System provides fast throughput of samples with automated five-colour analysis of the different fluorescent antibodies used to identify cell types found in blood and lymph node cancers
Cheltenham General Hospital's haematology department has marked the purchase of a Beckman Coulter Cytomics FC 500, funded by the charity Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund (Linc), at an open day on 3 September 2005.
This gave an opportunity to thank the many supporters and fundraisers who helped provide this new equipment to enhance patient care.
The FC 500 system provides fast throughput of samples with automated five-colour analysis of the different fluorescent antibodies used to identify cell types found in blood and lymph node cancers.
Gill Rouse, Linc co-ordinator and clinical haematologist, explains the importance of the new flow cytometer: "This is a very special acquisition which will have significant benefits both for patient care and research.
"We expect that the FC 500 will help diagnose around 120 new cases of leukaemia each year, and 400 lymphoma patients annually will have their disease typed.
"It will enable us to make faster, more accurate diagnoses of common as well as mixed and unusual diseases.
"The new machine will also lead to better outcomes for patients by allowing us to monitor their response to treatment and identify any low level of disease remaining in the blood which requires continued therapy".
Linc is dedicated to supporting patients from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and South Worcestershire (UK) who receive intensive chemotherapy treatment at the Gloucestershire Cancer Centre in Cheltenham.
Since its foundation in 1998 the charity has raised over a million pounds, funding major projects such as a new oncology out-patient suite as well as providing financial help for individual patients and their families.
Beckman Coulter is a manufacturer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests, and supplies that simplify and automate laboratory processes.
Spanning the biomedical testing continuum from pioneering medical research and clinical trials to laboratory diagnostics and point-of-care testing, Beckman Coulter says its 200,000 installed systems provide essential biomedical information to enhance healthcare around the world.
The company, based in Fullerton, California, reported 2004 annual sales of US$2.4 billion with 64% of this amount generated by recurring revenue from supplies, test kits, and services.
