Nanozoomer

Digital pathology system

Olympus America Inc, Center Valley, Pa, has signed an agreement with Hamamatsu Corp, headquartered in Japan, for distribution of the Nanozoomer Digital Pathology system in the United States and Canada. The Nanozoomer is a virtual microscopy system that delivers automated, high-throughput slide scanning with good image quality. Olympus offers a comprehensive family of imaging-based systems and solutions for the pathology suite. Nanozoomer allows researchers to do slide scanning for analysis, publication, or archiving. Up to 210 slides are automatically scanned at 20x or 40x using three 4096 x 64 pixel time delay and integration CCD imaging sensors. The end result is a slide in about 4 minutes. Large numbers of tissue slides can be scanned automatically and completed overnight, with virtual slides ready for study in the morning. Once captured, each slide can be viewed in its entirety on a high-resolution monitor, allowing the observation of a larger area than the microscope’s field of view. Digitizing slides allows archiving without specimen degradation, glass breakage, or other problems, and permits the same tissue specimen to be reevaluated in subsequent studies.

Olympus America Inc
(800) 455-8236
www.olympusamerica.com/microscopes

Biomic V3 Microbiology System

Automated CHROMagar MRSA testing

The Biomic V3 Microbiology System’s color image analysis reads, interprets, and records BBL Chromagar MRSA test results. The system, from Giles Scientific Inc, Santa Barbara, Calif, can also be useful to study epidemiological trends of MRSA infection rates in hospitals. Automating Chromagar reading decreases labor and eliminates human subjectivity. High-resolution color test images can be saved for future review. The system also automates the reading of antibiotic disk diffusion tests following CLSI guidelines and commercial identification panels, including RapID (Remel), API, and BBL Crystal (BD). Biomic V3 serves as a primary or complimentary AST-ID system for microbiology laboratories of all sizes and setups. A bidirectional LIS interface can be added to further speed workflow. It connects to a standard Windows-based PC and requires no routine maintenance or service.

Giles Scientific Inc
(800) 603-9290
www.biomic.com

Reaads Enzyme-Linked Immunoassays

Fully programmable on automated system

The Reaads product range of ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay)-based assays, from Corgenix Medical Corp, Denver, uses proprietary technology to focus on the diagnosis and management of selected autoimmune, vascular, and liver disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome and von Willebrand disease. Corgenix pioneered the field of antiphospholipid antibody detection with the development of the first FDA-cleared assay for measuring anticardiolipin antibodies. The company provides a complete panel of antiphospholipid tests—Anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibodies IgG/IgM and IgA, Anti-Phosphatidylserine (aPS) antibodies IgG/IgM and IgA, Anti-Beta 2 Glycoprotein I (aB2GPI) antibodies IgG, IgM, and IgA and Anti-Prothrombin (aPT) for improved positive predictive values, also providing users with the option of single-point or multipoint calibration. All of the company’s assays are programmable on the DSX Automated System, and technical support staff is trained and available to assist with the laboratory’s automation needs. A full line of BioTek microplate instrumentation, such as plate readers with extensive onboard data analysis including curve fitting and control validation, and microplate washers for 96-well applications, can also be purchased through Corgenix.

Corgenix Medical Corp
(303) 457-4345
www.corgenix.com

Pathos

Fully automated, same-day histoprocessing

Pathos from Milestone Medical, Shelton, Conn, is a fully automated rapid microwave histoprocessor that enables same-day diagnosis for a wide range of tissue types and improved patient care. The system allows users to simultaneously process different types of tissues with variable thicknesses, up to 210 specimens at a time, with remarkable speed and control. Conventional histoprocessing techniques often require 24 hours of processing time. Now, within 1 hour, biopsies can be processed; and within 4 hours, tissues up to 5 mm thick can be ready. With this unit, there is no need to change current grossing procedures. Laboratories are not restricted to costly proprietary reagents, and they experience no downtime in cleaning, which allows for immediate start of the next processing run.

Milestone Medical
(866) 995-5300
www.milestonemed.com

Access Inhibin A

Automated assay

Beckman Coulter Inc, Brea, Calif, has introduced Access Inhibin A, an automated assay for the quantitative determination of dimeric inhibin A levels in human serum and plasma—expanding the reproductive test menu for its family of immunoassay systems. The newly automated assay negates the need to split samples when processed in tandem with other reproductive assays on the Access 2 or UniCel DxI 800 Access immunoassay systems. Hospitals and laboratories use the assay to report rapid, accurate results that aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of various reproductive hormonal disorders. Beckman Coulter has an exclusive license to manufacture and market the assay, which delivers a time to first result in approximately 56 minutes, and offers 28-day calibration and open-pack stability. It is standardized to the Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc Inhibin A ELISA and can be performed using serum or plasma (EDTA, Heparin) in a sample volume of 70 µL. The liquid, ready-to-use reagent features an analytical sensitivity of less than 1 pg/mL and total imprecision of less than or equal to 8% coefficient of variation at inhibin A concentrations greater than 30 pg/mL.

Beckman Coulter Inc
(800) 526-3821
www.beckmancoulter.com

Flexicon Model FF30

Tabletop filling and capping machine

Flexicon America Inc, Burlington, Vt, has released a device that makes precision filling and capping of diagnostic products into vials and small bottles an efficient automatic process. Flexicon Model FF30 Tabletop Filling and Capping Machine is designed as a step up from manual filling for batch sizes from 100 to 2,000 units per day. The automatic filling process eliminates fill inaccuracies and operator strain injuries resulting from repetitive torquing of the closures. The easy-to-clean, peristaltic filler features precision accuracy, consistent torque, fast format changeover, and efficient certification. Adustment to accommodate variations in product viscosity is made through the selection of the appropriate tubing dimension. The device works with vials from 12 to 50 mm, and can produce fill volumes between 0.1 ml and 100 ml.

Flexicon America Inc
(802) 657-3232
www.flexiconamerica.com

Advia LabCell Automation Solution

Fully integrated and automated operations

The integration of the Immulite 2000 and 2500 systems with the Advia LabCell/WorkCell Automation Solution allows labs to process all of their immunoassay testing on a single primary tube. The system provides the benefit of fully integrated and automated operations, resulting in a solution that represents synergy of performance and productivity. With the combination of Immulite, the solution can improve laboratory efficiency, reduce turnaround time, and decrease work hours. Depending on workloads, it can provide labs with the capacity to take on incremental work without adding instrumentation and staff. Additionally, linking Immulite to the Advia Centralink Data Management and Networking Solution enables the entire system to be connected through a single server, and a single connection to an LIS. This allows for a streamlined, real-time review of all immunoassay patient results in a single record and quality control management for all immunoassay methods from any of the Centralink client workstations.

Siemens Medical Solutions
(888) 826-9702
www.medical.siemens.com

Shandon CheckMate

Verification system eliminates sample mismatch errors

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kalamazoo, Mich, announces the introduction of Shandon CheckMate verification system, specifically designed to eliminate sample mismatch errors in the anatomical pathology (AP) laboratory. This automated system can verify that sample containers, cassettes, and slides are accurately matched. This system eliminates sample mismatch errors by scanning and matching bar codes from slides, cassettes, and specimen containers at various workstations in the laboratory. Visual and audio indicators ensure that IDs are properly matched. This system improves result integrity in the AP laboratory by replacing error-prone, time-consuming manual checks, eliminating paperwork, and identifying errors when and where they occur. Verification data can be accessed by lab managers for reporting and quality-improvement purposes. The Shandon CheckMate verification system can be installed at any selected workstation in the AP laboratory. The system, made of bar code scanners, a mini-PC, and the proprietary CheckMate software, can be installed independently of the LIS, enabling slides and cassettes to be matched at workstations not connected to an LIS.

Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 522-7270
www.thermo.com/pathology