Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.

Other

Roche Diagnostics Gmbh

F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ag

Claudio Cherubini

Emad Sarofim

Andreas Drechsler

Martin Kopp

Reto Huesser

Nenad Milicevic

Edwin Oosterbroek

Kurt Schildknecht

Roger Iten

Goran Savatic

Ertan Ergezen

Gottlieb Schacher

Roland Bernet

Stephen Conroy

Stephan Korner

Rijk Edwin Oosterbroek

Daniel Mueller

Paul Federer

Pius Hermann

Nicole Gwerder

Thomas Kern

Lukas Schneider

Michal Karol Dobrzynski

Judith Brand-Meier

Ivan Heinzer

Michael Dobrzynski

A module for an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The module comprises a module connector configured to releasably connect to a component of the automated laboratory system, a detector at least configured to detect at least one component marker located at the component so as to obtain position data of the module indicating an actual position of the module, a processor configured to calculate a position deviation of the module from a target position defined by the component based on the position data and to calculate position alignment data based on the position deviation, and a alignment device configured to align the module to the target position based on the position alignment data. Further, an automated laboratory system and a method for aligning a module are disclosed.

Module for an automated laboratory system

The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Sample processing systems and methods

A bucket insert for use in a centrifuge is disclosed. The bucket insert comprises an insert body, the insert body comprising a plurality of elongated receptacles for receiving elongated sample vessels. The bucket insert is configured for orienting the elongated sample vessels in a tilted orientation. In the tilted orientation, at least some of the elongated sample vessels are oriented in a non-parallel fashion.

Bucket insert for use in a centrifuge

According to the present invention, a system (') for processing at least one substrate () containing a dried fluid sample () is provided, the system (&#x2032;) comprising a support () configured to position the substrate (), a laser device () for directing a laser beam () to the substrate (), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate () containing the dried fluid sample () by means of the laser beam (), a container holder (&#x2032;) configured to hold and position a container () for receiving the cut area, the container holder (&#x2032;) being arranged below the substrate (), and an extraction subsystem () for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (), wherein the extraction subsystem () consists of at least two extraction components () sandwiching the substrate () there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate () containing a dried fluid () sample by means of such a system (&#x2032;) is provided.

Method for processing a dried fluid sample substrate

A method and system for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid containing the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Automated system for processing particles

System for processing a dried fluid sample substrate and method therefor

A sensor () for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate () is disclosed. The sensor () comprises at least a first planar electrode () and a second planar electrode () arranged parallel to one another so as to form an electric capacitor (). The first planar electrode () and the second planar electrode () are configured to generate an electric field () within the fluid, wherein the sensor () is configured to detect the state of the fluid by means of a capacitance of the electric capacitor (). Further, a system () for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate () is disclosed.

Sensor for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate, system for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid and method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate

A method for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.

Instrument and method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples

A conveyor device for conveying test tube holders in a laboratory distribution system is presented. The conveyor device is a screw conveyor device comprising a helical track having a helix axis and a drive shaft having an axis of rotation parallel or coaxial to the helix axis, which drive shaft is adapted to be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation for causing a movement of one test tube holder or a plurality of test tube holders contacting the helical track between an entry region and an exit region. The entry region and the exit region are spaced in a direction of the helix axis. A laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.

Laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders

A method of individually releasing from an entity one or more members of a sub-group of biological units included in a heterogeneous group of biological units is provided. The method includes binding the group of biological units including the sub-group of biological units to the entity via a linker. Following binding, the location of the one or more members on the entity is determined. Once the location is determined, a localized physical pulse is applied to the one or more members. The localized physical pulse individually releases the one or more members from the entity by dissociating the linker.

Selective release of sub-group of biological units

An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.

Systems, methods and multi-well plates comprising an array of wells for thermal treatment of chemical or biological samples are disclosed. Each of the wells comprises a bottom opening, an upper opening, inner side walls extending from the bottom opening to the upper opening, a protrusion extending from the inner side walls into the well with a first cross-sectional area and located at a height from the bottom opening which is smaller than the height from the upper opening. A sample chamber with a second cross-sectional area is formed between the bottom opening and the protrusion. An upper chamber with a third cross-sectional area is formed between the protrusion and the upper opening, and in which the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the third cross-sectional area and smaller than or equal to the second cross-sectional area.

Growing community of inventors

Cham, Switzerland

Claudio Cherubini