Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reversible sealing of a microfluidic chip used for thermal incubation of an aqueous sample suspected to contain a target nucleic acid. The microfluidic chip contains a flow channel and a plurality of reaction compartments, into which the sample and a displacement fluid are introduced through an inlet port sealable by means of a sealing agent having a melting point above room temperature.

Abstract: A laboratory system and a method for separating interfering substances contained in test samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises separation vessels comprising solid surfaces and capturing molecules which are immobilized on the solid surfaces. The capturing molecules of the separation vessels are configured to bind interfering substances of laboratory tests of different analytical methods.

Abstract: A computer implemented method to allocate control samples for validating a diagnostic test within a laboratory system is provided. The laboratory system comprises a storage, a transport system, and at least two analyzers. A total number of control sample aliquots and an aliquot volume for each control sample aliquot is determined based on a validation time schedule. Information is presented for distributing the total control sample volume into the determined total number of control sample aliquots with the determined aliquot volumes. Information is also presented for distributing the control sample aliquots to one or more of the at least two analyzers according to the validation time schedule.

Abstract: A method to provide control samples for validating a diagnostic test within a laboratory system is presented. The laboratory system comprises an aliquoting device, a storage, a transport system, at least two analyzers, and a control unit. A total number of control sample aliquots and an aliquot volume for each control sample aliquot is determined based on a validation time schedule. A provided total control sample volume is aliquoted into the determined total number of control sample aliquots with the determined aliquot volumes. The generated control sample aliquots are transported to one or more of the at least two analyzers according to the validation time schedule.

Abstract: A method to provide control samples for validating a diagnostic test within a laboratory system is presented. The laboratory system comprises an aliquoting device, a storage, a transport system, at least two analyzers, and a control unit. A total number of control sample aliquots and an aliquot volume for each control sample aliquot is determined based on a validation time schedule. A provided total control sample volume is aliquoted into the determined total number of control sample aliquots with the determined aliquot volumes. The generated control sample aliquots are transported to one or more of the at least two analyzers according to the validation time schedule.

Abstract: A laboratory system and a method for separating interfering substances contained in test samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises separation vessels comprising solid surfaces and capturing molecules which are immobilized on the solid surfaces. The capturing molecules of the separation vessels are configured to bind interfering substances of laboratory tests of different analytical methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reversible sealing of a microfluidic chip used for thermal incubation of an aqueous sample suspected to contain a target nucleic acid. The microfluidic chip contains a flow channel and a plurality of reaction compartments, into which the sample and a displacement fluid are introduced through an inlet port sealable by means of a sealing agent having a melting point above room temperature.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive indicator for indicating a centrifugation status of a biological sample, a sample container comprising the indicator, a centrifuge for centrifuging samples and an analytical system for analyzing centrifuged samples are disclosed. The indicator comprises at least one closed chamber, formed between two opposite surfaces, that comprises an indication zone that comprises at least two fluid transfer zones or at least one particle transfer zone. The at least one fluid transfer zone comprises a solid carrier phase and a fluid stabilized in the solid carrier phase or at least one non-stabilized non-Newtonian fluid having thixotropic and/or shear thinning properties. The at least one particle transfer zone comprises a particle stabilizing fluid comprising stabilized dispersed particles. The fluid or particles have a distribution with respect to the indication zone changeable upon application of a g-force above a threshold value, the change of distribution indicating the centrifugation status.

Abstract: A microfluidic system having a microchannel for the capillary transport of a liquid, in particular a body fluid for analytical purposes. The microchannel is provided with a surface coating comprising at least one hydrophilic substance selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The invention also concerns a coating method that is suitable for this.

Abstract: A system for the automated analysis of liquid samples having one or more processing units for reaction between the samples and one or more reagents to thereby obtain reaction products is disclosed. Disclosed also are a sample unit for supplying the samples to the one or more processing units; a reagent unit equipped with plural reagent vessels containing one or more reagents for mixing with the samples; a distribution unit for distributing fluids including the one or more reagents provided with plural distribution lines, at least some of which are connected to the reagent vessels and the one or more processing units; and at least one analytical unit for analyzing the samples based on the reaction products, in which the analytical unit may include at least one detector for detecting the reaction products.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided including at least one chamber accessible by microfluidic channels characterized in that the surface of the channels and the chambers are patterned and comprise hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas. The surface energy in correspondence of the areas, i.e., the capillary force, being such that a liquid can be guided along the hydrophilic path, enter the chamber from one side, wet part of one surface of the chamber as a thin layer without touching the opposite surface of the chamber, thus avoiding to fill the volume inside the chamber in correspondence of the hydrophilic pattern until a second liquid, either sequentially or in parallel, comes to wet part of the opposite surface of the chamber and eventually touches the first liquid layer, resulting in a sudden coalescence and efficient mixing between the liquids.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive indicator for indicating a centrifugation status of a biological sample, a sample container comprising the indicator, a centrifuge for centrifuging samples and an analytical system for analyzing centrifuged samples are disclosed. The indicator comprises at least one closed chamber, formed between two opposite surfaces, that comprises an indication zone that comprises at least two fluid transfer zones or at least one particle transfer zone. The at least one fluid transfer zone comprises a solid carrier phase and a fluid stabilized in the solid carrier phase or at least one non-stabilized non-Newtonian fluid having thixotropic and/or shear thinning properties. The at least one particle transfer zone comprises a particle stabilizing fluid comprising stabilized dispersed particles. The fluid or particles have a distribution with respect to the indication zone changeable upon application of a g-force above a threshold value, the change of distribution indicating the centrifugation status.

Abstract: A microfluidic processing unit for the automated processing of liquid samples and method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the unit comprises first and second main channels connected to a pump for generating a negative or positive pressure therein; a sample channel which supplies a liquid sample is connectable to a sample vessel containing the liquid sample, the sample channel communicates with the first main channel and is equipped with an on/off valve; one or more reagent channels for supplying one or more reagents, the reagent channels being connectable to reagent vessels containing reagents for reacting with the liquid samples, each of the reagent channels communicating with the first or second main channel and being equipped with an on/off valve; and a reaction chamber for reacting a sample and reagent, the reaction chamber being connected to the first and second main channels via at least one on/off valve.

Abstract: A package for an object having a hydrophilic surface includes at least one of a loose cover for the hydrophilic surface and an adsorbing surface, the affinity of which for apolar gases is equal to or greater than that of the hydrophilic surface.

Abstract: A process for automatically washing fluid lines of a fluidic system for combining liquid samples with one or more reagents, the system being provided with at least one main line connected to one or more reagent lines for feeding reagents, each of which being connectable to a reagent container by a fluidic connector, at least one sample intake for intaking samples and at least one pressure actuator for generating a positive or negative pressure in the fluid lines.

Abstract: A microfluidic processing unit for the automated processing of liquid samples and method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the unit comprises first and second main channels connected to a pump for generating a negative or positive pressure therein; a sample channel which supplies a liquid sample is connectable to a sample vessel containing the liquid sample, the sample channel communicates with the first main channel and is equipped with an on/off valve; one or more reagent channels for supplying one or more reagents, the reagent channels being connectable to reagent vessels containing reagents for reacting with the liquid samples, each of the reagent channels communicating with the first or second main channel and being equipped with an on/off valve; and a reaction chamber for reacting a sample and reagent, the reaction chamber being connected to the first and second main channels via at least one on/off valve.

Abstract: A system for the automated analysis of liquid samples having one or more processing units for reaction between the samples and one or more reagents to thereby obtain reaction products is disclosed. Disclosed also are a sample unit for supplying the samples to the one or more processing units; a reagent unit equipped with plural reagent vessels containing one or more reagents for mixing with the samples; a distribution unit for distributing fluids including the one or more reagents provided with plural distribution lines, at least some of which are connected to the reagent vessels and the one or more processing units; and at least one analytical unit for analyzing the samples based on the reaction products, in which the analytical unit may include at least one detector for detecting the reaction products.

Abstract: A package for an object having a hydrophilic surface includes at least one of a loose cover for the hydrophilic surface and an adsorbing surface, the affinity of which for apolar gases is equal to or greater than that of the hydrophilic surface.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided including at least one chamber accessible by microfiuidic channels characterized in that the surface of the channels and the chambers are patterned and comprise hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas. The surface energy in correspondence of the areas, i.e., the capillary force, being such that a liquid can be guided along the hydrophilic path, enter the chamber from one side, wet part of one surface of the chamber as a thin layer without touching the opposite surface of the chamber, thus avoiding to fill the volume inside the chamber in correspondence of the hydrophilic pattern until a second liquid, either sequentially or in parallel, comes to wet part of the opposite surface of the chamber and eventually touches the first liquid layer, resulting in a sudden coalescence and efficient mixing between the liquids.

Abstract: In the case of a disposable lancing element for collecting body fluid through the skin comprising a support and a lancing member which distally projects therefrom and can pierce the skin in a lancing movement, it is proposed that a pretensioning means which tightens the skin in the area of the puncture site is arranged on the support and has a contact member which impacts the skin laterally from the lancing member during the lancing movement.