Abstract: A method of handling laboratory sample containers is disclosed. The method comprises moving a laboratory sample container to a target position. The target position is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position. The laboratory sample container is prevented from moving vertically due to gravity if correctly inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack. The method also comprises releasing the laboratory sample container in a vertical direction such that the laboratory sample container can move in the vertical direction due to gravity, determining if the laboratory sample container moves in the vertical direction, and performing an error procedure if it is determined that the laboratory sample container moves in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method and an interconnected laboratory system comprising clinical diagnostic systems are presented. The diagnostic system comprises a sample preparation module, a liquid chromatography (LC) separation module coupled to the sample preparation module via a sample preparation/LC interface, a mass spectrometer (MS) module coupled to the LC separation module via an LC/MS interface, and a result calculation module for identifying and/or quantifying analytes or substances of interest contained in the samples and passed through the LC separation and MS modules.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is disclosed. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample by a pre-analytical laboratory instrument, retrieving corresponding test order(s), determining a target laboratory instrument for each of the test order(s), determining whether the target laboratory instrument(s) is ready to carry out the test order, transmitting a readiness command to the target laboratory instrument(s) if the target laboratory instrument is not ready, executing instructions of the readiness command by the target laboratory instrument, instructing the target laboratory instrument(s) to process the biological sample according to the test order if the target laboratory instrument is ready to carry out the test order, and processing the biological sample by the target laboratory instrument(s) according to the test order as instructed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a subject, involving: determining the amount of FABP-3 (Fatty acid binding protein 3) in a sample from a subject suspected to suffer from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and comparing the determined amount to a reference amount. The method may further involve the determination of a BNP-type peptide. Also disclosed is a device adapted to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method and test element for electrochemically detecting at least one analyte in a sample are provided, wherein the method comprises: a) providing at least one test element comprising at least one first electrode contacting a test chemistry and at least one second electrode, wherein a surface of the second electrode consists of silver metal; b) contacting both the first and second electrodes with the sample comprising chloride ions; c) applying a first voltage between the first electrode as a cathode and the second electrode as an anode with a voltage sufficient for forming a layer of silver chloride at the surface of the second electrode; d) applying a second voltage between the first electrode as the anode and the second electrode as the cathode; and e) determining an electrical signal between the first and the second electrodes, whereby the analyte in the sample comprising the chloride ions is detected.

Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators and a driving surface arranged above the actuators, in which the driving surface is configured to carry sample container carriers. The driving surface is tiled and comprises a plurality of driving surface modules with driving surface elements. Support elements arranged in a grid pattern are provided. Each driving surface module is detachably mounted to a subset of the support elements. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A consumable management system comprising a consumable storage cluster with a plurality of storage compartments is presented. Each storage compartment is configured to receive one or more consumables. The consumable management system further comprises storage compartment indicators to provide guidance to a user and a detection unit for validating user action(s).

Abstract: A method and a device for handling sample tubes are presented. A position of the sample tube is identified and the sample tube is handled depending thereon.

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: A laboratory system for analyzing biological samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to receive and identify biological samples and to query a laboratory control unit for a processing order indicative of processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample. The laboratory control unit is configured to validate sequence of queries from the plurality of laboratory instruments against a valid query sequence pattern.

Abstract: A sample carrier handling devices for manipulating a sample carrier is presented. The sample carrier carries a sample container containing a sample which is used in a diagnostics laboratory. The sample carrier handling device has a housing which is at least partially closed, defining a circumferential surface. A pull-push-element of the sample carrier handling device pulls, pushes, or pulls and pushes the sample carrier with an end-portion of the pull-push-element. The pull-push-element defines a central axis. The pull-push-element is arranged in the housing so that during a movement of the pull-push-element the central axis of the pull-push-element changes its direction while the end portion of the pull-push-element remains in an axis of motion.

Abstract: A transport device unit for a transport device assembled using a plurality of transport device units is presented. The transport device unit comprises a base plate module with a base plate for fixing the transport device unit to a support frame, an actuator module with a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, where the actuator module is supported by the base plate module, and a driving surface module with a driving surface element, where the driving surface element is arranged above the actuator module covering the actuators and configured to carry sample container carriers. A transport device, a system for at least partially disassembling the transport device, and a laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport device are also presented. In addition, a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

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: Disclosed is a simplified process for producing magnetic polymer particles. The process comprises: (a) providing a composition having a liquid monomer which is radical polymerizable, a radical initiator soluble in the monomer, a steric stabilizer, and a ferrofluid comprising surfactant-coated colloidal magnetic particles in a carrier fluid which is miscible with the monomer; (b) preparing an emulsion from a polar solvent which is immiscible with the monomer, and the composition of step (a); (c) adding seed polymer particles to the emulsion, mixing to form a seeded emulsion, and incubating the seeded emulsion, thereby swelling the seed polymer particles; and (d) activating the radical initiator and polymerizing the monomer in the swollen seed polymer particles; thereby producing the magnetic polymer particles. The process forms monodisperse magnetic particles. The particles are characterized by a uniform distribution of magnetic material, and an absence of magnetite bleeding.

Abstract: A method is described herein to detect and treat hypoglycemia. An example of this method involves the detection of hypoglycemia in a patient with a computing device, computation of a recommended carbohydrate amount to ingest by the patient with the computing device in response to said detecting the hypoglycemia, output of the recommended carbohydrate amount with the computing device, and the performance of a hypoglycemia surveillance with the computing device to determine whether the recommended carbohydrate amount remedied the hypoglycemia.

Abstract: A sample container carrier for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a magnetic element that is arranged such that a magnetic move force applied to the sample container carrier depends on an angularity. A laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the total amount and/or concentration of an analyte in the presence of a binding molecule as well as kits, compositions and uses relating thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a polypeptide suitable for detecting antibodies against Zika virus in an isolated biological sample having a Zika virus NS1 wing domain specific amino acid sequence and variants thereof, wherein no further Zika virus specific amino acid sequences are present in the polypeptide. This polypeptide does not immunologically cross-react with antibodies raised against structurally related antigens from tick-borne encephalitis virus, Dengue virus 1-4, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus or Japanese encephalitis virus, but immunologically reacts with antibodies raised against full length Zika virus NS1 antigen. Also disclosed is a method of producing a soluble and immunoreactive Zika virus NS1 polypeptide as well as methods and kits for detecting antibodies specific for Zika virus in an isolated sample.