Creating the industry’s first stem cell analysis update in nearly 25 years, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched an evolution of the gold-standard in haematopoietic stem cell enumeration, the AQUIOS STEM system.
The AQUIOS STEM System enables complete automation to minimise hands-on time by 95%, reduces error-prone steps by 87.5%, and decreases turnaround time. The system was designed with leading experts in the field of clinical CD34+ enumeration, and is a modular approach to automated and IVD-certified analysis of CD34+ haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
The advancement comes as more than 100,000 stem cell transplantations are expected to be performed this year. “For many patients this is the last treatment option, so we know that timely and accurate diagnostic information is perhaps more critical than ever,” said Dr Andreas Böhmler, Director of Strategic Marketing for Clinical Solutions. “The success of a stem cell transplant largely depends on the number of viable stem cells, and we designed the system to improve efficiency without compromising accuracy, all of which can make a difference in patient outcomes. Stem cells can save lives, and we’re excited we can make a difference by helping to accelerate analysing and enumerating viable cells.”
The system runs on the AQUIOS CL flow cytometer, the first true load-and-go flow cytometer that combines sample preparation and analysis in one compact platform. Easy to use and easy to train, the AQUIOS STEM system brings stem cell enumeration closer to where it belongs, the patients. Full traceability is enabled by barcoded vials to ensure a comprehensive audit trail and simplify quality management. A single tube loader also allows for priority treatment of emergency samples, enabling laboratory staff to handle urgent requests. The system can reduce the need for laboratory developed tests (LDTs), fostered by a flexible IVD assay set-up, including three different validated panel options and innovative automated algorithms, allowing laboratories to maintain compliance regardless of the guidelines they follow.