FEATURE ARTICLES

The internet has made it possible to achieve virtually instant global communication. Now, routine microscopy has entered the digital world with the introduction of the latest equipment from Sakura Finetek.

On the 50th anniversary of the development of prosthetic hip replacement, Amanda Parkin examines Professor Sir John Charnley’s influence on orthopaedic surgery, and explains how his realisation that keeping bacteria away from the wound during the procedure is key to minimising the risk of infection.

Man versus machine was the focus of a joint meeting of the UK NEQAS (BTLP) and BBTS Blood Bank Technology SIG groups, held at Manchester Conference Centre. Barry Hill attended and reports on the highlights of a thought-provoking programme.

Point-of-care testing has allowed pathology at Treliske Hospital, Truro, to evolve its service to meet the needs of patients and colleagues in remote locations, as Helen Hobba and Louise Silver explain.

Implementation of the latest automation systems from Beckman Coulter has enables one laboratory to deliver over 95% of critical results within one hour.

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in requests for HbA1c testing, due to its use in diabetes diagnosis and monitoring. Here, Colin Stone discusses the evaluation of HbA1c analysers to meet the needs of his department.

At Congress, almost every one of exhibitors will display their most recent technological advances and latest products. New technology plays a vital role in diagnosis and patient health, and contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of everyone in the profession.

Reduction in tissue processing time enables a diagnosis to be made more quickly, and nowhere is this more important than in dealing with bone marrow biopsies, as Patrick McCormack explains in this method assessment.

Biotech specialist Partec has released analytical instruments that use a new method to determine bacterial counts in drinking water. Rapid and reliable, the method is now been recommended by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.

Innovative technology is set to ensure successful fertilisation in canine breeding programmes following a joint venture between British innovators and scientists in the Antipodes.

Care pathways are an integral part of the provision of modern healthcare and are supported by input from the commercial sector, as recent Roche seminars demonstrated. Dawn Wallace reports.

The latest development in electronic oral capsule technology is set to provide greater understanding of the role of the intestine in digestion and immunity, and provide proof for functional food claims.

Creating a safe and healthy environment is important. Here, Christopher Osborne from Commercial Air Filtration provides industry-specific insights into the importance of managing the air quality in the laboratory.

AgPlus Diagnostics unveils the first working prototype of its new handheld system for rapid, on-the-spot diagnostic results.

The next Biomedical Science Congress is now less than six months away. More than just a scientific meeting, this complete professional experience can be tailored to the individual needs of all who work in biomedical science.

A flavour of Italy arrived in Kent recently when DiaSorin celebrated 25 years in the UK and hosted a conference for its existing and prospective customers. Steven Burton reports.

The ESR is a common test performed in very many haematology laboratories around the world. Often still performed manually, it has benefited from increasingly sophisticated automation over the past quarter of a century, as Peter Hooper explains.

Point-of-care blood gas analysis is set to return to the Himalayas and the world’s highest peak as Xtreme Everest continues its research into intensive care.

(Image: Xtreme Everest)

Advanced handheld blood analysis systems can now deliver laboratory-quality results in the hospital, doctor’s surgery or other care setting.

The focus on an end-to-end service in pathology was an important aspect of Lord Carter’s report on the service in England. Progress to date was under the spotlight recently during a debate held at the BMA in London.