TAG:
in vitro diagnostics
In vitro diagnostics (IVDs) are diagnostic tests that that can detect diseases, conditions, or infections. In vitro diagnostics test a sample of tissue or bodily fluids, as opposed to testing inside the body, such as:
- Microbiological culture, which determines the presence or absence of microbes in a sample from the body, usually targeted at detecting pathogenic bacteria
- Genetic testing
- Blood glucose
- Liver function tests
- Calcium
Electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, creatinine and urea.
In vitro tests can be classified according to the location of the sample being tested, including blood and urine tests.
Some tests are used health professional settings such as clinical laboratories, and other tests are for consumers to use at home. The expression “in vitro” comes from Latin, literally meaning “within the glass.” The name reflects the fact that historically such tests were conducted in glass vessels, such as test tubes.
Unlike other forms of medical technology, IVDs never interact directly with the human body. Their value stems from the information they provide. This sets IVDs apart from medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and is part of what makes them unique among health technologies.
In the U.S., in vitro diagnostics products are medical devices as defined in section 210(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and may also be biological products subject to section 351 of the Public Health Service Act. Like other medical devices, IVDs are subject to premarket and postmarket controls. IVDs are also subject to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA ’88) of 1988.
The IVD industry is growing steadily due to a number factors, such as increased demand for infectious disease testing as new pathogen strains develop each year, such as in seasonal influenza and H1N1, and increased incidences of hospital-acquired infections. Other factors include aging demographics common to all developed nations and the accompanying increased incidence of chronic disease across all age cohorts of the population; advances in DNA sequencing; and growing demand from emerging markets, which are only now becoming able to pay for diagnostic devices.
ACLA President Van Meter Discusses LDT Lawsuit
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, No. 8 – June 10, 2024 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: On July 5, the final laboratory developed test (LDT) rule issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes effect. In response, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas to challenge the FDA’s actions. In thi…
How Private Health Insurers May Respond to FDA LDT Regulation
By Virchow | From the Volume XXXI, No. 8 – June 10, 2024 Issue
…
Significant Developments Are Shaping Lab Market
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, No. 7 – May 20, 2024 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: With 140 speakers and 1,000+ attendees, this year’s Executive War College again provided a comprehensive picture of the specific forces reshaping the U.S. market for lab testing services. Presented here is a smorgasbord of information and innovation shared by different spea…
FDA Hosts Webinar to Explain Key Issues with Final LDT Rule
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, No. 7 – May 20, 2024 Issue
ON APRIL 29. THE US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) announc…
FDA Issues Memo to Reclassify Many High Risk IVD Assays
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, No. 5 – April 8, 2024 Issue
WAS IT AN EXPECTED FLOOD OF APPLICATIONS TO REVIEW laboratory de…
More Labs Recognize Big Changes Are Coming
By R. Lewis Dark | From the Volume XXXI, No. 3 – February 26, 2024 Issue
ONE WAY TO DISCERN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THE CLINICAL LABO…
Labs Should Prepare for Arrival of ‘Perfect Storm’
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, No. 3 – February 26, 2024 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In the near future, clinical labs and pathology groups will need to address three major developments. One involves the FDA proposed LDT rule. A second is the adoption by payers of guidelines that require genetic test claims to have Z-Codes. The third centers around coming ref…
FDA Has a Ticking Time Bomb with LDT Rule
PROPOSED REGULATION OF LABORATORY DEVELOPED TESTS (LDTs)…
Lab News Briefs
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, Number 1 – January 16, 2024 Issue
Siemens to Explore Sale of Its IVD Diagnostics Unit Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany, is reportedly looking into options for sale of its in vitro diagnostics (IVD) segment. The company’s “review co…
OIG Reports Its Findings about CDC’s First COVID Test Problems
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXXI, Number 1 – January 16, 2024 Issue
ONE MAJOR FAILURE BY FEDERAL AGENCIES in the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic was the development and release of an inaccurate and unreliable SARS-CoV-2 test, intended for use by public health labs. This was the finding of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) …
CURRENT ISSUE

Volume XXXII, No. 6 – April 21, 2025
Now that a federal judge has vacated the FDA’s LDT rule, The Dark Report analyzes the judgement and notes the various steps the FDA could take in response. Also, lab testing at pharmacies is proving to be less successful than was once anticipated.
See the full table of contentsHow Much Laboratory Business Intelligence Have You Missed?
Lab leaders rely on THE DARK REPORT for actionable intelligence on important developments in the business of laboratory testing. Maximize the money you make-and the money you keep! Best of all, it is released every three weeks!
Sign up for TDR Insider
Join the Dark Intelligence Group FREE and get TDR Insider FREE!
Never miss a single update on the issues that matter to you and your business.
Topics
- Anatomic Pathology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Clinical Laboratory
- Clinical Laboratory Trends
- Digital Pathology
- Genetic Testing
- In Vitro Diagnostics
- IVD/Lab Informatics
- Lab Intelligence
- Lab Marketplace
- Lab Risk & Compliance
- Laboratory Automation
- Laboratory Billing
- Laboratory Compliance
- Laboratory Equipment
- Laboratory Information Systems
- Laboratory Management
- Lean Six Sigma
- Managed Care Contracts
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Pathology Trends
- People
- Uncategorized