Abstract: State-of-the-art analyzers in clinical laboratories require complex robotics, as well as daily human maintenance. In addition, a discrete analyzer is required for each analytic method, with two or more such analyzers containing expensive, redundant components. Accordingly, a total lab automation system is disclosed that is capable of combining the functions of all such analyzers using a compact superset of stations. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of conveyors, arranged along an X-axis of a tabletop surface, and configured to move in both directions along a Y-axis, under the control of a controller. One or more stations may extend along the X-axis, to orthogonally span all of the conveyors, such that a tool of each station may move along the X-axis, and potentially along the Z-axis, to process items on the conveyors, under the control of the controller.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.

Abstract: Conventional automated fulfillment systems require complex technology, such as robots and autonomous guided vehicles. Accordingly, embodiments are disclosed for a conveyor system that can perform automated fulfillment with the simplicity of conveyor technologies. The conveyor system may comprise a plurality of concentric, circular, nested conveyors or parallel linear conveyors that each comprises a plurality of segments. The conveyor system may also comprise a chute along a radial or orthogonal axis. Each conveyor is configured to move, such that each segment of the conveyor is movable into the chute. A chute mechanism may be configured to move items in and/or out of a chute. Thus, for example, a control system may move items, stowed on the conveyors, into the chute, and utilize the chute mechanism to move all of these items out of the chute and off of the conveyor system with a single sweep operation.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. In an embodiment, the system comprises transport conveyor(s) and storage conveyors, wherein each storage conveyor comprises a plurality of segments configured to hold at least one item, and a portion that is aligned with a portion of a transport conveyor, such that items are moveable from the storage conveyor to the transport conveyor. Software module(s), executed by a processor, receive an instruction to collect item(s) at a single destination location, and, for each of the item(s), identify a segment on a storage conveyor on which the item is held, control that storage conveyor to align the segment with the transport conveyor, move the item from the segment onto the transport conveyor, control the transport conveyor to align the item with the destination location, and move the item from the transport conveyor to the destination location.

Abstract: Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence or absence of, and for quantifying, one set of cells in a mixed cell population of at least two sets of cells especially Rh positive cells in a mixed population with Rh negative cells, as is found in a fetal maternal hemorrhage (FMH). The magnetic particles coated with anti-D antibodies are reacted with the Rh positive fetal cells in Rh negative maternal blood followed by a specific separation and quantifying technique. Gravitational forces or magnetic forces are used to move reacted magnetic particles to isolate, distinguish and quantify cells differentiated by antigenic composition. Rh positive cell volume is correlated to the volume of the original blood sample as an indication of the number of doses of RhIG needed to be administered to the mother to prevent subsequent Rh immunization.

Abstract: Identifying a context for parsing a natural language expression. In an embodiment, a table comprising rows addressed according to context compartments is disclosed. Each compartment represents a context and comprises row(s), and each row represents a concept and comprises an outline field indicating an order of the concept in its context. Input expression(s) are received, and a first search is performed on the table to identify rows representing concepts corresponding to element(s) of the expression(s) and rows representing concepts corresponding to combinations of concepts represented by previously identified rows until a first row representing a higher-order concept is identified. Based on the first row, a first context compartment is determined, and a second search, that is restricted to the first context compartment, is performed to identify a second row representing a concept corresponding to an entirety of at least one of the input expression(s).

Abstract: Methods for separating, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). by forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, unwanted less dense materials from entering. Buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the complexes with ASG before reading. Readable labels include the magnetic particle tagged complex itself, and other labels such as enzymes, chemiluminescent materials, radioactive isotopes, chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates and other labels may be used. The invention applies to many assays, diagnostic tests, separative procedures and chemical syntheses.

Abstract: Methods for separating, in a continuous, multizone fluid medium, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from associated or contaminating unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). The invention involves forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. Differential movement of MOI and MNOI occurs by active counterforces that move MNOI but not MOI. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, by flotation counterforce, unwanted less dense materials from entering. Surfaces specifically coated with reactants are reactive with the MOI in the tagged magnetic particle complex and of buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the surface before reading.

Abstract: Method for detecting a material of interest, usually an antibody or an antigen on a red blood cell, in a liquid, by observing the potential antigen/antibody reaction products in a novel way. Reaction products are deposited on a magnetic substrate and will exhibit different properties depending upon whether or not the antigen/antibody reaction has taken place. An antigen/antibody reaction product adheres tenaciously to itself and the substrate while the deposit of any unreacted magnetically tagged material is weakly adhering and easily disrupted and dislodged under a disruptive force which would be insufficient to dislodge the reacted deposit. This difference in cohesive property provides the means by which a positive result is distinguished from a negative result.

Abstract: Methods for separating, in a continuous, multizone fluid medium, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from associated or contaminating unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). The invention involves forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. Differential movement of MOI and MNOI occurs by active counterforces that move MNOI but not MOI. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, by flotation counterforce, unwanted less dense materials from entering. Surfaces specifically coated with reactants are reactive with the MOI in the tagged magnetic particle complex and of buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the surface before reading.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence or absence of, and for quantifying, one set of cells in a mixed cell population of at least two sets of cells especially Rh positive cells in a mixed population with Rh negative cells, as is found in a fetal maternal hemorrhage (FMH). The magnetic particles coated with anti-D antibodies are reacted with the Rh positive fetal cells in Rh negative maternal blood followed by a specific separation and quantifying technique. Gravitational forces or magnetic forces are used to move reacted magnetic particles to isolate, distinguish and quantify cells differentiated by antigenic composition. Rh positive cell volume is correlated to the volume of the original blood sample as an indication of the number of doses of RhIG needed to be administered to the mother to prevent subsequent Rh immunization.

Abstract: Detection of the presence or absence of, RH positive cells in a mixed population with Rh negative cells, as is found in a fetal maternal hemorrhage (FMH). The novel methods utilize gravitational forces or applying magnetic forces to reactive magnetic particles to isolate, distinguish and quantify cells. Particles aggregate and are pulled or settle by gravity through a transparent separating solution into a measuring zone where the volume of Rh positive cells can be measured. Rh positive cell volume is correlated to the volume of the original blood sample as an indication of the number of doses of RhIG needed to be administered to the mother to prevent subsequent Rh immunization.

Abstract: Identifying a context for parsing a natural language expression. In an embodiment, a table comprising rows addressed according to context compartments is disclosed. Each compartment represents a context and comprises row(s), and each row represents a concept and comprises an outline field indicating an order of the concept in its context. Input expression(s) are received, and a first search is performed on the table to identify rows representing concepts corresponding to element(s) of the expression(s) and rows representing concepts corresponding to combinations of concepts represented by previously identified rows until a first row representing a higher-order concept is identified. Based on the first row, a first context compartment is determined, and a second search, that is restricted to the first context compartment, is performed to identify a second row representing a concept corresponding to an entirety of at least one of the input expression(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods for natural language communication with a computer. A builder module constructs tables in a database by generating concept symbols for each language element in an expression to form a string of ordered concept symbols, and, in a series of rounds, combining pairs of concept symbols into newly generated concept symbols to form shortened strings of concept symbols until a single concept symbol remains. Each generated concept symbol is stored in a row in the database. A parser module may then utilize the database to parse an input expression by identifying rows in the database that correspond to language elements of the input expression to generate a string of concept symbols, and, in a series of rounds, replacing pairs of concept symbols in the string of concept symbols by identifying rows in the database that comprise the pairs of concept symbols until a single concept symbol remains.

Abstract: Systems and methods for building an interface that receives and responds to varied natural language expressions. In an embodiment, the system receives a natural language expression in text or audio, and translates it by building at least one data structure which reflects the concepts expressed in the natural language expression. The data structure may comprise a symbol representing each concept. In an embodiment, a parser utilizes the data structure to parse language expressions to single concept symbols that represent the meaning of the expressions. Response actions may also be performed in response to the parsed language expressions. In addition, a parser may receive a single concept symbol, and generate one or many natural language expressions of the meaning of the concept symbol. Furthermore, the system may be configured to understand the local meaning of words and phrases.