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Field based PCR has been slow in its adoption, partly due to the requirement for highly purified nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) from samples prior to PCR analysis. The SPU from Smiths Detection is a fully automated sample preparation system designed from the ground up, with field use by the non expert in mind. The SPU is a single use consumable, which is capable of purifying DNA or RNA from a wide range of sample types:

• Blood
• Milk
• Vesicular Tissue
• Faeces
• Swabs

The SPU is used in conjunction with the reagent pack. The SPU contains all the mechanical and chemical parts needed to purify either DNA or RNA from a sample. Assay specific reagents are then automatically added, by the SPU, from the reagent pack to the nucleic acid prior to PCR. All steps in the process are handled by the SPU and the user is not required to perform any actions during this time.

Ease of use has been a priority during the development of this system. Samples are placed into the device and the cap screwed in place. The SPU is then placed on the Portable Veterinary Laboratory instrument, which will then process the sample and finally run PCR.
 
Reagent Pack
The regent pack is used in conjunction with the SPU. The reagent pack contains the assay specific reagents and is designed to be plugged into a SPU unit just prior to use. This means that the SPU and reagent pack can be bought separately, as needed, reducing the likelihood of having assays on the shelves, which are never used or worse still have passed their expiry date when they are needed.

Smiths Detection's reagent pack contains a number of unique features aimed at achieving our goal of simple, reliable operation in harsh field environments. Features such as barcodes, allow the assay to be automatically selected by the instrument rather than the user manually selecting the correct test from a list. Expiration dates can be checked to ensure the assays will work reliably.

Separating the assay specific reagents from the sample preparation module provides a number of benefits to the field user. The reagent kit is much smaller than the SPU and therefore the full range of assays can be carried at all times, ensuring the veterinarian always has the right assay without having to carry the equivalent number of SPUs.