Abstract: Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to control the conversion of carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a process having a control system that enables the system to produce a fuel of uniform quality, even with a change in biomass supply.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to control the conversion of carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a process having a control system that enables the system to produce a fuel of uniform quality, even with a change in biomass supply.

Abstract: A sorbent hemodialysis system includes a dialyzer configured to receive a flow of clean dialysate from a reservoir and to output an unclean dialysate flow. The system also includes a sorbent component having a urease section and a sorbent section through which the unclean dialysate flow from the dialyzer passes, wherein the sorbent component removes urea from the dialysate. The system further comprises a membrane electrolyzer that receives at least a portion of said clean dialysate flow and separates the dialysate flow into an acidic component flow and a base component flow. A mixing conduit combines the base component flow from the membrane electrolyzer and an output dialysate solution from the urease section of the sorbent component to separate the dialysate solution into an ammonia gas amount and ammonia liquid amount.

Abstract: A method of extracting and analyzing bodily fluids from a patient at the point of care for the patient is provided. The method comprises establishing fluid communication between an analyte detection system and a bodily fluid in the patient. A portion of the bodily fluid is drawn from the patient. A first component of the bodily fluid is separated from the drawn portion, while the analyte detection system remains in fluid communication with the patient. The analyte detection system analyzes the first component to measure a concentration of an analyte in an accurate and timely manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample, such as an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid. Some embodiments use a synchronous demodulator and digital filter to reduce microphonic signal content. Some embodiments monitor the microphonic signal content and “hold off” on making a measurement until vibrations subside. Monitoring can be performed using an accelerometer or other vibration sensor. An algorithm can be used to examine the detector output signal and detect excessive microphonic components, making an accelerometer unnecessary.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for analyzing a body fluid of a patient comprises a fluid transport network having a patient end configured to provide fluid communication with the body fluid in the patient and a fluid delivery point spaced from the patient end. A pump system is coupled to the fluid transport network. The pump system has an infusion mode in which the pump system is operable to pump an infusion fluid toward the patient end of the fluid transport network and a draw mode in which the pump system is operable to draw the body fluid from the patient into the fluid transport network through the patient end. At least one electrochemical test element is located near the fluid delivery point of the fluid transport network. The electrochemical test element is positioned to receive a portion of the body fluid delivered to the delivery point by the fluid transport network. An analyte detection system is configured to receive the test element and to measure at least one analyte in the portion of the body fluid.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for analyzing a body fluid of a patient comprises a fluid transport network that has a patient end configured to provide fluid communication with the body fluid in the patient and a fluid delivery point spaced from the patient end. A pump system is coupled to the fluid transport network. The pump system has an infusion mode in which the pump system is operable to pump an infusion fluid toward the patient end of the fluid transport network. The pump system has a draw mode in which the pump system is operable to draw the body fluid from the patient into the fluid transport network through the patient end. The system further comprises at least one fluid holder located near the fluid delivery point of the fluid transport network. The at least one fluid holder is positioned to receive a portion of the body fluid delivered to the delivery point by the fluid transport network.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus comprises a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient. The apparatus further comprises a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit has an infusion mode in which the pump unit is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode in which the pump unit is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus further comprises a spectroscopic analyzer configured to obtain spectra from at least a portion of the sample, and a processor in communication with or incorporated into the spectroscopic analyzer.

Abstract: A fluid handling system for use in bodily fluid analysis. The system comprises a first fluid handling module configured to interface with a main instrument. The first fluid handling module has a first fluid handling network and the first fluid handling network includes an infusate passage and an infusion fluid pressure member suitable for moving fluid within the infusate passage. The fluid handling system also has a second fluid handling module separate from the first module which is configured to interface with the main instrument. The second fluid handling module has a second fluid handling network and at least one sample analysis cell which is accessible via the second fluid handling network. The first and second modules are configured to interconnect and provide fluid communication between the first and second fluid handling network and the sample cells.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a body fluid analyzing system includes a body fluid analyzer configured to be in fluid communication with a body fluid within a patient. The body fluid analyzing system further includes a communication interface configured to provide communication between the body fluid analyzer and a data system which includes at least one data file. The body fluid analyzer is configured to access the at least one data file via the communication interface.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid includes a first fluid passageway having a patient end which is configured to provide fluid communication with a bodily fluid within a patient. The apparatus further includes at least one pump coupled to the first fluid passageway. The at least one pump has an infusion mode in which the pump is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode in which the pump is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus further includes an analyte detection system accessible via the first fluid passageway such that the analyte detection system can receive at least one component of the drawn sample of bodily fluid and determine a concentration of at least one analyte. The analyte detection system is spaced from the patient end of the first fluid passageway.

Abstract: A method for maintaining clear passageways in an extracorporeal blood flow system. The method comprises intermittently providing one or more anti-clotting agents to a passageway of the extracorporeal blood flow system. Also disclosed is an extracorporeal blood flow system. The system comprises a passageway, and a device operatively connected to provide one or more anti-clotting agents to a least a portion of said passageway.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method samples a body fluid of a patient. The method includes providing a fluid handling system having one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes infusing an infusion fluid by way of a fluid handling system into a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes obtaining a sample of body fluid by way of a fluid handling system from a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The obtained sample is no more than 5 milliliters in volume. The method further includes analyzing at least an analyzed portion of the obtained sample by way of an analyte detection system operatively associated with the fluid handling system to determine a concentration of at least one analyte.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of maintaining health of a patient uses an analyte detection system. The analyte detection system is coupled to the patient such that a bodily fluid of the patient is accessible to the analyte detection system. The method includes automatically initiating and conducting a measurement of an analyte in the bodily fluid using the analyte detection system. The method further includes determining a treatment dose for the patient based on the measurement using the analyte detection system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring a predetermined parameter of a patient's body fluid while infusing an infusion fluid into the patient. The apparatus comprises an infusion line and a catheter configured for insertion into a blood vessel of the patient, and a reversible infusion pump connected between a source of an infusion fluid and the infusion line and catheter. The apparatus further comprises a body fluid sensor assembly mounted in fluid communication with the infusion line and which includes a first sensor and a sample cell. The first sensor provides a signal indicative of a predetermined parameter of any fluid present in the infusion line. The sample cell is substantially transmissive to light comprising a wavelength ?. The apparatus further comprises a controller that is configured to operate the infusion pump in a forward direction so as to pump the infusion fluid through the infusion line and catheter for infusion into the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for estimating the concentration of an analyte using a combined enzyme-spectroscopic method. Examples are provided for the detection of glucose and lactate. A sample of biological fluid is mixed or contacted with an enzyme specific to the analyte of interest, and the reacting fluid is probed with an optical system at wavelengths that includes at least one wavelength that is sensitive to the analyte concentration and at least one wavelength that is not sensitive to the analyte concentration. The optical system measures properties, such as optical density, and relates the measurements to concentration through a calibration of the system. A method is also provided for analyzing the data obtained from optical measurements of reactions of enzymes with biological fluids. These technologies may be applied to continuous or periodic patient sampling systems or to test strip type devices.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: A method of treating a diabetic condition of a patient comprises providing a glucose detection system which is portable and usable by the patient, and which is configured to measure glucose levels with a standard error of less than about 30 mg/dL. The method further comprises making a plurality of measurements of the patient's glucose level with the portable, patient-usable glucose detection system. The method further comprises administering a diabetes treatment to the patient based on one or more of the measurements of the patient's glucose level.

Abstract: A method of extracting and analyzing bodily fluids from a patient at the point of care for the patient is provided. The method comprises establishing fluid communication between an analyte detection system and a bodily fluid in the patient. A portion of the bodily fluid is drawn from the patient. The drawn portion is separated into a first component of the bodily fluid, while the analyte detection system remains in fluid communication with the patient. The analyte detection system analyzes the first component to measure a concentration of an analyte.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a sampling assembly is for use with a main analyzer. The main analyzer is configured to sense an analyte in a body fluid obtained from a patient through a first fluid passageway extending from the main analyzer. The sampling assembly includes an instrument portion separate from the main analyzer and including at least one sensor. The instrument portion is removably engaged with the first fluid passageway. The at least one sensor is in sensing engagement with the first fluid passageway such that the at least one sensor can sense a property of a fluid within the first fluid passageway.