Abstract: The disclosure features calibration fluids that include a plurality of beads, such as cellulose, silica, poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), melamine, cross-linked agarose, polyvinylacetate (PVA), and/or polystyrene beads, where the beads are sized and colored to represent at least one type of blood cell; and a carrier fluid, that can include a polymer or polymerizing matrix, e.g., a water-soluble resin, e.g., an acrylic or polyurethane water-soluble resin or a starch or a cellulose, serum, and/or one or more or sugars. The disclosure also features methods of using the calibration fluids to calibrate automated sample preparation systems, such as automated hematology analyzer systems, e.g., image-based hematology analyzer systems.

Abstract: An in-vitro diagnostic device including a pipetting unit and a pipetting method, which allow for a more reproducible and more precise pipetting of liquids, when piercing through a lid of a closed liquid container is required. The pipetting unit is controlled to repeat penetration of the lid of the closed liquid container if the pressure difference between the interior of the liquid container and the surrounding is outside an allowable predefined pressure range.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calibrating an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The method includes executing a multi-point calibration procedure including measuring a plurality of calibrator levels and thereby obtaining a plurality of respective calibration points. The method further includes calculating a result of the multi-point calibration procedure and determining failure or passing of the multi-point calibration procedure based on the calculated result. In case of failure of the multi-point calibration procedure, the method includes determining if failure is related to one or more individual failed calibration point(s), and in the affirmative, triggering a repetition of measuring the calibrator level(s) only with respect to the failed calibration point(s) and re-calculating the result of the multi-point calibration procedure after replacing only the failed calibration point(s) with the newly obtained calibration point(s).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically managing calibration of an in-vitro diagnostic system is provided comprising determining a lot calibration time period in which a lot calibration is applicable to reagent containers of the same lot, having a predefined time length starting from the time when the lot calibration becomes available, upon making a reagent container of the lot available to the system, determining whether a lot calibration that has not exceeded the lot calibration time period is available and linking the reagent container to the available lot calibration or most recent available lot calibration if more than one lot calibration is available, wherein if a new lot calibration for the same lot becomes available the method comprises replacing the existing link to the previous lot calibration with a link to the new lot calibration.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calibrating an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The method comprises executing a multi-point calibration procedure comprising measuring a plurality of calibrator levels and thereby obtaining a plurality of respective calibration points. The method further comprises calculating a result of the multi-point calibration procedure and determining failure or passing of the multi-point calibration procedure based on the calculated result. In case of failure of the multi-point calibration procedure, the method comprises determining if failure is related to one or more individual failed calibration point(s), and in the affirmative, triggering a repetition of measuring the calibrator level(s) only with respect to the failed calibration point(s) and re-calculating the result of the multi-point calibration procedure after replacing only the failed calibration point(s) with the newly obtained calibration point(s).