Siemens Unveils New Solutions and Latest Innovations at AACC 2012

LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (NYSE: SI) is demonstrating its latest solutions designed to help clinical laboratory professionals address their most challenging business needs at the 2012 AACC and ASCLS Annual Meetings and Clinical Lab Expo in Los Angeles, July 15 –19 (Booth #1701). The exhibit – themed "Innovation. Powered by You." – provides attendees an opportunity to explore the company's broad spectrum of products, get a first-hand look at its groundbreaking laboratory automation platform, and meet a Super Hero that embodies Siemens' passion for innovation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

"At Siemens, we are focused on developing and delivering new tools and technologies that will help change the quality of care for generations to come," said Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "This year's AACC provides us with another excellent opportunity to show our customers how we are realizing this vision by enabling them to operate at peak performance while helping clinicians make more informed decisions." 

Automation and IT
The booth's centerpiece is Siemens' new laboratory automation system, Aptio™ Automation(1), a next-generation, unified solution that combines peak performance, adaptability, and intelligent technologies to seamlessly orchestrate sample and information flow in the laboratory. Siemens' CentraLink™ Data Management System provides powerful lab process management capabilities for Aptio Automation, intelligently managing patient and quality-control data from multiple instruments, and providing centralized control over lab processes. Together, Aptio Automation and the CentraLink system offer a unified solution approach to transform lab operations. Information on the latest version of CentraLink (v14) system is also available.

Instruments and Assays
Siemens' AACC exhibit also demonstrates the company's capabilities in delivering new instruments and promising assays that provide clinicians with timely, accurate information to positively impact patient care. The latest instruments displayed include the Sysmex^® CA-600 Systems.(2) The CA-620 and CA-660 hemostasis analyzers offer routine clotting tests and chromogenic(3) and immunoassay(3) detection capabilities. The analyzers are designed for low-volume laboratories needing a robust standalone system, as well as higher volume labs requiring a powerful backup analyzer. Visitors can also view the CLINITEK Novus™ Automated Urine Chemistry Analyzer(4), the company's latest urine chemistry analyzer which combines proven dry-pad urine chemistry technology with an easy-to-use cassette test format to help labs deliver reliable, trusted test results while increasing productivity.

Using interactive touch screens, booth attendees can also explore Siemens' full spectrum of assays. Among these include the recently launched ADVIA Centaur^® Vitamin D Total Assay, which helps laboratories meet the increased demand for vitamin D total testing with precise, consistent results in as few as 18 minutes. In addition, the company's latest molecular diagnostic offerings, including the Siemens' Tissue Preparation Solution, will be on display at the booth. Featuring the VERSANT^® Tissue Preparation Reagents kit, the Tissue Preparation system is a fully-automated solution for extraction of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples.

Education and Training
To further demonstrate Siemens' commitment to helping labs achieve operational efficiency and meet their full potential through its Customer Care program, the booth will showcase the new PEP Administrator(5), an extension to the company's Personalized Education Plan (PEP)(6) – the industry's first virtual competency-based education solution that can be personalized for each staff member. PEP Administrator is an innovative web-based software that provides an intuitive interface to simplify the process of managing education and training and automates the time-consuming administrative tasks required to establish compliance.

Presentations and Workshops
Siemens is also hosting the following industry-sponsored workshops, along with several in-booth presentations: 

• Galectin-3: A New Biomarker for Heart-Failure Management
  Tuesday, July 17, 7:00 am – 8:30 am, Westin Bonaventure, San Diego Room
• The Path to Vitamin D Harmonization Begins with Standardization
  Wednesday, July 18, 7:00 am – 8:30 am, Westin Bonaventure, San Diego Room

Additionally, Marvel's Iron Man(7) will make several guest appearances in the booth this year. As he greets visitors and poses for photos, Iron Man will help remind AACC 2012 attendees that the heart of a hero lives in every lab professional and that Siemens is dedicated to making them 'Super Heroes' by putting the power of innovation in their hands.

The solutions featured at AACC demonstrate Siemens' commitment to innovative leadership, one of the goals of the recently launched Siemens Agenda 2013 program. For more information about Siemens at the 2012 AACC and ASCLS Annual Meetings and Clinical Lab Expo, please visit: www.siemens.com/AACC, where an event application previewing the company's exhibit is available for download to the iPhone, iPad or Android devices.(8)

(1) Not all product offerings are available in all countries.
(2) The products/features (mentioned herein) are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.
(3) Chromogenic and immunologic testing only available on Sysmex CA-660.
(4) Not available in the U.S.  Not all product offerings are available in all countries.
(5) Available for purchase in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico only.
(6) Patent pending.
(7) MARVEL, IRON MAN TM & © MARVEL & SUBS.
(8) iPhone and iPad  are trademarks of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Launched in November 2011, Agenda 2013 is a global initiative to further strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of the Siemens Healthcare Sector. Specific measures will be implemented in four fields of action: Innovation, Competitiveness, Regional Footprint, and People Development.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2011 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.5 billion euros and profit of around 1.3 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics