Abstract: Lysis devices, methods, and systems are disclosed including a lysis device comprising a sample vessel having an outer surface, a microchannel within the confines of the outer surface, a first port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel, and a second port extending through the outer surface to the microchannel; and an acoustic transducer bonded to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure, the acoustic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic acoustic waves into and/or to induce shear forces into a blood sample within the microchannel, thereby rupturing the blood cells.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods separating and metering a plasma sample from a patients liquid test sample.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a removable cap with a top hole and a seal with a heat induction closure for sealing an opening of a container. Advantageously, the cap and the seal do not need to be removed for a probe to access contents of the container, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, thereby eliminating operator steps of cap removal and seal peeling/perforation. Automated opening of the cap and seal combination is provided by puncturing the seal. The seal retains its opened shape required for unobstructed, non-contact probe access to contents of the container. The seal is comprised of three layers: a first polymer sealing layer capable of being heat-sealed to a container; an aluminum foil layer on top of the first polymer sealing layer, configured to heat seal the first layer by inductive heating; and a second polymer layer on top of the aluminum foil layer for protection.

Abstract: Composition(s), device(s), kit(s), and method(s) for improved biocide formulations that remove contaminants (and the effects related thereto) from at least one analyte detection sensor, while simultaneously preserving and/or extending the functional life of the at least one analyte detection sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of enabling supervision of a laboratory environment utilizing diagnostic equipment. The method includes utilization of a device for capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the laboratory environment. The method further requires selectively capturing the optical image using the image capture device and selectively transmitting the captured image over a communications medium. The method further requires receiving the transmitted optical image by an image receiver in communication with the image transmission device via the communications medium. The method then requires selectively generating, by an image processor in communication with the image receiver, a display of at least a portion of the captured optical image on an image display device and receiving status information from the diagnostic equipment at a laboratory manager that is in communication with multitude of diagnostic equipment.

Abstract: Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A tangent flow hemolysis blood testing assembly, device and method are described herein. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relate to a device(s), kit(s), and method(s) for injecting a patient's liquid test sample into a reaction vessel. More specifically, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relate to an improved liquid test sample injection device that comprises a plug that forms an airtight seal that facilitates the active injection of a liquid test sample into a reaction vessel, and kits and methods of use related thereto.

Abstract: In the various illustrative embodiments herein, test devices are described with opposing sensor arrays and same side contacts.

Abstract: A system for transporting a sample in a clinical analysis system includes a sample container holding the sample, a ferromagnetic base connected to a bottom portion of the sample container, and a puck. The puck is used for transporting the sample container in the clinical analysis system. The puck comprises an embedded magnet for securing the sample container to the puck using the ferromagnetic base.

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: The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to the need to measure a microsample and obtain one or more measurement for one or more analyte in the microsample by configuring a sensor array having one or more first reference signal source interlaced with one or more analyte sensor positioned along the longitudinal axis the sensor body and a second reference signal source positioned downstream of the sensor body along a sample flow path.

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: Reagents for use in sandwich immunoassays for haptens are disclosed, along with kits containing same. Also disclosed are diagnostic immunoassay methods that utilize these immunoassay reagents in a particle enhanced agglutination detection assay for detecting haptens/drugs in samples.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a biological sample analyzer has a housing having at least one outer wall that defines a cavity therein. A receptacle, which can support a consumable holder containing a biological sample, is disposed within the cavity. At least one heater applies heat to the consumable holder when the consumable holder is supported by the receptacle. At least one heater sensor detects a temperature of the receptacle over time. A controller directs the at least one heater to apply an elevated temperature to the consumable holder and reduces an amount of heat applied to the consumable holder before the consumable holder exceeds a target temperature that is less than the elevated temperature. By applying the elevated temperature, the consumable holder can be heated quicker than if it where heated at only the target temperature.

Abstract: A system for coupling photometers to an incubation ring for use in in vitro diagnostics comprises one or more light sources, and an incubation ring assembly, and two photometers. An incubation ring assembly comprises an internal trough and an external trough. Each trough comprises (a) an internal wall comprising an internal aperture and (b) an external wall comprising an external aperture. A first photometer comprises: a first optics housing directing light from the light sources through the external aperture of the internal trough, and a first detector positioned to receive the light through the internal aperture of the internal trough. A second photometer comprises a second optics housing directing the light from the light sources through the internal aperture of the external trough, and a second detector positioned to receive the light through the external aperture of the external trough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions to remove or reduce biotin interference from certain assays.

Abstract: The inventive concepts herein relate to performing block retrieval on a block to be processed of a urine sediment image. The method comprises: using a plurality of decision trees to perform block retrieval on the block to be processed, wherein each of the plurality of decision trees comprises a judgment node and a leaf node, and the judgment node judges the block to be processed to make it reach the leaf node by using a block retrieval feature in a block retrieval feature set to form a block retrieval result at the leaf node, and at least two decision trees in the plurality of decision trees are different in structures thereof and/or judgments performed by the judgment nodes thereof by using the block retrieval feature; and integrating the block retrieval results of the plurality of decision trees so as to form a final block retrieval result.

Abstract: A method of training a neural network (Convolutional Neural Network-CNN) including reduced graphical annotation input is provided. The training method can be used to train a Testing CNN that can be used for determining Hemolysis (H), Icterus (I), and/or Lipemia (L), or Normal (N) of a serum or plasma portion of a test specimen. The training method includes capturing training images of multiple specimen containers including training specimens, generating region proposals of the serum or plasma portions of the training specimens; and selecting the best matches for the location, size and shape of the region proposals for the multiple training specimens. The obtained features (network and weights) from the training CNN can be used in a testing CNN. Quality check modules and testing apparatus adapted to carry out the training method, and characterization methods using abounding box regressor are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting incorporating magnetic shielding to reduce exposure of any of samples, reactants, devices or people from exposure or prolonged exposure to magnetic or electromagnetic fields generated with the system. Some embodiments provide an automation system for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting comprising an automation track having a sidewall provided with magnetic shielding. In some embodiments, the magnetic shielding comprises an 80% nickel alloy.