Quick Slide Plus

Compact slide stainer

GG&B Co, Wichita Falls, Tex, has created a small slide stainer that is handy as a backup unit in large laboratories, or as the primary stainer in small operations. QuickSlide Plus stains single slides in less than a minute using QS-29000 stain. Prefixing is not required for blood smears, but is needed for bone marrow slides. Stain and buffer timing are adjustable, as is the fill level, which delivers consistent results for multiple users. The advanced microprocessor is paired with an LCD display that conveys operator prompts. The computer displays the number of cycles remaining, monitors reagent levels, and alerts users to reorder reagents. Reagent kits come in self-contained packages of 125 tests. The unit occupies roughly 900 cm² of counter space.

GG&B Co
(800) 295-9588
www.quickslide.com

El Dorado Donor Doc

Electronic health history questionnaire and physical exam tracker

The system, created by Wyndgate Technologies, El Dorado Hills, Calif, helps blood centers screen donors by capturing medical and physical exam information. Donors answer questions at their own pace guided by a text or audio presentation in their preferred language. Granted 510(k) clearance by the FDA, the product introduces the ElDorado suite of integrated blood-management solutions. Donor Doc can be implemented on standard and touch-screen computers and can be used at fixed-site and mobile blood drives. The software identifies donor responses that allow additional staff investigation and help blood centers prevent release of products from unsuitable donors. The product integrates with donor center information systems, including SafeTrace, also manufactured by Wyndgate.

Wyndgate Technologies
(800) WYNDGATE
www.wyndgate.com

UltraCrit

Ultrasound hematocrit measuring device

Separation Technology Inc, Altamonte Springs, Fla, has introduced UltraCrit, a point-of-care device that uses ultrasound technology to measure hematocrit with cell-counter accuracy. Tests show an accuracy of <0.4% Hct and a precision of <0.8% CV at 41 Hct. The linearity is 10.3 - 72.0% Hct. The device was designed for use in blood banks and eliminates user subjectivity. Its USB port can communicate/download test results directly to a computer. With donor Hct/Hb deferrals looming as a concern, the UltraCrit ensures donors are accurately accepted or rejected. Hematocrit measurement allows for standardization for collection of whole blood, apheresis, and double red cell collections. A drop of blood is wicked into a cuvette, which is inserted into the device. No chemical reagents are contained in the collection cuvette, which extends the shelf life and allows for a range of storage-temperature requirements. It is not necessary to track open-container stability or validate the cuvettes. UltraChek, the quality control material, needs no refrigeration, no mixing, and is nonbiohazardous. It is available in low, normal, and high levels.

Separation Technology
Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 777-6668
www.separationtechnology.com

TS Meter Refractometer

Handheld device

The handheld clinical refractometer, created by Reichert Inc, Depew, NY, determines urine-specific gravity, protein concentration in plasma or serum, and total solids in other aqueous solutions. Automatic temperature compensation provides accurate readings from the built-in scale at all temperatures. It is not necessary to measure temperature or use conversion tables. The TS Meter furnishes readings with a degree of accuracy, reproducibility, and speed that tops readings obtained with urinometers or with nontemperature-compensated instruments. The readings compare with results from bench-type Abbe refractometers. An optional stand converts the device into a benchtop instrument, freeing hands for sample handling and paperwork. Key features include an instant reading from the scale inside the instrument, a urine-specific gravity scale reading (range 1.000 to 1.035) with precision to 0.001 units, serum/plasma protein concentration (range 2.5 to 15 grams/100 mL) with precision of 0.1 grams/100 mL, and refraction (0 to 320) with precision to 2. Accurate analysis can be performed with a small sample (0.002 mL or 0.005 mL with the special sample cover).

Reichert Inc
(888) 849-8955
www.reichertai.com

VeriSure Pro HBV Blood Screening Controls

For in vitro diagnostic use

The DNA External Quality Control (EQC), created by AcroMetrix Corp, Benicia, Calif, is a Procleix Ultrio HBV assay marketed and sold in the United States for in vitro diagnostic use. It provides a means for estimating accuracy and detecting systematic deviations of nucleic acid test procedures for the qualitative determination of HBV DNA. The company has received 510(k) clearance for the product from the FDA. Routine use of the controls allows blood centers to monitor day-to-day test variation, lot-to-lot performance of test kits, and operator variation. AcroMetrix provides controls for Chiron Procleix and Ultrio assays. The control is only to be used on Chiron's Procleix Ultrio assay for the detection of HBV DNA using nucleic acid amplification. Pro controls are packaged conveniently: simply thaw, extract, and run.

AcroMetrix Corp
(888) 746-7921
www.acrometrix.com

PK 7300 Automated Microplate System

Designed for blood donor centers

The system, developed by Olympus America Inc, Diagnostic Systems Group, Center Valley, Pa, relies on agglutination in the Olympus microtiter plates. The product features clot detection, reagent and quality control monitoring, and uses a Windows-based computer system. Online support is provided, and the user manual, troubleshooting guide, training and maintenance videos and information, and maintenance and part usage records are available online.

Olympus America Inc, Diagnostic Systems Group
(800) 223-0123
www.olympusamerica.com/diagnostics

Prism HCV

Automated test screens individual blood donations

Lab technicians can screen individual donations of blood and plasma for antibodies to hepatitis C (HCV) with the automated Prism HCV test, developed by Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Ill. The tool is used in more than 30 countries and was approved for use in the United States in July. Safety features help track and monitor samples during testing to provide documentation and quality control for testing facilities. The Prism system runs up to 160 samples per hour.

Abbott Diagnostics
(800) 323-9100
www.abbottdiagnostics.com