OLA2500 streamlines workflow and improves turnaround times

OLYMPUS LIFE AND MATERIAL SCIENCE EUROPA GMBH ??Diagnostics, today announced a range of major innovations on the latest version of the market leading OLA2500 Peri-Analytical Systems for medical laboratories.

Since its introduction in 2001, the OLA2500 has rapidly established itself as the leading peri-analytical automation system throughout Europe. By enabling fully automated high speed decapping, aliquoting, sorting and archiving of any primary sample tube, the OLA2500 has dramatically streamlined workflows to improve turnaround times and reduce time pressure for staff. The ability to accept different tube racks and interface with third party analysers has been a further major contributory factor to the instrument?? success with almost 300 placements across Europe.

Following customer feedback, the OLA2500 Series III incorporates three major new features ??3D Cap Colour Recognition, Read Through Label (RTL) Sample Volume Detection and Automatic Recapping. The 3D Cap Colour Recognition helps laboratories meet the demands of GLP for full result traceability. The advanced Tube Identification Unit (TIU) combines a side view of the cap with a top view to enable sample material identification at any stage together with a crosscheck between test request and sample material. Read Through Label (RTL) Volume Detection takes account of the reality that several barcode labels are often stuck on top of each other.

Based on infra-red technology, two different algorithms are used to measure either the complete tube contents as sample material for whole blood samples or the supernatant volume for serum and plasma tubes. This enables reliable sample volume detection through up to 3 labels. The final innovation is the automated recapping of both glass and plastic tubes using chemically inert Parafil^?. Performing this function whilst racks are still on the OLA2500 eliminates risk of sample evaporation or contamination during archiving.

??LA2500 has been a major success story,??commented Product Manager Walter Ulm. ??aving listened to customer feedback, we have responded with these new features which we hope will maintain OLA?? position as the peri-analytical system of choice for laboratories worldwide.??The first of the new OLA2500 Series III systems are being delivered to existing customers in early 2007 and it will be shown at key exhibitions during the year.