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New analyzers, assay applications, and tools, tests, and solutions to come

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July 2014—In this year’s roundup of chemistry analyzers for mid- and high-volume laboratories, three appear in our guide for the first time.

Randox received FDA clearance this year for the latest edition of its RX series, the RX Daytona Plus, a fully automated, random-access benchtop analyzer that’s capable of running 270 photometric tests per hour or 450 tests per hour with the optional ion selective electrode unit. Graeme McNeill, RX global manager, says the instrument offers special features—“stat sampling, clot detection, low water consumption, easy-to-use Windows-based software, and dual, five-speed stirrers to optimize assay performance”—normally found only on large-scale analyzers. Its comprehensive and flexible test menu makes it possible to consolidate a wide range of tests on one platform. New assays are in development.

Carolina Liquid Chemistries received FDA 510(k) clearance to market its new CLC6410, a modular chemistry analyzer capable of meeting high-volume testing needs. The throughput of a single module is up to 1,600 tests per hour, while four modules can be joined to achieve 6,400 tests per hour. The new analyzer features advances that save water and energy and automate many QC procedures. Carolina will debut the analyzer at this month’s AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago.

Carolina’s CLC720 chemistry analyzer can now run a moderate-complexity vitamin D assay in 20 minutes. No manual pretreatment is needed.
Siemens plans to introduce this year the Advia Chemistry XPT system for high-volume labs, designed to optimize workflow and streamline processes. The system will feature VeriSmart technology for system processing verification and a combination of micro-volume technology and aliquot retention to help improve patient care and turnaround time. Other features will include an intuitive, icon-driven user interface to simplify training operation, maintenance, programmable automated calibration and QC, and automated startup and shutdown procedures.

Roche continues to enhance the Cobas 6000 analyzer series and Cobas 8000 modular analyzer series, designed to enable labs to consolidate the majority of their menu and test volume on a single workstation. This past year Roche launched seven new assay applications, available on the integrated Cobas systems. Also new are software updates for the Cobas 6000 analyzer series and Cobas 8000 modular analyzer series that feature reduced daily maintenance times and added functionality to enhance the user interface.

Four new immunoassay applications from Roche are targeted for launch in the next 12 months. They range from specialized esoteric applications to claim extensions on prognostic markers. Roche is also developing solutions that leverage mobile technology for technologists as adjuncts for their Cobas analyzers, with the aim being to support lab efficiency. Two such tools for the Cobas 8000 modular analyzer series are expected in the next 12 months. One will allow for lab staff to monitor and receive alerts on the operation of their Cobas 8000 analyzer from a personal mobile device. Another will assist in real-time troubleshooting and technical support.

The Binding Site added the following tests to the U.S. menu of its Special Protein Analyzer: alpha-2-macroglobulin, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein A-1, and apolipoprotein B. Outside the U.S., the company added rheumatoid factor, ferritin, and full-range C-reactive protein. DataSite middleware, which provides additional functionality to the company’s SPAplus instrument including additional reporting capabilities, will be introduced in the next few months.
These companies and others—Abbott Diagnostics, Awareness Technology, Beckman Coulter, and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics—supplied the information listed on this and the following pages. Readers interested in a system should confirm it has the stated features and capabilities. –Kristen Eberhard, associate editor

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