RNA Medical, Acton, Mass, introduces the IN 525 Blood Gas, Electrolyte, Glucose, CO-Oximetry Control. The dye formulation of this control provides specific CO-Ox values for IL Synthesis analyzers. It is the ideal choice for Synthesis models 15, 25, and 35, and contains pH, PCO2, PO2, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, glucose, total hemoglobin, and hemoglobin fractions. The IN 525 has a 36-month shelf life from the date of manufacture, making extended lot number sequestration possible. It provides three levels for monitoring analyzer performance at different points in the clinical range. Each box contains 30 ampuls with a 2.5-mL fill each. The IN 525 contains no preservatives or human-based materials. (800) 533-6162; (978) 263-6162; fax: (978) 266-9928; www.rnamedical.com.
Medica Corporation, Bedford, Mass, introduces the new EasyBloodGas Analyzer, which measures pH, PCO2, and PO2 and is packaged in a compact, economical format. All components are combined into only three easily accessible, simple modules. Liquid calibrants are packaged in a convenient Reagent Module. Routine maintenance is limited to the replacement of electrodes and a single pump tube. (781) 275-4892; fax: (781) 275-2731; www.medicacorp.com.
VIA Medical, San Diego, has developed a unique approach to performing blood gas, chemistry and hematocrit analysis with its ex vivo systems for adults, children, and neonates. Using an in-line, patient-attached sensor, the system automatically draws blood into a specialized sensor, analyzes it, then automatically reinfuses it to the patient, giving immediate results while maximizing blood conservation. Measurements can be performed as frequently as every 10 minutes over a 72-hour period. The system is easy to use, accurate, cost-effective, and CLIA exempt, and interfaces with most bedside monitoring systems. (858) 793-3300; fax: (858) 793-3315. www.viamedical.com.
SIMS Portex Inc, Waukesha, Wis, is a leading manufacturer of arterial blood sampling kits: Pro-Vent® Plus, Line Draw Plus, Dry Pulsator® Plus, and Anaerobic Pulsator® Plus kits. The kits are available in a variety of standard configurations, many of which include Needle-Pro® or Point-Lok™ needle protection devices. The Portex® Plus line of arterial blood sampling devices features either advanced formula dry lithium heparin or electrolyte-balanced liquid sodium heparin. Our unique heparin chemistry allows you to accurately measure 11 indications from a single whole blood sample, including: pH, PCO2, PO2, CO-oximetry, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl–, glucose, and lactate. (262) 542-3100; fax: (262) 542-0718; www.sims-bci.com.
Instrumentation Laboratory, Lexington, Mass, announces the introduction of the GEM Premier 3000 Blood Gas and Electrolyte System. Based on a proven multi-use cartridge technology, the device can be utilized for all laboratory and critical care testing sites. The analyzer’s high-powered Pentium computer offers the user expanded data management capabilities, such as patient trending, and quality control scheduling and lockout, making regulatory compliance automatic even in remote locations. The GEM Premier 3000 System can be used as a stand-alone critical care analyzer, or in satellite locations with remote viewing, or can network to IL’s IMPACT™ Information Management System. (800) 955-9525; fax: (781) 862-8964; www.ilww.com.
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Irvine, Calif, introduces Liquichek™ Blood Gas Plus CO-oximeter Controls, which are comprehensive products designed to monitor the performance of blood gas and CO-oximeter instruments. There are three controls available to monitor instruments by Bayer, IL, and Radiometer. A 3-year shelf life reduces the frequency of lot crossovers, saving time and reagent costs. (800) 2-BIO-RAD; fax: (949) 598-1550; www.bio-rad.com.
Nova Biomedical, Waltham, Mass, introduces the Stat Profile pHOx® Blood Gas/Oximeter, a totally automated quality control system contained within a single on-board reagent cartridge. The system assures that quality control is always performed accurately and on schedule, and combines multiple levels of controls and dedicated software. It also eliminates 80% of the labor required to manually perform quality control, dramatically reducing maintenance costs, and guarantees regulatory compliance. The Stat Profile pHOx measures hematocrit, hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation in addition to the standard pH, PCO2, PO2 blood gas panel. Each auto cartridge contains three levels of blood gas controls, two levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin controls, plus software designed to automate running controls and store quality control data. (781) 647-3700; fax: (781) 894-5915; www.novabiomedical.com.
Abbott Diagnostics, Bedford, Mass, announces the I-STAT system, a handheld battery-operated system that allows critical care tests to be performed in about 2 minutes at the patient’s bedside. Test records are automatically stored for printing or transmission into the LIS or HIS for effortless record keeping. Tests include blood gases, electrolytes, chemistries, and H&H. The I-STAT system is fully integrated into the Precision Net data management system, allowing seamless transmission of all test records, and providing unprecedented control over all point-of-care testing activity. (800) 323-9100; www.abbott.com.
Radiometer™ America Inc, Westlake, Ohio, introduces ABL™700, which provides fully quantitative whole blood measurement of bilirubin and fetal hemoglobin on a blood gas analyzer. Now, 17 of the most important critical care parameters can be measured with just a few drops of blood. This means that vital information about a baby’s condition can be obtained from the same small sample. From just 95 µL of whole blood, bilirubin and fetal hemoglobin can now be measured simultaneously with any combination of pH, blood gas, electrolyte, metabolite, and oximetry parameters. Several micromodes down to just 35 µL are available, so that the required blood volume is adjusted according to the number of parameters needed—providing further sampling flexibility. By analyzing whole blood, the ABL700 provides easy, fast, and accurate information about the baby’s condition, thereby enabling immediate patient assessment. Accurate operation is assured through complete automation of the system from the initial loading to final quality control measurement. Fetal hemoglobin is known to interfere with oximetry measurements (hemoglobin derivatives and saturation) because it has higher oxygen affinity than normal hemoglobin. By measuring at 128 different wavelengths, the ABL700 is able to detect and automatically correct for HbF interference. (800) 736-0600 x333; [email protected]. www.radiometeramerica.com .
AVL Medical Instruments, Roswell, Ga, introduces OMNILink, software that provides remote control and diagnostic monitoring of decentralized blood gas analyzers. It allows hospital, laboratory, respiratory therapy, and point-of-care managers the ability to ensure quality testing in remote areas without having to go to each analyzer. OMNILink features flexible connectivity options including TCP/IP Ethernet, radio-frequency networks, and standard serial RS-232 connections. This bidirectional communication allows users to quickly view needed information on analyzers’ status. Users will be able to remotely control and activate functions such as calibrations, quality-control monitoring, trouble-shooting, and other diagnostic routines. Remote lockout of instruments or specific menu parameters is also possible. OMNILink will allow remote operation from an office, via a portable laptop computer, or from a remote location through a network, Internet, or modem connection. The OMNILink software is simple to operate and features large, easy-to-read graphics, and on-board instructions. (800) 421-4646; www.avlmed.com.
AVL Medical Instruments, Roswell, Ga, announces that it has received FDA 510(k) approval for reporting both glucose and BUN (urea) testing on the OPTI® Critical Care Analyzer (CCA). With a test menu of pH, blood gases, electrolytes, measured total hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation, the OPTI CCA has an extensive point-of-care test menu. The OPTI CCA is a small, maintenance-free analyzer that is used in critical care settings such as operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency departments, and outpatient facilities. Analytes are measured with optical sensors in single-use cassettes, which are stored at room temperature. The OPTI CCA automatically aspirates whole blood samples from either a syringe or capillary tube, eliminating the need for operator intervention during sample application. (800) 421-4646; www.avlmed.com.
Bayer Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, introduces the Rapidpoint 400, a fully automatic system designed to measure critical analytes on 100 µL of whole blood. The system utilizes a multi-use cartridge that is good for 28 days. Rapidpoint 400 will deliver results on nine critical analytes in 60 seconds and is available to run another sample in an additional 60 seconds. The broad menu of critical analytes includes pH, PCO2, PO2, Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++, Hct, and glucose. Users can simply select their desired menu from the color touch screen, or run the entire panel. Samples are automatically monitored by the Rapidpoint to ensure integrity. The system constantly monitors the sampling process for insufficient or short samples, bubbles, and clots in samples. When a clot occurs, the system performs a clot removal procedure and restores the system to an operational state. Rapidpoint 400 is designed for connectivity; a Rapidpoint comes configured with Ethernet connection. (800) 255-3232; www.bayerdiag.com.
Bayer Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, introduces the Rapidlab 800 System, which is a fully automated, upgradeable platform that covers the key critical care whole blood parameters in addition to comprehensive on-board information management. Its modular design allows the basic blood gas model to be quickly and easily upgraded to include electrolytes, metabolites, and CO-oximetry in a single unit. This versatility addresses changing clinical demands by eliminating the need for the laboratory to buy additional systems when other testing parameters are needed. The Rapidlab 800 Smart Sampler™ automatically measures the sampling device and aspirates the appropriate amount of sample, making the system easy to use, accurate, and safe. Maintenance requirements are minimal due to the simple hydraulic design and long-life Read Sensors™ electrodes. (800) 255-3232; www.bayerdiag.com.
Using the RADIANCETM information management program from Radiometer America, Westlake, Ohio, hospitals can now remotely monitor and control all their blood gas analyzers from one PC. Managers can verify the status of each individual instrument and instruct it to initiate corrective actions such as cleaning, calibration, and quality control procedures. This innovative application will improve the quality of stat testing and increase efficiency by removing the need to visit remote installations constantly. RADIANCE is a fully integrated stat analyzing management system that links the hospital laboratory to its remote analyzers by electronically collecting and storing patient results, QC, and calibration data. RADIANCE bidirectionally communicates with LIS/HIS systems to facilitate the flow of samples, and minimize manual data entry. Built on a Windows® NT platform, RADIANCE is easy to use, while offering a high degree of flexibility. (800) 736-0600; www.radiometeramerica.com ; [email protected].
