Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for self-contained nucleic acid preparation, amplification, and analysis.

Abstract: Information related to tasks and resources is leveraged in a computer system to assign one or more new tasks to one or more resources. The approach relies upon historical and predictive data associated with the tasks and resources of a system to assign tasks to resources in a manner which seeks to optimize one or more qualities of task handling. Tasks can then be distributed to their respective resources according to a task assignment so that they may be handled.

Abstract: Information related to products, quality assurance (“QA”), and available resources is leveraged in a multi-dimensional approach to QA protocol development. The approach relies upon historical and user-defined data to tailor QA protocols to both the product at hand and the creator of the product such that necessary risk can be mitigated in a cost-effective manner. Instructions for QA protocols can be generated in a computer system and provided to one or more devices.

Abstract: Information related to tasks and resources is leveraged in a computer system to assign one or more new tasks to one or more resources. The approach relies upon historical and predictive data associated with the tasks and resources of a system to assign tasks to resources in a manner which seeks to optimize one or more qualities of task handling. Tasks can then be distributed to their respective resources according to a task assignment so that they may be handled.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for evaluating whether an oscillometric signal representative of pressure oscillations in the vasculature of a patient is associated with special conditions that may lead to inadvertently identifying the signal as being indicative of peripheral arterial disease or non-analyzable. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an oscillometric signal at a location on an extremity of the patient, determining a ratio using a value associated with a first frequency component of the oscillometric signal and a value associated with a second frequency component of the oscillometric signal, comparing the ratio to a threshold value, associating a first diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a first outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value, and associating a second diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a second outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and products for determining indicated blood pressure values and/or characterizing a condition of a patient. The systems, methods, and products are capable of determining indicated blood pressure values in a lower extremity of a patient using an oscillometric technique. An oscillometric signal obtained from the lower extremity of the patient is analyzed, and the patient may be classified into one of a plurality of diagnostic classes. Each diagnostic class may have an associated ratio value. Based on the diagnostic class into which the patient is classified, a selected lower extremity characteristic ratio may be selected. A lower extremity indicated blood pressure value may be obtained by oscillometric processing using the selected ratio. This lower extremity indicated blood pressure value may be used with an upper extremity indicated blood pressure value to perform an extremity blood pressure ratio (EBPR) examination.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for evaluating whether an oscillometric signal representative of pressure oscillations in the vasculature of a patient is associated with special conditions that may lead to inadvertently identifying the signal as being indicative of peripheral arterial disease or non-analyzable. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an oscillometric signal at a location on an extremity of the patient, determining a ratio using a value associated with a first frequency component of the oscillometric signal and a value associated with a second frequency component of the oscillometric signal, comparing the ratio to a threshold value, associating a first diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a first outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value, and associating a second diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a second outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value.

Abstract: An abrasive disc assembly for a tool having an externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly includes an abrasive disc having a central bore formed therethrough and a male portion having an internally-threaded hub portion and a flange portion. The outer dimension of the hub portion is sized to be received within the central bore and the internally-threaded hub portion is enmeshingly engagable with the externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly further comprises an articulating locking finger extending from the male portion and having a retaining surface. The articulating locking finger is deflectable between a locked position and a deflected position. Finally, the assembly includes a female portion having a central cavity and an engagement surface.

Abstract: A real estate management system and method are provided. The system and method provide an integrated system that handles all of the aspects of a piece of property including identification, acquisition, development (design and construction), management, maintenance and disposal. The system may include a five year plan, a sign package, a lease wizard and a work orders module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and products for validating an oscillometric signal obtained on a patient. The validation may include verifying whether an oscillometric signal is sufficiently associated with pressure oscillations in the vasculature of a patient for use in an oscillometric analysis. The validation may include comparing a frequency of the oscillometric signal to a reference frequency.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and products for determining indicated blood pressure values and/or characterizing a condition of a patient. The systems, methods, and products are capable of determining indicated blood pressure values in a lower extremity of a patient using an oscillometric technique. An oscillometric signal obtained from the lower extremity of the patient is analyzed, and the patient may be classified into one of a plurality of diagnostic classes. Each diagnostic class may have an associated ratio value. Based on the diagnostic class into which the patient is classified, a selected lower extremity characteristic ratio may be selected. A lower extremity indicated blood pressure value may be obtained by oscillometric processing using the selected ratio. This lower extremity indicated blood pressure value may be used with an upper extremity indicated blood pressure value to perform an extremity blood pressure ratio (EBPR) examination.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).

Abstract: An abrasive disc assembly for a tool having an externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly includes an abrasive disc having a central bore formed therethrough and a male portion having an internally-threaded hub portion and a flange portion. The outer dimension of the hub portion is sized to be received within the central bore and the internally-threaded hub portion is enmeshingly engagable with the externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly further comprises an articulating locking finger extending from the male portion and having a retaining surface. The articulating locking finger is deflectable between a locked position and a deflected position. Finally, the assembly includes a female portion having a central cavity and an engagement surface.

Abstract: A real estate management system and method are provided. The system and method provide an integrated system that handles all of the aspects of a piece of property including identification, acquisition, development (design and construction), management, maintenance and disposal. The system may include a five year plan, a sign package, a lease wizard and a work orders module.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that facilitate the determination of a hydrostatic correction factor usable in an EBPR examination of a patient in a non-supine position. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the determination of a hydrostatic correction factor for an extremity blood pressure ratio examination of a patient in a non-supine position includes establishing the vertical distance between first and second blood pressure measuring devices positionable on first and second extremities of the patient based on an empirically derived formula and determining a hydrostatic correction factor for the extremity blood pressure ratio examination based on the vertical distance. In this regard, the formula for the vertical distance may be based on a percentage of the height of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods that facilitate the determination of a hydrostatic correction factor usable in an EBPR examination of a patient in a non-supine position. In one embodiment, a first blood pressure measuring device may be positionable on a first extremity of the patient, and a second blood pressure measuring device may be positionable on a second extremity of the patient, with one of the blood pressure measuring devices being located above the other one. The apparatus includes a computational device and an input element coupled to the computational device, wherein information relating to a vertical distance between the first and second blood pressure measuring devices is receivable by the input element. The computational device is operable to calculate at least one of a hydrostatic correction factor, a corrected extremity blood pressure, and an extremity blood pressure ratio using the information relating to the vertical distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods that facilitate the determination of a hydrostatic correction factor usable in an EBPR examination of a patient in a non-supine position. In one embodiment, a first blood pressure measuring device may be positionable on a first extremity of the patient, and a second blood pressure measuring device may be positionable on a second extremity of the patient, with one of the blood pressure measuring devices being located above the other one. The apparatus includes a locating mechanism that fixes a position of at least one of the first and second blood pressure measuring devices relative to its respective patient extremity. The apparatus also includes an instrumentality that provides information about a vertical distance between the first and second blood pressure measuring devices. The vertical distance is usable in determining the hydrostatic correction factor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).