NewSign is an OPEN system reader, means that the reader can read any manufacturer`s test strips or cassette.
Recently there have been several articles published on lateral flow immunochromatography test readers. Whether they are handheld or desktop readers, they are mostly developed by test manufacturers for use with their products only (a closed system). They are mostly image-based readers with or without assay specific calibrations and software algorithm.
As Point -of –care (POC) testing is getting more attention, these readers will acquire an important function. The reason being:
The rapid tests are very cheap.
They are easy to use and the results are obtained quickly.
Diagnosis and treatment can follow sooner.
Most of the rapid test results can be read visually, some critical difficult to visualize results can be accurately read with a Rapid test reader.
It has been reported that POC has developed out of the need for clinicians to have more rapid test results to improve the patient care process. It was estimated in 2005, the U.S. market for POC products will total $8.3 billion. Self-testing blood glucose home market gets large part of the money. Home test products are growing at a rapid space and doctor`s office and clinics are increasingly using some of these test especially in the area of Drugs of Abuse. Airports in some countries are using infectious disease rapid test to check the incoming travelers.
To an average person, the lateral flow rapid test means the results are fast and simple to interpret by observing red (or other color) colored lines. However, the technology in developing the test kits and the reader is quite intense. Several years of research and complicated operations were needed to come up with a detection technology system for such a reader.
Up to now, every reader on the market has been devised to measure the manufacturer`s test device. In other words, they are dedicated readers. Lot of manipulation and cost involved if one desires to change its functions.
For the above reason, Newscen has developed an immuno-assay reader that can measure any manufacturer`s rapid test cassette or strip test. The major advantage for the user is that it does not require any manipulation to the reader or the test cassette or test strip. It is truly an open system reader.
What are the advantages of this reader?
The visual readings are similar that of the reader. Advantage comes when difficult to read visually results are read more precisely and accurately using this reader.
The other readers only give you the area being read. This reader gives both the area being read and the whole picture of the test device so the manufacturer`s can be easily identified by use of high resolution 2 camera system. Very useful feature in case of recall or in case of identifying a patients result in case of legal proceedings. The whole image of the cassette is stored with the data.
The most beneficial feature of the reader is that it can be used with other manufacturer`s rapid test products. The width of the strips or the cassette does not cause any problem.
No manipulation is required (open system).
A reader that can now be used at POC, Doctor`s office, small clinics,and Hospital emergency rooms making it possible to get results sooner for a quick diagnosis and treatment where it is so urgently needed.Since it is an open system,any manufacture's test strips or cassettes(infectious disease,fertility,cancer markers,Drugs of Abuse ,or other relevant areas of medicine and agriculture)can be used without modification to the reader or the software.No training is required to run the Reader.
Rapid Immuno Assay Reader
