Benefits for Everdeen to work with Act In Time
The collaboration with Act In Time has helped Everdeen to develop the movement mechanism in the BlueDiver II.
This instrument guarantees full traceability: from reading the barcodes on the samples to interpreting the test results. A stepper motor from the PKP series from Oriental Motor is coupled to a lead screw with a self-lubricating nut from HaydonKerk. This combination drives a lever that positions the strips into the cassettes. The pipetting process, which is now also automated, is powered by a motor that drives a plunger pump.
The entire platform is driven by a second Oriental Motor from the same series. Both motors were selected in collaboration with Act In Time to ensure smooth and precise movement. The carriage that transports the reagent cassettes is powered by the same type of motor as the pipetting platform. In this case, it is connected to a gear and rack system, contributing to a more compact machine design.
Nitrocellulose strips in ready-to-use cassettes
Nitrocellulose strips are thin membranes made of nitrocellulose, a material widely used in biomedical applications, especially in diagnostic tests such as lateral flow assays (e.g., pregnancy tests and COVID-19 rapid tests). These strips have a high binding capacity for biomolecules, making them ideal for capturing antibodies, antigens, and other biological substances.
Some advantages of using ready-to-use cassettes:
- Easy of use: they are immediately ready for testing, saving time and effort
- Reliability: the cassettes provide a consistent and controlled environment for testing, enhancing result reliability and reproducibility
- Protection: cassettes shield the nitrocellulose strips from physical damage and contamination, improving test integrity and lifespan
- Hygiene: the cassette format reduces direct contact with the strips, lowering the risk of contamination and improving hygiene
About Everdeen
Everdeen is an SME based in Frameries, founded in 2017. The company specializes in the design and production of small to medium series of medical equipment. Additionally, Everdeen offers expertise in regulations and standards related to in vitro diagnostics and medical instruments.