The 20-Second
ESR Revolution
Alcor Scientific has completely reimagined erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing. The iSED platform replaces 60-minute manual Westergren with 20-second automated results — no reagents, no pipetting, no biohazard. Over 180 million patient results delivered across 60+ countries. Now available across all 33 Caribbean territories through Caribbean Diagnostics.
20 Seconds
ESR result — vs 60 min manual
$0
Reagent cost per test
20s
Time to Result
vs 60 min manual Westergren
180+
Tests / Hour
Continuous throughput (PRO)
$0
Reagent Cost
Zero consumables per test
180M+
Patient Results
Delivered globally
Manual Westergren ESR: The Most Antiquated Test in Your Lab
While every other hematology test has been automated, ESR remains stuck in 1924. Until now.
60-Minute Wait Time
60 minManual Westergren ESR requires a full 60-minute incubation. Patients wait, results are delayed, and lab turnaround times suffer — especially critical for ED and rheumatology referrals.
Open-Tube Biohazard
High riskManual Westergren requires open blood tubes and manual pipetting of whole blood into glass columns. Every test is a biohazard exposure event for laboratory staff.
Labor-Intensive Process
4-5 min/testTechnologists must pipette each sample, set timers, manually read sedimentation levels, and transcribe results. A 20-sample batch consumes significant hands-on time.
Reagent & Consumable Costs
Per test costWestergren tubes, citrate dilution, pipettes, racks, and disposal containers add per-test consumable costs that compound across high-volume laboratories.
Poor Reproducibility
VariableManual ESR is affected by temperature, vibration, tube angle, timing errors, and operator technique. Environmental variables are difficult to control in tropical lab settings.
Limited Sample Stability
4 hr limitTraditional ESR methods require testing within 4 hours of collection. The Alcor platform extends stability to 28 hours — transforming reference lab logistics.
A Fundamentally Different Approach to ESR
Rather than waiting for red blood cells to settle by gravity over 60 minutes, the Alcor iSED uses quantitative capillary photometry to directly measure RBC aggregation during rouleaux formation. The sample is analyzed within a sealed capillary in seconds — producing results highly correlated to the Westergren reference method.
Direct RBC Aggregation Measurement
Photometric detection of rouleaux formation in real time
Closed Capillary Environment
Eliminates temperature, vibration, and angle variables
ICSH/Westergren Correlated
Clinically validated against the international reference method
Automated Mixing & Aspiration
On-board sample mixing ensures homogeneity — no manual intervention
100 uL Sample Volume
Aspirated from standard capped EDTA tube (500 uL total)
Common variables that affect manual Westergren ESR — temperature, vibration, tube angle, timing errors — are eliminated in the iSED's sealed capillary environment.
An iSED for Every Caribbean Laboratory
From the smallest island clinic to the highest-volume reference lab — Alcor has the right ESR solution for your facility.
Alcor iSED PRO
495 x 553 x 670 mm
The flagship rack-based ESR analyzer for high-volume laboratories. Processes up to 191 tests/hour with 120-sample capacity across 12 hematology racks. Sysmex-compatible rack loading enables seamless workflow integration. Walk-away automation with STAT priority, automatic QC scheduling, and bi-directional LIS connectivity.
Alcor iSED ELITE
36 x 27 x 35 cm
Fully automated ESR from capped primary EDTA tubes — true walk-away operation with less than 3 seconds hands-on time per test. Up to 180 tests/hour with 20-sample random-access loading. Internal barcode reader, thermal printer, and over 4 million result storage capacity.
Alcor iSED
36 x 27 x 35 cm
The original automated ESR analyzer that started the revolution. Same 20-second photometric rheology technology and 180 tests/hour throughput in a compact benchtop format. Ideal for mid-volume Caribbean hospital laboratories upgrading from manual Westergren.
Alcor miniiSED
Ultra-compact benchtop
Compact single-position ESR analyzer for smaller laboratories and clinics. Same photometric rheology technology delivers results in seconds. Perfect for island clinics and outreach labs with lower daily ESR volumes.
Alcor iSED vs. Manual Westergren
A direct comparison across every metric that matters. The iSED wins on every single dimension except one — it's not 1924 anymore.
| Feature | Alcor iSED | Manual Westergren | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Result | 20 seconds | 60 minutes | 99.4% faster |
| Throughput | Up to 191 tests/hour (PRO) | ~20 tests/hour (batch) | 10x throughput |
| Hands-On Time | <3 seconds per test | 4-5 minutes per test | 96% less labor |
| Reagent Cost | $0 — no consumables | Tubes, citrate, pipettes | 100% savings |
| Biohazard Exposure | Closed-tube — zero exposure | Open tube — high risk | Eliminated |
| Sample Stability | 28 hours room temp / 48 hrs refrigerated | 4 hours from collection | 7x longer |
| Reproducibility | Photometric — immune to environment | Affected by temp, vibration, angle | Standardized |
| Data Management | Auto LIS, 4M+ result storage | Manual transcription | Automated |
| Westergren Correlation | ICSH/Westergren correlated | Reference method | Equivalent |
Walk-Away Automation
That Actually Works
Load capped EDTA tubes. Walk away. Results in 20 seconds. The iSED handles mixing, aspiration, analysis, and reporting — all from the primary collection tube. No sample preparation. No disposables. No manual reads.
>96%
Less hands-on time
94%
Faster turnaround
7x
Longer sample stability
4M+
Results stored on-board
Why Alcor iSED for the Caribbean?
The iSED was built for automated, reagent-free, environment-independent ESR testing — which makes it uniquely suited for Caribbean laboratory realities.
Zero Consumable Costs
No reagents, no Westergren tubes, no citrate, no disposable pipettes. The only cost is the EDTA tube you already collect. In Caribbean labs where every supply must be imported and cleared through customs, eliminating consumables is transformative.
Temperature Independent
Manual Westergren ESR is notoriously affected by ambient temperature — a critical problem in tropical Caribbean labs that may not have perfect climate control. The iSED's closed capillary system eliminates environmental variables entirely.
20-Second Results
From 60-minute wait to 20-second result. For Caribbean hospitals managing high outpatient loads and rheumatology clinics, this means same-visit results and faster clinical decisions.
Biosafety Transformed
No open blood tubes, no manual pipetting, no glass columns. Closed-tube sampling from capped EDTA tubes eliminates the biohazard exposure that makes manual Westergren the most dangerous routine test in the lab.
No Cold Chain for Consumables
Because there are no reagents to ship, store, or expire, the Alcor iSED eliminates cold chain logistics entirely for ESR testing. No emergency shipments when stock runs low.
Caribbean-Based Service
Caribbean Diagnostics provides full installation, operator training, validation, and preventive maintenance across all 33 territories. Our biomedical engineers are in the region — not calling from a distant call center.
Where ESR Makes a Difference
ESR remains one of the most widely ordered tests in clinical medicine — screening and monitoring infectious, autoimmune, and malignant disease processes.
Infection Monitoring
ESR is a frontline marker for bacterial infection severity and treatment response. Critical for tropical infections common across the Caribbean.
Rheumatology
Essential diagnostic and monitoring tool for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), polymyalgia rheumatica, and other autoimmune conditions.
Oncology Surveillance
Serial ESR monitoring tracks disease activity and treatment response in lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other malignancies.
Temporal Arteritis
ESR >50 mm/hr is a critical diagnostic criterion for giant cell arteritis — a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent blindness.
Inflammation Screening
Non-specific inflammation marker used alongside CRP for general screening, treatment monitoring, and differential diagnosis.
Pediatrics
Small sample volume (100 uL aspirated from standard EDTA) makes iSED ideal for pediatric patients where blood volume is limited.
Complete Quality Ecosystem
SEDiTROL controls, deepCLEAN maintenance, and complimentary iQAP peer comparison — everything your lab needs for accreditation-ready ESR.
SEDiTROL
Bi-Level Quality ControlHuman-based whole blood controls in ready-to-use barcoded tubes. Two levels (normal and elevated) with 60-day open vial stability at room temperature. Designed specifically for iSED analyzers — no preparation, no reconstitution.
deepCLEAN
Preventive MaintenanceAutomated cleaning and decontamination solution for the iSED capillary system. Maintains peak performance and extends instrument lifespan with scheduled cleaning protocols.
iQAP
Peer Comparison ProgramComplimentary peer-to-peer quality assurance platform for all iSED customers. Compare your lab's ESR performance against the global iSED user network — accreditation-ready reporting for CAP, ISO 15189, and CARPHA compliance.
iQAP: Peer-to-Peer Quality Assurance
Every iSED customer receives complimentary access to Alcor's iQAP platform — a peer-to-peer quality assurance program that lets your laboratory compare ESR performance against the global iSED user community. Real-time data. Accreditation-ready reports. No additional cost.
- Compare your lab's ESR results against the global iSED network
- Accreditation-ready reports for CAP, ISO 15189, and CARPHA compliance
- Real-time performance monitoring and trend analysis
- Complimentary — included with every iSED purchase
Caribbean Diagnostics — Your Alcor Partner in the Region
We don't just sell the instrument. We install, train, validate, and maintain it — with biomedical engineers already in the Caribbean.
On-Site Installation
Our biomedical engineers install and commission your iSED on-site. IQ/OQ protocols, LIS connectivity, barcode configuration — ready for patient samples on day one.
Operator Training
Hands-on training for your laboratory staff. Competency assessment documentation aligned to CAP/ISO 15189 standards. Ongoing refresher training available.
Method Validation
Complete method validation support: correlation studies vs. manual Westergren, precision studies, and reportable range verification. We handle the paperwork.
Preventive Maintenance
Scheduled PM programs with deepCLEAN protocols. Proactive maintenance scheduling based on test volume keeps your iSED running at peak performance.
33 Caribbean Territories
From the Bahamas to Trinidad, from Jamaica to Suriname — Caribbean Diagnostics serves every territory in the basin. Our team is already in your region.
Parts & Logistics
Critical spare parts stocked regionally. Expedited shipping through established Caribbean logistics channels minimizes any instrument downtime.
Request a Customized ESR Assessment
Tell us your daily ESR volume, current methodology, and facility type — and we'll build a personalized assessment showing the right iSED model for your laboratory, projected time savings, cost analysis, and a phased implementation plan tailored to your Caribbean territory.
- Model recommendation based on your daily test volume
- ROI analysis: time savings, labor reduction, consumable elimination
- Implementation timeline with installation, training, and validation milestones
- Territory-specific logistics and service plan
20 Seconds.
Zero Reagents.
One Decision.
Join the 180+ million patient results already delivered by the Alcor iSED platform. Caribbean Diagnostics brings the 20-second ESR revolution to every territory in the basin.
Caribbean Diagnostics serves 33 Caribbean territories with in-region biomedical engineers, full installation and training, and ongoing preventive maintenance for every Alcor iSED system.