A new system for the automated handling of primary sample tubes in medical laboratories has been introduced by Olympus Diagnostica (GmbH). The Olympus OLA 1500 is designed to reduce laboratory costs and efficiently handle high throughput by automating the de-capping and sorting processes. It can be integrated with analyser racking systems from any commonly used analysers.

The front-end system can streamline operation for hospital and commercial laboratories by managing both de-capping and sorting with a throughput of 1500 samples/hour. Virtually all laboratory sample tubes can be pre-sorted and automatically de-capped by the system, including those with rubber stoppers or screw caps. Tube volume can be anywhere from 2.5 ml to 10 ml, and the system can manage tube heights from 65 mm to as high as 110 mm.

Samples are input in Olympus 10 tube racks, which can be loaded on trays with up to 15 racks each. Five trays can be loaded giving a total sample loading capability of 750 samples. The sorting area accepts Olympus and Hitachi racks as well as those for most other types of analysers used in Europe. The samples can be identified using the full range of standard barcoding symbologies and flexibly configured into 16 sorting channels. Completed primary tubes can be archived in storage racks.

Olympus OLA 1500 software runs under Windows NT with touch screen control and can be fully integrated with Laboratory Information Management Systems.  The Olympus OLA 1500's automation of primary tube handling complements the Olympus OLA 6000, which automates the aliquoting process, and the Olympus OLA 2000, which incorporates these capabilities as well as a range of optional integrated modules for steps such as centrifugation, all controlled from a single host computer.

The Olympus OLA 2000 from Olympus Diagnostica - for total laboratory automation 

The Olympus OLA 2000 from Olympus Diagnostica enables large hospitals and commercial laboratories to automate every process step performed by a clinical chemistry system. A comprehensive range of integrated modules is available - from sample reception, centrifugation, decapping, sorting, aliquoting - to analytical testing and data management. Together, they enable clinical laboratories to deal with an increased volume of work whilst simultaneously achieving faster turnaround times.

The Olympus OLA 2000 system processes up to 900 primary samples per hour. In addition, it incorporates line buffer units located before the analyser allowing up to 20 racks (200 samples) to await analysis. Bar-coded specimens are rapidly divided into the required number of aliquots in precise amounts as small as 0.05 ml using disposable tips to eliminate the risk of contamination. This takes place at a rate of up to 900 aliquots per hour at 1:1 dispensing. These aliquots are subsequently sorted into up to four different channels. They are then ready to be delivered to a designated analyser by the conveyor. Optimum control is possible by networking each process step using a host computer.

The Olympus OLA 2000 also provides users with the option of automating front-end processes. A centrifuge device automates loading of racks into the centrifuge, weight balance adjustment and removal of the racks. In addition, a decapping device, with a throughput of up to 800 samples per hour, can be linked to Olympus OLA 2000 in order to minimize biohazard risk and further optimize the workflow. The system provides a high degree of reliability by the availability of an alarm to rapidly diagnose mechanical interruptions and indicate immediate counter measures. The Olympus OLA 2000 represents the very latest in clinical laboratory management. It enables users to meet the demand for increased efficiency, safety and reliability, whilst simultaneously minimizing costs.

Optimized process steps with the Olympus OLA 6000 from
Olympus Diagnostica

The Olympus OLA 6000 from Olympus Diagnostica is an aliquoting, labelling and sorting system. It enables medium sized hospitals and commercial clinical laboratories to increase sample throughput by integrating both front- and back-end clinical process steps. The Olympus OLA 6000 takes automation a stage further by carrying out the core functions of sorting, aliquoting and sample identification. The demand for improved efficiency and cost control has led to laboratory consolidation. But there remains the need for different analytical technologies in one laboratory, requiring sorting and aliquoting of samples. By hand, these are the most labour intensive and error-prone jobs in a laboratory. Using the Olympus OLA 6000, it is possible to achieve even faster turnaround of samples by automating these front-end processes. At the same time, reliability can be increased and running costs minimized.

The Olympus OLA 6000 generates a throughput of up to 280 primary tubes at a 1:3 aliquot ratio. The daughter tubes are then sorted in up to 30 channels, labelled with barcodes and loaded onto the next designated point in the system.  Contamination is avoided by the use of disposable tips for sample dispensing. This is combined with enhanced detection functions throughout the system to guarantee a high level of reliability.  The system also has a dedicated emergency sample entrance and exit area so that priority dispensing and sorting can be carried out without interrupting the existing workload of the laboratory.

Olympus Diagnostica GmbH launches the AU400 - optimised clinical chemistry analysis in a lower throughput format  Hamburg, August 1998. The unique clinical chemistry hardware and software technology introduced by Olympus Diagnostica GmbH in 1997 has been packaged into a new format for lower throughput requirements. The new AU400 analyser incorporates all of the innovation of the highly successful AU600 in a more compact design for small and medium size laboratories.

The system is designed on the OSCAR (Olympus System Compatibility of Analysis and Results) principle. Many laboratories use multiple clinical chemistry systems - for example a high throughput system for the majority of testing, plus smaller systems for specialist tests and for back-up testing. The latest Olympus systems are all based around the same hardware, software and reagents approaches so that the user can move simply from one system to another in the same or linked laboratories.

By using the same reagents across a range of Olympus systems, the laboratory can make major savings in cost, storage space and efficiency of ordering. Software compatibility means a consistent user interface so that users do not need to be trained on different systems, and the results format is directly comparable. Having parallel systems with the same measurement method, hardware, and reagents means that they can be used for cross-calibration and checking of  unusual results. Thus the OSCAR approach can provide direct improvements in organisational efficiency and significant cost savings.

Like the AU600, the AU400 incorporates Olympus' unique Spot Photometry measurement, multiple RISC processing and extensive data management. The single channel, full random access system has excellent productivity with 400 photometric tests per hour and up to 800 per hour including ISEs. Up to 79 assays can be incorporated with ISEs. Superb paediatric capability is provided by the ability to measure on reaction volumes as low as 150 æl, with standard cuvettes.  It also incorporates the same innovative approaches to sample and reagent handling, washing, mixing and measurement. But with its smaller size and lower cost, it is designed for lower throughput sites or for use in tandem with an AU600 or AU1000.

Dedicated reagents development by Olympus Diagnostica

A wide range of new clinical chemistry reagents has been introduced by the Olympus Diagnostica GmbH reagent development center at O'Callaghan Mills, County Clare, Ireland. They extend the range of optimised liquid-stable reagents created for and dedicated to Olympus hardware.  The Olympus system approach allows the reagents to be used interchangeably across Olympus clinical chemistry analysers, from the AU400 to the AU1000. This delivers clear cost and efficiency benefits by enabling multi-system laboratories to operate a single, central reagent stocking and ordering system.

The first group of new reagents incorporates Lipase, the three major classes of immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM), C-Reactive Protein, Rheumatoid Factor, anti-Streptolysin O (ASO) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-c).  The second group includes Transferrin, Ferritin, C3, and C4. Ferritin employs a two-stage latex agglutination reaction. The other three reagents employ a well established immuno-turbidimetric method, using buffer and antiserum solution to yield insoluble aggregates and the increase in absorbance is measured.  A third group of new reagents includes new Bilirubin and Creatinine tests based on a modified O'Leary method. These provide enhanced sensitivity and greatly improved interference characteristics. Future releases are planned to cover Digoxin, Digitoxin, Theophylline, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Valproic Acid and Carbamazepine as well as standards and controls.

All reagents have the benefits of being purpose designed for use in tandem with Olympus clinical chemistry analysers including the AU 400, 500, 600, 800, and 1000 Series as part of the Olympus system approach. 

New automated cholesterol measurement from  Olympus Diagnostica Olympus Diagnostica GmbH's reagent development centre in Ireland has released a new, totally automated enzymatic assay for the measurement in serum or plasma of High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This will provide a precise and convenient tool in identifying patients at high risk of coronary heart disease.  Plasma lipoproteins are spherical particles containing varying amounts of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and proteins. The density of these lipoproteins helps their classification into chylomicron, very low density lipoprotein, (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) classes. The different lipoprotein classes have very distinct and varied effects on coronary heart disease.

Low levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart and coronary artery disease. The determination of serum HDL-c is therefore a useful tool in identifying high risk patients. Each 1% increase in HDL-c has been associated with a 2-4% decrease in coronary heart disease risk.  The new Olympus assay uses liquid stable, ready-to-use, reagents delivered in bar-coded vials. The two-reagent method employs polyanions to aggregate LDL, VLDL and chylomicron particles. Synthetic polymers bind to those particles to form soluble lipoprotein-polyanion-polymer complexes. The second reagent selectively solubilizes the HDL particles resulting in the release of HDL cholesterol. Specific measurement of HDL cholesterol then occurs as enzymes react with exposed cholesterol molecules from HDL particles. Analysis of theenzymatic reaction at 600 nm and 700 nm wavelengths then yields the HDL determination. The test offers extreme precision, is linear up to 6.2 mmol/l, and has minimal or no interference from elevated levels of lipaemia, bilirubin or haemoglobin.

Method comparison shows high correlation with existing methods and CDC targets.

For further information contact:

John Haigh

Fiema Public Relations
Tel: +44-1488-686-260
Fax: +44-1488-686-261

Claudia Huscher