Nexgen Four:
Optimized 4 microplates processing through parallel work scheduling

Nexgen Four is a fully automated open 4 plate analyzer able to perform in parallel tests in 96 well microplate format according to the assays procedures provided by reagents' manufacturers. Nexgen Four is a novel instrument incorporating cutting edge software and hardware solutions as well as the experience built by ADALTIS over the past 15 years with more than 4000 automated analyzers installed in nearly 60 countries world wide.

The instrument is made of one centrally located sample carousel, two independent pipetting robotic arms, four separate incubators, two independent photometers and two washing stations and is able to process up to four microplates simultaneously.

The analyzer is managed by two computers, one internal and one external, run by the proprietary OpenLab software which has been developed under Windows XP and .Net framework.

Nexgen Four is particularly suited for large clinical labs and blood banks* that perform extensive screening tests such as HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis and others.

What Nexqen Four can do for you Touch screen. The operator can expedite the session programming with few and quick finger commands. No more typing!

• Bi-directional connectivity to LIS. The Instrument can be easily connected with the LIS using all most common protocols (ASTM, XML, ect.) to download and upload patients data and testing results. No more double entries!
• On board reagent reconstitution.
  The instruments can be programmed to automatically reconstitute lyophilised reagents and dilute concentrated solutions. Everything now happens on board!
• Dual robotics pipetting arms and independent washing stations.
  The two arms allow dispensing samples and reagents in 2 microplates simultaneously. The double (8+8 channels) washing stations can wash a plate while another plate is being dispensed. You can now save up to 45 minutes for a full load run!
• Random Access capability. The OpenLab multitasking capability and the front loading of samples, reagents and microplates give the operator the flexibility to add, without affecting the assays already in progress, an urgent test. Finally random access capability also in microplate format!
• Liquid level sensor. A patented pneumatic level sensor ensures a reliable check of samples' and reagents' volumes. In case of missing liquid, alarms will alert you.
• Clot and Bubble Detection.
  State of the art proprietary clot and bubble detection system will prevent the risk of occurrence of false negative results.
• Bar code reader. The internal bar code reader allows the primary tubes identification avoiding the risk of human errors. Most commercially available bar codes can be read and decoded.
• Quality Control Module. You can ensure the highest standard of Good Laboratory Practices by means of the OpenLab quality control module. The results of the quality control sera testing are automatically analyzed and stored.
• Curve storage and recalibration. The OpenLab suite allows you to perform a two point recalibration and to store the calibration curve thus minimizing the number of wells required for calibration and ultimately the assay cost.
  
• Plastic and Metal Tips. The choice of either the plastic disposable tip or the metal needle gives you maximum flexibility in arranging the testing panel and minimum tips related costs.
• Handle large number of samples. The sample carousel composed of eight extractable sectors for easy loading and unloading, holds 120 primary tubes + 120 additional tubes that can be used either for multiple dilutions or for patients samples.
• Open system. The Nexgen Four is a truly open analyzer capable of automating any assay protocol according to the manufacturer's specification, irrespective of their complexity.
  
• 6-68-22 combination. The Nexgen Four accommodates 6 different buffer solutions. 68 standards and controls and 22 distinctive reagents.. Therefore the operator can combine up to 16 different assays in the same work session. The reagent rack can also be customized to accommodate original assay manufacturer vials.
• Easy and intuitive interface. The OpenLab suite extensively relies on self-guided wizards and is designed by applying the same navigation techniques adopted for web pages, it is intuitive and easy to learn and operate. The need of having in depth training and instrument dedicated staff is much reduced.
• Remote trouble shooting by modem. The OpenLab suite is ideally suited for TCP/IP connectivity allowing extensive remote monitoring of the instrument by modem. ADALTIS service engineers can check instrument calibration, load and modify assay protocols and resolve almost in real time issues without any physical intervention.
• Self process test and calibration. The Nexgen Four is equipped with a comprehensive self-testing program capable of checking the proper functioning of both mechanical and electronics parts. Furthermore. it is possible to utilize commercially available self calibration tools to verify the precision of the pipetting,
  photometric reading and incubation temperature

OpenLab Suite:
User friendliness and Internet Connectivity

	The Nexgen Four is operated by the Open Lab proprietary software suite. Open Lab is based on the latest Microsoft software (Windows XP and Net framework) and on a multi-layer architecture. The last generation Microsoft software enables a quantum leap in the stability and safety of the instrument operating software. Furthermore, provides truly multi-user capability and Internet connectivity for enhanced data and instrument sharing. The multi-layer architecture provides unprecedented flexibility and personalization of the user interface.
	Create and modify protocols. With simple and intuitive wizards the operator can quickly create and modify an unlimited variety of research protocols without the support of an Application Specialist or Service Engineer.

• Load work list and schedule the session.
  The patients' test panel is entered on the instrument using the keyboard or barcode reader or alternatively through the LIS connection from the operator's desk. The OpenLab scheduler optimizes the run time and guarantees that every activity is performed within its tolerance range.
• Work session monitoring. The operator can safely walk away and monitor from a distance the instrument by means of alarms sent through the LAN or Internet. The software always allows to recover an interrupted session without any waste of reagents and samples.
• Results calculation and validation. The proprietary and powerful OpenLab calculation engine (ChemPlus v. 2.0) allows the operator to perform an unmatched variety of data reduction enabling to automate any assay on the market. The validation of each assay results is then performed against assay specific criteria.
• Create, distribute and store customized reports. The OpenLab creates reports in XML format allowing the production of highly customizable reports that could be sent directly over the Lab Intranet and Internet. Individual patient test reports can be extracted, archived and printed. Therefore you can easily recall patients' data to perform clinical surveillance studies.
• Perform Quality Control program. The instrument is capable of calculating the control sera values according to Levey-Jennings method and Westgard rules and to store the results to comply with requirements of both Inter and Intra labs quality control programs.
• Remote maintenance and trouble shooting. Accessing by modem the event log and quality control data file ADALTIS Service Engineers can flag potential problems, pin point current issues and determine instrument trends to reduce on site interventions and down time.
  

The Unique features of Nexqen Four

Dual independent pipetting robotic arms.
The two arms allow the parallel and independent processing of up to 4 microplates with a time saving of up to 45 minutes for a full load run, compared with traditional one arm sequential plate processing instruments. Now you can pipette 4 plates at the same time others process just 2.

Double pipetting channels (tip and needle).
The Nexgen Four carries both disposable plastic tips and a metal needle for samples and standards/controls dispensing on each arm. Furthermore, for every assay on each microplate you can select to use either the plastic or the metal needle. Therefore, you have maximum flexibility in arranging the testing panel and minimum tips related cost.

Continuous front loading.
The frontal access makes the loading of samples, buffers, reagents and plates very easy and safe. The operator can truly continuously exchange sample tubes without interfering with the testing work in progress.

Simultaneous testing of Standard and Allergy like ELISA protocols. The powerful Nexgen Four OpenLab software allows to perform in the same run any combination of widely diverse ELISA protocols such as Autoimmunity, Allergy, Hormones, etc. Therefore there is no longer the need for multiple dedicated analyzers.

Expand beyond ELISA. The Nexgen Four is able to fully automate agglutination tests and also to handle the preparation of IFA slides. The OpenLab suite with its option for kinetic reading and powerful calculation engine allows you to automate tedious test protocols.

Random Access capability. The OpenLab multitasking capability and the front loading of samples, reagents and microplates give the operator the flexibility to add, without affecting the assays already in progress, an urgent test. Finally random access capability also in microplate format.

Two computers. The Nexgen Four is equipped with an internal embedded PC based on Windows NT and an external workstation equipped with Windows 2000, XP or NT. This architecture gives the maximum flexibility and scalability allowing the handling of more than one instrument from the same workstation or the possibility to have different users connected to the same instrument.