Abstract: A method of patient-centric load planning for a diagnostic laboratory having a plurality of instruments includes receiving a list of patient samples, a list of requested tests to be performed for each of the patient samples, and patient-centric information for the patient providing each patient sample. The received data is used to determine a load plan for the instruments, the load plan including a menu of selected tests assigned to each instrument and an ordering of patient samples according to a priority score based on at least a portion of the electronic health record (EHR) of the patient providing the patient sample. A system for patient-centric load planning includes a plurality of instruments controlled by a system controller and computer server to formulate and execute the load plan.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method of using image-based tube top circle detection based on multiple candidate selection to localize the tube top circle region in input images. According to embodiments provided herein, the multi-candidate selection enhances the robustness of tube circle detection by making use of multiple views of the same tube to improve the robustness of tube top circle detection. With multiple candidates extracted from images under different viewpoints of the same tube, the multi-candidate selection algorithm selects an optimal combination among the candidates and provides more precise measurement of tube characteristics. This information is invaluable in an IVD environment in which a sample handler is processing the tubes and moving the tubes to analyzers for testing and analysis.

Abstract: A calibration method is provided including identifying the imaging area on each light panel with respect to each imaging device. A center position of the imaging area of each light panel for each imaging device is determined. An optimal optical center of the imaging apparatus using the center position of the imaging area of each imaging device is determined. A tube calibration tool is installed in a carrier on a track, and the carrier is moved on the track so that a center of the tube calibration tool is located at a closest location to the optimal optical center of the imaging apparatus. The center of the tube calibration tool is used to determine a center of a region of interest (ROI) for backlight calibration. Methods for health checking the calibration and apparatus used to carry out the calibration are provided as well as other aspects.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and flagging and/or suppressing aberrant results caused by incomplete dispersion of an immunoassay reagent used in a turbidimetric immunoassay are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for calculating various coagulation characteristics associated with a patients liquid test sample. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relate to an improved device(s) and method(s) for conducting coagulation assays on a patients liquid test sample, including, without limitation, a patients whole blood sample.

Abstract: A medical diagnosis assistance system, a medical diagnosis assistance method, and a training method for training an artificial intelligence entity are disclosed. The medical diagnosis assistance system includes: an input interface configured to receive medical image data of a patient; a computing device configured to implement: a classification module configured to classify parts of interest, POI, comprising objects of interest, OOI, and/or regions of interest, ROI, within the received medical image data, and to assign a corresponding reliability metric to each of the classified POI; and an analysis module configured to determine, based on the POI and the assigned reliability metric, an analysis of the medical image data; and an output interface configured to output an output signal indicating the analysis.

Abstract: An image analysis device (BA) is configured to recognize imaged objects. A plurality of training images (TPIC) assigned to an object type (OT) and an object sub-type (OST) are fed into a first neural network module (CNN) to detect image features. Training output data sets (FEA) of the first neural network module are fed into a second neural network module (MLP) to detect object types using the detected image features. For each object type: training images assigned to the object type (OT1, OT2) are fed into the trained first neural network module, the first neural network module training output data set (FEA1, FEA2) generated for the respective training image is assigned to the object sub-type (OST) of the respective training image, and by means of the aforementioned sub-type assignments, a sub-type detection module (BMLP1, BMLP2) is configured to detect object sub-types.

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: 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: A point of care system is provided that includes an instrument data manager (IDM) configured to communicate with a diagnostic engine and to (1) obtain identification (ID) information of a patient for which a test is to be performed; (2) obtain ID information of a diagnostic consumable to be used to collect a sample from the patient; (3) link the obtained patient ID information with the obtained diagnostic consumable ID information; and (4) restrict testing using the diagnostic engine by (a) prior to performing a test on a sample collected with a diagnostic consumable, determine ID information of the diagnostic consumable at the diagnostic engine; (b) determine whether the diagnostic consumable is linked with patient information within the IDM; and (c) if so, allow the diagnostic engine to perform a test on the sample collected with the diagnostic consumable. Numerous other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Diagnostic laboratory systems, methods of operating diagnostic laboratory systems, and methods of updating diagnostic laboratory systems are disclosed. A method of operating a diagnostic laboratory system includes identifying data in the system as identified data: identifying change in a data distribution of the identified data; aggregating data instances pertaining to the change in the data distribution; selecting a subset of the aggregated data to update a processing algorithm in the system; and updating the processing algorithm using the subset of the aggregated data. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A sample insertion apparatus enabling a sample to be inserted into a diagnostic analyzer in a hands-free manner. The sample insertion apparatus includes an insertion head having a coupler configured to couple to a sample container having an insertion member, an arm containing a sample probe positioned stationary relative to the arm, and a retraction assembly coupled to the insertion head and configured to cause the sample container to move towards the sample probe to insert the sample probe into the insertion member. Sample insertion and operating methods for hands-free insertion of a sample into a diagnostic analyzer are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilicity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a bodily fluid analyzer includes a reference electrode container containing a reference electrode, a membrane capable or configured to be in fluid communication with the reference electrode container; and a wicking member capable or configured to be in fluid communication with the reference electrode container. The wicking member is configured to draw a reference fluid contained in the reference electrode container towards the membrane when the membrane and the wicking member are exposed to the reference fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and kits for identifying and treating individuals at risk of or suffering from amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy. In general, detection or measurement of one or more biomarkers, such as TnI, PKM1, PKM2, NT-proBNP, RBP4, DCN, TIMP2, SMOC-2, NfL, or combinations thereof, assists in the identification of amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy. The present disclosure also provides methods for selecting patients for treatment of amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy, such as with transthyretin stabilizing agents.

Abstract: Kits containing a chemiluminescent detection system and microfluidics devices and methods for determining the concentration of biotin in a sample are disclosed. The kits, microfluidics devices, and methods utilize a sensitizer capable of generating singlet oxygen in its excited state and having avidin or an analog thereof directly or indirectly bound thereto, as well as a singlet oxygen-activatable chemiluminescent compound having biotin or an analog thereof directly or indirectly bound thereto.

Abstract: A wash station for use in a clinical analyzer of an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment for cleaning a probe comprises a basin, a vertically-elongated conduit, an inlet port, and a helix insert. The vertically-elongated conduit is attached to the interior of the basin. The inlet port is connected to a bottom portion of the basin. The inlet port is sized to receive and secure a wash feed line that propels a wash fluid upward through the vertically-elongated conduit. The helix insert is positioned within the vertically-elongated conduit and sized to allow insertion of the probe through a center portion of the helix insert for cleaning. The helix insert causes the wash fluid to flow in a helical shape around the probe as it is transported through the vertically-elongated conduit, thereby cleaning the probe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for removing interfering substances from biological samples, biochemical assays, or reagents used in biological samples using porous liposomes that capture and in some instances enrich said interfering substances within the liposomes.