Abstract: A method of reducing quality problems associated with patient sample collection and delivery is provided. It is possible that the method can provide a chain of custody process to better track a sample from the initial point of sample collection to the final point of sample testing. Such a method can also include providing an alert to indicate a potential problem with the quality of the diagnostic test result when a measured parameter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A sample analysis system is available that can include a remote sampling system, at least one analyzer, and a controller. The remote sampling system can include a plurality of sample sources for providing a corresponding sample therefrom; and a plurality of sample collection devices selectively coupled to any of the plurality of sample sources for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The at least one analyzer can be coupled to the plurality of the sample collection devices for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The controller can be coupled with the remote sampling system and the at least one analyzer, the controller configured to control which of the sample sources is actively coupled to a given sample collection device at a given time.

Abstract: A device for the detection of a food allergen includes a sensor having a printed circuit board and a chip comprising a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and a non-imprinted polymer (NIP); a reservoir comprising a liquid; and a chamber for mixing the liquid with a food.

Abstract: A consumable management system comprising a consumable storage cluster with a plurality of storage compartments is presented. Each storage compartment is configured to receive one or more consumables. The consumable management system further comprises storage compartment indicators to provide guidance to a user and a detection unit for validating user action(s).

Abstract: An example method includes providing fluid to a chamber. The chamber feeds a first channel terminating at a first droplet ejector and a second channel terminating at a second droplet ejector. The method further includes sequencing ejection of droplets at the first droplet ejector and the second droplet ejector to induce negative pressure to provide a sequenced output flow of the fluid through the first channel to a first target microfluidic network and through the second channel to a second target microfluidic network, and controlling the first and second target microfluidic networks to perform an analytical process with the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a calibration curve creation method performed by an analyzer, the calibration curve creation method including: preparing a plurality of calibrators at different dilution rates by dispensing a calibrator in a container into one or more different containers; obtaining a plurality of measurement values by measuring each of the prepared plurality of calibrators; creating a calibration curve by use of the plurality of measurement values; selecting a first measurement value to be re-measured, among the plurality of measurement values used for the calibration curve; preparing another calibrator at a dilution rate corresponding to a calibrator from which the selected first measurement value is obtained; obtaining a second measurement value by measuring the prepared another calibrator; and creating a new calibration curve by replacing the first measurement value, among the plurality of measurement values, with the second measurement value.

Abstract: An automatic sample injection device includes: an; and a management device. The injector includes: a turret; and a vial sensor. The management device includes: a condition setting unit configured to set a condition relating to a type of a vial to be used in the sample injection operation, based on information input by a user; and a vial determination unit configured to determine, before the injector initiates the sample injection operation, whether or not there is a missing vial on the turret out of the vials of the plurality of types set to be used in the sample injection operation under a condition set by the condition setting unit, by using a detection result of the vial sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a first substrate. A second liquid covers the first liquid. A separation fluid, immiscible with the first liquid, is propelled through at least the first liquid and into contact with the first substrate along all of a selected path on the surface of the first substrate. First liquid that was initially in contact with all of the selected path is displaced away from the selected path. The first liquid is divided to form sub-bodies of first liquid that are separated from each other. For each of one or more of the sub-bodies, a sub-body footprint represents an area of contact between the sub-body and the first substrate, and all of a boundary of the sub-body footprint is in contact with a closed loop of the selected path surrounding the sub-body footprint.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices, systems, methods for processing and/or analyzing a biological sample. An analytic device for processing and/or analyzing a biological sample may comprise a moving carriage. The analytic device may be portable. The analytic device may receive instructions for performing an assay from a mobile electronic device external to a housing of the analytic device.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus includes a piercer for piercing a cover member, a nozzle that passes through the piercer which has pierced the cover member and suctions a specimen, a liquid surface sensor that detects contact of the nozzle with the specimen, and a controller that drives the nozzle and the piercer, in which the controller provides an error notification upon detection of contact of the nozzle with the accommodation object inside the piercer, and upon detection of a collision of the nozzle with the cover member.

Abstract: A flow cell package includes first and second surface-modified patterned wafers and a spacer layer. The first surface-modified patterned wafer includes first depressions separated by first interstitial regions, a first functionalized molecule bound to a first silane or silane derivative in at least some of the first depressions, and a first primer grafted to the first functionalized molecule in the at least some of the first depressions. The second surface-modified patterned wafer includes second depressions separated by second interstitial regions, a second functionalized molecule bound to a second silane or silane derivative in at least some of the second depressions, and a second primer grafted to the second functionalized molecule in the at least some of the second depressions. The spacer layer bonds at least some first interstitial regions to at least some second interstitial regions, and at least partially defines respective fluidic chambers of the flow cell package.

Abstract: A sample feeding apparatus, a sample analyzing device, and a control method for a sample feeding apparatus are disclosed. At least two of a feeding unit, a temporary storage unit, and a recovery unit together form a vertical stack structure, and a dispatching manipulator transfers a sample vessel among the feeding unit, the temporary storage unit, the recovery unit, and a sample aspiration region. The space in a vertical direction can be reasonably utilized, superposition is performed in space to simplify the dispatching process, and the occupation of a horizontal space is reduced. As a result, the floor space is reduced, and the apparatus is further miniaturized.

Abstract: A method of detecting a level of a liquid in a well of a container. The method includes looking up an expected liquid level of the liquid in the well of a container; measuring and recording a measured liquid level of the liquid in the well; changing a level of the liquid in the well based upon an expected amount of the liquid to be added or removed; and calculating a next expected liquid level at least in part based on multi-point filtering. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: It is necessary to efficiently agitate a small amount of sample (such as blood) and reagent (such as diluted solution) in a short time with a dispensing probe having a constant tube inner diameter. An automatic analysis device, by a dispensing probe, executes an aspiration step of aspirating a reagent from a reagent vessel; a first dispensing and aspiration step of dispensing a first liquid amount of the aspirated reagent to a reaction vessel and aspirating, from the reaction vessel, a second liquid amount of a mixed liquid obtained by mixing the reagent and the sample in the reaction vessel; and a final dispensing step of dispensing the aspirated mixed liquid and the reagent in a predetermined dispensing amount. A first liquid amount Va is less than a predetermined dispensing amount Vdil.

Abstract: Clusters of multiple diagnostic analyzers, as well as, alternatively, to one single analyzer that consists of multiple parallel cores (basic analyzer modules) to provide a scalable and user-friendly system architecture. The invention provides a terminal for loading, identifying and hosting samples and/or consumables to at least two automated analyzer systems, the system comprising a distribution robot with four linear drives and a rotational drive, wherein a first linear drive comprises a sledge that can only move linear and horizontally on a rail; the rotational drive comprises a platform that can rotate around the sledge; a second linear drive comprises a carrier that can only move linear and horizontally on the platform; a third linear drive comprises a hook that can only move linear and horizontally on the carrier; and a fourth linear drive comprises a drive for vertically moving the platform over the sledge.

Abstract: A reagent storage device of the present disclosure includes a shutter and a moving mechanism. The shutter is configured to open and close an opening in a reagent compartment for housing a reagent container, the reagent compartment being provided with the opening for insertion and removal of a probe used to extract a reagent from inside the reagent container housed in the reagent compartment. The moving mechanism is configured to move the shutter to an overlay position opposing the opening and separated from the opening before moving the shutter downward so as to close off the opening, and is also configured to move the shutter that is closing off the opening upward to open up the opening before withdrawing the shutter from the overlay position over the opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for preventing the release of metal particles from an autosampler that could otherwise be detected within a sample during sample analysis. In an example implementation, an autosampler systems includes, but is not limited to, a sample probe support structure; a z-axis support; an outer shuttle coupled with an outer surface of the z-axis support; and an inner shuttle linearly moveable within an interior volume of the z-axis support, the inner shuttle magnetically coupled with the outer shuttle to translate linear motion of the inner shuttle to the outer shuttle.

Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting incorporating magnetic shielding to reduce exposure of any of samples, reactants, devices or people from exposure or prolonged exposure to magnetic or electromagnetic fields generated with the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to re-identify a carrier on a laboratory transport system after a system failure. The carrier is associated with an identity and is configured to move over a transport plane of the laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system comprises a monitoring system configured to monitor motion positions of the carrier on the transport plane when the laboratory transport system is activated. After a system failure, the identity dissociates from the carrier and the carrier keeps moving on the transport plane. After reactivation of the laboratory transport system, a predicted position of the identity is compared to an actual position of the carrier by a control unit of the laboratory transport system. The control unit assigns the identity to the carrier if the predicted position of the identity matches with the actual position of the carrier.