• Endotoxins—What they are, where they come from, and why they are important.
• LAL—What is it? How did horseshoe crab blood end up as a QC release test?
• Biochemistry—An overview of the LAL/endotoxin reaction, with emphasis on sources of interference.
• Detailed demonstration of the test methods including a discussion of laboratory set-up, materials, and aseptic techniques.
• Specimen handling and preparation for test.
• Practical approaches to specimen characterization.
• Technician and laboratory certifications and protocols for validation of the LAL test.
  

In-Depth Topics
This course is designed to provide the experienced technician with a more detailed understanding of how an LAL testing program can be applied to quality assurance.

• Microbial control of water systems and monitoring with LAL.
• Depyrogenation by physical and chemical means and oven depyrogenation validation.
• Techniques to test non-aqueous or highly interfering substances.
• Medical device sample preparation and validation of extraction protocols.
• Regulatory considerations and documentation.
  

Laboratories
Laboratories are designed to enable the attendee to have hands-on experience conducting LAL tests. Participants will practice setting up tests and will learn to read and interpret results. Completion of the Introductory Topics course is strongly recommended before taking either laboratory course. Familiarity with general laboratory techniques is very useful.

Laboratory courses will be either on gel-clot or the photometric (turbidimetric and chromogenic) methods.

Hemodialysis Specialty Topics
This is an introductory level course specifically for technicians who are testing water and hemodialysis solutions in hemodialysis facilities or hospital clinical laboratories.

Topics are the same as the introductory topic course but are focused on the hemodialysis application. Attendees will obtain hands-on laboratory experience in this course.

For more information, contact Marketing at marketing@acciusa.com.