Abstract: Methods for determining the responsiveness of a patient to recombinant human erythropoietin therapy are disclosed. In one approach, the method includes obtaining a volume-Hgb factor (VHf) defined as a product function of MCV and Hgb from a patient's blood sample; comparing VHf to a predetermined criterion; and reporting indication of responder if VHf meets the predetermined criterion. The method further includes using a RBC size-hemoglobin factor (RSHf) defined as a product function of MCV, MRV and Hgb, or using a function of VHf and RDW for determining the responsiveness. In another approach, the method includes using a RBC size factor (RSf) defined as a product function of MCV and MRV, in combination with transferrin saturation (TSAT) for determining the responsiveness to the erythropoietin therapy.

Abstract: Genotypes of a subject may be determined by analyzing a biological sample. Measurements of the intensity of allele specific signals may be obtained and used to generate reaction values. These reaction values may be compared to probability distributions in order to obtain conditional probabilities of genotypes of interest. The genotype of the subject may be determined based on the measures of these conditional probabilities.

Abstract: A method of measuring cellular hemoglobin of a blood sample includes mixing a blood sample with a permeation reagent, and incubating the sample mixture to permeate cellular membrane of red blood cells and to cause hemoglobin aggregation within the cells; adding a neutralization reagent to inhibit further reactions of the permeation reagent; performing a cell-by-cell measurement of side scatter signals of the red blood cells in the sample mixture on a flow cytometer; and obtaining cellular hemoglobin (Hgbcell) of each red blood cell using the obtained side scatter signals. The method further includes measuring cellular hemoglobin of reticulocytes (Hgbretic) by differentiating reticulocytes using a simultaneous fluorescence measurement. The method also includes measuring cellular percentage of a hemoglobin variant in mature red blood cells or reticulocytes by adding a fluorescent antibody in the neutralization reagent and detecting fluorescence signals of antibody bound hemoglobin variant.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for processing digital data from a particle analyzer. The method includes receiving digital particle data, transforming the received data to correct for noise, applying linear compensation for dye spectral overlap, and re-establishing the original dimensions of the data. Processed particle data may be used for display, analysis or storage. In another embodiment, a system comprises at least one particle analyzer coupled to a particle data corrector. The particle data corrector includes a transformer, a compensator, and a converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for detecting intact target cells in a sample comprising a detection zone comprising an immobilized specific binding reagent, capable of forming a complex with a target analyte on a target cell. Once labeled, detection of the label indicates the absence, presence and/or amount of the target cell in a sample. The embodiments further relate to kits comprising the devices, and methods of using the devices to screen for the presence, absence, and/or amount of a target cell in a sample.

Abstract: A method for preventing either the introduction of air into a liquid aspirated from a container through an aspiration line passing through a container cap, or the over-filling or non-filling of a container by a liquid dispensed through a dispensing line passing through a container cap.

Abstract: A slide ejector mechanism for automatically removing a slide from a slide stack is set forth. The slide ejector mechanism comprises an ejector blade adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of the slide and an ejector drive. The ejector drive is connected to rotate the ejector blade through a curved ejection path. During this rotation, the ejector blade engages the longitudinal edge of the slide to remove the slide from the slide stack and place the slide at an output position for subsequent manipulation. In accordance with a further enhancement, the slide ejector mechanism may include structures that render the apparatus self-cleaning of broken slides. Such structures may include a platen having an opening therethrough along at least a portion of the ejection path. The opening has a width that is slightly less than a length of the slide so that the slide spans the opening and is supported at its edges by the platen.

Abstract: The invention provides highly sensitive and rapid homogeneous assays which employ particle-enhanced assay formats in concert with capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to determine the concentration of an analyte of interest in a sample. Such a determination is made by measuring fluorescent signal(s) (i.e., an electropherogram) produced upon LIF of species present in the reaction mixture that are capable of producing such signals. The method of this invention produces simplified electropherograms by reducing the number of signals that must be separated and subsequently measured, and therefore increases the accuracy of the detection and/or quantification of target analyte concentration in a sample.

Abstract: A liquid aspiration device comprises an aspiration tube that slideably engages an opening in a cap such that a head on the end of the aspiration tube is moveable with respect to the opening in the cap. A tube cover is positioned between the opening in the cap and the head of the tube. The tube cover is operable to collapse into the cap when the head is moved into the cap. When the head and the tube cover are moved into the cap they are shielded from potential contamination that may occur when the aspiration device is moved from one container to the next. A lock is positioned in the cap. The lock is operable to move between an engaged position where the head may be retained within the cap and a disengaged position where the head is free to pass into or out of the cap.

Abstract: A method of measuring cellular hemoglobin of a blood sample includes mixing a blood sample with a permeation reagent, and incubating the sample mixture to permeate cellular membrane of red blood cells and to cause hemoglobin aggregation within the cells; adding a neutralization reagent to inhibit further reactions of the permeation reagent; performing a cell-by-cell measurement of side scatter signals of the red blood cells in the sample mixture on a flow cytometer; and obtaining cellular hemoglobin (Hgbcell) of each red blood cell using the obtained side scatter signals. The method further includes measuring cellular hemoglobin of reticulocytes (Hgbretic) by differentiating reticulocytes using a simultaneous fluorescence measurement. The method also includes measuring cellular percentage of a hemoglobin variant in mature red blood cells or reticulocytes by adding a fluorescent antibody in the neutralization reagent and detecting fluorescence signals of antibody bound hemoglobin variant.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for hysteresis in laboratory liquid handling apparatus. The system comprises a carriage holding a drive gear that meshes with and drives a gear rack. A hysteresis brake is also provided on the carriage and opposes the movement of the drive gear to provide continued positive engagement of the drive gear with the gear rack even when the system is static. When the direction of travel of the gear rack is reversed, the drive gear rotates an additional distance that compensates for the aggregate hysteresis found in the drive train.

Abstract: A connector for use in securing a length of flexible tubing with another object is set forth. The connector comprises a fitting and a collar. The fitting includes a neck that is adapted to receive the flexible tubing thereon. The neck, in turn, includes an exteriorly disposed barb for engaging the interior walls of the flexible tubing. The collar is adapted to engage the fitting at least about the neck and barb and includes an interiorly disposed flange portion having a contour that is shaped to cooperate with the surfaces of the barb to drive the flexible tubing over the barb and the neck as the collar and fitting are assembled with one another. The shape and contour of the flange portion also cooperates with the surfaces of the barb to provide a compressive force that may be used to provide a seal between the flexible tubing and neck.

Abstract: A method for identifying a platelet population, preferably a population of immature, reticulated platelets, in a biological sample involves incubating the biological sample for less than minutes with at least one labeled, ligand (e.g., monoclonal antibody) that binds to an epitope or antigen on platelets and with a nucleic acid dye. In one embodiment, the dye is Acridine Orange and the label on the ligand is PE-Cy7. The sample is then analyzed and one or more platelet populations is rapidly identified or quantified by passing the incubated sample through a sensing region of a flow cytometer. In one embodiment, this method occurs without a washing or physical cell separation step. The incubated sample is irradiated with a laser light source, and fluorescence of the labeled ligand and the nucleic acid dye are measured along with at least one additional parameter, e.g., light scatter, direct current, axial light loss, opacity, radio frequency, and fluorescence.

Abstract: A system for detecting electromagnetic radiation from samples comprising: a plurality of sample volumes, each of said sample volumes confined within a portion of a capillary column; a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources; a mirror for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation sources and for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation to the sample volumes; a scanner attached to the mirror; a parabolic reflector for collecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, the sample electromagnetic radiation being generated as a result of interaction of the reflected electromagnetic radiation with the sample volumes; a plurality of filters for filtering the sample electromagnetic radiation; and a plurality of detectors for detecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, each of the detectors being configured to receive sample electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a corresponding one of the plurality of filters and generate a signa

Abstract: A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers is provided. The cap piercing station utilizes a piercing blade having a generally Z-shaped cross-section, a carriage assembly for moving the blade to pierce a cap on a container, an alignment block assembly for preventing the container from being lifted up by friction with the blade when the blade is being withdrawn from a pierced cap, and a latch assembly for latching the alignment block assembly when the blade is being withdrawn.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample are disclosed, in which a capture agent is bound to the analyte at a first epitope and a detection agent is bound at a second epitope, and in which the detection agent includes an oligonucleotide to which a labeled, complementary oligonucleotide can be hybridized.

Abstract: A new method and system for transporting and sorting multiple reagent packs used in conjunction with an immunodiagnostic instrument is provided. The new system includes a multiplicity of reagent packs; a gantry movably mounted on a rack structure for carrying a gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism has gripping jaws for engagement with the reagent pack; a power assembly for actuating the respective movement of the gantry, the gripper mechanism and the gripping jaws; a storage nest having a multiplicity of compartments, each adapted for storing a one of the respective reagent packs; and a pipetting nest having a multiplicity of compartment, each adapted for retaining a respective one of the reagent packs for simultaneous pipetting. Methods of using the system and a novel reagent pack used in connection with the new system are also provided.

Abstract: A system for collecting biological samples, such as fecal specimens, and testing such samples for the presence of an analyte is disclosed. The system comprises a sample collection device that includes a removably secured tab for retaining and transferring a portion of the sample to be tested to the test device. The tab is preferably configured so that it can be received in the test device in only a pre-selected orientation so as to put the portion of the tab carrying the sample in communication with a chromatographic material in the test device.

Abstract: A method of measuring micronucleated erythrocyte populations is disclosed. The method includes contacting a sample containing erythrocyte populations with a fluorescently labeled antibody specific to immature erythrocytes among erythrocyte populations; adding an aqueous permeation reagent to the sample and incubating the formed permeation sample mixture for an incubation time sufficient to allow the permeation reagent to render cellular membrane of the erythrocyte populations permeable to RNase and dye; adding a RNase reagent to degrade RNA and to inhibit further reaction of permeation reagent; adding a fluorescent nucleic acid dye reagent to stain DNA representing micronuclei in the erythrocyte populations; performing light scatter and fluorescence measurements of the final sample mixture on a flow cytometer; differentiating micronucleated erythrocyte populations from other cell types; and reporting the micronucleated erythrocyte populations of the sample.

Abstract: An automated analyzer is configured to receive and analyze samples provided to the automated analyzer in primary sample containers. The automated analyzer comprises a sample retention unit, at least one transport device, and at least one aspiration device. The sample retention unit is configured to receive and retain a plurality of sample retention vessels. The sample retention unit may comprise a sample storage unit, an analytic unit, or other processing unit within the automated analyzer that retains a sample for some purpose. The transport device is configured to receive a first primary sample container containing a first sample and deliver the first primary sample container to the sample retention unit as one of the plurality of sample retention vessels. The aspiration device is configured to receive a second sample from a second primary sample container and deliver the second sample into one of the plurality of sample retention vessels.