BD FACSDuet™ Sample Preparation System

• Data reproducibility with standardization of processes and protocols
• Consistency in operations with an intuitive software interface, minimizing training needs and variations due to different operators’ experience. System automation eliminates manual steps and the risk of generating errors and testing repetition.
• Efficiency and productivity with predictable sample throughput; continuous specimen loading enables predictable volume processing with creation of lab test volume capacity
• Traceability of specimen, sample, reagents, and worklists provides data integrity eliminating manual data transcription and risk for error, supporting ISO 15189 standards
• Modularity and flexibility to accommodate a wide range of laboratory needs

The BD FACSDuet™ Sample Preparation System answers the growing needs of laboratories to handle different types and sizes of specimen tubes and supports the need for consolidation and testing centralization.

The BD FACSDuet Sample Preparation System:

• Delivers the flexibility that is required by supporting a variety of blood collection tubes from different manufacturers, including BD Vacutainer®, Sarstedt S-Monovette®, Greiner and Streck.
• Multiple tube adaptors are available which are barcoded and colour coded for easy identification supporting accurate tube piercing and sample volume dispensing.
• Drives workflow efficiency and throughput accomodating up to 40 specimen tubes at any given time in four racks holding 10 specimens each.

Figures below present (A) Standard rack and (B) a rack specifically designed for pediatric Streck Cyto-Chex® BCT tubes.

Specimen traceability and automated worklist creation are guaranteed by 5 different barcodes on the specimen rack, identifying:

1. Rack
2. Tube position
3. Empty position
4. Adaptor Specimen

Automated barcode scanning during rack insertion enables

• Patient specimen traceability
• Pipetting management
• Retrieving patient and assay information from the laboratory information system (LIS) for automated worklist creation

• Worklist traceability is enabled by scanning the carrier barcode, which is associated to a specific worklist and defined patient specimens.
• Secondary tubes (barcoded or not) are loaded in the BD FACSDuet™ Sample Preparation System onto 30 or 40 tube sample carriers, compatible with the BD FACSLyric™ Flow Cytometer.
• Barcoded secondary tubes are scanned to ensure sample traceability and association to the specimen and the worklist.
• Up to three carriers can be loaded at the same time on the BD FACSDuet™ Sample Preparation System, allowing for increased sample throughput. 

Refer to the technical specifications for more information. 

• The system enables a wide variety of reagent vials from several manufacturers, including: BD, Beckman Coulter, BioLegend, Cytognos, Dako, Invitrogen and Life Technologies
• The system accommodates two (2) different types of antibody vial racks.
• In addition (Figure) to the barcode on the antibody vial (4), the reagent rack has:  identifying the rack (1), identifying the reagent position (2), and identifying the empty position (3). Barcodes on reagent racks and antibody vials drive reagent traceability, efficient antibody management and reduction of reagent waste.
• Reagent cocktailing functionality allows onboard automated antibody cocktail preparation, eliminating the risk for errors in manual pipetting and driving automated recording of all used antibodies for easier tracking and auditing.
• Cap racks are available to avoid misplacing caps and antibody cross-contamination.

• The system enables the automated recording of all used antibodies for easier tracking and auditing.  Part number, lot number and expiry date of the cocktail are also tracked and recorded to ensure quality and consistency in laboratory workflow. 
• Each antibody cocktail can be made from a maximum of 45 unique conjugates in a single cocktailing vial.  Users’ cocktail recipes are stored in the software and available for subsequent preparations of the same cocktail, ensuring reproducibility and quality of product independently from the user.