Axis-Shield UK is part of the Axis-Shield Group which develops, manufactures and distributes high quality, in-vitro diagnostic testing technologies that help improve healthcare and patient management. The company has a range of proprietary technologies and runs an active programme of development for new products that can be utilised across clinical laboratories, in hospitals or by Primary Care Trusts.

Afinion - new for 2007

Our new Afinion™ system for decentralised in vitro diagnostic testing is expected to make an important contribution to diagnosis at the point of care. In fact, the Afinion was a winner at the Medical Design Excellence Awards 2006.

HbA1c and CRP are the first tests available on this multi parameter analyser system, with INR, ultrasensitive CRP and albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) to follow later in 2007. Tests such as homocysteine, which do not currently exist in the point of care market, will be introduced at a later date.

Afinion is extremely compact and designed for multiuser environments - ideal for use in outpatients clinics. Testing on Afinion is extremely simple to perform and uses an analyte-specific disposable cartridge. A single drop of blood or urine is collected by a sampling device that fits into the Afinion Test Cartridge. The cartridge is then loaded into the analyser and testing occurs within a completely closed and safe environment. Operation is via a touch screen and results are available within 3-5 minutes.

Ideal locations for Afinion include primary care settings and also pharmacies, with a growing number now offering diagnostic testing. Afinion is also well suited to diabetic clinics where, in addition to efficient, economic HbA1c testing, Afinion will soon be offering ACR. It is important to assess the kidney function of patients with diabetes on a routine basis and ACR provides a distinct advantage over albumin only tests, which are affected by urine volume. Being a ratio, ACR is not affected in this way. Recent recommendations by NICE clinical guideline 15 call for the adoption of ACR testing:

“All adults with type 1 diabetes should present a urine specimen annually for estimation of albumin:creatinine ratio. Estimation of urine albumin concentration alone is a poor alternative. Serum creatinine should be measured at the same time.”

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