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Be an Educated User: Comparing Systems and Cutting Through All of the Hype

 

Source: Alexeter Technologies.

 

11.01.02 |  An Alexeter Response to competitors' claims...

1 |  Which System?  Field Performance - the Ultimate Judge of Accuracy.  

Although laboratory results are important for predicting the performance of equipment in the field, experienced equipment manufacturers know that until their new equipment is tested in the field under real conditions, system accuracy, and ultimately the utility (usability) of cannot be reliably estimated.  Critical beta field-testing typically uncovers design flaws or shortcomings not anticipated by system developers. 

Because of this, anyone considering purchase of new equipment should examine both the laboratory and the field data results from manufacturers before making decisions.  Performance claims from manufacturers based solely on laboratory results or meager field tests do not always reflect the expected performance of equipment under “real world” conditions.  In the case of the Alexeter’s Guardian Reader System, our field data surveys from use over the last several years indicate a false-positive rate of less than 0.2% under “real-world” conditions. 

Although individual user results may vary, our exceptional field performance is due in no small part to our focused efforts to design and develop equipment specifically for biological field-testing.  Unlike some competitive systems that are simply medical laboratory devices hastily retrofitted for field use after last September 11th, the Guardian Reader System and Tetracore’s BioThreat Alert Tests were designed specifically for use by first responders in the field. Extensive beta field-testing prior to market release, with 8 different HAZMAT teams, proved that our system delivers optimal performance for the first responder.

2 | Apples vs. Oranges?   Confusion over Sensitivity.

Since competing test devices often require different sample volumes, sensitivity levels for analytical detectors or laboratory devices are typically compared by minimum detectable concentration, e.g. parts per billion (ppb), grams/ milliliter (g/ml), etc.  The total amount of a test substance, i.e., “anthrax spores”, does not allow for an accurate comparison of one device to another any more than claiming you are rich because you earned $100,000.  Was the $100,000 earned in one day or 10 years?  The “concentration” makes a big difference. 

As demonstrated in Table I below, a claim of having a device that can detect 4000 spores (Product 1) is misleading if the volume for the test is not defined.  If Product 1 requires 4,000 spores in a 0.040 ml Sample Volume and Product 2 requires 12,000 spores in a 0.120 ml Sample Volume, Product 1 and Product 2 actually have the same sensitivity of 100,000 spores per milliliter of test solution.

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 2003
4.01 U.S. GOVERNMENT WARNING | The U.S. Government recently issued a classified intelligence bulletin to be on the lookout for the biological toxins: ricin and botulinum toxin.
2.04 EPA ANALYSIS | An EPA study analyzing the potential of biological & identification devices; BioThreat Alert came out ranked #1 overall in cost-benefit analysis.
1.23 CHIEF REARDON LETTER | Illinois MABAS President & Northbrook Fire Chief requests assistance from Congressman Mark Kirk in reversing a recent policy.
1.22 US ARMY MAKES CASE FOR HHA'S | This O.S.T.P. memo discusses the vital roles of HHA's and PCR's and how they play important roles in DOD biodetection strategy.
1.06 CHIEF RYAN LETTER | Mr. Ryan of the Chicago Fire Dept issues a vote of support for putting reliable, hand-held biodetection equipment in the hands of responders.

 

 

 2002
12.28 SENATOR DASCHLE RESPONSE | Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) wrote to voice his displeasure with the idea of taking away reliable equipment from those who need it most.
12.02 GUARDIAN DEPLOYED IN IRAQ | United Nations Inspectors have chosen the Guardian Reader System in their endeavors to inspect suspected Iraqi WMD sites.
11.01   BE AN EDUCATED USER | In response to numerous dubious claims being made by competitors in the biological threat test [field, we] would like to clear up some confusion.
10.31 FBI/CDC STUDY | A joint study by the FBI and the CDC was recently completed on the reliability and accuracy of biological HHAs and ranked Alexeter's products #1.
10.25 CHIEF GERRITY LETTER | Cleveland Division of Fire Chief Kevin Gerrity supports Congressman Weldon in his summation & emphasizes that is it a joint concern.
10.19 CONGRESSMAN WELDON LETTER | Responding to the DHHS, Congressman Curt Weldon (D-PA) asserts that reliable handheld testing is being denied to first responders.
8.19 RFID CHIPS NOW AVAILABLE | All Anthrax and Ricin BioThreat Alert Test Strips from Tetracore are now outfitted with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.
8.12 ALEXETER RESPONSE TO IAFC | Alexeter's response to the IAFC's unwitting stance that handheld testing on unknown visible powders and substances is "unreliable".

 

 

 2001 & Before
10.10 SCIENCE NEWS | With help from the City of Phoenix Fire Department' Tom Skowronski, this article details how the Guardian Reader system benefits first responders.

12.07

2000

CHICAGO ANTHRAX SCARE |When a letter containing a suspicious brown powder and an anthrax threat were recently received in a North Michigan Avenue building...

9.27

2000

8 US JURISDICTIONS SUPPLIED | Emergency Hazardous Material agencies have been provided equipment and basic training as part of a Guardian Reader evaluation program.

7.27

2000

CHICAGO IS INITIAL SITE | Chicago has been selected as the first jurisdiction in the country to receive a new prototype system for identifying threatening bioagents.

4.25

2000

PRODUCT LAUNCH | The Guardian Bio Threat Alert Test System is the first widely-available, commercial biological defense test system available for on-site use by...

4.25

2000

STRATEGIC ALLEGIANCE | Alexeter Technologies, LLC (Wheeling, IL) announced reaching an agreement today...