Abstract: An elevated passenger car having an emergency exit feature. The passenger car is of the type supported such that there are substantially no obstructions between the underside of the car and the ground below it. The car includes a body having a passenger compartment and an opening through the body generally at one end thereof defining an exit from the passenger compartment to outside the body. An end section is pivotally mounted on the body at the one end. Fluid pressure actuated cylinders swing the end section between a closed position in which the end section closes the exit and an open position in which said exit is opened to the outside. An elevator supported by the end section in its open position lowers passengers from the elevated passenger car.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accurately providing general calibration of near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments for almost any individual user. The general calibration method comprises comparing an individual's near-infrared spectrum to a plurality of near-infrared spectral clusters. Each near-infrared spectral cluster has a set of calibration constants associated therewith. The calibration constants of the spectral cluster most closely associated with the individual spectra are used to custom calibrate the near-infrared analysis measurement instrument.

Abstract: A method and means for generating synthetic spectra allowing quantitative measurement utilizes dual chip alternatively energized IREDs with optical bandpass filter(s) passing two optical bands which could be combined with curvilinear interpolation to be utilized in a low cost small size quantitative measuring instrument.

Abstract: Near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments and methods non-invasively measure blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmisison through a blood containing body part. The instruments and methods are accurate and readily lend themselves to at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: Near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments non-invasively measure blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmission through a blood containing body part. A replaceable cartridge stores data unique to an individual patient/user. The analysis instruments are accurate and readily lend themselves to at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for easily and reliably custom calibrating near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments including obtaining a plurality of blood samples and blood glucose level measurements thereof at a predetermined time interval. These values are entered into the analysis instrument. Near-infrared optical measurements of the individual are simultaneously taken using the analysis instrument at another predetermined time interval. Calibration regression analysis is performed on the data to custom calibrate the analysis instrument which involves linearly interpolating the blood sample glucose measurements with the near-infrared optical recordings.

Abstract: A near-infrared quantitative analysis instrument and method non-invasively measures blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmission through a blood containing body part. The instrument and method is accurate and can readily be utilized for at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: A probe for near-infrared interactance quantitative analysis is calibrated by placing the near-infrared source and detector within a cavity of a calibrating sleeve. The cavity provides a reflectance value that corresponds to an interactance calibration value for which the probe is being calibrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a subsequent sample is substantially identical to an initial sample in a near infrared quantitative analysis instrument. An initial sample is measured for a plurality of characteristics which include the ambient temperature of the analysis instrument at the time of reading, the temperature of the sample itself, the optical energy level of the sample, the moisture content of the sample, and the percent protein of the sample. These characteristics are stored in a computer to provide a series of comparison criteria. A subsequent sample is then measured for the same characteristics as the initial sample and these characteristics are compared to the comparison criteria to determine if the subsequent sample is substantially identical to the previous sample.

Abstract: Method and simplified, lower cost apparatus for determining percent fat in a body wherein near-infrared radiation from at least one, and preferably a single pair of IREDs is transmitted into the body to achieve optical interactance between the body and the near-infrared radiation. Optical absorption by the body at only one bandwidth of the near-infrared radiation is measured. The measured absorption at the one bandwidth of near-infrared radiation is utilized to quantitatively determine the fat content of the body. Data on a plurality of physical parameters of the body, such as height, weight, exercise level, sex, race, waist-to-hip measurement and arm circumference, can be utilized along with the measured near-infrared absorption in the quantitative determination of body fat content. Advantageously, there is no need for labor-intensive factory calibration of each production unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining percent fat in a body wherein substantially uniformly dispersed near-infrared radiation is transmitted into the body to achieve optical interactance between the body and the near-infrared radiation. Optical absorption by the body at only one wavelength of the near-infrared radiation is measured. The measured absorption at the one wavelength of near-infrared radiation is utilized to quantitatively determine the fat content of the body. Data on a plurality of physical parameters of the body, such as height, weight, exercise level, sex, race, waste-to-hip measurement and arm circumference, can be utilized along with the measured near-infrared absorption in the quantitative determination of body fat content.

Abstract: A light barrier and probe location device are disclosed for use with a near infrared interactance probe for measuring body composition on the upper arm of an individual while allowing the individual to conduct his/her own test at the same position on the arm each time and excluding ambient light. The device includes a piece of opaque material having an opening for the light probe, a probe location member removably attached to the material to position the light probe location opening and fastening means for attaching the opaque material around the arm of an individual after the probe location member locates the appropriate opening position to allow the individual to conduct his/her own test on him/herself.