Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and kits for identifying and treating individuals at risk of or suffering from amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy. In general, detection or measurement of one or more biomarkers, such as TnI, PKM1, PKM2, NT-proBNP, RBP4, DCN, TIMP2, SMOC-2, NfL, or combinations thereof, assists in the identification of amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy. The present disclosure also provides methods for selecting patients for treatment of amyloid transthyretin cardiomyopathy, such as with transthyretin stabilizing agents.

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 wash station for use in a clinical analyzer of an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment for cleaning a probe comprises a basin, a vertically-elongated conduit, an inlet port, and a helix insert. The vertically-elongated conduit is attached to the interior of the basin. The inlet port is connected to a bottom portion of the basin. The inlet port is sized to receive and secure a wash feed line that propels a wash fluid upward through the vertically-elongated conduit. The helix insert is positioned within the vertically-elongated conduit and sized to allow insertion of the probe through a center portion of the helix insert for cleaning. The helix insert causes the wash fluid to flow in a helical shape around the probe as it is transported through the vertically-elongated conduit, thereby cleaning the probe.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a superconducting magnet, comprising a support tray and at least two suspension assemblies. The support tray has at least one through-hole and comprises at least two mounting parts. The at least two suspension assemblies pass through the support tray via the through-hole. Each of the suspension assemblies is connected to one of the mounting parts. The suspension apparatus is easy to install. Furthermore, a superconducting magnet comprising the suspension apparatus, and a magnetic resonance imaging device, are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for removing interfering substances from biological samples, biochemical assays, or reagents used in biological samples using porous liposomes that capture and in some instances enrich said interfering substances within the liposomes.

Abstract: An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for analysis of physical parameters and chemical constituents of small volume samples of bodily fluids. Disclosed herein is a sensor panel with an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one analyte sensor located on the lower surface. The sensor assembly also includes an optional adhesive layer and a contoured fluid pathway cutout. The upper surface of the adhesive layer is secured to the lower surface of the sensor panel. The sensor assembly also includes a sensor cartridge base with a fluid inlet and outlet and a contoured fluid pathway extending between the inlet and the outlet. The contoured fluid pathway mirrors the shape and span of the contoured fluid pathway cutout of the adhesive layer. As a fluid sample is input at the fluid inlet, the fluid traverses along the fluid pathway in contact with the at least one analyte sensor.

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: An assembly of supported superconducting coils may include support structure including a flexible mounting band attached to a surface of a coil and which extends axially beyond the radially outer surface of the coil. The flexible mounting band may be attached to a support structure at multiple locations. The coil may be attached to one or more other coils by the flexible mounting band.

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: 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: 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: 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.