Abstract: The invention is a method and system for functional biomechanical analysis. The analysis assesses the biomechanical relationships of the spine and adjacent regions in a dynamic state based on a patient's chief complaint and clinical presentation. The analysis calculates a value of function or impact for a particular spinal region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass automated systems and methods for analyzing immature platelet parameters in an individual based on a biological sample obtained from blood of the individual. Exemplary techniques involve correlating aspects of direct current (DC) impedance, radiofrequency (RF) conductivity, and/or light measurement data obtained from the biological sample with an evaluation of immature platelet conditions in the individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the optimal composition of a serum-free, eukaryotic cell culture medium supplement, using 2-level factorial design and the steepest ascent method. The invention further provides a method of making a serum-free eukaryotic cell culture medium supplement and the generated thereof. The invention further provides a method of making a serum-free, eukaryotic cell culture medium and the medium generated thereof. The invention further provides a kit containing the medium of the invention. The invention also provides a method of expanding CD34<+> hematopoietic cells and a composition comprising CD34<+> hematopoietic cells in a serum-free, eukaryotic cell culture medium of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass automated systems and methods for predicting an acute leukemia sub-type of an individual diagnosed with acute leukemia based on a biological sample obtained from blood of the individual. Exemplary techniques involve correlating aspects of direct current (DC) impedance, radiofrequency (RF) conductivity, and/or light measurement data obtained from the biological sample with an acute leukemic sub-type of the individual.

Abstract: An immunodiagnostic test method includes holding a selection of immunological test elements or consumables in one or more containers attached to or positioned in the analyzer and providing random access to any test element therein. The container can hold multiple types of test elements in compartments or slots. Through sensing of a test element position in its slot, the detection mechanism of the invention provides for random access to multiple types of test elements in any sleeve and within a single sleeve, and provides efficient inventory control. The method increases the number of test element types that may be loaded onto an analyzer and maintains fast determination of inventory.

Abstract: A stain separation system of digital pathology images that performs transforming a digital image from a first color domain to an optical domain to form an optical domain image (ODI), identifying a plane containing two or more basis vector which contain the pixels of the ODI, determining a plurality of orthogonal vector within the identified plane, forming a histogram of the digital image represented by the orthogonal vectors and determining one or more final stain vectors by searching for candidate vectors in the plane that minimize a cost function of the histogram.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying and optionally quantifying stained cells in a cell or tissue sample and determining expression level of a target, as well as methods for determining staining intensity and/or staining quality of a stained sample, calibrating digital imaging apparatus using the methods, as well as systems and a computer readable mediums therefore.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for selecting an optimal multimarker reagent combination for the identification and/or quantification of molecules in or on cells with or without reference to fluorescence or other properties of at least one fluorescent dye or other instrument-measurable atom or molecule associated directly or indirectly with the reagent combination. The method includes specifying, using a computer, a plurality of markers to be detected by a plurality of reagents, generating, using a computer, a plurality of reagent combinations comprising the plurality of reagents to detect the plurality of markers, wherein the reagent combinations are ranked according to at least one user-defined or system-defined criterion, and selecting the optimal reagent combination or providing a rank-ordered list of combinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agglutination judgment method includes a first step of collecting data of a transmitted light intensity from each of measuring points included in a predetermined region of the reaction pattern, a second step of calculating a parameter representing the dispersion of a transmitted light intensity in the region, and a third step of judging the agglutination or non-agglutination by comparing the parameter thus calculated with a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An analyzer which acquires first measured data relating to a first parameter and second measured data relating to a second parameter, the first and second measured data being obtained by measuring an analyte, forms a two-dimensional distribution chart that indicates a distribution of tangible components contained in the analyte based upon the first and second measured data, with the first and second parameters being set as two axes of the two-dimensional distribution chart, sets an area on the two-dimensional distribution chart, and forms a frequency distribution chart with respect to tangible components belonging to the area, with the first parameter being set as an axis of the frequency distribution chart is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease are provided. At least five methods of diagnostic measurements are presented: Method 1: Integrated score; Method 2: Average aggregate area per number of aggregates; Method 3: Cell migration analysis; Method 4; Fractal analysis; Method 5: Lacunarity Analysis. In certain embodiments, a sample of a subject's skin provides a network of fibroblasts that is imaged and a fractal dimension of the image is calculated. The fractal dimension can be compared to an aged-matched control (non-Alzheimer's) database to determine if the subject has Alzheimer's disease. The network of fibroblasts may be cultured in a matrix, for example in a protein mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing bacteria is described that includes an analytic sample preparation section for preparing an analytic sample by treating a specimen so as to generate a morphological difference between Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, a detector for detecting optical information from each particle contained in the analytic sample and an analyzing section for detecting Gram-positive bacteria contained on the basis of the detected optical information. A method for analyzing bacteria is also described.

Abstract: A method and system for setting image analysis parameters to control image analysis operations. The method and system include collecting set of digital training images including a set of states for the set of digital training images. An objective function is defined to determine a relative quality of plural different parameter sets used for digital image analysis. Values for the plural different parameter sets that maximize (or minimize) the objective function are determined. The method and system increases a usability of high content screening technologies by reducing a required level of expertise required to configure digital image processing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for increasing the fidelity of measured genetic data, for making allele calls, and for determining the state of aneuploidy, in one or a small set of cells, or from fragmentary DNA, where a limited quantity of genetic data is available. Poorly or incorrectly measured base pairs, missing alleles and missing regions are reconstructed using expected similarities between the target genome and the genome of genetically related individuals. In accordance with one embodiment, incomplete genetic data from an embryonic cell are reconstructed at a plurality of loci using the more complete genetic data from a larger sample of diploid cells from one or both parents, with or without haploid genetic data from one or both parents. In another embodiment, the chromosome copy number can be determined from the measured genetic data, with or without genetic information from one or both parents.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the selection of cultivation component batches to be used in the cultivation of a mammalian cell expressing a protein of interest wherein at least two different components are employed in the cultivation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to identify a test compounds capability to modulate p75.sup.NTR induced apoptosis, said method comprising: i. Transfecting a suspension of eukaryotic cells with a vector encoding SEQ ID No.4 OR SEQ ID No.6), ii. Contacting said cells with the compound to be tested, and iii. Determine the apoptotic response in said cells, wherein an alteration in apoptotic response in the presence of said test compound compared to the apoptotic response in the absence of the test compound is an indication of the ability of the test compound to modulate p75.sup.NTR induced apoptosis.

Abstract: A testing method for identification whether a cancer patient is a member of a group or class of cancer patients that are not likely to benefit from administration of a platinum-based chemotherapy agent, e.g., cisplatin, carboplatin or analogs thereof, either alone or in combination with other non-platinum chemotherapy agents, e.g., gemcitabine and paclitaxel. This identification can be made in advance of treatment. The method uses a mass spectrometer obtaining a mass spectrum of a blood-based sample from the patient, and a computer operating as a classifier and using a stored training set comprising class-labeled spectra from other cancer patients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass automated systems and methods for analyzing white blood cell parameters in an individual based on a biological sample obtained from blood of the individual. Exemplary techniques involve correlating aspects of direct current (DC) impedance, radiofrequency (RF) conductivity, and/or light measurement data obtained from the biological sample with an evaluation of white blood cell conditions in the individual.

Abstract: For a blood cell measuring part replaceably formed as a cartridge, a threshold value for determining particles is adjusted utilizing a specific parameter that observably varies according to the cross-sectional area of the aperture for use. In a first embodiment, the volume of the smallest frequency in the obtained volume-frequency distribution is used as a threshold value K1 specific to the cartridge for use. In second to fifth embodiments, the threshold values of pulse voltage height or pulse voltage width is adjusted based on the ratio of the voltage between electrodes specific to the cartridge or the ratio of the flow velocity of the sample liquid, every time the cartridge for use is replaced.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for diagnosing or characterizing kidney cancer based on serum amino acid profiles are provided. Serum amino acid concentrations, and optionally also serum creatinine concentration, are determined in serum obtained from a subject and compared against reference concentration profiles. The condition or prognosis of the subject may be determined based on comparisons of patient samples with reference profiles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multidimensional particle analysis data cluster mapping and reconstruction are provided. In one embodiment, a method for reconstructing multidimensional particle analysis data clusters is provided. The method includes obtaining a set of segmented two-dimensional projections corresponding to multidimensional particle analysis data associated with a biological sample of particles. Each segmented two-dimensional projection has two-dimensional clusters associated with particle populations in the biological sample. The method also includes reconstructing one or more multidimensional clusters based on the two-dimensional clusters in the segmented two-dimensional projections.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting a blood count parameter of a blood component in a blood vessel comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a loss detector, and a processor. The transmitter injects a first transmit signal into the blood vessel at a first frequency and a second transmit signal into the blood vessel at a second frequency. The receiver receives a first receive signal at the first frequency and a second receive signal at the second frequency. The loss detector determines a first loss value on the basis of the first transmit signal and the first receive signal, and determines a second loss value on the basis of the second transmit signal and the second receive signal. The processor determines a relaxation time constant of the blood component in accordance with the frequency having the greater loss value, and determines the blood count parameter in accordance with the determined relaxation time constant.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a set of measurement data from an oral glucose tolerance test. The method may include calculating a similarity measure that quantifies the similarity between a time profile of the series of measured data of the glucose concentration and a corresponding glucose reference profile. The method may include calculating a further similarity measure that quantifies the similarity between the profile of the series of measured values of the further analyte concentration and the corresponding analyte sample profile, wherein the data set is represented by a point in a vector space that comprises coordinate axes that are formed by the similarity measures, whereby the coordinates of said point contain the calculated values of the similarity measures.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus are described that permit an analyte concentration to be estimated from a measurement in the presence of compounds that interfere with the measurement. In one example, the method can reduce the error in the estimation of analyte concentration in the presence of interferents. The method can include the use of one or more calibration set to determine analyte concentration. From a sample measurement, each calibration set can be tested to determine if it is eligible to estimate the analyte concentration in the sample. An estimate of analyte concentration can then be produced, based at least in part on the eligible calibration sets and on the sample measurement. In some implementations, if no calibration sets are eligible, an action is taken such as not outputting an estimate, displaying an alarm or alert, or providing a notification.

Abstract: A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from an output signal generated by an oxidation/reduction reaction of the analyte. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals at one temperature to determining analyte concentrations from output signals at other temperatures. The temperature-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals at a reference temperature may be used to determine analyte concentrations from output signals at a sample temperature.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphometric features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphometric features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis.

Abstract: A method for differentiating complex biological samples, each sample having one or more metabolite species. The method comprises producing a mass spectrum by subjecting the sample to a mass spectrometry analysis, the mass spectrum containing individual spectral peaks representative of the one or more metabolite species contained within the sample; subjecting the individual spectral peaks of the mass spectrum to a statistical pattern recognition analysis; identifying the one or more metabolite species contained within the sample by analyzing the individual spectral peaks of the mass spectrum; and assigning the sample into a defined sample class.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for receiving sensor data from an analyte sensor of a sensor monitoring system, processing the received sensor data with time corresponding calibration data, outputting the processed sensor data, detecting one or more adverse conditions associated with the sensor monitoring system, disabling the output of the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, determining that the one or more detected adverse conditions is no longer present in the sensor monitoring system, retrieving the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, processing the retrieved sensor data during the adverse condition time period, and outputting the processed retrieved sensor data.

Abstract: Methods and devices to generate a tool for testing, simulating and/or modifying a closed loop control algorithm are provided. Embodiments include receiving glucose data for a predetermined time period, determining a variation in the glucose level based on the received glucose data, filtering a received glucose data based on the determined variation, substituting a negative change in the glucose data value with a predetermined value to generate a sequence of modified glucose values, and integrating the sequence of modified glucose values to determine an uncontrolled blood glucose excursion condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for predicting risk of prostate cancer and/or prostate gland volume are provided. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for providing the models and employing the models for predicting risk of prostate cancer and/or predicting prostate gland volume. The methods and apparatuses for predicting risk of prostate cancer and/or prostate gland volume are provided using, at least in part, information from a panel of kallikrein markers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-tuning flow cytometer that uses a mathematical model to perform sort decisions that is based upon the biological response of the particular types of cells that are being sorted. In one embodiment, statistical calculations of the likelihood of an event belonging to a certain population are used to make the sort decisions. Automated self-tuning processes are used to optimize the operating parameters of the flow cytometer to achieve a selected purity with higher yield at optimal sorting speeds. The fully automated processes minimize user input and allows the user to select a desired purity while maximizing yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument and a measurement apparatus and methodology that yields a measurement and test methodology that characterizes a population of cells/particles or detects a sub-population of cells/particles based on their detected mobility in a quick and efficient manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining flow conditions in a measured volume permeated by a fluid spiked with optically detectable particles. A plurality of two-dimensional images of the particle distribution is thereby created at each of a plurality of times, an estimated particle distribution is determined therefrom, and a three-dimensional displacement vector field is calculated. According to the invention, a transfer function for the image detectors used is first determined, by means of which the real distribution is mapped by the image detector. Starting from a roughly estimated initial distribution, and by means of the transfer function, virtual images of the estimated distribution are then calculated and compared to the associated real images. The estimated distribution is modified in an iterative method until sufficient matching of the virtual and real images has been achieved.

Abstract: A method may include accessing data regarding a number of events, where the events were detected by a particle detection apparatus, and identifying a number of groups in the events. Each of the groups includes two or more events, and each event includes one or more of a time stamp, a time duration, a fluorescence intensity, a scatter measurement, a radio frequency signal, a magnetic signal, a neutron scattering measurement, a light scattering measurement, an electron scattering measurement, an audio signal, an acoustic signal, a mechanical signal, an electrical resistance, a thermal property, and a width of fluorescence signal. The method may include identifying a subset of the groups as a number of objects detected by the particle detection apparatus, where each object is identified based at least in part upon one or more quantities, where each quantity is identified by or derived from the respective two or more events.

Abstract: Biomarkers, methods, systems, and related teachings are disclosed for diagnosing the risk of an adverse event in a human, where the adverse event can be unstable angina, ischemic stroke, non-ischemic stroke, all-cause stroke, heart failure, all-cause death, and being a candidate for coronary revascularization surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining changes in a first set of residues r1 due to changes in a second set of residues r2 in a protein system comprising one or more proteins comprising n and r2. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises optimizing a quality function Q by modifying one or more properties of r1 and r2 in a constrained environment in which all degrees of freedom of the system except those directly involved in the potential coupling between r1 and r2 are removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of molecular risk marker profiles for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. More particularly, the invention provides methods for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in an individual, utilizing certain profiles established based on the expression levels of certain genes, which together form a gene panel, in the peripheral blood of said individual, as well as kits for carrying out these methods. The profile encompass ALDH1A1.

Abstract: An automated method adapted to monitor and analyze patient data includes: receiving patient data from a set of patient monitoring devices; analyzing the patient data based at least partly on a set of evaluation criteria; and generating multiple status reports, each status report based at least partly on the analysis of patient data. A system adapted to collect and analyze patient data includes: multiple measurement devices, each device associated with a particular patient; a server device adapted to receive data from at least one of the measurement devices; and a storage adapted to store the received data. An automated method adapted to evaluate quality of care of patients having a chronic condition includes: receiving patient data; receiving a set of performance metrics; receiving a set of operating procedures; and generating a set of reports based at least partly on an evaluation of the patient data, performance metrics and operating procedures.

Abstract: Systems in a flow cytometer having an interrogation zone and illumination impinging the interrogation zone include: a lens subsystem including a collimating element that collimates light from the interrogation zone, a light dispersion element that disperses collimated light into a light spectrum, and a focusing lens that focuses the light spectrum onto an array of adjacent detection points; a detector array, including semiconductor detector devices, that collectively detects a full spectral range of input light signals, in which each detector device detects a subset spectral range of the full spectral range of light signals; and a user interface that enables a user to create a set of virtual detector channels by grouping detectors in the detector array, such that each virtual detector channel corresponds to a detector group and has a virtual detector channel range including the sum of subset spectral ranges of the detectors in the corresponding detector group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring physical property values of a cell based on dielectric spectroscopy and based on modeling electrical characteristics such as electric conductivity, electric permittivity, dielectric constant change, and dielectric relaxation expressions in order to obtain membrane capacitance and cytoplasmic conductivity values of the cell.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing a normal cell from an abnormal cell, such as, for example a cancer cell or diseased cell, of the same tissue type using mitochondrial correlation microscopy.

Abstract: A method of measuring and calculating (preferably by a computer with output to a user) tGSH (total glutathione very particularly defined) with sample preparation and assay methods that have been confirmed to provide accurate and reliable tGSH and related diagnostic assays in blood or tissue from a patient.

Abstract: A mass-spectral method is disclosed for determining whether breast cancer patient is likely to benefit from a combination treatment in the form of administration of a targeted anti-cancer drug in addition to an endocrine therapy drug. The method obtains a mass spectrum from a blood-based sample from the patient. The spectrum is subject to one or more predefined pre-processing steps. Values of selected features in the spectrum at one or more predefined m/z ranges are obtained. The values are used in a classification algorithm using a training set comprising class-labeled spectra and a class label for the sample is obtained. If the class label is “Poor”, the patient is identified as being likely to benefit from the combination treatment. In a variation, the “Poor” class label predicts whether the patient is unlikely to benefit from endocrine therapy drugs alone, regardless of the patient's HER2 status.

Abstract: Magnetically marked objects, in particular biological objects, such as cells, are continuously detected by moving at least one magnetically marked object in a magnetic field, measuring a local change in the magnetic field caused by the magnetically marked object, generating a signal, in particular a digitized signal, based on the measured local change in the magnetic field, conditioning the generated signal by at least one convolution of the generated signal using a mathematical function, and evaluating the conditioned signal. The evaluation of the signal includes determining extreme values, in particular maximum values, of the signal and comparing the determined extreme values with a threshold value, in particular a predefined threshold value, which, if exceeded, indicates detection of the object.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for counting cells in a sample of living tissue, such as an embryo. The method involves obtaining a microscopic image of the unstained tissue that reveals cell boundaries, such as a differential interference contrast (DIC) image, and an optical quadrature microscopy (OQM) image which is used to prepare an image of optical path length deviation (OPD) across the cell cluster. The boundaries of individual cells in the cell cluster are modeled as ellipses and used, together with the maximum optical path length deviation of a cell, to calculate ellipsoidal model cells that are subtracted from the OPD image. The process is repeated until the OPD image is depleted of phase signal attributable to cells of the cell cluster, and the cell count is obtained from the number of cells subtracted.

Abstract: A computer-based method for automatically determining total body albumin of a living being based on the calculated intravascular albumin, the calculated observed ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time, and the baseline of expected ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for analyzing a peptide sample stream from a chromatography column using tandem mass spectroscopy. Analysis of the sample stream during a first time interval is performed in order to identify peptides, such as tryptic peptides, that are contained in the sample stream. Database searching is then performed to identify one or more protein sequences that contain the identified peptide sequence and to identify associated peptide sequences that are contained in the protein sequence that differ from the peptide sequence. The retention time of associated peptides is estimated based on the hydrophobicity of the predicted peptides and by spiking the sample with standard peptides. Information on associated peptides can then be used to configure the mass spectrometer during a second time interval to detect or ignore ions that correspond to the associated peptides.

Abstract: The invention describes how to estimate delta-Cq values from measured (raw-)Cq values gained from PCR measurements and how to calculate confidence intervals for them. This is realized by the following processing steps: A noise model, which might be constructed on some training PCR data, calculates the distribution of the true target material concentration of a single well for an observed measurement results. Said distribution is calculated for all types of measurement results including “Numeric” raw-Cq values as well as Cq being “Undetected”, which denotes that no fluorescence signal was detected during all cycles and thus corresponds to no or very few target molecules.

Abstract: A technique and system utilizing a portable memory card in which data for an individual is stored and identified based on a personal identification number or key. With this system, a glucose meter and a health care provider are able to track testing data across multiple meters as well as between various individuals. Moreover, the system is configured to retrospectively collect structured testing data in which, while a structured test may have been intended but the specific questions or data input were not available at the time, the individual is allowed to update the data after the structured testing window. By having the data stored on a portable memory card, the individual is able to keep the data in their possession and also helps with patient confidentiality.