Thermo Fisher Scientific have announced FDA clearance for the new Thermo Scientific Sensititre OptiRead Automated Fluorometric Plate Reading System for use with Sensititre microtitre plates. Combining fluorescence technology with the powerful SWIN® Software System, the OptiRead quickly and accurately reads MIC plates, maximizing consistency and eliminating manual reading.

The OptiRead provides user-friendly automation for busy laboratorians, rapidly transferring test results for processing, interpretation and report generation, and improving efficiency and productivity. Its compact design conserves valuable laboratory space, operating as either a standalone instrument, or in combination with the fully automated ARIS™2X reading and incubation system, replacing the current AutoReader instrument.

'Obtaining timely results without sacrificing reliability is critically important to laboratorians,' said Cara Bastulli, product manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific. 'With that in mind, the OptiRead was designed to automatically deliver precise, fluorometric readings of 96 well microtitre plates in just 13 seconds, making it one of the fastest commercially marketed instruments of its kind. And with SWIN LIS connectivity, actionable results are delivered to clinicians, facilitating treatment decisions, for better patient care.'

In addition to FDA clearance for in vitro diagnostics use in U.S. clinical laboratories, the OptiRead System is also CE/IVD-marked for sale outside of the U.S.