WASHINGTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott will preview the new ARCHITECT(R) ci4100(TM) Integrated System at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting this week. The ci4100(TM) is an automated diagnostic analyzer that integrates immunoassay and clinical chemistry testing. Expected to be available in the United States by mid-2009, subject to regulatory approvals, the ci4100 will expand Abbott's family of integrated systems, offering low-volume-testing laboratories and clinics increased productivity and performance.
As low-volume facilities continue to seek efficiency-enhancing solutions, the ci4100 is designed to deliver improved productivity by providing a large capacity of up to 85 onboard reagents and 180 samples that can be continuously loaded and unloaded during the testing process. The ci4100 also will effectively integrate clinical chemistry and immunoassay testing with an expansive test menu, while maintaining quick and consistent immediate turnaround times during both peak and off-peak hours. This helps low to mid-volume facilities meet the demands of increasing workloads and clinical requirements. The ci4100 can generate up to 800 clinical chemistry and 100 immunoassay tests per hour.
When available in the United States, the ci4100 will complete the ARCHITECT family of analyzers. The ARCHITECT system integrates two highly successful ARCHITECT instruments: the i1000SR immunoassay analyzer and the c4000 clinical chemistry system, which was developed with Abbott's partner, Toshiba. Because the ci4100 is based on Abbott's existing ARCHITECT ci8200 and ci16200 integrated platforms, it shares common hardware, software and reagents. Upon regulatory approval, Abbott will be the only company offering high, medium and low-volume integrated solutions leveraging the same software, reagents and sample carriers.
The AACC Annual Meeting is a global meeting that attracts nearly 20,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. The ci4100 is on display in Abbott's AACC exhibit booth (No. 1507).
About the ARCHITECT Family
With its extensive menu of diagnostic tests, user-friendly software and advanced sample management capabilities, the ARCHITECT family and the currently marketed flagship analyzer, ARCHITECT(R) ci8200(R), meet the needs of today's diagnostics laboratory by enhancing workflow and productivity.
ARCHITECT instruments are designed with laboratory-focused features such as the capability to prioritize emergency tests, the ability to use common reagents among platforms and sample monitoring. These features not only minimize training, but also reduce inventory costs and sample contamination potential, leading to better results for laboratories, physicians and, ultimately, patients.
About Abbott's Diagnostics Businesses
Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of innovative instrument systems and tests for hospitals, reference labs, molecular labs, blood banks, physician offices and clinics. With more than 65,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott's diagnostic products offer customers automation, convenience, bedside testing, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Abbott has helped transform the practice of medical diagnosis from an art to a science through the company's commitment to improving patient care and lowering costs. The history of Abbott is filled with examples of first-of-a-kind diagnostic products and significant technological and research advancements.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at HTTP://www.abbott.com.
CONTACT: Don Braakman of Abbott, +1-847-937-0080
Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
