| AUTOMATION |
BioTek’s New BioStack3 Microplate Stacker
Increase throughput and efficiency
The BioStack3 Microplate Stacker from BioTek, Winooski, Vt, features a dual plate carrier and rotational wrist to quickly move plates from the source stack to the instrument and back to the destination stack,keeping two plates in process. It is designed to provide increased throughput for batched processes. In less than 10 seconds total transfer time, it can remove one plate from an instrument carrier and replace it with another microplate. In addition to the fast total transfer time, it features a choice of 10, 30, or 50 microplate storage stacks, and maintains a small footprint. BioStack3 automates routine microplate-based processes when integrated with most BioTek instrumentation for walkaway automation.
BioTek
(888) 655-4740; www.biotek.com
Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Increased speed and walkaway automation
The new Synergy NEO HTS Multi-Mode Microplate Reader from BioTek, Winooski, Vt, is an alternative for today’s advanced assays and screening applications. The technology is tailored for smaller cell-based
screening assays. It includes multiple parallel detectors to decrease measuring time, and dedicated filter-based optics for live cell assays. Patent-pending technology combines filter-based and monochromator-based systems in one compact unit for increased flexibility, speed, and performance. With a plate transfer time of about 6 seconds per plate, the optional integrated plate stacker’s speed allows increased efficiency and walkaway automation. Gen5 data analysis software controls predefined or custom protocol creation, data processing, and export flexibility.
BioTek
(888) 655-4740; www.biotek.com
| COMPUTERS/IT |
Toughpad Tablet Lineup Grows
Models come in Windows, Android varieties
Panasonic, Secaucus, NJ, expands its Toughpad line of enterprise-grade tablets with the introduction of two new models: the FZ-G1, a 10-inch tablet featuring Windows 8 Pro, and the JT-B1, a 7-inch Android-
powered unit. Both devices follow the original 10-inch Android-powered Toughpad FZ-A1, which became available last year. Toughpads of ruggedized tablets are tested for drops, fluid ingress, and temperature to ensure they deliver reliable performance under a host of usage scenarios. The FZ-G1 features a third-generation Intel Core i5-3437U 1.9GHz processor, 128 to 256GB of memory, and 4 to 8GB of RAM. Its screen is viewable in sunlight, and the battery lasts up to 8 hours. The JT-B1 features a TI OMAP4460 1.5GHz dual-core?processor, 16GB of memory, and 1GB RAM. Its display is also daylight-viewable, and the battery lasts 8 hours.
Panasonic
(877) 803-8492; www.panasonic.com
| EQUIPMENT |
Microliter Measuring Cell
Accurate measurement of small sample volumes
Eppendorf North America Inc, Hauppauge, NY, introduces the Eppendorf µCuvette G1.0, designed for accurate and reliable measurement of small volumes of highly concentrated biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Users can work easily with samples as small as 1.5 ?L without the need for a dilution step. It expands the measuring range of the Eppendorf BioPhotometer and the Eppendorf BioSpectrometer. Synchronized apertures mean a closed system is created when used alongside Eppendorf detection instruments. The optical path length of the ?Cuvette G1.0 is 1 mm.
Eppendorf
(800) 645-3050; www.eppendorfna.com
| INSTRUMENTATION |
Rapid-Response Chemiluminescent Analyzer
Meets demand for highly accurate results in autoimmunity
INOVA Diagnostics, San Diego, introduces BIO-FLASH, a rapid-response chemiluminescent analyzer for use by clinical reference and hospital labs. Also released are QUANTA Flash® reagents for autoimmune 
disease diagnostic testing. The analyzer offers full automation of a broad menu of highly accurate QUANTA Flash immunoassays for autoimmunity testing. Tests that previously required significant hands-on time can now be automated on an intuitive and rapid system. BIO-FLASH and the QUANTA Flash reagents are classified as moderately complex under the Clinical Laboratories Improvements Act (CLIA), making the system accessible to a wide range of labs. The first result is generated in as little as 30 minutes, with additional results generated one per minute thereafter.
INOVA Diagnostics
(800) 545-9495; www.inovadx.com
In Vitro Diagnostic Device
Delivers the power of mass spec for adoption in hospitals and clinical labs
AB SCIEX, Framingham, Mass, introduces the AB SCIEX API 3200MD™ and 3200MD QTRAP® 
LC/MS/MS systems*, two devices that can be used to analyze trace levels of multiple compounds in human samples for diagnostic purposes. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technology that has the potential to improve the quality of results for use in clinical diagnostics, while reducing costs compared to other technologies. The 3200MD series is the first of a family of IVD devices that the company plans to roll out around the world in the future. The intended use of these devices is to identify inorganic or organic compounds in human specimens for clinical use.
*Not available in every country.
AB SCIEX
(877) 740-2129; www.absciex.com
| MISC SUPPLIES |
Chromatography Columns and Supplies Catalog
Contains thousands of parts
Waters Corp, Milford, Mass, now offers its 2013 Waters Quality Parts, Chromatography Columns and Supplies catalog. The 440-page color catalog features part numbers and ordering information for thousands of individual parts including Waters Quality Parts, branded analytical and preparative-scale columns, vials, filters, sample-preparation products, analytical standards and reagents, and miscellaneous supplies. The catalog now includes information on the company’s latest offerings, many of which are suitable for the clinical lab.
Waters Corp
(800) 252-4752; www.waters.com
Antimicrobial Hand Hygiene Products
Broad-spectrum kill rate, gentle on hands
The line of Zylast XP hand hygiene products from Innovative BioDefense Inc, Lake Forest, Calif, which includes an alcohol-based antiseptic, a water-based moisturizing antiseptic lotion, a scrub, and foaming
hand cleanser, feature an antimicrobial technology that kills on contact and is persistent for 6 hours. The products are gentle on skin even with repeated use, and are triclosan, free. The products can be used sparingly, which results in cost savings over the long term.The antispetic and antiseptic lotion were shown to reduce gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at 1 hour by at least 97% and to be effective out to 8 hours.
Innovative BioDefense Inc
(845) 638-0296; www.zylast.com
| TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS |
Enterococcus Diagnostic Test
Platform enables 20-minute species ID
AdvanDx Inc, Woburn, Mass, introduces the Enterococcus QuickFISH BC, a rapid molecular diagnostic test that identifies potentially life-threatening bloodstream infections caused by Enterococcus. With these
new products, QuickFISH can now be used to identify the causative pathogens of approximately 70% of hospital-acquired infections from blood cultures. Enterococcus species are the fourth most common cause of hospital-acquired bacteremia in the United States. The platform enables 20-minute species identification of bacteria directly from positive blood cultures, allowing the reporting of pathogen identification at the same time as the reporting of Gram stain results.
AdvanDx Inc
(866) 376-0009; www.AdvanDx.com
100% DMSO-Based Sample Solutions
Users can measure for accuracy and precision
Artel, Westbrook, Me, is launching the first in a new line of 100% DMSO-based sample solutions for use 
with the MVS Multichannel Verification System. These will allow users to measure the accuracy and precision of volumes of DMSO dispensed into microwell plates. The first in the new line of DMSO solutions simplifies the volume-verification process for users of sub-microliter liquid-handling instruments. The dissolution of compounds into DMSO, and preparation of source plates, are often performed using air displacement pipettors. The performance of all these liquid handling instruments, along with pin tools, can be validated using the new DMSO solution.
Artel
(888) 406-3463; www.artel-usa.com
Chlamydia Trachomatis Test
New design features improve accuracy
Running on GeneXpert Systems from Cepheid, Sunnyvale, Calif, Xpert CT/NG is a qualitative in vitro molecular diagnostic test for the detection and differentiation of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Same-day patient consultation and treatment is possible for the two most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the United States. The research team used in silico approaches to uncover multiple genomic targets for improving the accuracy of both CT and NG detection. They also included a sample-adequacy control that the company believes can overcome limitations of first-generation technologies while adding to the interpretation of diagnostic results generated by the GeneXpert System.
Cepheid
(408) 541-4191; www.cepheid.com
Test Predicts Response to Chemotherapy
Results published in Cancer Research
A test developed by DiaTech Oncology, Nashville, Tenn, predicts a cancer patient’s response to different chemotherapy options prior to treatment, according to a new article published in 
Cancer Research. The MiCK assay test predicts the response by exposing tumor cells to multiple doses of several chemotherapeutic drugs, either as single drugs or in combinations. An algorithm monitors and computes the amounts of cell death caused by each of the drugs and establishes a drug-sensitivity “score” of the patient’s tumor cells. This allows the oncologist to prescribe chemotherapy that would be the most effective against that particular patient’s tumor cells. Use of the assay results in higher response rates, longer times to relapse, and longer patient survival, the company says.
DiaTech Oncology
(877) 434-2832; diatech-oncology.com
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel
Delivers results within 5 hours
The xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) from Luminex Corp, Austin, Tex, is a comprehensive molecular diagnostic assay that tests for greater than 90% of bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of infectious gastroenteritis. xTAG GPP is a nucleic acid-based amplification assay that simultaneously tests 
for 11 of the most common gastroenteritis-causing viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The panel includes: Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile toxin A/B, Escherichia coli O157, Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) LT/ST, Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) stx1/stx2, salmonella, shigella, rotavirus A, norovirus GI/GII, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium. The assay is capable of delivering multiple results within 5 hours. It is cleared on the Luminex 100/200 system. Simultaneous molecular testing on a single sample within a single shift provides benefits to laboratories in terms of workflow and resource utilization
Luminex Corp
(888) 219-8020; www.luminexcorp.com
Barrett’s Esophagus Assay
Trials show initial sensitivity of 86%
NeoGenomics Inc, Fort Myers, Fla, has validated and introduced a laboratory-developed Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (FISH) assay for the surveillance of patients with Barrett’s Esophagus (BE). The test is highly sensitive for the detection of the presence of esophageal cancer or high-grade dysplasia indicative of precancerous changes. The NeoSITE BE FISH test was designed specifically to be performed on brushing samples and can be used as an objective and easier means to aid in routine surveillance of BE patients. Trials showed initial sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 67% when the company’s proprietary algorithms were used to assist with interpreting the FISH results. Reported sensitivity and specificity levels were even higher when brushing samples were obtained from nodules rather than pan-brushing.
NeoGenomics Inc
(866) 776-5907; www.neogenomics.com
Blood Test for Lung Cancer
Has fewer false positives and better predictive value than CT
Pathology Holdings Inc, Torrance, Calif, parent company of its flagship laboratory Pathology Inc, is entering into a marketing agreement with UK-based Oncimmune to market the EarlyCDT-Lung, a blood 
test that aids in the risk assessment and the early detection of lung cancer. Pathology has begun to market the test to its network of clients, including independent laboratories, physicians, and hospitals in California, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Patient blood samples are analyzed at Oncimmune’s CLIA-certified laboratory. Nearly 2,000 physicians are using the test. Sixteen peer-reviewed publications support the performance and clinical utility of the EarlyCDT-Lung test. The test has high specificity (93%), seven times fewer false positives, and seven times better positive predictive value than CT, the company says.
Pathology Inc
(877) 922-7284; www.pathologyinc.com
LOCI Oncology Assays
Uses sandwich chemiluminescent immunoassay technology
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, has launched the LOCI CA 19-9 assay for use on 
Dimension Vista Systems. The release of this assay expands the oncology menu for the Dimension Vista 1500 (pictured) and Vista 500 systems, providing a core oncology menu to laboratories. This oncology portfolio employs LOCI technology, a homogeneous, sandwich chemiluminescent immunoassay technology. LOCI oncology assays enables laboratories to benefit from assay performance when consolidating even more tumor marker testing on a single platform.
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
(888) 588-3916; www.healthcare.siemens.com
Spinal and Body Fluid Control
Includes CPPD crystals and urate crystals
Cell-Chex is a manual spinal and body fluid control from Streck, Omaha, Neb. It includes calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals along with distinct white blood cell and red blood cell populations 
for manual cell counts. Cell-Chex includes CPPD crystals and urate crystals. When stained in the same manner as a patient sample, the white blood cells can be differentiated. The multilevel control is assayed for manual cell counts, the five-part white blood cell differential, and the two-part polymorphonuclear and mononuclear differential. CPPD crystals are present in Level 1-CC, urate crystals are present in L1-UC, and Level 2 has no crystals. Both urate and CPPD crystals are easily identified and do not interfere with cell counting. Cell-Chex offers a 6-month closed-vial stability and 30-day open-vial stability when stored at 2°C to 10°C.
Streck
(402) 333-1982; www.streck.com
