Immunohematology Testing Analyzer
Verifies diagnostic checks
The Ortho Vision analyzer from Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, automates the full range of immunohematology testing, including serial dilutions for titration studies and selected cell panels. As a result, labs can eliminate the need for manual testing, potentially making the transfusion process safer and more efficient. Using proprietary Intellicheck technology, the Ortho Vision analyzer verifies and documents diagnostic checks throughout the testing process, while its e-Connectivity technology provides 24/7 remote data tracking that monitors instrument performance and maximizes uptime. Laboratory personnel can also log on anytime, anywhere, to collaborate on interpreting results in real time for an extra level of confidence.
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
(800) 828-6316; www.orthoclinical.com
Zika Virus Blood Screening Assay
Codeveloped under IND study protocol
FDA has approved use of the Procleix Zika virus blood screening assay codeveloped by Grifols, Emeryville, Calif, and Hologic Inc, Marlborough, Mass, on the Procleix Panther system, under an investigational new drug study protocol. The Grifols Procleix portfolio of nucleic acid technology products was developed as part of a long-standing partnership between Hologic and Grifols. Procleix systems are used to screen blood donations around the world, and include tests for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis, West Nile virus, and more. The Procleix Panther system automates all aspects of nucleic acid-based blood screening on a single, integrated platform. It eliminates the need for batch processing and combines walkaway freedom with intuitive design for ease of use. The system has received regulatory approvals in countries around the world, and is in development for the US market.
Hologic
(781) 999-7453; www.hologic.com
Automated Thawing Instrument
Enables highly reproducible cell thawing
The ThawStar CFT2 automated thawing instrument from BioCision LLC, San Rafael, Calif, addresses the thawing step in the cell cryopreservation workflow. Users simply insert a frozen cryogenic vial and retrieve it when the vial is gently raised at the end of the thaw cycle, in approximately 2.5 minutes. The unit’s small footprint and audiovisual feedback enable use in a cell culture hood with the rest of the workflow. The instrument reduces variability in cell preparations and other biospecimens by providing critical control of vial thawing. As a result, users minimize operator error and day-to-day variations within a site, as well as site-to-site variations across multiple clinical centers.
BioCision
(888) 478-2221; biocision.com/thawstar
Blood Collection Tube
Preserves whole blood samples
The Cell-Free DNA BCT from Streck, Omaha, Neb, is a direct-draw tube for the collection and preservation of whole blood samples. Now available as a 2.0 ml and 10 ml draw tube, the unit includes a formaldehyde-free preservative that stabilizes nucleated blood cells. Such stabilization prevents the release of genomic DNA, allowing isolation of high-quality cell-free DNA and reducing the need for immediate plasma preparation. Cell-free DNA is stable for up to 14 days, while circulating tumor cells are stable for up to 4 days, at room temperature, allowing convenient sample collection, transport, and storage. For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. A CE-marked version of the tube is available for export.
Streck
(800) 843-0912; www.streck.com
Antihuman Antibodies
Directed against human coagulation proteins
The Binding Site’s Immunologicals Group, San Diego, has launched a line of antihuman antibodies directed against human coagulation proteins. The scope of antibodies currently available includes those against antithrombin III, fibrinogen, fibronectin, plasminogen, prothrombin, and von Willebrand factor. All are available in an unconjugated format, which allows for conjugation to a marker of choice. A number of the products are available already preconjugated to horseradish peroxidase or fluorescein-isothiocyanate. All antibodies are provided in user-oriented standard packaging sizes, with customer-defined bulk packaging options also available.
The Binding Site
(800) 633-4484; www.thebindingsite.com
Large Capacity Blood Banking Centrifuges
Deliver high-throughput sample processing
Designed to maximize productivity for blood processing centers, Thermo Scientific blood banking centrifuges from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass, exhibit increased capacity that is said to exceed legacy centrifuge systems by 33%. For regular- to medium-throughput blood processing needs, the Sorvall BP 8 and Heraeus Cryofuge 8 centrifuges provide 6 x 550 ml blood bag capacity and, utilizing the same bucket system, are upgradeable to 8 x 550 ml bags. The Sorvall BP 16 and Heraeus Cryofuge 16 centrifuges are designed for high-throughput blood processing with their 12 x 500 ml capacity and are upgradeable to 16 x 500 ml blood bags. An auto-door function opens and closes the centrifuge with simple push-button operation, while an auto-lid tool provides instant rotor opening and closing with lid storage. In addition, a Centri-Touch interface simplifies run set-up with Thermo Scientific Centri-Cross function to convert existing protocols. Remote monitoring is accessible through a mobile app.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 678-5599; www.thermofisher.com/bloodbankcentrifuges
Hematology Analyzer
Runs up to 60 samples per hour
As part of a family of scalable hematology analyzers, the Advia 360 hematology system from Siemens Healthineers, Tarrytown, NY, is designed to meet the specific needs of lower-volume testing environments. It is designed to generatee reliable and accurate results and conserves precious benchtop space. With a compact footprint and easy-to-use interface, it is suited for multiple settings—both as a primary analyzer in smaller labs and as a backup in larger labs. The system runs up to 60 samples per hour, processes aspiration volumes as low as 100 µl, and facilitates efficient sampling of both open and closed tubes. It measures 16 parameters—including a three-part white blood cell differential—provides storage capacity of 10,000 results, and streamlines result reporting via an integrated ticket printer.
Siemens Healthineers
(800) 242-3233; usa.healthcare.siemens.com
Reusable Polypropylene Container
Stores blood for a minimum of 12 hours
Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco, Arlington Heights, Ill, has released the Via blood transporter, for the transport and temporary storage of red blood cells and platelets. Constructed out of expanded polypropylene, the transporter is designed to withstand the rigors of hospital and blood bank environments. It features a bright red color for heightened visibility, a lightweight design, and an easy-to-clean interior and exterior. The unit maintains red blood cells at 1–6°C for 8 hours, and maintains blood product at 1–10°C for a minimum of 12 hours. It comes with PureTemp phase change material, which maintains strict temperature control and promotes efficient, safe, and compliant transport. Features include a front platelet pouch and affixed assembly instructions.
Sonoco ThermoSafe
(800) 323-7442; thermosafe.com/viabloodtransporter
Competency Evaluation
Composed of serological challenges
Immunohematology competency evaluation (ICE) from Hemo Bioscience Inc, Morrisville, NC, is intended to provide blood bank laboratories with a convenient way to assess technologist competency as required annually by regulations under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. ICE tests are available as three separate kits: basic, intermediate, and advanced. The volumes of materials allow multiple technologists to be assessed. Kits are composed of serological challenges along with?worksheets for supervisors to record results, assign a designation of?pass or fail, and verify by signature and date. The worksheet can be stored in a training file as evidence that competency evaluation requirements have been met.
Hemo Bioscience
(866) 332 2835; www.hemobioscience.com
Serum-Free Light Chain Test
Aids in detection of multiple myeloma
The Seralite-FLC Dual Kappa and Lambda serum lateral-flow immunoassay from Abingdon Health, York, UK, is a new rapid test for the quantitative measurement of free kappa and free lambda light chains in blood. Serum-free light chain (sFLC) testing is prescribed to help detect, diagnose, and monitor such plasma cell disorders as multiple myeloma, and to monitor the effectiveness of treatments. The test is aimed at clinical laboratories with a small- to medium-sized workload for sFLC test requests, as well as at clinical laboratories sending requests to referral laboratories. Under an exclusive multiyear global distribution agreement, Sebia, Paris, will supervise the global launch of Seralite-FLC across all of the company’s sales channels.
Sebia
(770) 446-3707; www.sebia.com
PCT Antigen
Supports early sepsis diagnosis
BBI Solutions, Cardiff, UK, has launched an antigen for detecting procalcitonin (PCT), a marker for early sepsis diagnosis and the management of bacterial infections. While PCT blood levels in healthy patients are very low, they can increase within 3 to 6 hours of systemic infections or inflammation caused by bacterial infections. The half-life of PCT is approximately 24 hours, making it an ideal marker for early sepsis diagnosis. The antigen can be used to monitor the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. PCT is also useful to physicians, as it enables specific differentiation between bacterial infections and other causes of inflammation that do not produce an increase in PCT.
BBI Solutions
(800) 423-8199; www.bbisolutions.com
Blood Transfusion Software Module
Determines transfusion probabilities
Visiun Inc, Ann Arbor, Mich, has introduced a blood bank utilization module for laboratories and transfusion services. Using the tool, blood banks can quickly identify how well hospital physicians are complying with transfusion service protocols in order to reduce inappropriate transfusions. Analysis of large-scale data will also enable the blood bank to review cross-matched to transfused ratios along with determining transfusion probabilities. The blood bank utilization system is the latest component of Visiun’s core product, Performance Insight, which provides laboratory directors and managers with business intelligence and analytics to help their management teams monitor key performance indicators. Rich graphical reporting provides insight into key aspects of laboratory performance, including turnaround time, productivity, quality, test utilization, and blood bank utilization.
Visiun
(800) 941-4937; www.visiun.com
Hemoglobin Analyzer
Calculates hematocrit
EKF Diagnostics, Cardiff, UK, has relaunched the HemoPoint H2 hemoglobin analyzer in the United States under the Stanbio brand, retaking the brand from Alere Inc, where it was sold as the Alere HemoPoint H2 for 3 years. The analyzer will revert to its original dark red color instead of the white housing associated with Alere. All other consumables and accessories will remain the same. The analyzer uses the established photometric azide methemoglobin method to deliver quantitative, lab-quality results in 30 seconds. In addition to providing hemoglobin measurement, the HemoPoint H2 also calculates hematocrit, is able to connect to personal computers via cable or Bluetooth technology, and can store up to 4,000 patient results. The analyzer is also equipped with a standby function that reduces energy consumption.
Stanbio Laboratory
(800) 531-5535; www.stanbio.com
Cellular Analysis System
Utilizes flow cytometric technology
Developed with the mid- to large-volume clinical hematology laboratory in mind, the UniCel DxH 600 from Beckman Coulter, Brea, Calif, employs automated intelligent morphology, an enhanced multidimensional high-definition cellular analysis system that utilizes flow cytometric technology. 2D-dataplots, surface plots, and 3D-cube formats permit enhanced visual cellular investigation. Extended decision rules capability and auto-rerun and reflex testing reduce turnaround time and the need for manual operator intervention. Users can also run standard and microvolume whole blood sample tubes in automatic cassette mode. With the same technology and user interface as the UniCel DxH 800, the DxH 600 offers standardization of process and results across the DxH series, and reduces laboratory personnel training needs.
Beckman Coulter
(800) 526-3821; www.beckmancoulter.com
