[AUTOMATION]
Hematology Analyzer
Processes up to 60 slides per hour
The Hematek 3000 hematology analyzer from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, provides semiautomated slide staining for laboratories that require a system capable of staining up to 60 slides per hour. A continuous-feed loading platform reduces wasted time associated with batch staining methods. An all-in-one stain pack includes enough stain for up to 900 slides and reduces hands-on time for simplified operation and optimized workflow. Pumps deliver a precise volume of reagent for each slide, while the platen provides uniform stain from field to field and slide to slide with accurate mixing and uniform stain and buffer delivery. Slides become available for viewing immediately following completion of staining. System alerts notify users of low stain levels to ensure uninterrupted performance. The system is RoHS-compliant.
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
(914) 631-8000; www.siemens.com/diagnostics
[EQUIPMENT]
Core Temperature Recorder
260-degree range
The wireless RTR-601 handheld thermometer and core temperature recorder from TandD Corp, Santa Fe, is designed to measure the internal temperature of food items and liquids using an insertion probe. The unit can also capture time, date, operator information, and item identification. Suitable for both hot and cold readings, the RTR-601 has a measurement range of -25°C to 235°C and displays current readings and Go/NoGo judgment results on a backlit LCD display. A temperature stabilization algorithm prevents recording until the probe tip temperature has reached a final, steady-state value. The unit can store up to 1,800 data readings before exporting data to a LAN over a 900 MHz wireless link. The probes are available in two different lengths and can be attached directly to the unit or to a handle with a 3-foot cord.
TandD Corp
(518) 669-9227; www.tandd.com
Acute Care Analyzer
POC testing for 17 parameters
The ABL90 Flex acute care analyzer from Radiometer America, Westlake, Ohio, enhances point-of-care (POC) utility, portability, and flexibility. Designed for lab or POC applications, the device measures 17 parameters, including blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites, and CO-oximetry, from 65 µL of whole blood. (Bilirubin is pending FDA clearance in the United States.) The analyzer supports full wireless connectivity and battery operation to enable real-time uploads of patient data. The system is lightweight for easy transport among clinical departments. The ABL90 is available with sensor cassettes in quantities of 100, 300, 600, and 900 tests for low- to high-volume testing.
Radiometer America
(800) 736-0600; www.radiometeramerica.com
[MISCELLANEOUS]
Cryopreservation Containers
Liquid-free cooling
CoolCell alcohol-free cell-freezing containers from Biocision, Larkspur, Calif, ensure standardized cell freezing without alcohol or fluids at a controlled rate of -1° per minute in a -80° freezer. Intended for use with a variety of cell types, including stem cells, primary cells, and cell lines, the containers use a thermo-conductive alloy and insulative outer materials to maintain the rate of heat removal and make cell cryopreservation reproducible. The units accommodate up to 12 cryogenic vials and are available in two sizes for 1- to 2-mL vials or 3.5- to 5-mL vials. A beveled design simplifies sample transfer by providing ready access to the vial tops, while numbered vial holes enable indexing and rapid removal.
Biocision
(888) 478-2221; www.biocision.com
BCID Panel
Results for 27 targets
The FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel M235 from Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Scarborough, Me, is intended for research use only as a quality control to monitor the detection and identification of 24 pathogens and three antibiotic-resistant genes associated with bloodstream infections when tested by the FilmArray instrument from BioFire Diagnostics. Two controls provide positive and negative results for each of the 27 targets. The panel comprises 12 tubes, 100 µL each, of synthetic DNA suspended in a non-infectious solution of buffers, preservatives, and stabilizers. The panel is stable through the expiration date provided on the label when stored at 2°C to 8°C and does not contain any biological material of human origin.
Maine Molecular Quality Controls
(207) 885-1072; www.mmqci.com
[INSTRUMENTATION]
Electrolyte Analyzer
Three-level quality control
The IONyte ISE electrolyte analyzer from Awareness Technologies, Palm City, Fla, features a self-contained, plug-in reagent pack and NIST-traceable calibrations. A graphics-enabled touch screen offers step-by-step user prompts. Providing long-term stability at room temperature and three-level quality control, the system electronically tracks the percent of reagent remaining and monitors expiration dates. A self-wetting system monitors for bubbles, clots, leaks, and worn tubing, and an intelligent user interface allows the system to be programmed to conform to established laboratory protocols. The IONyte ISE ensures verified precision, linearity, and correlation with reference methods and top-of-the-line products.
Awareness Technology
(772) 283-6540; www.awaretech.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Low-Binding Cell Culture Surface
Supports formation of cancer spheroids
The Nunclon Sphera from Thermo Scientific, Waltham, Mass, offers cancer researchers a non-adherent cell culture surface for the formation of consistent cancer and stem cell spheroids in vitro. An alternative to commonly used non-treated surfaces, the polymer-coated surface has very low-binding characteristics to allow different cell types to grow in suspension consistently with virtually no cell attachment. It also provides high quality for embryoid body formation of pluripotent stem cells, serving as a tool to investigate cell fate potential and lineage specificity of stem cells. The Nunclon Sphera is available in round and flat-bottom 96-well plates, single or multi-well dish and flask formats, and is designed to facilitate an array of cancer and stem cell research, from routine passage of cells to high throughput imaging analysis.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(866) 984-3766; www.thermoscientific.com
First Direct Vitamin D Test
Results in less than 20 minutes
The first direct vitamin D test from Carolina Liquid Chemistries, Winston-Salem, NC, produces a result in less than 20 minutes without requiring manual pretreatment of the specimen or reagent. Available only on the company’s CLC720 general chemistry analyzer, this FDA-cleared, homogenous immunoassay measures total 25-hydroxy vitamin D (the sum of both D2 and D3) and eliminates inaccurate results caused by matrix effects. Unlike microtiter plate tests, which run in batch and require 2 to 7 hours for completion, tests run on the CLC720 can be completed in random access mode alongside other assays, eliminating the need for batch testing. The CLC720 can accommodate up to 400 vitamin D tests per hour. The test is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s latest reference material.
Carolina Liquid Chemistries
(336) 722-8910; www.carolinachemistries.com
Prostate Cancer Blood Test
Reduces false-positive rate
The Prostate Health Index (PHI) from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Brea, Calif, reduces the need for men with elevated PSA levels to undergo biopsy to achieve an accurate diagnosis. The noninvasive blood test is three times more specific in detecting prostate cancer than prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a naturally occurring protein whose levels are typically elevated when cancer is present. Utilizing three PSA markers, including PSA, freePSA, and p2PSA, the PHI test avoids the risk of false positives associated with PSA testing due to benign enlargement or inflammation of the prostate. According to the company, a multicenter clinical study found a 31% reduction in unnecessary biopsies as a result of implementing the PHI test.
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics
(800) 526-3821; www.beckmancoulter.com
HbA1c Test
Identify and manage diabetes
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill, has received 510(k) clearance from FDA for the Architect clinical chemistry hemoglobin A1c test, a tool to aid physicians in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, as well as identifying people at risk for the disease. The HbA1c assay is used for the quantitative in vitro measurement of the percent hemoglobin A1c (% HbA1c) or the hemoglobin A1c concentration (mmol/mol) in human whole blood and hemolysate on Abbott’s Architect c8000 system. Hemoglobin A1c measurements are used to identify patients who may be at risk for developing diabetes mellitus, and for the monitoring of long-term blood glucose control in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Hemoglobin A1c should not be used for the diagnosis of diabetes in patients with abnormal red cell turnover, such as in cases of pregnancy, recent blood loss or transfusion, or some types of anemia.
Abbott Laboratories
(847) 937-6100; www.abbott.com
