Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.

Abstract: A linear actuator member applies a vertical force to a vessel or to a holding apparatus in which a vessel is contained. A linear to angular motion constraining member such as a cage structure having a helical track translates linearly directed force and motion applied by the linear actuator member into a combined linear and rotational motion of the vessel. The combined vertical and rotational motion of the vessel in response to the vertical force is repeatable according to a predefined agitation pattern for mixing components in the vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical system and method for performing turbidity assay, e.g. coagulation of blood or plasma, comprising a standard optical reference, a sample handling structure, a light source and an optical detection unit. The standard optical reference, such as a fluorophore-doped glass, provides constant optical signal under controlled optical conditions. The sample handling structure, such as a microfluidic system with reaction chamber, can be placed beneath or above the standard optical reference. During operation, the coagulating plasma/blood changes its optical absorbance and reflection properties, which results in changes in optical signal that reaches the optical reading unit. The variation of the optical signal, such as fluorescence signal indicates the kinetics of the turbidity varying process, such as plasma/blood coagulation process.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a kit for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome in patients, wherein a coagulation inhibitor and normal pooled plasma mixture reduce the factor deficiency effect of patient plasma, and coagulation inhibitor interference in patient plasma, and increases specificity and the sensitivity for detecting lupus anticoagulants in the patient's blood in a phospholipid-dependent clotting assay.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biocide compositions compatible with enzyme biosensors and methods for using same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to biocide compositions compatible with enzymes used for measuring creatine and creatinine levels.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a method and kit for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome in patients, wherein a coagulation inhibitor and normal pooled plasma mixture reduce the factor deficiency effect of patient plasma, and coagulation inhibitor interference in patient plasma, and increases specificity and the sensitivity for detecting lupus anticoagulants in the patient's blood in a phospholipid-dependent clotting assay.

Abstract: What is described is a kit for preparing a liquid thromboplastin reagent for a prothrombin time assay. The kit simplifies and minimizes reagent preparation time and is stable for 2-5 years.

Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.

Abstract: An approach for detecting a transient error in a body fluid sample based on the shape of a response curve of a sensor is provided. The response curve is represented by an equation including at least one coefficient describing a curvature or slope of the response curve. The approach includes comparing the coefficient to a range of coefficients which includes coefficients of response curves corresponding to known analyte concentrations. The approach further includes detecting a transient error based on the comparison. In some examples of the approach, the comparison and detection are performed by a processing transient error detector executing computer readable instructions embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Other examples of the approach determine a concentration of the analyte based on the equation. Advantageously, various examples of the approach can expedite detection of transient errors at the time of measuring and before reporting sample result.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a titration probe that mitigate the occurrences of titration probe clots. A bar such as segment of music wire, is extended across the tip of a titration probe and attached at both ends to the titration probe. The bar is configured to catch clots and prevent the clots from being collected along with a blood sample to be analyzed. The bar effectively reduces the cross sectional area of the titration probe tip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrochemical sensors for measuring creatinine and creatine in a patient's blood. More particularly, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods for improving calibration accuracy of electrochemical sensors used for measuring creatinine and creatine.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-enzyme biosensors that are stable at ambient temperature, and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urea biosensor that is stable at ambient temperature, and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for permeable outer diffusion control membranes for creatinine and creatine sensors and methods of making such membranes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to electrochemical sensors for measuring creatinine and creatine in a patient's blood. More particularly, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods for improving measurement accuracy of electrochemical sensors used for measuring creatinine and creatine.

Abstract: Principals of refraction of a light ray are used to identify the location of an interface between two materials having different refractive indices. The interface may be an interface between a plasma layer and a red blood cell layer of a centrifuged container, for example. An array of light detector elements are arranged to receive light that has been refracted through different layers in a centrifuged sample. Elements of the light detector array are arranged at known locations relative to an emitter of the light so detection of light by one or more particular detector elements is indicative of the angle of refraction of the light. Vertical position of the sample is tracked and correlated with corresponding angles of refraction to determine the vertical position of the sample when a change in the angle of diffraction is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for lysing of whole blood for CO-Ox measurement uses a lysing chamber for acoustic lysing of whole blood in a module in which the lysing chamber is separate from a CO-Ox measurement chamber. The disclosed acoustic lysing system and method avoids the expense and complexity of chemical lysing methods and allows the whole blood sample to be lysed while under continuous flow through the lysing chamber. The acoustic lysing chamber is provided upstream from a CO-Ox measurement chamber. The separation of the lysing chamber from the Co-Ox measurement chamber provides freedom to arrange and orient various optical components and/or other CO-Ox measuring components around the CO-Ox measurement chamber. The decoupling of the lysing chamber from the CO-Ox measurement chamber allows for more efficient design of the ultrasonic lysing transducer and CO-Ox measurement optics.

Abstract: A pierceable self-resealing stopper for a container is disclosed. The disclosed stopper is suitable for sealing a container containing reagents for use in a high-throughput analysis system in which reagents in the container are accessed by an aspirator probe piercing the stopper. The stopper is configured for being pierced and resealing itself a large number of times without degradation of the stopper by coring or fragmentation, for example. A set of protrusions extending from a top surface of the stopper is depressed to stretch a thin diaphragm area between the protrusions prior to and during insertion of the probe. After extraction of the probe, the protrusions are allowed to return to a relaxed state, which discontinues stretching of the diaphragm area and reseals the container.

Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.