Abstract: An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

Abstract: An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of automated sample workcells and methods of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A junction for transporting sample racks in an analytical system having one or more work cells for processing samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, the junction may include a main transport line, a turntable having a rotatable transport line, and one or more bypass transport lines. The main transport line can transport first sample racks and second sample racks having different sizes via the turntable. The turntable further comprises a recess for diverting second sample racks from the main transport line to the bypass transport line or vice versa when rotated.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: A junction for transporting sample racks in an analytical system having one or more work cells for processing samples and a method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the junction may include multiple main transport lines, a turntable and one or more bypass transport lines. The multiple main transport lines can transport first sample racks and second sample racks having different sizes. The rotatable transport line can alternately connect to one or more of the main transport lines. Each of the one or more bypass transport lines can interconnect two of the main transport lines and bypass the turntable. Each of the bypass transport lines can be curved such that transport of the second sample racks through each of the bypass transport lines is enabled and transport of the first sample racks through each of the bypass transport lines is disabled.

Abstract: A new laboratory automated system comprising a plurality of work cells coupled to a conveyor and a method for processing sample tubes are disclosed, both of which enable a system to maintain the maximum overall throughput regardless of the number and throughput of the individual work cells and regardless of the frequency at which sample tubes are loaded into the system. This is achieved by a sample buffer module coupled to the conveyor, the sample buffer module being in common to the plurality of work cells, and by a sample workflow manager configured to dispatch sample tubes from the sample buffer module to the work cells via the conveyor with a frequency for each work cell, which is equal to the sample processing throughput of each respective work cell.

Abstract: A planning method and device for knee implants, wherein spatial data on the configuration of a patient's genicular anatomy, in particular of at least a part of the femur and/or the patella and/or the tibia, are captured in order to be inputted into a computer-assisted planning station; the movement of the parts of the genicular anatomy is recorded using a tracking and/or motion capturing method; the captured anatomical and movement data are made available to the computer-assisted planning station; a part of the patient's genicular anatomy is virtually replaced in the planning station by a sample implant and movements of the knee together with the sample implant are simulated; contact and impingement between the non-replaced parts of the genicular anatomy and the implant during the virtual movement is ascertained according to its magnitude; and wherein an adjustment of the positioning, shape or orientation of the implant or of a number of these parameters is determined until the contact and impingement become

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of automated sample workcells and methods of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A junction for transporting sample racks in an analytical system having one or more work cells for processing samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, the junction may include a main transport line, a turntable having a rotatable transport line, and one or more bypass transport lines. The main transport line can transport first sample racks and second sample racks having different sizes via the turntable. The turntable further comprises a recess for diverting second sample racks from the main transport line to the bypass transport line or vice versa when rotated.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of automated sample workcells and methods of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A device and methods for use in determining the trajectory of a patella of a patient during a navigated knee replacement surgical procedure are described. The device includes a first component including a mounting for attachment to a posterior surface of the patient's patella and a second component having an outer surface presenting a formation adapted to engage with a femoral part of the patient's knee. A slider mechanism allows the second component to translate relative to the first component in a substantially medial-lateral direction of the patient when the first component is attached to the patient's patella. The device can be used in a method to help determine the medial-lateral position for a patella implant.

Abstract: A junction for transporting sample racks in an analytical system having one or more work cells for processing samples and a method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the junction may include multiple main transport lines, a turntable and one or more bypass transport lines. The multiple main transport lines can transport first sample racks and second sample racks having different sizes. The rotatable transport line can alternately connect to one or more of the main transport lines. Each of the one or more bypass transport lines can interconnect two of the main transport lines and bypass the turntable. Each of the bypass transport lines can be curved such that transport of the second sample racks through each of the bypass transport lines is enabled and transport of the first sample racks through each of the bypass transport lines is disabled.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of automated sample workcells and methods of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and data processing apparatus and methods are described for use in planning and carrying out a surgical procedure on a joint of a subject. The joint includes a first component and a second component, the first and second components being relatively movable. Joint data describing the configuration of the joint is captured while the joint is in a functional state wherein the joint is undergoing its usual load bearing functional behaviour. The joint data is analyzed to determine joint component orientation data specifying the relative orientation of the first and second components. The orientation of prosthetic implants to be used in the surgical procedure to recreate the joint is planned using the joint component orientation data. The planned orientation of the prosthetic implants improves the recreation of the functional state of the joint.