DEERFIELD, Ill., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, today announced that it has launched the LOCI(R) Folate, LOCI(R) B12, and LOCI(R) Ferritin tests for use on the Dimension Vista(R) 1500 Intelligent Lab System, an ultra-integrated chemistry analyzer. These tests are used by physicians to diagnose and monitor anemia in patients, and further expand Siemens’ LOCI immunoassay test menu for the Dimension Vista System.
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Anemia is generally defined as a decreased amount of healthy red blood cells in the circulation or an abnormally low concentration of hemoglobin, which is necessary to carry oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency anemia are among the most commonly diagnosed anemias.
“Anemia is estimated to affect up to 30 percent of the world’s population,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, President, and CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “Early diagnosis and effective treatment of anemia can make a strong contribution to improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of life. With the addition of B12, Folate, and Ferritin to the Dimension Vista Intelligent Lab System test menu, we can further support physicians in advancing the successful treatment of the most common forms of anemia.”
Through the use of the LOCI Advanced Chemiluminescence Technology, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics provides clinical laboratories greater levels of testing sensitivity for immunoassay testing and a broad test menu capability on the Dimension Vista Intelligent Lab system. This ultra-integrated chemistry analyzer now offers one of the most comprehensive menus for the detection and differentiation of anemia and iron metabolism, including Folate, B12, and Ferritin by LOCI technology; Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity by photometric methodology; and Haptoglobin, Soluble Transferrin Receptor, and Transferrin testing by nephelometric methodology. The Dimension Vista Intelligent Lab system menu offers panels for anemia, cardiac disease, thyroid disorders, therapeutic drug monitoring, protein testing, drugs-of-abuse testing, and routine and specialty chemistry testing.
About Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is the leading clinical diagnostics company in the world. The company offers health care providers the broadest range of diagnostic products and services that are used for diagnosing medical conditions, monitoring patient therapy and providing quality health care. Siemens’ comprehensive portfolio of solutions and highly responsive service are designed to improve clinical outcomes, streamline workflow and enhance the operational efficiency of clinical laboratories around the world. Visit www.siemens.com/diagnostics.
About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Medical Solutions will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. The company delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Siemens Medical Solutions employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. According to IFRS, in the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of euro 9.85 billion, orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion (preliminary figures, unaudited). Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/medical.
CONTACT: Amanda Naiman, Siemens Medical Solutions, +1-610-448-4531,
amanda.naiman@siemens.com
Web site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical/
