Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for measuring or otherwise evaluating the concentration of one or more analytes in a body fluid are described. The devices, methods, and/or kits may be non-invasive. In some variations, a method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in sweat of a subject may comprise contacting a colorimetric membrane with a skin surface of the subject so that the membrane collects a volume of sweat from the skin surface, and analyzing the colorimetric membrane to determine the concentration of the analyte in the collected volume of sweat.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and kits for non-invasively measuring glucose. In general, the devices comprise skin patches for placement on a skin surface and measurement devices for measuring glucose collected in the patches. The patches may include an adhesive material, a collection layer, an interface layer, and a sweat-permeable membrane. The sweat-permeable membrane is configured to act as a barrier to epidermal contaminants and glucose brought to the skin surface via diffusion. In this way, non-correlatable skin surface glucose will not be measured. The patches may further include components to induce a local sweat response. The measurement device typically includes a display, a processor, and a measurement mechanism. The methods typically include the steps of wiping the skin surface with a wipe containing at least one solvent for removing glucose, placing a patch on a skin surface, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Kits comprising the patch and measurement device are also described.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether a plant is a member of a known cultivar utilize DNA fingerprinting techniques and the discovery of 41 polymorphic fragments that correlate with cultivar identity. These methods are useful in determining whether a plant is a member of a particular breeding family and potentially whether plants are genetically similar to each other.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for collecting sweat that has come to the surface of the skin are provided. The sweat may be collected for measuring sweat glucose levels. Because sweat glucose levels correlate to blood glucose levels, the provided devices, methods, and kits may be used by diabetic patients to non-invasively monitor blood glucose levels. Sweat collection devices may be attachable to the surface of the skin and may collect about one microliter or less of sweat. Because only a small, fixed volume of sweat may be collected, the sweat glucose level may be measured in a matter of minutes. Further, as a fixed volume of sweat is tested, inaccuracies due to estimates of the sweat volume being tested are less likely to cause an inaccurate glucose measurement.

Abstract: Described here are patches, systems, and methods for measuring glucose. In general, the patches comprise a microfluidic collection layer and a detector, and the systems comprise a patch and a measurement device. Some methods for measuring glucose comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting sweat from the skin surface using a microfluidic collection device, and measuring the collected glucose. Other methods comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting sweat in a patch comprising a microfludic collection layer, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Still other methods comprise cleaning the skin surface, collecting a first sweat sample from the skin surface in a patch comprising a microfludic collection layer and a detector layer, transferring the first sweat sample from the collection layer to the detector layer, measuring glucose in the first sweat sample, and repeating the collection, transferring, and measuring steps at least once.

Abstract: A patient monitor system implemented by a service provider for users via recording a patient's analytes measurements by an attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared total spectroscopy method. The system comprises an input module that provides a non-invasive method in measuring analytes in a patient, such as a measurement of the glucose level and other blood analytes. The measurement is shared among a plurality of output devices such as computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, and pagers that are stationed or held by various users, such as doctors, patients, researchers, pharmacies, labs, and health insurers. In addition, behavioral attributes are recorded and correlated with the analytes measurements to generate a profile. The profile is selectively sent to output devices based on the user profile corresponding to the output device. Also, access to the profile is monitored by a security module that encrypts the profile to prevent access by un-authorized users.

Abstract: A patient monitor system implemented by a service provider for users via recording a patients analytes measurements by an attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared total spectroscopy method. The system comprises an input module that provides a non-invasive method in measuring analytes in a patient, such as a measurement of the glucose level and other blood analytes. The measurement is shared among a plurality of output devices such as computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, and pagers that are stationed or held by various users such as doctors, patients, researchers, pharmacies, labs, and health insurers. In addition behavioral attributes are recorded and correlated with the analytes measurements to generate a profile. The profile is selectively sent to output devices based on the user profile corresponding to the output device. Also, access to the profile is monitored by a security module that encrypts the profile to prevent access by un-authorized users.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether a plant is a member of a known cultivar utilize DNA fingerprinting techniques and the discovery of 41 polymorphic fragments that correlate with cultivar identity. These methods are useful in determining whether a plant is a member of a particular breeding family and potentially whether plants are genetically similar to each other.