Abstract: A microperifusion system includes at least one perifusate reservoir module having N receptacles and at least one port to communicate a pressurizing gas into or out from the respective perifusate reservoir module. A corresponding perifusion chamber module having M microperifusion channels is mechanically coupleable to at least one perifusate reservoir module to thereby form, when coupled, a sealed fluid communication between a selected first number of the N receptacles and a selected second number of the microperifusion channels. A control system module is coupleable to each perifusate reservoir and each perifusion chamber to control a flow of pressuring gas communicated into or out from the perifusate reservoir sense an effect of a microperifusion test operation occurring in each microperifusion channel.

Abstract: A microperifusion system includes at least one perifusate reservoir module having N receptacles and at least one port to communicate a pressurizing gas into or out from the respective perifusate reservoir module. A corresponding perifusion chamber module having M microperifusion channels is mechanically coupleable to at least one perifusate reservoir module to thereby form, when coupled, a sealed fluid communication between a selected first number of the N receptacles and a selected second number of the M microperifusion channels. A control system module is coupleable to each perifusate reservoir and each perifusion chamber to control a flow of pressuring gas communicated into or out from the perifusate reservoir sense an effect of a microperifusion test operation occurring in each microperifusion channel.

Abstract: An oxygen sensing system comprises a substrate structured to communicate optical signals. An oxygen sensing layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises an oxygen sensing molecule in a matrix in a first unexcited state and formulated to: (a) be excited by a first optical signal to move to a second state; (b) be quenched in the second state by oxygen; and (c) emit a second optical signal corresponding to an amount of oxygen. A protective layer, disposed on the oxygen sensing layer, includes at least one of i) an oleophobic layer and ii) an anti-fouling layer. A controller is optically coupled to the substrate and structured to generate the first optical signal, receive the second optical signal and determine oxygen concentration from the second optical signal.

Abstract: An oxygen sensing system comprises a substrate structured to communicate optical signals. An oxygen sensing layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises an oxygen sensing molecule in a matrix in a first unexcited state and formulated to: (a) be excited by a first optical signal to move to a second state; (b) be quenched in the second state by oxygen; and (c) emit a second optical signal corresponding to an amount of oxygen. A protective layer is disposed on the oxygen sensing layer. The protective layer includes at least one of i) an oleophobic layer configured to protect the oxygen sensing layer from hydrocarbons and organic solvents and ii) an anti-fouling layer configured to protect the oxygen sensing layer from biofouling. A controller is optically coupled to the substrate and structured to generate the first optical signal, receive the second optical signal and determine oxygen concentration from the second optical signal.

Abstract: A breastshield unit for expressing human breastmilk has a receiving part for receiving a human nipple, an underpressure chamber for applying an under-pressure to the nipple, wherein the receiving part opens into this underpressure chamber, and a membrane for generating an underpressure in the underpressure chamber. The membrane is designed in one or more pieces and at least partially surrounds the receiving part. This breastshield unit permits a separation of media in the area near the breast. It is small and easy to clean and is suitable in particular for use as a hands-free breastshield unit.

Abstract: A breast shield has a tubular connector and a funnel that is integrally formed thereon, and is intended for resting on a mother's breast. The funnel widens toward the free side thereof which faces away from the connector. A passage, which extends continuously from a breast-side end of the funnel as far as a pump-side end, being opposite the breast-side end, of the connector, and serves to apply a vacuum to the mother's breast and for the flowing away of the expressed breast milk. The funnel is of more flexible design than the connector, and the funnel has a main region extending over a substantial part of the length thereof with a first opening angle of the passage, and a breast-side end region with a second opening angle of the passage. When not in use, the first opening angle is smaller than the second opening angle. In use, at least the first opening angle can be enlarged by axial pressure on the breast shield. The breast shield is pleasant to wear and minimizes the dead volume.

Abstract: A breastshield unit for expressing human breastmilk has a receiving part for receiving a human nipple, an underpressure chamber for applying an under-pressure to the nipple, wherein the receiving part opens into this underpressure chamber, and a membrane for generating an underpressure in the underpressure chamber. The membrane is designed in one or more pieces and at least partially surrounds the receiving part. This breastshield unit permits a separation of media in the area near the breast. It is small and easy to clean and is suitable in particular for use as a hands-free breastshield unit.

Abstract: A breast shield has a tubular connector and a funnel that is integrally formed thereon, and is intended for resting on a mother's breast. The funnel widens toward the free side thereof which faces away from the connector. A passage, which extends continuously from a breast-side end of the funnel as far as a pump-side end, being opposite the breast-side end, of the connector, and serves to apply a vacuum to the mother's breast and for the flowing away of the expressed breast milk. The funnel is of more flexible design than the connector, and the funnel has a main region extending over a substantial part of the length thereof with a first opening angle of the passage, and a breast-side end region with a second opening angle of the passage. When not in use, the first opening angle is smaller than the second opening angle. In use, at least the first opening angle can be enlarged by axial pressure on the breast shield. The breast shield is pleasant to wear and minimizes the dead volume.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the concentration of an organic blood analyte using multi-spectral analysis in the near infrared and mid-infrared ranges. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping regions of wavelengths in the range of approximately 1100 to 5000 nm is used to scan a sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each nonoverlapping region of wavelengths can be cross-correlated in order to remove background interferences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining the concentration of an organic blood analyte using multi-spectral analysis in the near infrared and mid-infrared ranges. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping regions of wavelengths in the range of approximately 1100 to 5000 nm is used to scan a sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each nonoverlapping region of wavelengths can be cross-correlated in order to remove background interferences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the sampling of blood or other body fluids which includes means for the direct measurement of the analyte of interest within the fluid. Also disclosed is a `closed-loop` device and method wherein the analyte is measured and the required amount of drug is determined and injected, without removal of the device from the patient's body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the sampling of blood or other body fluids which includes means for the direct measurement of the analyte of interest within the fluid. Also disclosed is a `closed-loop` device and method wherein the analyte is measured and the required amount of drug is determined and injected, without removal of the device from the patient's body.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the concentration of an analyte present in a sample using multi-spectral analysis in the near-infrared (NIR) range. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping spectral regions of wavelengths in the near-infrared range is used to irradiate the sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained therefrom, preferably using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each of the nonoverlapping spectral regions of wavelengths can be cross-correlated to remove background interference.

Abstract: The concentration of an analyte present in a sample is determined using multi-spectral analysis in the near infrared range. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping regions of wavelengths in the range of approximately 1100 to 3500 nm is used to scan the sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each nonoverlapping region of wavelengths can be cross-correlated to remove background interferences.