INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay sets a new milestone in automated von Willebrand factor activity determination
Tarrytown, N.Y., September 26, 2011 – Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics unveils the INNOVANCE® VWF Ac¹ Assay, a breakthrough new tool for the reliable and convenient diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders. Employing revolutionary technology, the test enables clinical laboratories to use polystyrene particles (latex-based beads) rather than platelets to measure the quantitative determination of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity – a protein that helps induce blood to clot – promoting excellent stability and accurate results. The fully-automated assay is available on the Siemens BCS® and BCS XP Systems, the Sysmex® CS-2100i, 2000i, CA-7000, CA-1500 and CA-560 Systems, enabling highly effective VWF activity determinations for laboratories of all sizes.
A patient is suspected of having a bleeding disorder if normal blood clotting isn’t occurring (e.g. platelets aren’t sticking together to plug the site of an injured blood vessel). An inherited condition that results when the blood lacks the crucial von Willebrand factor protein, VWF disease is one of the most common bleeding disorders and can range from mild to severe. Proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment plans have been shown to help those suffering from VWF disease lead relatively normal lives.² Siemens’ new INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay provides stable and sensitive VWF determination by leveraging advanced technology that allows it to mimic the reaction in which VWF binds to glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), the major VWF receptor protein on platelets. This, in addition to excellent reproducibility, high lot-to-lot consistency and long reagent stability, makes it easy to perform comprehensive, highly accurate VWF testing, even in smaller labs.
“Siemens is focused on equipping laboratories with advanced hemostasis solutions that can help improve both clinical and operational performance,” said Michael Noeh, Vice President, Global Marketing Hematology, Hemostasis, and Specialty Business Unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “The INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay marks a new milestone towards ensuring laboratories can quickly and reliably assess von Willebrand factor activity, and patients receive timely diagnosis and recommended treatment to manage this disease.
” As part of this ongoing commitment to innovative hemostasis testing solutions, Siemens takes this opportunity to also announce its new INNOVANCE PFA-200 System¹, providing rapid, automated assessment for inherited, acquired or drug-induced platelet dysfunction. Through high shear flow technology, the system provides a realistic hemodynamic environment for the measurement of primary hemostasis and reports a “closure time” in five to eight minutes – helping lab professionals quickly measure platelet plug formation in a small whole blood sample (800 μL).
- Not available for sale in the U.S.
- http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Blood-Disorders/5219.aspx (accessed on 8/24/11)
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2010 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.4 billion euros and profit of around 750 million euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
Contact: Gian Sachdev
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