Abstract: A laboratory automation system for processing sample containers containing laboratory samples and/or for processing the samples is presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a digital camera configured to take an image of the sample container together with a calibration element. The image comprises image data related to the sample container and image data related to the calibration element. The laboratory automation system also comprises an image processing device configured to determine geometrical properties of the sample container depending on the image data related to the sample container and the image data related to the calibration element.

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 for saving and/or restoring settings of an instrument for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The instrument comprises a control unit and an operating system. A storage medium is provided to the instrument. The storage medium comprises a script. The script restores data for restoring settings of the instrument. The script is encrypted and/or digitally signed. The method verifies an identity and/or integrity of the script and executes the script upon starting the instrument by the operating system with the storage medium when the identity and/or integrity of the script correspond to an identity and/or integrity of the instrument. The control unit provides an input menu for allowing a user to input a saving and/or restoring command. The instrument saves settings on the storage medium and/or restores settings of the instrument from the storage medium by the restoring data corresponding to the saving and/or restoring command.

Abstract: A module for an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The module comprises a module connector configured to releasably connect to a component of the automated laboratory system, a detector at least configured to detect at least one component marker located at the component so as to obtain position data of the module indicating an actual position of the module, a processor configured to calculate a position deviation of the module from a target position defined by the component based on the position data and to calculate position alignment data based on the position deviation, and a alignment device configured to align the module to the target position based on the position alignment data. Further, an automated laboratory system and a method for aligning a module are disclosed.

Abstract: A reagent composition for releasing vitamin D compounds bound to vitamin D-binding protein and an in vitro method for the detection of a vitamin D compound in which the vitamin D compound is released from vitamin D-binding protein by the use of this reagent composition as well as the reagent mixture obtained in this manner. Also disclosed is the use of the reagent compositions to release vitamin D compounds as well as a kit for detecting a vitamin D compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an angle between a longitudinal axis of a sample container inserted into an opening of a sample container carrier and a reference ray, the apparatus comprising a first accelerometer being fixable to the sample container and being adapted to generate a number of first accelerometer signals being dependent on the orientation of the sample container, and a calculation unit being coupled to the first accelerometer and being adapted to calculate the angle depending on the number of first accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A laboratory sample container carrier cleaning apparatus is provided comprising a revolving device, being adapted to move a sample container carrier supplied to the revolving device along a circular path, and a cleaning device, being adapted to clean the sample container carrier being moved along the circular path.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes: a reagent mounting unit 103 in which a plurality of reagent bottles 10 are installed when a reagent bottle 10 is loaded into the automatic analyzer; a reagent conveying mechanism 101 including a gripper mechanism 106; and a reagent mounting mechanism 102 for moving the reagent mounting unit 103 between an installation position at which an operator installs the reagent bottle 10 in the reagent mounting unit 103 and a position at which the gripper mechanism 106 grips the reagent bottle 10. It is thereby possible to achieve saving of a mechanism installation space and reduction of the number of constituent components, automatically carry out an operation from opening of the reagent bottle to loading of the reagent bottle into the reagent disk, and alleviate an operator's burden.

Abstract: The present description relates to a Corona antigen having a Corona nucleocapsid specific amino acid sequence, compositions, and reagent kits having the same and methods of producing it. Also encompassed are methods of detecting anti-Corona antibodies in samples using the Corona antigen, and methods of differential diagnosis of an immune response in a patient due to natural Corona infection or due to vaccination against Corona.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in bodily fluid, comprising: a signal generation step, wherein an excitation voltage signal is generated by a signal generator, wherein the excitation voltage signal comprises a poly frequent alternating current (AC) voltage and a direct current (DC) voltage profile, wherein the poly frequent AC voltage comprises at least two frequencies; a signal application step, wherein the excitation voltage signal is applied to at least two measurement electrodes; a measurement step, wherein a response is measured by using the measurement electrodes; an evaluation step, wherein an AC current response for each frequency and a DC current response are evaluated from the response; a determination step, wherein the concentration of the analyte is determined from the DC current response and from one or both of the phase and impedance information by using at least one predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid containing the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Abstract: A gripping device for handling sample containers is presented. The gripping device comprises a number of rigid fingers having non-gripping surfaces adapted to reduce adhesion between the non-gripping surfaces and labels. The number of rigid fingers collectively grip a sample container. Each finger comprises a gripping surface to contact the sample container while the sample container is gripped by the gripping device. The non-gripping surface of each finger is different from the gripping surface. The non-gripping surface of at least one of the fingers is at least partially corrugated. A sample container processing system comprising such a gripping device is also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laboratory container storage system, a laboratory system comprising the laboratory container storage system, and a method of operating the laboratory system. The laboratory container storage system comprising one or more laboratory container storage devices. Each laboratory container storage device comprises a frame and a storage element comprising a holder configured to receive and release a laboratory container horizontally and to hold the laboratory container in a suspended position above a horizontal surface. The storage element is mounted movably on the frame and configured to be moved between a first transfer position and a storage position and between the storage position and a second transfer position. In the first and second transfer position, the holder is positioned to receive or release the laboratory container horizontally. The storage position is located between the first and second transfer position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Corona antigen comprising a Corona nucleocapsid specific amino acid sequence, compositions, and reagent kits comprising the same and methods of producing it. Also encompassed are methods of detecting anti-Corona antibodies in samples using said Corona antigen, and methods of differential diagnosis of an immune response in a patient due to natural Corona infection or due to vaccination against Corona.

Abstract: A laboratory sample vessel distribution system is presented. The system comprises a cabinet, sample vessel carriers for receiving sample vessels, and a cabinet drawer for receiving a sample vessel carrier. The drawer is locatable in different positions: closed, opened, and fully opened. An actuator moves the sample vessels and the sample vessel carriers between different locations. An actuator driver drives the actuator and applies a first mode of operation with a first speed and a second mode of operation with a second reduced speed compared to the first speed. A sensor device detects between opened and closed positions and provides position signals. A control device is connected to the actuator driver and the sensor device. The control device provides control signals to the actuator driver instructing the actuator driver to apply either the first mode, if in the closed position, or the second mode, if in the opened position.

Abstract: Described is a method for determining an analyte in a sample suspected to contain the analyte, by a) contacting the sample with a first and a second capture compound for the analyte, wherein the first and second capture compounds are non-identical capture compounds, and the capture compounds compete in binding to the analyte; b) contacting the capture compounds contacted with the sample with a specifier, wherein the specifier competes in binding to the capture compounds with the analyte; c) determining the amount of complexes having the specifier and a capture compound; and d) determining the analyte in a sample based on the result of step c). Also disclosed is a method for improving the specificity of an indirect immunoassay for determining an analyte, as well as kits, devices, and uses related to the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a core polypeptide of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sample from a subject involving (a) contacting said sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent, and (b) detecting a core polypeptide of the HCV in the sample. The present invention further relates to a method for pre-processing a sample from a subject for detection of HCV, involving contacting the sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent; and to a pre-processing reagent for detecting HCV in a sample, having a base and a surfactant including a cationic detergent, wherein the surfactant also has a nonionic detergent. Moreover, the present disclosure further relates to kits, uses, and devices related to the methods disclosed.