Abstract: A computer-implemented method of forecasting future laboratory performance of a laboratory system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to perform tests on laboratory test samples, a laboratory middleware, a control unit, and a dashboard display communicatively connected via a network communication connection. The method comprises simulating future laboratory performance of the laboratory system by a simulation module of the control unit based on the optimized laboratory configuration provided by the optimization module and real-time laboratory inputs and test order data, and displaying the simulated future laboratory performance and actual laboratory performance on the dashboard display to the laboratory operator.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biological samples is disclosed. In some embodiments, an automated biological sample staining system (100), comprising at least one microfluidic reagent applicator (118); at least one bulk fluid applicator (116); at least one fluid aspirator; at least one sample substrate holder; at least one relative motion system; and a control system (102) that is programmed to execute at least one staining protocol on a sample mounted on a substrate that is held in the at least one sample substrate holder.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biological samples is disclosed. In some embodiments, an automated biological sample staining system (100), comprising at least one microfluidic reagent applicator (118); at least one bulk fluid applicator (116); at least one fluid aspirator; at least one sample substrate holder; at least one relative motion system; and a control system (102) that is programmed to execute at least one staining protocol on a sample mounted on a substrate that is held in the at least one sample substrate holder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laboratory container storage system, a laboratory system comprising the laboratory container storage system, and a method of operating the laboratory system. The laboratory container storage system comprising one or more laboratory container storage devices. Each laboratory container storage device comprises a frame and a storage element comprising a holder configured to receive and release a laboratory container horizontally and to hold the laboratory container in a suspended position above a horizontal surface. The storage element is mounted movably on the frame and configured to be moved between a first transfer position and a storage position and between the storage position and a second transfer position. In the first and second transfer position, the holder is positioned to receive or release the laboratory container horizontally. The storage position is located between the first and second transfer position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one flow channel (21) connecting an inlet opening (22) with an outlet opening (23), and an array of wells (24) in fluid communication with the flow channel (21), wherein the flow channel (21) comprises an inlet portion (211) at the inlet opening (22), an outlet portion (212) at the outlet opening (23), and a middle portion (213) between the inlet portion (211) and the outlet portion (212), wherein at least the middle portion (213) comprises the array of wells (24) and is provided with a hydrophilic surface, and the flow channel (21) further comprises a transition area (214) provided at least between the middle portion (213) and the outlet portion (212), which transition area (214) is constituted by providing a hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a microfluidic device is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for thermocycling of a reaction mixture is provided. The device comprises an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a flow channel connecting the inlet opening and the outlet opening and defining a flow direction from the inlet opening through the flow channel to the outlet opening, wherein the flow channel comprises a first flow channel surface and a second flow channel surface opposite to the first flow channel surface, and an array of wells provided in the first flow channel surface for fluidic communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening. Further, the first flow channel surface provides a first hydrophilicity and at least a part of the second flow channel surface provides a second hydrophilicity, wherein the first hydrophilicity is greater than the second hydrophilicity.

Abstract: A microfluidic system (1; 1?) for dPCR of a biological sample and a respective method is provided by the present disclosure, the system (1; 1?) comprising at least one microfluidic device (2) having an inlet (23), an outlet (24), a flow channel (25) connecting the inlet (23) to the outlet (24), and an array of reaction areas (26) in fluidic communication with the flow channel (25), a flow circuit (3) connectable to the microfluidic device (2), for flowing liquid through the flow channel (25) of the microfluidic device (2), a sample liquid source connectable to the microfluidic device (2), for providing the microfluidic device (2) with a sample liquid (27), a primary sealing liquid source connectable to the microfluidic device (2), for providing the microfluidic device (2) with initial sealing liquid (28) for sealing the sample liquid (27) inside the array of reaction areas (26), a secondary sealing liquid source (4) connectable to the microfluidic device (2), for providing the microfluidic device (2) with add

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biological samples is disclosed. In some embodiments, an automated biological sample staining system (100), comprising at least one microfluidic reagent applicator (118); at least one bulk fluid applicator (116); at least one fluid aspirator; at least one sample substrate holder; at least one relative motion system; and a control system (102) that is programmed to execute at least one staining protocol on a sample mounted on a substrate that is held in the at least one sample substrate holder.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for localizing handheld analytical devices in a point of care environment is presented. The method comprises associating a location identifier to a plurality of locations within the point of care environment and storing the location identifier into a database, at each of the plurality of locations, capturing signal patterns using signal receiver(s) of the handheld analytical devices, storing all signal patterns captured in a database, capturing a current signal pattern using signal receiver(s) of a handheld analytical device to be localized, and providing a descriptive localization by a control unit indicative of its position relative to one or more of the plurality of locations within the point of care environment associated with one or more signal pattern(s) stored in the database matching the current signal pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a first input for inputting a first vessel into the chamber, a second input for inputting a second vessel into the chamber, the second input is different from the first input, a rotor comprising a first compartment for receiving the first vessel and a second compartment for receiving the second vessel, a gripper to grip the first vessel and to transport the first vessel to the first compartment, and a pipettor to pipette a sample from the first vessel and/or second vessel. The rotor rotates between a first position where the first vessel is transportable to the first compartment by the gripper, a second position where the second vessel is loadable into the second compartment, and a third position where the sample of the first vessel and/or second vessel is aspiratable by the pipettor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one flow channel (21) connecting an inlet opening (22) with an outlet opening (23), and an array of wells (24) in fluid communication with the flow channel (21), wherein the flow channel (21) comprises an inlet portion (211) at the inlet opening (22), an outlet portion (212) at the outlet opening (23), and a middle portion (213) between the inlet portion (211) and the outlet portion (212), wherein at least the middle portion (213) comprises the array of wells (24) and is provided with a hydrophilic surface, and the flow channel (21) further comprises a transition area (214) provided at least between the middle portion (213) and the outlet portion (212), which transition area (214) is constituted by providing a hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a microfluidic device is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a first input for inputting a first vessel into the chamber, a second input for inputting a second vessel into the chamber, the second input is different from the first input, a rotor comprising a first compartment for receiving the first vessel and a second compartment for receiving the second vessel, a gripper to grip the first vessel and to transport the first vessel to the first compartment, and a pipettor to pipette a sample from the first vessel and/or second vessel. The rotor rotates between a first position where the first vessel is transportable to the first compartment by the gripper, a second position where the second vessel is loadable into the second compartment, and a third position where the sample of the first vessel and/or second vessel is aspiratable by the pipettor.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid is presented. The dispenser comprises a compressible elastomeric fluid conduit having a first end and a second end for flowing the fluid from the first end to the second end, a first check valve and a second check valve distanced in the conduit for forming a fluid chamber, and an actor for compressing the fluid chamber for dispensing a portion of the fluid. At least the second check valve is a duckbill valve. The second check valve is located at the second end of the conduit. The second check valve has sealing lips that extend beyond the second end of the conduit.

Abstract: A device for dispensing or receiving a liquid volume includes a liquid reservoir having an outlet, a pressure generator which provides a compressible enclosed gas volume of a constant amount of substance with a pressure, wherein the gas volume is in direct or indirect fluidic contact with the liquid in the liquid reservoir, a dosing device coupled to the outlet of the liquid reservoir and operable in order to enable the liquid to pass the outlet, a pressure sensor arranged to measure a current pressure in the gas volume and to output an output signal indicating the current pressure in the gas volume and a controller coupled to the pressure generator, the dosing device and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a fluid is presented. The dispenser comprises a compressible elastomeric fluid conduit having a first end and a second end for flowing the fluid from the first end to the second end, a first check valve and a second check valve distanced in the conduit for forming a fluid chamber, and an actor for compressing the fluid chamber for dispensing a portion of the fluid. At least the second check valve is a duckbill valve. The second check valve is located at the second end of the conduit. The second check valve has sealing lips that extend beyond the second end of the conduit.

Abstract: A device for dispensing or receiving a liquid volume comprises a liquid reservoir having an outlet, a pressure generation means which is implemented to provide a compressible enclosed gas volume of a constant amount of substance with a pressure, wherein the gas volume is in direct or indirect fluidic contact with the liquid in the liquid reservoir, a dosing means coupled to the outlet of the liquid reservoir and operable in order to enable the liquid to pass the outlet, a pressure sensor for measuring a current pressure in the gas volume and for outputting an output signal indicating the current pressure in the gas volume and a controller coupled to the pressure generation means, the dosing means and the pressure sensor.