Offering the most advanced screening technology on the market, Randox has transformed the landscape of emergency point-of-care testing with innovative drug of abuse (DoA) and stroke diagnosis and detection.

The Evidence MultiSTAT – Utilizing Randox’s Biochip Technology
Designed to work across a wide variety of matrices, this revolutionary multi-analyte testing platform allows clinicians to achieve a complete immunoassay profile in the initial screening phase. Offering the most advanced screening technology on the market, Randox has transformed the landscape of emergency point of care testing. The Randox drugs of abuse Biochip Arrays form part of an unrivalled toxicology test menu capable of detecting over 500 drugs and drug metabolites along with the new addition of the Randox Stroke Biochip. Moving away from traditional single analyte assays, Biochip Technology boasts cutting-edge multiplex testing capabilities providing rapid and accurate detection and diagnosis from a single sample.

Based on ELISA principles, the biochip is a solid-state device with discrete test sites onto which antibodies specific to different compounds are immobilized and stabilized, offering a highly sensitive screen.

Using chemiluminescence as a measurement principle, the Evidence MultiSTAT consistently delivers accurate results and offers a highly sensitive method of detecting and diagnosing. Biochip Technology has a proven high standard of accurate test results with CVs typically <10% with a 98% agreement with confirmatory methods.

Each biochip can have up to 49 Discrete Test Regions (DTR). This means that up to 44 tests can be carried out simultaneously. The additional DTRs are reserved for internal quality control and visual reference, a unique Biochip Array Technology feature.

Rapid, accurate stroke diagnosis and differentiation
A ground-breaking new test which improves the accuracy of stroke diagnosis has been developed by Randox scientists. The Randox Stroke Biochip is a rapid and highly sensitive blood test that will complement and enhance existing CT scanning technology to facilitate accurate classification of stroke patients and improve patient care pathways.
With a unique ability to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, the Randox Stroke Biochip takes less than 30 minutes to complete – making sure patients get the right diagnosis as fast as possible.

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the test, commented:
“There is great tragedy in the fact that the majority of stroke damage can be minimized if intervention is delivered on time, yet too often the window closes before a diagnosis is made. For doctors, nothing is more frustrating.
“Excellent work has been undertaken to assist the public in recognizing the signs of a stroke so people can get to hospital as quickly as possible. Our stroke test is the vital next step – assisting clinicians in making a rapid diagnosis and
differentiation between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, so their patients get the right treatment at the right time.”

Using Randox revolutionary patented biochips, the Randox Stroke Biochip provides a unique solution for simultaneous detection of multiple stroke biomarkers from a single sample, facili-
tating fast and accurate classification of stroke patients in an emergency setting.

Benefits of the Randox Stroke Biochip
• Results in 30 minutes on the Evidence MultiSTAT
• Unique solution for stroke classification
• Differentiation of ischemic and
hemorrhagic stroke
• Guarantees rapid thrombolytic therapy ensuring better patient outcomes

John Lamont, R&D Director for Randox Laboratories, explained:
“While patients undergo a CT scan to confirm either the presence or lack of a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood test on the Randox Biochip can be run on our innovative point-of-care analyser, the Evidence MultiSTAT, to identify the same for an ischemic stroke.”
“For the almost 90% of stroke patients who are ruled out for hemorrhagic stroke(1), the Randox Biochip will then accelerate decision making for clinicians with regards to thrombolytic therapy.”
 “Any treatment is most effective if started as soon as possible after the stroke occurs, and so every minute that passes without a diagnosis is likely to leave a permanent mark on a stroke patient’s future health and lifestyle. The vitally important diagnostic information from the Randox Stroke Biochip facilitates accurate stroke classification, directs the appropriate patient care pathway, and enables rapid thrombolytic therapy, ensuring a better patient outcome for ischemic stroke sufferers, for whom time is of the essence.”

Whilst the Randox Stroke Biochip is currently being used as complementary testing in parallel with CT scanning, Mr Lamont is confident of a more prominent role for the test in the future patient pathway:
“The Biochip has the potential to really revolutionize the stroke diagnosis pathway as we currently know it. The accessibility of this type of blood testing could potentially extend its use beyond the A&E department, to ambulances and even the home, in the form of a hand-held testing device.”
Emergency Drugs of Abuse screening
Randox are world leaders in clinical toxicology solutions with the capability of detecting over 500 drugs and drug metabolites using innovative Biochip Technology. The Evidence MultiSTAT Drugs of Abuse panels have been specifically selected to detect levels of the most common drug types, covering over 200 drugs and drug metabolites.

Designed to work across a wide variety of matrices, this revolutionary multi-analyte testing platform allows clinicians to achieve a complete immunoassay profile in the initial screening phase. Offering the most advanced screening technology on the market, Randox has transformed the landscape of drugs of abuse testing. The Randox DoA toxicology panel simultaneously detects 21 classical, prescription and synthetic drugs from a single patient sample suitable for use with urine and blood samples with as little as 200μl sample volume required.
References
1. Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party. National clinical guideline for stroke, 5th edition. London: Royal
College of Physicians 2016
The author
Martin Conway, Marketing Executive
Martin.Conway@randox.com
Randox Laboratories
55 Diamond Road
Crumlin,
County Antrim,
BT29 4QY
United Kingdom