Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes introducing the sample into a vessel including a cation-exchange resin, where the cation-exchange resin has a high affinity to one or more interferent species in the sample, directing the sample through the cation-exchange resin to thereby capture one or more interference species in the cation-exchange resin to purify the sample, and releasing the purified sample from the vessel. Additionally, a method for analyzing a sample includes receiving an image depicting a diagnostic test region and a color reference chart, converting a test region image portion of the image to an analytical color space, determining first and second coordinate values characterizing the test region image portion in the analytical color space, and providing a quantitative measurement of an analyte of interest in the sample based on the first and/or second coordinate values and a predictive formula based on the color reference chart.

Abstract: A biomedical measuring device, such as a test strip, has a simple structure, by which analyte can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. In embodiments, the test strip generally includes a plastic first film layer having structure defining an aperture for retaining the reacting components, a porous membrane coupled to an inner-facing surface of the first film layer and configured to reduce background signal, an absorbent pad coupled to the porous membrane and first film layer to sandwich the porous membrane therebetween, the absorbent pad being configured for rapid absorption, and a plastic second film layer coupled to the absorbent pad, the second film layer being configured to provide a barrier to prevent liquid from leaking out of the test strip during use. The test strip can be easily used with an optical sensing device coupled to or containing an analyzer device (or reader device) for quickly detecting and measuring the analyte concentration.

Abstract: A biomedical measuring device, such as a test strip, has a simple structure, by which analyte can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. In embodiments, the test strip generally includes a plastic first film layer having structure defining an aperture for retaining the reacting components, a porous membrane coupled to an inner-facing surface of the first film layer and configured to reduce background signal, an absorbent pad coupled to the porous membrane and first film layer to sandwich the porous membrane therebetween, the absorbent pad being configured for rapid absorption, and a plastic second film layer coupled to the absorbent pad, the second film layer being configured to provide a barrier to prevent liquid from leaking out of the test strip during use. The test strip can be easily used with an optical sensing device coupled to or containing an analyzer device (or reader device) for quickly detecting and measuring the analyte concentration.

Abstract: A biological material test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart are affixed to a lid portion of an all-in-one specimen cup to perform color-based reaction testing of collected biological specimens in an uncalibrated environment. After specimen collection, the lid portion is secured to a container portion of the specimen cup. The cup may then be rotated into an upside down position causing the specimen, under the force of gravity, to pass from the container portion and into a volume of the lid portion, such that the test strip is exposed to the specimen as it is received into the volume of the lid portion. An image of the exposed test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart may then be captured and processed to identify any color matches between the individual test pads on the test strip and the corresponding sequences of reference color blocks on the reference chart.

Abstract: A safety harness consisting of a plurality of beveled rigid blocks connected in a string by loose couplings, having a fixed end fastened to one side of a vehicle seat by an adjustable mounting device and a free end fastened to an opposite side of the vehicle seat by a latch and latch release, wherein when the safety harness is fastened up, the rigid blocks are respectively side matched and connected into an arched rigid guard around the vehicle seat to protect the user.

Abstract: A massaging cushion device used in a car, which included a hollowed frame of suitable size. The frame is connected onto a seat in a car. On both lateral sides of the frame there are two massaging devices movably connected therewith. The ends of the massaging devices extend into the lateral sides respectively for pivotal connecting therewith. A plurality of driving structures are provided on one side of each of the massaging devices. The massaging devices are capable of being spread out about the pivot, and are capable of folding for storage in the hollowed interior of the frame.

Abstract: A fiber bed separator and method are provided for separating aerosols of 3 microns and less from gases. Two fiber beds in intimate contact with one another are used. The first fiber bed, in the direction of gas flow is of fibers of at least about 5 microns mean diameter packed to a bed voidage of from about 85 to 98%, the fiber diameter and bed voidage being selected such that at design bed velocity and aerosol loading the first bed is not flooded and the residual saturation of said first fiber bed against gas drag on the liquid collected is less than the residual saturation of said bed against gravity drainage of the liquid. The second fiber bed is packed to a bed voidage of from about 85 to 99% with fibers of equal or greater mean diameter than those in the first fiber bed such that the residual saturation of said second fiber bed against gas drag is greater than the residual saturation of the bed against gravity drainage.

Abstract: This invention provides vertically disposed fiber bed elements and separators containing the same wherein "bubble re-entrainment" of a collected liquid phase in a gas stream flowing through the fiber bed is substantially eliminated or reduced. "Bubble re-entrainment" refers to that re-entrainment of liquid which occurs at the bottom of the fiber bed where the cumulative drainage of the liquid is at its maximum. This is accomplished by providing at the bottom of the fiber bed a vertically disposed gas flow baffle means such as, e.g., a baffle plate, such that some portion of the fiber bed is disposed downstream of the baffle means and shielded by the lee side of said baffle means from the moving gas stream, said shielding being effective throughout the shielded portion of the fiber bed to reduce the bed velocity of any gas flowing therethrough to below a bubble re-entraining velocity.