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.

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. The metal inserts have a fastening means such as screw thread receiving the screw thread of the bolts.

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 self-contained device using a gravitationally encouraged, interrupted downward and programmed flow of fluid to provide for rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in a point-of-care setting. A fluid specimen such as blood, saliva or urine is deposited into a first chamber carrying a colloidal conjugate of antigens or antibodies pathogenically specific to the condition being tested and premixed with a first measured, reactive mix buffer solution carried within an openable tank. Alternately, the buffer solution is preformulated to carry the colloidal conjugate in suspension. The premixture flows out of the first chamber toward chromatographic test strips having a single layer of uniformly dispersed porous matrix material such as polyethylene and inclined in a downward flow orientation. The flow is interrupted by a holding reservoir which is drained by siphoning, gravity and capillary forces. The delayed and regulated flow provides an incubation time for a better affinity binding of the specimen.

Abstract: In a vertical flow immunoassay testing device, the fluid specimen is deposited in a sampling well whose inclined walls and filtration material separate mucus and other adhesive matters from the more fluid components. The mixing of the specimen with a buffer solution is triggered by the closure of the device's cap. The flow of the buffered specimen from a first chamber where it is exposed to a collodial gold conjugate to a second chamber holding a chromatographic test strip is temporarily interrupted by a holding reservoir. The specimen does not freely flow into the strip until the reservoir begins to overflow. The delay provides an incubation time for a better affinity binding of the specimen and regulates its flow through the strip.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by a plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick whose distal portion comprises indentations capable of retaining a portion of the biological matter when the stick is dipped into it. The distal portion of the stick is shaped and dimensioned to intimately and circumferentially contact the edge of the aperture so that the amount of matter introduced into the chamber is limited to the part having penetrated into the indentations. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. The plug mounts a breakable hollow nib and is installed after introduction into the chamber of a metered volume of preserving solution.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one end by a plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick having indentations capable of retaining some of the biological matter. The stick intimately engages the aperture so that the amount of matter introduced into the chamber is limited to what is carried in the indentations. The shank of the stick seals the aperture once the stopper has been screwed into place. The plug mounts a breakable hollow nib and is installed after introduction into the chamber of a metered volume of preserving solution. A cover caps the plug and nib to provide additional sealing of that end of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting unwanted noise includes a reference sensor that generates a reference signal in response to stimulation by a source. A combined noise detector picks up a combined noise signal, which includes both background noise and the unwanted noise generated by the source. A noise separation synthesis device filters both signals to generate a coherent unwanted noise signal from the combined noise signal as a function of the reference signal generated by the reference sensor. A comparator determines the presence of unwanted noise by calculating the Kurtosis value of the coherent unwanted noise signal.