Beckman Coulter Ships New Series of High-Volume Hematology Systems.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

FULLERTON, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 12, 2001

Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE:BEC) announced today that it has begun shipping the COULTER(R) LH 700 series analyzers, a new line of hematology systems that offers the optimum combination of speed, accuracy and random-access capability to improve efficiency in high-volume diagnostics laboratories.

These analyzers perform routine and emergency blood cell counts and analyses on platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells, including nucleated red blood cells that can indicate early stages of disease.

The LH 700 series systems incorporate Beckman Coulter's new AccuCount technology, which uses a combination of enhanced data collection and proprietary algorithms to help clinical laboratories deliver fast and accurate test results to physicians. This technology provides the widest linearity range in the industry, extending the upper limit of white blood count linearity from 140,000 cells/mL allowed by previous technology to 400,000 cells/mL with the LH series analyzers, and platelet linearity from 1.5 million cells/mL to 3 million cells/mL.

The increased linearity eliminates the need for many manual laboratory procedures and/or follow-up tests, resulting in more efficient use of time and resources. By reducing the number of false-positive results, these hematology systems also help to minimize the need for manual intervention or offline sample preparation.

"We expect the LH 700 series to play a key role in our strategy to grow our leadership position in hematology, particularly in the high-volume testing market segment," said Albert Ziegler, president of Beckman Coulter's Clinical Diagnostics Division. "Because each system features random-access testing capabilities, our hematology customers can now automatically run complete blood counts, white cell differentials and reticulocyte counts independently if required, and, with minimum operator involvement."

The first system in the LH 700 series is the COULTER LH 755 hematology workcell, which combines the COULTER LH 750 analyzer with a module that integrates a slidemaker and slidestainer to form a single, trackless automation system. The workcell features automatic reflex slidemaking, based on user-defined protocols for improved testing consistency, and prioritization of STAT samples, to help laboratories streamline workflow and decrease turnaround time.

Beckman Coulter, headquartered in Fullerton, Calif., is a leading provider of instrument systems and complementary products that simplify and automate processes in life science and clinical laboratories. The company's products are used throughout the world in all phases of the battle against disease, from pioneering medical research and drug discovery to diagnostic testing that aids in patient treatment. Annual sales for the company totaled $1.89 billion in 2000, with approximately half of this amount generated outside the United States. For more information, visit www.beckmancoulter.com.