Abstract: A sample concentrating unit and a sample concentrating method are described, which enable fast, precise and reproducible analyte concentration in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent. A specifically directed gas stream in cooperation with a vacuum generated in the sample concentrating unit keeps the sample at boiling point during the entire evaporation procedure while reducing analyte loss and risk of cross-contamination. The fully automated sample concentrating unit is designed to be integrated into an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer.

Abstract: A method to localize a carrier on a laboratory transport system is presented. The laboratory transport system comprises a carrier associated with an identity, a multi-lane transport module, and a control unit. The carrier comprises a signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal comprising information about the identity. The multi-lane transport module comprises a transport surface comprising a first and a second transport lane as well as a first signal receiver and a second signal receiver each configured to receive the transmitted signal. Based on received signal strengths, the control unit localizes the carrier on one of the transport lanes of the multi-lane transport module.

Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.

Abstract: A gripping system is provided comprising: gripping fingers of a first type, gripping fingers of a second type, a gripping device for handling sample containers, wherein the gripping device comprises base portions, wherein a gripping finger of the first type and a gripping finger of the second type are releasably fixable to the base portions, and a drive, wherein the drive is adapted to move at least one of the base portions relative to the other base portions to cause a gripping or a releasing of a sample container, and a gripping finger change device, wherein the gripping finger change device is adapted to store gripping fingers of the first type and gripping fingers of the second type, and wherein the gripping finger change device is adapted to replace a gripping finger of the first type fixed to a base portion by a gripping finger of the second type.

Abstract: A method of handling laboratory sample containers is presented. The method comprises moving a laboratory sample container to a target position. The target position is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position. The laboratory sample container is prevented from moving horizontally more than a predetermined horizontal distance if inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack. The method also comprises applying a force in a horizontal direction (xy) to the laboratory sample container, determining if the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance, and performing an error procedure if it is determined that the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor assembly for an IVD analyzer, the sensor comprising two opposite substrates with at least one fluidic conduit for receiving a sample. The electrodes of different types of electrochemical sensors are arranged on the two opposite substrates facing the at least one fluidic conduit for coming in contact with the sample and determining sample parameters, wherein the counter electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed on one substrate and the working electrodes are formed on the opposite substrate. This achieves optimal sensor-working conditions in terms of a homogeneous and symmetrical electric field density and enables a sensor assembly with simpler geometry and smaller size.

Abstract: A method for checking a validity of a mass axis calibration of a mass spectrometer (MS) of an analyzer system, comprising obtaining a mass axis check sample spanning a predetermined m/z measurement range of the MS and automatically processing the sample, performing multiple full scan mode MS measurements of different types using the MS for the at least two mass axis points to obtain measurement data, wherein the different types include at least a first full scan MS measurement in a positive mode and a second measurement in a negative mode, or at least a first full scan measurement for a first mass filter and a second full scan measurement for a second mass filter; comparing the measurement data for each of the at least two mass axis points with respective reference data and determining if a condition is out of specification based on a result of the comparing steps.

Abstract: A centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment is presented. The centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment comprises at least two arms with grippers for centering diagnostics laboratory transporting compartments of different diameters. For accurate and reliable centering of laboratory transporting compartments, the two arms are biased with a single elastic member. A laboratory system and a method for centering diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment and diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A healthcare data system. The system comprises a data protection entity configured to: sign at least a portion of a routing header of a data packet with a private key held by the data protection entity, the data packet including a payload and a routing header, the payload including healthcare data and the routing header indicating an intended consumer of the data packet; and transmit the data packet on towards the intended consumer. The healthcare data system further comprises one or more data receivers, each configured to: receive the data packet; and verify the signed routing header.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the total amount and/or concentration of an analyte in the presence of a binding molecule as well as kits, compositions and uses relating thereto.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing a biological sample include a separation unit configured to separate a component from the biological sample, an ionization unit configured to generate a plurality of ions from the component, an adjustable mass-selective filtering element, a detector configured to detect ions that pass through the mass-selective filtering element, and a controller connected to the mass-selective filtering element and to the detector, where the controller is configured so that during operation of the system, the controller adjusts the mass-selective filtering element and activates the detector to measure at least three different ion signals corresponding to the plurality of ions, and determines a mass axis shift of the system based on the at least three different ion signals.

Abstract: A method for determining a vertical position of a horizontally extending interface between first and second components is presented. The first and second components are contained in a laboratory sample container in layers vertically separated from each other. The method comprises generating first data, generating second data in the form of picture data of the laboratory sample container containing the first and second components, determining a first probability distribution function in response to the first data, determining a second probability distribution function in response to the second data, and determining the vertical position of the horizontally extending interface depending on the first and second probability distribution functions. The first data depend on the vertical position of the horizontally extending interface. The first and second probability distribution functions assign a probability of the presence of the horizontally extending interface to a vertical position.

Abstract: An optical system configured for Fourier Ptychography is disclosed, comprising at least one array of light emitters, wherein each light emitter is configured for emitting at least one illumination light beam towards a sample plane; at least one lenslet array comprising a plurality of lenses, wherein each of the lenses is dedicated to at least one of the light emitters of the array of light emitters, wherein orientation and shape of the respective lens is adapted to the dedicated light emitter, wherein the lenslet array is configured for focusing the illumination light beams in the sample plane. The array of light emitters and the lenslet array are arranged such that the sample plane is illuminated by the illumination light beams under different illumination angles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically managing calibration of an in-vitro diagnostic system is provided comprising determining a lot calibration time period in which a lot calibration is applicable to reagent containers of the same lot, having a predefined time length starting from the time when the lot calibration becomes available, upon making a reagent container of the lot available to the system, determining whether a lot calibration that has not exceeded the lot calibration time period is available and linking the reagent container to the available lot calibration or most recent available lot calibration if more than one lot calibration is available, wherein if a new lot calibration for the same lot becomes available the method comprises replacing the existing link to the previous lot calibration with a link to the new lot calibration.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimising an assignment of one or more medical samples to one or more analytical tests to be conducted on those medical samples. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining an initial assignment of the one or more medical samples to the one or more analytical tests; determining a compliance status for the or each medical sample, the compliance status indicating: (i) whether a sample quality metric of the or each medical sample violates an analytical test specification of the medical sample's assigned analytical test(s) in the initial assignment and/or (ii) whether the or each medical sample is unprocessable; and performing a mitigation action if one or more compliance status indicate: (i) that the sample quality metric of a given medical sample violates the analytical test specification and/or (ii) a given medical sample is unprocessable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system, the transport device comprising a top cover having a transport surface, the transport surface being adapted to carry sample container carriers, an electromagnetic actuation assembly, the electromagnetic actuation assembly being adapted to generate a magnetic field at the transport surface for magnetic drive-interaction with a sample container carrier placed thereon, a support structure for carrying the actuation assembly, a sensor board being arranged in between the support structure and the top cover, the sensor board being adapted to detect a position of a sample container carrier placed on the transport surface with respect to the transport device, and elastic elements which are biased in between the sensor board and the support structure so that the sensor board is held flush against an inside surface of the top cover by a biasing force resulting from the biasing of the elastic elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable adapter for closing a c-shaped gap in between two modules of a laboratory system, the adjustable adapter comprising a base extending along a width direction (W) of the adjustable adapter, and a pair of legs each protruding from the base in a length direction (L) of the adjustable adapter so that the base and the legs are arranged in a c-shape of the adjustable adapter, the base being adjustable to set its dimension (D, D1, D2) along the length direction (L).

Abstract: A method of monitoring a state of a liquid chromatography (LC) stream of an automated analyzer is provided including automatically monitoring a system pressure of an injection assembly of the liquid chromatography stream to generate a time series of system pressures, classifying the time series in one of two or more predetermined classes indicating different states of the LC stream and triggering a response based on the classification result.