The new Nexera Mikros, a micro flowrate-compatible liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer, maintains the durability and operability of LC-MS systems while providing a significant increase in sensitivity. In pharmaceutical development, analysis occasionally has to be performed on trace amounts only of components in small blood samples. Examples include studies of the pharmacokinetics of new drug substances or their metabolism. In such cases, LC-MS systems compatible with nano flowrates have been utilized, in order to improve the efficiency of the intake of target components to the mass spectrometer. However, nano flowrate-compatible LC-MS systems often suffer from complications in terms of instrument operability and processing speed, such as a tendency for pipes to clog, difficulty in discovering liquid leaks, and the hours required for analysis of a single sample. The Nexera Mikros can accommodate a wide range of flowrates, from semi-micro flowrates (100 to 500 µL/min) which are often used for analysis in existing systems, to micro flowrates (1 to 10 µL/min). With this product, Shimadzu is contributing to improving productivity at pharmaceutical companies and clinical contract research organizations. Nexera Mikros achieves at least ten times the sensitivity for target compounds compared to standard LC-MS analysis. This is due to the LC-Mikros, a solvent delivery pump with a new control system to reduce pulsation and deliver a stable solvent flow even at low micro flowrates. In addition, positioning of the ionization interface has been optimized for more efficient sample introduction into the mass spectrometer.  Another specific feature, UF-Link, achieves both high-sensitivity analysis and improved operability. Microscopic gaps (dead volume) in the piping connectors lead to a decrease in sensitivity by causing peak dispersion. UF-Link, a connection mechanism between Shimadzu’s newly developed analytical column and the mass spectrometer, ensures high sensitivity and, at the same time, enables one-touch connection between the analytical column and the ionization interface for the mass spectrometer. In addition, UF-Link is compatible with connections between commonly used analytical columns and the ionization interface, so column selection is flexible to suit the target sample.

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The Chloridemeter CM20 provides quick and exact determination of the chloride ion concentration in liquid micro samples with a minimum volume of 10 μl. This cutting-edge digital instrument has an easy, intuitive user interface with a modern touch screen and multi-language prompts which lead the operator through the entire measurement process. The instrument is factory-calibrated and equipped with an integrated printer. Results are sent in document-ready format to a PC that can be connected via USB or RS232 for data transfer.
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Pefaclot UFH is a powerful and economic kit to monitor unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patient plasma samples. It has been outlined in several studies that Pefaclot UFH shows excellent reproducibility, accuracy and lot to lot consistency. Pefaclot UFH shows superior accuracy when compared to aPTT and excellent correlation to anti-FXa measurement at a much lower cost(1). It has been shown that Pefaclot UFH routine monitoring was associated with a significantly (p=0.035) reduced daily dose of administered UFH (median 27’000U/day with aPTT vs 25’000U/day with Pefaclot UFH)(2). Data suggest that monitoring with Pefaclot UFH is analytically more accurate and allows more precise dosing. The higher precision and reliability during the induction phase but also for dosing adjustment may result in a reduced number of venipunctures.  As a consequence, the obtained results lead to an overall shorter turnaround time for UFH administration compared to aPTT. Furthermore, the reduced number of tests needed during UFH administration reduces the time spent for lab technicians. The improved UFH administration with reduced doses of needed UFH has the potential to reduce the bleeding risk as well as the risk of developing HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia) for patients because of the lower exposure to UFH. In addition to fewer tests being performed, Pefaclot UFH may lead to even more savings as a consequence of lower doses of UFH being administered and fewer blood collection tubes and other consumables. The potential of lower bleeding risk may also reduce the overall duration of the hospital stay. Pefaclot UFH relies on the activation of plasma at the level of the prothrombinase complex and measures the clotting time in seconds. The clotting time is then directly linked to the UFH concentration in the sample. Pefaclot UFH is optimized to give strong clotting signals on optical instruments, but also demonstrates excellent reproducibility on mechanical instruments. It can be applied to all major routine analysers (e.g. from Stago, Siemens, Sysmex, Instrumentation Laboratory).

References
<sup>1. Bürki S, Brand B, Escher R et al. Accuracy, reproducibility and costs of different laboratory assays for the monitoring of unfractionated heparin in clinical practice: a prospective evaluation study and survey among Swiss institutions. BMJ Open 2018:8:e022943
2. Korte W, Graf L, Knöpfel C. Replacing the aPTT for monitoring of unfractionated heparin with the Prothrombinase induced Clotting Time (PiCT) – significant influence on dosing. GTH 2017 (Abstract 663)</sup>

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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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Advances in technology, and the constant competitive necessity to upgrade workforce skills mean that employees need to be trained continuously. For that reason, Siemens Healthineers expanded its premium subscription for workforce education management, PEPconnections, with a Virtual Library, which provides customers with the ability to add their own learning content to their group. With PEPconnections institutions can easily manage their workforce education, design learning plans, manage, assign and administer online training and professional development activities for employee groups in hospitals and laboratories. Importantly, it does not matter whether the learning activities were developed by Siemens Healthineers, the institution itself, or any other source. Customers now can easily upload their own content as PDFs, videos, documents or links to the Virtual Library. Following upload, items in the Virtual Library are available for general usage or can be assigned to group members through a new or existing learning plan. PEPconnections allows subscribers to manage staff competency and skills – supporting them in transforming care delivery for enhanced patient outcomes. Institutions can benefit from Siemens Healthineers trainings but also have the ability to individualize their learning experience and upload their own content. PEPconnections provides a connection to knowledge in digitalizing healthcare that is designed to increase staff competency, efficiency, and productivity.
The basis is PEPconnect – the industry’s first personalized education and performance experience for healthcare professionals worldwide. It provides medical professionals with customized training and professional development opportunities, with learning activities in topics on laboratory diagnostics, medical imaging and minimally-invasive therapy. The activities are designed at Siemens Healthineers by experts in key areas, such as application design, instructional technology and information security. Learners can also construct a learning experience personalized to their needs, and share their learning experience with others via a range of social media channels or groups they are members of within PEPconnect.
Almost 300,000 professionals are already using PEPconnect for their training and professional development needs in up to eight different languages.
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