Automated faecal immunochemical testing

The Kyowa Medex HM-JACKarc, available in the UK from Alpha Laboratories, is an automated FIT system suitable both for screening and symptomatic patient assessment. It includes a state-of-the-art automated analyser, a bespoke faecal sample tube and dedicated, sensitive latex agglutination reagents. This combination provides a convenient, high-throughput solution for the detection and quantification of faecal occult blood. HM-JACK arc utilises a simple faecal sampling tube that is suitable for patient home use. This is more convenient to use than sample cards and only a single specimen is required. An easy-to-use sampling method reduces the barriers to patient participation in screening programmes. The device provides excellent sample stability at ambient and refrigerator temperatures to ensure preservation of faecal haemoglobin and confidence in a home sampling option. The HM-JACKarc analyser is a compact benchtop system that uses integrated sphere latex turbidimetry to measure f-Hb concentration. It has advanced innovative software with touchscreen technology, providing an easy-to-use interface for operation by any grade of laboratory staff, with minimal training. With the ability to load up to 80 samples at any one time, it provides walkaway capability and enhanced productivity. HM-JACKarc has a time-to-first-result of just 5.6 minutes, with additional results every 18 seconds, generating up to 200 results per hour to meet laboratory demands. Several studies have confirmed excellent low-end sensitivity, a necessity when using a low cut-off as a negative predictive value (NPV) for bowel pathology. The wide dynamic assay range reduces the need for sample dilution and repeat testing. www.alphalabs.co.uk/FIT