Abstract: New derivatives of FK 506 are disclosed. These new derivatives and other derivatives that are useful for determining the levels of FK 506 in a sample are also provided as are assay procedures and kits for use in determining the levels of FK 506 or other macrophilin binding substances in blood, particularly un-extracted blood in the presence of specific binding proteins for FK 506.

Abstract: A method for displaying the status of a clinical analyzer on an operator interface in a manner that minimizes the effort required by the operator to access pertinent data. In one aspect the method includes displaying routine and non-routine information about the operational aspects of a clinical analyzer so that non-routine operational information screens is accessible only by qualified technicians.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for reducing non-specific binding in a binding assay for the determination of an analyte in a sample where one of the reagents for conducting the binding assay comprises a solid support comprising a polysaccharide. The method comprises including in an assay medium for conducting the binding assay a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The methods include as reagents a solid support comprising a polysaccharide and a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide.

Abstract: A random access reagent container handling system using a reagent container shuttle to move reagent containers between a loading tray and at least one linear reagent container tray and at least one circular reagent carousel. The reagent container tray is positioned as needed beneath the reagent container shuttle by a reagent tray shuttle.

Abstract: Lidocaine analogs, latex particle-analog conjugates, and methods of making and using the same. The analogs have the formula: wherein Z comprises a nucleophilic group and optionally a protecting group; L is a linker; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are each independently H, a protecting group, or C1 to C6 alkyls, provided that R1 and R3 may form a six membered ring with the nitrogen and carbon atom to which R1 and R3 are attached; R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1 to C20 alkyls; and including salts thereof. The analogs are immobilized on latex particles and prepared for use in assays for lidocaine.

Abstract: Providing context-specific electronic performance support for a device through just-in-time knowledge transfer. Performance support content comprising information regarding device procedures, device alerts, and display screens for displaying information related to the device can be stored in multiple content files. Each content file can be associated with a device alert, a device procedure, and/or a display screen. Device users can interact with one or more display screens on a display associated with the device. The device users can request performance support content by activating an icon or hyperlink on the display screen(s). A content publisher can identify performance support content responsive to each request from one or more of the content files based on context information related to the display screen(s) on the display at the time of the request. The content publisher can display a display screen comprising the identified information on the display associated with the device.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor confirms actual physical contact between a probe and a liquid by verifying that any change in capacitance of the sensor is constant over a given time period and thereby is not caused by spurious electrical disturbances or other measuring irregularities.

Abstract: A reaction cuvette having anti-wicking wall fillets that inhibit liquid wicking along an interior wall surface so that the reaction cuvette may be used in a cuvette-rewashing system in an automated analyzer and not be adversely affected by any reagent contaminants remaining from assays previously performed in said reaction cuvette. The anti-wicking wall fillets comprise a curvilinear taper extending from an open top downwards into the cuvette to form a rounded concave blend between the cuvette's front and back walls and side walls.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compounds disclosed comprise an amphetamine moiety and a methamphetamine moiety linked together by a first linking group. A second linking group depends from the first linking group and comprises a functional group. The distance of the amphetamine moiety and the methamphetamine moiety from the point of linkage of the second linking group to the first linking group is approximately the same. The compounds may be linked to labels and used in assays for the detection of amphetamine and/or methamphetamine in samples suspected of containing these drugs.

Abstract: A dual analyzer system comprising at least two analyzers where samples to be tested are partitioned into three groups in accord with the frequency the test assays are requested. One analyzer performs a portion of the most frequently menu assays and all of a first subgroup of less frequently requested assays. The second analyzer performs a similar portion of the most frequently menu assays and all of a second subgroup of less frequently requested assays. The first of the analyzers is not equipped to perform any of the second subgroup of assays and the second analyzer is not be equipped to perform any of the second subgroup of assays.

Abstract: An IgG1 ? monoclonal antibody to the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus has improved properties. In particular, this monoclonal antibody, designated 1H6, has reduced cross-reactivity to several tacrolimus metabolites. This antibody is suitable for performance of immunoassays such as homogeneous immunoassays to detect or determine the presence or concentration of tacrolimus in samples such as blood samples. The invention further includes derivatives of tacrolimus derivatized at a non-binding portion of the molecule useful in immunizing antibody-producing animals and in producing such monoclonal antibodies, as well as labeled derivatives of tacrolimus useful as tacrolimus analogues in such assays. The invention further includes immunoassay methods for the detection of tacrolimus and test kits useful in performing such immunoassays.

Abstract: Processes for removing endogenous Vitamin B12 and folate are provided. The albumin preparations produced by the process are suitable for use as reference control samples in assays for determining these analytes in a test sample. Kits and methods related to the albumin preparations are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. Enzyme conjugates of Formula I may be employed in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. Immunogenic conjugates of Formula I may be employed to prepare antibodies for an amphetamine and/or for a methamphetamine for use in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. The enzyme conjugates may also be employed to screen antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: Automatically rejecting outlier measurements in an analytical method employing multiple photometric values by determining the photometric value that is involved in the pair of photometric values having the greatest variance between individual mean rates and the mean rate of all of the multiple photometric values.

Abstract: A method for resupplying reagents inventoried on-board an automatic clinical analyzer by: comparing an averaged assay demand pattern on the analyzer for assays over a sequence of specifically defined time periods with the reagents inventoried on-board the analyzer to determine which reagents will be exhausted before the next following the sequence of specifically defined time periods, and, resupplying reagents appropriately.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. Enzyme conjugates of Formula I are employed in assays for the determination of an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylene-dioxyethamphetamine, and/or a methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Immunogenic conjugates of Formula I are employed to prepare antibodies for an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylenedioxyethamphetamine, and/or for a methylene-dioxymethamphetamine for use in assays for the determination of an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylenedioxyethamphetamine, and/or a methylene-dioxymethamphetamine. The enzyme conjugates may also be employed to screen antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer where incoming samples are partitioned into groups in accord with the length of time required for the assay to be completed or in accord with the pattern of reagent addition(s) taken with length of time required for the assay to be completed. Medium length time assays are completed, removed from a reaction carousel and replaced by shorter length time assays during a single operational cycle in which longer length assays are also completed.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of entactogen analytes such as, for example, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-methamphetamine (HMMA). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing the compound and (ii) an antibody raised against a compound of Formula I that comprises a protein. The medium is examined for the presence a complex comprising the compound and the antibody where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample. In one aspect of the above embodiment, the combination further comprises a label conjugate of the compound Formula I.

Abstract: A method for determining not to reuse a previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette in an analyzer when an assay scheduled to be performed may be adversely affected by contaminants remaining in the cleaned reaction cuvette. If determined not to reuse a previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette, the previously used and cleaned reaction cuvette is replaced with an unused new reaction cuvette.

Abstract: A method for automatically operating a sample handling system and associated analyzers to conduct assays on a number of patient samples by comparing the assays to be conducted with a set of assay defined rules, subdividing the analyzers into analyzers which are in compliance with the assay defined rules and analyzers not in compliance with the set of assay defined rules; thereafter, operating the system to supply patient samples to analyzers in compliance or operating the system so as to bring at least one analyzer into compliance with the assay defined rules and supplying patient samples to such an analyzer.