Abstract: Methods of visualizing performance of a diagnostic laboratory system are provided. The methods include displaying on a display, an image representing a layout of a plurality of laboratory analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and overlaying the image with a dynamically-changeable color overlay that indicates a performance for the plurality of laboratory analyzers over a period of time via using changeable colors. Systems including color-changeable overlays are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A data display includes a grid including: a first column configured to display particular data values of a first data parameter; a plurality of rows, each row configured to display a particular data value of the first data parameter in the first column; and a second column including a vertically-extending graph, wherein the particular data value in one or more of the plurality of rows is plotted as a data point horizontally aligned with a corresponding row on the vertically-extending graph, wherein a plurality of data points display moving data values of the first data parameter. Other devices such as instrument analyzers and methods of displaying data are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting nucleic acids such as DNA molecules from biological samples uses solid-state magnetic manipulation. A fluid sample and magnetic beads are placed in a vessel. The vessel is placed in a housing with an array of electromagnets mounted therein. The electromagnets are energized sequentially or in groups to move the magnetic beads through the fluid sample in a variety of patterns. The apparatus disclosed herein may be used as a measurement device to measure bead number density and modify magnetic patterns in order to deliver consistent dosages in bead number.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to receive particles in a liquid includes: a housing comprising a housing inlet and a housing outlet; and a mesh located in the housing between the housing inlet and the housing outlet, the mesh having spaces greater than a greatest transverse dimension of the particles. The apparatus operates to break up agglomerates of the particles, such as agglomerates of magnetic particles. Other systems and methods of receiving and transferring liquids containing particles having a propensity to agglomerate are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods of autonomous diagnostic verification and detection of defects in the optical components of a vision-based inspection system are provided. The method includes illuminating a light panel with a first light intensity pattern, capturing a first image of the first light intensity pattern with a sensor, illuminating the light panel with a second light intensity pattern different than the first light intensity pattern, capturing a second image of the second light intensity pattern with the sensor, comparing the first image and the second image to generate a comparison of images, and identifying defects in the light panel or the sensor based upon the comparison of images. Systems adapted to carry out the methods are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A quality control method for a diagnostic analyzer includes performing a quality control test or a plurality of specimen tests; determining, with a controller, that a result of the quality control test or a plurality of specimen test results is outside of a threshold; monitoring one or more mechanical devices of the diagnostic analyzer with the controller; receiving, by the controller, an error code indicating an error in a mechanical device of the one or more mechanical devices; and initiating a calibration procedure in response to the result of the quality control test or the plurality of specimen test results being outside of the threshold and receiving the error code. Other apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid analyzer for analyzing fluid samples comprising one or more analytes and a method of calibrating such. The fluid analyzer includes a control system to control at least one automated valve to pass at least three calibration reagents through a fluid channel to a secondary ion selective electrode, a primary ion selective electrode, and a reference electrode, and determine calibration information using calibration logic from signals generated by a meter, control the at least one automated valve to selectively pass different subsets of the at least three calibration reagents through the fluid channel to the secondary ion selective electrode, the primary ion selective electrode, and the reference electrode, and determine re-calibration information using the signals generated by the meter and at least one of the calibration information and re-calibration logic.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions that include 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: A method (400) and a system (200) for generating a chromatically modified image of one or more components on a microscopic slide (303) is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes obtaining the image of the one or more components on the microscopic slide (303). Additionally, the method (400) includes processing the image to identify the one or more components. The method (400) further includes segmenting at least one part of the one or more components identified from the image. Furthermore, the method (400) includes chromatically modifying the at least one part of the one or more components and generating a chromatically modified image of the one or more components.

Abstract: A device (100) for visualization of one or more components in a blood sample is disclosed. In one aspect, the device (100) includes an imaging module (110), wherein the imaging module (110) includes a controllable illumination source (102) capable of emitting light in plurality of discrete angles; a tube lens (105); one or more objective lens (104); and an image capturing module (106). Additionally, the device (100) includes a channel (103) configured to carry the blood sample, wherein the channel (103) is capable of sorting the one or more components in the blood sample.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus controlling change-out inventory of an automated analyzer apparatus. The inventory control methods include receiving change-out inventory status from automated analyzer apparatus at a server, receiving an estimate of the planned workload over a specific time period at the server, analyzing with a decisioning module of the server first data of the change-out inventory status and second data of the planned workload over the specified time period, and producing a work plan itinerary as an output from the decisioning module. The work plan itinerary provides sequence instructions or commands for an operator (person and/or robotic mechanism) to follow for changing out of change-out inventory items. Inventory control apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a test tube vacuum retainer system, comprising an outer body comprising a midline plate; one or more side walls, a bottom wall, and a top plate comprising an access hole; a test tube holder comprising a sealant ring; a base; and a vacuum tube comprising an external outlet; wherein the test tube holder is secured within the outer body to the base, which in turn is secured to the midline plate; wherein the vacuum tube is connected to the test tube holder at a first end, and the external outlet is configured to be connected to a vacuum pump configured to apply a vacuum force to the test tube holder when a test tube is inserted into the access hole and placed onto the test tube holder.

Abstract: Platelet cell data may be obtained from analysis of a blood sample by a hematology analyzer or like device. Systems and apparatus may process the platelet cell data in accordance with platelet parameter thresholds selected by a user. The platelet cell data may then be categorized and displayed in one or more useful forms for medical diagnostic and/or research purposes. The platelet cell data may be categorized and displayed in, e.g., tabular and/or graphical form based on the user-selected platelet parameter thresholds. Methods of processing platelet cell data for categorizing and displaying the platelet cell data in one or more useful forms are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a serum and plasma portion of a specimen in regions occluded by one or more labels. The characterization method may be used to provide input to an HILN (H, I, and/or L, or N) detection method. The characterization method includes capturing one or more images of a labeled specimen container including a serum or plasma portion from multiple viewpoints, processing the one or more images to provide segmentation data including identification of a label-containing region, determining a closest label match of the label-containing region to a reference label configuration selected from a reference label configuration database, and generating a combined representation based on the segmentation information and the closest label match. Using the combined representation allows for compensation of the light blocking effects of the label-containing region. Quality check modules and testing apparatus and adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A wash station includes a wash nozzle for cleaning an exterior portion of a probe and a basin allowing for waste fluid to be collected. The wash nozzle includes a vertically-elongate cavity with side slits on opposing side portions. A fluid inlet port may be connected to a side portion of the cavity to provide fluid. Fluid may additionally or alternatively come from within the probe. The basin includes an elongate body with an opened end to receive and secure the wash nozzle. One or more access slots may be provided on opposing side portions of the basin. The probe passes through an access slot or over a portion of the basin and through a side slit of the nozzle to enter the cavity for cleaning. A geometry of the cavity allows the wash nozzle to fill to a predetermined level while waste fluid flows out through the side slits.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of controlling a payload temperature in in vitro diagnostics including: moving, using a track system, a plurality of carriers, along one or more paths between a plurality of testing stations, wherein the carrier is configured to hold one or more payloads, and limiting, using a temperature controlling device, temperature change of the one or more payloads, wherein each carrier is configured to hold one or more payloads and move the one or more payloads to one of the plurality of testing stations. Other aspects are described and claimed herein.

Abstract: A method of identifying a tube type. The method includes capturing one or more pixelated images of a cap affixed to a tube; identifying a color of one or more pixels of the pixilated image of the cap; identifying one or more gradients of a dimension of the cap; and identifying the tube type based at least on: the color of the one or more pixels, and the one or more gradients of a dimension of the cap. Apparatus adapted to carry out the method are disclosed as are other aspects.

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: A method of calibrating an imaging device adapted to characterize a feature of a sample container, such as a cap color or cap type. The method includes providing a calibration tube including an imaging surface at an imaging location of a first imaging apparatus; illuminating the imaging surface with light emitted from multiple front light sources; adjusting a drive current to each of the multiple front light sources to establish a substantially uniform intensity of the imaging surface; recording drive current values for the multiple front light sources; replacing the calibration tube with a calibration tool having a calibration surface of a known reflectance; and measuring target intensity values of the calibration tool at the respective drive current values. Calibration tools, imaging apparatus, quality check modules, and health check methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a specimen includes detecting a specimen integrity error in the specimen; capturing an image of the specimen; sending the image of the specimen to a customer support center at a remote location; analyzing the image of the specimen at the customer support center; and determining a cause of the specimen integrity error in response to analyzing the image of the specimen. Diagnostic analyzers and diagnostic systems are also disclosed.