Abstract: Quality control tests for a diagnostic instrument can be run in an efficient manner by using a subset of the potential quality control materials to perform tests for identifying failures in the diagnostic instrument's components. Such subsets could be defined in a variety of manners, and could allow component failures to be tested relatively more frequently in a more efficient manner. Additionally, issues for particular components of diagnostic instruments may be identified based on analysis of quality control results. This identification may be part of a method that comprises receiving a plurality of quality control results wherein each quality control result from the plurality of quality control results is obtained based on performing a measurement of a corresponding quality control sample using the diagnostic instrument.

Abstract: The presently claimed and described technology provides an apparatus (500, 1000A, 1000B) configured to adjustably position a focal location (14) of a first instrument (12) of a first body (10, 20, 60) with respect to a target location (44, 54) of a second instrument (42, 42H, 42U, 52) of a second body (40, 50). The apparatus further includes a third body (30), a first joint (210), and a second joint (310). The first joint is configured to adjustably linearly position the first body with respect to the third body along a first axis (A2) and thereby perform a first adjustment and is further configured to adjustably rotatably position the first body with respect to the third body about the first axis (A2) and thereby perform a second adjustment.

Abstract: A method for operating and diagnosing faults in a laboratory instrument comprising a plurality of subsystems may comprise performing an analytic sequence and a set of diagnostic steps. Such a method may be performed using a diagnostic reagent comprising paramagnetic particles and lacking an antibody component. Such a method may also include evaluating a set of the instrument's subsystems in the opposite of the order in which those subsystems are used during analysis.

Abstract: A method of characterizing particles in flow cytometry includes determining a first pulse width value of a particle using a first technique. The method includes determining a second pulse width value of the particle using a second technique. The method further includes comparing the first and second pulse width values, and characterizing the particle as a concatenated particle when a difference between the first and second pulse width values exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method of characterizing particles in flow cytometry includes determining a first pulse width value of a particle using a first technique. The method includes determining a second pulse width value of the particle using a second technique. The method further includes comparing the first and second pulse width values, and characterizing the particle as a concatenated particle when a difference between the first and second pulse width values exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for automatically generating processing rules to be used for automated decision-making when operating instruments to analyze and process biological samples (e.g., for the presence, absence, or concentration of analytes). For example, some automatically generated processing rules may set forth conditions and criteria in which some test results obtained from the biological samples can be automatically validated and sent out, while other test results are flagged for additional review. The processing rules can be generated based on patterns observed with the actions taken for historical test results associated with similar biological samples.

Abstract: A detection system and a sample processing instrument for nanoparticles are provided. The detection system includes a light emitting unit and a light collection unit. The light emitting unit is configured to emit a light beam and project the light beam onto a nanoparticle to be detected. The light collection unit is configured to collect light beams from the nanoparticle so as to analyze the nanoparticles according to the collected light beams. The light emitting unit includes multiple light sources and a focusing lens, and the light beams emitted by the multiple light sources are focused through the focusing lens on a same detection position through which the nanoparticle is to pass.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for laboratory instrument calibration. A laboratory instrument retrieves a number of sets of past quality control parameters from a data structure. Each set includes a recovered value and a timestamp. The recovered value is equal to an output value adjusted by an initial calibration factor. The laboratory instrument determines that the number of sets is greater than a threshold and that each of the past quality control parameters has a timestamp that is within a time threshold. The laboratory instrument computes an updated calibration factor such that when the updated calibration factor is applied to a representative value of the recovered values, the representative value equals the expected recovered value. The instrument updates the data structure with the calibration factor such that the calibration factor is used in subsequent testing of patient specimens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing immune response to infection using cellular analysis, such as a hematological cellular analyzer. In some instances, the immune response may be characterized as normal or abnormal based on one or more blood cell population parameters. In some instances, abnormal characterization may be used to identify patients with sepsis or at elevated risk of developing sepsis.

Abstract: A method for preparing a deck for a process is disclosed. The deck can be prepared with any necessary components, and then an imaging device can capture an image of the deck. This image can be compared with a reference image and any differences identified. The differences can be indicated in the image and shown to an operator, such that the operator can correct any errors associated with the differences.

Abstract: The disclosed flow cytometer includes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The WDM includes an extended light source providing light that forms an object, a collimating optical element that captures light from the extended light source and projects a magnified image of the object as a first light beam, and a first focusing optical element configured to focus the first light beam to a size smaller than the object of the extended light source to a first semiconductor detector. The disclosed flow cytometer further includes a composite microscope objective to direct light emitted by a particle in a flow channel in a viewing zone of the composite microscope to the extended light source, a fluidic system and a peristaltic pump configured to supply liquid sheath and liquid sample to the flow channel, and a laser diode system to illuminate the particle in the flow channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to diagnosing and locating fluid leakage within a pneumatic system (5) using a minimal amount of pressure sensors (55, 75, 89). In general, each branch (51, 71, 85) of a pneumatic system (5) includes an associated pressure sensor (55, 75, 89) and in accordance with how the pneumatic components (57, 59, 61, 77, 91, 93, 95) associated with the pneumatic branch (51, 71, 85) are toggled and monitored, leaks can be detected and located within the branch (51, 71, 85) using a minimal amount of pressure sensors (55, 75, 89). More specifically, pressure and pressure decay may be measured by the sensors (55, 75, 89) within a branch (51, 71, 85) while the pneumatic components (57, 59, 61, 77, 91, 93, 95) are in a particular configuration. The configuration is thereafter changed, and pressure and pressure decay are again measured by the sensors (55, 75, 89). The results of these two measurements may enable the pneumatic system (5) to derive the presence and location of a leak.

Abstract: The disclosed flow cytometer includes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The WDM includes an extended light source providing light that forms an object, a collimating optical element that captures light from the extended light source and projects a magnified image of the object as a first light beam, and a first focusing optical element configured to focus the first light beam to a size smaller than the object of the extended light source to a first semiconductor detector. The disclosed flow cytometer further includes a composite microscope objective to direct light emitted by a particle in a flow channel in a viewing zone of the composite microscope to the extended light source, a fluidic system and a peristaltic pump configured to supply liquid sheath and liquid sample to the flow channel, and a laser diode system to illuminate the particle in the flow channel.

Abstract: A sorting flow cytometer receives a current alignment of a light beam, determines a difference between the current alignment of the light beam and a target alignment of the light beam, and calculates one or more voltage values based on the difference between the current alignment and the target alignment. The sorting flow cytometer uses the voltage values to adjust a position of at least one of a first alignment actuator extending in a first axial direction and a second alignment actuator extending in a axial second direction to reduce the difference between the current alignment of the light beam and the target alignment of the light beam.

Abstract: A sample analysis system analyzes a sample. A panel design generates a sample preparation specification. A preparation instrument prepares a sample using the sample preparation specification to generate a prepared sample. A sample analyzer analyzes the prepared sample. A validator validates an operation of the sample analysis system. A sample analysis system has a transfer station that controls the movement of a probe with respect to a reaction plate. A probe wash module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for acquiring the image data of refrigerated materials is disclosed. The system includes a material management unit with an imaging system. The material management unit further includes a refrigerated chamber in which material vials are stored. The imaging system includes a window positioned on the side of the material management unit that separates an interior space of the refrigerated chamber from an exterior space of the material management unit. The imaging system further includes a camera positioned in the exterior space that captures image data through the window. The window is heated along its sides by a heating element, which functions to prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the window.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to methods, systems, and kits for the preparation, purification and/or analysis of a glycan or glycoconjugate, and specifically to a magnetic bead based sample preparation protocol. In some aspects, the sample preparation protocol can provide for glycoconjugate capture, glycan release, fluorescent derivatization, and glycan purification for subsequent capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, or other glycoanalytical method using magnetic beads containing negatively charged carboxyl groups extending from the surface of the magnetic beads.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a process and system are provided for generating a user interface for classification of a sample image of a cell that includes receiving a sample image of a sample particle from a biological sample and selecting reference images that each portray a reference particle of a biological sample. The reference images can be ordered based on similarity and the reference images can be selected based on the order. The first selected reference image can be aligned with the sample image and expanded such that the adjacent edges of the reference image and sample image are the same. The expanded image can be dynamically filled. The sample image and the expanded reference image can be displayed in a user interface.