Laboratory Products 17


New Rapid Pathogen Species Diagnostic Test could help Battle Antibiotic Resistance


It was recently announced that the Longitude Prize 2014 will focus on the ability to “create a cost-effective, accurate, rapid and easy-to-use test for bacterial infections” to help combat the scourge of antibiotic resistant microbial infection, putting this critical and growing problem under the spotlight again. The AdvanDx QuickFISH test, exclusively available in the UK from Alpha Laboratories Ltd could provide a solution.


QuickFISH enables a targeted, species specific, antimicrobial therapeutic strategy to be employed much sooner, by enabling species ID to be reported at the same time as the gram stain result. This is especially helpful when dealing with microorganisms that share an identical morphology when viewed under gram stain.


Organisms with differing sensitivities that QuickFISH can distinguish include Staphylococci, gram negative rods, Enterococci and Candida. These organisms can often be the cause of life threatening blood infections and sepsis.


The rapid, easy-to-use QuickFISH assay can help deliver decreased use of broad spectrum antibiotics, reduced time to optimised antibiotic therapy, control of the spread of antimicrobial resistance, decreased length of hospital stays and lower healthcare costs.


As the incidence of antibiotic resistance continues to increase, the supply of effective new antibiotics has all but dried up, decreasing treatment options for bacterial infections. Thus, clinicians face the challenge to ensure early, appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy for patients with critical infections, while avoiding the unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials that can lead to increased antibiotic resistant bacteria.


Currently accurate species identification can take up to 24-48 hours following positive culture identification. Often prescriptions are based on a quick gram stain (which can indicate the general direction of therapeutic intervention), pending a specific, positive species ID. However, this may still result in either the use of an inappropriate drug, or the undesirable use of a broad-spectrum antibiotic. QuickFISH offers a solution to help this growing medical problem.


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New Software Provides Uncompromising Performance, Speed, and Usability for Raman, AFM, and SNOM


The new WITec Suite software is now available for all WITec imaging systems. It was specifically developed to acquire and process large data volumes of large-area, high-resolution measurements and 3D imaging while providing speed, performance, and usability. Through the software architecture and graphical user interface an integrated and consolidated functionality is available incorporating the various techniques and measurement modes from Raman, to AFM, to SNOM, fluorescence and luminescence.


An intelligent computer resource management provides the capabilities for the generation and visualisation of even large data sets. The high-speed data acquisition allows for example the measurement and recording of over 1300 Raman spectra in only one second. Furthermore data sets including several million image pixels, each containing the information of e.g. a complete Raman spectrum or an AFM pulsed force mode-curve, can be generated, processed, and imaged smoothly with WITec Suite.


Another focus of WITec Suite is the improved and simplified usability. The software design provides a clear and intuitive menu guidance and an individually adjustable user interface to be suitable for all experience levels and user requirements. The smart access options for all principle functions, including for example the circle mouse menu, accelerate the workflow and smooth the first steps into the software and an accessible learning curve.


“WITec imaging systems are well-known for their exceptional imaging qualities. Unprecedented performance and speed facilitate the acquisition of large data volumes and the generation of 3D images and large-area scans,” explained Dr Olaf Hollricher, R&D Director at WITec “The capabilities of WITec Suite match perfectly with the requirements for high-speed data acquisition and processing of large data volumes and provide an accomplished combination of comprehensive data analysis and ease-of-use.”


WITec Suite includes Control FOUR, a powerful software tool for measurement control and data acquisition, and Project FOUR, a user friendly data evaluation and processing software. The license terms facilitate the installation of Project FOUR on an unlimited number of computers permitting the user to process data and generate images wherever required.


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State-of-the-art Laboratory Automation helps to Provide Superior Pathology Services in Ipswich


8100. This cutting edge technology will allow the clinical biochemistry laboratory to cope with increasing workloads while ensuring rapid and predictable turnaround times and high quality analytical results.


The pathology laboratory at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust is the first site in the UK to go live with the very latest, high throughput automated workflow solution from Roche, the cobas®


The cobas 8100 provides end-to-end sample processing, with a single point of entry, automated pre- and post-analytics, and state- of-the-art, intelligent sample routing for autonomous workflow management. Its unique 3D transportation system directs samples to and from the analytical modules and keeps empty sample racks on a separate level, preventing bottlenecks and ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.


“Ipswich Hospital’s pathology services are now part of the Pathology Partnership and Ipswich will become a hub laboratory for our reconfigured services, which will mean a significant increase in workload,” explained Head BMS and Service Manager, Clinical Biochemistry, Dean Braunig. “Our cobas 8100, with two cobas® 8000 modular analytical lines, provides the capacity to increase our throughput, while ensuring same-day, high quality results for routine test requests as well as urgent emergency samples.”


“Rapid turnaround of A&E test requests is essential for the hospital,” he continued. “With the cobas 8100, urgent samples can be prioritised and tracked very easily. Since we began using the cobas 8000 analytical platform a year ago, our test repertoire has increased and our turnaround times have improved significantly. 97% of A&E results are obtained within one hour and, as a result, the hospital was able to close a ward in the last year because fewer patients required a bed while they waited for test results.”


The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Chair, Ann Tate, and Chief Operating Officer, Neill Moloney, were present at the official unveiling of the cobas 8100. Ann Tate commented: “At Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust we aim to deliver the best quality of patient care to every patient, every day. This partnership with Roche, bringing cutting edge technology into the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, helps to seal this promise by ensuring the delivery of rapid and reliable test results 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”


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New Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR now Available in the UK and Ireland


Analytik announces the UK and Ireland release of the Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR spectrometer. This lightweight, ergonomic analyser enables the direct identification and assessment of high-value materials without sample extraction, making handheld FTIR a true non-destructive testing solution.


The 4300 Handheld FTIR enables the user to take measurements wherever they are needed – regardless of the physical size or location of the object. It delivers immediate, real-time results to help the user make informed decisions about factors such as quality control, surface contamination and which samples require further testing. The 4300 Handheld FTIR is an optimal analytical tool for the following areas: Automotive, paints, and coatings: assessing thermal, chemical, and environmental damage; verification of composition and authenticity. Energy and Chemicals: identifying engineering components; measuring thermal damage and coating wear. Art and historical object conservation: confirming authenticity; analysing paints, pigments and fillers. Metal surface analysis: ensuring that surfaces are prepared for coating; measuring surface contamination; monitoring surface cleaning processes. Mining and Geology: mineral exploration; analysing rocks and ores. Food and agriculture: measuring soil composition and chemistry; analysing fruit and vegetable ripeness.


Concluding, the Agilent 4300 Handheld FTIR, newest generation of analytical handheld technology, brings the power of infrared analysis out of the lab and into the field. As a powerful non-destructive analyser designed for out of lab use - the system has the versatility and flexibility to address a wide range of applications.


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