Abstract: The present invention relates to the assessment of lung cancer. It discloses the use of protein ASC in the assessment of lung cancer. It also relates to a method for assessing lung cancer in vitro using a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ASC in the sample. Measurement of ASC can, e.g., be used in the early detection or in the follow-up of patients with lung cancer.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: A laboratory cargo distribution system is presented. The laboratory cargo distribution system comprises a number of transport carriers, a transport plane, a number of electro-magnetic actuators, a storage device and a control device. The storage device is adapted to store at least one of the number of transport carriers. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory cargo distribution system and a method of operating such a laboratory cargo distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for an analytical examination of a sample, in particular of a body fluid, is disclosed. The test element analysis system comprises an evaluation device with a test element holder for positioning a test element containing the sample and a measuring device for measuring a change in a measuring zone of the test element, the change being characteristic for an analyte. The test element holder contains contact elements with contact surfaces which allow an electrical contact between contact surfaces of the test element and the contact surfaces of the test element holder. The contact surfaces of the contact elements of the test element holder are provided with an electrically conductive surface containing metallic ruthenium.

Abstract: A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.

Abstract: A reagent management system is disclosed comprising a reagent container section for receiving reagent containers and a reagent reconstitution device for reconstituting dry, or lyophilized, reagents or concentrated reagents in reagent containers in order to carry out in-vitro diagnostic tests with the reconstituted reagents. A controller is programmed to instruct the reagent reconstitution device to automatically reconstitute an initial volume of a selected reagent type in reagent containers. The initial volume is calculated based on an open container stability time (OCS) of the reconstituted reagent type for each reagent container and on a number of tests to be carried out within the OCS of the reconstituted reagent type. A reagent container for use by the reagent management system and methods of automatically reconstituting a dry, or lyophilized reagent, or a concentrated liquid reagent in a reagent container to carry out an in-vitro diagnostic test with the reagent are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for repositioning tubes in a tube rack is presented. The device comprises a base; a mount movable relative to the base in a first and second direction; an actuator for moving the mount; grippers coupled to and movable with the mount, each gripper comprising arms with portions for gripping a tube; a biasing element coupled to the mount and to the arms to be movable relative to the mount and to move the portions towards/away from each other; a blocking element coupled to the base to engage the biasing element and to block movement of the biasing element with respect to the mount against a force where the mount is moved in the first direction to move the portions towards each other and to disengage from the biasing element when the mount is moved in the second direction to allow the portions to be moved apart.

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: A laboratory system is disclosed. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratories comprising one or more analytical instruments for performing a plurality of analytical tests (T1-n) and providing analytical test results (TR1-n) and a remote computer communicatively connected to the laboratories. Each of the laboratories is configured to define test result validation criteria (C1-n) for validating at least one of the analytical test results (TR1-n) associated with the respective analytical tests (T1-n) of one of the plurality of laboratories. The remote computer is configured to define a plurality of profiles (P1-n) of validation criteria, to assign the profiles (P1-n) of test result validation criteria (C1-n) to one or more of the laboratories (102), and to perform an automatic validation of groups (G1-n) of the analytical test results (TR1-n) according to the profiles (P1-n) of test result validation criteria (C1-n).

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system are presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a laboratory sample distribution system. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators. Each electro-magnetic actuator comprises a ferromagnetic core and an excitation winding. Each excitation winding exceeds its assigned ferromagnetic core.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring tubes between a laboratory automation system and a sample archiving system are presented. When transferring a tube from the laboratory automation system to the sample archiving system, a tube carrier carrying a tube is conveyed to a first take-over module via a first conveyor. At the first take-over module, the tube is removed from the tube carrier and the empty tube carrier is conveyed away from the first take-over module via a second conveyor. When transferring a tube from the sample archiving system to the laboratory automation system, an empty tube carrier is conveyed to a second take-over module via a third conveyor. At the second take-over module, at least one tube is inserted into the tube carrier and the tube carrier carrying the at least one tube is conveyed away from the second take-over module via a fourth conveyor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an in vitro method for detecting an antibody to p53 (anti-p53 antibody) in a sample, the method comprising: incubating a sample to be analyzed with a p53 capture antigen and a p53 detection antigen, whereby a complex comprising the p53 capture antigen, the anti-p53 antibody and the p53 detection antigen is formed, separating the complex formed from unbound detection antigen and measuring the complex obtained via the detection antigen comprised therein, thereby detecting the anti-p53 antibody comprised in the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for diagnosing preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition in a pregnant subject. The method is based on the measurement of the amount of the biomarker IGFBP-7 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7) in a sample from the subject and on the comparison of the measured amount to a reference. Also disclosed are methods for assessing the severity of preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition and methods for monitoring a preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition in a pregnant subject. The present disclosure further relates to the use of the biomarker IGFBP-7 or of an agent that specifically binds to IGFBP-7 in a sample from a pregnant subject for diagnosing, for monitoring or for assessing the severity of preeclampsia or a preeclampsia-related condition. Finally, the present disclosure relates to a device or kit adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns methods for the detection of an analyte in a sample by electrochemiluminescence using new reagent compositions. New reagent compositions, reagent kits for measuring electrochemiluminscence (ECL) and electrochemiluminescence detection methods using the new reagent compositions are disclosed. In particular, the disclosure relates to the use of novel combinations of compounds which can be used in said measurements to provide improved assay performance.

Abstract: A therapeutic system in an exemplary embodiment comprises a fluid delivery device having a fluid reservoir, an outlet port with a lumen for outputting fluid from the reservoir, a pump for pumping the fluid through the lumen and a controller for controlling the therapeutic system. The therapeutic system may also comprise an adaptor for an infusion set, the adaptor having a plug operable for attaching to the outlet port, and wherein the adaptor has an adaptor septum operable for being pierced by the lumen when attached to the outlet port. The therapeutic system comprises an infusion set recognition system, wherein the controller is operable to query the infusion set recognition system for infusion set data, wherein the infusion set data comprises an infusion set type, wherein the controller is operable to operate the pump to provide a basal dosage of the fluid if the infusion set type is not recognized.

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 test element analysis system for the analytical examination of a sample is disclosed. The test element analysis system comprises: at least one evaluation device with at least one test element holder for positioning a test element containing the sample and at least one measuring device for measuring a change in a measuring zone of the test element, the change being characteristic for the analyte; at least one electrical heating element configured for electrically heating the test element; at least one electrical power supply for supplying electrical energy to the electrical heating element; at least one temperature sensor connected to the test element holder for detecting a temperature of the test element holder; at least one gap detection device configured for monitoring the electrical energy Espez supplied by the electrical power supply to the electrical heating element for reaching a predetermined target temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A switch for a conveying line for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is presented. The conveying line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion. The switch comprises a curved first guiding surface and a second guiding surface. The switch is moveable between a first position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is transportable along the curved first guiding surface from the first line portion to the second line portion, and a second position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is further transportable along the second guiding surface on the first line portion. A switch assembly and a conveying line are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining properties of a laboratory sample contained in a laboratory sample container is presented. The method comprises measuring projections of the laboratory sample container comprising the laboratory sample by irradiating light to the laboratory sample container at different projection angle and determining the properties by tomographic reconstruction based on the projections.

Abstract: A method for detecting a covering state of a laboratory sample container is presented. Light is injected into the laboratory sample container and an optical power is measured at a measuring location. A corresponding laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.