Olympus enters immunoassay market

Move is designed to enable laboratories to seamlessly consolidate workflows on a common platform and is part of the Olympus strategy to become a provider of complete medical laboratory systems

Olympus will be launching a new immunoasay system in summer 2006 comprising the AU3000i high performance analyser and heteregeneous assays.

Olympus is already one of the world's leading clinical chemistry providers, and globally more than 25% of assays are performed on its systems.

This move into immunoassay is designed to enable laboratories to seamlessly consolidate workflows on a common platform and is part of the Olympus strategy to become a provider of complete medical laboratory systems.

The European launch of the AU3000i and accompanying reagents will offer laboratories the opportunity to consolidate both clinical chemistry and immunochemistry at a single workplace.

The Olympus immunoassay offering is designed to provide the same ease of use, reliability and high productivity that existing clinical chemistry customers have come to appreciate.

The AU3000i represents the latest refinements in immunoassay technology, utilising suspended paramagnetic particles as the solid phase and highly sensitive chemiluminescence for detection.

Based on the proven AU clinical chemistry system's software and hardware platform, the AU3000i is designed for high volume uninterrupted analysis, whatever the assay mix.

For example, as a result of innovative features such as the multiple incubation rings, the AU3000i is capable of running both single- and two-step assay protocols and still achieve a throughput of 240 tests per hour.

Reagent loading is easy - the AU3000i uses plug-and-play liquid stable reagents with unique 2D barcodes.

Up to 24 parameters can be loaded using two separate carousels.

Disposable tips eliminate the possibility of carryover and can also be topped up during operation.

Clot and level detection systems are fitted as standard, with a special crash sensor for extra security.

Sample pretreatment and predilution are available if required with rerun and reflex testing all automated to increase walkaway time.

Naturally, full Stat capability is also incorporated.

Peter Szillat, product manager immunochemistry, comments: "This marks a major and carefully planned investment by Olympus.

"There have been many advances in immunoassay in recent years and we have been able to take advantage of these to produce a state-of-the-art offering.

"We will be launching the AU3000i initially with thyroid, fertility and tumour markers.

"But that is only the beginning as we have a very aggressive assay development programme.

"Cardiac, allergy and anaemia assays will all be released in 2006/2007.

"Furthermore, our new Au-Connector system makes our unique consolidation concept a reality.

"Customers will be able to physically link chemistry and immunoassy analysers and introduce what we see as truly 'intelligent sample management'.

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