Abstract: Described herein are high sensitivity parameters useful for the detection of vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiencies. Methods of determining susceptibility for vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency in a subject are also provided. Methods of determining the progress and assessment of treatment of these deficiencies are provided.

Abstract: A microtiter plate transport device is configured to grip a microtiter plate in a first location. The microtiter plate transport device is configured to make a vertical approach to the microtiter plate and grip the microtiter plate in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation along either the opposing longer sides or the opposing shorter sides of the microtiter plate. The device comprises a Cartesian coordinate robot including a first gripping member and a second gripping member opposed to the first gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are supported by an arm configured to move along a vertical axis which extends between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are configured to rotate about the vertical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a specimen into a flow cytometer comprises: a syringe having a hollow barrel containing the specimen, a plunger partially within the barrel and a needle that extends into a volume of a nozzle of the flow cytometer; a one-way port in the nozzle forming a seal against the needle; a mounting platform coupled to both the syringe and to the flow cytometer; and a syringe pump coupled to the plunger, the syringe pump comprising a motor, a drive mechanism coupled to the motor; and a clamping mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the motor operates the drive mechanism so as to cause the clamping mechanism to depress the plunger into the barrel.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the invention, methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums are provided for positioning cellular analysis data including measuring a similarity between pixel data in a target sample data and pixel data in a template data. An offset position is determined based on the measured similarity. The pixel data in the template data is shifted based on the offset position to produce shifted template data having pixel data at shifted locations which match the corresponding pixel data in the target sample data.

Abstract: System and method for displaying three-dimensional object scattergrams of particles are provided. In one embodiment, at least two parameters associated with at least one particle in a biological sample are detected and stored as data. An initial two-dimensional scattergram of the data is created with the two dimensions corresponding to the two parameters, and each data point corresponding to a particle in the biological sample. A data point in the initial two-dimensional scattergram is categorized into a population corresponding to a particle population. A density value of the data point is evaluated. Color data for the data point is calculated based on the evaluated density value and the categorized population. A three-dimensional location is generated based on the location in the initial two-dimensional scattergram and a property of the data point. A geometric shape centered at the generated three-dimensional location is displayed using the calculated color data.

Abstract: An analyzer includes plural stirrers that have plural sound-wave generating units, which are provided on respective vessels holding liquid and generate sound wave toward the liquid, and drive units, which drive the plurality of sound-wave generating units, and that stir the liquid using sound wave generated by the sound-wave generating units; a power detecting unit that detects traveling-wave power output from the drive unit and reflected-wave power reflected from the sound-wave generating unit; and a control unit that determines whether an abnormality occurs in each of the stirrers on the sound-wave generating unit side or on the drive unit side in each of the stirrers based on a reflectivity of the power, and controls continuation or suspension of an analytical work based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multidimensional particle analysis data cluster mapping and reconstruction are provided. In one embodiment, a method for reconstructing multidimensional particle analysis data clusters is provided. The method includes obtaining a set of segmented two-dimensional projections corresponding to multidimensional particle analysis data associated with a biological sample of particles. Each segmented two-dimensional projection has two-dimensional clusters associated with particle populations in the biological sample. The method also includes reconstructing one or more multidimensional clusters based on the two-dimensional clusters in the segmented two-dimensional projections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-linear histogram segmentation for particle analysis are provided. In one embodiment, a method for analyzing particles comprises creating an initial two-dimensional histogram based on two selected parameters of the particles, filtering the initial two-dimensional histogram to generate a filtered two-dimensional image, detecting a plurality of seed populations in the filtered two-dimensional image, generating one or more linear contour lines, each having a plurality of contour points, to separate the detected seed populations, and adjusting the contour points in at least one of the linear contour lines to separate the detected seed populations.

Abstract: A pipetting system including a pipet (8) which can be hooked up to pressurizing source (9), the pipet being fitted with a discharge aperture (10) and having an inside volume sufficient to receive the full quantity of liquid (7) to be discharged is characterized in that the discharge aperture (10) is situated at one end part (16) of the pipet (8), the end part being connectable to a connector aperture (19) of a main part (15) of the pipet, the main part receiving all the liquid (7) that shall be discharged, the connector part aperture (19) being larger than the discharge aperture (10).

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a discharge nozzle that discharges cleaning liquid; a suction nozzle that sucks the cleaning liquid or reaction liquid in the cleaning tank or the reaction vessel; a discard vessel connected to the suction nozzle via a pipe to discard the cleaning liquid or the reaction liquid; a detecting unit that detects whether an electrostatic capacity at least between the suction nozzle and an electrode provided in the pipe exceeds a threshold value; a determination unit that determines that the suction nozzle is clogged when a totalizing time, for which the electrostatic capacity exceeds the threshold value during a preset clogging determination time, is longer than a totalizing time, for which the electrostatic capacity exceeds the threshold value during a preset normal determination time; and a control unit that stops the discharge nozzle from discharging the cleaning liquid to the reaction vessel when the suction nozzle is clogged.

Abstract: An error specifying method of specifying an error of an analyzer. The method specifies an error related to removal of a high-concentration reagent. The method includes a low-concentration reagent measuring step of performing an analysis process, which causes a composition to emit light, on a low-concentration reagent and measuring an amount of light emitted in order to acquire performance of the low-concentration reagent; a high-concentration reagent measuring step of performing the analysis process on the high-concentration reagent and measuring an amount of light emitted in order to acquire performance of the high-concentration reagent; and a reagent evaluating step of evaluating the performance of the low-concentration reagent and the performance of the high-concentration reagent based on the measurement results in the low-concentration reagent measuring step and the high-concentration reagent measuring step.

Abstract: An analyzer analyzes a specimen on basis of an absorbance of a reaction liquid of the specimen and a reagent and includes a measuring unit that measures absorbances of two or more identifying samples having different concentrations and having absorbance characteristics such that there is no extremum in a wavelength band including a desired wavelength to be measured and also measures an absorbance of a reaction liquid; a calculating unit that calculates a gradient of a straight line indicating a relationship between the concentrations and the absorbances of the identifying samples; a correcting unit that corrects the absorbance of the reaction liquid by using a reference gradient of a straight line indicating a relationship between concentrations and absorbances of the identifying samples obtained in advance for the desired wavelength, and the calculated gradient; and an analyzing unit that analyzes the specimen on the basis of the corrected absorbance.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a discharge nozzle that discharges cleaning liquid; a suction nozzle that sucks the cleaning liquid or reaction liquid in the cleaning tank or the reaction vessel; a discard vessel connected to the suction nozzle via a pipe to discard the cleaning liquid or the reaction liquid; a detecting unit that detects whether an electrostatic capacity at least between the suction nozzle and an electrode provided in the pipe exceeds a threshold value; a determination unit that determines that the suction nozzle is clogged when a time difference between a time, at which the electrostatic capacity exceeds the threshold value when the suction nozzle is not clogged, and a time, at which the electrostatic capacity exceeds the threshold value at the time of determination, is not less than a predetermined time difference threshold value; and a control unit that stops the discharge nozzle from discharging the cleaning liquid to the reaction vessel when the suction nozzle is clogged.

Abstract: Methods and systems substantially eliminate data representative of coincident events from particle analyzer data. A fluid sample containing particles for analysis is prepared. Using an electrical or optical measurement device, signals are sensed. Each signal corresponds to events detected in a sub-sample of the fluid sample flowing through a measurement region in the particle analyzer. The existence of coincidence in the events is determined based on measuring a peak and first and second points of each of the signals. The first and second points have a signal value corresponding to a predetermined portion of the peak. Results data based upon the coincident events and non-coincident events is generated. The results data is then analyzed. In various examples, the method is applicable to a variety of particle types, and may be implemented on different types of particle analyzers including hematology analyzer and flow cytometers.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are provided for determining the activation state of a signal transduction pathway signaling protein. There exists a need in the art for methods that can monitor the efficacy of a signal transduction inhibitor in a patient. Other needs exist for detecting and monitoring certain disease or disorders that are associated with aberrant activation of a signal transduction pathway signaling protein. The present assay provides a highly sensitive assay that is also useful in patient populations in which obtaining a large cellular sample is difficult, for example, neonates.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for describing characteristics of a data sample. This description is used to represent the shape of a histogram of the data sample.

Abstract: A flow cytometer subsystems monitors a particle sensing zone within a fluid transport chamber for the presence of a particle (e.g., blood cell) traveling therethrough, and produces an output pulse, whose width is representative of the trajectory and thereby the length of time that the particle is within the particle sensing zone as it travels through the fluid transport chamber. This output pulse is then processed in accordance with geometry parameters of successive time delay zones of the particle fluid transport chamber through which the particle passes, in order to derive a composite time delay between the sensing of the particle to the time at which a fluid droplet containing the particle will break off from the carrier fluid. The composite time delay is employed to accurately establish the time at which the particle is controllably charged as the particle breaks off from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an enzyme-containing capsule which is employed for deactivating, from a sample, the proteins in the sample and then amplifying a nucleic acid in the sample, a kit for the amplification of nucleic acid which comprises the enzyme-containing capsules, and a method for the amplification of nucleic acid which employs the enzyme-containing capsules. The present invention provides an enzyme-containing capsule which is characterized in that the capsule has a melting point of 60 to 95° C., comprises a non-proteinous material as the envelope component, and contains a heat-resistant enzyme in the inside of the capsule; a kit for the amplification of nucleic acid, comprising the above-described enzyme-containing capsules and a proteolytic enzyme; and a method for the amplification of nucleic acid, employing the above-described enzyme-containing capsules.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing an enzyme-containing gel which is employed for deactivating, from a sample containing proteins and nucleic acids, easily and simply the proteins in the sample and then amplifying a nucleic acid in the sample, a kit for the amplification of nucleic acid which comprises the enzyme-containing gels, and a method for the amplification of nucleic acid which employs the enzyme-containing gels. The present invention provides an enzyme-containing gel which is characterized in that the gel contains a heat-resistant enzyme; a kit for the amplification of nucleic acid, comprising the above-described enzyme-containing gels and a proteolytic enzyme; and a method for the amplification of nucleic acid, employing the above-described enzyme-containing gels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for the analysis of particle analyzer data are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of analyzing immature reticulocytes in a blood sample, including the steps of: preprocessing the blood sample; measuring the blood sample by a detection including a reticulocyte-maturity measurement and a light scatter measurement; analyzing blood cell distribution patterns to identify a set of reticulocyte events; differentiating immature reticulocytes from mature reticulocytes using the reticulocyte-maturity measurement and the light scatter measurement; and reporting immature reticulocytes. The immature reticulocyte fraction may be one aspect that is reported.