Abstract: A bio-information monitoring system passively monitors a patient with a remote portable bio-information unit that takes various bio-information measurements at selected time intervals as well as at random times without patient intervention. The measurements are converted to digital signals which are transmitted from the bio-information unit to a modem when the bio-information unit is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring network. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring network to a treatment provider. The treatment provider may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: An improvement in monitoring alcohol levels through transdermal testing is provided by detecting if environmental gasses, referred to as interferents, have been introduced into a transdermal vapor sample. An insensible skin perspiration sample may not be completely controlled and can contain interferents from an environmental source rather than the subject. Before testing a skin perspiration sample, the alcohol sensor is sampled and averaged to establish a baseline value. A sample is drawn and presented to the alcohol sensor. The output of the alcohol sensor is monitored to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. A maximum alcohol sensor value for the transdermal alcohol monitor is set by determining the baseline value when no alcohol is present in the sample. Subsequent baseline values during a reading above the maximum alcohol sensor value indicate that an environmental interferent is present in the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: An improvement in monitoring alcohol levels through transdermal testing is provided by detecting if environmental gasses, referred to as interferents, have been introduced into a transdermal vapor sample. An insensible skin perspiration sample may not be completely controlled and can contain interferents from an environmental source rather than the subject. Before testing a skin perspiration sample, the alcohol sensor is sampled and averaged to establish a baseline value. A sample is drawn and presented to the alcohol sensor. The output of the alcohol sensor is monitored to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. A maximum alcohol sensor value for the transdermal alcohol monitor is set by determining the baseline value when no alcohol is present in the sample. Subsequent baseline values during a reading above the maximum alcohol sensor value indicate that an environmental interferent is present in the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: Moisture may build up inside an alcohol monitor that is securely attached to a human subject due to the inlet air from the subject's skin surface which constantly emits water vapor in the form of insensible skin perspiration. As the warm moist air which has very high humidity flows along the air flow path through decreasing temperatures within the alcohol monitor, moisture will be removed from the air through condensation. The condensation problem is solved by lowering the humidity level in the air sample by mixing the very humid air sample from the body with less humid ambient air, which increases the dew point for condensation. Increasing the dew point in the air sample means that there must be a greater change in temperature along the air flow path of the air sample in order to cause the moisture in the air sample to condense and become water.

Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: Moisture buildup inside an alcohol monitor that is securely attached to a human subject is due to the inlet air from the subject's skin surface, which constantly emits water vapor in the form of insensible skin perspiration. As the warm moist air flows along the air flow path through decreasing temperatures within the alcohol monitor, moisture will be removed from the air through condensation. The present invention solves this condensation problem by first simplifying the air flow path, eliminating barriers that can trap water. Second, additional changes to the air flow path take advantage of gravity, allowing water to drain out of the alcohol monitor. Third, by better balancing the volume of air sample between the sample collection chamber and the fuel cell sample chamber, the total volume of air taken in is reduced, resulting in an overall reduction in the volume of potential moisture introduced into the alcohol monitor.

Abstract: A bio-information monitoring system passively monitors a patient with a remote portable bio-information unit that takes various bio-information measurements at selected time intervals as well as at random times without patient intervention. The measurements are converted to digital signals which are transmitted from the bio-information unit to a modem when the bio-information unit is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring network. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring network to a treatment provider. The treatment provider may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: A bio-information monitoring system passively monitors a patient with a remote portable bio-information unit that takes various bio-information measurements at selected time intervals as well as at random times without patient intervention. The measurements are converted to digital signals which are transmitted from the bio-information unit to a modem when the bio-information unit is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring network. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring network to a treatment provider. The treatment provider may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and skin temperature of the subject are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.

Abstract: A pneumatic carrier system is provided for distribution and transport of materials between different locations. The system includes a plurality of carriers for conveyance of materials and a control system for controlling the movement of the carriers in the system. The control system uses information associated with the carriers and the status of areas of the system to detect gridlock conditions which inhibit the movement of carriers. The system also includes bypass locations which are used to resolve detected gridlock conditions.