Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and the distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when the tubular element is located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and the distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when the tubular element is located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and the distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when the tubular element is located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium. In an embodiment, the method includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium. In an embodiment, the method includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium. In an embodiment, the method includes delivering a tubular element in an insertion state to the sinus ostium. The tubular element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The method includes expanding the tubular element from the insertion state to a deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes a tubular element having a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The tubular element has an insertion state and a deployment state. The tubular element is locatable in the sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes a tubular element having a first end, a second end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The tubular element has an insertion state and a deployment state. The tubular element is locatable in the sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes a tubular element having a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The tubular element has an insertion state and a deployment state. The tubular element is locatable in the sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: A system for collecting a whole blood sample includes a fill port (32), a metering chamber (72), a gasket or seal (16) and a reservoir (74). The gasket or seal (16) is positioned to a fill position, and a sample of whole blood is received in the metering chamber (72) until the metering chamber (72) is full. Then the seal (16) is moved to a closed position, thereby moving blood from the metering chamber (72) to the reservoir (74) and also sealing the reservoir (74). The seal (16), metering chamber (72) and fill port (32) together define a passageway at least a portion of which is coated with an anticoagulant. A diluting liquid contained in the reservoir (74) is mixed with the whole blood to dilute and stabilize the whole blood in the reservoir (74) for later analysis of one or more selected blood components.

Abstract: A device to collect, dry and transport precise volumes of blood. A blood sample is introduced into a device through an aperture connected to a channel containing an absorbent material.

Abstract: A system for collecting a whole blood sample includes a fill port (32), a metering chamber (72), a gasket or seal (16) and a reservoir (74). The gasket or seal (16) is positioned to a fill position, and a sample of whole blood is received in the metering chamber (72) until the metering chamber (72) is full. Then the seal (16) is moved to a closed position, thereby moving blood from the metering chamber (72) to the reservoir (74) and also sealing the reservoir (74). The seal (16), metering chamber (72) and fill port (32) together define a passageway at least a portion of which is coated with an anticoagulant. A diluting liquid contained in the reservoir (74) is mixed with the whole blood to dilute and stabilize the whole blood in the reservoir (74) for later analysis of one or more selected blood components.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the stabilization of aminotransferase activity of plasma or serum are provided. Such methods will be useful in the accurate determination of tests associated with liver toxicity.

Abstract: A system for collecting whole blood includes a metering chamber and a reservoir. A movable gasket or seal is positioned to a fill position, and whole blood is added to the metering chamber until the metering chamber is full. Then the gasket is moved to a closed position, thereby moving blood from the metering chamber to the reservoir and sealing the reservoir. A diluting liquid contained in the reservoir is mixed with the whole blood to dilute and stabilize the whole blood in the reservoir for later analysis of one or more selected blood components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an optical measurement through a tissue such as skin of a person includes an implantable optical system having an entry window, an exit window, a reference path between the windows and a measurement path between the windows. The reference path includes a reference element with known optical characteristics, and the measurement path is in fluid communication with the body fluids of the person. A first optical signal is directed through the tissue of the person, the entry window, the reference path, the exit window and the tissue of the person to an external optical sensor, and a second optical signal is directed through the same portion of the tissue of the person, the entry window, the measurement path, the exit window and the same portion of the tissue of the person to the external optical sensor. Variations in the optical effects of the tissue on the measurement can be measured with the second optical signal and used to improve measurement accuracy.

Abstract: This invention relates to the measurement of analytes in dried blood samples. It has been discovered by measuring the hemoglobin in the dissolved dried blood sample, an estimate of blood volume may be made and used to make a correction for blood volume. Thus, analytes such as cholesterol, PSA, and other blood analytes can be more accurately determined. The invention further describes a blood collection device and disk material on which blood is dried to provide superior results.

Abstract: A biological sample storage package includes a pouch formed of a material that is impermeable to water vapor and a container formed of a material that is permeable to water vapor and/or oxygen. The container is filled with an absorbent material such as a desiccant, and the container is disposed in the pouch and secured to the pouch such that the desiccant container cannot be removed from the pouch inadvertently. A resealable closure is provided to seal the pouch after a biological sample has been placed in the pouch. The desiccant container can be heat sealed along two opposed sides and one end between the sheets that form the pouch.

Abstract: This invention relates to the measurement of analytes in dried blood samples. It has been discovered by measuring the hemoglobin in the dissolved dried blood sample, an estimate of blood volume may be made and used to make a correction for blood volume. Thus, analytes such as cholesterol, PSA, and other blood analytes can be more accurately determined. The invention further describes a blood collection device and disk material on which blood is dried to provide superior results.