RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Beckman Coulter announces significant investment in UK microbiology market with DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics and MicroScan Microbiology Systems. Automated, walkaway solutions standardise and streamline the path to accurate therapeutic diagnoses, benefitting both laboratories and patients

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen Reagent, Europe’s first CE-marked 10-colour, 12-antibody reagent combination for leukaemia and lymphoma analysis. The ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen eliminates 14 manual workflow steps, while streamlining five others; and is available through a dry unitised, ready-to-use formulation. ClearLLab has been designed specifically for the fast and accurate identification of haematolymphoid cell populations on the company’s Navios flow cytometer.

Hologic’s Panther system consolidates a broad menu on a single, fully automated, random-access platform. It offers tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis B virus (HBV) and sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, gonorrhoea (pictured, immunofluorescence), human papillomavirus (HPV), Mycoplasma genitalium or trichomoniasis, in parallel.

For the first time, users can cap and decap Thermo Scientific Matrix and Nunc automation tubes without using multiple pieces of equipment. Historically, users have stored biological samples in multiple tube types, requiring them to buy multiple decappers. The new decapper system does the work of multiple systems and features Quick Switch technology that seamlessly transitions between different tube and rack types.

Now available from Martindale Electric is the new Legionella testing thermometer kit, which quickly and reliably tests and monitors water temperature and conditions that can favour the growth of Legionella and other harmful bacteria. Carrying a risk of infection, such as Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella bacteria are found commonly in installations such as cooling towers and air conditioning and industrial cooling systems in larger buildings such as hospitals.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen Reagent, Europe’s first CE-marked 10-colour, 12-antibody reagent combination for leukaemia and lymphoma analysis.

The new sediMAX conTRUST analyser from Menarini utilises phase contrast and brightfield microscopy. Offering a throughput of 120 samples per hour, irrespective of sample quality, the sediMAX conTRUST is claimed to be the fastest urine processor available.

Beckman Coulter’s microbiology portfolio includes the DxN VERIS Molecular System, a true time-saving random-access analyser that enhances productivity through flexible Lean workflow and consolidated extraction, amplification and detection.

Biochrom has a long history of manufacturing quality scientific instruments for a wide range of applications in the clinical, life science and industrial market. It has now released two new products to the WPA visible spectrophotometer range, the WPA S800+ and S1200+ spectrophotometers.

The LIAISON Helicobacter Antigen assay offers a fully automated solution for the rapid detection in stool samples of H. pylori antigen from this spiral-shaped microorganism that commonly populates the mucus found in the stomach.

Automation systems are becoming more common in microbiology. The SIRscan is one modular part of the automation solution available from i2a (Pro-Lab Diagnostics) which now includes specimen handling, plate sorting and streaking, incubation, interpretation and identification.

Randox Biosciences has released its enhanced Respiratory Multiplex Array. Version II of the array provides comprehensive screening for infections of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts in four simple steps, extraction, amplification, hybridisation and detection on the Evidence Investigator imaging platform.

Phenotypic methods are a consistent means of detecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as they are well established and cost-effective. Although not as rapid as molecular methods, they are the most standardised method available, and the Mast Group offers a comprehensive range of antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST), identification (ID) and combination discs for the reliable detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and carbapenemase enzymes in Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae.

Stago’s next-generation ecarin-based chromogenic assay for dabigatran, the STA-ECA II, is available on the STA R Max, STA-R and STA Compact Max systems. With STA-ECA II, Stago provides a complete portfolio of assays to investigate and measure direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in cases of emergency such as haemorrhage, urgent surgery or invasive procedure.

Sebia has achieved the CE mark for its HbA1c capillary electrophoresis technique to be used for the diagnosis of diabetes. Sebia’s capillary electrophoresis, until recently only used for monitoring patients, can now be used in laboratories equipped with Sebia’s devices (Capillarys 3 TERA, Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing, Minicap Flex Piercing), in all countries where the CE marking is required, for the diagnosis of diabetes.

Axol Bioscience, a biotechnology company specialising in the supply of human iPSC-derived cells, has expanded its range of neuroscience research tools to include an iPSC-Derived Astrocyte Progenitor Kit and iPSC-Derived Mature Astrocyte Kit. Axol iPSC-Derived Astrocyte Kits include cryopreserved cells, optimised media and supplements. The new kits offer researchers a complete culture system that is easy to use and promotes long-term cell viability for use in disease modelling and drug discovery applications.

Anyone working in a laboratory and using pipettes and tips knows how much waste tip racks produce, how expensive they are to discard, and the amount of space these used racks can occupy. For most laboratories the cost of running a recycling scheme can be prohibitory. That is why Rainin’s TerraRack pipette tip racks, winner of the Bronze Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice, are an ideal solution to this problem.

Faster and easier development of customised lateral flow assays is now possible with the new generic Rapid Assay Device (gRAD) kits from BioPorto, available exclusively in the UK from Alpha Laboratories. This open, flexible, versatile platform is not analyte dependent and gives total control to customise the assay using chosen antibodies. It offers interesting possibilities and applications by enabling the creation of lateral-flow assays tailored to individual needs.

Chest pain patients presenting at the emergency department are set to benefit from a major development by Royal Philips with the recent announcement that the company has CE marked its cardiac troponin I (cTnI) blood test on the Minicare I‐20 handheld device. Minicare cTnI delivers laboratory-comparable test results in less than 10 minutes near the patient, reducing the time needed to decide on treatment.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a notoriously unstable and inconsistent assay, with many control products failing to meet the demands of today’s busy laboratory. Quality control is a passion at Randox and as such the company has developed a new solution to the stability problems experienced with PTH.