Abstract: A flow cell for oscillating flow PCR has pumping action via thermally-induced internal pressure variations. Rapid movement of a sample comprised of target DNA and associated reagents between heated zones within the flow cell for oscillating flow PCR is achieved without mechanical moving parts and without contamination. A channel extends from a loading port to first and second heated zones and to a central air chamber. The sample is movable between the heated zones in response to central air chamber pressure changes induced by external thermal changes. The flow cell is insertable into a flow cell process heater for heating each heated zone to a respective temperature. The central air chamber is aligned above a flow control heater for thermally inducing the internal pressure changes in the channel.

Abstract: A blood testing device for detecting hemolysis in a blood sample is described. The blood testing device comprises an housing for containing the blood sample. The housing has a treatment window and an optical zone formed therein. The blood testing device further includes an acoustic transducer positioned to selectively generate acoustic forces directed into the treatment window of the housing and a control unit for selectively actuating and deactuating the acoustic transducer to permit colorimetric analysis of plasma within the blood sample.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for calibrating a photometer in an in-vitro diagnostics analyzer includes generating a cuvette map of a reaction ring identifying a plurality of cuvette locations. The cuvette map is used to identify a plurality of reference measurement areas between the plurality of cuvette locations. A plurality of reference measurements are acquired in the reference measurement areas using the photometer. The photometer is automatically calibrated based on a comparison of the reference measurements to a predetermined standard setup of the photometer.

Abstract: Methods for detection and quantitative measurement of proteins with a Coomassie Brilliant Blue Assay with improved sensitivity and maintaining high linearity over a broad measuring range are provided herein. In particular, a method of detecting a protein in a protein-containing sample is provided. The method includes providing a sample including a protein, a reagent including Coomassie Brilliant Blue and having a pH between 0.85 and 1.1, combining the sample and the reagent, and determining absorption at first and second wavelength to determine the amount of protein in the sample. The ratio of the absorption value at the first wavelength between about 580 to 620 nm to the absorption value at the second wavelength between about 520 to 370 nm is used in the spectral photometric determination of the amount of protein.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for analysis of physical parameters and chemical constituents of small volume samples of bodily fluids with at least two analyte sensors. The sensor assembly including a separation panel with an upper surface and a lower surface and upper and lower fluid channels disposed within the upper and lower surfaces respectively. The fluid channels extending substantially between the first and second ends and when in an operating mode bodily fluid is in fluid communication with both the upper and lower fluid channels. The sensor assembly including a potentiometric chip positioned atop and an amperometric chip positioned beneath the separation panel with at least one analyte sensor positioned above and beneath each of the fluid channels and when the sensor assembly is in an operating mode the fluid is in fluid communication with the analyte sensors. A bonding media is disposed beneath the amperometric chip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising oxygen, a sugar or sugar alcohol, and an amino acid, wherein the amino acid is present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the oxygen. Also provided are aqueous diagnostic quality controls or calibration reagents and methods of stabilizing oxygen in a liquid solution.

Abstract: Methods of operating a gripper are provided. The methods include providing a robot including the gripper, the gripper moveable by the robot and including gripper fingers, providing a sample rack including receptacles accessible by the gripper, at least some of the receptacles adapted to contain specimen containers, providing data, obtained by imaging, regarding the sample rack and the specimen containers therein, and determining, based on the data, an accessible target receptacle for one of a pick operation or a place operation. Apparatus and systems configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Processes for quantifying an amount of functional groups immobilized on a solid support are described herein. The processes allow for determining whether sufficient functional groups are provided on a solid support for the attachment of a first binding pair member for the detection of a target analyte.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a single piece radial transfer arm for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment. The transfer arm is comprised of a chassis or elongated, rigid member that provides structural and aesthetic properties, acting as both a mounting base and a cover for transfer arm components. The elongated, rigid member is a single component, such as a single piece of injection-molded plastic. The elongated, rigid member has a top surface, a bottom surface, sidewalls, a pivot end, and a component end. One or more access holes and/or internal component mounting locations are provided for mounting one or more components on the bottom surface. A plurality of radial configuration mounting locations are provided on the bottom surface to allow for multiple radial distances between a pivoting axis of the transfer arm and an attached probe to accommodate arcs of different radii.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds used in the synthesis of chemiluminescent acridinium compounds and methods of producing these compounds. Specifically, methods are provided for the N-alkylation of acridan compounds using alkylating reagents. Typically, these alkylating reagents comprise a protected sulfonate group protected with an acid-labile protecting group.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the hook effect detection associated with analytes of interest in the conductance of one or more diagnostic assays, including, without limitation, immunoassays.

Abstract: A composition of a bilimbin stock and a method of preparation are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the composition includes a base solution. The composition further includes a carbonate salt. Additionally, the composition includes bilimbin.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing magnetic particles comprises a sealed enclosure and a magnetic field source. The sealed enclosure comprises an inlet into the enclosure and an outlet from the enclosure. The configuration of the sealed enclosure and of the inlet and the outlet are such that fluid containing the magnetic particles that is introduced into the enclosure through the inlet exhibits a spiral flow towards the outlet. The magnetic field source is disposed to the enclosure to intermittently apply a magnetic field to the fluid contained therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for refrigerated storage of controls and calibrators utilize a refrigerant storage assembly having an insulated housing and door assembly, thermoelectric coolers, and the refrigerated base assembly having a metal plate thermally coupled to coolers, one or more sensors, and a plurality of receptacles to receive fluid tubes. Refrigerated storage provides a refrigerated environment suitable for multi-day storage of control and calibrator fluids.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for reagent cards having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end comprises a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge. A test analyzing mechanism is adjacent to the travel surface, and a waste receptacle is adjacent to the edge below the travel surface. The waste receptacle has a side and a waste cavity. A ramp member positioned below the travel surface has an end and a sloped surface, and is movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends into the waste cavity, and a retracted position where the end is spaced from the side a distance greater than the length of the reagent card. A moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member is configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunoassays for detecting an anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody in a biological sample from a subject and/or diagnosing a thyroid disease in a subject. The disclosed immunoassays employ a recombinant cynomolgus monkey thyroid peroxidase (rTPO) and assess the level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody-induced formation or disruption of complexes comprising a solid support and the rTPO.

Abstract: This invention includes a chromatographic assay device for detecting the presence of free hemoglobin in a whole blood sample. The device comprising a chromatographic detection pad with a sample application site and a detection side. The chromatographic detection pad defines a path for capillary fluid flow. The chromatographic detection pad has a pore size. The sample application site on the chromatographic detection pad is for application of a portion of the whole blood sample. The detection site on the chromatographic detection pad is spaced apart from the application site and is downstream of the sample application site. The chromatographic detection pad is devoid of a compound located downstream of the application site that is reactive to the whole blood sample. The invention also includes a medical diagnostics device for use with the chromatographic assay device, as well as methods of using the chromatographic assay device and/or medical diagnostics device.

Abstract: A cell visualization system includes a digital holographic microscopy (DHM) device, a training device, and a virtual staining device. The DHM device produces DHM images of cells and the virtual staining device colorizes the DHM images based on an algorithm generated by the training device using generative adversarial networks and unpaired training data. A computer-implemented method for producing a virtually stained DHM image includes acquiring an image conversion algorithm which was trained using the generative adversarial networks, receiving a DHM image with depictions of one or more cells and virtually staining the DHM image by processing the DHM image using the image conversion algorithm. The virtually stained DHM image includes digital colorization of the one or more cells to imitate the appearance of a corresponding actually stained cell.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a specimen in a specimen container includes capturing one or more images of the specimen container, wherein the one or more images include one or more objects of the specimen container, and wherein the capturing generates pixel data from a plurality of pixels. The method further includes identifying one or more selected objects from the one or more objects, displaying an image of the specimen container, and displaying, on the image of the specimen container, one or more locations of pixels used to identify the one or more selected objects. Other apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of automatically aligning an indexing machine with a robotic end effector including: inserting, using a robotic arm, a hunting tool into an aperture, the hunting tool comprising a pressure sensitive tip; detecting, using a plurality of sensing beams, a first location of the hunting tool within the aperture; rotating, using the robotic arm, the hunting tool 180 degrees; detecting, using the plurality of sensing beams, a second location of the hunting tool within the aperture; calculating a runout magnitude and a runout direction based on the first location, the second location, and the robotic arm; inserting, using the robotic arm, the hunting tool into a target; determining, using the pressure sensitive tip, a location of the hunting tool with respect to the target; and thereafter, adjusting the location of the hunting tool with respect to the aperture and target based on said determined location and said calculated runout magnitude and direction.