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At AACC 2016, Festo Showcases
the Latest Automation Solutions for Clinical
Diagnostic Equipment
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[email protected]
Festo exhibits a benchtop Cartesian robot with innovative
microfluidic dosing head and other active demonstrations
and static displays of clinical automation.
Festo customer Rheonix, Inc. presents a one-stop solution
for molecular diagnostic assays. This solution is the
centerpiece of research into identifying cases of Zika
infection.
Festo AquaJellies – bionic jellyfish – also at AACC. (Festo
Booth #3939)
HAUPPAUGE, NY, July 19, 2016 – Festo features at AACC
2016, July 31- Aug. 4 in Philadelphia, the company’s automation
solutions for clinical diagnostic equipment. Festo automation lowers
manufacturer engineering costs and boosts diagnostic speed and
Festo Corporation
overall performance. (Festo AACC Booth #3939)
Equipment manufacturers partnering with Festo typically bring
products to market faster. As a case in point, Rheonix, Inc.
representatives will be in the Festo booth discussing the impact of
Festo automation and productivity programs on the development of
the company’s EncompassMDx™ system – a one-stop solution for
molecular diagnostic assays. The EncompassMDx automates sample
preparation designed to isolate DNA and RNA from a variety of
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samples. Its detection capabilities combine the capacity of a
microarray with the speed and resolution of qPCR in one unit.
In collaboration with New York University College of Dentistry
(NYUCD), Rheonix has received funding to develop a rapid diagnostic
capability for the Zika virus. The grant will allow the Rheonix/NYUCD
team to pursue the development of a fully automated screening and
self-confirming assay that will simultaneously detect and confirm the
presence of Zika virus in a single small sample of saliva or blood. The
proposed approach builds upon previous success in which the
Rheonix/NYUCD team developed a dual assay for the simultaneous
detection of HIV antibodies and viral RNA in a single specimen.
Festo automation on display
The EXCM is a compact Cartesian handling system for clinical
automation and is one of a number of Festo systems on display at
AACC. An active demonstration at AACC features the Mini-H gantry
with a Z telescope slide axis for microfluidic dosing. Another Festo
demonstration simulates the transfer of whole blood from the
specimen to an analysis chip within a small footprint device. In this
demo, a gripper removes a vial from a tray and transfers it to an
integrated rotary gripping unit. The system’s camera reads a barcode and
approves eligibility for testing. This demo features the Festo CPX control
system, which reduces the complexity of control and motion integration.
Festo also highlights the Single Axis Variable Pitch Module
(SVPM). The SVPM with up to eight pipettes can aspirate or dispense
from a 96 well plate, then expand to a different pitch to aspirate or
dispense into a large variety of fluid containers such as tubes, chips, or
vials.
AquaJellies at AACC
The AquaJellies from the Festo Bionic Learning Network are
artificial, autonomous jellyfish with electric drives and intelligent,
adaptive mechanical systems. AACC attendees will see the bionic
jellyfish in their new 500 gallon/1,900 liter tank. The movements of
the AquaJellies come as close as possible to simulating jellyfish
undulating through the world’s oceans. The integrated
communication and sensor technology plus the real-time
diagnostics enable coordinated, collective behavior among
AquaJellies even in a limited space. Developments in the Festo
Bionic Learning network inspire innovations in automation.
Be sure to stop by the Festo Booth #3939 at AACC 2016 to
see the various active demonstrations, static displays, and the
Rheonix one-stop solution for molecular diagnostic assays. And for
more information on Festo clinical laboratory automation solutions,
call Festo at 800-993-3786 and visit http://www.festo.com/us.
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About Festo
Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical
systems, components, and controls for process and industrial
automation. For more than 40 years, Festo Corporation has
continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and
optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more
profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment.
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