Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents suitable in the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules such as carbohydrates as well as adducts of such reagents and analyte molecules and applications of said reagents and adducts. Further, the present invention relates to methods for the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules.

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: An analysis method includes: an inflow process of a solution containing a test object, a magnetic support on the surface of which a complex including an antibody labeled with a luminescent agent and recognizes the test object is formed, and a reaction aid to assist reaction of the luminescent agent in a flow cell; a process of capturing the magnetic support over a working electrode by a magnetic field; a process of making the luminescent agent illuminate by applying a voltage to the working electrode; and a process of measuring an amount of luminescence of the luminescent agent. The luminescent process includes: luminescence from action of a first neutral radical, produced from the reaction aid through a cation radical; and luminescence from action of a second neutral radical, produced not through a cation radical, on the luminescent agent. This increases the luminous efficiency of ECL and enhances detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for packaging articles for transportation including: a) preparing at least one pallet, wherein the pallet includes a base plate; b) placing at least one article to be transported onto the base plate; c) providing a transport box that is open toward the base plate over the at least one article to be transported, wherein the transport box is placed on the base plate in such a manner that the transport box together with the base plate forms an interior of a transport packaging unit which receives the at least one article to be transported; d) a closure step, wherein the transport box comprises a closable opening on a side opposite the base plate, wherein the closable opening is closed in the closure step; and e) at least one fixing step including fixing the transport box on the base plate with at least one fastening element.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting laboratory data to a user are presented. The system comprises a perception component for continuously gathering in-situ context data regarding a laboratory and the user, a user modeling component for receiving the in-situ context data from the perception component to create a user specific model for each user, a laboratory device awareness component for monitoring the status, performance, alarms, and/or maintenance of the laboratory devices, a notification component for receiving the in-situ context data from the perception component and the laboratory device status data from the laboratory device awareness component and for processing and determining which data from the in-situ context data and the laboratory device status data are to be presented to the user, and a presentation component for presenting the processed data from the notification component. The presented data comprises both public and private notification of the data to the user.

Abstract: An in-vitro diagnostics system arranged is presented. The system comprises a track, carriers to carry samples with data carriers, and a control station comprising a camera to detect sample images, a data carrier reader, a relocation device to relocate the sample, and a controller. The data carrier reader reads the data carrier through a read-out window. Measurement data indicates data carrier characteristics on a sample in a starting position determined from the camera images. Obscuring data indicates obscuring of part of the data carrier when the images are detected in the starting position. The controller determines, from the measurement data and the obscuring data, characteristics of the data carrier comprising location and size of the data carrier. Based on the data carrier characteristics, the sample is relocated relative to the read-out window from the starting position into a read-out position optimizing visibility of the data carrier through the read-out window.

Abstract: An enclosure device for a decapper for removing a cap from a laboratory sample container, a decapper and an apparatus comprising a decapper. The decapper comprises a cap gripper comprising at least two gripping jaws. At least one of the at least two gripping jaws is displaceable between a holding position and a release position in a radial direction. The enclosure device comprises an outer enclosure portion and an inner enclosure portion disposed within the outer enclosure portion. The outer enclosure portion comprises a wall portion and a reservoir portion at a bottom of the wall portion. The wall portion is configured to enclose the two gripping jaws. The inner enclosure portion is configured to receive a laboratory sample container and comprises at least two openings configured to allow the two gripping jaws to extend therethrough. The enclosure device is configured to be mounted to the cap gripper.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an in vitro method for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, wherein the potentially interfering compound 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is blocked by a binding agent specifically binding to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and not binding to 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Abstract: A sample injector is disclosed comprising a switching valve comprising an input port, an aspiration/dispensing port, a loop input port and a loop output port, a pump port and a column port, an aspiration pump connected to the aspiration/dispensing port via a buffer loop for aspirating a sample into the buffer loop when the aspiration/dispensing port is connected to the loop input port, a sample loop connected to the switching valve between the loop input port and the loop output port, for receiving the sample aspirated into the buffer loop when the loop input port is connected to the aspiration/dispensing port, a column connected to the column port, and a pump connected to the pump port, for injecting the sample received into the sample loop into the column when the pump port is connected to the loop output port and the column port is connected to the loop input port.

Abstract: A method to store sample tubes in a laboratory storage and retrieval system is presented. The laboratory storage and retrieval system comprises a storage section, a database comprising a sample tube inventory of the storage section, a control device, and at least one sample tube transport system. The storage section comprises at least two storage subsections. In a first step of the method, the control device identifies at least two sample tubes with at least one substantially identical sample tube attribute and distributed over the at least two storage subsections. In a second step of the method, the at least one sample tube transport system consolidates the at least two sample tubes in at least one storage subsection, wherein the control device further determines in which of the at least two storage subsections the identified sample tubes are consolidated.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a belt is presented. The system comprises a frame, a driving shaft connected to a motor, a controller, a driven shaft, two pulleys connected to the driven and driving shafts, and a belt. The frame supports the driving and driven shafts to mount the belt on the pulleys. A signal element is mounted on and drives with the belt. At least two detection elements are mounted on the frame so that when the signal element passes the detection elements, a signal is generated as the belt moves. The detector elements are connected to a controller which controls the motor so that when the system starts, the belt moves until the signal element generates a signal in a first detector element to fix a zero point of the belt movement. The signal of the second detector element checks the zero point during normal drive operation.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.

Abstract: A method for determining a non-anticoagulant interferent in a blood-derived sample of a subject, the method comprising a) determining a value of a coagulation time-related parameter in the sample; b) comparing the value of the coagulation time-related parameter determined in a) to a value of the coagulation time-related parameter determined in at least one reference sample; and c) based on the result of comparison step b), determining the non-anticoagulant interferent in a blood-derived sample of a subject. A method for identifying a blood-derived sample having insufficient quality is further disclosed, the method comprising determining non-anticoagulant interferent(s) according to the aforesaid method.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method of identifying an individual having non-small cell lung carcinoma as to be treated by chemotherapy based on marker molecules cytokeratin-19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as well as the use of the marker molecules for the identification of an individual to be treated by chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from acute kidney injury (AKI) during or after a surgical procedure or after administration of a contrast medium. The method is based on the determination of the level of the biomarker IGFBP7 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7) in a body fluid sample obtained from the patient prior to the surgical procedure or prior to the administration of a contrast medium. Further, the present disclosure describes a method for predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from acute kidney injury (AKI) based on the determination of the amount of the biomarker IGFBP7 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7) and Cystatin C in a body fluid sample obtained from the patient. The present disclosure further encompasses kits and devices adapted to carry out the methods of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an in vitro method for releasing analytes from a sample involving contacting the sample with (i) a chaotropic agent, (ii) an organic solvent, (iii) a detergent, and (iv) at least one agent providing bicarbonate ions. The present disclosure further relates to a release agent for releasing analytes from a sample having the aforesaid compounds. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to uses, kits, methods and devices related to the method and the release agent of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for analytical examination of a sample. The system comprises a measurement device, which comprises a test element receptacle for receiving at least one test element at least partially, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one first and at least one second part, wherein the first part comprises at least one support surface for placement of the test element, wherein the second part comprises at least one optical detector for detecting at least one detection reaction of at least one test chemical contained in the test element, wherein the second part is movable relative to the first part, wherein the receptacle is configured to position the second part such that a test element may be inserted into the receptacle and to subsequently position the second part in a closed position such that at least one abutment surface of the second part rests on the test element.

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.