Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system having a plurality of sample containers; a plurality of laboratory devices to handle the sample containers, the sample containers being assigned for handling to the target device; and a control device configured to control assignment of the sample containers to the target devices; and assigning the sample containers. The assigning comprises: determining a target device workload state for each target device, the workload state being between a first range limit and a second range limit, and determined according to a metric being proportional to a resource target device state indicative of sample containers assigned to the target device, and a power of an output flow of the target device, assigning the sample containers to the target devices according to the target device workload states; and providing sample containers to the plurality of target devices. Furthermore, a laboratory system is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for operating a sorter device in an IVD laboratory system, the method comprising providing a sorter device in an IVD laboratory system provided with a system operation controller, the sorter device having a plurality of sample container racks each provided with reception holes for receiving sample containers, a handling device configured to pick sample containers from and place sample containers in the reception holes of the sample container racks, a sorter device controller configured to control operation of the sorter device and connectable to the system operation controller, and an output device functionally connected to the sorter device controller and configured to output at least one of audio data and video data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides the sequence of a Paenibacillus polymyxa preproenzyme which is the precursor of a neutral protease, expression thereof in a transformed host organism, and methods for production of the neutral protease, by recombinant means. Further, use of the recombinantly produced neutral protease is disclosed in the field of cell biology, particularly for the purpose of tissue dissociation. The disclosure also includes blends with other proteases. Further disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding the neutral protease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant reverse transcriptase (RT) with increased thermal stability relative to the wildtype, a nucleic acid encoding the mutant RT, a cell comprising the mutant RT or the nucleic acid, a kit comprising the mutant RT, the use of the mutant RT for cDNA synthesis, method for reverse transcription of RNA comprising synthesizing cDNA with the use of the mutant RT and a method for detecting an RNA marker in a sample with the use of the mutant RT.

Abstract: A position tracking system for tracking a relative position between connected modules. A target is arrangeable on and/or within a first connected module, the connected modules mechanically interacting for transporting objects between modules; a position sensor is arrangeable on and/or within a second connected module and is configured for generating a sensor signal according to a relative position between the position sensor and target, a processing unit configured for tracking a relative position between the connected modules from the sensor signal; and a second sensor is configured for generating a second sensor signal according to at least a second parameter, wherein the second sensor is a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor, the processing unit being configured for considering the second sensor signal when determining the relative position between the connected modules. Further disclosed are related monitoring systems and methods for tracking and monitoring at least two connected modules.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one container information (coi) about a laboratory sample container, wherein the method comprises the steps: a) acquiring an image (ibc) comprising a brightness and/or color information (bci) of a possible region of the container, b) acquiring a map (md) comprising a depth information (di) of the region, and c) determining the container information (coi) by fusing the brightness and/or color information (bci) and the depth information (di).

Abstract: A sample handling system for handling samples is disclosed. The sample handling system comprises sample holders, each receives a sample container; a sample transport device for moving the sample holders; a control unit for controlling functionality of the sample handling system, and a monitoring system for monitoring the samples during movement. The monitoring system comprises a camera module for continuously capturing images of a part of the sample transport device, wherein the camera module is at a distance from the sample transport device such that the camera module has a free field of view to the sample transport device, and a processor for processing the captured images and determining an item of information about the sample transport device and/or the sample container and/or the sample from the captured images. The control unit retrieves the item of information from the processor. The controlling is based on the retrieved item of information.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: A method for identifying a reagent during a process in an analysis system is disclosed. The analysis system comprises a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. The method comprises providing a reagent, adding at least one chemical substance to the reagent with a concentration being below a detection level of the mass spectrometer, enriching the chemical substance within the liquid chromatograph to a concentration above the detection level of the mass spectrometer, processing the reagent together with the enriched chemical substance by means of the analysis system, and identifying the reagent based on a detection of a substance detection signal of the mass spectrometer representing the chemical substance.

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 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 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 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: 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: 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 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.