Abstract: A method and system for replenishing refrigerated consumables by a mobile connected autonomous refrigerator includes receiving a notification triggered by a laboratory instrument that a refrigerated consumable used by the laboratory instrument is depleted; autonomously navigating to a refrigerated storage; retrieving the refrigerated consumable and placing it in the mobile refrigerated unit: autonomously moving to the laboratory instrument that triggered the notification; and alerting an operator to retrieve the refrigerated consumable from mobile refrigerated unit and load it into the laboratory instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a fluid sample from a fluid sample collection apparatus to a liquid sample analyzer. The apparatus includes a barrel having a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an inner surface defining an internal chamber, and an external surface defining at least a portion of a chromatographic assay chamber in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The first end has an inlet opening with a clot catcher extending across the inlet opening upstream of the passage and the second end has an outlet opening. A chromatographic assay assembly is housed in the chromatographic assay chamber for detecting presence of free hemoglobin in the fluid sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method in which a sample is passed through a fluid flow path of a sensor assembly such that the sample intersects at least one sensor comprising at least three electrodes arranged such that two or more electrodes are opposing and two or more electrodes are beside one another. The sensor is read by a reader monitoring changes to the sensor due to the presence of the sample. The reader measures the presence and/or concentration of one or more analytes within the sample based upon data obtained by the reader.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a concentration of one or more analytes in whole blood is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a channel configured to carry whole blood. The system further includes a light source configured to emit light on the channel. Additionally, the system includes an actuation module associable with the channel, wherein the actuation module is configured to generate a cell-free plasma layer in the channel. Furthermore, the system includes an optical module associable with the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligonucleotide sequences for amplification primers and their use in performing nucleic acid amplifications of HCV, in particular regions that encode the NS3 polypeptide. In some embodiments the primers are used in nested PCR methods for the detection or sequencing of HCV NS3. The oligonucleotide sequences are also provided assembled as kits that can be used to amplify and detect or sequence HCV NS3.

Abstract: An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for replenishing refrigerated consumables by a mobile connected autonomous refrigerator includes receiving a notification triggered by a laboratory instrument that a refrigerated consumable used by the laboratory instrument is depleted; autonomously navigating to a refrigerated storage; retrieving the refrigerated consumable and placing it in the mobile refrigerated unit; autonomously moving to the laboratory instrument that triggered the notification; and alerting an operator to retrieve the refrigerated consumable from mobile refrigerated unit and load it into the laboratory instrument.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating lipoprotein interference in in vitro diagnostic assays for target hydrophobic analytes are disclosed, as well as compositions, kits, and devices useful in said methods. A pretreatment reagent is utilized that includes at least one enzyme that digests lipoprotein.

Abstract: Methods of predicting failures of in vitro diagnostic instruments include monitoring, with one or more monitoring devices associated with one or more components of the in vitro diagnostic instrument, one or more condition-based maintenance (CBM) parameters of the in vitro diagnostic instrument, providing the one or more condition-based maintenance parameters to a local database, transmitting condition-based maintenance data to a remote service location, storing the condition-based maintenance data at the remote service location, analyzing the condition-based maintenance data according to a failure prediction engine including failure prediction criteria, and performing an action based on predefined deviation from the failure prediction criteria. Apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Hydrophilic, high quantum yield, chemiluminescent acridinium compounds with increased light output, improved stability, fast light emission and decreased non specific binding are disclosed. The chemiluminescent acridinium esters possess hydrophilic, branched, electron-donating functional groups at the C2 and/or C7 positions of the acridinium nucleus.

Abstract: A method of aligning a component to a structure in a diagnostic laboratory system. The method includes aligning a position sensor to the structure; sensing a position of the component using the position sensor; and calculating the position of the component relative to the structure based at least in part on the sensing. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a 3D center location of a specimen container on a track. The method includes providing a calibration object on the track; providing an initially calibrated image capture device adjacent to the track; moving the calibration object to at least two different longitudinal positions along the track; capturing a first image with the calibration object located at the first longitudinal position; capturing a second image with the calibration object located at the second longitudinal position; and determining a three-dimensional path trajectory of a center location along the track based at least upon the first image and the second image. The method can be used to determine a 3D center location of a specimen container imaged anywhere within a viewing area. Characterization apparatus and specimen testing apparatus adapted to carry out the methods are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Reagents are disclosed for use with potentiometric magnesium ion selective electrodes, along with kits containing same as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A lysis device including a sample vessel, at least one piezo element, and a controller is disclosed. The sample vessel has a microchannel formed therein. The sample vessel has at least one port extending through a surface to the microchannel. The piezo element is attached to the surface of the sample vessel. The controller has logic to cause the controller to emit a first signal including a series of frequencies to the at least one piezo element to cause the at least one piezo element to generate ultrasonic acoustic standing waves in the sample vessel, to receive a second signal indicative of measured vibration signals from the sample vessel detected by the at least one piezo element, and to determine a resonant frequency of the sample vessel using the measured vibration signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes compounds, kits, and assay procedures for use in determining the levels of certain types of drugs in samples that contain specific binding proteins for the drugs. The present disclosure includes analog compounds useful for displacing the drugs from their endogenous binding proteins, and kits including same, as well as methods that utilize these displacers as binding competitors in pharmaceutical assays.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a device for calibrating the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more light sources, at least one image acquisition device for acquiring images; and a device. The device comprises a processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit. The memory comprising a calibration module configured to obtain a value of current flowing through each of one or more light sources in real-time, compare the value of current flowing through each of the one or more light sources with a predefined threshold current value, and calibrate color gain value associated with at least one image acquisition device, if the determined value of current for each of the one or more light sources is above the predefined threshold current value.

Abstract: A method of operating a diagnostic instrument includes illuminating an imaging location of the diagnostic instrument with first light having a first spectrum for a first period and capturing a first image of the imaging location illuminated by the first light. The method further includes illuminating the imaging location of the diagnostic instrument with second light having a second spectrum for a second period, the second spectrum being more destructive to a chemical configured to be received in the diagnostic instrument than the first spectrum; and capturing a second image of the imaging location illuminated by the second light. Other methods and diagnostic instruments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated analyzer is described. The analyzer includes a housing, a consumable insert, a consumable support device, a reader and a control system. The housing has a sample port. The consumable insert has a consumable insert type and an identification component and receives a consumable. The consumable support device is disposed within the sample port, supports the consumable insert, and is moveable to a testing position within the internal cavity. The consumable support device has an identifier component configured to identify the consumable insert type based in part on the identification component and configured to output a first data signal indicative of the consumable insert type. The reader outputs a second data signal indicative of a reading from the consumable. The control system receives the first and second data signals, and interprets the second data signal based on the first data signal.

Abstract: A method for backlash compensation in motion control systems includes homing a payload of a motion control system, and performing a tooth-pitch non-uniformity procedure on the motion control system to identify a non-uniformity correction. A backlash lookup table is generated for use in backlash correction during normal operation of the motion control system. The backlash lookup table is generated using a training process that includes selecting a move sequence for operating the motion control system, and executing the move sequence with the non-uniformity correction. The training process further includes computing a backlash measurement describing backlash of one or more components of the motion control system during the move sequence, and storing the backlash measurement in the backlash lookup table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system with a seal between a manifold and a liquid container in which a sealing without an elastomer material is used, wherein the sealing properties of the seal are independent of the rotational position of the manifold in relation to the container.