Vidas Brahms PCT

Measures PCT levels

bioMérieux, Durham, NC, introduces its Vidas Brahms PCT test, which helps assess risks faced by critically ill patients for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock on the first day of admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). Progression of severe bacterial infections can be affected by how early patients receive appropriate treatments, and measuring PCT levels is useful in ICUs where sepsis represents a major health challenge. The product was launched in Europe in March and has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA. The test provides results in 20 minutes and completes the Vidas emergency panel, which includes markers of cardiac necrosis and venous thromboembolism.

bioMérieux
(919) 277-1162
www.biomerieux-usa.com

Stat-Site M ß-HB System

Specific for ß-hydroxybutyrate

The Stat-Site M ß-HB System from Stanbio Laboratory, Boerne, Tex, improves on the original Stat-Site/KetoSite platform for the quantitative determination of beta-hydroxybutyrate in serum or plasma. The test, which is specific for ß-hydroxybutyrate, is not affected by interfering substances, and shows linearity of up to 7.0 mmol/L. The system employs a small glucose-type meter and an ß-HB-test card. The card is placed in the meter, and a drop of serum or plasma is placed in the sample well. The ß-HB result is displayed in about 1 minute. The meter uses a code key to calibrate different lots of test cards. Using this method, ß-hydroxybutyrate in the presence of NAD is converted to acetoacetate and NADH at pH 8.5 by ß-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase. The NADH produced reacts with INT in the presence of diaphorase to produce a color, and is read by reflectance photometry. The system includes the STAT-Site M-HB meter and ß-HB test cards. Controls and linearity material are available separately. The product is pending FDA approval.

Stanbio Laboratory
(800) 531-5535
www.stanbio.com

Kimtech Science Dusting System

Polyester fibers

The Kimtech Science Dusting System is a component of the new line of Kimtech Science products for laboratory maintenance offered by Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, Ga. The system features a duster head with 380,000 soft, flexible, polyester fibers that change shape for dust pick-up in crevices and contours. The system dusts without the need for chemicals and leaves no residue. It includes a reusable 6-inch duster handle with an ergonomic grip.

Kimberly-Clark Professional
(800) 255-6401
www.kimtech.com

LSM 5 Exciter

Laser-scanning microscope

The LSM 5 Exciter laser-scanning microscope from Carl Zeiss MicroImaging Inc, Thornwood, NY, analyzes relatively soft materials like polymers in a noncontact procedure with high measuring accuracy and resolution. Using a confocal technique, users can visualize and measure 2D and 3D topographies, determine roughness and waviness, and measure porosity and volume content. Working in reflected and fluorescent light expands the flexibility of analytical techniques. The StitchArt plus option offers extralong line profiles and image-stack arrays that extend more than 800 times the size of the scan field to be captured automatically, with variable, overlapping areas. Options include autofocus, automatic contrast and brightness optimization, and first-order correction of the objective's residual field curvature. The microscope can be tailored to meet users' requirements and combined with three different high-end microscopes.

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging Inc
(914) 681-7627
www.zeiss.com/micro

Imagen hMPV

Immunofluorescence test

Oxoid, Hampshire, UK, introduces a new direct immunofluorescence test for the rapid detection and identification of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in human clinical specimens. The test relies on standard microbiological equipment and yields results in less than 30 minutes. The one-step direct immunofluorescence technique uses monoclonal antibodies conjugated to a fluorescent dye to detect specific viral antigens expressed in all strains of hMPV. Following a 15-minute incubation, specimens are mounted on a slide and viewed microscopically using epifluorescent illumination. If hMPV is present, characteristic bright apple-green fluorescence is seen within infected cells. This is clearly visible against the red background staining of uninfected cells.

Oxoid
+44 1256 841144
www.oxoid.com