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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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.

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: 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: One embodiment provides a rinse basin and blower system configured to clean a pipette including: a rinse basin comprising: a hollow tube enclosed at one end; wherein the hollow tube comprises an upper port and a lower port; and the lower port being tapered toward the hollow tube; and wherein the rinse basin is connected to a blower system; the blower system comprising: a waste reservoir that receives, from the rinse basin, a waste product comprising: air and liquid, wherein the waste reservoir separates the liquid from the air; a dryer that receives the air from the waste reservoir and further separates any remaining liquid from the air; and a blower that receives the air from the dryer and exhausts the air.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for detecting aspiration in a clinical analyzer, including: acquiring, from a sensor, pressure measurement data; transforming the pressure measurement data into frequency domain data; generating a clean version of the frequency domain data by attenuating, using a filter, unwanted frequencies; comparing the cleaned version of the frequency domain data to one or more predetermined data points; and determining, based on the comparison, if an aspiration was properly performed. Other aspects are described and claimed herein.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: A method of training a model of a diagnostic apparatus includes providing one or more first tube assemblies of a first type and one or more second tube assemblies of a second type in a diagnostic apparatus; capturing one or more first images of at least a portion of each of the one or more first tube assemblies and the second tube assemblies using the imaging device. Training the model includes identifying tube assemblies of the first type and tube assemblies of the second type based on the one or more first images and the one or more second images. Tubes assemblies of the first type are grouped into a first group and tube assemblies of the second type are grouped into a second group. Other methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of analyzing diagnostic test orders includes analyzing diagnostic test orders from a plurality of medical providers; identifying a peer group of medical providers having one or more like characteristics from the plurality of medical providers; and determining whether at least one diagnostic test order includes an outlier test. One or more medical providers may be notified of the presence of an outlier test (a test ordered by, or not ordered by, the peer group). Other methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A modular in vitro diagnostics (IVD) vessel mover system providing redundant power management includes a plurality of modules which are configured to provide storage to one or more IVD samples. Each module comprising a power failover switch which is configured to receive internal power from an internal primary power source and transmit backup power to one or more of the plurality of modules.

Abstract: Improved formulation(s), device(s), and method(s) for producing ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) that comprise at least one photo-curable, epoxy-based, ion-selective chloride membrane(s) compounds that can be pre-mixed together to form a singularly-dispensed mixture for the formation of an ion-exchange resin membrane(s) for incorporation and use in a chloride ISE.

Abstract: Methods of pre-heating a test vessel prior to transfer of the test vessel to an incubator may shorten an incubation cycle, ensure proper temperature of a test specimen in the test vessel, and/or improve testing accuracy and/or throughput in a bio-liquid specimen testing apparatus. The methods include providing a test vessel pre-heating apparatus having a receptacle sized to receive a test vessel therein and having at least one heating unit configured to heat by direct conduction at least one side of the test vessel. The methods also include heating at least one side of the test vessel via direct contact using the at least one heating unit. Specimen testing apparatus and test vessel pre-heating apparatus configured to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a position of a component include providing a robot with a gripper and crush and crash sensors, a calibration tool coupled to the gripper, and the component, which has a recess and a crush zone. The methods also include moving the gripper in a first direction to sense contact between the calibration tool and the crush zone, recording the contact position, and moving the gripper to insert the tool into the recess. The gripper is then moved in second directions to sense contact between the tool and the recess and moved in third directions to also sense contact between the tool and the recess. The methods further include recording and processing the contact positions to determine a surface location in the first direction and a physical center of the recess. Robot calibration apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Single-use diagnostic consumables for use in performing multiple analyses on a fluid sample are provided. The diagnostic consumables include a first sensing region configured for analysis of at least one analyte in a fluid sample that has been received by the diagnostic consumable. The diagnostic consumable further includes a fluid transport material configured to flow a portion of the fluid sample into a second sensing region fluidically connected to the fluid transport material and configured for performing a second analysis of the fluid sample. Methods for performing multiple analyses of a fluid sample on a single-use diagnostic consumable are also provided.