csongbird

Yes, this "mini" Galileo is called the ECHO and is supposed to be a faster cheaper version, but the ECHO is geared toward small/mid sized hospitals (I'm told 5 to 25 type and screen tests a day). For all the current users of Immucor's ROSYS and ABS2000, would you consider replacing with their new ECHO? Or upgrade to a Galileo? Or not change a thing? My understanding is that the ROSYS and ABS2000 are legacy machines. Thanks so much.

My understanding is that the ECHO is geared to small/mid sized facilities, meaning 50 to 400 beds or depending on the number of type/screens per day. But will someone please tell me how many t/s per day would justify the ECHO? I'm told the range is 5 to 20 t/s per day but that's a big range! Also, for all the people using/considering an ECHO, do you know how much the machine costs if you buy outright, or how much per month if on a reagent rental? Thanks again.

Hi John, Thanks for the detail. Sorry to be dense but are you saying it only takes a day to install one ECHO? And does someone from Immucor have to be onsite to install, or can you unpack the box and plug in the machine yourself? Any clarification would be helpful, thanks so much.

You all are the best! Thank you so much for your feedback. As I poke around, I will be sure to post my research findings. Quick q - has any ECHO user experienced any software issues? I know that the Galileo had some s/w probs which the company says they fixed. Not sure if the ECHO is having similar issues. Also, Immucor says that in the US, they can install 20 ECHOs per month. Does this number seem high to you all, based on your sense of what the target market (i.e., small-mid sized hospitals) is like? Thanks again for all your help.

Hi Franklyn and John, Thank you for your offer to help me research the ECHO. The main questions I have are: - why did you choose to automate in the first place (Franklyn - I assume the ECHO is your backup?) (John - were you doing manual test tube or gel card or using another automation machine?) - any problems with the ECHO installation, machine? - is the ECHO performing as Immucor had promised? - what kind of maintenance/service support does Immucor offer? - any initial reactions to the ECHO machine in general? Franklyn - since your site was used for the ECHO clinical trials, it would be great to hear how the machine performed. Thank you in advance.

Hi Judy, I'm researching Immucor and would love to ask you some questions about your experience with their Rosys machine (do you have just one?) and why you would switch to Biotest, instead of remain with Immucor. My understanding is that the Tango uses a different technology (i.e., not solid phase). Are you getting better pricing on the machine and reagents from Biotest? Has your experience with Immucor been bumpy? I'm sorry for all the questions, but any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I'm also researching automation machines and am very interested in learning more about why one would go from manual to automation and which machine to use (esp. the ProVue vs. ECHO debate). I'm new to the industry and wonder if volume of tests + shortage of MTs = need to automate. Are the manual places feeling the pain that much that they'd get a ProVue or ECHO? or some other machine? Any insight would be much appreciated. Also, why gel card vs. solid phase? Familiarity or cost or better results? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm researching the industry and would love to hear from the folks in the trenches. Thanks in advance.

Hi Janet, I'm also researching automation machines and there are 2 papers that I've heard of that compare Galileo vs. ProVue: 1) UCLA study 2) Nexus, Global Solutions I don't have a copy, but if you get one, please let me know. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I'm doing research on Immucor's ECHO and wonder if anyone out there has, or knows anyone who has, experience with this new automation machine. I'm new to the industry, so any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!