Qiagen QIAensemble Decapper automation system

The Qiagen QIAensemble Decapper automation system facilitates the handling of liquid-based cytology and various other types of liquid samples that are processed by clinical laboratories.

This open platform system enables laboratories to automate many tedious manual steps required for unscrewing (or decapping) the lids of clinical sample vials, extracting the sample material, pipetting it into testing vials and then recapping the clinical sample vial. This is considered to be a very onerous processing step due to the design of liquid cytology sample collection vials.

The instrument supports downstream molecular testing. It will help to reduce the risk of injuries to laboratory staff from repetitive motions, while also eliminating the risk for variation among laboratory staff and improving productivity. A professional ergonomics evaluation of the sample preparation processing of 88 samples showed the decapper reduced hands-on time by 70% compared to the time required for manual processing by a laboratory worker, eliminating more than 1200 movements.

The decapper has a capacity to process up to approximately 800 samples per shift (excluding set-up time and post-processing requirements). It has been designed specifically for the handling and transfer of sample materials and the addition of reagents. It accommodates a variety of fluid types of variable viscosity for both samples and reagents.

The software system, which is operated by an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), provides laboratory staff with a comprehensive and user-friendly report for each run. The software also offers chain of custody and an ability to identify samples that were not properly transferred.

The decapper standardises the processing with digital data collection and is highly flexible in regards to output tube types, such as conical tubes, u-shaped tubes, BD Vacutainer tubes and Greiner’s Vacuette tubes.

Additionally, it will be compatible with sample racks on the QIAsymphony SP automation system.