Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring analyte concentration in a nonblood body fluid sample enable rapid-results, low-cost diagnosis of various medical conditions in an outpatient setting. In one embodiment, measured patient sodium concentration is used by the patient or the patient's healthcare provider to guide medical decision-making. In another embodiment, measured patient sodium concentration is processed to mechanically adjust the concentration of sodium in an aqueous solution to be delivered to the patient for oral administration. In yet another embodiment, a closed loop system measures saliva sodium concentration and uses any of a number of different types of feedback control systems to monitor and control the fluid and/or electrolyte state of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring saliva sodium concentration using a chromatographic reaction enable rapid-results, low-cost diagnosis of various medical conditions in an outpatient setting. In one embodiment, measured patient saliva sodium concentration is used by the patient or the patient's healthcare provider to guide medical decision making. In another embodiment, measured patient saliva sodium concentration is processed to mechanically adjust the concentration of sodium in an aqueous solution to be delivered to the patient for oral administration. In yet another embodiment, a closed loop system measures saliva sodium concentration and uses any of a number of different types of feedback control systems to monitor and control the fluid and/or electrolyte state of the patient.

Abstract: A needle shield and needle shield assembly are provided for preventing accidental needle sticks. The needle shield includes opposing sidewalls and is pivotable between an open position that allows use of the needle cannula and a closed position that covers at least the tip of the needle cannula. A locking member extends from one of the sidewalls of the needle shield and includes a relatively rigid base portion and a relatively flexible end portion. The needle cannula engages the relatively flexible end portion when entering the needle shield cavity, deflecting it with respect to the base portion. Upon any attempt to move the needle shield from the closed position to the open position, the needle cannula is directed by the locking member towards the relatively rigid base portion, thereby making it very difficult to reuse the needle cannula.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a substance intradermally into the skin of a patient including a housing for contacting the surface of the skin and a disposable cartridge to be received in the housing. The cartridge includes an internal reservoir containing a substance to be delivered to the patient, a plurality of micro skin penetrating members and a fluid channel extending between the micro skin penetrating members and the reservoir. The housing includes a bottom wall with a central opening and a cover member. The cartridge is positioned in the housing with the micro skin penetrating members extending through the central opening of the bottom wall and positioned on the surface of the skin of a patient. The cover is closed onto the cartridge to dispense the substance from the cartridge through the micro skin penetrating members and into or through the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A needle shield assembly including a hinged needle shield is provided. A ramp is provided in proximity to a hinge that connects the needle shield to base assembly. The ramp is preferably flexible, and, if compressed, resliently urges the needle shield to a preferred angular position where it is canted at an angle with respect to the syringe and a closed position in which it envelops the needle. One or more locking elements are preferably provided on the needle shield for maintaining it in a locked, needle protection position.

Abstract: A sheet of sunshield material is configured to approximate the shape of a window in which the sunshield will be placed. At least one hinge is attached to one or both sides of the sunshield and suction cups are provided in the hinges to removably attach the sunshield to a window.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer-based product and system employs a digital receiver (or transceiver) to receive, digitize and process a direct sequence spread spectrum signal using efficient, low-cost digital signal processing components. A radio front end portion of the receiver receives and digitizes the signal, and a digital signal processing portion downconverts and despreads the signal by applying a pseudorandom noise (PN) code, used at a transmitter to spread a data signal contained in the direct sequence spread spectrum signal, to the received signal. In order to initially align, and maintain alignment of, the PN code with the direct sequence spread spectrum signal, a timing and state control mechanism is included that provides time reference correction information to the signal processing components of the receiver.

Abstract: A spring loop folding sunshield and method of manufacture in which a spring loop is enclosed within tape across the intermediate portion of the sunshield and around the edges of the sunshield. The tape is attached across the intermediate portion of the sunshield by creating two ridges across the intermediate portion of the sunshield and sewing or otherwise attaching a tape over the ridges. In one method of creating the ridges, the material is cut into two approximate halves, leaving an intermediate portion which is then sewn to the two approximate halves to create the ridges across the intermediate portion of the sunshield.

Abstract: A folding sunshield having two spring loops and sunshield material which fit the edges and corners of a vehicle sunshield, with the loops being rounded at the corners and the loops being attached to edges of the sunshield material and across the intermediate portion thereof by tape.

Abstract: A spring loop folding sunshield and method of manufacture in which a spring loop is enclosed within tape across the intermediate portion of the sunshield and around the edges of the sunshield. The tape is attached across the intermediate portion of the sunshield by creating two ridges across the intermediate portion of the sunshield and sewing or otherwise attaching a tape over the ridges. In one method of creating the ridges, the material is cut into two approximate halves, leaving an intermediate portion which is then sewn to the two approximate halves to create the ridges across the intermediate portion of the sunshield.