Abstract: A composition of a bilimbin stock and a method of preparation are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the composition includes a base solution. The composition further includes a carbonate salt. Additionally, the composition includes bilimbin. Furthermore, the composition includes human serum albumin.

Abstract: Compositions and articles comprising diamond particles, such as nanodiamond based pharmaceutical compositions, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the articles and methods comprising (nano)diamond particles may be useful for monitoring and/or treating a disease (e.g., in a subject).

Abstract: An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a lightweight wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a reusable monitor recorder that removably snaps into a receptacle on the electrode patch. The wearable monitor sits centrally (in the midline) on the patient's chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline, with its unique narrow “hourglass”-like shape, significantly improves the ability of the wearable monitor to cutaneously sense cardiac electrical potential signals, particularly the P-wave and, to a lesser extent, the QRS interval signals indicating ventricular activity in the ECG waveforms. Additionally, the monitor recorder includes an ECG sensing circuit that measures raw cutaneous electrical signals and performs signal processing prior to outputting the processed signals for sampling and storage.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: A self-authenticating electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor is provided. An electrode patch includes an elongated strip and electrodes exposed on each end. A receptacle is adhered to the elongated strip and includes electrical pads. Circuit traces are electrically coupled to the electrocardiographic electrodes and the electrical pads. A monitor recorder having a sealed housing is adapted to be secured into the receptacle. Circuitry within the housing includes a microcontroller with a private key. A copy of the private key is stored on the patch. Self-authentication is performed each time the monitor recorder is inserted into a new patch by challenging the patch using a code hashed with the private key and by receiving a response from the patch in reply to the challenge. A front end circuit senses electrocardiographic signals via electrodes on the patch when the response received by the microcontroller is positive, until the electrode patch expires.

Abstract: A system and method for neural-network-based atrial fibrillation detection with the aid of a digital computer are provided. Electrocardiography (ECG) features and annotated patterns of the features are maintained in a database, at least some of the patterns associated with atrial fibrillation. A classifier is trained based on the annotated patterns, the classifier implemented by a convolutional neural network. A representation of an ECG signal recorded by one or more ambulatory monitors is received. ECG features in the representation falling within each of the temporal windows are detected. The trained classifier is used to identify patterns of the ECG features. At least one matrix with weights for the patterns are generated. A value indicative of whether portions of the representation are associated the patient experiencing atrial fibrillation is calculated. That one or more of the portions are associated with the patient experiencing atrial fibrillation is determined.

Abstract: An extended wear electrocardiography patch is provided. An integrated flexible circuit includes a single piece of material and has an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. A mirror image of the upper end extends from at least a portion of one side of the upper end and folds over the upper end. One circuit trace is positioned on the upper end and one circuit trace is positioned on the lower end. Electrical pads are located on a contact surface of the upper end and on an outward facing surface of the mirror image of the upper end. An electrocardiographic electrode is positioned on the contact surface of the upper end and another electrocardiographic electrode is positioned on a contact surface of the lower end. A battery is directly adhered to the outward facing surface of the mirror image of the upper end.

Abstract: Long-term electrocardiographic and physiological monitoring over a period lasting up to several years in duration can be provided through a continuously-recording subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). The sensing circuitry and the physical layout of the electrodes are specifically optimized to capture electrical signals from the propagation of low amplitude, relatively low frequency content cardiac action potentials, particularly the P-waves that are generated during atrial activation. In general, the ICM is intended to be implanted centrally and positioned axially and slightly to either the left or right of the sternal midline in the parasternal region of the chest. Additionally, the ICM includes an ECG sensing circuit that measures raw cutaneous electrical signals and performs signal processing prior to outputting the processed signals for sampling and storage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory encoding monitor recorder optimized for rescalable encoding and a method of use are provided. The monitor recorder includes a memory configured to store a plurality of codes and a plurality of electrocardiographic values associated with each of the codes; and a micro-processor configured to obtain electrocardiographic values during a sequence of temporal windows and to process the electrocardiographic values within each of the windows, the processing including: perform a mathematical operation on two of the electrocardiographic values; analyze a result of each of the mathematical operations; based on the analysis, adjust the plurality of the electrocardiographic values associated with each of the codes; encode each of the electrocardiography values within that window with one of the codes based on the adjusted plurality of the electrocardiographic values associated with that code; and write each of the codes into a sequence in the memory.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a cardiac rhythm disorder diagnosis based on subcutaneous cardiac monitoring data with the aid of a digital computer are provided. Cutaneous action potentials of a patient are recorded as electrocardiogram (EGC) data over a set time period using a subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor. A set of R-wave peaks is identified within the ECG data and an R-R interval plot is constructed. A difference between recording times of successive pairs of the R-wave peaks in the set is determined. A heart rate associated with each difference is also determined. The pairs of the R-wave peaks and associated heart rate are plotted as the R-R interval plot. A diagnosis of cardiac disorder is facilitated based on patterns of the plotted pairs of the R-wave peaks and the associated heart rates in the R-R interval plot.

Abstract: A subcutaneous electrocardiography monitor configured for self-optimizing ECG data compression is provided. ECG waveform characteristics are rarely identical in patients with cardiac disease making this innovation crucial for the long-term data storage and analysis of complex cardiac rhythm disorders. The monitor includes a memory and a micro-controller operable to execute under a micro-programmable control and configured to: obtain a series of electrode voltage values; select one or more of a plurality of compression algorithms for compressing the electrode voltage series; apply one or more of the selected compression algorithms to the electrode voltage series; evaluate a degree of compression of the electrode voltage series achieved using the application of the selected algorithms; apply one or more of the compression algorithms to the compressed electrode voltage series upon the degree of compression not meeting a predefined threshold; and store the compressed electrode voltage series within the memory.

Abstract: An ambulatory electrocardiography monitor is provided. The monitor includes a housing adapted to couple to a monitoring patch that includes electrocardiographic electrodes; and electronic circuitry provided within the housing. The electronic circuitry includes an electrocardiographic front end circuit; the microcontroller configured to: execute a power up sequence upon the housing coupling to the patch; after the execution of the power-up sequence, retrieve from the monitoring patch an identifier associated with the patch and a password for accessing results of a physiological monitoring conducted using the patch; read samples of the electrocardiographic signals, buffer the samples of the electrocardiographic signals, compress the buffered samples of the electrocardiographic signals, buffer the compressed samples of the electrocardiographic signals, and write-the buffered samples into a memory in association with the password and the identifier; and the memory electrically interfaced with the microcontroller.

Abstract: An electrocardiography patch is provided. The patch includes a backing and at least two electrocardiographic electrodes each positioned on the backing, across from another of the electrocardiographic electrodes, 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 a portion of the electrocardiographic signals.

Abstract: A tube frame apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the tube frame apparatus has a body having a top surface and a plurality of apertures formed in rows therein, the apertures configured to receive strips of tubes, and locking tabs projecting from the top surface that are configured to engage with the strips of tubes. Flanges of the tubes, or optionally connector strips between the tubes, can be engaged by the locking tabs. Tube frame assemblies and methods of holding strips of tubes in tube frame apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to detect the presence of bacteria and small microorganisms, and to identify various microbial attributes rapidly.

Abstract: An optimization method of a diagnostic laboratory system. The method includes receiving, at a system controller, computer-readable data comprising an inventory of a plurality of analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and types of tests and numbers of the tests to be performed on samples by the diagnostic laboratory system over a planning period; and determining, via a reagent pack optimization module executing on the system controller, a reagent pack loading plan over the planning period. Diagnostic laboratory systems are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A magnesium sensing membrane is disclosed for use in a potentiometric ion selective microelectrode that exhibits an increased lower detection limit. Potentiometric ion selective microelectrodes containing said magnesium sensing membranes are also disclosed. Kits containing the microelectrodes are also disclosed, along with methods of production and use of the magnesium sensing membranes and/or potentiometric ion selective microelectrodes.

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 status visualization method of a diagnostic laboratory system. The status visualization method includes receiving, at a system controller, computer-readable data comprising analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and test demand for types of tests and number of the tests to be performed on samples by the analyzers, wherein the analyzers each include consumable items and maintenance items. The method further includes determining, via a walk-away time estimation module executing on the system controller, an estimated walk-away time for the analyzers based upon the test demand and status of the consumable items and maintenance items. Diagnostic laboratory systems with walk-away time estimation are disclosed, as are other aspects.