Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inhibiting, avoiding or destroying existing, potential or incipient biodeposits, biofilms or pathogens any of (a) in or on a living body including in or on a medical device or implement placed, inserted or insertable in the body, (b) in, on or in contact with an ex vivo bodily tissue or fluid, or (c) in, on or in contact with a medium or matter to be consumed, ingested by or exposed to a living being or entity. Also disclosed are medical devices, implements, and prostheses that can be kept in a safe defouled, pathogen-free or pathogen-reduced condition with the help of an electric field(s). Also disclosed are medical or industrial devices, implements, equipment-articles and storage/handling-entities that can be kept in a safely defouled, pathogen-free or pathogen-reduced condition with the help of a membrane or orifice that has one or more of the antifouling or antipathogenic attributes.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and kits for non-invasively measuring glucose. In general, the devices comprise skin patches for placement on a skin surface and measurement devices for measuring glucose collected in the patches. The patches may include an adhesive material, a collection layer, an interface layer, and a sweat-permeable membrane. The sweat-permeable membrane is configured to act as a barrier to epidermal contaminants and glucose brought to the skin surface via diffusion. In this way, non-correlatable skin surface glucose will not be measured. The patches may further include components to induce a local sweat response. The measurement device typically includes a display, a processor, and a measurement mechanism. The methods typically include the steps of wiping the skin surface with a wipe containing at least one solvent for removing glucose, placing a patch on a skin surface, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Kits comprising the patch and measurement device are also described.

Abstract: A buoyant-capable sensor system device is disclosed for use alone or on an apparatus such as a straw, stirrer, mixer, stick or utensil which detects the presence or absence of one or more substances in a beverage or liquid food such as soup comprising a sensing element(s) which is either in direct or indirect contact with the beverage or food and a buoyant sensor body to assure user-visibility of the sensing element(s).

Abstract: Described here are patches, systems, and methods for measuring glucose. In general, the patches comprise a microfluidic collection layer and a detector, and the systems comprise a patch and a measurement device. Some methods for measuring glucose comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting sweat from the skin surface using a microfluidic collection device, and measuring the collected glucose. Other methods comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting sweat in a patch comprising a microfludic collection layer, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Still other methods comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting a first sweat sample from the skin surface in a patch comprising a microfludic collection layer and a detector layer, transferring the first sweat sample from the collection layer to the detector layer, measuring glucose in the first sweat sample, and repeating the collection, transferring, and measuring steps at least once.

Abstract: Many medical procedures, such as needle-sticking, could benefit from an assistive device that improves the optical contrast of externally targeted features and lumens of interest residing in and underneath the skin and/or exposed organ tissues. The inventive inexpensive device and method are useable on such externally targeted features and lumens while also protecting the practitioner and freeing up both of his/her hands, if necessary, to thereby eliminate practitioner self-sticking problems. The present device provides good optical contrast and also provides splash-protection against HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. The inventive device method and apparatus may also include vibratory subcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), drug-based or heating treatment capabilities for reducing pain, both perceived and real pain, associated with a device guided procedure. Finally, the pain reduction mechanisms have also been found useful for lumen dilation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring a property of an ingested or in-taken drug, food, drink or toxic substance, non-invasively or minimally invasively, which can also identify the subject person being monitored, if desired. The system comprises: a means of labeling the substance with a labeling media to have a useful signature indicative of, or bearing a relation to the property; a means to allow the signature to be read non-invasively or minimally invasively; and a means to identify, in any manner, who is being monitored.

Abstract: Highly portable, handheld instrument which can be pointed at the produce to be checked. Light from a source within the instrument is directed onto the produce to induce fluorescent emission from the produce, and fluorescent emissions from the produce are monitored with a detector within the instrument to detect the presence of pesticide residue on the produce. The light from the source is filtered to selectively pass light of a wavelength which induces maximum fluorescent emission from the pesticide to be detected, and the emissions from the produce are filtered to selectively pass emissions having a spectral content characteristic of the pesticide to be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for delivering to a patient's first bodily site and allowing bodily transport therefrom to one or more second bodily sites of a medically, physiologically, neurologically or other health-beneficial species, the at least one species or species precursor which would normally be one or more of volatile, gaseous, vaporous, sublimating, reactive, unacceptably degradable, toxic, hazardous, metastable or unstable if stored in unprotected ambient atmospheric conditions

Abstract: Highly portable, handheld instrument which can be pointed at the produce to be checked. Light from a source within the instrument is directed onto the produce to induce fluorescent emission from the produce, and fluorescent emissions from the produce are monitored with a detector within the instrument to detect the presence of pesticide residue on the produce. The light from the source is filtered to selectively pass light of a wavelength which induces maximum fluorescent emission from the pesticide to be detected, and the emissions from the produce are filtered to selectively pass emissions having a spectral content characteristic of the pesticide to be detected.

Abstract: This involves non-invasive glucose measurement processes for determining blood glucose level in the human body. After achieving a static level of glucose at a surface of the skin over some period of time, the glucose may then be measured by a variety of different processes. A sample of the glucose may also first be extracted from the skin and this sample may then be measured. Clearly, these processes are especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. These procedures may be used for other analyte materials that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: A patient monitor system implemented by a service provider for users via recording a patient's analytes measurements by an attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared total spectroscopy method. The system comprises an input module that provides a non-invasive method in measuring analytes in a patient, such as a measurement of the glucose level and other blood analytes. The measurement is shared among a plurality of output devices such as computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, and pagers that are stationed or held by various users, such as doctors, patients, researchers, pharmacies, labs, and health insurers. In addition, behavioral attributes are recorded and correlated with the analytes measurements to generate a profile. The profile is selectively sent to output devices based on the user profile corresponding to the output device. Also, access to the profile is monitored by a security module that encrypts the profile to prevent access by un-authorized users.

Abstract: A patient monitor system implemented by a service provider for users via recording a patients analytes measurements by an attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared total spectroscopy method. The system comprises an input module that provides a non-invasive method in measuring analytes in a patient, such as a measurement of the glucose level and other blood analytes. The measurement is shared among a plurality of output devices such as computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, and pagers that are stationed or held by various users such as doctors, patients, researchers, pharmacies, labs, and health insurers. In addition behavioral attributes are recorded and correlated with the analytes measurements to generate a profile. The profile is selectively sent to output devices based on the user profile corresponding to the output device. Also, access to the profile is monitored by a security module that encrypts the profile to prevent access by un-authorized users.

Abstract: This invention involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device for determining blood glucose levels in the human body using infrared spectroscopy. The device is typically used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. The invention further provides a cleaning kit for cleaning the skin exterior prior to taking a glucose measurement. The kit typically includes a glucose solvent and a solvent for removing the glucose solvent. The solvents have IR spectra, which have no peaks between about 8.25 micrometers and about 8.75 micrometers and between about 9.50 micrometers and about 10.00 micrometers. The solvents may be provided on absorbent wipes, and the wipes or their packaging may have features that prevent more than a single use. Similarly, the wipes or their packaging may have special features requiring their presence in order to activate the device.

Abstract: This involves non-invasive glucose measurement processes for determining blood glucose level in the human body. After achieving a static level of glucose at a surface of the skin over some period of time, the glucose may then be measured by a variety of different processes. A sample of the glucose may also first be extracted from the skin and this sample may then be measured. Clearly, these processes are especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. These procedures may be used for other analyte materials that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves non-invasive glucose measurement processes for determining blood glucose level in the human body. After achieving a static level of glucose at a surface of the skin over some period of time, the glucose may then be measured by a variety of different processes. A sample of the glucose may also first be extracted from the skin and this sample may then be measured. Clearly, these processes are especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. These procedures may be used for other analyte materials that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device and a process for determining blood glucose level in the human body using the device. In typical operation, the glucose measurement device is self-normalizing in that it does not employ an independent reference sample in its operation. The device uses attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Preferably, the device is used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. Clearly, this device is especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. The device and procedure may be used for other analyte materials which exhibit unique mid-IR signatures of the type described herein and that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device and a process for determining blood glucose level in the human body using the device. In typical operation, the glucose measurement device is self-normalizing in that it does not employ an independent reference sample in its operation. The device uses attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Preferably, the device is used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. Clearly, this device is especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. The device and procedure may be used for other analyte materials which exhibit unique mid-IR signatures of the type described herein and that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device and a process for determining blood glucose level in the human body using the device. In typical operation, the glucose measurement device is self-normalizing in that it does not employ an independent reference sample in its operation. The device uses attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Preferably, the device is used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. Clearly, this device is especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. The device and procedure may be used for other analyte materials which exhibit unique mid-IR signatures of the type described herein and that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device and a process for determining blood glucose level in the human body using the device. In typical operation, the glucose measurement device is self-normalizing in that it does not employ an independent reference sample in its operation. The device uses attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Preferably, the device is used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. Clearly, this device is especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. The device and procedure may be used for other analyte materials which exhibit unique mid-IR signatures of the type described herein and that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.

Abstract: This involves a non-invasive glucose measurement device and a process for determining blood glucose level in the human body using the device. In typical operation, the glucose measurement device is self-normalizing in that it does not employ an independent reference sample in its operation. The device uses attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Preferably, the device is used on a fingertip and compares two specific regions of a measured infrared spectrum to determine the blood glucose level of the user. Clearly, this device is especially suitable for monitoring glucose levels in the human body, and is especially beneficial to users having diabetes mellitus. The device and procedure may be used for other analyte materials which exhibit unique mid-IR signatures of the type described herein and that are found in appropriate regions of the outer skin.