EKF Diagnostics Discusses European Launch of New Clinical Chemistry Analyzer at MEDICA

Al Blanco, Business Unit Director, Central Laboratory, EKF Diagnostics MEDICA The MEDICA trade fair will be taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany on the 16th-19th November. MEDICA is the world's largest medical trade fair and has been an important event in the healthcare professionals calendar for the last 40 years.  

The world’s largest trade fair, MEDICA, is underway in Dusseldorf, Germany this week. EKF Diagnostics is displaying the latest platform in its portfolio, the Altair™ 240 clinical chemistry analyzer. The Altair™ 240 will be available for hands on demonstrations at EKF's Stand in Hall 3, Booth C70. SelectScience's Clinical Editor, Sonia Nicholas, spoke to Al Blanco, Business Unit Director for the Central Laboratory at EKF Diagnostics, to learn more.

SN: Congratulations on the European launch of your new clinical chemistry analyzer at Medica 2015. How does the Altair™ 240 fit into your current portfolio of products?

AB: The new Altair™ 240 clinical chemistry analyzer fulfills an international market need for a fully automated bench-top platform supported by the reliable and respected Stanbio Chemistry reagent menu.

The fully automated system with LIS bi-directional connectivity is capable of performing up to 400 tests per hour. In addition to being supported by EKF’s broad menu of Stanbio ready-to-use, bar coded, liquid reagents for routine and special chemistries, the Altair™ 240 also provides the flexibility to configure open channel applications for many esoteric assays.

SN: What advantages does this platform have over others currently on the market?

AB: EKF will expand the international presence of its clinical chemistry range with the Altair™ 240, as its customers have long asked for a cost-effective platform designed with Stanbio Chemistry products in mind.

Built on 54 years of clinical chemistry expertise, this new platform enables EKF to offer a cost-effective solution, as either a main or back-up analyzer, to improve productivity in both the hospital and physician office laboratory environments. Because it runs on Windows® 8, operators can easily navigate its intuitive, touch screen menu. Features such as the capability to use bar coded, primary sample tubes, auto-rerun, auto-dilution and STAT interruption, all function to maximize the system’s overall efficiency.

The Altair™ 240 clinical chemistry analyzer

SN: In which countries is the Altair 240 available to purchase?

AB: The analyzer is CE marked but it is not available yet for sale in the USA.

SN: What other products will you be highlighting at Medica 2015?

AB: Alongside the new Altair™ 240 and its range of products for the central laboratory, which also includes, Micro 12™, SlidePrep™ and PlasmaPrep™ clinical centrifuges, EKF will also be exhibiting its full range of POC blood analyzers. This comprehensive range includes hemoglobin analyzers, lactate analyzers, glucose testing and HbA1c analyzers. All are simple to use and designed to quickly deliver accurate results to aid the diagnosis of anemia, diabetes and associated conditions.

EKF will also discuss the latest additions to its Stanbio clinical chemistry range, which are all designed for maximum stability and ease of use. This range includes a large selection of clinical chemistry assays, controls and calibrators, which are fully compatible with most major brand open channel chemistry analyzers. A notable addition is the Stanbio Chemistry Glycated Serum Protein (GSP) LiquiColor® test; a new diabetes biomarker test that provides a 2-3 week indicator of average blood glucose.

EKF’s Stanbio Chemistry Glycated Serum Protein (GSO) LiquiColor® test

SN: Thank you Al for your time.

If you are visiting MEDICA this week then you can find EKF's Stand in Hall 3, Booth C70.