Abstract: A fluid analyzer for analyzing fluid samples comprising one or more analytes and a method of calibrating such. The fluid analyzer includes a control system to control at least one automated valve to pass at least three calibration reagents through a fluid channel to a secondary ion selective electrode, a primary ion selective electrode, and a reference electrode, and determine calibration information using calibration logic from signals generated by a meter, control the at least one automated valve to selectively pass different subsets of the at least three calibration reagents through the fluid channel to the secondary ion selective electrode, the primary ion selective electrode, and the reference electrode, and determine re-calibration information using the signals generated by the meter and at least one of the calibration information and re-calibration logic.

Abstract: An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

Abstract: Absorbance spectroscopy methods and systems are disclosed including a spectroscopy analyzer, comprising: an optical element device positioned to receive an analysis light that passes through a sample of a fluid specimen from an illumination unit, the analysis light including first light in a first light range and second light in a second light range different than the first light range, the optical element device comprising: a housing assembly that defines an internal space; and a dichroic mirror-reflector within the internal space positioned to receive the analysis light, the dichroic mirror-reflector configured to filter the analysis light such that a first portion of the analysis light in the first light range is reflected off the dichroic mirror-reflector as a spectrometer light, and such that a second portion of the analysis light in the second light range passes through the dichroic mirror-reflector as a detector light.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a serum or plasma portion of a specimen in a specimen container includes capturing a plurality of images of the specimen container from multiple viewpoints, stacking the multiple viewpoint images along a channel dimension into a single stacked input, and processing the stacked input with a single deep convolutional neural network (SDNN). The SDNN includes a segmentation convolutional neural network that receives the stacked input and outputs multiple label maps simultaneously. The SDNN also includes a classification convolutional neural network that processes the multiple label maps and outputs an HILN determination (Hemolysis, Icterus, and/or Lipemia, or Normal) of the serum or plasma portion of the specimen. Quality check modules and testing apparatus configured to carry out the method are also described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods of visualizing performance of a diagnostic laboratory system are provided. The methods include displaying on a display, an image representing a layout of a plurality of laboratory analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and overlaying the image with a dynamically-changeable color overlay that indicates a performance for the plurality of laboratory analyzers over a period of time via using changeable colors. Systems including color-changeable overlays are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A system for determining a staining score of portions of dyeable epithelia within the ocular surface of a subject includes a portable computing device with a camera, a display, a memory, and a processor configured to execute a staining score application. An illumination/optics device with a light source and optics is configured to receive an image of the ocular surface. The illumination/optics device may be removably attached to the portable computing device. The staining score application includes an alignment module, an image acquisition module, and a staining scoring module.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine infusion system (10) may be used to generate and infuse radioactive liquid into a patient undergoing a diagnostic imaging procedure. In some examples, the infusion system includes a frame (30) that carries a radioisotope generator (52) that generates radioactive eluate via elution. The frame may also carry a beta detector (58) and a gamma detector (60). The beta detector can be positioned to measure beta emissions emitted from the radioactive eluate supplied by the generator. The gamma detector can be positioned to measure gamma emissions emitted from a portion of the radioactive eluate to evaluate a safety of the radioactive eluate delivered by the infusion system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and processes that may be used to increase the signal of a target-specific reporter molecule (such as a probe) by covalently attaching plural copies of a fluorophore to a target-reporter duplex that are excited by iFRET (induced fluorescence resonance energy transfer) from donor fluorescence of a double-stranded DNA-binding dye bound to the double-stranded DNA structure created by hybridization of reporter and target during an amplification reaction. In one illustrative example, a double-stranded DNA-binding dye is provided in solution and during amplification and/or after completion of amplification, the dye binds to the probe-target duplex, and provides fluorescence resonance energy transfer to multiple acceptor fluorophores that are covalently attached to the duplex.

Abstract: A method for positioning a portable multispectral imaging device within a target distance range relative to a surface for imaging a region of interest (ROI) of the surface. The method generally involves determining a distance between the portable multispectral imaging device and the ROI of the surface determining whether the distance is within the target distance range generating a signal indicating to a user that the portable multispectral imaging device is not within the target distance range and providing instructions to the user to guide that the user for repositioning the portable multispectral imaging device; and triggering an image capturing sequence when the portable multispectral imaging device is within the target distance range. A method for calibrating a light source unit of the portable multispectral imaging device and a portable multispectral imaging device are also described.

Abstract: An embodiment is a sample rack system. The sample rack system comprises a rack having a base, a top opposite the base along a vertical direction, a receptacle that extends from the top toward the base along the vertical direction, and a receiver element proximate the top. The receptacle is sized to receive a sample collection unit. The system also includes a retention clip for holding the sample collection unit in the receptacle. The retention clip includes an engagement head for attachment to the receiver element of the rack. The engagement head defines an outer surface. The retention clip also includes a curved tail that extends from the engagement head and contacts the sample collection unit when the sample collection unit is placed in the receptacle. The outer surface of the retention clip does not project outwardly from the rack when the retention clip is attached to the rack.

Abstract: There is provided a chloride selective membrane including an epoxide-based matrix reacted with a stoichiometric amount of an amino compound and an activator such that the epoxide-based matrix comprises a number of quaternary ammonium groups.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a device for calibrating the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more light sources, at least one image acquisition device for acquiring images; and a device. The device comprises a processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit. The memory comprising a calibration module configured to obtain a value of current flowing through each of one or more light sources in real-time, compare the value of current flowing through each of the one or more light sources with a predefined threshold current value, and calibrate color gain value associated with at least one image acquisition device, if the determined value of current for each of the one or more light sources is above the predefined threshold current value.

Abstract: A method of detecting a level of a liquid in a well of a container. The method includes looking up an expected liquid level of the liquid in the well of a container; measuring and recording a measured liquid level of the liquid in the well; changing a level of the liquid in the well based upon an expected amount of the liquid to be added or removed; and calculating a next expected liquid level at least in part based on multi-point filtering. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining an efficacy of a therapeutic agent. A method for determining an efficacy of a therapeutic agent for a target disease can include measuring a molecular structure of a biological tissue of an animal at a first time and at a second time using a non-invasive biological tissue characterization technique. The method can further include observing a change of the molecular structure of the biological tissue between the first time and the second time, and determining the efficacy of the therapeutic agent based on the observed change in the molecular structure of the biological tissue. Before the first time, or between the first time and the second time, the animal received the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Methods of troubleshooting non-event malfunctions. The methods include providing a database including pre-populated non-event issues and associated corrective actions, inputting search criteria regarding a particular non-event issue via entry of a search string at the user interface, parsing and normalizing the search string into a meta-data schema to produce a normalized search string, searching the database with the normalized search string to generate a listing of one or more particular corrective actions, and receiving the listing of one or more particular corrective actions that are associated with the normalized search string. Apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to both a method and apparatus for the creation of full resolution color digital images of diagnostic cassettes or objects of interest using a gray-scale digital camera or sensor combined with time sequential illumination using additive primary colors followed by post exposure digital processing. Such procedures and equipment is of significant economic value when employed in situations such as diagnostic clinical analyzers where space is limited and image quality requirements are high.

Abstract: Multi-use biosensors are disclosed that include enzymes that have been modified to reduce the solubility thereof; the multi-use biosensors are used to detect analytes in fluidic biological samples, and the biosensors also maintain their enzyme activity after many uses. Multi-sensor arrays are disclosed that include multiple biosensors. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using these devices.

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The media may comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, nitrofurantoin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella and/or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are provided.

Abstract: An embodiment is a sample analysis system for analyzing a sample that includes at least one test device for analyzing the sample. The system also includes a rack handler operable to move a sample from a first location to a second location along a travel path. The rack handler has a rotation assembly including a) an engagement element for engagement with the sample rack, and b) a motor coupled to the engagement element and is operable to cause rotation of the engagement element. The rotation assembly rotates the sample rack from a first orientation into a second orientation along the travel path when the engagement element engages the sample rack.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. A strip has first and second end sections, and a first surface and second surface. Two electrocardiographic electrodes are provided on the strip with one of the electrocardiographic electrodes provided on the first surface of the first end section of the strip and another of the electrocardiographic electrodes positioned on the first surface on the second end section of the strip. A flexible circuit is mounted to the second surface of the strip and includes a circuit trace electrically coupled to each of the electrocardiographic electrodes. A wireless transceiver is affixed on one of the first or second end sections, and a battery is positioned on one of the first or second end sections. A processor is positioned on one of the first or second end sections and is housed separate from the battery.