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: 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.