Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided for monitoring compliance with an order for a patient specimen. Broadly, an inventive system incorporates a machine readable wireless identification and sensor technology to provide feedback to a caregiver regarding compliance with a specimen order. In particular, a system for monitoring compliance with an order for a specimen is provided which includes a specimen container having an attached machine readable wireless tag. The tag contains specimen container characteristic information. The tagged container aids in indicating to a user whether the correct specimen container type has been chosen. Further, a system is provided which includes a sensor useful in indicating whether a sufficient quantity of specimen has been obtained in order to perform the requested laboratory test as part of the patient's care.

Abstract: The current invention provides a passive sampling device suitable for collecting and detecting the presence of target analytes. In particular, the passive sampling device is suitable for detecting nitro-aromatic compounds. The current invention further provides a passive sampling device reader suitable for determining the collection of target analytes. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for detecting target analytes using the passive sampling device and the passive sampling device reader.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of pre-treatment and staining, according to a protocol, of a biological sample disposed upon the surface of a carrier, the method comprising the step of recording at least one parameter relating to at least one protocol step in a non-volatile memory located either upon or within the carrier or a device incorporating the carrier. Also disclosed is a device comprising: a non-volatile memory; a surface of the device adapted to carry a biological sample; and communications means electrically coupled to the memory for enabling data transmission to or from an external apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of controlling processing of a biological sample disposed upon a carrier, comprising: providing, upon or within the carrier or an apparatus holding the carrier, a non-volatile memory having information relating to sample processing priority or protocol; reading the information; and scheduling the processing based upon the information.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to propose a reliable, economically viable autoclave that also allows rapid heat treatment of food or pharmaceutical products in industrial quantities. To this end, the subject of the invention is a system for shaking items, inside a device under pressure, comprising a chamber (100) equipped with a heating means (110) and with a pressurizing means (115), and a storage basket (200) for the items (P) coupled to a translational shaking means (300, 310-320-330-340), wherein the basket (200) is slidably mounted on a chassis (400) exhibiting a platform (410) supported by support columns (420) passing through the chamber (100) in a fluidtight and decoupled manner and intended to be secured to an immovable support (600).

Abstract: A pipette tip mounting shaft includes outwardly circumferentially extending locking lobes over which the pipette tip collar is mounted. The locking lobes preferably include an inclining ramp portion that gently flexes and distorts the pipette tip collar out-of-round as the mounting shaft is inserted into the pipette tip, rather than the stretching tip collar. Each locking lobe also includes a declining ramp portion which extends upward along the mounting shaft. The peak of the lobes is preferably curved. When the pipette tip is fully mounted on the mounting shaft, a locking ring on the inside surface of the tip collar engages the declining ramp of the lobes to provide an over-center engagement, however, the required ejection force is small.

Abstract: To shorten the time required for an oscillation frequency to stabilize in a sensing device sensing a substance to be sensed by using the fact that a natural frequency of a piezoelectric resonator changes when the substance to be sensed is adsorbed by an adsorption layer formed on the piezoelectric resonator. A sensing device includes: an oscillator circuit 4 oscillating a quartz-crystal resonator 12; and an intense excitation circuit that is formed by the oscillator circuit 4 including a series circuit of a resistor 52 and a third transistor 53 of PNP type and that intensely excites the quartz-crystal resonator 12 connected to the oscillator circuit 4 for a period of time preset by a one-shot circuit 22 by supplying the quartz-crystal resonator 12 with high power equal to or more than twice regular power supplied at the time of the measurement of the substance to be sensed, to stabilize the oscillation of the quartz-crystal resonator 12.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detector for chemical sensor devices, the detector being improved in detection sensitivity. Also disclosed is use of such a detector for chemical sensor devices. Specifically, disclosed is a detector for chemical sensor devices by which a substance to be measured is detected by adsorbing the substance contained in a medium on the surface thereof. The detector includes an adsorption layer containing hydroxyapatite or a substituted apatite obtained by substituting a part of elements in hydroxyapatite on a surface which is used for detecting the substance to be measured. Such a detector is greatly improved in detection sensitivity, and thus able to detect a very small amount of a chemical substance.

Abstract: A blood glucose meter having a compact housing, a display unit disposed on the housing, the display unit including a display light source to illuminate the display unit, an input unit disposed on the housing, the input unit configured to provide input functions for the blood glucose meter, and a power source provided within the housing for providing power to the blood glucose meter, where the housing includes a port integrated on said housing configured to receive a blood glucose test strip, and corresponding methods of measuring blood glucose meter is provided.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: A device for detecting human body odors produced from ammonia and amino acids—chemicals naturally excreted through the skin and sweat glands. Unless eliminated, such odors can alert game animals to a hunter's presence. Worn on the exterior of odor-absorbing clothing, the device includes both a packet and an indicator chemical sensitive to extremely low concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds. The packet defines first and second openings which, in use, are directed away from and toward the wearer's body, respectively. Affixed to the packet, a transparent tape forms an airtight window through which one can continually view the indicator chemical, held in place within the first opening by the tape's adhesive backing. Accessible only to substances which pass through the wearer's clothing and then into the packet's interior via the second opening, the indicator chemical undergoes a permanent color change, once odor-producing chemicals begin to break through the clothing.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a substrate, a hydrogen absorbing member, a power source, an ammeter, and a processing unit. The hydrogen absorbing member is positioned on the substrate, and includes a carbon nanotube yarn and a hydrogen absorbing film coated on the carbon nanotube yarn. The ammeter measures an electric current. The hydrogen absorbing member and the ammeter are connected in series to the power source. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the ammeter to obtain a hydrogen concentration according to the electric current.

Abstract: The invention describes a detection device that comprise nanostructures and which detection mechanism is based on the quantum confinement effects. The analyte species are sensed by measuring charge or/and energy transfer between the species and the nanostructures, which will be proportional to the overlap between the density of states distribution in the nanostructures and the density of states distribution in the targeted analyte species.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a rotating mechanism for rotationally driving a solid-solid direct-heating reaction disc, comprising a fixed hollow shaft, a rotating sleeve assembly and a signal commutator, wherein the fixed hollow shaft is fixed, the rotating sleeve assembly rotatably surrounds the fixed hollow shaft, the reaction disc is supported by the rotating sleeve assembly so as to rotate along with the rotating sleeve assembly, and the signal commutator has a stationary end fixed to the fixed hollow shaft and a moving end co-rotating with the rotating sleeve assembly. By the rotating mechanism, the signal commutator is hold, and signal input and output between the moving end and the stationary end can be achieved.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas detecting arrangement having a gas cell which includes a cavity, a gas-cell-related light source, a gas-cell-related light detector and a controlling and computing unit wherein the unit is adapted fro initiating activation of the light source and also to evaluate the presence and/or the concentration or a gas and/or a gas mixture enclosed in the cell cavity in response to light-detector-related signals received from the light detector.

Abstract: A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system.

Abstract: A control technique for use in a fuel processor is disclosed. In one aspect, a control system includes a subsystem manager controller the operation of a respective physical subsystem for each of a plurality of physical subsystems in the fuel processor. The subsystem managers take their direction from a master control manager. In a second aspect, the subsystem managers collectively form a layer operating in conjunction with a second layer capable of interfacing the subsystem managers to their respective physical subsystems, a third layer capable of interfacing the subsystem managers with the second layer. In a third aspect, master control manager manages the operation of each physical subsystem through a respective subsystem manager, directs state transitions of the subsystem managers, and routs interaction between the subsystem managers from the master control manager.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: The system and method for explosives detection may be used for detecting the presence of explosive elements. A testing device may have a case with a cover. A sample holder may be disposed in the case for receipt of a sample element and may have a sample retainer. The sample element may have a swipe pad attached to a backing element a heater may be disposed in the sample holder wherein the heater may be below the swipe pad adjacent the backing element when the sample element may be positioned in the sample holder. The heater may be in communication with an electric power source. The case may have a plurality of cavities formed therein for receipt of a plurality of fluid containers. The plurality of fluid containers may have at least a first reagent fluid and a second reagent fluid.