Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measurement of an analyte in a microparticle-based analyte-specific binding assay, wherein the microparticles are coated with the first partner of a binding pair, the method involving mixing the coated microparticles, an analyte-specific binding agent conjugated to the second partner of the binding pair, and a sample suspected of containing or containing the analyte, wherein the second partner of the binding pair is bound to the analyte-specific binding agent via a linker having from 12 to 30 ethylene glycol units (PEG 12 to 30), thereby binding the analyte via the conjugated analyte-specific binding agent to the coated microparticles, separating the microparticles having the analyte bound via the binding pair and the analyte-specific binding agent from the mixture and measuring the analyte bound to the microparticles.

Abstract: An automated analyzer system for biological samples is provided and includes a sample processing system and a controller configured to receive a selection of one of multiple workflows for determining a presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a biological sample and prompt the automated analyzer system to automatically carry out the selected workflow using the sample processing system and output a result classifying the biological sample.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a biological sample using an analyzer and an assay. The method comprises providing the assay for producing the signal. The assay has two or more predetermined number of components. Each of the predetermined components has a distinct relation between the intensive property and the signal. The method further comprises providing calibration samples with known values for the intensive property and measuring a calibration signal for each of the calibration samples. The method further comprises determining a calibration by fitting a calibration function to the calibration signal for each of the calibration samples and the known values for the intensive property. The calibration function is equivalent to a constant plus an exponential decay term for each of the predetermined number of components. The method further comprises measuring the signal of the sample using the analyzer and the assay, and calculating the intensive property using the calibration.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sulfoxide-based reagents suitable in the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules such as peptides as well as adducts of such reagents and analyte molecules and applications of the reagents and adducts. Further, the present disclosure relates to methods for the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antibody that specifically binds a mutated NT-proBNP having i) a mutation substituting arginine at position 46 with histidine or ii) a mutation substituting glutamic acid at position 43 with aspartic acid. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to a mutated NT-proBNP or fragment thereof. Further, envisaged by the present disclosure are kits containing the antibody of the present disclosure, or the mutated NT-proBNP of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also concerns a method for diagnosing heart failure.

Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor device, a method of operating the sensor device and an IVD analyzer for receiving the sensor device for determining chemical and/or physical characteristics of a fluid. The sensor device comprises at least two fluidic conduits for repeatedly receiving fluids, each fluidic conduit comprising at least one sensory element arranged such as to come in contact with a fluid in the respective fluidic conduit. In particular, the fluidic conduits comprise different sensory elements, respectively, wherein the sensory elements are separated in the respective fluidic conduits according to compatibility or susceptibility to deterioration or operating temperature. Alternately, the fluidic conduits comprise at least in part the same sensory elements, wherein the sensor device is operated in a primary operating mode and in response to a trigger event, switches to an extended operating mode.

Abstract: A laboratory analyzer is disclosed. The laboratory analyzer comprises a housing at least partially enclosing at least one analyzing instrument and at least one display device, wherein the display device comprises at least one screen, wherein the screen is partially transparent and reflective, wherein the screen is integrated into the housing, wherein the display device is configured for displaying screen information on the screen such that the screen information is visible and/or readable from outside the housing.

Abstract: A connecting joint for adjustably connecting at least two components of a laboratory automation system is disclosed. The connecting joint comprises a horizontal bearing unit connectable to a first component of the at least two components of the laboratory automation system; a vertical bearing unit connectable to a second component of the at least two components of the laboratory automation system; and a slider bar connecting the horizontal bearing unit with the vertical bearing unit, wherein the slider bar is movably mounted along a vertical axis within the vertical bearing unit; and wherein the slider bar is adjustably mounted in the horizontal bearing unit, wherein the slider bar is adjustable in at least one dimension essentially perpendicular to the vertical axis by the horizontal bearing unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laboratory system to monitor reference points of laboratory devices. The laboratory system comprises a first laboratory device comprising a first reference point, a second laboratory device comprising a second reference point, and a coupling element. The coupling element couples the first reference point and the second reference point. The coupling element comprises a detectable part adapted to be moved between a starting position and at least one detection position when the relative position of the first reference point and the second reference point to each other changes. The laboratory system further comprises a sensor configured to detect the detectable part of the coupling element in the at least one detection position. In addition, a method of operating the laboratory system as described is 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: The present disclosure relates to a modular transport plane with a plurality of transport module units, each transport module unit comprising an actuator assembly with a back iron, and with an infrastructure system arranged below the transport module units and supporting the transport module units on a floor, characterized in that the transport module units are floatingly connected to the infrastructure system to allow a relative horizontal movement between the transport module units and the infrastructure system, wherein neighboring transport module units are connected via the back irons for a horizontal force transmission between neighboring transport module units in response to a relative horizontal movement between neighboring transport module units.

Abstract: A support element for a modular transport plane with a plurality of transport module units each comprising a driving surface assembly is presented. The support element has an upper support surface supporting the driving surface assemblies of at least two neighboring transport module units. The upper support surface has driving surface assembly interfaces engaged with complementary interfaces of the supported driving surface assemblies. The support element comprises a lower part having a mounting structure and an upper part having the upper support surface. The upper part connects lengthwise to the lower part via a connection structure. The connection structure restrains a relative movement between the lower part and the upper part in the longitudinal direction of the support element and allows a limited relative movement between the lower part and the upper part in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support element.

Abstract: A diagnostic laboratory distribution system, wherein the distribution system comprises a number of carriers adapted to carry one or more goods. The distribution system comprises a transport plane adapted to support the carriers and a drive device, wherein the drive device is adapted to move the carriers on the transport plane, and a control device to control the drive device. The distribution system comprises a cover for the transport plane, and humidity sensors connected to the control device and airflow generating devices connected to the control device. The airflow generating devices are distributed over the distribution system to generate an airflow between the cover and the transport plane. The control device is configured to start the airflow generating devices if the humidity sensors measure a humidity above a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for calibration and/or error detection in an optical measurement device for biological samples having at least a first and a second measurement channel is described. The method comprises calculating an updated reference factor for the second measurement channel based on the first and second detection signals, comparing the updated reference factor with at least one current reference factors and depending on the result of the comparison, storing the updated reference factor as a current reference factor for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel or keeping the current reference factors for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel.

Abstract: A packaging for a needle-like component of a mass spectrometry (MS) system is provided. The packaging includes a receptacle configured for storing the needle-like component in a secured position inside the receptacle. The packaging further comprises an actuator configured to move the needle-like component from the secured position inside the receptacle to a mounting position in which the needle-like component projects out of the receptacle for mounting the needle-like component to the MS system.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising: a number of container carriers, wherein the container carriers each comprise a magnetically active device and are adapted to carry a sample container; at least one fan being adapted to cause an airflow; and a number of transport modules, the transport modules being arrangeable adjacent to one another and respectively comprising: a transport surface being adapted to carry the container carriers; a number of heat dissipating electromagnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport surface, the electromagnetic actuators being adapted to move container carriers placed on top of the transport surface by applying magnetic forces to the container carriers; and an air guiding element being adapted to guide the airflow first towards an underside of the transport surface and afterwards towards the electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry (MS) apparatus is provided. The MS apparatus includes a mass spectrometer, an ionization source coupled to the mass spectrometer, and a flow injection system (FIS) coupled to the ionization source. The ionization source is configured to provide an ionized gas flow of an analyte towards an entrance of the mass spectrometer. The ionization source is further configured to provide a second gas flow of a second gas. The MS apparatus is configured to measure a mass spectrometer (MS) signal of the analyte. The MS apparatus is further configured to analyze a dependency of the MS signal of the analyte versus a parameter of the second gas flow or a state of the second gas flow and to determine a condition of the apparatus based on the analyzed dependency.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatic peak integration of at least one chromatogram of at least one sample. The method comprises retrieving at least one chromatogram of the chemical related substance and at least one chromatogram of the analyte; evaluating the chromatogram of the chemical related substance, wherein the evaluating comprises determining at least one initial value for analyte retention time by determining retention time of the chemical related substance and adding the retention time of the chemical related substance with a pre-determined or pre-defined constant offset and/or multiplying the retention time of the chemical related substance with a pre-determined or pre-defined constant factor; evaluating the chromatogram of the analyte, wherein the evaluating comprises at least one position determining step; and at least one peak integration step, wherein analyte peak area and analyte peak shape are determined by applying at least one fitting analysis to the chromatogram of the analyte.