Tetracore have announced that the T-COR 8 portable real-time PCR thermocycler has achieved CE-IVD status under the European Directive on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices.

The T-COR 8, and proprietary software delivers healthcare providers with a simple, flexible, and accessible molecular diagnostics platform. This unique, and easy to use point-of-care (POC) diagnostic system enables real-time molecular testing in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and field applications.

Healthcare providers rely on molecular testing to produce accurate identification of infectious agents to aid in selecting targeted therapies quickly. Advances in access to molecular testing support global clinical efforts to improve antibiotic stewardship. Most importantly, near patient diagnostics permits appropriate treatment to begin immediately. Designed for the point of care, the T-COR 8 brings molecular infectious disease testing closer to the patient.

"We are focused on delivering testing to where it is most needed, regardless of the setting," explains Dr. Bill Nelson MD, CEO of Tetracore. "The T-COR 8 empowers more healthcare providers to perform critical tests where it is needed most." Tetracore is developing several diagnostic tests for the system targeting respiratory viruses, hospital acquired infections, and gastrointestinal infectious disease panels. Along with the proprietary content under development, the T-COR 8 is capable of performing molecular tests in an "open" mode, allowing researchers and developers to create new tests on the next generation instrument using the built-in custom protocol creator.

The T-COR 8 Features Include:

• "Cloud" ready and networkable (WiFi/ethernet) for remote access and data download
• 8 independently programmable wells
• Random access instrument, allowing multiple protocols simultaneously
• 10.4" (26.4cm) touch screen w/virtual keyboard
• Can be plugged in or run on the built-in battery (up to 4 hours of continuous testing)
• Integrated barcode scanner
• Download report via network or USB thumb drive