Abstract: Clinical analyzers including cuvette loading assemblies are described. A clinical analyzer includes a first location and a second location. A chute extends between the first location and the second location, wherein the chute is configured to enable cuvettes to slide from the first location to the second location. The clinical analyzer includes a loading assembly including two gates, each moveable between a first position where cuvettes are enabled to slide along the chute and a second position where cuvettes are blocked from sliding along the chute. Methods of transporting cuvettes in a clinical analyzer are also disclosed.

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: Methods and apparatus for publisher-independent auxiliary communications in data router-mediated publisher/subscriber transmission architectures provide faster processing of actionable information by subscribers and increased flexibility to add publishers to a system. Publisher-originated information in a publisher-specific format is used by either the publisher, or a data router coupled to the publisher, to generate information, based on the publisher-originated information, in a publisher-independent format recognized by subscribers, and provided by the data router to subscribers. Publishers may include analyzers such as blood, immuno-assay, and clinical chemistry analyzers, IoT devices, and automation systems.

Abstract: A point of care system may comprise a plurality of diagnostic engines and an IDM in electronic communication with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines. Each of the plurality of diagnostic engines may perform testing on a sample inserted into the diagnostic engine. The IDM may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines to enable a plurality of tests to be performed on multiple different samples substantially simultaneously by a plurality of users using the plurality of diagnostic engines and to present a single user interface for managing testing by the plurality of diagnostic engines and for receiving the results of tests performed by each of the plurality of diagnostic engines.

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: The present invention relates to methods of enhancing chemiluminescence from a chemiluminescent label comprising contacting a chemiluminescent label with an acid in the presence of a degradable cationic surfactant and hydrogen peroxide followed by the addition of a base. Related kits containing such degradable cationic surfactant are also provided. The degradable cationic surfactant can compress light emission time of the chemiluminescent label to an extent that is comparable to or shorter than conventional surfactants. The degradable cationic surfactant can also increase chemiluminescence of the chemiluminescent label, providing increased light emission output that is comparable to conventional surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention is based in part on the present inventors' appreciation that certain sequences within an HIV genome are more likely to successfully detect HIV across a breadth of HIV variants. The ability to detect and/or quantify the presence and/or load of HIV in a subject is important to, among other things, the diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals. The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of oligonucleotide reagents that detectably amplify sequences from a greater breadth of HIV samples than certain prior reagents and/or that generate amplicons from HIV genomes from which certain prior reagents would not have generated amplicons. Oligonucleotide reagents as described herein provide unexpected benefits in the detection and/or quantification of the presence and/or load of HIV in a subject, and thereby in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and inexpensive construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes and dissolved gas sensors constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane, which is an intimate admixture of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic compartment, concurrently supports constrained transport of non-volatile species through its hydrophilic compartment and rapid gas and water vapor transport through its hydrophobic compartment.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and kits, related to embodiments for uniformly coating at least one inner surface of a capillary with at least one anticoagulant compound.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for conducting a plurality of diagnostic assays on a patient's single liquid test sample within a single reaction cassette.

Abstract: Provided herein are quality control substances for use with a microscopy-based urine sediment analyzer. The quality control substances comprise a urine matrix and a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof. Methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a urine sample from a subject, quality control substances for use in identifying the presence of one or more analytes in a urine sample from a subject, and the use of a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof in the manufacture of a quality control substance for use with a microscopy-based urine analyzer are also provided.

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

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: Provided herein are antigenic molecules that can be used to generate antibodies capable of binding to a vitamin D derivative, such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and/or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or a 25-hydroxyvitamin D analog, such as a vitamin D-C22 immunogenic molecule or compound. Antibodies produced using these antigenic molecules, and related antigenic compounds, are also described. In addition, disclosed herein are methods for detecting vitamin D deficiency in a subject, methods for treating a subject suspected of having a vitamin D deficiency, methods for monitoring progression of vitamin D deficiency in a subject, and methods for monitoring treatment of vitamin D deficiency in a subject in need thereof. The methods involve the detection or quantification of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3.

Abstract: A monitor-mounted status indicator light assembly is disclosed, including at least one status indicator light and a mounting bracket adapted for mounting on a monitor. In some embodiments, standard VESA mounting configurations are employed, and the assembly's mounting bracket does not interfere with, or prevent, mounting of the monitor to a monitor mounting arm via the same VESA mounts.

Abstract: A system for transporting a carrier vehicle using linear motors comprising a linear motor housing shaped to hold one or more linear motors includes a rectangular top plate. A left side plate is connected adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the rectangular top plate and a right side plate is connected adjacent to a second longitudinal edge of the rectangular top plate. The linear motor housing further includes a plurality of coupling components operable to couple the linear motor housing to one or more adjacent linear motor housings in a manner that facilitates continuous propulsion of the carrier vehicle across the rectangular top plate of the linear motor housing and rectangular top plates corresponding to the one or more adjacent linear motor housings.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a removable cap with a conduction seal closure for sealing an opening of a container. The cap has a side wall and a top wall with an open access hole there-through. A flat upper portion surrounds the open access hole, which is sealed by the conduction seal. The conduction seal comprises a first polymer sealing layer, an aluminum foil layer on top of the first layer to heat seal the first layer to the cap, and a second polymer layer arranged on top of the aluminum foil layer for protection. The aluminum foil provides a formable shaping strength such that upon seal piercing, a permanent memory spread of the first and third layers is achieved. Removal of the cap does not damage the seal. Access to the container contents is achieved without probe contact to the as-pierced seal.

Abstract: Barcode tag conditions on sample tubes are detected utilizing side view images of sample tubes for streamlining handling in clinical laboratory automation systems. The condition of the tags may be classified into classes, each divided into a list of additional subcategories that cover individual characteristics of the tag quality. According to an embodiment, a tube characterization station (TCS) is utilized to obtain the side view images. The TCS enables the simultaneous or near-simultaneous collection of three images for each tube, resulting in a 360 degree side view for each tube. The method is based on a supervised scene understanding concept, resulting in an explanation of each pixel into its semantic meaning. Two parallel low-level cues for condition recognition, in combination with a tube model extraction cue, may be utilized. The semantic scene information is then integrated into a mid-level representation for final decision making into one of the condition classes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of blood clotting diagnosis and relates to a kinetic method for determining the fibrinogen concentration in a human plasma sample according to the Clauss method.

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.