Euroimmun - part of Revvity - has installed a transformative diagnostics solution at the central immunology laboratory within the Black Country Pathology Services (BCPS) network, contributing to the managed service contract provided by Abbott Core Diagnostics.
The Euroimmun solution was procured through a mini-competition under the managed service framework. Abbott served as the project manager, overseeing the implementation journey from installation and verification through go-live and ongoing operational support.
The BCPS Immunology laboratory is now live with an advanced automated digital microscopy system supporting the analysis of a wide range of autoantibodies including ANA, liver autoantibodies, dsDNA Crithidia, ANCA, paraneoplastic, adrenal and endomysial antibodies. This marks a major step forward in modernising and enhancing Black Country’s NHS laboratory immunodiagnostic service.
The new setup features the EUROLabWorkstation IFA, a fully automated, high-throughput incubation platform for slide processing. This unique system showcases Euroimmun’s proven technology of TITREPLANE technique, enabling genuine standardised incubation, and combines MERGITE! innovative technology for washing IFA slides to reduce any artifacts. EUROLabWorkstation IFA processes over 700 samples and 750 reaction fields per run, providing throughput of 200 analyses every hour. Full traceability is ensured through barcode recognition of samples, labware, reagents and slides, standardised washing of 50 reaction fields and features automatic coverslip mounting.
In addition to the automated processing platform, significant IFA workflow analyses are supported using two EUROPattern Microscope Live digital microscopes, adopting cutting‑edge software, enabling high‑quality imaging, interpretation and classification across multiple cellular and tissue substrates. EUROPattern Microscope Live is a fully automated immunofluorescence system with an unparallelled processing time of two seconds per image. This speed is complemented by a simplified, easy-to-use EUROLabOffice 4.0 middleware. Software evaluates immunofluorescence images directly, viewable on a touchscreen monitor. Multi-touch navigation and zoom features provide a more convenient approach to viewing results and result entry directly into EUROLabOffice 4.0. State-of-the-art deep learning technology employs deep convolutional neural networks (a component of artificial intelligence) trained during software development to support automated pattern recognition. This software generates result proposals only, with human review and approval required for final evaluation.
The impact of this implementation speaks for itself. As Lauren Dougal, Business Development Director at Euroimmun UK, explains: "This end-to-end workflow, from incubation and digital analysis to result reporting, represents a significant milestone for both the Euroimmun team and the BCPS Network and Immunology service. At a time of immense pressure on the NHS, we're proud to deliver real value to the Immunology team and Black Country NHS service users. With faster sample turnaround times and improved patient care, we've provided a solution that manages large-scale sample workflows while maintaining our focus on innovation for future growth. Our ongoing development of advanced Euroimmun solutions and assays will continue expanding the scope of services we provide to BCPS, enabling them to serve more patients with excellence across central UK and beyond."