Developed for histopathology applications, the Histra-GT utilizes ultrasound to allow rapid tissue processing and diagnosis in one day. The proper use of ultrasonic energy ensures uniform radiation of the tissue, eliminating uneven processing and distorted cell morphology. The Histra-GT is a rapid processor that requires only 80 minutes to process any tissue less than 3mm thick in one batch processing with 100-cassette capacity, and can also process larger specimens in a shorter time than when using conventional methods. There are 3 modes to processing – rapid processing mode, normal processing mode and rapid preprocessing mode – enabling the instrument to address variations in daily workload. Using the rapid processing mode for biopsy samples, only 80 minutes are required from fixation to paraffin infiltration (including the time for liquid supply and drainage). The normal processing mode enables the user to set the required processing time, including overnight processing. The rapid preprocessing mode allows delipidation of fat tissue and rapid refixing of the half-fixed tissue. A large touch key pad makes for easy operation. A dual safety system is also featured. Volatilized gas does not leak because of active carbon.
The ultrasonic technology not only performs rapid processing of tissue specimens, but also allows high quality staining. The Histra-DC is a processor for recalcification, delipidation and fixation that shortens the processing time to one fifth or one sixth of the time needed for conventional methods, using ultrasonic technology and temperature control. Specimen sizes can vary with the use of the optional specimen cassette basket.
Optimized for use with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human breast cancer tissue samples, the Histra HER2 FISH kit detects amplification of the HER2/neu gene via fluorescence in situ hybridization. This advanced kit, which utilizes pretreatment of the samples with hydrochloric acid, is very easy to use and involves only six steps, providing very clear results via a strong fluorescence.
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Last May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Nova Biomedical’s StatStrip Xpress Glucose Hospital Meter System for use throughout all hospital and all professional healthcare settings, including critically ill patients. StatStrip Glucose and StatStrip Xpress Glucose are now the only two hospital blood glucose meters to be cleared by the FDA for use with critically ill patients. Use of all other glucose meters with critically ill patients is considered off-label by the FDA and high complexity testing under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. High complexity testing requirements are so stringent that to use a glucose meter other than StatStrip Glucose and StatStrip Xpress Glucose with critically ill patients is not a practical alternative. StatStrip Xpress Glucose utilizes the same test strip measurement technology as StatStrip Glucose, which was cleared in 2014 after an extensive, four-year study conducted at five major university medical centres. The study included 1,698 critically ill patients with over 257 medical condition subcategories as designated by the World Health Organization. Over 8,000 medications were investigated for potential interference to StatStrip Glucose measuring technology. StatStrip Glucose demonstrated excellent agreement compared to central laboratory reference methods and no clinical interferences were found. In addition to the study submitted to the FDA, 138 other independent studies over the last eight years—including 53 critical care studies—have found no clinically significant interferences for StatStrip Glucose measuring technology.

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The QCS H150 front loading autoclave is one of the safest and most efficient autoclaves available and should help any laboratory increase its sterilizing throughput owing to a combination of improved load capacity and exceptional operating performance.  Users could also benefit from lower overall running costs associated with reduced power and water usage.

Design and manufactured by Priorclave, the QCS H150 autoclave has a 500mm diameter sterilizing chamber and delivers sterilizing temperatures up to 140^oC at 2.4 bar, all easily controlled through the Tactrol^®2 microprocessor system using single push-buttons on the control panel.  One touch controls allows for adjustment of temperature and time for simple cycles to fully featured multi-programme operation.  In addition a log is stored of the sterilizing cycle, data such as temperature, pressure and time is held in an archive file which can be subsequently downloaded. 

An advantage for any busy laboratory is a secure key-lock switch on the front of the control panel which governs access to certain parameter settings.

Built to International Standards, the QCS H150 autoclave incorporates epoxy coated panels and frame members treated with an anti-bacterial agent that is highly effective against all bacteria and fungi including MRSA, E.coli, Listeria, Legionella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas, preventing cross contamination within the laboratory.
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Orion GenRead, the small benchtop system for pathogen detection, brings fast and accurate results within reach of a wide range of laboratories. The small sized instrument is portable and allows also mobile use as it can be battery operated. This easy to use solution combines reliability with user friendliness for flexible daily routines in laboratories.

The Orion GenRead system is based on SIBA^® technology, Orion Diagnostica’s proprietary isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology. SIBA technology allows accurate detection of pathogens and brings molecular testing outside of conventional PCR laboratories. The first test kit targets C. difficile. Results are displayed as soon as they are ready, for strong positive samples already in 15 minutes and for all results in less than one hour. Next tests are targeted for other pathogens causing gastrointestinal disease, Salmonella and Campylobacter.
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Laboratory labelling experts CILS have developed high performance ‘sign & seal’ durable laboratory labels for situations where the users do not have the facility to print labels using a thermal transfer or laser printer. The new CILS ‘sign & seal’ labels allows the user to handwrite information and then protect the label with the attached, easy-toapply, ‘wipe clean’ over-laminate layer. The durable labels shown protect handwritten data against solvents (xylene, DMSO, etc.), extreme temperatures (-80ºC to +155 ºC), alcohol wipes, autoclave cycles, repeated handling, humidity and moisture, etc. CILS durable labels are manufactured to any size, shape, format and design for all laboratory applications and are easily transportable – ideal for ‘off-site’ clinical trials.
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