The AACC 2014 conference saw over 20,000 attendees and 700 exhibitors introducing new products and technologies. Many vendors held lectures and demonstrations of systems pending FDA approval. Abbott featured an RFID-based inventory management system and attached storage to existing analyzers. Accriva Diagnostics was formed from the merger of ITC Nexus and Accumetrics. Beckman Coulter, bioMerieux, CellaVision, and other vendors highlighted upgrades to existing systems as well as new offerings pending regulatory approval.

1. Vendor Highlightsfrom the AACC 2014 Conference

2. AACC 2014 Conference Overview
The AACC is the must attend show for medical laboratory scientists. Over 20,000 laboratory medicine professionals, hundreds of new products and 700 exhibitors attend this event.
The AACC 2014 introduced an Industry Workshop Theater and an OEM Lecture Series on the exhibit floor. Vendor sponsored mini- lectures were more predominate in the booths at this year’s exhibit; topics ranged from utilization and automation to laboratory quality management systems. Additionally, vendors held off-site open invitation lectures and live- streaming presentations for those who could not attend.

3. Vendor Highlights
Abbott
Abbott featured Inventory Manager, which uses RFID technology and current purchasing systems to automate the lab inventory monitoring, tracking, stocking and ordering processes. The solution works with the CELL-DYN Sapphire and Ruby, Abbott Prism and Molecular product lines along with non-Abbott products. Readers vary from wall, over- door or handheld scanners. The system was a few weeks from availability at the AACC 2014.
The Accelerator a3600 Automated Track System now attaches to the CELL-DYN Sapphire, providing multiple storage modules and is in agreement to add DiagnosticaStagoand Instrumentation Laboratory coagulation systems.

4. Vendor Highlights
AccrivaDiagnostics
Formed after ITC Nexus bought Accumetricsin August 2013, AccrivaDiagnostics will be headquartered in San Diego where Accumetricsis currently based.
Featured Systems:
•ITC Hemochronand Avoximetersystems
•AccumetricsVerifyNowsystem
•ITC IRMA TruPointblood gas analyzer, which was acquired by LifeHealthon July 28, 2014
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5. Vendor Highlights
Beckman Coulter
Beckman now offers connectivity for the DxHproducts, which will allow labs to connect up to three DxH800 analyzers to a DxHSlidemakerStainer. Connectivity will not be available for the DxH600. The new DxHConnected WorkcellSolution is pending FDA approval, but is available outside of the U.S., including Canada.
Beckman has stated they will continue the relationship with CellaVisionand make the new CellaVisionDM9600 available upon its FDA approval.
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6. Vendor Highlights
bioMerieux
BioFire, who joined bioMerieuxin January 2014, exhibited in a booth separate from bioMerieux.
bioMerieuxfeatured systems include:
•VIDAS 3 Immunoanalzyerwith full traceability and automation that is pending FDA approval with a possible approval date at the end of 2014. This is expected to replace the mini VIDAS and offer more automation and higher capacity.
•BacT/ALERT Virtuo, an automated blood culture instrument that will replace the BAC-T system, is currently pending FDA approval. The BACT/ALERT Virtuowill use new APB (adsorbent polymeric bead) bottles.
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7. Vendor Highlights
CellaVision
The new DM9600 Imaging System, which has received CE approval in Canada but is pending FDA approval in the U.S., was featured. It offers an updated RBC software to help break down cell morphology and is expected to replace the DM96 system, which will continue to be offered by Sysmexand Beckman as part of their hematology solutions.
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8. Vendor Highlights
ClemexIntelligent Microscopy (based in Canada)
The ClemexHemaCytoimaging system offers:
•WBC differential
•RBC characterization
•Platelet counting of peripheral blood
It will be available in several different configurations with the highest level being the HemaCytoPlus. The system is pending FDA approval with a possible 2015 approval date and pricing will range from $25,000 to $80,000.
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9. Vendor Highlights
DiagnosticaStago
Stago’sHettichWorkcellAutomation unit (a STA-R Evolution Plus with a HettichCentrifuge) was on display at the Hettichbooth this year. The unit will feature auto-loading and may be released as early as Q1 or Q2 2015. It is currently pending correlation. Once available, Stagowill have three options for their coagulation systems as stand- alone, on the automation line, both currently available or as part of the Hettichautomation.
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10. Vendor Highlights
Horiba
Horiba hopes to add the ABX PentraXLR hematology instrument to its family of hematology instruments once it receives FDA approval. The XLR is for mid-sized labs and will feature a reticulocyte parameter.
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11. Vendor Highlights
Instrumentation Laboratory (IL)
IL introduced their new corporate identity and logo now as part of the WerfenCompany. IL joins Biokit, iNovaand SysteLabas part of the WerfenCompany to strengthen their focus in in-vitro diagnostics, haemostatis, critical care and autoimmunity:
•BioKitfocuses on infectious disease and serology
•iNovafocuses on autoimmune testing
•Systelabfocuses on IVD
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12. Vendor Highlights
Orchard
Sequoia, Orchard’s newest software that was released Q1 2014, is designed for scalability and flexibility, targeting higher volume labs.
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13. Vendor Highlights
McKesson
McKesson Lab products received an uplift, upgrading to a 64 bit PC and receiving a new user interface. The affected versions include V14.7, 15.5 and 16. McKesson Lab is MU2 Certified (Meaningful Use).
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14. Vendor Highlights
MedicaCorporation
EasyCellhematology imaging system, which received FDA approval in 2010, was on display at the Medicabooth. EasyCellcan accept handwritten slides and uses non-oil objectives because oiling is done outside of the system.
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15. Vendor Highlights
Radiometer
Systems featured at the conference include:
•ABL90 with wireless connectivity has been available since May 2014.
•AQURE POC data management system, a connectivity software, is pending release possibly in Q1 2015.
•1st Automatic, a bedside positive ID system which was launched in June of 2013, now features additional software to automate the process at the point of care site.
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16. Vendor Highlights
Roche
Cobas8100 automated workflow system was launched at this year’s meeting:
•Expected for sale in the first half of 2015.
•Offers a single tube bi-directional transport and multilevel transport system with a workflow that allows you to run both single primary and aliquottedtubes.
•Automates the send-out process by alliquoting, bar-coding and capping tubes with screw tops.
CobasM 511 Hematology Analyzer powered by Blood Hound:
•Still in development.
•Featured as the Blood Hound at last year’s AACC as part of Constitution Medical Inc.’s booth in conjunction with the announcement of the acquisition by Roche.
Cobas6500 Urinalysis series:
•Not yet currently available in the US.
•Consists of the cobasu 701 urine microscopy analyzer and the cobasu 601 urine analyzer.
Cobasb 123 point of care blood gas system:
•The system is not yet back in production but a re-release is expected in 2015.
Cobasb221 blood gas system:
•Redesign added parameters, a micro sample mode, pH pleural fluid clearance and extended life expectancy of the components.
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17. Vendor Highlights
SCC Soft
SoftBI™ and SoftExpress®modules were introduced:
•SoftBI: Supports products that offer a business intelligence solution for productivity and efficiency analysis.
•SoftExpress: Lab outreach product that helps with customer relations management, data quality and inventory management.
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18. Vendor Highlights
Siemens
Siemens launched the ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System and the ADVIA Chemistry XPT system at the AACC this year. Both of these systems can be connected to the Aptioautomation line and a full rollout of the XPT is expected by November of 2014.
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The VersaCellX3, which launched in February, was also featured at the Siemens booth and can connect up to three instruments for sample routing, including a STAT/priority drawer with eight positions. Siemens also displayed the CS-5100, CS-2100 coagulation analyzers and CLINTEK-Novus Urine Chemistry Analyzer, which are not yet available for sale in the U.S., pending FDA approval. The CLINITEK Novus will be paired with the UF1000i Urine Sediment analyzer to form the CLINITEK AUWiPRO Automated Urinalysis System.

19. Vendor Highlights
Sysmex
The DI-60 Slide processing system includes the DI-60 Integrated Cell Image Analyzer.
CellaVisioncell imaging systems is still offered as a standalone to complement the hematology systems.
CyFlowflow cytometer, which was acquired as part of Partec, provides CD4+ T-cell and CD4% enumeration in HIV monitoring but is used only for research.
The XN1000i, for lower volume labs or physician office laboratory settings, is pending release in the next 30 days. It is a smaller version of the XN1000 and does not provide auto repeats or reflexing. Reticulocyte counts and BF measurements are optional.
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My SysmexTM Mobile Lab Assistant, a mobile lab assistant that displays real-time information and performance data, launched at the exhibit. It is due for release September 1, 2014. It will be available on a table computer and offers a 10-hour battery life. Purchasing the system will include the software license, service and hardware with an annual fee that will vary with the size and complexity of the facility.

20. Questions about the AACC 2014 Conference?
Please feel free to ask the analyst questions about the AACC 2014 Conference at your convenience.
Visit www.mdbuyline.com/contact-us or call 1-800-375-5463.
Maria Hernandez, MBA, BSMT (ASCP)
Clinical Analyst