[AUTOMATION]
Filling and Capping System
Fills vials at up to 20 VPM
The Flexicon FPC50W from Watson-Marlow, Wilmington, Mass, is a fully automated filling, plugging, and capping system that handles filling requirements for clinical trials and medium-batch production with peristaltic aseptic filling technology from 0.1 to 100-mL fill sizes. A Wipotec weighing cell measures the weight of each individual fill with an accuracy rate of ±0.002g, and is connected to the filling system to enable fully automatic recalibration of the pump throughout the batch. Additionally, the unit can employ a changeover of the single-use fluid path to adapt to multiple batch processes or different product fill volumes. The system is equipped with an automated precision turntable in-feed, an in-line filling station, and a rubber plug closure applicator that is capable of filling and capping vials at rates up to 20 VPM.
Watson-Marlow
(800) 282-8823; www.watson-marlow.com
[COMPUTERS/IT]
Performance Reporting Service
Automates data collection and analysis
Abbott Diagnostics, Lake Forest, Ill, has introduced a new performance monitoring subscription for its m2000 molecular diagnostics system. After a survey revealed that molecular diagnostics laboratory managers were spending 15% of their time collecting and organizing data, the company developed the mView system to automate data analysis and reduce the number of manually generated reports. The web-based system includes a dashboard with configurable reports as well as monthly archived metrics to gauge calibration frequency, tests over time, run efficiency, and composition. Users must install AbbottLink, Abbott’s remote diagnostics agent, prior to accessing mView. WebEx training is available to teach customers how to navigate the site and generate reports.
Abbott Diagnostics
(224) 667-6100; www.abbott.com
Spot Camera Software Update
Added macro and custom dialogue functions
Spot 5.2 software from Spot Imaging Solutions, Sterling Heights, Mich, provides ongoing support for Spot cameras while expanding their capabilities with new features and enhanced functionalities. The system offers support for Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9) and Windows 8, and a new microscopy-optimized, auto-brightness function. A new live-image overlay module is also available for e-physician applications. The company has updated the auto-exposure image types and ICC profiles for new cameras, and added macro and custom dialogue functions. Spot advanced software provides tools for fluorescence imaging and database archival, and supports modules for intensity display scaling, extended depth of focus processing, and peripheral device control. Image analysis tasks like automated counting, deconvolution, thresholding, and multidimensional imaging can also be accomplished with a Spot camera using MetaMorph NX software and the Spot camera driver.
Spot Imaging Solutions
(586) 731-6000; www.spotimaging.com
[EQUIPMENT]
Ductless Filtration System
Treats and recycles laboratory air
The Vent-Box ductless filtration system from Air Science, Fort Myers, Fla, is designed to protect laboratory personnel from chemical vapors found inside stand-alone chemical safety cabinets. The Vent-Box’s multiplex filtration system uses a pre-filter and main filter to absorb, trap, and neutralize the target chemicals or particulate. A flexible hose connected to the cabinet draws in fumes and returns clean, filtered air to the laboratory, eliminating the need for external ducting and minimizing the loss of treated, conditioned air from the facility. The system’s modular design permits multiple configurations, and its compact size enables easy positioning on shallow safety cabinets. The Vent-Box meets or exceeds standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the American National Standards Institute, and other international standards-setting bodies.
Air Science
(800) 306-0656; www.airscience.com
3-D X-Ray Microscope
Delivers tomography acquisition up to 50% faster
The Xradia 520 Versa 3-D x-ray microscope from Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Thornwood, NY, is designed for nondestructive in situ 3-D imaging of hard-to-image materials and their microstructures. The dual-scan contrast visualizer offers compositional contrast with side-by-side tuning of two distinct tomographies, enabling compositional probing for features often indistinguishable in a single scan. The high-aspect-ratio tomography imaging mode delivers tomography acquisition up to 50% faster for flat sample geometries. An automated change filter enables select or application-specific filters to be changed within recipes without manual intervention for greater ease of use and workflow efficiencies. The microscope is also available with an optional in situ interface kit. The Versa platform enables the widest use of in situ rigs in the industry, from high-pressure flow cells to tension, compression, and thermal stages.
Carl Zeiss Microscopy
(800) 233-2343; www.zeiss.com/microscopy
Analog Stirring Hot Plates and Stirrers
Individually control vessels
A new line of analog stirring hot plates and stirrers from Torrey Pines Scientific, Carlsbad, Calif, feature models with five or nine stirring positions. The ST15 Stirrer and the HS15 Stirring Hot Plate can stir up to five 800-mL vessels, while the ST19 Stirrer and HS19 Stirring Hot Plate can accommodate up to nine 500-mL beakers of aqueous solutions from 100 to 1,500 RPM. The 12-inch (305-mm) square ceramic heater tops have a temperature range up to 450°C, and each stirring position is individually controlled so different vessels can be stirred at different speeds at the same time on one plate surface. The units measure 19 inches (432 mm) deep by 12.5 inches (318 mm) wide by 5.25 inches (134 mm) tall, and can support more than 50 pounds (22.6 kg) on the plate surface. All controls are mounted well in front of the heater surface to protect against accidental burns, and the units are designed to keep spills out of the chassis.
Torrey Pines Scientific
(866) 573-9104; www.torreypinesscientific.com
Blast Freezers
Prepare samples for long-term storage
The XBF40 series of -40°C blast freezers from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Asheville, NC, provide rapid cooling during the sample-preparation process, prior to freezer storage. Designed to prepare samples for long-term storage and reduce stress on a sample storage freezer, XBF40 series freezers contain three separate compartments that enable users to rapidly freeze product without jeopardizing the freeze profile of products already in the freezer. The system is available in two models: the XBF40D-MD, for rapid plasma freezing, accommodates plasma bags, boxes, and bottles; while the XBF40D, for general-purpose applications, accommodates heavy loads and a variety of vessels such as carboys, bottles, and racks with vials. Each self-contained refrigeration system increases application flexibility and ease of use, requiring no customized installation or remote compressors. Forced-air circulation accelerates airflow to rapidly freeze the product, while adjustable shelves allow users to employ various types of containers.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(828) 658-2711; www.thermofisher.com
Syringe Drive
Precise liquid handling
The Hamilton Precision Syringe Drive 6 (PSD/6) from Hamilton Co, Reno, Nev, is a compact, full-height pump for precision dispensing of small to large volumes. The pump performs all standard liquid handling functions, including dispensing, serial dispensing, and diluting, and offers a large range of compatible syringe sizes. Enhanced flow stability and increased dispense times make it suitable for applications such as flow cytometry and microfluidics. Designed for simple integration, the Hamilton PSD/6 can accommodate a variety of mounting configurations using a single unit or a chain of up to 16 pumps. Selectable communication protocols and flexible programming options ensure that every detail of the pump’s performance can be adjusted to accommodate even the most challenging applications.
Hamilton Co
(800) 648-5950; www.hamiltoncompany.com
Second-Generation Cell Imaging Reader
Optimized incubation to 65°C
The Cytation 5 cell imaging multimode reader from BioTek, Winooski, Vt, is a second-generation imaging reader that offers improved functionality to both the automated digital microscopy and conventional multimode microplate detection modes, enhancing phenotypic cellular information and well-based quantitative data. The microscopy module provides cellular visualization of up to 60x magnification in fluorescence, brightfield, H&E, and phase contrast modes. Equipped with the company’s hybrid technology, the multimode module includes variable bandwidth quad monochromators, high-sensitivity filter-based detection, and laser-based Alpha detection. Cytation 5 also includes temperature control to 65°C, CO2/O2 control, shaking, and Gen5 software designed to facilitate sample detection, image capture, and analysis.
BioTek
(888) 451-5171; www.biotek.com
[MISCELLANEOUS]
Multipocket Lab Coat
Interior pockets for electronic devices
A new lab coat from ScotteVest, Ketchum, Idaho, incorporates the same multipocket, gadget-oriented engineering philosophy that the company applies to its general outerwear line. Designed to accommodate tablets, smartphones, and other portable electronic equipment, the coat offers 16 pockets, including two interior cell phone pockets to protect phones from exposure to external contamination, an exterior chest pocket suitable for an ID badge, and two tablet pockets sized to hold an iPad and log books. Headphone loops in the collar and access channels in the hand-warmer pockets enables wearers to use communications equipment or listen to music while keeping wires neatly tucked away. The coat is available in a white durable poly twill that has been treated to make it stain- and water-resistant. Apart from fit, men’s and women’s versions are identical in features and pockets, including the Euro-style double back vents for freedom of movement and comfort while seated.
ScotteVest
(866) 909-8378; www.scottevest.com
Linearity Panels
Detect adenovirus and HSV1-2
SeraCare Life Sciences, Milford, Mass, has introduced seven new AccuSpan molecular linearity panels for the detection of adenovirus, BK virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, JC virus, and varicella zoster virus. Designed to help assay developers challenge their transplant assays from extraction phase through amplification, the panels can ensure assays are validated and running properly. Each panel consists of four samples, including one negative, one low positive, one medium positive, and one high positive. The panels are provided in a ready-to-go, single-use format with target concentrations that cover the dynamic range of most molecular assays and are consistent within each lot and across batches. The AccuSpan linearity panels are suitable for critical viral monitoring and laboratory quality control.
SeraCare Life Sciences
(508) 244-6400; www.seracare.com
Ebola Disinfectant
Effective against HIV-1, SARS, and other viruses
Whizzer cleaner and disinfectant from Mueller Sports Medicine, Prairie du Sac, Wis, kills a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses, including ebola, hepatitis B and C, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, HIV-1, the Norwalk virus, and SARS. The disinfectant is also effective on the 2009 H1N1 flu strain, influenza A strains, and enterovirus D68 on hard, nonporous surfaces and kills a broad spectrum of bacteria (including MRSA) and fungus on contact, acting as a cleaner, fungicide, mildewstat, virucide, and deodorizer all in one. Whizzer is recommended for use on doorknobs, walls, and any hard surface that may come into contact with bacteria. It meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance concerning efficacy against nonenveloped viruses and can be used to disinfect environmental surfaces in rooms of patients with suspected or confirmed ebola virus infection.
Mueller Sports Medicine
(608) 643-8530; www.muellersportsmed.com
Sharps Disposal Container
Triple protection
The StickIt sharps container from EM Innovations, Galloway, Ohio, provides safe and immediate protection from blood-contaminated needles and syringes at the point of use. StickIt provides triple protection: an apron guard directs needles toward the opening, a one-way opening prevents sharps from accidentally falling out, and the attached lid snaps shut for permanent closure once the container is filled. The container is portable and mountable at virtually any treatment or emergency site. A removable multifunction clip and double stick tape are provided to enable easy attachment in a multitude of locations, including walls, doors, trays, and carts. The container is also suitable for use as a containment device in remote applications until a larger container becomes available, or by home users for sharps disposal.
EM Innovations
(614) 853-1504; www.eminnovations.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Analyzer
Supports 40 days of continuous use
The DiaSpect hemoglobin analyzer from EKF Diagnostics, Boerne, Tex, is a palm-sized point-of-care analyzer suitable for use in all climate conditions. Fast, easy to use, and accurate, the analyzer utilizes reagent-free microcuvettes that are unaffected by humidity, unlike reagent-based systems. The Plexiglas microcuvettes have a shelf life of 2.5 years and can be stored from 0°C to 50°C, requiring no refrigeration. Portable and lightweight at just 185g, the DiaSpect has an integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a life of 40 days of continuous use, or 10,000 tests. The analyzer is factory-calibrated against the hemoglobincyanide reference method in accordance with the International Council for Standardization in Haematology and requires no recalibration or maintenance. “Always-on” technology keeps the analyzer permanently ready for use: the user simply collects a capillary or venous blood sample of <10 µL in the microcuvette and inserts it directly into the analyzer. Hemoglobin results are delivered in 1 second and can be downloaded to a PC via USB or Bluetooth.
EKF Diagnostics
(800) 531-5535; www.ekfdiagnostics.com
HbA1c Assay
FDA-cleared
Beckman Coulter, Brea, Calif, has launched its FDA-cleared, next-generation hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) assay with improved performance for use on its AU and DxC series of chemistry analyzers. The assay has been standardized for offline sample preparation use on all platforms of the company’s AU clinical chemistry systems, in addition to online sample preparation use on the company’s UniCel DxC systems. The assay’s enhanced reagent formulation has been developed to improve accuracy and precision in order to continue meeting the latest accuracy grading from the College of American Pathologists and the recommendations of the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry. The HbA1c assay is standardized and holds a certificate of traceability to NGSP standards. When used in conjunction with Beckman Coulter’s Synchron/AU hemolyzing reagent or HbDil, the HbA1c assay is intended for the quantitative determination of hemoglobin A1c concentration in human whole blood.
Beckman Coulter
(800) 526-3821; www.beckmancoulter.com
