Thermo Fisher Presents Newest LC-MS/MS Instrumentation and Latest Innovations in Molecular Diagnostics

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Sep 2021

Image: Cascadion™ SM Clinical Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Waltham, MA; USA) presented its newest LC-MS/MS instrumentation and latest innovations in molecular diagnostics at the 2021 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, September 26-30.

The event attendees not only benefited from a stunning lineup of expert speakers and scientific sessions, but they also saw a vast array of emerging technologies and products at the world's largest exhibition for in vitro diagnostics.

At AACC 2021, Thermo Fisher presented its Cascadion SM Clinical Analyzer, a complete system bringing the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity benefits of the company’s gold standard liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology into routine clinical workflows. Incorporating sample processing, LC separation and MS detection capabilities in a single solution, the Cascadion system is fully automated and enables load-up and walkaway sample management, eliminating the need for multiple connected components. The system offers end-to-end automation that is easy to use by any qualified laboratory personnel with minimal training, thus streamlining and optimizing the analytical process. The Cascadion system analyzes samples directly from qualified primary blood collection tubes and is listed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class I instrument.

Thermo Fisher also highlighted its Indiko clinical and specialty chemistry system which produces results quickly with sample-oriented testing, enhancing the quality of patient care. The company displayed its automated drug testing solutions in partnership with Mindray, including the Mindray BS-480 and BA-800M chemistry analyzers designed for today's fast-paced laboratories that are versatile workhorses offering mid to high volume throughput.

Thermo Fisher presented its COVID-19 testing solutions such as the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, Amplitude Solution, TaqPath COVID-19, Flu A, Flu B Combo Kit, TaqPath COVID-19 Pooling kit, and Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test. The Applied Biosystems CoviPath COVID-19 RT-PCR Kit is a fast, multiplex diagnostic solution that contains both the assays and controls needed for the real-time PCR detection of RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit is a multiplex real-time PCR diagnostic kit that targets three areas of SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable clinical and public health laboratories to quickly diagnose COVID-19.

Also on display at AACC 2021 was the Thermo Fisher Scientific Amplitude Solution - a new, high throughput, highly automated molecular testing solution that can analyze up to 8,000 COVID-19 specimens in 24 hours. The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test combines the accuracy of PCR with the speed and simplicity of rapid antigen tests, delivering visual results in 30 minutes by using proprietary Oscar PCR technology to shorten thermocycling times. The Amplitude Solution can help laboratories quickly scale COVID-19 testing to volumes needed to help reduce the spread of disease and restore economies and communities. This solution offers maximum throughput with minimal hands-on time, equipment, and staffing.

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