[AUTOMATION]

Mini H-Gantry Desktop Handling System
Positioning accuracy of ± .05 inches
Festo_EXCM mini-H gantry 16903u_3 500The EXCM mini H-gantry from Festo, Hauppauge, NY, is a desktop handling system for medical laboratory automation. Designed as a plug-and-play solution for quick, easy start-up, the planar surface gantry system is fast, accurate, modular, and flexible. The system moves samples on a planar X/Y axis with a positioning accuracy of ± .05 inches and a repetition accuracy of ± .01 inches. Typical applications include transfer of microwell plates, liquid dispensing, and pipetting. Applications with the addition of a Z-axis include sample preparation and transport; barcode-based sample identification and distribution; and aspirating, incubating, dispensing, and archiving samples.
Festo
(800) 993-3786; www.festo.com/us

[EQUIPMENT]

Water Purification System Series
Includes on-site feed water analysis
EMD Millipore_AFS water purification 500The AFS series of water purification systems from EMD Millipore, Billerica, Mass, has been developed to provide clinical laboratories with an economical and reliable water purification solution for daily water volumes of up to 3000 L. The AFS 40E, 80E, 120E, and 150E models use Elix electrodeionization technology to ensure consistent water quality with low and predictable running costs, while evolutive reject adjustment technology automatically optimizes water recovery. The system interface is accessible remotely via a PC, tablet, or smartphone for real-time monitoring, and the compact unit is mounted on wheels for flexibility. A certified EMD Millipore field service engineer will conduct a feed-water analysis prior to system installation. Customizations include an online total organic carbon monitor, a degassing mechanism, and a sanitary sampling valve, among others.
EMD Millipore
(800) 645-5476; www.emdmillipore.com

Indoor Air Quality Monitor
IDs volatile organic compounds
E Inst_AQ Pro-VOCThe AQ Pro-VOC indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor from E Instruments, Langhorne, Pa, provides real-time data logging for IAQ analysis in laboratories and cleanrooms. The compact, handheld unit includes a volatile organic compounds sensor with a low range of 0 to 22 parts per million and a high range of 0 to 200 ppm. The standard model detects temperature, % RH, barometric air pressure, and differential pressure, while upgraded units can add formaldehyde, H2S, NO2, O2, and SO2. The unit comes equipped with an active internal sampling pump, a magnetic rubber boot, Bluetooth, PC software and a USB port, and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Designed and made in the United States.
E Instruments
(215) 750-1212; www.e-inst.com

Programmable Hot Plate
Ensures accuracy to 1%
Torrey Pines_EchoTherm HP61A 640
The EchoTherm HP61A programmable hot plate from Torrey Pines Scientific, Carlsbad, Calif, comes with a 12-inch-by-12-inch milled-flat cast aluminum heater top for even heating across the surface. The temperature ranges from ambient to 450°C, controlled to ±1°C of the target, with accuracy to 1%. The unit comes with a temperature calibration certificate traceable to NIST. Users can set and store up to 10 automatically repeatable programs of 10 steps each using the unit’s front panel membrane switch and liquid crystal display. Temperature ramping rates may be set in 1°C per hour increments from 1°C per hour to 450°C per hour. The unit has a countdown timer with an alarm, user-settable auto-off function, and an RS232 I/O port for computer control or data logging. The HP61A is available in 100, 115, and 230 VAC and 50/60 Hz models.
Torrey Pines Scientific
(866) 573-9104; www.torreypinesscientific.com

Ultra-Low Freezer Line
Heat barrier system reduces frosting
Helmer Sci_i-series ultra low freezers
The new i.Series ultra-low freezer line from Helmer Scientific, Noblesville, Ind, is designed for the storage of biological samples in clinical markets. A cascade refrigeration system optimizes and protects the compressor, providing greater energy efficiency. A unique heat barrier system keeps heat out, resulting in better temperature uniformity and less frosting. The freezers are controlled and monitored by the i.C3 information hub, which aggregates critical freezer information on a 7-inch color touch screen. The ultra-low freezers also offer improved serviceability with intelligent component placement, line-of-site to serviceable components, tool accessibility, and diagnostics history available through the i.C3 information hub.
Helmer Scientific
(800) 743-5637; www.helmerinc.com

[INSTRUMENTATION]

Real-Time PCR System
Results in 20 minutes
Streck_Philisa PCR system 462
The Philisa real-time PCR system from Streck, Omaha, is a rapid real-time semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument designed for laboratory flexibility and rapid results. The system includes four random-access modules with eight wells in each module, six-color optical detection, and rapid heating and cooling ramp rates of 15°C per second and 12°C per second, respectively. Each module can be programmed independently for on-demand and flexible processing, allowing for four different PCR protocols to be executed at the same time. Precise thermal control, short hold times, and thin-walled plastic tubes enable labs to achieve reliable qPCR results in 20 minutes.
Streck
(800) 843-0912; www.streck.com

[MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES]

Kanban Label Holder
Indicates low stock
Akro Mils_kanban label holder 640
The Kanban extended label holder from Akro-Mils, Akron, Ohio, is designed to adapt the company’s AkroBins and shelf bins into a complete, single-bin Kanban system. Available in two sizes, the holder features a bright orange Kanban flag that slides out to indicate that stock is low and the bin needs to be refilled. The label holder features a 2-inch-by-4-inch angled face for easy label viewing and scanning. The holder can be installed with the label area facing upward for viewing on low shelves or louvers, or downward for viewing on high shelves or louvers. The Kanban label holder is compatible with Akro Mils’ AkroBins, 4-inch shelf bins (except model 30110), 6-inch ShelfMax bins, and 1800 series AkroBins.
Akro-Mils
(800) 253-2467; www.akro-mils.com

Tear-Off Face Shields
Ebola protection
PolyShield_ebola face shield 400
Laminated medical shields from PolyShield, Pickerington, Ohio, are created for use in critical medical applications, including those involving exposure of personnel to the ebola virus. Made from highly durable, thin polymer material, the films can be used as an integral face shield or as an add-on to strengthen existing face shields. Each film includes multiple layers that can be easily removed to reveal a pristine sheet, increasing safety by removing the need to change or sanitize shields and reducing personnel’s exposure to the virus. The shields contain no air bubbles and are bacteria-proof, since there are no air gaps between layers where bacteria and other infection-spreading bacteria could accumulate. The films are highly transparent and include an anti-reflection surface that reduces glare from lighting.
PolyShield
(614) 755-7674; www.polyshieldllc.com

Pipet Keeper
Dispose of contaminated items
Whitney_Pipet Keeper 640
The new, longer design of the Terminal Pipet Keeper from Whitney Medical Solutions, Niles, Ill, now allows individual workstation disposal of contaminated pipettes, swabs, and other items up to 15 inches in length. Designed for easy use by both right- and left-handers, the container comes with an interlocking top and enclosable flaps. The Pipet Keeper is disposable, made of sturdy cardboard, and has a plastic lining and webbed corners to hold a moderate amount of liquid. The boxes store flat, requiring less space than rigid plastic containers, and fold together for use. Contaminated materials can be autoclaved inside the container and disposed of according to local, state, or federal regulations.
Whitney Medical Solutions
(800) 338-4237; www.whitneymedicalsolutions.com

Borosilicate Glass Culture Tubes
Tissue culture-compatible
Denville_Sci_Boroscilicate Culture Tubes 400A new range of borosilicate glass culture tubes from Denville Scientific, South Plainfield, NJ, are designed to reduce pH changes and contaminants that can be leached from soda lime glass tubes. Featuring well-rounded bottoms and smooth, fire-polished rims, the tubes are chemically inert as well as tissue culture and blood bank compatible. Produced from type 1, class A borosilicate glass, the tubes meet ASTM E890 specification, type 1 requirements, conform to USP type 1 standards, and are produced in an ISO 9001-certified factory. Available in packages of 250 units, they are shrink-wrapped for purity and designed to fit in standard test tube dispensers.
Denville Scientific
(800) 453-0385; www.denvillescientific.com

[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]

FDA-Cleared “Super-Control”
Contains 100 analytes
Randox Acusera
The Acusera Liquid Assayed Chemistry Premium Plus control from Randox Laboratories, Kearneysville, WVa, has received FDA clearance for use in United States laboratories. Dubbed a “super-control,” the multianalyte control contains 100 of the analytes most commonly used in routine medical testing, potentially saving laboratories significant time and money while ensuring highly accurate results and patient diagnosis. In liquid format for ease of use, the third-party control includes a combination of proteins, lipids, immunoassays, cardiac markers, blood markers, therapeutic drugs, and routine chemistry analytes, and is available in three concentrations that cover the full clinical range. The control is also highly stable, with an open-vial stability of 7 days at 2°C to 8°C.
Randox Laboratories
(866) 472-6369; www.randox.com

Mid-Volume Chemistry Analyzer
560 tests per hour
Carolina Liquid Chem_clc720i 640
Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp, Winston-Salem, NC, has introduced the CLC720i, a new, FDA-cleared chemistry analyzer that meets the needs of mid-volume clinical laboratories. Producing up to 400 photometric tests and 240 ISE tests per hour with an overall throughput up to 560 tests per hour, the CLC720i offers numerous automatic processes, including pre-dilution, post-dilution, QC, rerun, probe cleaning, reagent blank checks, and probe collision recovery. The automatic ISE calibration feature provides the operator with flexibility in setting the time for ISE calibration to occur. The system’s ease of maintenance also saves time and cost while increasing productivity. Carolina Liquid Chemistries is the exclusive distributor of the CLC720i.
Carolina Liquid Chemistries
(877) 722-8910; www.carolinachemistries.com

Bubble Boy Disease Screening Test
First commercially available test for severe combined immunodeficiency
PerkinElmer_EnLite Neonatal TREC system 400
The Victor EnLite and EnLite Neonatal TREC kit from PerkinElmer, Waltham, Mass, is the first commercially available screening test in the United States and Canada for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), known as “Bubble Boy” disease. Affecting an estimated 1 in 58,000 newborns each year, SCID is an inherited genetic condition that makes it extremely difficult to fight off infections. Screening with the Victor EnLite and EnLite Neonatal TREC kit provides an effective, semiquantitative determination of T-cell receptor excision circle, a circular DNA structure that serves as the primary identifiable marker for SCID. Designed to fit within the existing newborn screening paradigm, the test simplifies screening by reducing steps and minimizing manual work. The test also eliminates a transfer step to reduce contamination risks. PerkinElmer provides software-aided traceability for workflow, which can improve safety and efficacy in screening use.
PerkinElmer
(781) 663-6900; www.perkinelmer.com

Extraction-Free Dihydroxyvitamin D Assay
65 minutes time to first result
Diasorin_Liaison Vitamin D assay 640The Liaison XL 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D assay from DiaSorin, Stillwater, Minn, is the first extraction-free, fully automated 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D assay available on the market, according to the company. While previous 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D assays have required a time-consuming upfront extraction step, the new Liaison assay eliminates that process, providing a time-to-first-result of 65 minutes. Available only on the Liaison XL analyzer, the Liaison assay is a chemiluminescent immunoassay for the quantitative determination of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D in serum, EDTA plasma, and lithium heparin plasma. Laboratories with Liaison XL analyzers can now run the Liaison 25 OH vitamin D total assay, Liaison N-Tact PTH Gen II, and Liaison XL 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D together on one instrument, utilizing a single serum sample tube.
DiaSorin
(651) 439-9710; www.diasorin.com

Ebola Detection System
20 minutes time to result
PostivieID_Firefly
The Firefly Dx system from PositiveID Corp, Delray Beach, Fla, is a point-of-need, handheld system designed to deliver molecular diagnostic results in less than 20 minutes using real-time polymerase chain reaction chemistry. Unlike lab devices, which may require 2 to 4 hours to generate results, the portable Firefly Dx system can quickly detect pathogens in patients and in the environment, leading to more rapid and effective treatment. The system has already demonstrated the ability to detect and identify common pathogens and diseases such as various strains of influenza, E. coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, human papilloma virus, and ebola. The system is suitable for use by hospitals, physicians, and military personnel.
PositiveID Corp
(561) 805-8000; www.positiveidcorp.com