Abstract: A structured testing method for diagnostic or therapy support of a patient with a chronic disease and devices thereof are disclosed which implement a structured collection procedure based on a medical use case and/or question which provides at least one or more parameters defining entry criterion, a schedule of events, adherence criterion, and exit criterion. The entry criterion establish conditions needed to be met prior to obtaining biomarker data from the patient. Each event can include one or more of a performance time, patient guidance to perform the event, a request for information from the patient a request for patient action, and a request for collection of biomarker data from the patient. The adherence criterion can be used to assess whether an event performed is acceptable to addressing the medical use case and/or question, and the exit criterion establishes conditions needed to be met prior to exiting the collection procedure.

Abstract: A structured testing method for diagnostic or therapy support of a patient with a chronic disease and devices thereof are disclosed which implement a structured collection procedure based on a medical use case and/or question which provides at least one or more parameters defining entry criterion, a schedule of events, adherence criterion, and exit criterion. The entry criterion establish conditions needed to be met prior to obtaining biomarker data from the patient. Each event can include one or more of a performance time, patient guidance to perform the event, a request for information from the patient a request for patient action, and a request for collection of biomarker data from the patient. The adherence criterion can be used to assess whether an event performed is acceptable to addressing the medical use case and/or question, and the exit criterion establishes conditions needed to be met prior to exiting the collection procedure.

Abstract: A structured testing method for diagnostic or therapy support of a patient with a chronic disease and devices thereof are disclosed which implement a structured collection procedure based on a medical use case and/or question which provides at least one or more parameters defining entry criterion, a schedule of events, adherence criterion, and exit criterion. The entry criterion establish conditions needed to be met prior to obtaining biomarker data from the patient. Each event can include one or more of a performance time, patient guidance to perform the event, a request for information from the patient a request for patient action, and a request for collection of biomarker data from the patient. The adherence criterion can be used to assess whether an event performed is acceptable to addressing the medical use case and/or question, and the exit criterion establishes conditions needed to be met prior to exiting the collection procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments related to a system and method managing the implementation, execution, data collection, and data analysis of a structured collection procedure running on a portable, hand-held collection device are disclosed. The collection device performing the structured collection procedure has program instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to initiate automatically a schedule of events of the structured collection procedure upon one or more entry criterions being met at some unknown time, store in memory patient data collected in accordance to the schedule of events, end automatically the structured collection procedure upon one or more exit criterions being met at some unknown time, and mark/indicate the structured collection procedure as completed if no exception occurred during performance of an event in the schedule of events.

Abstract: A structured testing method for diagnostic or therapy support of a patient with a chronic disease and devices thereof are disclosed which implement a structured collection procedure based on a medical use case and/or question which provides at least one or more parameters defining entry criterion, a schedule of events, adherence criterion, and exit criterion. The entry criterion establish conditions needed to be met prior to obtaining biomarker data from the patient. Each event can include one or more of a performance time, patient guidance to perform the event, a request for information from the patient a request for patient action, and a request for collection of biomarker data from the patient. The adherence criterion can be used to assess whether an event performed is acceptable to addressing the medical use case and/or question, and the exit criterion establishes conditions needed to be met prior to exiting the collection procedure.

Abstract: A structured testing method for diagnostic or therapy support of a patient with a chronic disease and devices thereof are disclosed which implement a structured collection procedure based on a medical use case and/or question which provides at least one or more parameters defining entry criterion, a schedule of events, adherence criterion, and exit criterion. The entry criterion establish conditions needed to be met prior to obtaining biomarker data from the patient. Each event can include one or more of a performance time, patient guidance to perform the event, a request for information from the patient a request for patient action, and a request for collection of biomarker data from the patient. The adherence criterion can be used to assess whether an event performed is acceptable to addressing the medical use case and/or question, and the exit criterion establishes conditions needed to be met prior to exiting the collection procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a testing method for diabetics to optimize their administered insulin dosage comprise collecting sampling sets of biomarker data, each sampling set comprising a sufficient plurality of non-adverse sampling instances and each sampling instance comprising an acceptable biomarker reading at a single point in time recorded upon compliance with adherence criteria, determining a biomarker sampling parameter from each sampling set, comparing the biomarker sampling parameter to a target biomarker range, calculating an insulin adjustment parameter associated with the biomarker sampling parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range, adjusting the insulin dosage by the insulin adjustment parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range and the insulin dosage does not exceed maximum dosage, and exiting the testing method if the adjusted insulin dosage is optimized.

Abstract: Embodiments of a testing method for diabetics to optimize their administered insulin dosage comprise collecting sampling sets of biomarker data, each sampling set comprising a sufficient plurality of non-adverse sampling instances and each sampling instance comprising an acceptable biomarker reading at a single point in time recorded upon compliance with adherence criteria, determining a biomarker sampling parameter from each sampling set, comparing the biomarker sampling parameter to a target biomarker range, calculating an insulin adjustment parameter associated with the biomarker sampling parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range, adjusting the insulin dosage by the insulin adjustment parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range and the insulin dosage does not exceed maximum dosage, and exiting the testing method if the adjusted insulin dosage is optimized.

Abstract: Embodiments of a testing method suitable for diabetic persons to optimize their administered insulin dosage comprise collecting one or more sampling sets of biomarker data, wherein each sampling set comprises a sufficient plurality of non-adverse sampling instances and wherein each sampling instance comprises an acceptable biomarker reading at a single point in time recorded upon compliance with adherence criteria, determining a biomarker sampling parameter from each sampling set, comparing the biomarker sampling parameter to a target biomarker range, calculating an insulin adjustment parameter associated with the biomarker sampling parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range, adjusting the insulin dosage by the insulin adjustment parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range and if the insulin dosage does not exceed maximum dosage, and exiting the testing method if the adjusted insulin dosage is optimized.

Abstract: Embodiments related to a system and method managing the implementation, execution, data collection, and data analysis of a structured collection procedure running on a portable, hand-held collection device are disclosed. The collection device performing the structured collection procedure has program instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to initiate automatically a schedule of events of the structured collection procedure upon one or more entry criterions being met at some unknown time, store in memory patient data collected in accordance to the schedule of events, end automatically the structured collection procedure upon one or more exit criterions being met at some unknown time, and mark/indicate the structured collection procedure as completed if no exception occurred during performance of an event in the schedule of events.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for straightening hair, wherein the method of straightening hair comprises the step of: (1) applying to the hair a hair treatment composition comprising: i) gluconolactone, in which the level of gluconolactone is from 1.5 to 5 wt % of the total hair treatment composition; and ii) citric acid, in which the level of citric acid is from 1 to 5 wt % of the total hair treatment composition; and (2) applying heat to the hair at a temperature of greater than 120° C. for at least 10 seconds after the hair treatment composition is applied to the hair, wherein the hair treatment composition is applied to dry hair.

Abstract: There is described a method for enabling a user of a client computer to securely access a remote server via a network, which is preferably the Internet, by authenticating the user. The method comprises providing a portable apparatus to the user which may communicate with the client computer. It further involves storing on the portable apparatus user credentials required to enable the user to be authenticated at the server and performing an authentication protocol between the client and the server. The authentication protocol includes the transmission to the server of a digest based at least partially on the user credentials; and the user credentials are stored on the portable apparatus in the form of a digest.

Abstract: Embodiments related to a system and method managing the implementation, execution, data collection, and data analysis of a structured collection procedure running on a portable, hand-held collection device are disclosed. The collection device performing the structured collection procedure has program instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to initiate automatically a schedule of events of the structured collection procedure upon one or more entry criterions being met at some unknown time, store in memory patient data collected in accordance to the schedule of events, end automatically the structured collection procedure upon one or more exit criterions being met at some unknown time, and mark/indicate the structured collection procedure as completed if no exception occurred during performance of an event in the schedule of events.

Abstract: Methods for decentralized monitoring of a progression of a diabetic state of a patient include contemporaneously obtaining an initial set of venous blood samples and an initial set of capillary blood samples after a standardized metabolic challenge from the patient in a centralized setting, wherein the diabetic state is diagnosed using the initial set of venous blood samples and a first test baseline is established by correlating the initial set of capillary blood samples with the initial set of venous blood samples, implementing a therapy, performing decentralized testing after reaching a target event, wherein a status test is obtained from a status set of capillary blood samples obtained from the patient after a subsequent standardized metabolic challenge, and comparing the status test with the first test baseline to determine an effectiveness of the therapy.

Abstract: A system for testing for analytes in a sample of biological fluid includes a test strip that defines a cavity for receiving the sample. At least two sets of electrodes are adjacent the sample cavity, including one for measuring one property of the sample, and another for measuring one or more other properties of the sample, such as temperature and/or the presence or magnitude of confounding variables. The measurements are combined to yield the desired result. At least one set of working and counter electrodes each have a plurality of elongated “fingers” interdigitated with those of the other electrode in the set. The gaps between fingers can be quite small, so that the two electrode sets together can operate in a small measurement volume of sample. Additional electrodes can be included that measure the presence or sufficiency of the sample, and additional traces on the strip can act as configuration identifiers.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor with electrode elements that possess smooth, high-quality edges. These smooth edges define gaps between electrodes, electrode traces and contact pads. Due to the remarkable edge smoothness achieved with the present invention, the gaps can be quite small, which provides marked advantages in terms of test accuracy, speed and the number of different functionalities that can be packed into a single biosensor. Further, the present invention provides a novel biosensor production method in which entire electrode patterns for the inventive biosensors can be formed all at one, in nanoseconds—without regard to the complexity of the electrode patterns or the amount of conductive material that must be ablated to form them.

Abstract: A system for testing for analytes in a sample of biological fluid includes a test strip that defines a cavity for receiving the sample. At least two sets of electrodes are adjacent the sample cavity, including one for measuring one property of the sample, and another for measuring one or more other properties of the sample, such as temperature and/or the presence or magnitude of confounding variables. The measurements are combined to yield the desired result. At least one set of working and counter electrodes each have a plurality of elongated “fingers” interdigitated with those of the other electrode in the set. The gaps between fingers can be quite small, so that the two electrode sets together can operate in a small measurement volume of sample. Additional electrodes can be included that measure the presence or sufficiency of the sample, and additional traces on the strip can act as configuration identifiers.

Abstract: A remote measurement system measures the concentrations of analytes in fluid samples. The system includes a metering device that can receive signals from a test strip or alternatively interrogate the test strip to obtain information. The test strip includes an area for receiving a fluid sample and electrochemically producing a current response that is sensed within the fluid sample. The test strip also includes an antenna and a radio frequency signal circuit for transmitting a signal indicative of the current response of a fluid sample to be analyzed. The metering device receives the signal and can convert it into a readable display in some embodiments. Remote electrochemical analysis of a fluid sample is thereby obtained.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor with electrode elements that possess smooth, high-quality edges. These smooth edges define gaps between electrodes, electrode traces and contact pads. Due to the remarkable edge smoothness achieved with the present invention, the gaps can be quite small, which provides marked advantages in terms of test accuracy, speed and the number of different functionalities that can be packed into a single biosensor. Further, the present invention provides a novel biosensor production method in which entire electrode patterns for the inventive biosensors can be formed all at one, in nanoseconds—without regard to the complexity of the electrode patterns or the amount of conductive material that must be ablated to form them.

Abstract: A test strip with a sample receiving chamber having a novel flared portion that terminates in a sample receiving opening. The flared portion provides a reservoir from which sample fluid can be drawn into the capillary or sample receiving chamber. The wider opening provided by the present invention is easier to “target” with a sample fluid. In preferred embodiments, the hydrophilic reagent layer extends to the dosing end or side of the test strip and further promotes wicking of the sample into the sample receiving chamber and thus reduces dose hesitation. In other preferred embodiments, a tapered dosing end is provided on the test strip in combination with the flared portion, and this combination create a test strip that will draw sample fluid into the sample receiving chamber regardless of where along the dosing edge of the test strip the fluid sample makes contact.