Olympus Announces Market Release of the AU5400TM Chemistry Immuno Analyzer

Chicago (American Association for Clinical Chemistry Annual Meeting) - Adding to its line of standardized chemistry immuno systems, Olympus Diagnostic Systems Group announced regulatory clearance and market release of the new high-volume AU5400TM analyzer.

Meeting the needs of high-volume commercial and hospital core laboratories, the Olympus AU5400 automates and consolidates chemistry-immuno testing with up to 147 on-board chemistries and performs up to 6,600 tests per hour. The AU5400 is designed to upgrade and replace Olympus AU5200 analyzers used in the majority of large commercial laboratories.

To meet varying workload demands, the AU5400 system is available in multiple module configurations - the two-module AU5421 and the three-module AU5431. The system incorporates a fully integrated track system to intelligently route samples to the high-speed processing modules for simultaneous test processing.

The Olympus AU5400 is a high-volume performer that increases laboratory productivity and saves operators and managers valuable time, enabling them to perform other vital functions. The system requires less maintenance, consumes less reagent, and incorporates probe crash prevention and sample clot detection - features not currently available on other high-volume analyzers.

Unlike other high-volume modular analyzers, the AU5400 is a discrete, random access system, which utilizes precision reagent pipetting to eliminate wasteful reagent priming. With its multi-module design, the AU5400 has up to 147 on-board chemistries offering laboratories a single, high-speed system to perform the majority of their general and special chemistry tests. One of the primary advantages of the Olympus AU chemistry-immuno systems is the standardization integrated throughout the series. The systems have a broad 122-test menu featuring general and special chemistries, urine methods, TDMs, DAUs, and thyroid assays. Olympus bar-coded reagents are liquid, ready-to-use and are manufactured at Olympus Diagnostica, an ISO 9001-registered facility.

Easy-to-use, the AU5400 uses flexible Microsoft Windows NT® software to simplify its operation. Additionally, operator training and system maintenance are easily accomplished through an on-line operator's manual, context-sensitive HELP functions and computer-generated video clips. Technical support is modem-linked for a virtual on-site engineer around the clock. Software documentation and QC features support CLIA, NCCLS, and CAP compliance.

Olympus meets the needs of any sized laboratory or network with its broad line of chemistry-immuno analyzers. Compatible standardization among the AU400, AU640, AU2700 and AU5400 systems include identical user-interfaces, standardized results and reference ranges. These analyzers also use the same reagents, consumables and parts for the most cost-effective operation in the healthcare market today.

The Diagnostic Systems Group utilizes Olympus America Inc. expertise and financial support to offer customers a variety of acquisition plans. One such program is a unique cost management plan whereby Olympus guarantees a Cost Per Reportable rate based on the laboratory's monthly test volume. The Olympus package offers customers a full line of financial services, information technology, and laboratory automation solutions to optimize their laboratory operations.

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