Center Valley, PA, November 8, 2007- With the introduction of the company Total Thyroxine (T4) and Free Thyroxine (fT4) assays, Olympus now offers a thyroid panel for use with its AU3000i immunoassay system, including TSH, T4, fT4, T3 and fT3 assays. Release of a T-uptake assay is pending.

Screening of thyroid function is often indicated in persons with signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism, along with those who have had previous thyroid surgery or neck irradiation, the elderly, and others. It has been reported that about five percent of the U.S. adult population has thyroid disease or are taking thyroid medication.1,2 Consequences of untreated hyperthyroidism include atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Hypothyroidism can cause symptoms that reduce the functional status and quality of life, such as depression or weight gain.

Many laboratories now want TSH assays that can reliably measure low TSH concentrations --a prerequisite for using the more cost-effective TSH-centered strategy currently recommended by the American Thyroid Association. The Olympus TSH assay has a measurable range of 0.001 – 130 (µIU/mL), and offers a functional sensitivity of 0.0013 (µIU/mL).

The TSH assay is a two-step assay, with the remaining thyroid assays featuring a one-step design. On-board stability for thyroid assays is 28-days and turnaround time is 28-minutes to first result. AU3000i reagents feature 2D barcodes for secure and convenient on-board reagent management. The AU3000i system has throughput up to 240 tests per hour, random access processing, magnetic particle capture and chemiluminescent detection.

For additional information about Olympus assays visit www.olympusamerica.com or contact Lorraine Damico, Olympus America Inc.; phone: 484-896-5463; email: lorraine.damico@olympus.com

Olympus Diagnostic Systems provides innovative solutions that meet the high productivity demands of hospitals, integrated healthcare delivery networks, reference labs, blood banks, physician offices and pharmaceutical labs. Olympus offers the broadest standardized line of random access chemistry- immuno analyzers, along with lab automation systems, blood bank analyzers and reagents. Olympus solutions save laboratories time, maximize productivity, and deliver fast, reliable results.

About Olympus

Olympus is a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
• Advanced clinical and research microscopes;
• Lab automation systems, chemistry-immuno and blood bank analyzers and reagents;
• Digital cameras and voice recorders.