Abstract: Experimental studies can be conducted in an environment where one or more laboratories communicate with a network instrument monitoring center over a network. In such an environment, an individual at the network instrument monitoring center can be enabled to simultaneously oversee studies at multiple remote laboratories, rather than requiring dedicated individuals at each of the laboratories to oversee the studies at their respective labs.

Abstract: Described herein are database systems including one or more remote analytical instruments operably connected to one or more servers. The instruments can transmit rich data to the servers, and the one or more servers can compile a database of the rich data. One or more processors associated with the servers can be configured to execute a data analytics program on the database to identify a stochastic phenomenon or to process the data and present in real-time at a location of the one or more instruments comparison information about the instruments.

Abstract: A filtering device is provided to an analyzing instrument to block the passage of oversized particles that may otherwise clog the aperture of a sample analyzing device. The filtering device can be arranged to be proximate to the mixing chamber. In certain examples, the filtering device is placed at or adjacent an output port of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a conveyance system and method for conveying a plurality of object carriers. The conveyance system comprises at least one first conveyor lane section, and at least, two second conveyor lane sections. The conveyance system further comprises a rotatable diverting element for diverting an object carrier of the plurality of object carriers between the at least one first conveyor lane section and one of the at least two second conveyor lane sections of the conveyance system.

Abstract: Embodiments may include an automated method for evaluating an infection status associated with a blood sample obtained from an individual. Methods may include determining, using a first module, a white blood cell concentration associated with the blood sample. In addition, methods may include determining, using a second module, a monocyte volume measure associated with the blood sample. Methods may include evaluating, using a data processing module, the infection status associated with the blood sample. The data processing module may include a processor and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may be programmed with a computer application. This computer application, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to calculate a parameter using a function comprising the white blood cell concentration and the monocyte volume measure. The computer application may also cause the processor to evaluate the infection status associated with the blood sample based on the parameter.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a base, a sidewall, and a top. The top defines an opening that provides access to an annulus cavity inside the rotor body. A cover is removably attachable to the rotor body to seal the annulus cavity. A drive hub extends from a portion of the base of the rotor body and couples to a drive shaft of a centrifuge motor. The rotor body is sized to receive one or more sample containers in the annulus cavity, and to constrain the one or more sample containers inside the annulus cavity between the base, the sidewall, and the top when the one or more containers are advanced radially against the sidewall.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument is disclosed. The diagnostic instrument may have a highly efficient probe washer station and/or may be able to sense whether there is a tube septum on a specimen tube to be sampled. The instrument may also be able to determine where the bottom of the tube is located. The probe washer station may have a flow of saline that is used to wash both the internal cavity and the external circumference of the probe.

Abstract: A sample preparation instrument with an integrated device for estimating a concentration of white blood cells in a specimen is described. The sample preparation instrument receives a specimen for which a sample is to be prepared for analysis. The integrated device can implement an optical method, an electrical resistance method, or a flow cytometry method, for example, to estimate the white blood cell concentration in the specimen. For some types of analysis, a sample volume of the specimen is dependent on the white blood cell concentration. Therefore, the sample preparation instrument can automatically determine and adjust the sample volume of the specimen based on the estimated white blood cell concentration prior to adding additional reagents, such as labeling reagents and/or lytic reagents, to prepare the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifuges (e.g., analytical centrifuges) comprising a cooling assembly having a cooling surface disposed inside the centrifuge chamber and spaced apart from the rotor. The cooling surface disposed inside the centrifuge chamber, spaced apart from the rotor, and configured to exchange heat between the cooling assembly and the rotor, the thermal element thermally coupled to the cooling surface, and configured to control the temperature of the cooling surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a projecting status indicator for use in connection with a laboratory machine or instrument (collectively referred to as a “unit”). The indicator projects a projected visible light image or beam of light in a line directly above a particular unit so that lab personnel can tell the status of the unit from a distance. In a specific embodiment, the indicator projects an extended line of light on a ceiling above the unit, rather than a small point of light.

Abstract: An automated analysis instrument operates to detect inadequate dispensation of a fluidic substance on a tray. The instrument includes an image capturing device to capture an image of at least a portion of the tray including a receptacle portion and a surrounding portion around the receptacle portion. The instrument then identifies the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray in the image, evaluates color components of the image corresponding to the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray, and determines whether the fluidic substance is present on the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray based on at least one of the color components.

Abstract: A sample tube rack for receiving at least one sample tube comprises an upper part comprising an upper surface, wherein at least one upper opening for receiving the sample tube is provided in the upper surface; an intermediate part comprising an intermediate surface, wherein at least one intermediate opening for receiving the sample tube is provided in the intermediate surface; and a lower part comprising a supporting surface, wherein at least one supporting position for supporting the sample tube is provided in the supporting surface. Therein, the intermediate part is connected to both the upper part and the lower part such that the at least one upper opening is substantially aligned above the at least one intermediate opening and above the at least one supporting position for receiving the at least one sample tube. At least one gripping orifice is provided in a lateral side of the lower part.

Abstract: Certain types of automated medical analysis equipment are used to analyze blood or other fluids. The equipment may thus use various diluents or reagents that allow the blood or other fluids to be run through the analysis equipment for analysis and data collection. Disclosed is a diluent preparation module that combines purified water and reagent concentrate for use by this equipment. Also disclosed is a diluent preparation unit that combines more than one diluent preparation modules for redundancy and back-up purposes. Also disclosed are systems for supplying the Diluent prepared by the diluent preparation module or diluent preparation unit to one or more analytic instruments.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for an integrated console environment for diagnostic instruments are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a laboratory analyzer configured to generate patient sample result data by performing an analysis on a biological sample from a patient and quality control data by performing an analysis on a control biological sample with known properties. The example apparatus also includes a first laboratory instrument memory configured to locally store the patient sample result data among a plurality of other patient sample result data and a first data access component at a first address configured to provide access to the first laboratory instrument memory. The example apparatus further includes a second laboratory instrument memory configured to locally store the quality control data among a plurality of other quality control data and a second data access component at a second address configured to provide access to the second laboratory instrument memory.