[COMPUTERS/IT]
Pain Management Module
Designed for laboratory information systems
AP-Visions LLC, Marco Island, Fla, has released the xP/M pain management module, designed as a plug-in for the company’s xLab laboratory information system (LIS). The module features a user-friendly reporting package designed specifically for laboratories certified to perform high-complexity testing under the requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. AP-Visions laboratory customers who are currently performing moderate-complexity lab testing have the option of adding drugs of abuse and pain management reporting. Based on the MySQL database and compatible with Windows XP and above, the xLab LIS provides users with centralized order entry and result retrieval, with results sent automatically to electronic medical record systems or billing systems.
AP-Visions
(239) 970-0892; www.ap-visions.com
Sample Tracking Technology
Integrated with Psyche lab information systems
Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, Ill, has integrated its Cerebro sample tracking system with the WindoPath and NucleoLIS laboratory information systems (LISs) by Psyche Systems, Milford, Mass. The collaboration seeks to increase the efficiency and quality of pathology lab services by reducing the number of clicks and data entry steps required of users, in order to minimize the chance of errors and improve patient safety. The Cerebro system tracks and verifies the identity of every specimen at every point of a lab’s workflow, and provides users with customizable reports and a real-time dashboard display. The technology securely links each patient to all their case items using unique patient identifiers.
Leica Biosystems
(844) 534-2262; leicabiosystems.com
[EQUIPMENT]
Tube Selector
Designed to reduce sample contamination
The Micronic tube selector from Micronic, Lelystad, the Netherlands, offers the convenience of single-handed operation and the capability of manually picking individual tubes from any tube storage rack without the necessity of lifting them. For laboratories looking to reduce sample contamination, the tube selector enables hands-free manual picking and placing. An easy wipe-clean surface further reduces the chances of sample contamination. A single thumb button enables the rapid and secure picking of a sample storage tube. Pressing the thumb button again releases the tube. The grippers of the tool are optimized to be compatible with all 96-well format Micronic tubes sealed with either screw caps or push caps.
Micronic
(484) 480-3372; www.micronic.com
Ductless Nanoparticle Containment Enclosures
Constructed with a stainless steel infrastructure
Air Science, Fort Meyers, Fla, has introduced a new line of ductless nanoparticle containment enclosures. The Purair Nano enclosure is designed to contain nanomaterial particles that are 100 nm or less in diameter (ultrafine). Constructed with a stainless steel infrastructure, powder-coated fan filter units, and dual filtration options to ensure containment, the enclosure protects the operator from nanomaterial particles encountered during processing of carbon nanotubes, lithium batteries, and rare earth metals. The enclosure is available with the optional SafeSwitch filter shutter system for safer bag-in/bag-out filter exchange. It features filter clamping, which eliminates bypass leakage, and an exhaust canopy that allows for thimble ducting to the facility exhaust system. Enclosures are available in 24-inch, 36-inch, or 48-inch widths.
Air Science USA
(800) 306-0656; www.airscience.com
[INSTRUMENTATION]
Visible Range Spectrophotometers
Includes a simple user interface
Biochrom, Holliston, Mass, has added two new products to its Libra visible spectrophotometer portfolio, the Libra S4+ and S6+ spectrophotometers. Compact, lightweight, and ergonomically designed, the devices each include a large display and simple user interface for rapid setup and analysis. The Libra S4+ is an entry-level visible spectrophotometer for labs performing basic spectroscopy measurements. The Libra S4+ takes single-wavelength measurements of absorbance, % transmission, and concentration, and has the ability to perform simple kinetics. The Libra S6+ builds on the features of the Libra S4+ with the addition of multiwavelength measurements and life science methods that include BCA, Bradford, Biuret, and Lowry methods for protein quantification. Both instruments accept standard 10 mm pathlength glass or disposable cuvettes.
Biochrom
(508) 893-8999; www.biochromspectros.com
Positive-Pressure Manifold
Streamlines sample preparation
Phenomenex Inc, Torrance, Calif, has introduced the Presston 100 positive-pressure manifold for sample preparation. An alternative to the vacuum manifold, the Presston 100 applies pressure from above to pass liquids through the sample preparation products. The device reduces the inconsistent pressures that are inherent in vacuum techniques, and its high-pressure capability enables the separation of viscous samples. A single unit can prepare samples in tubes or 96-well plates. It is compatible with a number of technologies, including Phenomenex Strata solid phase extraction, Novum simplified liquid extraction, and Clarity synthetic DNA and RNA biosolutions.
Phenomenex
(310) 212-0555; www.phenomenex.com
[MISC SUPPLIES]
Zika Monoclonal Antibodies
Function in immunofluorescence assays
ViroStat, Portland, Maine, has released a set of new monoclonal antibodies to the NS1 protein of Zika virus. The new antibodies do not crossreact with related flaviviruses tested, nor with chikungunya virus. They function in immunofluorescence assays and pair in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, usually marked by a mild, self-limiting infection of short duration that results in fever and a rash. The symptoms are similar to those caused by the Dengue and chikungunya viruses. However, recent cases of Zika infection among pregnant patients have resulted in fetal neurological complications with resulting birth defects. There is also evidence that the virus can be transmitted sexually.
ViroStat
(207) 856-6620; www.virostat-inc.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
D-Dimer Calibrator
Runs in replicates
The Validate D-Dimer calibration verification and linearity test kit from LGC Maine Standards, Cumberland, Maine, has received FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance for use on ACL Top hemostasis test systems from Instrumentation Laboratory, Bedford, Mass. The kit evaluates D-Dimer in a human-plasma base matrix. The ready-to-use liquid agents should be stored at –10 to –25°C. Users add the product from the dropper bottle directly into a sample cup and run in replicates. LGC Maine Standards MSDRx data reduction software is available for real-time data analysis. Laboratories can also send their data to LGC Maine Standards, where a technical specialist will complete the data analysis and return a report within 5 business days.
LGC Maine Standards
(800) 377-9684; www.mainestandards.com
Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay
Detects the presence of Zika virus
FDA has granted Siemens Healthineers, Tarrytown, NY, an emergency use authorization (EUA) for its real-time polymerase chain reaction Zika virus assay, the Versant Zika RNA 1.0 assay (kPCR) kit. The kit is capable of detecting the presence of Zika virus, which can be an earlier indicator of Zika virus infection than anti-Zika antibodies. The molecular test is validated for plasma, serum, and urine (collected alongside a patient-matched serum or plasma specimen) from individuals meeting Zika virus clinical criteria or Zika virus epidemiological criteria from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The assay must be run by laboratories in the United States that are certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 to perform high-complexity tests, or by similarly qualified non-US laboratories. The kit has not been FDA cleared or approved and is only authorized for use for the duration of the emergency use declaration.
Siemens Healthineers
(800) 242-3233; usa.healthcare.siemens.com
The xMap MultiFlex Zika RNA assay from GenArraytion.
Multiplex Nucleic Acid Test
Designed to detect Zika virus RNA
Luminex Corp, Austin, Tex, has received FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for a multiplex nucleic acid test designed to detect Zika virus RNA in potentially infected patients using blood serum, plasma, or urine specimens. Designed by Luminex partner GenArraytion Inc, Rockville, Md, the xMap MultiFlex Zika RNA assay detects Zika viral RNA in serum, plasma, or urine collected alongside a patient-matched serum or plasma specimen. The assay is available for purchase by laboratories that are certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 to perform high-complexity tests. The multitarget assay uses the Luminex 100/200 or Magpix instrument, or other authorized instruments, to simultaneously test for six genetic targets of the Zika virus. The xMap MultiFlex Zika RNA assay has not been FDA cleared or approved, and is authorized for use only for the duration of the declaration justifying such emergency use.
Luminex Corp
(866) 401-5450; www.luminexcorp.com
