Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing biological samples in an environment including multiple automated analyzers having multiple modules is presented. The method includes receiving data related to a plurality of orders for processing biological samples at a main workflow engine. The main workflow engine receives and processes data for each of the multiple automated analyzers having multiple modules. The method further includes providing a data snapshot to at least one shadow workflow engine associated with a subset of one or more modules of the multiple modules. The data snapshot comprises only a portion of the data related to the plurality of orders that is necessary to determine actions of the module of the multiple modules. The method further includes determining, by the shadow workflow engine, a plurality of actions for the subset of modules to process the plurality of orders based on the data snapshot.

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 operating a laboratory automation system, having: a control device and a transport system with carriers and a first empty carrier queue provided with a first fixed number of queue spaces, each assignable an empty carrier; the method comprising: providing additional queue spaces, each assignable an empty carrier, assigning a first number of additional queue spaces from the additional queue spaces to the first empty carrier queue, operating the first empty carrier queue with the first fixed number of queue spaces plus the first number of additional queue spaces, assigning, in response to receiving operation data in the control device, a second number of additional queue spaces from the additional queue spaces to the first empty carrier queue and operating the first empty carrier queue with the first fixed number of queue spaces plus the second number of additional queue spaces. Further, a laboratory automation system is provided.

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 laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising a number of sample container carriers and a number of transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises: a transport surface, wherein the transport modules are arrangeable adjacent to one another in a row-direction and in a column-direction such that the transport surfaces of the transport modules together form a common transport surface, and controllable drive means being arranged below the transport surface and being adapted to move sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein at least some transport modules of the number of transport modules are movable transport modules being adapted to be moved during operation of the laboratory sample distribution system such that a gap is formed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction or that a gap is closed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction.

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: 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: 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 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 computer-implemented method for tracking laboratory resources is disclosed. The laboratory resource comprises an identification feature. The method comprises an identification step comprising detecting the laboratory resource in the laboratory with an imaging sensor of an augmented reality device and identifying the laboratory resource with an identification unit of the augmented reality device by receiving identification information from the identification feature, a data retrieving step comprising retrieving information about the identified laboratory resource from a data server via a communication interface of the augmented reality device, and a tracking step comprising generating and displaying augmented reality information on a display device of the augmented reality device.

Abstract: A method of producing a plurality of analytical test strips using a reel-to-reel process, comprising providing at least one continuous first layer web, having disposed on a first side at least one first electrode layer, the first layer web having a first layer edge; continuously disposing at least one continuous spacer layer web onto the first side of the first layer web, wherein the spacer layer web has a spacer layer edge, wherein the disposing is position-controlled in a master-slave fashion by using a position of the first layer edge as a master position and a position of the spacer layer edge as a slave position; and continuously disposing at least one continuous second layer web onto the spacer layer web, the second layer web having disposed on a first side at least one second electrode layer, wherein the second layer web has a second layer edge.

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: 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 a position of a rack on a rack placement unit of a laboratory handling system is presented. The rack is configured to carry a number of laboratory sample containers. The method comprises measuring a height profile of the rack, determining at least one corner region of the rack based on the measured height profile of the rack, and determining the position of the rack based on the determined at least one corner region of the rack.

Abstract: A cartridge including a structural part with a hole surrounded at least partially by a recess, so that a wall is formed that separates the hole from the recess. The cartridge includes a liquid pack, wherein the liquid pack comprises a surrounding seal portion and a liquid containing portion. The liquid pack is arranged at least partially in the hole, in that a circumferential outer line of the seal portion protrudes over the hole.

Abstract: A method to process a laboratory carrier in a laboratory system based on a feature of a test liquid in the laboratory carrier is presented. The laboratory system comprises the laboratory carrier comprising the test liquid, a terahertz wave source, a terahertz detector, a laboratory carrier processing device, and a control unit. Using terahertz technology and data analysis, the feature of the test liquid in the laboratory carrier can be determined. In addition, the control unit controls the laboratory carrier processing device based on the determined feature of the test liquid.

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: A gripper for a laboratory container sorting device includes a vacuum gripper and a mechanical gripper. The vacuum gripper includes a suction cup and is configured to move the suction cup between a pickup position and a transfer position. The suction cup is configured to pick up a laboratory container when the suction cup is in the pickup position and to transfer the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. The mechanical gripper is configured to grip and release the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. A laboratory container sorting device, a laboratory system, and a method of operating the laboratory system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a plurality of sample container carriers, each adapted to carry one or more sample containers, each carrier comprising at least one magnetically active device and at least one electrically conductive member, a transport plane adapted to support the carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the actuators being adapted to move the carriers on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carriers, a plurality of inductive sensors distributed over the transport plane, a control unit configured to control the movement of the carriers using an output signal provided by the inductive sensors by driving the actuators such that the carriers move along corresponding transport paths, and an evaluation unit configured to linearize the output signal from an inductive sensor by means of a linearization algorithm.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system with a number of sample container carriers, each comprising at least one magnetically active device and adapted to carry a sample container; a transport plane adapted to support the carriers; a number of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane and adapted to move a corresponding carrier located on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carrier; a touch panel arranged below the transport plane adapted to generate position signals (PS) depending on positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane; a position determination unit adapted to determine the positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane in response to the position signals (PS); and a control unit adapted to control the operation of the laboratory sample distribution system in response to the determined positions of the carriers.