Abstract: A fully integrated and disposable point-of-care device for detecting a target nucleic acid is provided. The device comprises: an extraction chamber adapted to receive a biological sample, wherein said extraction chamber comprises means to extract and lyse the sample to release nucleic acid; a first amplification chamber in communication with the extraction chamber, wherein said amplification chamber comprises means to trigger nucleic acid amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence to occur; and a detection chamber in communication with the amplification chamber, wherein said detection chamber comprises means to detectably label the target nucleic acid and means to detect a signal associated with labeled target nucleic acid, or a single chamber for amplification, detection and identification of multiple nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A fully integrated and disposable point-of-care device for detecting a target nucleic acid is provided. The device comprises: an extraction chamber adapted to receive a biological sample, wherein said extraction chamber comprises means to extract and lyse the sample to release nucleic acid; a first amplification chamber in communication with the extraction chamber, wherein said amplification chamber comprises means to trigger nucleic acid amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence to occur; and a detection chamber in communication with the amplification chamber, wherein said detection chamber comprises means to detectably label the target nucleic acid and means to detect a signal associated with labeled target nucleic acid, or a single chamber for amplification, detection and identification of multiple nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A point-of-care device for detecting a target nucleic acid is provided. The device comprises: an extraction chamber adapted to receive a biological sample, wherein said extraction chamber comprises means to extract and lyse the sample to release nucleic acid; a first amplification chamber in communication with the extraction chamber, wherein said amplification chamber comprises means to trigger nucleic acid amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence to occur; and a detection chamber in communication with the amplification chamber, wherein said detection chamber comprises means to detectably label the target nucleic acid and means to detect a signal associated with labeled target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A syringe including a releasable lock means for allowing discharge of a treated biological fluid sample to the patient in response to a release signal to the releasable lock means. The release signal is issued following a positive outcome from a verification process dependent upon temporal data from certain events in the collection, treatment and delivery of the biological fluid sample, and identity data of the patient and the second device with the treated biological fluid.

Abstract: A device for controlling the collection and delivery of materials to a patient, the device has a dispenser-engaging portion, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a release position to receive a materials dispenser when the dispenser is in a materials-containing configuration, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a lock condition for locking the dispenser therewith, and access control means for controlling the release and lock positions according to a material transaction condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system, comprising dispensing means having an outlet for delivering one or more materials or one or more articles; dispensing control means for controlling the passage of the material or article through the outlet; first identification means operable for recording, emitting, carrying or associating first identity data to identify the dispensing means, or the material or article carried thereby; and permission control means operable to establish a predetermined condition of the dispensing control means when a corresponding predetermined relationship is established between the first identity data and second identity data of an associated entity.

Abstract: A syringe comprising a chamber and material transfer portion with a cavity in communication with an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion includes an inlet valve means for controlling material flow therethrough, and the material transfer portion includes a control valve operable between a first position to control the inflow of material from the inlet portion to the material container portion, and a second position to control the flow of material from the chamber to the outlet portion, and the outlet portion includes a releasable lock means for allowing discharge the material through the outlet portion.

Abstract: There is provided a portable media player with a plurality of audio signal outputs, including: a storage device; and a controller for processing data in the storage device. Preferably, the data is processed and channeled by the controller into each of the plurality of the audio signal outputs. The data processed and channeled by the controller into each of the plurality of the audio signal outputs may be identical or different. Preferably, the storage device is either solid state memory or a hard disk drive. A wireless transceiver and antennae may also be included in the media player. A channel selector may be present in the media player.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless apparatus for providing sound signals directly to at least one ear of a user, including: at least one power source to power the apparatus; at least one earphone; at least one receiver coupled to the at least one earphone; and at least one antennae connected to the at least one receiver. Preferably, the at least one power source is selected from capacitors, batteries, solar powered cells, or power from an electronic device through a wired connection. The apparatus may have an optical cable connectable to the electronic device. A method for powering the wireless apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A syringe includes a releasable lock means for allowing discharge of a treated biological fluid sample to the patient in response to a release signal to the releasable lock means. The release signal is issued following a positive outcome from a verification process dependent upon temporal data from certain events in the collection, treatment and delivery of the biological fluid sample, and identity data of the patient and the syringe with the treated biological fluid.

Abstract: A system for the collection, treatment and delivery of an autologous blood sample, comprising a first syringe for drawing an untreated blood sample from a patient, a blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving untreated blood from the first syringe and chamber outlet for passage of treated blood to a second syringe coupled thereto. The second syringe includes a releasable lock means for allowing discharge of the treated blood to the patient in response to a release signal. The release signal is issued following a positive outcome from a verification process dependent upon temporal data from certain events in the collection, treatment and delivery of the blood sample, and identity data of the patient and the second syringe with the treated blood.

Abstract: A medical delivery device comprising an elongate body having a plunger slidably and sealingly engaged to form a cavity to receive fluid materials and a first outlet disposed at an end of said body and has a male luer end portion and a valve assembly is disposed within the first outlet. The valve assembly has a valve means movable between an open position and a closed position and biasing means for biasing the valve means to a closed position. Actuating means are disposed within the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means such that the valve means is movable to an open position when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is coupled with the male luer end portion. A second outlet is disposed at the same end as the first outlet for controlling the exchange of gases from the environment to said cavity under the action of the plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for the collection, treatment and delivery of an autologous blood sample, comprising a first syringe having a first body portion. A first sample transfer portion has a first syringe inlet for drawing an untreated blood sample from a patient and a first syringe outlet for dispensing the untreated blood sample. A blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber inlet, the first syringe outlet being operable to establish a dedicated first fluid coupling with the chamber inlet to dispense the untreated blood sample to the blood sample treatment chamber. The blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber outlet for dispensing a treated blood sample following treatment. The second syringe has a second body portion and a second sample transfer portion, the second sample transfer portion having a passage with a first access location which is operable to form a dedicated second fluid coupling with the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A medical treatment process and system, in which a patient fluid is subjected to extracorporeal handling and treatment prior to administration to the patient, is provided. The system includes two or more treatment units which successively handle the fluid, and a token associated with the patient. The token includes a patient identification and, as the treatment proceeds, more information is added to the token as the fluid moves around the system until the token contains a record of the treatment conducted on the sample, the times of various treatments, and a verification that treatment has been conducted in accordance with pre-determined criteria. The token, provided it contains information verifying the identity of the patient and treatment according to specification, allows administration of the treated fluid to the patient and provides an audit record of the treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting defect in a recordable medium such as a disc drive is disclosed. The apparatus includes a recording system which write and read test data on the medium. The apparatus also includes a first comparator for comparing the read data to a first threshold. A first and a second counter, operably connected to the first comparator, are incremented when the read data exceeds the first threshold. When the first counter obtains a first count value, a first defect signal is produced. Data domains associated with the recordable medium are marked as bad in response to the first defect signal. When the second counter obtains a second count value, a second defect signal is produced and data sectors associated with the recordable medium are marked as bad in response to the second defect signal. A method for detecting defects in a recordable medium is also disclosed.