Abstract: A method of assessing the suitability of at least one sample tube for use in a laboratory automation system is disclosed. The method comprises capturing at least one image of at least a part of the sample tube by using a camera of a mobile device, obtaining at least one first item of identification information of the sample tube by analyzing the image, retrieving at least one second item of identification information of the sample tube, and evaluating the first and second items of identification information and assigning the sample tube to at least one suitability category. A mobile device and an assessment system for assessing the suitability of at least one sample tube for use in a laboratory automation system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an analyzer including a liquid chromatography device (LC) having at least two liquid chromatography (LC) streams, the method including continuously monitoring one or more parameters in measurement data of samples in each of the at least two LC streams, the one or more parameters being independent of an analyte concentration of the respective sample, determining if the one or more monitored parameters show an expected behavior and triggering a response upon detection that the one or more monitored parameters deviate from the expected behavior.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for the analytical examination of a sample is disclosed. The test element analysis system comprises: at least one evaluation device with at least one test element holder for positioning a test element containing the sample and at least one measuring device for measuring a change in a measuring zone of the test element, the change being characteristic for the analyte; at least one electrical heating element configured for electrically heating the test element; at least one electrical power supply for supplying electrical energy to the electrical heating element; at least one temperature sensor connected to the test element holder for detecting a temperature of the test element holder; at least one gap detection device configured for monitoring the electrical energy Espez supplied by the electrical power supply to the electrical heating element for reaching a predetermined target temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An analytical system including a mass spectrometer (MS) coupled to liquid chromatography (LC) via an ionization source (IS), and an automated method of maintaining the analytical system in a QC-compliant status are described. The method comprises determining a deviation of the analytical system from a QC-compliant status by determining a deviation of one or more predetermined parameters in an m/z spectrum above one or more predetermined thresholds, triggering an IS and/or MS maintenance procedure upon determining a deviation from the QC-compliant status, determining a return or a failed return to the QC-compliant status during and/or after the IS and/or MS maintenance procedure by determining a return or a failed return respectively of the one or more predetermined parameters in an m/z spectrum below the one or more predetermined thresholds, triggering another IS and/or MS maintenance procedure upon determining a failed return to the QC-compliant status.

Abstract: A laboratory system is disclosed. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratories comprising one or more analytical instruments for performing a plurality of analytical tests (T1-n) and providing analytical test results (TR1-n) and a remote computer communicatively connected to the laboratories. Each of the laboratories is configured to define test result validation criteria (C1-n) for validating at least one of the analytical test results (TR1-n) associated with the respective analytical tests (T1-n) of one of the plurality of laboratories. The remote computer is configured to define a plurality of profiles (P1-n) of validation criteria, to assign the profiles (P1-n) of test result validation criteria (C1-n) to one or more of the laboratories (102), and to perform an automatic validation of groups (G1-n) of the analytical test results (TR1-n) according to the profiles (P1-n) of test result validation criteria (C1-n).

Abstract: An in-vitro diagnostic device including a pipetting unit and a pipetting method, which allow for a more reproducible and more precise pipetting of liquids, when piercing through a lid of a closed liquid container is required. The pipetting unit is controlled to repeat penetration of the lid of the closed liquid container if the pressure difference between the interior of the liquid container and the surrounding is outside an allowable predefined pressure range.

Abstract: A method for tracking availability of a point-of-care (POC) device for a user is provided. The method comprises entering type(s) of test(s) needed by the user, providing a list of available POC devices to the user based on the type(s) of test(s) needed, based on the list of available POC devices, providing a map to the user showing locations of nearby POC devices with availability for the type(s) of test(s) needed; selecting one of the nearby POC devices by touching the location of the POC device on the map and booking that POC device for the type(s) of test(s) needed at a particular time slot, and communicating the booking to the selected POC device. The selected POC device then blocks that time slot.

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: A method for processing data of an analytical instrument for analyzing biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving instrument data from the analytical instrument at a data processing module communicatively connected with the analytical instrument, generating metadata from the received instrument data at the data processing module, applying a first encryption to the instrument data at the data processing module, applying a second encryption to the generated metadata at the data processing module, and transmitting the encrypted metadata and encrypted instrument data to a remote server. The remote server and the data processing module are communicatively connected. The method also comprises removing the second encryption from the metadata at the remote server and forwarding the instrument data encrypted by the first encryption from the remote server to a management system of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing functional and/or structural abnormalities of the heart preceding heart failure, and for predicting the risk of developing heart failure, in a subject comprising measuring a cardiac troponin in a sample and comparing the measurement to a reference value. Other markers, including GDF15 and IGFBP7 are also measured in some embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use compounds comprising two or more hydrophobic domains and a hydrophilic domain comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety for stabilization of a cell, and methods related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing atrial fibrillation in a subject, said method comprising the steps of determining the amount of DKK3 in a sample from the subject, and comparing the amount of DKK3 to a reference amount, whereby atrial fibrillation is to be assessed. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing heart failure and/or at least one structural or functional abnormality of the heart associated with heart failure.

Abstract: A bucket insert for use in a centrifuge is disclosed. The bucket insert comprises an insert body, the insert body comprising a plurality of elongated receptacles for receiving elongated sample vessels. The bucket insert is configured for orienting the elongated sample vessels in a tilted orientation. In the tilted orientation, at least some of the elongated sample vessels are oriented in a non-parallel fashion.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a concentration of a target analyte in a sample of bodily fluid are disclosed. The method involves providing a sample of bodily fluid including the target analyte, providing an internal standard solution including a mixture of components having a plurality of isotopes of the target analyte, wherein a concentration of each isotope is unknown, adding the internal standard solution to the sample, analyzing the sample including the internal standard solution using a mass spectrometer, creating a sample function curve based on signal intensities, wherein the signal intensities define arbitrary units, transferring an analyte signal into a corresponding arbitrary analyte unit by means of the sample function curve, and transferring the arbitrary analyte unit into the concentration of a target analyte by means of a standardization function representing a curve of concentrations depending on the arbitrary units.

Abstract: Method for determination of whether a subject suffers from intermittent atrial fibrillation based on the determination of the amount of a Troponin T in a sample in a patient suffering from atrial fibrillation using a binding assay. Kits and devices adapted to carry out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining properties of a laboratory sample container is presented. The apparatus comprises a light source for emitting light to illuminate the laboratory sample container and a number of curved reflecting and/or scattering units. A respective curved reflecting and/or scattering unit comprises a curved shape and is adapted to reflect and/or scatter light of the light source to an outer surface of the laboratory sample container for illuminating the laboratory sample container. The apparatus also comprises a camera adapted to take an image of the laboratory sample container. The image comprises image data related to the laboratory sample container. The apparatus also comprises a control unit adapted to determine the properties of the laboratory sample container based on the image data related to the laboratory sample container.

Abstract: A method for determining properties of a laboratory sample contained in a laboratory sample container is presented. The method comprises measuring projections of the laboratory sample container comprising the laboratory sample by irradiating light to the laboratory sample container at different projection angle and determining the properties by tomographic reconstruction based on the projections.

Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for an analytical examination of a sample, in particular of a body fluid, is disclosed. The test element analysis system comprises an evaluation device with a test element holder for positioning a test element containing the sample and a measuring device for measuring a change in a measuring zone of the test element, the change being characteristic for an analyte. The test element holder contains contact elements with contact surfaces which allow an electrical contact between contact surfaces of the test element and the contact surfaces of the test element holder. The contact surfaces of the contact elements of the test element holder are provided with an electrically conductive surface containing metallic ruthenium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calibrating an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The method includes executing a multi-point calibration procedure including measuring a plurality of calibrator levels and thereby obtaining a plurality of respective calibration points. The method further includes calculating a result of the multi-point calibration procedure and determining failure or passing of the multi-point calibration procedure based on the calculated result. In case of failure of the multi-point calibration procedure, the method includes determining if failure is related to one or more individual failed calibration point(s), and in the affirmative, triggering a repetition of measuring the calibrator level(s) only with respect to the failed calibration point(s) and re-calculating the result of the multi-point calibration procedure after replacing only the failed calibration point(s) with the newly obtained calibration point(s).