EKF Diagnostics, the global diagnostics company, has announced that it will be introducing two new diagnostic tests at Medica 2014, 12-15th November, Düsseldorf, Germany. Visitors to the show can see EKF’s novel assay for early sepsis detection, as well its new handheld point of care haemoglobin analyser. Alongside these new products, EKF will also be exhibiting a new version of its Hemo Control hemoglobin analyser, as well as previewing SensPoint, a new lactate analyser designed for use in professional medical settings.
The new CE marked Liquicolor Procalcitonin liquid-stable assay can be used on most automatic chemistry analysers as an early and specific indicator of sepsis. Since Procalcitonin (PCT) levels elevate during systemic bacterial infection and sepsis, PCT can be used to quickly assess initial severity of sepsis.
The new Liquicolor PCT immunoturbidimetric assay is precise, convenient and cost effective as it is available in a liquid-stable format, which can remain stable on-board a clinical chemistry analyser for up to four weeks, and requires a minimal sample of just 20 µL. This assay can also improve laboratory workflow as it can be run on a primary chemistry analyzer and eliminate the need to split a sample. The reagent kit, calibrator and control sets are all available separately.
EKF Diagnostics will also be showcasing the new DiaSpect Tm hemoglobin analyser. This palm-sized point of care analyser is fast, easy to use and reliable in all climate conditions since it combines laboratory quality performance with unmatched measurement speed and extensive battery life.
In addition to its accuracy of result, DiaSpect Tm is extremely robust since it has no moving parts. Furthermore it utilises reagent-free microcuvettes that are unaffected by humidity, unlike reagent-based systems. These plexiglass microcuvettes also have a long shelf-life of 2.5 years with no need for refrigeration as they can be stored from 0° to 50°C. DiaSpect Tm is portable and lightweight at just 185g and has an extremely long battery life of 40 days of continuous use, or 10,000 tests, due to its integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
DiaSpect Tm is factory calibrated against the HiCN reference method in accordance with ICSH and requires no re-calibration or maintenance, as it undertakes an automatic self-check between every measurement. Its ‘always on’ technology also means the analyser is permanently ready for use. The user simply collects a capillary or venous blood sample of <10 µL in the microcuvette and inserts it directly into the analyser. Haemoglobin results are delivered in just one second which can then be downloaded to a PC via USB or Bluetooth.
