Abstract: A flow regulator for a blood collection assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, which defines an interior space between the inlet and the outlet. A membrane having a first surface and a second surface is disposed at least partially within the interior space. The membrane has a first position where a flow path between the inlet and the outlet is substantially open, and a second position where the flow path between the inlet and the outlet is at least partially restricted. The membrane is configured to move between the first and second positions in response to a pressure differential acting on the membrane.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a container and a heat exchange apparatus disposed within the container. The heat exchange apparatus includes a tank, a manifold at least partially disposed within the tank, and a phase change material disposed within the tank and in thermal contact with the manifold.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing an emergency evacuation service are described herein. An apparatus to provide an emergency evacuation service comprises an emergency event detection module to detect the existence of an emergency event at a venue; a transceiver to request and receive evacuation instructions from an emergency evacuation system, in response to detecting the existence of the emergency event; and a controller to process the evacuation instructions and display, to a user of the apparatus, information related to the evacuation instructions.

Abstract: Product transport containers are disclosed. Such containers can provide one or more advantages compared to existing containers. For example, product transport containers described herein can maintain a product at a desired temperature for an extended period of time, including without the use of an active heating or cooling component. Such product transport containers described herein may also provide improved breathability, thermal insulation, and/or mechanical strength or dimensional stability. Such containers can include a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a selectively openable side permitting movement of the product into and out of the interior volume of the container. The walls can be formed from a thermoformed non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing an emergency evacuation service are described herein. An apparatus to provide an emergency evacuation service comprises an emergency event detection module to detect the existence of an emergency event at a venue; a transceiver to request and receive evacuation instructions from an emergency evacuation system, in response to detecting the existence of the emergency event; and a controller to process the evacuation instructions and display, to a user of the apparatus, information related to the evacuation instructions.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a blood collection assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, which defines an interior space between the inlet and the outlet. A membrane having a first surface and a second surface is disposed at least partially within the interior space. The membrane has a first position where a flow path between the inlet and the outlet is substantially open, and a second position where the flow path between the inlet and the outlet is at least partially restricted. The membrane is configured to move between the first and second positions in response to a pressure differential acting on the membrane.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for providing an emergency evacuation service are described herein. An apparatus to provide an emergency evacuation service comprises an emergency event detection module to detect the existence of an emergency event at a venue; a transceiver to request and receive evacuation instructions from an emergency evacuation system, in response to detecting the existence of the emergency event; and a controller to process the evacuation instructions and display, to a user of the apparatus, information related to the evacuation instructions.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a physical marketplace interaction platform are described herein. A user may be identified. An article may be identified based on a physical relationship with the user. A user activity with respect to the article may be determined based on an observed context of the user and the article, and the user activity may be reported.

Abstract: A regulator for in-line modulation of the flow rate of fluid during blood collection includes a fluid transfer device for transferring fluid from a patient to a collection device. The fluid transfer device comprises a fluid passageway defined by a tubular sidewall and a flexible member associated with a portion of the tubular sidewall. The flexible member is configured for movement with respect to the fluid passageway upon exposure of the fluid transfer device to a differential pressure during a blood collection procedure to prevent collapse of a patients blood vessel. The flexible member of the regulator can be a frame surrounding a flexible diaphragm. Alternatively, the flexible member can include a flexible material integrally formed within the tubular sidewall of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A specimen collection assembly (100) including a flow control member (106) for adjustably altering a flow path is disclosed. In one configuration, the flow control member (106) defines a regulation channel (166) in fluid communication with a lumen of a cannula (112), wherein the flow control member (106) is configured to adjustably alter an effective flow distance between the lumen of the cannula (112) and an interior of an evacuated collection container. In another configuration, the flow control member (106) is positioned to vary an effective cross-sectional area of at least one of an inlet port (346) and an outlet port (350) adapted to be in fluid communication with the lumen and the evacuated collection container.

Abstract: A regulator for modulation of the flow rate of blood out of a patients blood vessel during blood collection is disclosed. The regulator includes a housing having a housing inlet, a housing outlet, and a wall defining a housing interior. At least a portion of the wall includes a flexible member. A valve is associated with the flexible member and is in communication with the housing interior. The regulator is designed so that upon an application of a differential pressure within the housing interior, the flexible member and/or valve automatically move with respect to either the housing inlet or housing outlet to modulate a flow of blood moving through the housing. A manual over-ride device can be provided to enable a user to over-ride the automatic regulation and manually regulate the flow of blood through the housing.

Abstract: A closure having enhanced oxygen barrier capabilities includes a cap body formed from a first material, the cap body defining a cavity therethrough, a stopper formed from a second material, the second material being different than the first material and disposed within the cavity, and a barrier layer formed from a third material, the third material being different than at least the second material and associated with at least one of the cap body and the stopper. A container assembly including a closure and a method of forming the closure is also provided.

Abstract: A biological sample containment system and a label for a container that includes a first layer having a first readable information portion and a second layer removably attached to the first layer, the second layer having a second readable information portion, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the first layer and the second layer of the label are both formed of a thermosensitive material. In one embodiment, at least a part of the first readable information portion is identical to at least a part of the second readable information portion. The label of the present disclosure allows a portion of the label having readable information to be removed and adhered to a patient record, for example, while a portion of the label having identical readable information remains on the container.

Abstract: A biological sample containment system that includes a biological specimen collection container for collecting a biological sample and a label for the container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the label includes a first or front side and a second or rear side having a readable information portion. The label is affixable to the container by the second side and with the label affixed to the container, the readable information portion on the second side is readable through a portion of the container. By including readable information on the second or rear side of the label, the amount of readable information that can be included on the label is increased by using the previously unused rear side of the label.

Abstract: Embodiments for implementing platform-enforced user accountability are generally described herein. A policy is accessed at a computing platform, the policy to define an expected behavior of a user of the system. Based on the policy, a sensor to use to enforce the policy is determined Data is obtained from the sensor, with the data indicative of an activity performed by the user, and using the data, a determination is made whether the user is in compliance with the expected behavior defined in the policy.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermal energy storage system comprises a thermal energy storage system comprising a container and a heat exchange apparatus disposed within the container. The heat exchange apparatus comprises a tank, a manifold at least partially disposed within the tank, and a phase change material disposed within the tank and in thermal contact with the manifold.

Abstract: A specimen collection container having a transitional fill-volume indicator is disclosed. The specimen collection container includes an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The specimen collection container includes a transitional fill-volume indicator adjacent the sidewall, such that the container defines a first volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and the transitional indicator. The specimen collection container also defines a second volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and a portion of the sidewall disposed above the transitional indicator.

Abstract: A closure and method of making a closure are disclosed. The closure includes a cap body having a top portion and an opening extending therethrough defining a cavity in communication with said opening. A flow channel is defined within a portion of the cap body having an inlet and an outlet. A stopper is disposed within the cavity adjacent the outlet of the flow channel. The stopper is formed from a material adapted for flowing through the flow channel to form a pierceable portion, with at least one of the cap body and the stopper configured for closing a container.