ALCOR ® Scientific develops the next generation User Interface (UI) of their iSED platform in collaboration with Loft’s design UX team.

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a blood test that helps assess the level of inflammation in a patient’s body. In certain conditions and disease states, there is increased protein in the blood, which causes red blood cells to settle (or sediment) more quickly. A high ESR result may indicate inflammation, helping in the detection of a range of disease states.

ESR is a relatively high-volume laboratory test, however, Traditional methods of performing ESR test are labor-intensive. Due to a declining number of clinical laboratory professionals entering the field, laboratories are experiencing serious staffing issues that are only projected to become more severe. Reduction in hands-on time is important to improve and/or maintain laboratory productivity. To perform a traditional ESR test, blood from the patient is placed in a vertical tube. The tube is left to stand for an hour, during which time the red blood cells in the sample settle to the bottom of the tube. The distance that the red blood cells have descended during this time is then measured and correlates to the level of inflammation. The process is relatively time-consuming and requires a significant amount of manual labor, which can increase the likelihood of human error and result in longer turnaround times for results. ALCOR Scientific’s product line consists of fully automated analyzers for the measurement of ESR. The proprietary iSED technology significantly reduces the hands-on time required and time to result for ESR testing. The technology is based on quantitative capillary photometry and enables accurate and rapid ESR testing for labs of all sizes.

ALCOR Scientific is a privately held medical diagnostics company founded in 2010. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of automated laboratory instrumentation for clinical laboratories. ALCOR Scientific’s iSED ESR analyzers are completely automated analyzers for ESR that utilize cutting-edge proprietary technology, revolutionizing ESR testing. By measuring red blood cell aggregation via capillary photometry, the iSED analyzers can generate results more efficiently, significantly decreasing the hands-on time per test and reducing turnaround time. The iSED provides results within 20 seconds.

Traditional ESR analysis requires significant hands-on time, which is problematic for busy laboratories that do not have personnel to perform manual testing. The iSED analyzer’s fully automated workflow lessens the burden on laboratories. The results are highly correlated to traditional ESR testing and less subject to variables such as human error. Another advantage of the iSED technology is its fast turnaround time, with results provided in as little as 20 seconds. This is particularly useful in emergency situations where quick diagnostic information is needed to guide treatment decisions. The iSED analyzer’s workflow needs to be as efficient as possible while making it easy to handle the patient data efficiently and securely. The User Experience (UX) of the iSED is an important aspect of its design: it needs to be intuitive and user-friendly to ensure accurate and reliable results.

ALCOR Scientific teamed up with Loft on a comprehensive UX design and development program that would put the UX at the center of the iSED experience. This collaborative effort aimed to optimize workflow efficiency while minimizing errors. Loft initiated the design process by conducting preliminary research to gather insights on the proposed platform, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of the entire user experience. This process informed the development of the platform’s information architecture, leading to a prototype of the optimal user interface. The interface elements were refined through testing with laboratory users, resulting in a user-friendly design that truly met their needs.

ALCOR Scientific’s iSED can generate more results in a shorter amount of time, significantly decreasing the hands-on time per test and reducing turnaround time. iSED can provide laboratory results within 20 seconds. A blood sample is drawn into a standard collection tube containing a specific anticoagulant, and the tube is then loaded onto the iSED analyzer. The analyzer automatically performs the analysis without any manual intervention.

The simple design of the iSED allows for easy implementation and onboarding in laboratories of various sizes. The user interface facilitates a fully automated iSED workflow, bypassing the hands-on time required for traditional ESR testing. The touchscreen interface is user-friendly and effortless to use, allowing laboratory professionals to input sample information and perform instrument maintenance with ease. The user interface also accommodates random access sample loading, so samples can be loaded at any time as long as there is an open position on the analyzer. Best-in-class laboratory instrumentations With its intuitive touchscreen interface, ALCOR Scientific’s iSED ESR testing platform is highly valued by laboratory professionals who praise its ability to enhance workflow and improve laboratory productivity.

Category:MedicalYear:2023Designers:Loft Design Team, Loft Design, Providence, Rhode Island, USAManufacturer:ALCOR Scientific Inc., Smithfield, Rhode Island, USA