Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: A characterization apparatus including pattern generation. The characterization apparatus is configured to characterize a specimen and or a specimen container in some embodiments. The characterization apparatus includes an imaging location configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen, one or more image capture devices located at one or more viewpoints adjacent to the imaging location, and one or more light panel assemblies including pattern generation capability located adjacent to the imaging location and configured to provide back lighting. Methods of imaging a specimen and/or specimen container using the pattern generation are described herein, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a rack of a diagnostic robot comprising: —a container body comprising a sidewall or multiple sidewalls, a bottom and a top wherein the container body is of round, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal or polygonal cross sectional shape, —the top is provided with an opening that matches the size and form of a filter membrane/supporting body of an object carrier which is placed over the opening in the top of the container for filtration of a sample, wherein the opening exhibits a rim and —the top is provided with a top-guiding-means which matches with a corresponding object-carrier-guiding-means on or in the object carrier so that the object carrier locks with a predetermined surface faced up into a predetermined position on the top and —the container is equipped with an adapter which matches a gas outlet on the rack.

Abstract: Hydrophilic, high quantum yield, chemiluminescent acridinium compounds with increased light output, improved stability, fast light emission and decreased non specific binding are disclosed. The chemiluminescent acridinium esters possess hydrophilic, branched, electron-donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 positions of the acridinium nucleus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of enabling supervision of a laboratory environment utilizing diagnostic equipment. The method includes utilization of a device for capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the laboratory environment. The method further requires selectively capturing the optical image using the image capture device and selectively transmitting the captured image over a communications medium. The method further requires receiving the transmitted optical image by an image receiver in communication with the image transmission device via the communications medium. The method then requires selectively generating, by an image processor in communication with the image receiver, a display of at least a portion of the captured optical image on an image display device and receiving status information from the diagnostic equipment at a laboratory manager that is in communication with multitude of diagnostic equipment.

Abstract: A location based dynamic information provision system integrates operator positional awareness within a laboratory environment with a laboratory environment asset site map. At least one operator proximity metric, defining a distance threshold for establishing whether an operator within the laboratory is proximate to a respective asset, is defined for each asset. Operator detection and position is provided by an indoor positioning system. A signaling device associated with each operator is in communication with a laboratory process management platform for receiving operator information contingent upon the respective operator being within the proximity metric for a respective laboratory asset and the asset having communicated status of a given urgency to the process management platform. The signaling device may enable the operator to communicate with the process management platform and may provide a tactile or other attention attracting signal to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a container having an inner wall and at least one opening, containing a mixture containing at least one reagent, and at least one additive, a method of producing this device, and a method of extracting a substance from a sample, enriching a substance in a sample, and/or detecting a substance in a sample using the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of molecular biology and more specifically to methods for detecting anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, and devices that include calibration and/or quality control reagent(s) for monitoring the performance of blood gas, electrolyte, and/or metabolite instrumentation are disclosed. Different oxygen levels in the calibration and/or quality control reagent(s) can be generated using an oxygen scavenger. Methods of accurately measuring the oxygen levels so generated using a by-product of the oxygen scavenger are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and reagents suitable for conducing polymerase chain reaction are described. In particular, the disclosure provides probes and primers that are suitable in dynamic flux amplification procedures. In aspects, the disclosure provides long oligonucleotide probes and primers, as well as triplex forming probes and primers, which function within the narrow Tm ranges used with dynamic flux amplification. However, embodiments are also provided wherein the probes and primers taught herein can be utilized in standard PCR.

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: Compositions, devices, kits, and methods for calibrating at least one oxygen sensor in a blood gas, electrolyte, and/or metabolite instrument utilizing a calibration fluid comprising a pyrogallol oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: Methods and reagents suitable for conducing polymerase chain reaction are described. In particular, a nucleic acid amplification design strategy and thermal cycling profile to enable efficient amplification of multiple nucleic acid targets along with improved sensitivity is disclosed. The present disclosure also describes methods and devices for increasing the melting temperature (Tm) of a primer.

Abstract: There is provided a system (10) and method (100) for improving ICC and/or ISH rare cell detection by lowering background noise and providing enhanced detection of rare cells (15). In an embodiment, background noise for an ICC and/or an ISH rare cell detection assay is reduced and rare cell signaling is enhanced via feedback control. To accomplish the feedback control, an electronic control circuit (24) can direct a fluid delivery apparatus (18) to add an adjustment amount to account for fluid loss in the system (10) when fluid loss is indicated.

Abstract: A method for analyzing digital holographic microscopy (DHM) data for hematology applications includes receiving a plurality of DHM images acquired using a digital holographic microscopy system. One or more connected components are identified in each of the plurality of DHM images and one or more training white blood cell images are generated from the one or more connected components. A classifier is trained to identify a plurality of white blood cell types using the one or more training white blood cell images. The classifier may be applied to a new white blood cell image to determine a plurality of probability values, each respective probability value corresponding to one of the plurality of white blood cell types. The new white blood cell image and the plurality of probability values may then be presented in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to devices, systems and methods that enable the quick and reliable detection of hemolysis in a sample such that a sample which exhibits an unacceptable level of hemolysis can be flagged or disregarded in an associated diagnostic test.

Abstract: The invention, depending on aspect and embodiment, relates to capture probe controls, and capture and signal probe configurations and combinations of configurations that can facilitate accurate and efficient multiplex analyte detection, especially in electrochemical detection schemes.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a test strip with a first planar substrate has coplanar electrodes on a first planar surface and a second planar substrate (which opposes the first surface of the first planar substrate) has coplanar electrodes on a second planar surface. The first planar surface of the first planar substrate having a first sensing area electrically connected to a first electrical contact. The second planar surface of the second planar substrate having a second electrical contact electrically connected to the first electrical contact via a conductive element, the conductive element extending between the first surface of the first planar substrate and the second surface of the second planar substrate without passing through the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, or any intermediate layers.

Abstract: Maintenance carriers can include one or more tools to perform a maintenance operation. These carriers may include removable cartridges that include the tool or consumables, such as a cleaning fluid, compressed gas, or disposable items. Maintenance carriers can also be configured to move along with other carrier traffic in the automation system and may be selectively deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a specimen and/or specimen container. The characterization apparatus includes an imaging location configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen, a light source configured to provide lighting of the imaging location, and a hyperspectral image capture device. The hyperspectral image capture device is configured to generate and capture a spectrally-resolved image of a small portion of the specimen container and specimen at a spectral image capture device. The spectrally-resolved image data received at the spectral image capture device is processed by a computer to determine at least one of: segmentation of at least one of the specimen and/or specimen container, and determination of a presence or absence of an interferent, such as hemolysis, icterus, or lipemia. Methods of imaging a specimen and/or specimen container, and specimen testing apparatus including a characterization apparatus are described, as are other aspects.