Abstract: Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire and is suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or MRI. The connector assembly includes a housing having. An engagement member is pivotably disposed within the housing to retain the connector on an ECG electrode fixed to a patient's body, an arcuate stiffener is deposed between the engagement member and a pivot member and a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member.

Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and the metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package, that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a studbump connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package, that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a studbump connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire and is suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or Mill. The connector assembly includes a housing having. An engagement member is pivotably disposed within the housing to retain the connector on an ECG electrode fixed to a patient's body, an arcuate stiffener is deposed between the engagement member and a pivot member and a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package, that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a studbump connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire and is suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or MRI. The connector assembly includes a housing having. An engagement member is pivotably disposed within the housing to retain the connector on an ECG electrode fixed to a patient's body, an arcuate stiffener is deposed between the engagement member and a pivot member and a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating analyte sensor components using IC- or MEMs-based fabrication techniques and sensors prepared therefrom. Fabrication of the analyte sensor component comprises providing an inorganic substrate having deposited thereon a release layer, a first flexible dielectric layer and a second flexible dielectric layer insulating there between electrodes, contact pads and traces connecting the electrodes and the contact pads of a plurality of sensors. Openings are provided in one of the dielectric layers over one or more of the electrodes to receive an analyte sensing membrane for the detection of an analyte of interest and for electrical connection with external electronics. The plurality of fabricated sensor components are lifted off the inorganic substrate. Methods of improving sensor performance by solution based and non-solution based etching are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire and is suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or MRI. The connector assembly includes a housing having. An engagement member is pivotably disposed within the housing to retain the connector on an ECG electrode fixed to a patient's body, an arcuate stiffener is deposed between the engagement member and a pivot member and a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating analyte sensor components using IC- or MEMs-based fabrication techniques and sensors prepared therefrom. Fabrication of the analyte sensor component comprises providing an inorganic substrate having deposited thereon a release layer, a first flexible dielectric layer and a second flexible dielectric layer insulating there between electrodes, contact pads and traces connecting the electrodes and the contact pads of a plurality of sensors. Openings are provided in one of the dielectric layers over one or more of the electrodes to receive an analyte sensing membrane for the detection of an analyte of interest and for electrical connection with external electronics. The plurality of fabricated sensor components are lifted off the inorganic substrate.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating analyte sensor components using IC- or MEMs-based fabrication techniques and sensors prepared therefrom. Fabrication of the analyte sensor component comprises providing an inorganic substrate having deposited thereon a release layer, a first flexible dielectric layer and a second flexible dielectric layer insulating there between electrodes, contact pads and traces connecting the electrodes and the contact pads of a plurality of sensors. Openings are provided in one of the dielectric layers over one or more of the electrodes to receive an analyte sensing membrane for the detection of an analyte of interest and for electrical connection with external electronics. The plurality of fabricated sensor components are lifted off the inorganic substrate.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating analyte sensor components using IC- or MEMs-based fabrication techniques and sensors prepared therefrom. Fabrication of the analyte sensor component comprises providing an inorganic substrate having deposited thereon a release layer, a first flexible dielectric layer and a second flexible dielectric layer insulating there between electrodes, contact pads and traces connecting the electrodes and the contact pads of a plurality of sensors. Openings are provided in one of the dielectric layers over one or more of the electrodes to receive an analyte sensing membrane for the detection of an analyte of interest and for electrical connection with external electronics. The plurality of fabricated sensor components are lifted off the inorganic substrate.

Abstract: A master bracket system is provided to install a modular fireplace mantel at a fireplace opening. The bracket is generally C-shaped having a base plain and a number of planar extensions with predetermined angles to one another. Each of the plain surfaces of the bracket has an eyelet at the mounting point to receive a bolt that secures the corresponding marble member to the bracket. The base plain provides a retaining base for a main bolt to hold the entire mantel assembly to the wall. A number of brackets are used for each of the opposite sides of the mantel structure against the structure wall. The bracket has bolts each threaded through the eyelets into connection with a machined metal insert, which is embedded within the mantel members and held in place by adhesive.

Abstract: A device and method for enhancing rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in chromatography strip-type rapid IVD devices useful in, for example, clinical, point-of-care, laboratory or over-the-counter settings. The device drives a flow fluid, primarily under the force of gravity alone, through a first chamber having a porous dam structure to enhance and substantially complete the first affinity binding reaction between a source of mobilizable labeled binding members and an analyte in the fluid. Flow through the dam causes a delay, mixing and trapping of the typically chemically disuniform initial fluid front so that fluid exiting the dam exhibits a more uniformly high degree of first affinity binding and decreased non-affinity binding.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus using a gravitationally encouraged, interrupted, downward, diffusive and programmed flow of fluid to provide for rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in, for example, a clinical, point-of-care setting. A fluid specimen such as blood, saliva or urine is deposited into a first chamber carrying a source of conjugate having mobilizable binding members such as immunographic antigens or antibodies specific to the condition being tested conjugated to a detectable label such as colloidal gold. The specimen is premixed with a first measured, reactive mix buffer solution carried within an openable tank. The specimen and solution are temporarily held within an incubation reservoir formed behind a dam made from porous, diffusive material.

Abstract: A lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay rapid test device having an additional interrupting, porous, diffusive pad pretreated with a surfactant interposed between the conjugate pad and the reaction membrane. The diffusive pad causes improved mixing of the fluid to provide a more mixture of molecules in the fluid and a more uniformly dispersed fluid flow having a more uniformly high degree of first affinity binding and a more even fluid front to cross into the reaction membrane, thereby increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the second affinity binding at both test and control lines, and thereby providing an important advancement of the existing lateral flow rapid test technology.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving, storing and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a simple tubular vessel double sealed at one end by a machine manipulable plug having breakable hollow nib and cover, and that is engaged at the opposite end by a machine manipulable stopper from which a specimen carrying stick axially projects into the vessel through an internal sealable septum spanning a median section of the vessel. The cross-sectional profile of the stick is shaped to form a widened shoulder carrying a resilient washer. The shoulder matingly engages a correspondingly shaped passageway in the septum when the stopper engages the vessel which restricts the amount of specimen passing therethrough.