Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: An ambulatory heart monitoring apparatus (1) is provided with a slot (3) for receiving an IC card (2). A user places electrodes (7,8) on his body. Operation of a switch (5) causes the apparatus to record EGG signals from the electrodes (7,8) onto the IC card (2). Operation data, including, for example, battery voltage data, data representing the impedance between the electrodes (7,8) and calibration data, are stored on the IC card (2) in association with the recorded ECG signal. The operation data is useful for managing remote subjects. Also the calibration data can be used to normalize the recorded ECG data when it is processed at a remote processing station.

Abstract: A container which includes a base and a lid connected together at a common juncture defining a hinge. The base has a bottom wall, an upstanding sidewall connected to the bottom wall with the hinge being oriented along a region adjacent an upper edge of the sidewall. A first flange extends generally laterally from at least opposite ends of the hinge and outwardly from the sidewall adjacent the upper edge of the sidewall. The first flange includes an upwardly facing surface. The lid has a top wall and a downwardly depending skirt connected to the top wall and extending at a perimeter thereof at least laterally from the opposite ends of the hinge outside of and in close proximity to the first flange. The skirt has a lower edge which, in a closed position of a lid, terminates at a position below the first flange. The lower edge, in an open position of the lid, is oriented above and rests on the upwardly facing surface of the first flange so as to releasably hold the lid in a predetermined open position.