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 laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers adapted to move autonomously and to communicate with each other and with a central control unit.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for administering a drug over a time period. One embodiment of a system includes an administration unit, a housing that houses the administration unit, and a controller unit adapted to receive an alarm triggering signal. Also included in some embodiments is an alarming unit that is adapted to generate an alarm signal on reception of the alarm triggering signal. Some embodiments include a patient state monitor that includes a motion-sensitive sensor unit that is reactive on patient motion. The patient state monitor may be adapted to process a sensor signal generated by the motion-sensitive sensor unit. The patient state monitor may also be adapted to transmit the alarm triggering signal to the controller unit if a patient motion level is below a predefined motion level, as determined by a length of time without patient motion.

Abstract: A valve for dispensing a fluid comprising a dry portion and a wet portion is presented. Only the wet portion is contacted by the fluid. The wet portion comprises a fluid dispenser unit having a inlet opening, a capillary nozzle providing a fluid outlet, a cavity, the capillary nozzle having an end within the cavity, and a plunger. The plunger moves within the cavity into an opening position allowing an inflow of the fluid through the inlet opening through the cavity and an outflow of the fluid through the capillary nozzle. The plunger has a sealing surface directed towards the end of the capillary nozzle. The plunger moves into a closing position for sealing the end of the capillary nozzle with the sealing surface. The dry portion comprises a closing component for exercising a magnetic closing force onto the plunger for attracting the plunger into the closing position.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments related to analysis system for analyzing biological samples, a data processing method and a computer program product are disclosed. An analyzer is coupled to an control computer and has a control application program which receives control data, sends analytical data, and generates a host screen image. A remote computer is coupled to the control computer, and provides a data manager application program which sends the control data to the control computer, receives the analytical data, and generates a first window. A remote application program interoperates with a host application program which generates a second window containing a duplicate of the host screen image. A user interface program displays a first display window and a second display window, the first display window being one of the first and second windows and the second display window containing a screen shot of the other one of the first and second windows.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising sample container carriers, a central controller having a network interface, and transport modules is presented. Each transport module comprises a transport surface, wherein the transport surfaces form a transport plane, a controllable driver arranged below the transport surface and configured to move sample container carriers on the transport surface, and a control unit for controlling the driver. The control unit comprises a network interface. The central controller and the control units of the transport modules are connected by their corresponding network interfaces. Each control unit comprises first and second addressing terminals. The addressing terminals are connected sequentially in a daisy chain topology. The first addressing terminal is the first control unit in the sequence and is connected to a first reference potential and the second addressing terminal is the last control unit in the sequence and is connected to a second reference potential.

Abstract: A method of handling a laboratory sample container is presented. In addition, a laboratory apparatus and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory apparatus are also presented.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calibrating an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The method comprises executing a multi-point calibration procedure comprising measuring a plurality of calibrator levels and thereby obtaining a plurality of respective calibration points. The method further comprises 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 comprises 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).

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system in which a sample container carrier can be centered at a specific position is presented. A laboratory automation system with such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: A method of performing a measurement of an analyte in a sample using an automatic analyzer is provided. The automatic analyzer comprises: a cartridge for dispensing a fluid, a measurement unit for performing the measurement, a sample holder for receiving the sample, and a pump for pumping the fluid out of the cartridge and into the sample holder. The cartridge comprises: a rigid portion, a flexible bladder, and an outlet. The rigid portion comprises an opening, which is connected to an inner cavity. The flexible bladder seals the opening to form a fluid chamber from the inner cavity. The fluid chamber is at least partially filled with the fluid. The pump is connected to the outlet. The method comprises: placing the sample into the sample holder, controlling the pumping of the fluid from the cartridge into the sample holder, and performing the measurement of the analyte using the measurement unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a core polypeptide of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sample from a subject with the steps of (a) contacting the sample with a surfactant comprising a cationic detergent; (b) contacting the sample with a binding compound; and (c) detecting a core polypeptide of the HCV in the sample; wherein step a) is immediately followed by step b). The present disclosure further relates to a method for pre-processing a sample from a subject for detection of an HCV core polypeptide, involving (a) contacting the sample with a surfactant comprising a cationic detergent and, optionally, with an agent inducing a pH shift, immediately followed by (b) contacting the sample with a binding compound. Moreover, the present disclosure further relates to uses, devices, and analytical systems related to aforesaid methods.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport plane in which the transport plane is covered by an electrically conductive material is presented. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a core polypeptide of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sample from a subject involving (a) contacting said sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent, and (b) detecting a core polypeptide of the HCV in the sample. The present invention further relates to a method for pre-processing a sample from a subject for detection of HCV, involving contacting the sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent; and to a pre-processing reagent for detecting HCV in a sample, having a base and a surfactant including a cationic detergent, wherein the surfactant also has a nonionic detergent. Moreover, the present disclosure further relates to kits, uses, and devices related to the methods disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing whether a subject with no known history of atrial fibrillation is suffering from atrial fibrillation, or not, said method comprising the steps of a) determining the amount of a BNP-type peptide in a sample of said subject; b) comparing the amount the BNP-type peptide to a reference, and c) assessing intermittent ECG recordings obtained from said subject over a period of at least one week by using a handheld ECG device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to assessing heart failure in vitro by measuring the concentration of the marker mimecan in a sample, and optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration of mimecan and the one or more other marker(s) to reference concentrations of this (or these) marker(s) as established in a reference population. The one or more markers may be selected from the group comprising a natriuretic peptide marker, a cardiac troponin marker, and a marker of inflammation. Also disclosed are the use of mimecan as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising mimecan, and a kit for measuring mimecan.

Abstract: A test system for analyzing a sample of a bodily fluid is provided and comprises: at least one test strip comprising at least one capillary channel comprising an inlet opening configured to receive the sample; a vent opening configured to provide an air vent to the capillary channel; and at least one zone consisting of a detection zone and a reagent zone; at least one measuring device configured for interacting with the test strip, the measuring device comprising at least one sealing element for hermetically sealing the vent opening from an ambient atmosphere; and at least one suction device adapted to provide an underpressure to the vent opening; wherein the measuring device further comprises at least one valve or is connectable to the valve, wherein the valve is configured to vent the vent opening of the test strip when the measuring device interacts with the test strip.

Abstract: A compartment comprising at least one target area susceptible to condensed water formation includes at least one condensed water collector is presented. The condensed water collector comprises at least a first portion arranged to collect condensed water from the at least one target area and at least a second portion outside of the at least one target area. A porous material is arranged between the first portion and the second portion. The condensed water collector is configured to transport the collected condensed water. The compartment further including a condensed water remover configured to remove condensed water from the second portion thereby facilitating transportation of condensed water from the first portion to the second portion via the porous material.

Abstract: A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.