Brady innovation solves a major labelling issue for histology labs

Brady, the world leader in Identification Solutions, meets an urgent need with the launch of a complete system of tissue cassette labelling which can withstand histology processing. Combining a unique chemical-resistant label and an innovative label attachment method, the Specimen Labelling Solution ensures complete sample security.

According to Richard Kapusniak, Manager, Materials, New Products & Technology, 'This new solution from Brady solves a major problem for histology and anatomic pathology laboratories: when tissue cassette labels become unreadable or detached during processing, specimens are unusable and time and money are wasted. In addition, hand-writing labels is time-consuming and error-prone. Now, with our BSP™31 Label Attachment System users can rely on the information-rich printed labels remaining readable right through histological processing. The labels cannot become separated from tissue cassettes, and the system is cost-effective for small to medium-sized laboratories.'

Designed to be used exclusively with Brady's chemical-resistant labels and the specifically developed thermal transfer printer ribbon, the new Brady BSP™31 Label Attachment System guarantees labelling integrity throughout processing, embedding, sectioning and storage for up to 20 years.

Brady's Tissue Cassette labels provide absolute text clarity, incorporating a barcode to maximise information content. These adhesive labels fit the most commonly used cassettes and, crucially, when printed using the designated ribbon they are resistant to all the chemicals used in the paraffin embedding process.
In addition to remaining readable it is vital that labels stay attached to the tissue cassette and the BSP™31 Label Attachment System achieves this using innovative mechanical fastening. When a cassette is inserted into the front of the BSP™31 unit, four tiny heat probes pierce the label and cassette, melting the plastic just sufficiently to form indestructible rivets which affix the label permanently.

Quick and simple to use within the normal workflow, the BSP™31 Label Attachment System improves efficiency as well as traceability and complies with all the European Tissue Directive Regulations regarding labelling. Compared with an expensive direct marking system, the Brady solution is affordable for laboratories handling 50-200 samples per day and is also ideal as a back-up system for larger labs.
Visit www.bradyeurope.com/BSP31-EN for more information.

Brady Corporation in profile
Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady employs 250 chemists who develop unique labelling solutions for various markets, including helping the laboratory sector address the challenges associated with sample identification.

Brady's technical service teams, dedicated lab key account managers and lab distributors across Europe provide advice on all aspects of labelling, printing and traceability. Technical data sheets are available showing how Brady labels and systems have been tested extensively to match laboratory requirements, and the company's European lab facility also offers on-demand testing for specific customer applications.

Founded in 1914, Brady has more than 500,000 customers in a variety of industries. Its products include high-performance labels, printing systems and software. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs about 7,000 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

For further information, e-mail: csbelgium@bradycorp.com 

High accuracy laboratory thermometer sets new standards

Isothermal Technology (Isotech) offer a High Accuracy Thermometer called the TTI-22 which sets new standards in the price to performance ratio for industrial and secondary resistance thermometry.

Designed for the industrial and secondary sector this affordable thermometer is ideal as a reference standard alongside liquid calibration baths, for the smallest uncertainty calibration with Dry Blocks or for demanding stand alone measurement applications.

The TTI-22 has a high accuracy of 0.0001ºC; previously this level of performance was confined to specialist laboratories with expensive thermometry bridges.

Simple to use, this lightweight instrument supports industrial 100 Ohm probes and SPRTs to ITS-90, 25.5 and 100 Ohm. The TTI22 has the facility to store up to 30 probe calibrations along with the calibration expiry date so the instrument can warn when the calibration time has been exceeded.

For further information, e-mail: info@isotech.co.uk

New project, new job or new lab?  Get new AIMS!

Biochrom launches the new Anthos Instant Microplate Solution (AIMS). If you need a new microplate reader, then this package contains ALL the microplate instrumentation to run ELISA and other microplate based applications, in a single package, at a great price. It is ideal for laboratories that handle a large number of absorbance based assays that also need flexibility for future techniques. It includes:

The Zenyth 200 Microplate Reader with cuvette UV/Vis spectrophotometer. A versatile monochromator based instrument that reads 6-384 well plates at any wavelength between 190-1000nm, with temperature control. The built-in spectrophotometer saves bench space, and there are pre-programmed cuvette methods for nucleic acid and protein measurements.

The Fluido 2 four channel microplate washer handles up to four different wash buffers, up to 50 different programs and 20 different plate types- including strip plates and round bottom wells. In addition, the AIMS package contains ADAP Prisma PC analysis software and a laser printer free of charge.

AIMS includes the "top of the range" Anthos microplate instrumentation and software All Anthos instruments are CE marked and manufactured under a rigorous quality system. Building on Anthos' 25 years experience in microplate instrumentation, AIMS represents new thinking for the next generation providing total flexibility for microplate absorbance applications.

For further information, view websites: www.biochrom.co.uk or www.biochrom-us.com

Novel fibre optic chemical sensors are
non-intrusive, provide real-time monitoring

Advances in high-performance sensor materials and optoelectronics have enabled novel optical sensors for use in applications in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage processing and more. Compared with traditional electrochemical sensing techniques such as galvanic sensors, Ocean Optics (www.OceanOptics.eu) optical sensors can be made in small and customisable form factors, allow non-intrusive measurements and do not consume the sample.

Ocean Optics' optical O2 and pH sensors are designed for accurate, real-time, in situ measurements in various media. The proprietary sensor coating materials do not consume the sample and can be applied to substrates such as probes, self-adhesive acrylic patches and microtiter wells. Coating options are available for general lab use, food processing lines and hydrocarbon-rich environments. Depending on the application, oxygen presence or pH can be visually determined by colour change with a handheld LED, or a fluorometer can be used to make exact measurements.

The principle of operation is to trap an oxygen-sensitive fluorophore or pH indicator dye in a sol-gel host matrix that can be applied to the tip of a fibre, an adhesive membrane such as a patch or a flat substrate such as a cuvette. The indicator materials change optical properties in response to specific analytes in their immediate environment and electronics then measure the response. For oxygen, the NeoFox Phase Fluorometer measures the partial pressure of dissolved or gaseous oxygen; for pH, a miniature fibre optic spectrometer measures the colorimetric (absorbance) response of the pH dye.

Ocean Optics optical oxygen and pH patches overcome the limitations of electrochemical-based oxygen and pH sensing. Such patches can be integrated easily within a small-scale biosystem such as a bioflask used for fermentation and provide continuous, non-intrusive monitoring of key system parameters. The ability to monitor dissolved oxygen and pH in real time without perturbing a sealed environment can lead to an improved understanding of the processes in the bioreactor and help to facilitate the development of new biological products and fermentation processes.

For further information, view website: www.oceanopticssensors.com or e-mail: info@oceanoptics.eu  Refer to page 283

New G-Storm GS482 thermocycler from Labtech
offers enlarged touch screen user interface benefits

Labtech International Limited, a leading distributor of life science instrumentation, is adding G-Storm's new GS482 model into its family of thermal cyclers.  Embracing a sleek, black styling, the new instrument, which features an enlarged screen to improve the user interface and experience, brings the product into line with G-Storm's other GS models - GS1, GS2 and GS4.

The new, cost effective GS482 system is equipped with a number of enhanced features that increase the instrument's flexibility and functionality.  The enhancements have been made as a direct response to customer comments and suggestions.

The GS482 thermal cycler offers an ideal, value for money, solution for scientists looking to maximise their research funding, and invest in a cycler that is truly flexible and functional.

The two independent 48 well blocks, both with sprung heated lids that adapt to both tubes and high profile 48 well plates within the GS482 enables two programs to be run independently or one program simultaneously on both blocks. Either way, the GS482 provides two block functionality at a very low price point.
Both of the GS482's thermal blocks feature two independent temperature control sensors and four peltier heating units to ensure accurate temperature control and uniformity across the block surface.  The addition of Active Sample Cooling (ASC) also ensures that samples are cooled until the heated lid reaches its target temperature.   Protecting samples before the protocol has begun helps to reduce non-specific primer binding and extension.

The GS482 is capable of running gradient programs on both or either thermal blocks as a standard feature. By entering a gradient step into a protocol enables the GS482 to generate a gradient across eight columns. Please note gradient is not available in USA, Germany or Japan

The GS482 also benefits from the same software architecture as other products in the G-Storm GS family of the thermal cyclers.  The new simple-to-use, thermal cycler uses Windows CE as its control platform with a 3.5 inch full colour touch screen.  Onboard software features a Program Wizard that can store up to 1000 programs. In addition, users can utilise G-Storm's PC version of the software to generate programs remotely, and then simply transfer via USB.

Labtech International Limited in profile
Based in Ringmer, Sussex, Labtech International Limited is a foremost distributor of life science instrumentation in the United Kingdom and France.  Representing many major manufacturers on an exclusive basis Labtech International Limited provide exceptional technical, applications and service support together with personal service that ensures a high level of customer satisfaction. Committed to continuous development of products and services, Labtech International Limited endeavours to provide significant added value for its customers at all levels.

For further information, e-mail: sales@labtech.com or view website: www.labtech.com   Refer to page 342