Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.

Abstract: A method to optimize analyzer use in a laboratory having a plurality of analyzers based on laboratory workload is presented. The method comprises determining current laboratory workload, calculating workload capability of the plurality of analyzers minus one analyzer if the current laboratory workload is below a threshold criteria and if there are two or more analyzers in the plurality of analyzers, masking one of the plurality of analyzers if the current workload is met by the plurality of analyzers minus one analyzer, proceeding with current workload, and repeating the above steps until the current laboratory workload has been completed.

Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

Abstract: A laboratory system for analyzing biological samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to receive and identify biological samples and to query a laboratory control unit for a processing order indicative of processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample. The laboratory control unit is configured to validate sequence of queries from the plurality of laboratory instruments against a valid query sequence pattern.

Abstract: A laboratory system for analyzing biological samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to receive and identify biological samples and to query a laboratory control unit for a processing order indicative of processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample. The laboratory control unit is configured to validate sequence of queries from the plurality of laboratory instruments against a valid query sequence pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, a computing device comprising an improved user interface. In some embodiments, the improved user interface enables the visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to interacting gene variants, including therapeutic recommendations. In some embodiments, the improved user interface facilitates the contemporaneous visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to individual gene variants and the visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to an interaction between gene variants, including therapeutic recommendations. In some embodiments, the visualization(s), through the improved user interface, facilitates the rapid interpretation of clinically relevant information by a medical professional such that decisions regarding patient care may be made accurately and efficiently.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.

Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing biological samples in an environment including multiple automated analyzers having multiple modules is presented. The method includes receiving data related to a plurality of orders for processing biological samples at a main workflow engine. The main workflow engine receives and processes data for each of the multiple automated analyzers having multiple modules. The method further includes providing a data snapshot to at least one shadow workflow engine associated with a subset of one or more modules of the multiple modules. The data snapshot comprises only a portion of the data related to the plurality of orders that is necessary to determine actions of the module of the multiple modules. The method further includes determining, by the shadow workflow engine, a plurality of actions for the subset of modules to process the plurality of orders based on the data snapshot.

Abstract: A method to optimize analyzer use in a laboratory having a plurality of analyzers based on laboratory workload is presented. The method comprises determining current laboratory workload, calculating workload capability of the plurality of analyzers minus one analyzer if the current laboratory workload is below a threshold criteria and if there are two or more analyzers in the plurality of analyzers, masking one of the plurality of analyzers if the current workload is met by the plurality of analyzers minus one analyzer, proceeding with current workload, and repeating the above steps until the current laboratory workload has been completed.

Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.

Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises recording time at which samples are first identified; retrieving an order list comprising test orders for the samples; retrieving a degradation limit to each test order; determining workflows for each sample; instructing the laboratory instruments to carry out the test orders according to the workflows. Determining the workflows comprises i) determining target instruments capable of carrying out the test orders; ii) determining a sequence/timing of the test orders; iii) calculating an estimated completion time for each test order; iv) determining a lead time for each sample and test order; v) prioritizing test orders if the lead time exceeds the degradation limit. Steps ii) to v) are repeated until the lead time doesn't exceed the degradation limit for any of the test orders; or until steps ii) to v) have been repeated for a number N of iterations.

Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is disclosed. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample by a pre-analytical laboratory instrument, retrieving corresponding test order(s), determining a target laboratory instrument for each of the test order(s), determining whether the target laboratory instrument(s) is ready to carry out the test order, transmitting a readiness command to the target laboratory instrument(s) if the target laboratory instrument is not ready, executing instructions of the readiness command by the target laboratory instrument, instructing the target laboratory instrument(s) to process the biological sample according to the test order if the target laboratory instrument is ready to carry out the test order, and processing the biological sample by the target laboratory instrument(s) according to the test order as instructed.

Abstract: A laboratory system for analyzing biological samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to receive and identify biological samples and to query a laboratory control unit for a processing order indicative of processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample. The laboratory control unit is configured to validate sequence of queries from the plurality of laboratory instruments against a valid query sequence pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, a computing device comprising an improved user interface. In some embodiments, the improved user interface enables the visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to interacting gene variants, including therapeutic recommendations. In some embodiments, the improved user interface facilitates the contemporaneous visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to individual gene variants and the visualization of clinically relevant information pertaining to an interaction between gene variants, including therapeutic recommendations. In some embodiments, the visualization(s), through the improved user interface, facilitates the rapid interpretation of clinically relevant information by a medical professional such that decisions regarding patient care may be made accurately and efficiently.

Abstract: A method for supplying consumable items to an automated sample analyzer is presented. The automated analyzer comprises a consumable repository including two or more storage areas. Each area is configured to store a plurality of consumable items. The method comprises receiving one or more orders for analytical tests to be carried out by the analyzer, reserving consumable items corresponding to one or more sets of consumable items required for the analytical tests in a first area, switching to a second area for reserving consumable items in response to determining that a predetermined consumable item in the first area has been reserved, supplying the reserved consumable items for use in the one or more analytical tests and indicating that the first area can be replenished in response to determining that a particular consumable item of the first storage area has been used.

Abstract: Embodiments related to analysis system for analyzing biological samples, a data processing method and a computer program product are disclosed. An analyzer is coupled to an control computer and has a control application program which receives control data, sends analytical data, and generates a host screen image. A remote computer is coupled to the control computer, and provides a data manager application program which sends the control data to the control computer, receives the analytical data, and generates a first window. A remote application program interoperates with a host application program which generates a second window containing a duplicate of the host screen image. A user interface program displays a first display window and a second display window, the first display window being one of the first and second windows and the second display window containing a screen shot of the other one of the first and second windows.