CHICAGO, March 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PTS Diagnostics, the U.S.-based manufacturer of point-of-care biometric testing devices including the CardioChek® and A1CNow® systems, presented at the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco (SRNT) 22nd Annual Meeting in Chicago. PTS Diagnostics presented the findings of proprietary research using the PTS Detect™ cotinine system, the first and only point-of-care cotinine system offering quantitative results from a fingerstick. In addition, the research compares the effectiveness of point-of-care tobacco detection devices using whole blood versus oral swab saliva.
Christopher A. Dailey, Ph.D, Group Leader of New Technology, and Lee B. Springer, Ph.D, Director of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, represented PTS Diagnostics to the nation’s only professional association for nicotine and tobacco research. Both the poster and the presentation are available online at http://www.ptsdiagnostics.com/pts-detect-cotinine.html.
“The SRNT annual meeting is a perfect venue to explain the research we have completed using the PTS Detect cotinine system,” said Robert Huffstodt, President and CEO of PTS Diagnostics. “This is the nation’s premiere group of researchers, academics, and treatment professionals in the field of nicotine and tobacco research. This research confirms that point-of-care whole blood testing for cotinine is effective, and that quantitative results that can indicate different categories of tobacco use can be provided accurately using the PTS Detect cotinine system.”
The PTS Detect cotinine system measures quantified cotinine (a byproduct of nicotine) levels from 25 ng/ml to 200 ng/ml in just 5 minutes from a fingerstick. This quantitative level can then indicate the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Healthcare professionals can use this information to place participants into one of four categories: non-user, possible passive exposure, light tobacco user or heavy tobacco user.
Dr. Dailey explained during his podium presentation that the handheld and portable PTS Detect cotinine system demonstrated accurate, precise and linear quantitative results from both venous and fingerstick whole blood as compared to laboratory reference analyzers.
Dr. Springer explained during his poster session that the PTS Detect cotinine system effectively determines categorical tobacco use and can potentially reduce the need for confirmation testing compared to point-of-care oral swab testing.
“We value the opportunity for our work to be peer-reviewed and to have our findings accepted for presentation by such as prestigious group as the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco,” said Huffstodt.
Whether for a workplace screening, a research protocol or to aid with smoking cessation, the PTS Detect cotinine system enables cost savings. As a fingerstick test, the expense of employing phlebotomists for venous blood testing is eliminated. With no shipping of specimens to the laboratory and fewer confirmatory tests, the PTS Detect cotinine system is well-positioned for any application where immediate results are desired. Further, the fingerstick collection can be done in conjunction with other onsite screenings.
About PTS Diagnostics
PTS Diagnostics is an innovative global point-of-care diagnostics solutions provider that partners with patients and healthcare professionals to provide the right information at the right time to make the right decisions. The company’s name represents the three pillars upon which it has built its long-term success: People, Technology and Service. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, PTS Diagnostics designs, manufactures, distributes and markets products for distribution in more than 135 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.ptsdiagnostics.com or contact Tom Wiser at 317-870-5610 or twiser@ptsdiagnostics.com.
About SRNT
The Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco (SRNT) is the only professional association dedicated exclusively to the support of researchers, academics, treatment professionals, government employees, and the many others working across disciplines in the field of nicotine and tobacco research. With members in more than 40 countries, SRNT is truly global in its reach. As a scientific society, SRNT’s mission is to stimulate the generation and dissemination of new knowledge concerning nicotine in all its manifestations. The organization accomplishes its mission by presenting an annual scientific conference, where researchers at every career-stage present their latest findings, and by providing an outlet for publication of cutting edge research through the scientific journal, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, which is published by the Oxford University Press.