[AUTOMATION]

Sarstedt HCTS2000 crop640Bulk Loader
Streamlines sample access and sorting
The HCTS2000 MK2 from Sarstedt, Nümbrecht, Germany, is designed for the registration and sorting of closed, unracked primary sample tubes using information in the barcode or received from the laboratory information system (LIS). The unit accesses and sorts closed primary sample tubes to seven user-defined target bins. Optional extension modules add five bins each for up to 22 targets. The instrument can process up to 2,000 tubes per hour, and tubes can be loaded and unloaded with minimal interruption. Users can select 10 different sets of sorting rules, and the unit can sort with or without LIS connection. It is compatible with a broad range of tubes, regardless of manufacturer.
Sarstedt
(800) 257-5101; www.sarstedt.com

[COMPUTERS/IT]

Ideal Networks NaviTek crop640Network Tester
Aids in troubleshooting
The NaviTek NT from Ideal Networks, Sycamore, Ill, is a network tester for troubleshooting and maintenance of active and passive copper and fiber networks. Measuring 6.9 inches x 3.1 inches x 1.6 inches, the compact, rugged unit fits into restrictive areas where important cabling is often located. The device’s built-in screen displays such information as test summaries and at-a-glance snapshots of the network. The unit offers fast detection of link and internet protocol (IP) information, including domain name system, duplex, dynamic host configuration protocol, gateway status, IP address, port ID, speed, and virtual local area network. The tester also detects integrated services for digital network, plain old telephone service, and power over Ethernet.
Ideal Networks
(800) 947-3612; www.idealnetworks.net/us/en

[EQUIPMENT]

Air Science Purair ECODuctless Fume Hoods
Available in five standard sizes
Air Science, Fort Myers, Fla, has released the Purair Eco line of energy-saving ductless fume hoods designed for both chemical and particulate protection over a broad range of applications. The hoods were developed to minimize stress on facility heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems without compromising protection for personnel and the environment. The line is available with a choice of controllers, including the company’s new EcoAir touchpad control with color display interface. An optional BACnet network interface connects all cabinet control, monitoring, and alarm functions to an open-source facility monitoring system. The system is compliant with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers protocol for green building management. The line is available in five standard sizes from 30 inches wide to 69 inches wide.
Air Science
(800) 306-0656; www.airscience.com

Aerocom Titan station crop640Tube System
Streamlines carrier routing
Aerocom Healthcare, Denver, offers a variety of 4-inch and 6-inch pneumatic tube system stations that feature an integrated bypass to ensure that no contaminated air is released. The Titan is a send and receive station that is also equipped with the company’s pass-thru design, enabling carriers to pass through the station en route to their destination. Available in 6-inch steel, the station comes with radiofrequency identification tracking, and LED and touchscreen displays. Stations are designed to be wall- or floor-mounted, recessed, or cased in. Aerocom recently established its Denver office, which will be dedicated to providing services for the North American healthcare market.
Aerocom Healthcare
(800) 231-4156; www.aerocomhealthcare.com

[MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES]

Randox diagnostic reagents linearity screen copyLinearity Sets
Developed for use with Beckman Coulter and Roche instruments
The quality control division of Randox Laboratories, Kearneysville, W Va, has launched a new Acusera calibration verification line of products for Beckman Coulter and Roche instruments. The linearity sets cover a wide range of clinical testing, including cardiac markers, proteins, and therapeutic drugs. Products are liquid, ready to use in varying levels, and are available in multiple configurations to meet the specific needs of individual analyzers while challenging the instrument’s complete reportable range. Complementing the new linearity sets is the Randox data reduction software. Easily accessed online, the software provides instant access to automatically generated charts, statistics, and real-time peer group data.
Randox Laboratories
(866) 472-6369; www.randox.com

MedTest BS480 crop640Ready-to-use Reagents
Developed for Mindray chemistry analyzer
MedTest, Canton, Mich, has released direct hemoglobin A1c, homocysteine, and lipoprotein(a) reagents for the Mindray BS-480 chemistry analyzer for use in clinical laboratories in the United States and Canada. The ready-to-use, liquid reagents should be stored at 2–8°C, and are provided in barcoded containers for ease of use. Suited for the testing needs of mid-volume laboratories, the analyzer produces 400 photometric test results per hour and 240 ion-selective electrode tests per hour, with an overall throughput of 560 tests per hour. As the exclusive US distributor of the BS-480 chemistry analyzer, MedTest handles manufacturing and distribution of reagents, calibrators, and quality control products for the general chemistry and drugs-of-abuse testing markets.
MedTest
(800) 445-9853; www.medtestdx.com

[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]

Now Dx rapid tests crop640Rapid Blood Test
Diagnoses pregnancy at the point of care
The AdexusDx human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) point-of-care test from NowDiagnostics Inc, Springdale, Ark, uses a single drop of capillary or whole blood to diagnose pregnancy earlier than urine-based tests. The test has received FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance and is registered under the terms of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. The company’s first FDA-cleared test available in the United States, the test is an immunoassay used for the qualitative detection of hCG in human whole blood, plasma, or serum. Depending on the woman and her pregnancy, the test can detect pregnancy approximately 2 to 8 days earlier than commonly available urine-based tests, according to the company. Results are available 10 minutes after the test is used.
NowDiagnostics
(479) 966-4530; www.nowdx.com

BD Ultratouch crop640Blood Collection Device
Uses proprietary needle technology
The Vacutainer UltraTouch pushbutton blood collection set from BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ, uses proprietary needle technology to help enhance the patient experience during phlebotomy procedures. The blood collection set employs patented PentaPoint Comfort 5-bevel needle technology, designed to create a flatter, thinner surface to help penetrate the skin with greater ease. The set can be used in combination with BD RightGauge technology, which increases the needle’s inner diameter and enables clinicians to select a smaller gauge needle without sacrificing sample quality and blood flow.
BD
(800) 638-8656; www.bd.com

Cepheid carba-rCarbapenem Resistance Test
Detects, differentiates carbapenemase genes
Cepheid, Sunnyvale, Calif, has received FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance for the Xpert Carba-R, a qualitative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test for identification of five distinct families of carbapenem resistance genes. The genes represent the most common carbapenemases identified globally, including IMP, KPC, OXA-48, NDM, and VIM. Xpert Carba-R is the first FDA-cleared test for detection and differentiation of carbapenemase genes in pure bacterial isolates previously shown to be nonsusceptible to carbapenem antibiotics, which may be cultured from a wide range of clinical specimens, including blood cultures, urine, respiratory samples, abscesses, and swab surveillance specimens. Xpert Carba-R is the 20th IVD test available to run on Cepheid’s GeneXpert system in the United States.
Cepheid
(408) 541-4191; www.cepheid.com

Veladx Sentosa SX101HCV Genotyping Assay
Runs on Sentosa NGS system
The Sentosa SQ hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping assay by Vela Diagnostics, Fairfield, NJ, is an assay intended for viral genotyping of HCV from human plasma or serum sample. The assay covers the regions of NS3, NS5A, and NS5B, and detects genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and subtypes 1a and 1b. The limit of detection is 1000 IU/mL for genotypes 1 (including 1a, 1b, and others), 2, 3, and 4, and 2000 IU/mL for genotypes 5 and 6. All Vela NGS assays are designed for use on the automated Sentosa next-generation sequencing system.
Vela Diagnostics
(973) 852-3740; www.veladx.com