Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Polymeric indicators are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms.

Abstract: Polymeric indicator films and pH indicating wraps are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms. Also provided are methods of use and preparation of the polymeric indicator films.

Abstract: Polymeric indicator films and pH indicating wraps are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms. Also provided are methods of use and preparation of the polymeric indicator films.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing a polymeric indicator film which can be used to determine the presence of bacterial growth in fluids and substances which contact the film. In particular, in the disclosed processes, a pH indicator is incorporated into the polymeric film. The incorporated pH indicator in the film remains transparent under neutral conditions, whereas under acidic conditions, the pH indicator in the film imparts a distinguishable color to the film.

Abstract: Polymeric indicators are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Polymeric indicator films and pH indicating wraps are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms. Also provided are methods of use and preparation of the polymeric indicator films.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence, absence, and/or growth of harmful or potentially harmful bacterial microorganisms beneath a wound dressing, in one example used to cover an indwelling central venous catheter or other catheter. A bacteria detection apparatus includes a barrier membrane, a permeable membrane for placement proximate a wound or a catheter insertion site, and an indicator between the barrier membrane and the permeable membrane for indicating the presence of bacteria proximate the permeable membrane. A method of using a bacterial growth detection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A non-invasive glucose monitoring device includes a mechanism for stimulating salivary glands secretion of saliva into oral fluid prior to collecting a sample of the oral fluid. A mechanism is provided for detecting the amount of glucose in the sample, a mechanism also being provided for quantitating blood glucose level based on the amount of glucose detected. A method of non-invasively monitoring glucose includes the steps of stimulating salivary glands secretion of saliva into oral fluid, collecting a sample of the oral fluid, detecting an amount of glucose in the sample, and then quantitating the blood glucose level based on the amount of glucose detected. These methods and devices are used to diagnosis individuals with glucose levels that indicate a diabetic disease state. The present invention is also usable to monitor the blood glucose levels of subjects who are being treated for diabetes.

Abstract: A sample of oral fluid is collected by an absorbent nonreactive collecting swab brought into contact with a favorable surface in the oral cavity. The fluid is interstitial transudate selectively collected from the vestibule region of the oral cavity at the junction of the superior labial mucous membrane and the superior gingivae between the upper canine teeth. The collecting swab is an open cell foam material with a fine (e.g., 0.3 mm diameter) cell size. The collecting swab is placed in a cylindrical concentrator and the fluid sample is squeezed through a small hole in the concentrator by pushing a plunger into the concentrator and squeezing the fluid from the collecting swab into a monitoring instrument located off site. A common electronic circuit in the instrument generates an electrical glucose representative readout for oral fluid or whole blood. A sheet of graph paper has rectangular coordinates one of which represents glucose level and the other which represents time of day.