Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does FluoroVei’s diagnostic system, FluoroQuik, provide faster results than other technologies on the market?
A: The FluoroQuik diagnostic system is based on the detection of specific enzymes produced by specific bacteria. A bacteria can be producing thousand of enzymes, thus increasing the chance of detection compared to other technologies that must locate the bacteria itself.
Q: What does the FluoroQuik system consist of, is there any
equipment
involved?
A: The FluoroQuik diagnostic system consist of a hand held fluorometer along with FluoroVei’s proprietary assays.
Q: Does the FluoroQuik system require any growth time?
A: When the bacteria in the sample are healthy, they will be producing a large quantity of enzymes which will produce a positive result on the FluoroQuik fluorometer within minutes. However some bacteria in a sample may be stressed or damaged, therefore a small growing period (a few hours - less than one work shift) may be required to get the bacteria healthy and eating again in order to produce enzymes.
Q: Is the FluoroQuik system easy to use?
A: Yes, the FluoroQuik system is easy to use, no special skills or complex steps are required. The steps involve collecting the sample, adding the FluoroQuik reagent to the sample, mixing (by shaking), placing the mixed sample in the fluorometer, pressing a button on the fluorometer to zero out any autofluorescence, waiting 5 minutes, and then press the measurement button which will produce a number if positive.
Q: Injured bacteria may occur in water and food testing, but what
about in
human diagnostics?
A: In humans, an infection usually contains a large amount of bacteria (thus the term infection) that are healthy and producing a lot of enzyme. Therefore, the FluoroQuik system will provide results, often times in only 5 minutes, from the time of sample collection. This is important especially, for example, when testing for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is a serious threat in some hospital settings, where up until the FluoroQuik test, a typical test result would take hours or days for a result to be obtained.
Q: What FluoroQuik tests are available now?
A: FluoroVei has a large pipeline of assays that have completed the R&D phase and are in the process of collecting further test data with the fluorometer. It is FluoroVei’s intent to launch products by mid 2010. Because FluoroVei is receiving a large volume of requests from all industries, such as water testing, food safety, sanitation monitoring, and medical diagnostics, it is FluoroVei’s hope to team up with some strong leaders in these industries that would have the means to bring the products to market faster.