Abstract: A system for securely storing data, such as sensitive personal data, including an interface configured with a REST API, an authentication module, at least one target database for storing the data, and a data access module which is configured to receive requests from a client computer by means of the interface, query data from the at least one target database in response to the received request, determine whether the client computer and/or the user has permission to query, and generate a response data set to respond to the request and transmit it to the client computer, wherein at least some data of the response data set is anonymised if restricted authentication is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chute arrangement for a cap-removal apparatus, the cap removal apparatus being configured to remove caps from sample containers, the chute arrangement comprising a chute for transporting removed caps through a transport space of the chute arrangement, a sensor for detecting caps passing through a detection range of the sensor, the transport space being partially delimited by a chute bottom of the chute, the chute bottom being inclined with respect to gravity, the detection range protruding into the transport space, the detection range having a range border within the transport space, and the range border facing the chute bottom at a distance so that a bypass portion of the transport space is formed in between the chute bottom and the detection range.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of an analyte comprising: providing a sensor device comprising: a field effect transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode, a sensing electrode electrically connected or integrated into the gate electrode, and a control device for applying operation parameters to the field effect transistor and for monitoring a signal value with the field effect transistor; selecting a set of operation parameters of the field effect transistor, the selecting comprising performing evaluation measurements with the field effect transistor using various sets of operation parameter candidates and selecting a set in accordance with optimization criterion monitored during the evaluation measurements; and detecting the concentration by applying the selected set of operation parameters to the field effect transistor and determining a signal value with the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A laboratory apparatus comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises a through-opening, wherein the through-opening is adapted for passing through it a transport device for transporting laboratory sample containers in and/or out of the housing, and a cover, wherein the cover comprises at least two ring segments, wherein the ring segments are adjustable to each other between a distant adjustment with at least one distance in between ends of the ring segments for arranging them around the passed through transport device and a near adjustment with less or no distance in between the ends of the ring segments for surrounding the passed through transport device, and wherein the cover in the near adjustment is adapted to cover a part of the through-opening left free by the passed through transport device, wherein the laboratory apparatus is a pre-analytical, analytical, and/or post-analytical laboratory apparatus, in particular a sorting module.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.

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: Methods for identifying a patient who is eligible for an intensification of heart failure therapy are disclosed. Furthermore, methods for optimizing B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy are disclosed. The methods are based on the measurement of the level of at least one marker in a sample from a patient who has heart failure and who receives B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. Further described are kits and devices adapted to carry out the described methods.

Abstract: A method for classifying an identification tag on a sample tube containing a sample to be processed in an automated laboratory system having a plurality of laboratory devices, the method comprising providing a sample tube having an identification tag and containing a sample to be analyzed. Each of the plurality of laboratory devices is assigned a tag reader device configured to read the identification tag for recognizing identification tag information. Further, an automated laboratory system for processing a sample tube containing a sample for at least one of pre-analytics and sample analysis is provided.

Abstract: A transfer device (110) for transferring sample containers in a sample handling system (112) is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for predicting the risk of a female subject to develop postpartum HELLP syndrome, postpartum preeclampsia, or postpartum eclampsia. The method is based on the determination of the levels of i) sFlt-1 and PlGF, or ii) Endoglin and PlGF in a first sample obtained from said subject before delivery of baby, and a second sample of from said subject obtained after delivery of baby. Moreover, encompassed by the invention are devices and kits for carrying out the method of the present invention.

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: A method for operating a laboratory automation system, the laboratory automation system comprising a carrier comprising a reception place for receiving a sample container configured to contain a sample to be analyzed by a laboratory device; a placement device configured to pick and place the sample container; an imaging device; and a data processing device comprising at least one processor and a memory. The method comprises detecting an image of the reception place; determining whether the reception place is free for receiving the sample container and the reception place is configured to receive the sample container, by applying a machine learning algorithm for image analysis of the image of the reception place; and placing the sample container in the reception place by the placement device if the reception place is determined as free and configured to receive the sample container. Further, a laboratory automation system is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of a design enterprise network for facilitating remote configuration of a software instance comprised in a laboratory enterprise network, wherein the laboratory enterprise network is communicably coupled to an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) network, wherein the IVD network comprises at least one IVD instrument, and wherein the computer implemented method comprises obtaining by a generator computing instance comprised in a design enterprise network, a configuration definition input for configuring the software instance and generating, by the generator computing instance comprised in the design enterprise network, a configuration object based on the configuration definition input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method generates a message filter configuration based on a message priority indication of analytical device status messages received from a first analyzer network, the configuration based on identifying a type of analytical device status data associated with the message priority indication. The method includes communicating the message filter configuration, or a portion thereof, to a second analyzer network comprising a second analytical device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of diagnostic assays for prenatal diagnosis of preeclampsia. In particular, it relates to a method for diagnosing whether a pregnant subject is not at risk for preeclampsia within a short window of time comprising a) determining the amount of at least one angiogenesis biomarker selected from the group consisting of sFlt-1, Endoglin and PlGF in a sample of said subject, and b) comparing the amount with a reference, whereby a subject being not at risk for developing preeclampsia within a short period of time is diagnosed if the amount is identical or decreased compared to the reference in the cases of sFlt-1 and Endoglin and identical or increased in the case of PlGF, wherein said reference allows for making the diagnosis with a negative predictive value of at least about 98%. Further contemplates are devices and kits for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing electronic healthcare data, comprising: receiving, at an intermediate data processing device, a data packet from a data source, said data packet being for transmission to a data consumer across a network and including electronic healthcare data, said intermediate data processing device being connected between the data source and the data consumer in the network; performing, by the intermediate data processing device, a validation process of the data packet by comparison of the data packet to a healthcare data packet scheme; acknowledging, to the data source, receipt of a valid data packet at the intermediate data processing device from the data source when the data packet has been validated by the validation process; and transmitting the data packet on to the data consumer when the data packet has been validated by the validation process.

Abstract: A method for unsealing an opening of a laboratory sample container containing a sample is presented. The opening is sealed by a closure attached to the laboratory sample container by an adhesive. An adhesive strength of the adhesive is lowerable by treatment. The method comprises treating the adhesive such that its adhesive strength is lowered and removing the closure from the laboratory sample container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a conformation dependent epitope on human thymidine kinase 1 (hTK-1; SEQ ID NO:1), to methods for quantifying hTK-1 employing the antibody and to the use of the anti-hTK-1 antibody in quantifying hTK-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory sample container carrier handling apparatus comprising a revolving device and a guiding surface, wherein an entry segment of the guiding surface is adapted to smoothly receive a laboratory sample container carrier. The invention further relates to a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample container carrier handling apparatus and to a use of such a laboratory sample container carrier handling apparatus for handling a laboratory sample container carrier in, in particular such, a laboratory automation system.