RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

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.

Recently, BD (Becton, Dickinson) obtained the CE mark in the UK and Europe for a next‐generation blood separation technology that is designed to enhance sample quality, improve laboratory efficiency and reduce laboratory turnaround time.

A major challenge facing clinicians is to identify patients suspected of colorectal cancer in primary care. Recently, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued a revised NG12 Suspected Cancer: Recognition and Referral guideline, which now includes the use of faecal occult blood (FOB) testing in the patient diagnostic pathway.

Launched recently, WASP Touch is a spiral plater designed for the needs of modern microbiology laboratories. With no need for a separate vacuum source, the system is simple to use and provides real cost savings and process improvements. The WASP Touch features touchscreen operation, an automatic sanitising system that maintains correct liquid levels in sanitising solutions, and an illuminated, covered working area.

Hologic has added the CE-marked Aptima Mycoplasma genitalium assay to the growing menu of molecular tests available on the fully automated Panther system.

The Image Navigator, available in the UK from Bio-Diagnostics, is an automated microscope that captures images of autoantibody indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) slides, separates the images into controls, possible positives, possible negatives, and titres, and then presents these images to the laboratory professional on separate review screens for easy and quick confirmation and reporting.  The Image Navigator system has been shown to improve accuracy and reproducibility in reading IIF assays.  The system includes a high-quality fluorescence microscope, so samples can be observed by the conventional method as well as in the automated format.

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

Quantitative faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) demonstrates greater sensitivity and specificity for faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) than guaiac-based tests. Increased concentrations of f-Hb are indicative of greater risk of cancer and high-risk adenomas.

Designed to maximise productivity for bioprocessing customers, the new Thermo Scientific Sorvall BIOS 16 centrifuge offers an increased capacity of up to 16 L of cell culture product per run and special design features to make working with large volumes easier and more convenient.

The new TrueChrome Metrics camera from Stemmer Imaging provides fully integrated digital image capture and measurement for micro and macro scientific imaging applications, with the need for a PC. By plugging a mouse into the camera and connecting the HDMI camera output to a monitor, a wide range of multiform measurement tools allows measurements to be made on the high-quality images produced. The camera is capable of delivering measurements with a resolution of 10 nanometres, and the images are generated by the 2.3 megapixel Sony Exmor CMOS sensor. This allows the user to manipulate live images without any monitor lag.