Abstract: A model-based method of determining characteristics of a specimen container. The method includes providing a specimen container, capturing images of the specimen container at different exposures times and at different spectra having different nominal wavelengths, selecting optimally-exposed pixels from the images at different exposure times at each spectra to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra, and classifying the optimally-exposed pixels as at least being one of tube, label or cap, and identifying a width, height, or width and height of the specimen container based upon the optimally-exposed image data for each spectra. Quality check modules and specimen testing apparatus adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A model-based method of classifying a specimen in a specimen container. The method includes capturing images of the specimen and container at multiple different exposures times, at multiple different spectra having different nominal wavelengths, and at different viewpoints by using multiple cameras. From the captured images, 2D data sets are generated. The 2D data sets are based upon selection of optimally-exposed pixels from the multiple different exposure images to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra. Based upon these 2D data sets, various components are classified using a multi-class classifier, such as serum or plasma portion, settled blood portion, gel separator (if present), tube, air, or label. From the classification data and 2D data sets, a 3D model can be generated. Specimen testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Reagents are disclosed for use with potentiometric magnesium ion selective electrodes, along with kits containing same as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining progression of a condition, onset of a condition, or efficacy of treatment of a condition characterized by an adipocyte imbalance in a patient. In addition, disclosed herein are methods of treating diabetes, abnormal adipocyte activity, and insulin resistance using monomeric, homodimeric, and heterodimeric forms of certain C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor. In addition, methods of treating abnormal adipocyte activity, treating metabolic syndrome, causing insulin secretion, increasing insulin levels, inhibiting insulin degradation enzyme, treating Alzheimer's disease, treating cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels, inhibiting ADAM-17 enzyme, inhibiting a protease, treating a condition associated with TNF-alpha, and treating a condition associated with HER2-neu are disclosed. Compositions, dosage forms, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Images of a tube tray, which fits within a drawer and holds tubes in slots arranged in rows and columns, are captured to determine characteristics related to the tube tray. By analyzing the images, features of the tubes are determined, providing valuable information in an IVD environment in which a sample handler is processing the tubes. Each row of the tube tray is encoded to allow for detection of a new row moving into focus of cameras. The cameras capture an image of the tube tray, and the image is stored in a memory buffer. When the next row moves into focus, a subsequent image is taken and stored. The result is a series of images providing multi-perspective views of the rows of the tube tray. The images are analyzed to determine characteristics of the tubes, which are utilized by the sample handler in processing the tubes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing tests in an in vitro diagnostic environment provide for a substantially optimized distribution of testing reagents amongst a plurality of analyzers. The system and method can include steps of identifying a plurality of expected tests to be performed by a plurality of analyzer modules, determining information about the capabilities of the plurality of analyzer modules, and receiving, at the processor, data reflecting which of the plurality of tests are incompatible. Further steps can include calculating a substantially optimal distribution of the plurality of expected tests amongst the plurality of analyzer modules, allocating reagents to each of the plurality of analyzer modules by facilitating distribution of a plurality of reagents to selected analyzer modules in response to the step of calculating, and automatically scheduling a plurality of samples to undergo tests at the plurality of analyzer modules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting properties of sample tubes in a laboratory environment include a drawer vision system that can be trained and calibrated. Images of a tube tray captured by at least one camera are analyzed to extract image patches that allow a processor to automatically determine if a tube slot is occupied, if the tube has a cap, and if the tube has a tube top cup. The processor can be trained using a random forest technique and a plurality of training image patches. Cameras can be calibrated using a three-dimensional calibration target that can be inserted into the drawer.

Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous solution of an organic dye of molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about 1,000 and a density-enhancing material. An amount of the density-enhancing material in the aqueous solution is sufficient to achieve a density of about 1.0 to about 1.3 g/mL. The composition has a viscosity of about 3.5 to about 5.0 centipoise. The compositions are useful in assessing the adequacy of a liquid handling mixing device to mix a reaction mixture.

Abstract: An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics includes an automation system to move a plurality of sample carriers within the system. At least some carriers include a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to place mother sample tubes along with empty sample tubes into the same carrier and move the carrier to an existing pipettor within the analyzer to aliquot a sample portion of the mother sample into the empty daughter tubes to create aliquots for certain samples without requiring a standalone aliquoting station or substantially disrupting the normal flow of sample tubes within the automation system.

Abstract: In the present invention are a method and apparatus for processing a block to be processed of a urine sediment image. The method comprises: dividing a block to be processed into a plurality of grids; calculating an n-dimensional local feature vector of each grid of the plurality of grids, where n is a positive integer; in the block to be processed, merging at least two adjacent grids of the plurality of grids into an intermediate block; calculating an intermediate block merging feature vector of the intermediate block; according to a predetermined combination rule, combining the intermediate block merging feature vectors obtained for different intermediate blocks of the block to be processed into a general combination feature vector of the block to be processed; and by way of taking the general combination feature vector as a feature in a feature set of block processing, processing the block to be processed.

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: Devices, kits, and methods related to embodiments of an improved liquid test sample injection device for use in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are a method and apparatus for processing a block to be processed of a urine sediment image. The method comprises: calculating a variable number of local feature vectors of a block to be processed, wherein the local feature vector is a vector representing a feature of a local location of the block to be processed; classifying the variable number of local feature vectors into a fixed number of clusters so as to obtain a statistical histogram vector of the fixed number of clusters of the block to be processed, wherein the statistical histogram vector reflects the statistical distribution of the variable number of local feature vectors in the fixed number of clusters; and taking the statistical histogram vector as a feature in a feature set of block processing and processing the block to be processed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a lateral flow assay comprising: one or more chromatographic substrates, a sample application site, a first capture site, and a second capture site. The first capture site comprising an anti-hCG capture antibody with broad affinity for a group of multiple hCG variants and the second capture site comprising an anti-hCG capture antibody that is specific to a first variant of hCG. Additional aspects of the invention disclose using the later flow assay to determine a ratio of the first variant of hCG to the group of multiple hCG variants.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for a sandwich assay for a small molecule having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 2,500. The method comprises the use of a first antibody that binds to the small molecule and a second antibody that binds to the small molecule at a portion of the small molecule other than a portion to which the first antibody binds. The second antibody is prepared from an immunogen that comprises a hapten that is not the small molecule or a derivative of the small molecule wherein the hapten comprises a moiety that is structurally similar to that of the second portion of the small molecule. The antibodies may be employed in sandwich assays for the small molecule.

Abstract: Electrodes are integrated into a container design for fluid level detection in the container. The electrodes have a conductive surface, and an adhesive backing may be attached opposite the conductive surface to secure the electrodes to the container. Electrical contact to each conducting surface is made to a detection circuit to obtain a fluid level. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag may be incorporated onto the container along with the level detection circuit to record the container history, such as last used time event, net evaporation during storage, re-suspension performance after storage, number of agitation cycles, instrument serial number, date opened/accessed, and other desirable information.

Abstract: A microfluidic distributing device having a plurality of microchannels for the analysis of a fluid sample (such as blood). The microfluidic distributing device has a fluid sample entry port from which subsamples of the fluid sample are distributed to the plurality of microchannels in which fluid subsamples are treated for analysis by test devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods and kits for determining the presence and/or amount of vitamin D analytes, including vitamin D isomers, and metabolites thereof in a sample suspected of containing the same. Compounds include compounds of the Formula I, namely, (R1)p-(L)q-Z wherein R1, L, p and q are as defined herein. These compounds are capable of binding specifically to corresponding antibodies. Compounds and antibodies in accordance with the principles described herein can have therapeutic activity. These compounds may be administered in therapeutically effective amount, which is an amount to provide treatment of a particular disease state associated with vitamin D. Administration of the examples of compounds in accordance with the principles described herein can be by means of any of the accepted modes of administration for agents that serve similar utilities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples in an analyzer utilizes a track system with a plurality of track portions. A queue of samples for processing can be handled on a first portion, while priority samples may be handled on another portion. An instrument in a module may process samples in queues and priority samples. The instrument may process priority samples while a queue of samples remains on the first portion and resumes processing the queue of samples along the first portion upon completion of processing the priority sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the transfer of a liquid container with the aid of a clamping gripper in an automated analyzer. For this purpose, the clamping gripper has a controllable expansion device.