Abstract: A mounting platform is provided for securing munitions. The platform includes a flat plate, a front block and a rear block. The plate includes a plurality of cutout holes. The front block has a first saddle disposed between first flanking ends and at least one extension at one of the flanking ends for inserting into a first opening of the cutouts. The rear block has a second saddle disposed between second flanking ends at least one extension for inserting into a second opening of the cutouts. The munitions are disposable atop the first and second saddles of the front and rear blocks. The munitions are restrained axially against a rear stop block and laterally by the saddles and straps.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide smart alerts to users, e.g., alerts to users about diabetic states that are only provided when it makes sense to do so, e.g., when the system can predict or estimate that the user is not already cognitively aware of their current condition, e.g., particularly where the current condition is a diabetic state warranting attention. In this way, the alert or alarm is personalized and made particularly effective for that user. Such systems and methods still alert the user when action is necessary, e.g., a bolus or temporary basal rate change, or provide a response to a missed bolus or a need for correction, but do not alert when action is unnecessary, e.g., if the user is already estimated or predicted to be cognitively aware of the diabetic state warranting attention, or if corrective action was already taken.

Abstract: A pressure/force sensor comprises a diaphragm structure including a sensing element and a lead structure extending from the diaphragm structure and including first and second traces electrically coupled to the sensing element. The diaphragm structure and the lead structure include a circuit assembly comprising a common insulating layer and a common conductor layer on the insulating layer. The conductor layer includes at least a portion of the sensing element and at least the first trace.

Abstract: A pipetting device is disclosed. The pipetting device can include a piston with a stepped profile. The piston can be inserted into a barrel and can have at least two seal elements. The pipetting device can operate in a low volume dispense mode and a high volume dispense mode. The pipetting device can allow for high volumes of liquids to be transferred and also provide for the ability to transfer low volumes of liquids with high precision and accuracy without the need for two or more separate pipettor devices.

Abstract: A server stores a set of laboratory applications to process batches of samples. The server receives, from a first lab administrator, a selection of a subset of the laboratory applications to process the batches of samples and an admin configuration for a laboratory application in the subset. The server receives configuration(s) of batch(es) to be used for running at least a portion of the subset of laboratory applications configured according to the admin configuration. The server receives, from a first scientific device, a request to run a laboratory application form the first subset to process a batch. The server provides the laboratory application(s) that are capable of being executed using the first scientific device. The server receives, from the first scientific device, a selected laboratory application. The server transmits, to the first scientific device, a signal for executing a first part of the selected laboratory application.

Abstract: Embodiments of lab automation workstations are disclosed in which the pod that performs pipetting operations is integrated with pipette tip-loading functionality. To generate the necessary tip-loading force, a dual drive system is used that is symmetric about the Y-axis to allow for offset or partial tip box loads by dynamically centering the drive force (e.g., the tip-loading force) over the reaction load. This minimizes the need for oversized linear motion components while still allowing for the generation of high tip-loading forces needed to properly load a large number of pipette tips simultaneously.

Abstract: A reaction vessel comprises a lower chamber with a first volume, and an upper chamber with a second volume greater than the first volume. A thermocycling system for heating the reaction vessel includes a lower heating zone to heat the lower chamber, an upper heating zone to heat the upper chamber, and a lid heater to heat an opening of the upper chamber. A method comprises loading a sample into a lower chamber of a reaction vessel, thermocycling the lower chamber using a lower heating zone of the thermo cycler, combining an additive into the sample to produce a combination filling the lower chamber and at least partially filling an upper chamber of the reaction vessel, and incubating the upper and lower chambers using the lower heating zone and an upper heating zone. The lower and upper chambers can have different wall thicknesses to facilitate heat transfer.

Abstract: Embodiments of lab automation workstations are disclosed in which the pod that performs pipetting operations is integrated with pipette tip-loading functionality. To generate the necessary tip-loading force, a dual drive system is used that is symmetric about the Y-axis to allow for offset or partial tip box loads by dynamically centering the drive force (e.g., the tip-loading force) over the reaction load. This minimizes the need for oversized linear motion components while still allowing for the generation of high tip-loading forces needed to properly load a large number of pipette tips simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying reagents loaded into a fluid handling system can comprise programming a protocol for preparing a sample into a controller of the fluid handling system, loading multiple reagent vessels into a carousel of the fluid handling system, imaging individual labels of the multiple reagent vessels with an imaging device to produce label images, comparing information in the label images to identification information located in a database in communication with the controller, and determining if appropriate reagents have been loaded into the carousel to perform the protocol. A fluid handling system can include a deck, a tube holder, an imaging device, a pipettor, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a processor configured to perform the method.

Abstract: A server stores a set of laboratory applications to process batches of samples. The server receives, from a first lab administrator, a selection of a subset of the laboratory applications to process the batches of samples and an admin configuration for a laboratory application in the subset. The server receives configuration(s) of batch(es) to be used for running at least a portion of the subset of laboratory applications configured according to the admin configuration. The server receives, from a first scientific device, a request to run a laboratory application form the first subset to process a batch. The server provides the laboratory application(s) that are capable of being executed using the first scientific device. The server receives, from the first scientific device, a selected laboratory application. The server transmits, to the first scientific device, a signal for executing a first part of the selected laboratory application.

Abstract: A laboratory workstation for preparing a sample according to a programmed protocol. The laboratory workstation may include a display device configured to display an instruction for loading a first item of labware onto a deck of the laboratory workstation at a position on the deck specified by the programmed protocol; an imaging device configured to monitor the deck of the laboratory workstation by creating one or more images of the deck; and a processor configured to recognize, in the one or more images created by the imaging device, an item of labware loaded onto the deck by an operator. In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to indicate on the display device whether the recognized item of labware loaded by the operator is arranged on the deck in accordance with the programmed protocol.

Abstract: A pipetting device is disclosed. The pipetting device can include a piston with a stepped profile. The piston can be inserted into a barrel and can have at least two seal elements. The pipetting device can operate in a low volume dispense mode and a high volume dispense mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of lab automation workstations are disclosed in which the pod that performs pipetting operations is integrated with pipette tip-loading functionality. To generate the necessary tip-loading force, a dual drive system is used that is symmetric about the Y-axis to allow for offset or partial tip box loads by dynamically centering the drive force (e.g., the tip-loading force) over the reaction load. This minimizes the need for oversized linear motion components while still allowing for the generation of high tip-loading forces needed to properly load a large number of pipette tips simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.