Abstract: A quality check module for characterizing a specimen and/or a specimen container. The quality check module includes an imaging location within the quality check module configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen, one or more cameras located at one or more viewpoints adjacent to the imaging location, and one or more spectrally-switchable light source including a light panel assembly located adjacent the imaging location and configured to provide lighting for the one or more cameras, the spectrally-switchable light source configured to be operatively switchable between multiple different spectra. Methods of imaging a specimen and/or specimen container and specimen, and specimen testing apparatus including a quality check module adapted to carry out the method are described herein, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heteroaromatic silicon fluoride compounds as radiopharmaceuticals with theranostic properties are described. The theranostic heteroaromatic silicon fluoride compounds can be conjugated with various disease binding ligands and/or chelators for imaging and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to control chamber pressure during pipette rinsing having lower pressure recovery time. Pressure control apparatus includes pipettes to dispense liquid, a manifold chamber to supply liquid to the pipettes, a flow control valve in each flow path, a pump to supply the liquid, a pressure sensor to provide measured pressure, and a flow controller, which in a calibration mode, decreases a pump drive setting if measured pressure is high, increases the setting if measured pressure is low, and stores the pump drive setting for the individual combined operational state if the pressure is within predetermined pressure threshold limits, or in a testing mode, determines if the measured pressure is within the threshold limits for a previously-commanded state combination, and adjusts the pump drive setting if not within the threshold limits for a next time. Methods for operating pressure control apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An infusion system (10) including a radioisotope generator (52) that generates a radioactive eluate via an elution, an activity detector (58) configured to measure an activity of a first radioisotope in the radioactive eluate generated by the radioisotope generator, and a controller (80). The controller can track a cumulative volume of radioactive eluate generated by the radioisotope generator and also track the activity of the first radioisotope in the radioactive eluate generated by the radioisotope generator. The controller can determine a predicted volume of the radioactive eluate generated by the radioisotope generator at which the activity of the first radioisotope in the radioactive eluate will reach a threshold based on the tracked cumulative volume of the radioactive eluate and the tracked activity of the first radioisotope. This information can be useful for proactively removing the radioisotope generator from service and/or replacing the radioisotope generator with a fresh generator.

Abstract: A reagent strip is described. The reagent strip includes a substrate and at least one reagent pad positioned on the substrate. The substrate has a storage unit storing an authentication code. The authentication code has a lot value and a secondary value related to the lot value by a predetermined function assigned to the lot value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method and products for the selective enrichment of one population of DNA in a mixed sample comprising multiple populations of DNA. In some embodiments, the mixed sample comprises one or more populations of microbial DNA and the mammalian host DNA, particularly including pathogenic microbial DNA mixed with mammalian host DNA in a clinical sample from an infected individual.

Abstract: A system is for infectious disease notification. The system includes at least one processor, configured to use a machine learning monitoring algorithm, trained on a large number of EMR datasets of patients, to calculate a probability for an infectious disease from a provided EMR dataset and compare the probability of the provided EMR dataset calculated with a known value. In training of the monitoring algorithm, the value represents whether there was an onset of an infectious disease or not and the monitoring algorithm is designed to adjust parameters of the monitoring algorithm. And in evaluating a notification, the value is a threshold value and the system is designed to output a notification upon the probability being greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a fitting for tubing connection, a male fitting assembly, and a torque adaptor. The fitting for tubing connection includes a head including a plurality of first gripping portions, each first gripping portion extending from a top of the head; and a shaft attached to the head, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of external threads.

Abstract: A sensor array is disclosed. The sensor array includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow path extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and at least one optimization sensor positioned outside of the flow path of the sensor array and configured to provide at least one performance parameter of the sensor array. The at least one performance parameter having performance data of the sensor array.

Abstract: The invention provides an advanced, modular, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) system, referred to as a “NeuroNet-VII” System, which is the first IONM system designed with a USB hub architecture comprising serially-connected functional “pods which provides multi-modality simultaneous data acquisition which supports all data types useful in operating rooms, diagnostic laboratories, intensive care units, and epilepsy monitoring units. The unique pod architecture makes the IONM system highly modular compared to current systems which typically place components in a limited number of centralized enclosures.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an optimization-based load planning module including a data-reduction scheme for analyzers of bio-fluid samples. The optimization-based load planning module is executable on a computer server and is configured to optimize assay type assignments across a large number of analyzers based on one or more objectives, such as: load balancing, efficient reagent usage, reduced turn-around-time, reduced quality assurance costs, and/ or improved system robustness. The optimization-based load planning module uses a data-reduction scheme to generate a load plan comprising computer-executable instructions configured to cause a system controller of a diagnostic laboratory system to assign each of the requested test types to be performed over the planning period to one or more selected analyzers in accordance with the one or more preferences or priorities. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: A fully autonomous system is used to diagnose an ear infection in a patient. For example, a processor receives patient data about a patient, the patient data comprising at least one of: patient history from medical records for the patient, one or more vitals measurements of the patient, and answers from the patient about the patient's condition. The processor receives a set of biomarker features extracted from measurement data taken from an ear of the patient. The processor synthesizes the patient data and the biomarker features into input data, and applies the synthesized input data to a trained diagnostic model, the diagnostic model comprising a machine learning model configured to output a probability-based diagnosis of an ear infection from the synthesized input data. The processor outputs the determined diagnosis from the diagnostic model. A service may then determine a therapy for the patient based on the determined diagnosis.

Abstract: A device receives an input image of a portion of a patient's body, and applies the input image to a feature extraction model, the feature extraction model comprising a trained machine learning model that is configured to generate an output that comprises, for each respective location of a plurality of locations in the input image, an indication that the input image contains an object of interest that is indicative of a presence of a disease state at the respective location. The device applies the output of the feature extraction model to a diagnostic model, the diagnostic model comprising a trained machine learning model that is configured to output a diagnosis of a disease condition in the patient based on the output of the feature extraction model. The device outputs the determined diagnosis of a disease condition in the patient obtained from the diagnostic model.

Abstract: Methods of controlling diagnostic laboratory systems include providing one or more modules, each of the one or more modules configured to process a specimen container and/or analyze a specimen; providing middleware configured to communicate with the one or more modules, wherein the middleware is configured to generate instructions to change an operational state of at least one of the one or more modules to enabled or disabled; generating, by the middleware, one or more instructions to change the operational state of at least one of the one or more modules; and changing the operational state of at least one of the one or more modules in response to one or more instructions generated by the middleware. Systems including a middleware server configured to carry out the methods are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A reagent analyzer comprising an imaging system having a first field of view of a reagent test device and a second field of view of a fluid sample information indicator, and configured to capture a first image depicting the reagent test device and a second image depicting the information indicator; a mirror moveable between a first position outside the first field of view and a second position inside the first field of view and located between the imaging system and the reagent test device, the mirror in the second position reflecting light to produce the second field of view; and a processor executing instructions to: receive the first and second images; analyze the first image to determine calibration information from the information indicator; and analyze the second image to determine constituent presence/absence in the fluid sample applied to the reagent test device, using, in part, the determined calibration information.

Abstract: Methods of visualizing sample status within a diagnostic laboratory system are provided. The methods include displaying on a display screen, a visual image representing a layout of a plurality of laboratory analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and further to display on the visual image, for a particular selected sample scheduled for testing, status indicators located proximate to the visual images of the analyzers on which the tests are scheduled. The status indicators denote: the testing is completed on one or more analyzers (processed), the testing is currently being conducted on one or more analyzers (current), or the testing has not yet been received on the one or more analyzers (to do). Systems including such sample status indicators are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high molecular weight heparin (HMWH) compound is disclosed. The method comprises dissolving heparin to form a heparin solution and fractionating the heparin solution via tangential flow filtration (TFF) using a membrane with a molecular weight cut off (MWCO) between about 8 kDa and about 12 kDa. The TFF yields a retentate comprising fractionated heparin with a weight average molecular weight of about 20 kDa or greater, i.e., a high molecular weight heparin compound. A substantial proportion of heparin chains in the fractionated heparin may have a high molecular weight, e.g., 50% of the heparin chains or greater may have a molecular weight of 20 kDa or greater.

Abstract: A reagent analyzer having a circuit board, an imaging system and a processor is disclosed. The circuit board has a substrate, and a plurality of conductive leads. The substrate has a first and a second major surface. The first major surface is opposite the second major surface. The substrate has an opening extending between the first major surface and the second major surface. The reagent analyzer also includes an imaging system having a field of view extending through the opening formed in the substrate and configured to capture an image of a wet reagent test device positioned at a read position in the field of view, the image having a plurality of pixels. The processor is configured to receive the image, and to analyze pixels of the image to determine a presence or an absence of a target constituent being in a sample applied to the wet reagent pad.

Abstract: A processing unit for automated preparation of biological samples included in specimen tubes is described herein. The processing unit includes a removable sample preparation component configured to receive specimen tubes, read identifiers associated with the biological samples contained in the specimen tubes, mix reagents included in the specimen tubes, and transfer the specimen tubes to at least one of a centrifuge or a storage compartment. The processing unit further includes a centrifuge loader for automatic loading and unloading of the specimen tubes onto a centrifuge. The automated centrifuge loader includes a magnetic brake that can stop the centrifuge rotor at a precise position to facilitate loading and unloading of a specimen tube. The centrifuge includes a swing bucket designed to pivot around an axis and slide vertically to enable moving the bucket to a position in which the swing bucket can engage with the port where the specimen tube resides.

Abstract: Disclosed are internal electrolyte layers for ion selective electrodes, wherein the internal electrolyte layers contain carbon paste doped with a metal salt. Also disclosed are ion selective electrodes and sensor array assemblies containing the internal electrolyte layers. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the internal electrolyte layers, ion selective electrodes, and sensor array assemblies.