Abstract: A reagent analyzer and method is described. In the method, a reagent card having a reagent pad is passed through an optical signal path between an optical signal source and an optical signal detector. A transition between a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal is detected to determine a substantially exact position of a leading end or a trailing end of the reagent pad. The first electrical signal is indicative of the substrate interfering with the optical signal. The second electrical signal is indicative of the substrate and reagent pad of the reagent card interfering with the optical signal. The reagent pad is moved to a known second location upon determining the substantially exact position of at least one of the leading end and the trailing end of the reagent pad. At the second location a sample is dispensed onto the reagent pad by a sample dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a covalently-linked multilayered three-dimensional matrix comprising capture molecules, linkers and spacers (referred to as a Molecular Net) for specific and sensitive analyte capture from a sample. Also disclosed herein is a Molecular Net comprising covalently-linked multilayered three-dimensional matrix comprising more than one type of capture molecule and more than one type of linker and may comprise one or more spacer for specific and sensitive capture of more than one type of analyte from a sample. A Molecular Net may comprise a pseudorandom nature. Use of various capture molecules, linkers and spacers in a Molecular Net may confer unique binding properties to a Molecular Net. Porosity, binding affinity, size exclusion abilities, filtration abilities, concentration abilities and signal amplification abilities of a Molecular Net may be varied and depend on the nature of components used in its fabrication.

Abstract: A health pass system for COVID-19 is provided. The system includes a database including information on a plurality of individuals. The database is configured to receive point-of-care data relating to the plurality of individuals, the point-of-care data including at least one medical test result for COVID-19 antibodies for at least one of the plurality of individuals. The system includes a processing device configured to analyze the point-of-care data and generate a report. The system includes means for transmitting the report to a mobile electronic device of at least one of the plurality of individuals. The system includes means for displaying the report with a user interface of the mobile electronic device in the form of a real-time health certification.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a sensor assembly which contains a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate which respectively support opposing sensor arrays and contains an integrated flow path extending between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch is provided. The remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch includes a backing formed of a strip of material and an electrocardiographic electrode on each end of the backing to capture electrocardiographic signals. A flexible circuit includes a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the electrocardiographic electrodes. A wireless transceiver communicates at least one of the electrocardiographic signals and other physiological measures with one or more of a physiology and activity sensor, communication device, server, and personal computer.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent androstenedione conjugates are disclosed. These chemiluminescent androstenedione conjugates may be used as chemiluminescent tracers in immunoassays for the quantification and identification of certain analytes.

Abstract: Windows corresponding to independent applications in a windowed computing environment can be linked to have unified behavior. A host application can monitor window activity to determine if windows are intended to be grouped. Commands applied to one or more windows in a group are applied to at least some other windows in the group. Windows can be grouped or ungrouped according to various criteria including a priori configuration or user action. The window grouping permits a unified user interface behavior to be established for two or more independent applications.

Abstract: A device for the detection of a target analyte in solution is provided. The device comprises a gate-keeper membrane made of a substrate having a first receptor surface for exposure to the target analyte and a second opposing surface exposed to a detector, wherein the substrate is adapted to incorporate pores sufficient to permit passage of a reporter through the membrane from exposure to the first receptor surface to the second opposing surface; one or more receptors anchored on the first surface of the substrate which bind with the target analyte, wherein binding of the receptor with the target analyte alters the passage of the reporter through the pores of the membrane; and one or more detectors which interact with reporter that passes through the membrane and emits a detectable signal that permits quantification of reporter in the detection reservoir.

Abstract: A depth-sensitive system for monitoring for and detecting a predefined condition at a specific location within a visually monitored portion of an area. Plural depth-sensitive cameras are oriented with respect to the area whereby each camera has a field of view within the area that at least partially overlaps with the field of view of another of the plural cameras. The combined field of view encompasses all portions of interest of the area. A system for providing a notification of the visual detection of a predefined condition at a particular location or set of locations within an area of interest is provided, as is a system for generating a visual representation of human activity at one or more specific locations within an area of interest.

Abstract: A magnesium sensing membrane is disclosed for use in a potentiometric ion selective electrode that exhibits improved stability upon exposure to surfactant-containing reagents. Kits containing same are disclosed, along with methods of production and use of the magnesium sensing membrane.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for determining the clinical significance of a genetic variant. The methods entail determining, for the variant, (a) a function score based on known impact of the variant on a biological function of a cell or protein, (b) a frequency score based on the frequency of the variant in a population, (c) a co-occurrence score based on how the variant co-occurs with a reference variant having known clinical significance relating to a clinical disease or condition, and (d) a family segregation score based on how the variant segregates with a disease or condition in a family; and aggregating, on a computer, the function score, the frequency score, the co-occurrence score, the family segregation score to generate a clinical significance score indicating the clinical significance of the genetic variant.

Abstract: A biological liquid collection vessel is adapted to contain a biological liquid to be centrifuged. The collection vessel has a vessel body having an open upper end and a closed lower end, a continuous wall, a target area at the upper end, and a solids area at the lower end that is connected to the target area. The target area is extended in length. In some embodiments, a volume capacity of both of the target area and the solids area are configured so that a red blood cell portion of the centrifuged biological liquid (e.g., blood) is substantially contained in the solids area, and the serum or plasma portion of the centrifuged biological liquid is substantially contained in the target area. Methods of and systems using the liquid collection vessels are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A cup used to receive, hold, measure and pour liquids, such a specimens, such as for a medical assay, is described. The cup comprises an open receiving upper chamber, two or more open sample-directing channels, and an open, calibrated and marked measuring column. When sitting on a level surface, fluid flows freely from the upper chamber through the sample-directing channels into the measuring column. A foot is under each fluid-directing channel. The base of the measuring column functions as an additional, such as a third, foot. Cups nest, with the two feet of the upper cup sitting into two sample-directing columns of lower cup. The measuring column and upper chamber taper to permit nesting. If the cup is tipped, it rests on two of three of: the two feet and the base of the measuring column, and a point on a lower perimeter of the upper chamber, such that fluid will not spill.

Abstract: A device and method for separating serum or plasma from blood cells in a whole blood specimen. The present invention uses a cap with a reservoir, such that blood cells are packed into the cap when the specimen container is centrifuged. When the cap is removed, the blood cells are also removed, and the serum or plasma is left in the specimen tube where it can be readily extracted by a pipette which is able to reach all the way to the bottom of the specimen tube minimizing the dead volume.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus controlling change-out inventory of an automated analyzer apparatus. The inventory control methods include receiving change-out inventory status from automated analyzer apparatus at a server, receiving an estimate of the planned workload over a specific time period at the server, analyzing with a decisioning module of the server first data of the change-out inventory status and second data of the planned workload over the specified time period, and producing a work plan itinerary as an output from the decisioning module. The work plan itinerary provides sequence instructions or commands for an operator (person and/or robotic mechanism) to follow for changing out of change-out inventory items. Inventory control apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining sensor-generated data in a diagnostic laboratory apparatus including one or more producers of data that include a sensor, a local communications network communicatively coupling the producers to a data router configured to translate data received from producers of data into a common format record, the common format including key-value pairs, and at least one subscriber that registers one or more channel-based subscriptions with the data router. Records remain in storage by the data router until to the subscriber acknowledges successful receipt, after which the data router manages its storage resources to provide storage for newer sensor-generated data. The data router is configured to install plug-ins as needed to translate data formats of newly-integrated producers with new formats.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for publisher-independent auxiliary communications in data router-mediated publisher/subscriber transmission architectures provide faster processing of actionable information by subscribers and increased flexibility to add publishers to a system. Publisher-originated information in a publisher-specific format is used by either the publisher, or a data router coupled to the publisher, to generate information, based on the publisher-originated information, in a publisher-independent format recognized by subscribers, and provided by the data router to subscribers. Publishers may include analyzers such as blood, immuno-assay, and clinical chemistry analyzers, IoT devices, and automation systems.

Abstract: Clinical analyzers including cuvette loading assemblies are described. A clinical analyzer includes a first location and a second location. A chute extends between the first location and the second location, wherein the chute is configured to enable cuvettes to slide from the first location to the second location. The clinical analyzer includes a loading assembly including two gates, each moveable between a first position where cuvettes are enabled to slide along the chute and a second position where cuvettes are blocked from sliding along the chute. Methods of transporting cuvettes in a clinical analyzer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hierarchical model for detecting colorectal tumors and an application thereof, wherein the model grades the change of an imprinted gene in a colorectal tumor by means of calculating the defect expression amount of the imprinted gene, copy number variation expression amount of the imprinted gene and total expression amount of the imprinted gene. The described detection model and device visually express the performance of imprinting defect in the tissue and cell samples of a colorectal tumor patient, and detect the change in an imprinted gene objectively, visually, early and accurately by means of the method of in situ labeling for the imprinted gene. In addition, the detection model and device may provide quantitative models, which makes a significant contribution to the diagnosis of colorectal tumors.