The new Rapidpoint 405 critical care analyzer is a blood gas system specifically designed for point of care testing. It has all the features of the Rapidpoint 400, and now offers a fully integrated CO-oximetry module. This allows physicians real-time access to the oxygenation status of their critically ill patients.
     The fully integrated CO-oximetry module offers five new hemoglobin tests — tHb, O2Hb, COHb, MetHb and HHb — to assist in the assessment of medical emergencies including hypoxia, burns, sepsis, poisoning, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, septic shock, blood loss, toxicology screening, and post-op recovery from surgery.
     The Rapidpoint 405 analyzer offers maintenance free operation, intuitive sample management system, and on-board quality management.
     The Rapidpoint 400 series systems are capable of reporting results within 60 seconds.  Their point of care menu includes pH, blood gas, electrolytes, glucose and hematocrit, and now CO-oximetry — all with the capability to be monitored remotely by the central laboratory.
     A single, multiple-use measurement cartridge contains all of the components of a traditional laboratory analyzer. This long-lasting cartridge includes the sampling unit, all of the sensors and all calibrating reagents. No gas tanks are required. A wash/waste cartridge contains the wash solution and also serves as the collection device for all of the waste, providing a completely closed, biosafe system. The Rapidpoint 400 series uses a zero-maintenance, cost-effective multi-use cartridge and auto sampling to provide consistent results. A color touch screen with icons and video guidance provides ease of use.The addition of the 405 to the Rapidpoint line brings CO-oximetry results closer to the patient, along with a complete menu for critical care.
Bayer Diagnostic
www.CLPmag.com 
Keywords: blood gas, point of care, CO-oximetry