.roche.com
Herpes Simplex Virus Assay
Differentiates HSV-1 and HSV-2
Hologic Inc, Marlborough, Mass, has obtained FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance to market its Aptima herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 molecular assay on the fully automated Panther system. The test will be commercially available in the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico. The Aptima HSV 1 and 2 assay is performed on clinician-collected swab specimens from anogenital skin lesions, and can be used to detect and differentiate HSV-1 and HSV-2 qualitatively. The assay can be used to aid in the diagnosis of HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections in symptomatic women and men. It distinguishes between HSV-1 and HSV-2, which is recommended in all patients with first-episode genital herpes.
Hologic
(781) 999-7300; www.hologic.com
