Abstract: An automated system and method for storing/retrieving vessel holders is presented. A first storage compartment comprises first storage sections. A first translating mechanism vertically translates one storage section to a loading level for loading holders into the first storage compartment and translates one storage section to a handing-in level for handing in holders to/from an analyzer. A second storage compartment comprises second storage sections. A second translating mechanism vertically translates one second storage sections to a handing-out level and translates one storage section to an unloading level for unloading holders from the second storage compartment. A first transport mechanism comprises a first conveyor for transporting holders from a first storage section at the handing-in level to a handing-over station. A second transport mechanism comprises a second conveyor for transporting holders from the handing-over station to a second storage section at the handing-out level.

Abstract: A separation device for separating a filtrate from a sample fluid, especially for extracting plasma from whole blood, comprising a sample container for receiving the sample fluid and a filter plunger to be introduced under seal into the sample container, which filter plunger has a filter element at its front end and a grip element on the opposite end and will receive in its interior the filtrate obtained. After insertion of the filter plunger into the sample container an annular chamber is formed between the inner wall of the sample container and the outer wall of the filter plunger, which is sealed against the exterior by a sealing lip and in which an air cushion is formed upon introduction of the filter plunger into the sample container, which acts on the sample fluid. A flow connection is provided between the annular chamber and the front side of the filter element after insertion of the filter plunger is terminated.

Abstract: A device for gripping vessels is presented. The device comprises a mount, a support having a longitudinal axis coupled to the mount so to be rotatable relative to the mount around the longitudinal axis, a rotating mechanism for rotating the support, a gripper coupled to the support so to be translatable relative to the support along the longitudinal axis. The gripper has jaws for gripping a vessel, a translating mechanism for translating the gripper, at least one actuator for driving the translating mechanism and/or rotating mechanism and at least two reference elements fixed to the mount in at least two different stop positions. The jaws are passively biasable towards each other for holding a vessel in positions other than the at least two stop positions. The jaws are actively biasable away from each other by pushing the gripper against a reference element in one of the stop positions.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus to be installed on a substantially horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory is presented. The apparatus comprises a bottom side and an upper working side, the bottom side having at least three casters for rolling the apparatus on a surface and at least two feet. The casters have a fixed height and at least one caster is higher than the other casters so that the apparatus is unbalanced when it is rolled on the surface. The at least two feet are individually adjustable in height so that when the height of the feet is adjusted the upper working side is leveled and the apparatus rests on the at least two feet and the higher caster. An analytical system comprising the analytical apparatus and a method of installing the analytical apparatus and the system are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a new class of nucleic acid tagging molecules which are essentially free of homopolymer stretches. The tagging molecules can tag a plurality of individual target molecules for detection with a high degree of accuracy. The tagging molecules can be used to tag at least 105 or 106 individual target molecules. The tagged individual target molecules can be subjected to high throughput sequence analysis.

Abstract: A method and a device for handling a closing element in a laboratory automation system are presented. The closing element is a sealing foil having at least two layers forming a first surface and an opposing second surface, respectively. The layers differ in at least one material property. The material property on at least one of the first surface and the second surface for identifying the orientation of the sealing foil is determined. A laboratory automation system for carrying out the method and/or with the device is also presented.

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: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for automatically focusing multiple images of one or more objects on a substrate. The methods include obtaining, by a processor, a representative focal distance for a first location on the substrate based on a set of focal distances at known locations on the substrate. The methods also include acquiring, by an image acquisition device, a set of at least two images of the first location. The images are each acquired using a different focal distance at an offset from the representative focal distance. The methods further include estimating, by a processor, an ideal focal distance corresponding to the first location based on comparing a quality of focus for each of the images, and storing the estimated ideal focal distance and the first location in the set of focal distances at known locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of certain glycosyltransferase variants having N-terminal truncation deletions. Contrary to previous findings certain truncations were found to exhibit sialidase enzymatic activity, particularly a variant of human sialyltransferase (hST6Gal-I) with a truncation deletion involving the first 89 N-terminal amino acids of the respective wild-type polypeptide. A fundamental finding documented in the present disclosure is that there exists a variant of this enzyme which is capable of catalyzing transfer of a glycosyl moiety as well as hydrolysis thereof. Thus, disclosed is a specific exemplary variant of mammalian glycosyltransferase, nucleic acids encoding the same, methods and means for recombinantly producing the variant of mammalian glycosyltransferase and use thereof, particularly for sialylating in a quantitatively controlled manner terminal acceptor groups of glycan moieties being part of glycoproteins such as immunoglobulins.

Abstract: A vertical conveying device for the transport of sample container carriers having sample tubes received therein between a bottom level and a top level of a sample distribution system is presented. The vertical conveying device comprises a plurality of conveying surfaces which are movable along a circulating path. A sample distribution system having such a vertical conveying device and to a laboratory automation system having such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A cartridge for an automatic analyzer, formed from a cover and carrier structure, is operable for rotation about an axis and has at least one container with at least one reservoir containing at least one fluid. Each container may rotate about the axis within a cavity and relative to the carrier structure. A piercing structure opens a seal of each reservoir when the container rotates relative to the carrier structure. Each container and each cavity has a frictional element that mate and cause friction. Each container has an engaging surface which mates with an engaging surface of a rotational actuator that applies torque to rotate and open the container via the piercing structure. A fluidic structure of the cartridge processes a biological sample into a processed biological sample and enables via a measurement structure measurement of the processed biological sample. A duct is between the cavity and the fluidic structure.

Abstract: The invention also relates to compounds, which are useful for intra-molecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising the oxidized form of a carbaNADH-based first fluorophore and a second fluorophore that is excitable at a wave-length of between 445 to 540 nm and that has an emission maximum of greater than 560 nm, and methods, kits and compositions related thereto.

Abstract: A transport device for receiving a sample container and for transporting the sample container on a transport surface, the transport device being capable of being moved magnetically over the transport surface and, further, having a cooling device is presented. A sample distribution system comprising such a transport device and to a laboratory automation system is also presented.

Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.

Abstract: A dispatching device for dispatching sample containers received in respective sample container carriers from a transport surface to an external position and/or from the external position to the transport surface is presented. The dispatching device has a tube and a capsule, a conveying surface with an electromagnetic actuator being formed in the capsule. A sample distribution system with such a dispatching device and a laboratory automation system with such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: The analyte concentration, such as glucose, in a human or animal body is measured with an implantable sensor that generates measurement signals. The measurement signals are compressed through statistical techniques to produced compressed measurement data that can is easier to process and communicate. A base station carries the implantable sensor along with a signal processor, memory, and a transmitter. A display device is also disclosed that can receive the compressed measurement data from the base station for further processing and display.

Abstract: A system and method for locating sample vessels are presented. The system comprises a holder having an array of positions for holding sample vessels. An information tag is attached to the holder for storing and/or retrieving machine-readable information related to the positions of sample vessels with respect to the array of positions. The system further comprises a handheld device capable of reading information on the information tag. The handheld device has an input for inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel and an output for outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel with respect to the array of positions based on information stored in the information tag. The method comprises inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel into the handheld device, reading information stored in the holder's information tag with the handheld device; and outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel.

Abstract: A robotic device is presented. The robotic device comprises a stationary base, a first arm rotationally mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis (I), a second arm rotationally mounted on the first arm for rotation about a second axis (II), in which second axis (II) is parallel to the first axis (I), a first driving device for driving the first arm to rotate about the first axis (I), and a second arm drive unit with a second driving device for driving the second arm to rotate about the second axis (I). The first driving device and the second driving devices are mounted stationary at the base. A linear drive unit moves the first arm and the second arm in a direction parallel to the first axis (I) and the second axis (II). The linear drive unit comprises a third driving device mounted stationary at the base.

Abstract: Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes from about 0.3 ?l to less than 1 ?l and test times from about 3.5 to about 6 seconds after detection of the sample. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action.