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Siemens Healthineers debuts new thermocycler and AI-powered interpretation software

Source: Pixabay/qimono

At the 28th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2018), Fast Track Diagnostics, a Siemens Healthineers company, launches a new molecular thermocycler, the Fast Track cycler¹, and the complementary new FastFinder² software. The Fast Track cycler is a compact platform that enables laboratories of all sizes to implement molecular testing with simplicity and speed while the FastFinder software improves workflows due to AI-powered automation. In launching both solutions, Siemens Healthineers underscores its commitment to the field of molecular diagnostics and the expansion of precision medicine.

Fast Track cycler (FTC)

Though small in size, the Fast Track cycler leverages cutting-edge technology for high-quality, reliable results
Fernando Beils

Weighing just two kilograms and measuring only 150 mm x 150 mm x 130 mm, the Fast Track cycler (FTC) is a compact thermocycler created to fit laboratories of all sizes. The platform is scalable: up to 10 thermocyclers can be connected to one computer, and laboratories can utilize a range of 1 to 480 wells. “With the Fast Track cycler, we at Siemens Healthineers are expanding our molecular instrument portfolio by offering a simple, fast, and compact solution attractive to a growing variety of markets and customers,” says Fernando Beils, Head of Molecular Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers. “Though small in size, the Fast Track cycler leverages cutting-edge technology for high-quality, reliable results.”

The Fast Track cycler uses magnetic induction technology for robust and reliable results. Because no calibration is required, the thermocycler does not drift or age and offers simple handling of the system.³ The FTC also comes equipped with Fast Track lyophilised technology, offering reagents for PCR experiments in a single sample tube, simplifying processes for users by eliminating the need to prepare the reaction mix before test implementation. With this technology, users simply add nucleic acid extracts to the prepared tubes before inserting into the cycler.³

FastFinder™ Software

In collaboration with UgenTec, Siemens Healthineers launches FastFinder™ software, a fully automated real-time PCR interpretation platform compatible with all multiplexing kits from Fast Track Diagnostics, a Siemens Healthineers company. This software allows users to fully automate and standardize analysis of kits with Applied Biosystems 7500 and LightCycler® 480 PCR platforms. FastFinder uses its built-in statistical machine learning models to accurately analyze every amplification curve, then automatically combines these results and processes them through an assay-specific decision tree, leading to an overall and conclusive result.³“Enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), FastFinder software minimizes the need for manual processing, which not only saves time, but increases the reliability of results as well,” says Beils. “Users receive 100% reproducible results3 in a matter of seconds, improving laboratory workflows and expanding precision medicine."

With automated plate detection, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) connection, and a user-friendly interface, FastFinder is easy-to-use with limited training needed. All assay parameters come pre-set for speed and ease of implementation, and clear, customizable reports enable easy reading of results. The audit trail of analysis, the integrated archive, and the simultaneous analysis of multiple run files lead to better monitoring and allow users to provide patients with the relevant treatment more quickly.³"Siemens Healthineers' focus on AI aligns perfectly with our vision for FastFinder. The combination of Siemens Healthineers' hardware and assays and our extensible software will guide laboratories globally to simple, accurate, and automated molecular diagnostics," says Steven Verhoeven, CEO at UgenTec.

For more information about the Fast Track cycler and FastFinder software, visit Siemens Healthineers at ECCMID, booth #23.

Source: Siemens Healthineers

^{1 For Research Use Only.}

^{2 CE marked for IVD use. Product availability may vary from country to country and is subject to varying regulatory requirements. Please contact your local representative for availability.}

^{3 Data on file.}

23.04.2018