Abstract: A solidifying prepolymeric implant composition comprising a biocompatible prepolymer and an optional filler. One such implant composition is a polyurethane implant composition comprising an isocyanate, such as hydroxymethylenediisocyanate (HMDI) and an alcohol, such as polycaprolactonediol (PCL diol). The compositions of the invention are useful for improving bone structure in patients by applying the solidifying implant composition to bone, reinforcing bone structure, improving load bearing capacity and/or aiding healing of microfractures.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A strapping material dispenser may include a housing having a hinged door. A roll of strapping material may be received within the housing and fed into contact with an advancing wheel. A portion of the advancing wheel may extend outside the housing to be contacted by a user. Rotation of the advancing wheel dispenses strapping material from the dispenser. A cutting mechanism may be arranged within the housing to cut the strapping material once the desired length has been dispensed from the dispenser. A motor and digital control circuit may be provided to electronically control the advancing wheel and therefore the dispensing of material from the dispenser.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: A strapping material dispenser may include a housing having a hinged door. A roll of strapping material may be received within the housing and fed into contact with an advancing wheel. A portion of the advancing wheel may extend outside the housing to be contacted by a user. Rotation of the advancing wheel dispenses strapping material from the dispenser. A cutting mechanism may be arranged within the housing to cut the strapping material once the desired length has been dispensed from the dispenser. A motor and digital control circuit may be provided to electronically control the advancing wheel and therefore the dispensing of material from the dispenser.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with spend monitoring for pharmaceutical and life science concerns are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving transaction data describing a payment made to a health care practitioner. A practitioner identifier that uniquely identifies the practitioner and a transaction type identifier that classifies the transaction as one of several predefined transaction types are associated with the transaction data. The method includes storing a spend record that includes the transaction data, the practitioner identifier, and the transaction type identifier in a spend record database.

Abstract: A collapsible desk system is provided. The desk system may include first and second elongate members having a common central pivot and being pivotal relative to one another in a scissor-like manner. A seat may be attached to one of the elongate members. A support member may be cooperable with the elongate members to selectively retain the elongate members in one or more orientations. A desk top may be pivotally attached to a column. The members, seat, column, and desk top may be arranged with one another to transition between at least a collapsed and an expanded position. A knee support may be mounted to one of the elongate members. The desk top may define a side face having a groove extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the desk top and the groove may be sized to receive a first fastener tab of an accessory.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: A collapsible desk system including a first and second elongate members, a seat, a diagonal support member, a column, a pivot assembly, and a desk top is provided. The first and second elongate members have a common central pivot, and are pivotal relative to one another in a scissor-like manner. Each elongate member has a support member for resting on an underlying surface and an end. The seat is attached to the end of the first elongate member. The diagonal support member is cooperable with the first and second elongate members to selectively retain the elongate members in one or more crossed orientations. The column has upper and lower ends. The lower end is pivotally attached to the end of the second elongate member.

Abstract: A collapsible desk system is provided. The desk system may include first and second elongate members having a common central pivot and being pivotal relative to one another in a scissor-like manner. A seat may be attached to one of the elongate members. A support member may be cooperable with the elongate members to selectively retain the elongate members in one or more orientations. A desk top may be pivotally attached to a column. The members, seat, column, and desk top may be arranged with one another to transition between at least a collapsed and an expanded position. A knee support may be mounted to one of the elongate members. The desk top may define a side face having a groove extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the desk top and the groove may be sized to receive a first fastener tab of an accessory.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selectable amount of material from an amount of stored material. The dispenser includes a housing having a material track and material storage area, a material-advancement mechanism disposed within said housing, a material-cutting, mechanism, and an actuator. The actuator has a first end being operatively engaged with said first mechanism and an opposing second opposing end being operatively engaged with said second mechanism. The actuator is spring-biased to a non-compressed position via at least first and second springs and is also selectably shiftable to a selectable, material-advancement position and a selectable, material-cutting position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with spend monitoring for pharmaceutical and life science concerns are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving transaction data describing a payment made to a health care practitioner. A practitioner identifier that uniquely identifies the practitioner and a transaction type identifier that classifies the transaction as one of several predefined transaction types are associated with the transaction data. The method includes storing a spend record that includes the transaction data, the practitioner identifier, and the transaction type identifier in a spend record database.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selectable amount of material from an amount of stored material. The dispenser includes a housing having a material track and material storage area, a material-advancement mechanism disposed within said housing, a material-cutting, mechanism, and an actuator. The actuator has a first end being operatively engaged with said first mechanism and an opposing second opposing end being operatively engaged with said second mechanism. The actuator is spring-biased to a non-compressed position via at least first and second springs and is also selectably shiftable to a selectable, material-advancement position and a selectable, material-cutting position.

Abstract: An integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device constructed to permit digital as well as alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis, the device comprising: a housing; at least one skin-penetration member; and a member constructed for the application of circumferential or vacuum pressure to an appendage; wherein the member is detachably or retractably connected to the housing in a manner such that the integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device can perform digital or alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis. Additional arrangements and techniques are also described.