Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (31, 32, 132) and method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component (for example, glucose) of a biological fluid (for example, blood) comprise providing a cell (31) for receiving a sample of the fluid (for example, blood). The cell (31) supports a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component (for example, glucose), and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed. An instrument (32, 132) has first (34-2, 134-2) and second (34-3, 134-3) terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell (31). An assessment controller (52, 54, 148, 158) is provided. The apparatus determines the type of sample and the concentration of a medically significant component of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid comprise providing a cell supporting a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component. Placement of first and second terminals of the cell in contact with first and second terminals, respectively, of an instrument permits the instrument to assess the reaction. The instrument determines a first response of the cell to a first signal, and determines based upon the first response whether to proceed with the determination of the concentration of the medically significant component of the biological fluid. If the determination is to proceed, the instrument determines the type of sample that has been applied.

Abstract: A reagent and method for determining the levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid in a sample are provided. The reagent comprises a ferricyanide salt, a catalytic amount of a first enzyme operative to catalyze the oxidation of 3-hydroxybutyric acid in the sample, a cofactor corresponding to said first enzyme, and a catalytic amount of a second enzyme operative to catalyze the oxidization of the cofactor and the reduction of the ferricyanide. The reagent is incorporated into a test strip that generates an electrical output signal indicative of the level of 3-hydroxybutyric acid when the reagent is contacted with a sample.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a “fill to here” line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a "fill to here" line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon called "dose hesitation".

Abstract: This invention provides a surface mounted collapsible mooring cleat and a housing that is routed and adapted to contain a fixed pin and a collapsed mooring cleat. The cleat comprises a top portion having generally opposed extending arms, and a bottom portion mounted on the pin and being rotatable about the pin whereby the cleat may be rotated from a non-use position within the housing to a use position extending above the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides an auxiliary side view mirror module comprising a casing configured to slidably fit over at least a portion of a mounted side view mirror and wherein the casing is supported on the side view mirror by sliding opposed channel sections over opposed edges of the side view mirror mounting, the casing including an auxiliary mirror supported alongside and co-planar with the side view mirror and further including means adapted to adjust the casing to fit side view mirror housings of different depths or thicknesses and to reduce vibrations.

Abstract: This invention provides a pipe saddle assembly comprising (a) an insert housing having an outer open end and an inner open end, the inner open end being adapted for positioning adjacent to and around an opening in the wall of a pipe; (b) an insert having an outer end, an opposite inner end and an opening extending through the insert from its inner end to its outer end, the insert being positioned in the housing such that the inner ends and outer ends of the insert and the housing are respectively adjacent each other; (c) the inner end of the insert being adapted for positioning adjacent to and around the opening in the wall of the pipe; (d) the outer end of the insert being adapted to operatively engage a take-off means; and (e) the insert housing having means adapted to receive and engage the take-off means such that the take-off means holds the insert in a sealing position around the opening in the pipe and against the take-off means.

Abstract: This is a fluid-operated linear-rotary robot-like actuator reconstructed from a standard fluid cylinder device. The solid piston of the standard cylinder device is replaced with a self-contained vane-operated piston structure formed of spaced piston parts and an interposed vane chamber and in which a vane-operated work piston is rotated. The work piston extends through the forward cylinder head. A second piston rod extends from the rear part of the piston structure through the rear cylinder head and has passages for supplying the vane chamber of the piston with fluid under pressure. Suitable push button and microprocessor control systems, either by push button or automatically, are provided for controlling the operation of the actuator to give combined linear and rotary movement to a robot hand.