Abstract: A mouth shield to prevent lip reading of the lips of a user may include a shield to shield the lips of the user; a pivoting fastener device to rotate the partial oval shield between a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position in which the lips of the user substantially are uncovered to where the lips of the user are covered to prevent lip reading; and a clamp device to clamp the pivoting fastener device to a microphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic flow cell for determining the presence or amount of an analyte which may be contained in a test sample. The flow cell comprises a spacing layer having a longitudinal void disposed between a pair of opposed substrates. The spacing layer and the opposed substrates define a flow channel wherein reagent means can be immobilized. When the immobilized reagent means is contacted with an analyte, the reagent means can produce an electrically, optically, or electrically and optically detectable response to the analyte. Hence, the reagent means that is immobilized within the flow channel can comprise (i) a counter electrode, a reference electrode and a working electrode, (ii) an optically sensitive dye or (iii) a counter electrode, a reference electrode and a working electrode and an optically sensitive dye.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted for use as either an amperometric or a potentiometric sensor. It includes a membrane having a biologically active protein immobilized within. The membrane is attached and reliably sealed to a housing by means of ultrasonic welding, either directly or indirectly. Further, the membrane may be compressed to a fraction of its original dimensions. Metallic parts of the device may, optionally, be physically isolated from the sample solution to reduce corrosion. These features operate synergistically so that the claimed device exhibits relatively fast response and recovery times, is reliably leak-proof, and may be constructed in relatively small sizes.

Abstract: A porous carrier containing an immobilized biologically active material is prepared in which a relatively large amount of an enzyme or an antibody has been immobilized in a manner that produces a low diffusion resistance toward reagents and products. The porous carrier is produced by fixing enzymes or antibodies within internal micropores of the carrier and mechanically compressing the carrier to a final thickness which is in the range of about 0.20 to 0.80 times the uncompressed carrier thickness. The compressed carrier may have a density about 1.25 to about 5.0 times the density of the carrier before compressing. Surprisingly, the compressed carrier exhibits less diffusion resistance to specific reagents and products than would an uncompressed carrier. A preferred porous carrier is a semi-permeable membrane made from synthetic polymers, such as polyvinylidine difluoride.