COMPUTERS/IT

 

Instrument Manager Software Update
Works with third-party applications
Data Innovations, South Burlington, Vt, introduces version 8.12.10 of Instrument Manager (IM), which features several changes. Added functionality for confirmatory testing protocols requires two-person review and release. Dedicated intralab comment fields for specimens and tests improve communication and provide more detailed documentation. The interface translation tables (mapping) can be managed by third-party applications such as Microsoft Excel and imported or exported from external files. Monitoring hot-backup systems has been added to the primary status screen to ensure users’ redundant systems are synchronized and working properly.
Data Innovations
(802) 658-2850; www.datainnovations.com

EQUIPMENT

Thermo Scientific Sorvall LYNX 6000 CentrifugeHigh-Speed Centrifuge Series?
Six-liter capacity, carbon fiber rotors
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, Milford, Mass, introduces the new Thermo Scientific Sorvall LYNX superspeed centrifuge series. It features a 100,000 x g top speed performance and supports high-throughput sample processing from 50 mL conical tubes and microplates to 1 L bottles, up to a six-liter capacity. Run setup is simple, with an intuitive touchscreen interface featuring a bright, highly visible, and durable display. Onboard video tutorials and access controls, such as user login with password protection, provide advanced training and programming options. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant Fiberlite carbon fiber rotors, including the new Fiberlite LEX designs, improve ergonomics and performance.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc
(800) 766-7000; www.thermofisher.com

HEMCO Hoods


Floor-Mounted Fume Hoods

Easy to assemble and move
Floor mount hoods from UniMax, Independence, Mo, are constructed of chemical-resistant, nonconductive modular panels fea­turing composite resin surface material. Standard models range from 6 feet to 24 feet wide, 4 feet to 8 feet deep, and 7 feet to 16 feet high. This modular design allows for onsite assembly and the ability to disassemble at a later date, move, and reassemble. Floor surfaces, including seamless composite resin containment basins with raised fiberglass decking, can be supplied to ensure that spillage is controlled.
UniMax
(800) 779-4362; www.HEMCOcorp.com

SHELLAB CO2 Incubator
CO2 Incubator

Various features enhance stability
Sheldon Manufacturing Inc, Cornelius, Ore, introduces the SHEL LAB Model 2428H, the newest addition to its large-capacity CO2 incubator line. This 27-cubic-foot incubator features active humidity control up to 95%. The heated glass door minimizes condensation. The triple-paned door allows easy viewing of samples without having to open the incubator door, so samples can thrive in the stable environment within the chamber. The 2428H SHEL LAB Humidified CO2 also features an antimicrobial copper drain. The carbon dioxide incubator uses a gentle horizontal airflow heating system to obtain superior temperature uniformity and quick temperature recovery after door openings. This airflow system minimizes drying and disturbing sample conditions. The CO2 is accurately controlled with an IR sensor, providing overall CO2 stability and recovery after door openings.
Sheldon Manufacturing Inc
(800) 322-4897; www.shellab.com

BioData PAP-8Aggregometer
Supports diagnoses of hemostasis disorders
The PAP-8E from Bio/Data Corp, Horsham, Pa, is an aggregometer for laboratory applications. Ease of use and standardized test procedures allow for rapid and routine testing of platelet function. The PAP-8E supports diagnoses of hemostasis disorders including von Willebrand Disease (vWD), Glanzmann’s disease, HIT, Bernard Soulier Syndrome, and Sticky Platelet Syndrome. The system measures the rate and extent of aggregation, agglutination, activation, and inhibition reactions.
Bio/Data Corp
(215) 441-4000; www.biodatacorp.com

INSTRUMENTATION

EKF Quo-Lab
HBA1C Analyzer

Delivers results within minutes
EKF Diagnostics, Cardiff, UK, manufacturer of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools, introduces two POC analyzers. The Quo-Lab glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) analyzer for the affordable management of diabetes will be released for European use. The Quo-Lab is joined by a new, strip-based analyzer for accurate near-patient testing of ketosis—the STAT-SiteTM M bHB. Requiring minimal training and just 4 µL of venous or finger prick blood, the small and lightweight Quo-Lab delivers lab-accurate results within 4 minutes.
EKF Diagnostics
+44 (0)29 20 710570; www.ekfdiagnostics.com

DiatronClinical Chemistry Analyzer
Fully-automated, random-access system
The Diatron Group, Lenexa, Kan, introduces the Pictus 700, its latest clinical chemistry analyzer. It is a fully-automated, random-access system, suitable for a modern lab. The analyzer can carry out up to 720 tests per hour on sample volumes ranging from 0.2 ?L to 100 ?L, by employing continuous sample loading in a 95-position patient sample tray, with two separate reagent trays. Other features include 72 reagent channels, an independent cooling system, liquid-level sensing and clot detection, plus end-point, and kinetic detection modes. The analyzer has a highly efficient cuvette washing system that requires low water consumption (approximately 3 L/hr) and does not need connection to the laboratory plumbing system.
The Diatron Group
(913) 344-9955; www.diatron.com

MISC SUPPLIES

AlphaTec gram slides 300DPI
Gram Stain QC Slides

Available in three designs
Gram Stain QC Slides from Alpha-Tec Systems, Vancouver, Wash, were designed to ensure the quality, accuracy, and reliability of Gram stain reagents and staining procedures. To foster testing accuracy, the slides provide a known positive and negative control that the laboratory can use to limit the batch-to-batch differences in staining procedures and standardize diagnostic criteria. The slides are available in three designs. Each slide contains a Gram positive control of Staphylococcus aureus and a Gram negative control of Escherichia coli. Slides with specimen wells provide areas for either one or three clinical specimens—ideal for the second and third shifts for review by the supervisor. The slides eliminate the need for the lab to maintain in-house cultures or control organisms and are compatible with all automated stainers.
Alpha-Tec Systems
(800) 221-6058; www.alphatecsystems.com

TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS


G-SphereMolecular Standards Line

Synthetic genes provide consistent control
Phthisis Diagnostics, Charlottesville, Va, has released its molecular standards product line, the G-Sphere Molecular Standards, which are synthetic genes that provide safe, stable, and consistent controls for organisms and molecular assays. This custom product is supplied as 100 reaction vials that come with dilution buffer and instructions for use. In addition to custom orders, G-Sphere Molecular Standards have been developed for various parasites, including cryptosporidium, giardia, entamoeba, plasmodium, microsporidia, and other analytes.
Phthisis Diagnostics
(434) 293-8180; www.phthisisdiagnostics.com

Roche HE4Ovarian Cancer Monitoring Assay
The HE4 test now available in United States
Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, now offers US availability of the Elecsys HE4 assay, an FDA-approved test used in monitoring patients with ovarian cancer. The Elecsys HE4 assay is an immunoassay for the quantitative determination of HE4 in human serum and plasma. The test is used as an aid in monitoring the recurrence or progressive disease in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Studies demonstrate that HE4 shows a high specificity to ovarian cancer over that of CA 125 alone, according to the company, and that both HE4 and CA 125 together, rather than either of them alone, provide a more accurate tool for differential diagnosis of patients with ovarian cancer and ovarian endometriotic cysts from healthy subjects.
Roche Diagnostics
(317) 521-2000; www.roche-diagnostics.us

Alere SHIGA TOXIN CASS.jpgShiga Toxin-Producing E coli Test
Samples within 30 minutes
Alere Inc, Waltham, Mass, reports the FDA has cleared the Techlab Shiga Toxin Quik Chek test for the US market. Shiga Toxin Quik Chek can detect Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC), which can have fatal effects, directly from a stool specimen. The test removes the need for overnight bacterial culture preparation. It requires few processing steps and provides differentiated results for Shiga Toxin 1 and 2 within 30 minutes of sample receipt, allowing for rapid diagnosis and prompt initiation of patient treatment.
Alere Inc
(781) 647-3900; www.alere.com

Meridian illumigeneMolecular Test for Group A Strep
No capital equipment required
Meridian Bioscience Inc, Cincinnati, has received FDA clearance for a new molecular diagnostic test for Group A Streptococcus on the illumigene platform. The illumigene Group A Strep test uses loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) technology to detect Streptococcus pyogenes in throat samples. The test procedure is simple and highly sensitive. It requires no expensive capital equipment. The test relies upon a simple procedure that takes less than 1 hour. All reagents and disposables are contained in the test kit and can be stored at room temperature.
Meridian Bioscience Inc
(800) 543-1980; www.meridianbioscience.com

ExpressDrugs-of-Abuse Testing
Tests up to 17 drugs
Express Diagnostics, Blue Earth, Minn, has received FDA 501(k) clearance for up to 17 drugs in cup and dip tests, including buprenorphine, propoxyphene, cocaine (150 ng/mL), and methamphetamine (500 ng/mL). Express’ catalog of drugs-of-abuse testing devices includes fully-integrated cups and dip devices; flat-panel cups to easily copy or scan results for permanent record; capacity to screen for up to 15 drugs, alcohol, and/or adulterants; and CLIA-waived cup and dip tests.
Express Diagnostics
(888) 466-8433; www.drugcheck.com