Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a sample contained in a blood bag or in tubing in fluid communication with said blood bag, using an instrument comprising at least one calibration algorithm for the at least one analyte. The method comprises irradiating a sample in the tubing or the blood bag, using a near infrared and adjacent visible radiation source. Then measuring absorbance from the sample for the at least one analyte, and calculating a concentration of the at least one analyte using the absorbance and the at least one calibration algorithm.

Abstract: A compact device (20) for non-invasively monitoring concentration levels of blood constituents, including glucose, cholesterol, alcohol, blood gases and various ions. The device includes a finger receptor (140) having a channel for receiving a finger of a user. The channel has a light entrance and a light exit so that light can be passed from a light source (91) through a finger located in the channel in a direction generally normal to the finger. Certain heat generating components, including a stable power supply for the device, are external to the device housing so as to reduce heat generation and thereby increase stability of the device. The device includes a communications interface for interacting with a computer. The device can be used for clinical use or for home use and the memory of the computer can be used to assist with record keeping and with dosage calculations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for identifying the risk of a clinical condition in a human or animal by correlating Near Infrared (NIR) absorbance spectral data with one or several parameters including a concentration of one or more substances in the skin, a concentration of one or more substances in skin plus subdermal tissue, a score derived from one or more clinical tests like a stress test on a treadmill, coronary angiography, or intravascular coronary ultrasound. The method determines the concentration of a compound in the skin of a human or animal and comprises the steps of placing a part of the skin against a receptor, directing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from the near-infrared spectrum onto the skin, measuring a quantity of EMR reflected by, or transmitted through, the skin with a detector; and performing a quantitative mathematical analysis of the quantity of EMR to determine the concentration of the compound, for example free and esterfied cholesterol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring Tot-Hb in a sample are provided. The method comprises collecting absorbance measurements of a sample using a spectroscopic apparatus that comprises a first primary calibration algorithm for one of Oxy-Hb, “Oxy-Hb plus Deoxy-Hb”, or “Total-Hb minus Met-Hb” and a second primary calibration algorithm for one or more than one of Met-Hb, Carboxy-Hb, or Sulf-Hb, or comprising a third primary calibration algorithm obtained by adding terms of the first primary calibration algorithm and the second primary calibration algorithm together. Followed by predicting either a first value for one of Oxy-Hb, “Oxy-Hb plus Deoxy-Hb,” or “Total-Hb minus Met-Hb” and predicting second value for one or more than one of Met-Hb, Carboxy-Hb, or Sulf-Hb in the sample and add the first and second value together, or predicting a value for Total-Hb.

Abstract: A meter calibration system and apparatus capable of calibrating meters devoid of process connections. The apparatus are a calibration system and process connection adapters, where in the system is operable for calibrating both linear and nonlinear meters at multiple flow rates, and is suitable for use with both gravimetric and master meter standard references.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a concentration of a compound within a part of a subject. The method involves measuring the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by, or transmitted through the part with a detector, and using a quantitative mathematical analysis to determine the concentration of the compound in one, or more than one compartment, including a blood, interstitial, cellular, lymph, or bone compartment, of the part. A corrected concentration of the compound may be then determined within a compartment of interest, or a total concentration of the compound may be accurately determined. Preferably, the compound is glucose. From this determination, a clinical condition in a human or animal may be made by correlating the concentration of a measured compound in the compartment of a part of the human or animal to a clinical condition in need of treatment.

Abstract: A meter calibration system and apparatus capable of calibrating meters devoid of process connections. The apparatus are a calibration system and process connection adapters, where in the system is operable for calibrating both linear and nonlinear meters at multiple flow rates, and is suitable for use with both gravimetric and master meter standard references.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a sample contained in a blood bag or in tubing in fluid communication with said blood bag, using an instrument comprising at least one calibration algorithm for the at least one analyte. The method comprises irradiating a sample in the tubing or the blood bag, using a near infrared and adjacent visible radiation source. Then measuring absorbance from the sample for the at least one analyte, and calculating a concentration of the at least one analyte using the absorbance and the at least one calibration algorithm.

Abstract: The presence of rank vegetation or loose crop residue on the soil surface (straw, maize stalks etc.) is always troublesome to ploughs, cultivators, seed drills and other agricultural implements required to slice vertically through and penetrate the soil. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1), the leading edge area of the knife coulter 10 of a seed drill 14 is continually cleared of trash by resilient disc-mounted cleaning members 16-18. The cleaning members comprise springs which have an outwardly positioned elongated section designed to be engaged by the ground or an abutment on the disc support structure to flex each member as the disc on which they are mounted is rotated. On losing contact with the ground or the abutment, each member will, in turn, spring back from a flexed position (member 16) to a relaxed position (member 17). During this spring back movement, the elongated section moves past or along the leading edge of the knife coulter and strikes trash therefrom.