Laboratory Automation
Abbott's mPlus Further Automates Its RealTime m2000 Molecular Diagnostics System
Abbott has introduced a new capability for its RealTime m2000 system to enhance the system’s flexibility and make molecular testing easier and more efficient for laboratories. The mPlus product facilitates the performance of molecular diagnostic tests for infectious disease detection and therapy-monitoring for labs of all sizes. mPlus capability is currently available for Abbott’s RealTime HIV, HCV, HBV, CT/NG, and CT assays outside the United States, and for the RealTime CT/NG...
LipoScience, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, BioNano Genomics Named MDEA Finalists
What do IVD products from LipoScience, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, and BioNano Genomics have in common? Remarkable design, according to those judging the Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEAs) this year. Products from these three companies are the official finalists in the IVD category of the competition for 2013. MDEA judge Mark Vreeke, PhD The MDEA is the medtech industry’s premier competition for medical device and diagnostic design and innovation. This year marks the...
Genalyte Announces CE Mark for Maverick Multiplex Assay
Genalyte Inc. of San Diego, CA has announced that its Maverick Detection System, which simultaneously analyzes multiple antibodies and other proteins from a single small sample, is now CE marked in Europe for research use. The company also reported its first European distribution agreements for the Maverick system, signing on specialty distributors Mokascience in France, Bucher Biotec in Switzerland, and KRD Molecular Technologies in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The...
Siemens Will Provide Remote-Servicing Capabilities for Clinical Laboratory Customers
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics announced the integration of Siemens Remote Services (SRS) into its existing product-level service model. Already available to Siemens Healthcare imaging diagnostics customers, SRS will help create a more unified customer experience by maximizing uptime for Siemens’ clinical laboratory customers and boosting lab efficiency, the company says. Part of the Siemens Customer Care program, SRS is a bi-directional data connection between customers’ installed...
IVD Applications Stand to Benefit from RFID-Tag Integration Process for Molded Parts
  Switzerland-based Weidmann Plastics reports that it has developed a process for the partial or full integration of RFID tags in moulded plastic parts. Lab automation and diagnostics are among the applications poised to benefit from the technology’s storage capacity and seamless traceability. Automated storage systems are one notable example cited by Weidmann.   In automated storage systems, tubes typically have a data matrix code. As the amount of required data continues to...
Technopath Follows Lead of IVD Manufacturers, Brings Test Consolidation to QC Processes
As reported on the IVDT Insight blog earlier this week, Technopath Manufacturing (Ballina, Ireland) has been named the Emerging Medical Technology Company of the Year at the Irish Medical Technology Industry Excellence Awards. The company received the prize during an awards banquet held in Galway, Ireland, on December 13, 2012. We spoke with Technopath CEO Malcolm Bell and asked him about the company's technology and how this award might affect the company. A wholly owned privately held company...
BD Diagnostics, Lab 21 to Develop Oncology Assays for BD Benchtop System
BD Diagnostics and Lab 21 will collaborate on the development of oncology assays for the BD MAX benchtop molecular system, the companies announced. Lab 21 will develop PCR-based assays on the BD MAX platform, and BD will manufacture and sell the tests worldwide. Focusing on cancer patients, the companies plan to design the first two assays to detect mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes. The assay will be the first personalized cancer diagnostics test designed for the BD MAX system. The...
Curiox Presents DropArray System for Low-Volume Cell-Based Assays
DropArrray technology from Curiox is a patented system for running low-volume cell-based assays as research demands. The technology allows scientists to use fewer cells, media and reagents than is customary without sacrificing the acquistion of rich data. DropArray works equally well with adherent and suspension cells and is compatible with most automated plate-handling and imaging equipment. A press release issued by the company describes the technology as follows. Cell sample drops with as...
Siemens Launches Clinical Lab Automation System at AACC 2012
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics introduced its new clinical laboratory automation platform during an early morning press conference at the AACC 2012 Clinical Lab Expo on July 18. Aptio Automation is described by the company as a transformational technology that combines Siemens' workflow expertise with peak performance, adaptability and intelligent technology. Dave Hickey, CEO of Siemens' Chemistry, Immunoassay, Automation and IT Diagnostics business unit, highlighted the system's features...
Sysmex America Offers Preview of New Hematology Instrument at Clinical Lab Expo
Big things are happening in the Sysmex America booth at AACC this week. The company representatives I spoke with are excited to showcase new hematology instruments that they say will account for 80% of the company’s future product offerings. The Sysmex XN-Series hematology analyzers, which are currently awaiting 510(k) clearance from FDA, enable laboratories of all sizes to implement advanced clinical parameters, including an all-new fluorescent platelet channel for immature platelet...