Premier Supplier - Frequently Asked Question

1. Is this process FDA approved?
Although FDA approval is not required for either new or reprocessed cuvettes or rotors, the Health Care Finance Administration, in conjunction with the FDA, has recognized the acceptability of reprocessing by including the following language in its State Operations Manual, which sets forth the inspectors' criteria for enforcing the CLIA '88 Regulations:

"The use in automated or semi-automated analyzers of rotors/cuvettes that have been reprocessed (reconditioned), pass quality control inspection criteria of the reprocessing company, and returned to the same laboratory that sent them for cleaning and reuse is not considered a method modification."

2. My instrument manufacturer says reprocessed cuvettes don’t work, is this true?

Some manufacturers have discouraged the use of reprocessed cuvettes, indicating that they may cause damage to the instrument and/or produce inaccurate results. L.E.S.S., Inc. has been reprocessing cuvettes and rotors since 1982 – this translates into more than one billion cuvettes in both North America and Europe. Our reprocessing system has been time tested and proven to be of the highest quality. We invite you to participate in our comparative performance-testing program. The purpose of this testing is to provide you with factual data that is produced in your own laboratory, and will demonstrate the comparative performance of your system with the new and reprocessed cuvettes
or rotors.

3. Are you able to convince me that the quality of a reprocessed cuvette is the same as new?
We believe by using our service, you will be convinced. Years of comparative testing which match reported results from new cuvettes and reprocessed cuvettes clearly indicate there is no measurable difference in performance between new and reprocessed cuvettes. We would be very happy to provide a comparative analysis in your laboratory with your analyzer at no charge to you.

4. What if I want to reprocess, but my product is not on your list?
If you have a disposable product not on our list, please call us and we will set up a trial evaluation at
no charge.

5. What are the costs involved?
In general, our service is geared to save your laboratory 50% of your disposable plastics costs.

6. What about shipping? Are the used cuvettes/rotors considered biohazardous?
Our reprocessing fees include freight for shipping the product to your laboratory. Freight from your laboratory to our facility is prepaid by L.E.S.S., Inc. to be included on your invoice. The used cuvettes/rotors are not considered biohazardous once they undergo the decontamination process - which is a quick and efficient rinsing using the kits that we supply.

7. What happens to cuvettes or rotors that are damaged or unusable?
All of the cuvettes and rotors that we reprocess undergo stringent quality assurance inspections. Any items that do not pass are sent to a plastics recycler. You are only charged for the cuvettes and rotors that pass inspection and are returned to you.

8. What is the turnaround time?
The turnaround time is dependent upon the geographical location of your laboratory. The actual reprocessing time in our facility is generally 3 days. Shipping time each way varies from 2 to 5 days. This translates to a 7 - 13 day turnaround.

9. How do we get started?
Call us or email us and we will send the materials you will require. This includes the kit, the
rinsing instructions, and the shipping schedule. We also offer a 30-day risk free trial evaluation.
If you are not satisfied with the service, we will refund your first 30 days worth of invoices.