Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for molecular-scale electronic switching generally includes a carbon nanotube, an anode, a cathode and two conductive particles encapsulated within the carbon nanotube, wherein the particles are configured to move between high resistance and low resistance states. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved switching function.

Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for molecular-scale electronic switching generally includes a carbon nanotube, an anode, a cathode and two conductive particles encapsulated within the carbon nanotube, wherein the particles are configured to move between high resistance and low resistance states. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved switching function.

Abstract: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a sensor configured to detect lancet position along said path during the lancing cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a lancet velocity profile. A velocity of a moving lancet is measured at a known position. The measured velocity of the lancet is compared with an appropriate velocity for the lancet at the known position. A force is applied to the lancet to adjust the velocity of the lancet.

Abstract: A method of lancing the tissue of a patient provides a tissue penetration element with a tip configured to penetrate tissue and a shaft portion. The tissue penetration element is disposed in proximity to the tissue of the patient. The tissue penetration element is driven distally towards the tissue of the patient. Contact is made between the tip and the tissue of the patient. The tip is advanced into the tissue during a penetration stroke to a position of maximum inward displacement. The tissue penetration element is allowed to settle upon reaching the point of maximum inward penetration for at least about 1 millisecond with no driving force imposed on the tissue penetration element. The tissue penetration element is displaced proximally over a withdrawal stroke and the tip is removed from the tissue.

Abstract: A sampling module includes a module body portion with a lancet channel, a lancet slidably disposed within the lancet channel. A cover sheet is disposed over the lancet and a lancet channel that captures the lancet shaft in the lancet channel, and a sample reservoir for collection of a sample obtained by lancing a patient with the lancet.

Abstract: An agent injection device is provided that is capable of injecting an agent to a known predetermined tissue depth. An injection member has an elongate injection shaft with an outlet port configured to dispense an agent at a controllable time. A controllable driver is coupled to the elongate injection shaft and is configured to drive the injection member into target tissue. A velocity control system is in communication with the controllable driver and is configured to control the velocity of the elongate injection shaft.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a controllable magnetic field in a magnetically active region adjacent the magnetic source. A magnetic member is disposed at least partially in the magnetically active region. A permanent magnet is disposed at a proximal end of the magnetically active region for zeroing the position of the magnetic member while the tissue penetration device is inactive.

Abstract: A moving coil tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a magnetic field in a magnetically active region. A cylindrical coil is secured to a translation substrate and disposed at least partially within the magnetically active region. A sharpened member is configured to penetrate tissue and mechanically coupled to the translation substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a lancet is provided that has a sharpened distal tip, a shaft portion and a proximal drive head. The proximal drive head has a transverse dimension that is substantially larger than a transverse dimension of the shaft portion adjacent to the proximal drive head.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls movement of a lancet. One or more processors execute program instructions and receive a data set. The program instructions are executed to cause the processor to, cause force to be applied to the lancet to thereby cause the lancet to move in a first direction toward a target, monitor position and speed of the lancet as the lancet moves in the first direction, adjust the application of force to the lancet as the lancet moves in the first direction to achieve a desired speed of the lancet, and adjust the application of force to the lancet when the lancet contacts the target so that the lancet penetrates the target within a desired range of speed.

Abstract: A method of lancing the tissue of a patient provides a tissue penetration element with a tip configured to penetrate tissue and a shaft portion. The tissue penetration element is disposed in proximity to the tissue of the patient. The tissue penetration element is driven distally towards the tissue of the patient. Contact is made between the tip and the tissue of the patient. The tip is advanced into the tissue during a penetration stroke to a position of maximum inward displacement. The tissue penetration element is displaced proximally over a withdrawal stroke at an average velocity that is substantially lower than an average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke. The tip is removed from the tissue.

Abstract: A lancet belt has a first belt tape with a longitudinal axis and an adhesion material disposed on an adhesion side of the tape. A second belt tape has a longitudinal axis disposed on the adhesion side of the first tape with the longitudinal axes of the first belt tape and the second belt tape being substantially parallel. A plurality of lancets are disposed between the first belt tape and the second belt tape. Longitudinal axes of the lancets are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the first and second belt tapes.

Abstract: A method of lancing the tissue of a patient provides a tissue penetration element with a tip configured to penetrate tissue. The tissue penetration element is disposed in proximity to the tissue of the patient. A lancing cycle is initiated. The lancing cycle advances the tip into the tissue during a penetration stroke and displaces the tissue penetration element proximally over a withdrawal stroke. Tissue data is acquired based on an interaction between the tissue penetration element and the tissue during at least a portion of the lancing cycle.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A particle mass spectrometer includes a supersonic flow expansion nozzle, and a source of a gas having particles entrained therein. The source is in gas-flow communication with an inlet of the expansion nozzle. The particle mass spectrometer further includes a vacuum chamber in gas-flow communication with an outlet of the expansion nozzle, wherein the vacuum chamber has a sufficient vacuum that a gas flow through the expansion nozzle is supersonic, and a microphone having an active element and an output signal responsive to a movement of the active element. The active element is disposed within the vacuum chamber and is positioned so that particles that flow from the outlet of the expansion nozzle impact upon the active element. The output signal of the active element of the microphone is a measure of the masses of the entrained particles.

Abstract: A detector for detecting telephone-activated devices, such as cellular telephones used for remotely triggering explosive devices, includes a transmitter for generating and transmitting a pseudo base station signal corresponding to a base station for a telephone-activated device, and a receiver for receiving and detecting a response signal transmitted by the telephone-activated device. At least part of the transmitter and at least of the receiver may be located within a shield of conductive material, such as a cone-shaped metal shield, that aids in localizing and directing the transmitting of the pseudo base station signal toward an object to be interrogated (with regard to whether or not it contains a telephone-activated device in an idle state). The detector has a response unit for providing a response when a telephone-activated device is detected, such as providing an alarm to an operator or interdicting operation of the telephone-activated device.