The new valveless Waste Transfer Pump from Fluid Metering, Inc. (FMI) was designed for removal of waste fluid generated by medical diagnostic instrumentation during the process of analysing a variety of patient fluid samples. The waste fluid generally consists of, but is not limited to, a mixture of patient samples (blood components, urine samples etc..) combined with reagents, byproducts of reagent reactions and wash fluids. These fluids can have a broad range of physical characteristics, viscosity, suspended solids, human tissue, blood cells, just to name a few. The valveless, brushless DC Waste Transfer Pump utilizes FMI’s innovative CeramPump valveless piston fluid control technology. One moving part, a rotating and reciprocating ceramic piston accomplishes all fluid control functions within the pump, thereby eliminating the need for check valves present in other reciprocating pump designs (diaphragm, bellows, solenoid piston, syringe). The variety of suspended solids and particulates present in medical instrumentation waste often causes check valves to stick, clog, and eventually fail requiring the pumps to be removed from the system and serviced. The sapphire-hard, dimensionally stable ceramic internal components of the CeramPump also substantially outperforms peristaltic pumps relying on flexible tubing. Peristaltic pumps can have integrity issues as flexible tubing over time wears and needs to be routinely replaced, at best, and at worst, can rupture resulting in bio-contaminants leaking out of the system. FMI’s valveless, brushless DC motor Waste Transfer Pump integrates the long-life performance of a brushless motor, with a built-in driver, together with the advantages of FMI’s CeramPump valveless fluid transfer technology. The pump is easily integrated into any existing system design. All that is needed is a simple 24V DC input supply. Flow rates can be factory calibrated from 20 mL/min to 400 mL/min. The integral compact design with a small 6” x 2” x 2” (approx. 15 x 5 x 5 cm) footprint makes it ideal for medical and analytical instrumentation applications.

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Co-oximetry is a methodology that measures the levels of the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin, which is the chief component of red blood cells. Co-oximetry is a useful tool in that it helps determine the levels of various forms of hemoglobin and can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions related to oxygen content in blood. Oxygen content is an important indicator of oxygen transport within the body. The oxygen transport of arterial blood is used to evaluate the ability of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissue.
Randox Quality Control announce the launch of a new CO-Oximetry programme to complement their existing Blood Gas programme. Combining 7 parameters in a user-friendly, liquid ready-to-use format, the new RIQAS CO-Oximetry EQA programme has been designed with consolidation and convenience in mind – it’s even suitable for use in point-of-care testing.
RIQAS is the world’s largest EQA scheme with 45,000 participants and 33 programmes ensuring peer groups are maximized.  The added benefit of comprehensive yet user-friendly reports available within 72 hours of the submission date allowing corrective action to be taken in a timely manner saves time, money, and reputation by eliminating the need for expensive retesting, providing peace of mind.
To complement the RIQAS CO-Oximetry EQA programme, the RIQAS Blood Gas EQA programme incorporates 10 parameters into a liquid ready-to-use format for ease of use.
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Specific IgE antibodies against inhalation allergens that commonly occur in Southern Europe can be detected and differentiated using the new multiparameter immunoblot EUROLINE DPA-Dx Pollen Southern Europe 1 based on defined partial allergens (DPA, allergen components). The detailed profile identifies the precise allergy-causing proteins, distinguishing primary sensitizations from cross reactions and thus aiding therapy decision-making. The test is based on a unique combination of species-specific marker molecules, cross-reactive components and whole extracts, encompassing tree pollens (birch, olive, cypress, hazel, oak), grass pollens (timothy grass, wall pellitory) and the fungus Alternaria alternata. The native extracts provide a general screening for IgE antibodies against the respective pollen/fungus. Combination of the Southern European species-specific marker molecules (e.g. nCup a 1, rOle e 1 and rPar j 2) together with common panallergens (e.g. PR-10 proteins and profilin) enables precise discrimination between a putative primary sensitization and a persistent cross reaction. Positive reactions with species-specific markers are an indication for specific immunotherapy. Positive reactions with panallergens on the other hand indicate cross reactions. Cross-reactive molecules are prevalent among different types of plants, which often results in a high sensitization rate.  An insufficient differentiation between primary sensitization and cross reactions often results in a less effective desensitization during specific immunotherapy. The test also includes a band of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD), which aids the differentiation of clinically relevant reactions from unspecific anti-CCD reactions and thus the interpretation of results. With this in-depth profile, true sensitizations can be reliably identified, enabling targeted selection of the most suitable specific immunotherapy and improved prognosis of the therapy success. The test is easy to perform and requires only a small sample volume. The high analytical and clinical value of the profile has been verified in an independent study (publications in preparation). A further large-scale international multicentre study is currently in progress (www.ait2020.com). Automated processing and evaluation are available for the assay.
The new profile is part of the established EUROLINE Allergy range, which encompasses a comprehensive portfolio of component- and extract-based profiles for the diagnosis of food, inhalation and insect venom allergies.

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Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has announced achievement of CE Mark of its DxH 520 hematology analyser, designed to help physician office laboratories deliver high-quality results with increased productivity and ease. With as little as two environmentally friendly reagents, the compact 5-part differential system enhances efficiency and resource management through a comprehensive feature set that automates daily tasks. This reduces the amount of time spent on laboratory operations and frees time for patient care. The company used its time-proven flagship DxH 800 hematology solution as the predicate method for the DxH 520 system, establishing a strong correlation throughout the entire DxH line of hematology analysers. This provides a high level of continuity of care for clinical laboratories, regardless of whether they are small- or high-volume facilities. The DxH 520 analyser fills a need for a comprehensive solution that increases productivity while driving down costs for physician office laboratories. It features proprietary dynamic-gating method that improves sample flagging, and reduces slide reviews and technical interpretation, while maintaining effective clinical sensitivity. As an upgrade from a 3-part to a 5-part differential instrument, the DxH 520 analyser gives the clinician more information by which to make decisions when assessing a patient. A robust IT and data-management package helps reduce clerical errors and inefficiencies, and allows for easy retrieval of up to 30,000 patient samples. The system’s small 17 µL aspiration is ideal for puncture samples from infants, geriatric, oncology and critical care patients. Closed tube aspiration capability both simplifies analysis and ensures safety for laboratory technologists by eliminating sample exposure. The easy-to-use interface enables technologists to access any screen in three clicks or less, saving valuable time. The system’s two reagents and on-board cleaner can be replaced in five minutes or less, and its aqueous-based cyanide-, azide- and formaldehyde-free reagents eliminates disposal costs. This is in contrast to competitive systems that use five or more reagents— many of which are primarily composed of organic solvents that require additional costly disposal fees. The analyser’s low-energy requirements – half the power demand of other analysers in its category – further lower operating costs.

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Fluid Metering, Inc.(FMI) introduces their new 400 μl dispensing pump ideal for medical, analytical and biotech Instrumentation. Having the identical compact design dimensions as their STH & STF OEM pump lines, the STF1-9 expands dispense and metering capabilities of previous STH designs by 100% while maintaining 0.5% precision. The STF1-9 is available in nine drive configurations ranging from 200 μl through 400 μl in 50 μl increments. Each drive model (STF1, STF2 … STF9) has an adjustable displacement of ±25 μl. A supplied adjustment tool rotates an eccentric bushing to precisely make micro-volume adjustments. There are also four standard pump head options available to provide a fluid path with maximum chemical and dispense volume/ flow rate compatibility. Fluid Metering’s STF1-9 utilizes FMI’s CeramPump valveless fluid transfer technology. One moving part accomplishes both the pumping and valveless functions within the pump, thereby eliminating valves present in other reciprocating pump designs. Sapphire- hard ceramic internal components are both chemically inert and dimensionally stable, resulting in a pump that will transfer fluid, in micro-volume amounts, at a precision of 0.5% or better for millions of maintenance-free cycles.
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