Beckman Coulter Releases Compact DxH 500 Hematology System with CE Mark

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has released the DxH 500 hematology system with CE Mark, an open-vial instrument offering a throughput of up to 60 samples per hour. The DxH 500 hematology system is the first analyzer in a new range of workflow-efficient hematology analyzers able to deliver accurate, robust results from a finger prick of blood.

The DxH 500 analyser has been specifically designed for low-volume haematology workloads and to promote rapid specimen turnaround and reduce patient wait times in small- and medium-sized clinics. Smaller than a standard microwave, the new instrument is able to provide a complete blood count (CBC) plus 5-part differential from as little as 12μL of whole blood or from 20μL of whole blood for pre-dilute analysis. This makes the DxH 500 ideal for pediatric and geriatric patients, for whom sample taking can be difficult.

“The efficient processing of test results from a finger prick of blood, even when the sample has been taken in busy, crowded environments, improves workflow and reduces costs,” said Matt Rhyner, Ph.D., senior global marketing manager, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics. “It also makes more efficient use of staff time, reducing the need for multiple venous draws if additional testing is needed.”

The DxH 500 is part of Beckman Coulter’s line of DxH hematology solutions (the DxH Workcell, DxH 800 Cellular Analysis System and DxH Slidemaker Stainer) incorporating Beckman Coulter’s multidimensional, high-definition flow cytometric technology. “This ensures that clinics and labs with limited space are able to achieve the same high quality results from this compact, fully automated instrument,” said Matt.

As part of the multi-site clinical reliability study to test its performance, uptime and workflow efficiencies, 36,000 samples were run across 26 sites in five continents. The DxH 500, exhibited less than or equal to one service call per year, providing uptime of more than 98%.

“Based on one of Beckman Coulter’s core value ‘Customer’s Talk, We Listen,’ the need for higher uptime has become one of our most critical design requirements,” said Eric Grace, senior product manager for the DxH 500 at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

In addition to high reliability, the system has several additional features to provide maximum uptime, with automatic start-up, fast reagent changes, no soft tubing, and minimum moving parts. It operates like a mobile phone, using touch screen technology so there is no need to add a PC and monitor. Low power consumption also reduces operational costs, with LED lighting replacing traditional lasers. The DxH 500 uses 50% less reagent volume per sample compared to other low-volume analyzers so that a single set of reagent bottles can support hundreds of tests.

Further, the DxH 500 needs only three reagents, which take less than two minutes each to replace, making better use of staff time and supporting a consistent workflow throughout the day. By providing non-toxic, cyanide-free and formaldehyde-free reagents, labs can reduce the cost of disposal and more easily meet environmental and regulatory compliance standards. Additionally, the DxH 500 supports laboratories’ paperless efforts with a bidirectional laboratory information system (LIS) interface for better data keeping. This integrated LIS interface can potentially help reduce data errors that occur during manual processes.

“The DxH 500 offers a laboratory solution that makes it possible to test patients, especially the most vulnerable, using the least invasive process possible – and to deliver this with an accuracy and efficiency comparable to larger laboratory systems,” said Arnd Kaldowski, president, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics. “The instrument delivers reliable, high quality clinical results to the low-volume laboratory, simplifying and streamlining workflow. In turn, this allows clinicians to efficiently deliver diagnosis and potential treatment options on time, the first time, when it matters most.”