Abstract: An apparatus for optical imaging of a breast is described, the apparatus comprising: a supporting platform for positioning a patient in a face down prone position, the platform having a cavity for the breast to be pendantly suspended therethrough; a flexible fluid-filled receptacle below the cavity holding an optical matching fluid for the optical imaging, wherein the breast is immersed in the fluid during the optical imaging; a supporting mechanism surrounding a perimeter of the receptacle for supporting the receptacle within the cavity and preventing it from falling through the cavity when holding the optical matching fluid; and a source and detector coupling device for orienting source and detector ports with respect to the receptacle and for contacting the receptacle to obtain a desired geometry of the breast and the optical matching fluid.

Abstract: There is provided a table for positioning a patient for a medical procedure on a breast, the table comprising: a supporting platform having a back end for supporting the patient's legs and a front end for supporting the patient's torso while the patient is in a prone position, and a cavity at the front end for allowing the breast and a surrounding axilla region to be pendantly suspended therethrough; wherein the table has a lateral depression for allowing an arm and a shoulder adjacent to the breast to extend over the table and be lowered such that skin from the axilla region is relaxed and extends through the cavity, and the table is configured to provide the depression on each side of the cavity in a position where a right shoulder would be when a right breast.

Abstract: An integrated sample testing meter, for instance for measuring blood, comprising a lancing device, an electrochemical sensor and a test strip cartridge disposed in a single modular housing. The test strip cartridge includes a stack of test strips suitable for performing an electrochemical or photometric analysis of a blood sample. The integrated test system automatically dispenses and positions a test strip in proximity to a lancet puncture site, automatically transfer, a blood sample to the test strip from the lancet puncture site and automatically analyzes the blood sample after the test strip collects the sample from the puncture site.

Abstract: A system to provide foot protection against anti-personnel land mines is designed for use by mine clearance personnel and includes a raised frame having a central foot support location thereon which ensures a spacing of the wearer's foot above the ground surface of from 10 to 30 cm. The ground-engaging parts of the frame are spaced forwardly and rearwardly of the foot location and the frame includes on its underside blast protection material, the combined results of these measures being to greatly attenuate the blast and fragmentation effects of an exploding mine on the foot of the user. Moreover, the underside of the structure, including legs, is aerodynamically shaped to deflect the blast wave loading and fragments generated by the mine detonation.