Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for minimizing a false result in an assay measurement for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method comprises pretreating both an antibody and a sample to be subjected to a non-agglutination immunoassay. In the method the antibody and the sample are combined with a pretreatment agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyphenyl-substituted C1-C5 carboxylic acids and metallic salts thereof and halogen-substituted C1-C5 carboxylic acids and metallic salts thereof in an amount effective to enhance the accuracy of the non-agglutination immunoassay.

Abstract: A vessel transport system in a liquid handler system includes vessel movers that transport a sample vessel using a magnetic base. A track provides a selective magnetic field to propel the magnetic base of each vessel mover along the track using a plurality of multilayer printed circuit boards (PCB) arranged along a transport path. Each PCB has a plurality of multi-layer conductive coils within layers of the PCB and each coil has a plurality of single-layer spirals electrically coupled with one another to form a multilayer coil. A processor is configured to control selective application of currents to the plurality of multi-layer coils to create the selective magnetic field. At least a subset of the multi-layer conductive coils are stacked relative to one another below a surface of the track, such that the selective application of currents selects one of a plurality of branching paths along the track.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for analyzing log files generated by complex physical equipment includes receiving one or more log file generated by one or more components of physical equipment. Each of the log files comprises one or more log entries. A plurality of templates are extracted from each log file describing fixed portions of the log entries. The log entries are grouped in log files into a plurality of instances. Each instance corresponds to one of a plurality of partitions along one or more dimensions describing data in the log entries. A representation of each instance is created that describes a set of the templates included in the instance. A plurality of clusters are generated by applying a clustering process to the representations of the instances. A visual depiction of the clusters and the instances may then be created in a graphical user interface (GUI).

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: An acoustophoresis device having a sample vessel and a piezo transducer is described. The sample vessel has an outer surface, a microchannel within 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, such that a blood sample is insertable through the first port into the microchannel. The sample vessel has conductive traces on the outer surface. The piezo transducer is bonded to the outer surface of the sample vessel to form a monolithic structure. The piezo transducer contacts at least one of the conductive traces, the piezo transducer is configured to generate ultrasonic waves inside a sample in the microchannel. The piezo transducer has an excitation signal input and response signal output electrically connected to the at least one of the conductive traces.

Abstract: A point of care system 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: Immunoassay reagents are disclosed that contain a dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate-fluorescein (DHEAS-FITC) conjugate or a dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate-carboxy methoxylamino-dimethyl acridinium ester (DHEAS-CMO-DMAE) conjugate. Also disclosed are immunoassay kits and devices that contain one or more of the DHEAS conjugates. Methods of making and using the DHEAS conjugates are further disclosed.

Abstract: A human insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein stock solution and method of making the same include a non-recombinant human IGF binding protein-3 (nr-IGFBP-3) in an aqueous buffered medium. The concentration of the nr-IGFBP-3 in the stock solution ranges from about 16 micrograms per milliliter (?g/ml) to about 40 ?g/ml. A kit includes a set of calibrators for nr-IGFBP-3. The set of calibrators includes the nr-IGFBP-3 in different concentrations.

Abstract: A fluidic tubing assembly and method for a blood analyzer comprising a base, a first tube, and a second tube. The base is connectable to the blood analyzer and has a front side, a rear side, a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side. A first connector is supported by the first side. The first end of the first tube is connected to the first connector. A second connector is supported by the top side. The second end of the first tube is connected to the second connector. A third connector is supported by the top side. The first end of the second tube is connected to the third connector. A fourth connector is supported by the bottom side. The second end of the second tube is connected to the fourth connector.

Abstract: There is provided a chloride selective membrane including an epoxide-based matrix reacted with a stoichiometric amount of an amino compound and an activator such that the epoxide-based matrix comprises a number of quaternary ammonium groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor assembly including a flow channel; two or more working electrodes located in the flow channel; and one or more reference electrodes located in the flow channel, wherein a total number of working electrodes is greater than a total number of reference electrodes. Volume in the flow channel may be minimized Liquid testing apparatus and methods of testing test liquids are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a fitting for tubing connection, a male fitting assembly, and a torque adaptor. The fitting for tubing connection includes a head including a plurality of first gripping portions, each first gripping portion extending from a top of the head; and a shaft attached to the head, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of external threads.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a specimen container or specimen in a diagnostic laboratory system includes moving the specimen container on a track within the diagnostic laboratory system; moving a sensor module on the track; and monitoring at least one characteristic of the specimen container or a specimen located in the specimen container using the sensor module. Other methods, sensor modules, and diagnostic laboratory systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.

Abstract: Kits containing a multiplexed chemiluminescent detection system and microfluidics devices and methods for detecting the presence and/or concentration of biotin and at least one target analyte in a sample are disclosed. The kits, microfluidics devices, and methods utilize singlet oxygen-activatable chemiluminescent compounds in combination with two or more fluorescent molecules that emit light at different wavelengths.

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 method of characterizing a specimen container or a specimen in an automated diagnostic system includes capturing an image of a specimen container containing a specimen using an imaging device. The method further includes characterizing the image using a first AI model and determining whether a characterization confidence of the image is below a pre-selected threshold. The first AI model is retrained with the image having the characterization confidence below the pre-selected threshold to a second AI model, wherein the retraining includes data selected from one or more of a group of: non-image data, and text data. Quality check modules and systems configured to perform the method are also described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a fluid sample from a fluid sample collection apparatus to a liquid sample analyzer. The apparatus includes a barrel having a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and an inner surface defining an internal chamber. The first end has an inlet opening and the second end having an outlet opening. The first end of the barrel has a barrel connection portion engageable with a portion of the fluid sample collection apparatus and the second end of the barrel has a tubular portion configured to engage with the liquid sample analyzer so a combination of the fluid sample collection apparatus and the barrel is attachable to the liquid sample analyzer with no additional support.

Abstract: A lysis device including a sample vessel, at least one piezo element, and a controller is disclosed. The sample vessel has a microchannel formed therein. The sample vessel has at least one port extending through a surface to the microchannel. The piezo element is attached to the surface of the sample vessel. The controller has logic to cause the controller to emit a first signal including a series of frequencies to the at least one piezo element to cause the at least one piezo element to generate ultrasonic acoustic standing waves in the sample vessel, to receive a second signal indicative of measured vibration signals from the sample vessel detected by the at least one piezo element, and to determine a resonant frequency of the sample vessel using the measured vibration signals.