[EQUIPMENT]
Single-Latch Pneumatic Carrier
Offers safe transport of specimens
For the safe transport of hospital laboratory specimens, pharmaceuticals, and other liquid contents in pneumatic tube systems, Atreo Services, Denver, Colo has developed a single-latch, end-opening 6-inch sealed carrier. Unlike common “clam-shell” carriers, the company’s unique model features an end-opening design that enables users to use one hand to hold the carrier while using the other hand to load contents and latch it shut. Streamlining workflow, this design removes the potential for unlatched transport and over-stuffing of contents that can lead to tube system failure and costly downtime. The high-impact polycarbonate body is capped with energy-absorbent rubber ends, providing durability, quiet delivery, and vertical standing. Rubber ends are available in a number of colors, while the body is clear for easy contents identification. The carrier is compatible with most 6-inch tube systems.
Atreo Services
(844) 819-5897; www.atreoservices.com
Ductless Fume Hoods
Rust- and flame-resistant
CleanAire II ductless hoods from Hemco, Independence, Mo, are designed to meet DH I requirements as defined by the Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association 9 standard. Featuring a built-in carbon filtration system to adsorb nontoxic fumes and odors, the hood recirculates air back to the laboratory and comes equipped with an integral blower, vapor-proof light, fan, and light switches. The hood’s superstructure is constructed of chemical-, flame-, and rust-resistant, non-metallic composite resin with a molded one-piece seamless interior fume chamber. A vertical, sliding clear acrylic sash protects the user and contains the process fumes. The hood is shipped completely assembled and ready for operation.
Hemco Corp
(800) 779-4362; www.hemcocorp.com
Combustible Gas Sniffer
Pinpoints small leaks
The model 7899 combustible gas sniffer from E Instruments, Langhorne, Pa, is a portable device for detecting leaks from piping or appliances. The device is equipped with a highly sensitive tip to pinpoint small leaks of combustible gases and hydrocarbons such as natural gas, methane, propane, butane, or liquid petroleum gas. The portable tool includes an 11-inch flexible probe for reaching difficult places; produces readings in units of PPM, %vol, and %LEL; and has a range of 0 to 10,000 ppm. Features include auto zero-drift adjustment, a large visual LCD and bar graph display, an audio alarm, and a hold function.
E Instruments
(215) 750-1212; www.e-inst.com
Click-N-Seal Fittings
Connect semi-rigid tubing and 10-32 conical ports
The 10-32 cone-tip Click-N-Seal Ultra from Diba Industries, Danbury, Ct, connects 10-32 conical ports with 1/16-inch outside diameter semi-rigid tubing, such as tubing made from polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The fitting is suitable for pressure ratings up to 2000 psi (140 bar) and is constructed from PEEK for enhanced chemical resistance. It also includes a space-saving compact head design and ensures leak-free connections via the company’s patented Click-N-Seal technology. Users hand-tighten the fitting until the correct torque is reached, at which point the cap clicks, preventing both over- and under-tightening. The fitting can also be unscrewed and reused, making it suitable for multiuse applications.
Diba Industries
(203) 744-0773; www.dibaind.com
Mobile Workstation
Adjustable height ranges from 27 inches to 42 inches
Workplace furniture company Lista International Corp, Holliston, Mass, has announced the availability of mobile bases for almost all of its workbenches and workstations, including the Arlink and Align brands. Bases seek to maximize convenience and enable customers to reconfigure their workspaces easily to keep up with changing demands. Modular Arlink workstations offer a unique definite positioning system, which permits worksurfaces and shelves to adjust on 4-inch increments, and most other accessories on 1-inch increments. Align workstations have an adjustable height range from 27 inches to 42 inches, allowing quick alignment for different tasks or operator preference. Customers can also use the complimentary ListaWorks service, whereby a team of experts will propose a custom solution, complete with 3D models and diagrams, for a specific workplace.
Lista
(877) 465-4782; www.listaintl.com
Vibration-Free Incubators
For protein crystallization
EchoTherm incubators from Torrey Pines Scientific, Carlsbad, Calif, are bench-top chilling incubators designed for protein crystallography and other life science laboratory uses. The Peltier-based incubators are compressor-, chlorofluorocarbon-, and vibration-free, making them ideal for performing protein crystallization. Available in six models—three simply digital and three fully programmable—the units feature proportional-integral-derivative temperature control, a digital display, and an RS232 I/O port for remote control and data collection. Models are also equipped with a digital timer in hours, minutes, and seconds, with a programmable auto-off control, temperature ramping, and audible alarms. Chamber sizes are 27.5 liter, 55 liter, or 100 liter. They are settable in 0.1°C increments from 4°C to 70°C and are accurate to ±0.1°C. The incubators are shipped with universal power supplies that convert 50/60 Hz AC line inputs from 100 V to 265 V into 12 V DC for the units. The units also arrive with an AC line cord for the country of use, a user’s manual, and a 1-year warranty. The units are UL, CSA, and CE compliant.
Torrey Pines Scientific Inc
(866) 573-9104; www.torreypinesscientific.com
Storage Cabinets
Safeguard against noxious and odorous chemicals
Suited for storage of noxious or odorous chemicals, Safestore vented chemical storage cabinets from Air Science, Fort Myers, Fla, are designed to minimize health and environmental risks in handling chemical vapors and residues, volatile organic compounds, and general laboratory functions. Available in 25 liter, 1,000 liter, and 2,000 liter capacities, the cabinets isolate and trap biological and chemical vapors to prevent cross contamination and operator exposure. They also aim to eliminate chemical or particulate release into the environment. Through an Air Science multiplex filtration system, personnel are protected during the cabinet’s use, maintenance, and decontamination. The advanced carbon filtration technology offers a safe alternative to ducted cabinets.
Air Science USA
(239) 489-0024; www.airscience.com
Air Quality Monitor
Tracks O2 and CO2 levels
The DualAir Check monitor from Air Liquide, Houston, is designed to protect personnel in confined spaces and other locations where low O2 or elevated CO2 levels may pose a hazard. Unlike air quality monitors that use continuously depleting electrochemical sensor cells, the DualAir model features patented zirconium and NDIR cells that provide stable O2 and CO2 readings even in areas where temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity levels are continually changing. The unit is low-maintenance for “plug-and-forget” operation: the O2 sensor requires no quarterly calibration or annual maintenance, and the monitor automatically adjusts to ambient CO2 levels on a weekly or on-demand basis if desired. In addition, no zero or span adjustments or expensive maintenance is required.
Air Liquide
(800) 217-2688; alspecialtygases.com
[MISCELLANEOUS ]
Linearity Set of Ammonia, Ethanol Controls
For Roche clinical chemistry systems
Audit MicroControls Inc, Eatonton, Ga, has expanded its line of calibration verification and linearity controls with the Linearity LQ set of ammonia and ethanol controls for Roche systems. The set of controls is designed to simulate human serum samples for determining linearity, calibration verification, and verification of the reportable range for quantitative assays performed on Roche clinical chemistry analyzers. The Linearity LQ set is a ready-to-use liquid product consisting of five levels that demonstrate a linear relationship to each other when assayed for ammonia and ethanol. The product has an open-vial stability of 2 days when stored at 2–8°C.
Audit MicroControls
(866) 252-8348; www.auditmicro.com
Sterile Cut-Resistant Gloves
Feature ANSI level 4 cut protection
Wells Lamont Industrial, Niles, Ill, has enhanced its portfolio of sterile cut-resistant gloves with the addition of the Scepter M321. The gloves feature ANSI level 4 cut protection, providing high-quality cut resistance without compromising tactile sensitivity. The Wells Lamont line of glove products also includes the Spec-Tec M102 and Spec-Tec Stretch M104. Users have the option to wear the gloves alone or with a disposable glove to reduce the likelihood of a laceration. The gloves can be reused 10 to 15 times. Also available in nonsterile packaging, Scepter and Spec-Tec gloves are made in Philadelphia, Miss, in accordance with the ISO 9001:2000 quality system standard.
Wells Lamont Industrial
(800) 247-3295; www.wellslamontindustry.com
Gold and Silver Microarray Substrates
500 angstrom layer of pure gold or pure silver
SuperGold and SuperSilver substrates from ArrayIt Corp, Sunnyvale, Calif, are designed to bring quick, easy implementation and affordability to gold-surface and silver-surface based assays. Features include a 500 angstrom layer of pure gold or pure silver, a 2,000 angstrom gold or silver nanolayer thickness, and a corner chamfer for unambiguous functional side identification. An atomically flat glass substrate improves assay precision, while a chrome adhesion method allows for durability. Substrates measure 1 mm ´ 25 mm ´ 76 mm and are manufactured using a Class 1 cleanroom process, thereby preventing particle contamination. With antistatic, environment-proof packaging, the substrates arrive ready to use.
Arrayit Corp
(408) 744-1331; arrayit.com
Culture Medium
Differentiates Vibrios at reduced cost
Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, Calif, has released HardyChrom Vibrio, a highly selective culture medium for use in primary screening, isolation, and differentiation of Vibrio pathogens. The shellfish pathogen V. parahaemolyticus is differentiated from other Vibrios such as V. alginolyticus by its teal coloration, while the deadly pathogens V. cholerae and V. vulnificus are differentiated from other Vibrios by their magenta coloration and from each other by the fluorescence of V. vulnificus under ultraviolet light. Providing a fluorogenic reaction for thorough differentiation, HardyChrom Vibrio is the only chromogenic medium to differentiate these Vibrios on the same plate. Independent studies showed superior performance compared to the traditional thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar method and reduced cost compared to molecular screening methods employing polymerase chain reaction. HardyChrom Vibrio is available in the Criterion dehydrated culture medium format, as well as in prepared plated media. The medium’s formula has a patent pending.
Hardy Diagnostics
(805) 346-2766; www.hardydiagnostics.com
Universal Hanging Bins
Create distinct bin profiles
Akro-Mils, Akron, Ohio, has released its new materials handling catalog featuring several new products, including universal hanging bins, a double-sided benchtop spinner rack, the kanban extended label holder, the Ultra/Deck platform truck system, and a variety of new wire shelving components. The universal hanging bin can be hung from any of its four sides, creating different bin profiles. Featuring a full-rim hanging cleat design, the bin may be hung from a louvered panel on any of its four sides and from rails by two sides. The bins are also sized to fit evenly across standard-size wire and steel shelving units, providing added utility for optimizing storage spaces. When hooked along the back, the bins function as sloped picking bins, keeping parts visible and accessible. Hanging the bins from the front creates a standard shelf-style profile, allowing the bin to be filled to capacity. Bins nest when empty.
Akro-Mils
(800) 253-2467; www.akro-mils.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Diagnostic Kit
Simultaneous testing of up to 46 patient samples
Developed for small and medium-sized laboratories, the PelvoCheck CT/NG diagnostic kit from Greiner Bio-One is especially useful for reliably testing asymptomatic patients for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. The test reportedly delivers highly sensitive testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Also validated for testing with pooled samples, the PelvoCheck CT/NG kit permits up to 46 patient samples to be tested simultaneously for both Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Samples consist of cervical or vaginal smears or first-void urine. DNA is extracted with the help of the company’s oCheck DNA extraction kit and reproduced using polymerase chain reaction. The amplification products are hybridized on a special microarray slide and analyzed with the CheckScanner to produce a customized, patient-specific report. According to the company, the diagnostic kit’s clinical sensitivity and specificity are very high. CE marked as an in vitro diagnostic in the European Union, and approved for screening programs in line with international regulations, PelvoCheck is part of the oCheck product range from Greiner Bio-One GmbH.
Greiner Bio-One
(704) 261-7800; www.greinerbioone.com
Oxalic Acid Reagent Kit
Delivers complete specimen processing system
The OxA oxalic acid reagent kit from Alpha-Tec Systems, Vancouver, Wash, offers a complete specimen processing system to digest, neutralize, and resuspend clinical specimens properly for the improved recovery of Mycobacterium spp from specimens containing Pseudomonas spp. By controlling pH throughout the specimen preparation process, reagents found in the kit improve the efficiency of acid-fast bacillus diagnostics and reduce the occurrence of contaminated and reprocessed samples. All reagents are pre-aliquoted with open-and-pour volumes to standardize processing protocols and eliminate cross-contamination. A long shelf life of 24 months eliminates wasted product. Packaged in a unique tray designed for convenient use in the biosafety cabinet, reagents store at room temperature.
Alpha-Tec Systems
(360) 260-2779; www.alphatecsystems.com
