Abstract: A system is disclosed that uses profiles of users, including monitored ketone levels of the users, to assess effectiveness levels of health programs (such as weight loss programs) assigned to the users, and to select health program modifications for the users. The system may use a machine learning (artificial intelligence) algorithm to adaptively learn how to classify users and to select messaging and behavioral modifications for the users. For example, in some embodiments the system classifies the users and provides associated health program recommendations using a computer model trained with expert-classified user data records. As another example, a set of rules may be used to generate the health program recommendations and related messaging, and the set of rules may automatically be modified over time based on feedback data reflective of health program effectiveness levels produced by such rules.

Abstract: A water soluble biocompatible hydrogel having an amino sugar linked to a hydrophilic polymer is disclosed. Linkage of the amino sugar and hydrophilic polymer may be provided by an imine-amine bond between an amine of the amino sugar and a primary amine of the hydrophilic polymer. The linkage between the amino sugar and the hydrophilic polymer may be provided by reacting an amine of the amino sugar and a primary amine of the hydrophilic polymer with a formate ester in an acidic solution. Water soluble biocompatible polymer having an amino sugar linked to a hydrophilic polymer may be cast into films, dried into gauze and/or combined with salt solutions to provide injectable gels.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method of transmucosal delivery of process of Vitamin B12 without the need of intrinsic factor comprising administering a solid composition comprising a Vitamin B12 and at least one bifunctional macromolecule with hydrophilic exterior and with hydrophobic pockets capable of pocketing Vitamin B12 material, illustrated by cyclodextrin, at least one permeation enhancer, illustrated by Isopropyl Myristate and at least one agent that is mucoadhessive as well as penetration enhancer, illustrated by chitosan. The solid composition of Vitamin B12 of claim 2 may comprise a lozenge, a candy, a wafer, a tablet, a patch, a film, a spray, a lip balm, or gum.

Abstract: A water soluble biocompatible hydrogel having an amino sugar linked to a hydrophilic polymer is disclosed. Linkage of the amino sugar and hydrophilic polymer may be provided by an imine-amine bond between an amine of the amino sugar and a primary amine of the hydrophilic polymer. The linkage between the amino sugar and the hydrophilic polymer may be provided by reacting an amine of the amino sugar and a primary amine of the hydrophilic polymer with a formate ester in an acidic solution. Water soluble biocompatible polymer having an amino sugar linked to a hydrophilic polymer may be cast into films, dried into gauze and/or combined with salt solutions to provide injectable gels.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that uses profiles of users, including monitored ketone levels of the users, to assess effectiveness levels of health programs (such as weight loss programs) assigned to the users, and to select health program modifications for the users. The system may use a machine learning (artificial intelligence) algorithm to adaptively learn how to classify users and to select messaging and behavioral modifications for the users. For example, in some embodiments the system classifies the users and provides associated health program recommendations using a computer model trained with expert-classified user data records. As another example, a set of rules may be used to generate the health program recommendations and related messaging, and the set of rules may automatically be modified over time based on feedback data reflective of health program effectiveness levels produced by such rules.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fluid collecting device configured to receive a sample of breath; a conditioning device coupled to the fluid collecting device and configured to receive the sample of breath and condition the sample with respect to at least one of temperature, flow rate, pressure, humidity, and concentration; and a sensing device coupled to the conditioning device and configured to receive the conditioned sample, wherein the sensing device includes a nanoparticle-based sensor and further whereby the analyte interacts with the sensing device to cause a change that is sensed by the sensing device and wherein the change comprises information useful in characterizing the analyte. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and characterizing the analyte is useful for health monitoring.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sensing an analyte in a fluid.

Abstract: A user device and a breath analysis device (or other types of portable devices) use a pairing and communication protocol that address user convenience and connectivity issues. For example, a breath analysis device is associated with a unique identifier and the unique identifier is associated with an account corresponding to the user. Likewise, a user device is associated with a user device identifier and the user device identifier is associated with the account corresponding to the user. The breath analysis device and the user device can use at least one of the identifiers to determine whether the user device is authorized to pair with the breath analysis device, and vice-versa. If authorized, the breath analysis device and user device can pair with one another. Once paired, the user device may wirelessly communicate with the breath analysis device for various purposes, such as to retrieve and display breath analysis test results.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring a ketone, such as an acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding ketone measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the ketone measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements.

Abstract: A breath capture device for determining the concentration of acetone in a breath sample from a user. In some embodiments, the device includes a controller programmed to use stored data to control flow of a breath sample into an analysis chamber as the user exhales into a port. In other embodiments, the device includes a switch responsive to an action by the user that is operable between a first orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a second flow path and a second orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path. In still other embodiments, the device includes a flow regulator both responsive to user action and operable from a first position in which breath entering a port preferentially travels through a second flow path to a second position in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path.

Abstract: A wearable breath analysis device is disclosed that may be worn, for example, around the neck or wrist of a user. The wearable device may be a stand-along device (in which case it may include a display that provides a user interface), or may operate in conjunction with a smartphone or other command device. The wearable device may include auditory and/or vibratory notice and communications features or capabilities, for example, such as a reminder or notice to conduct a breath analyte measurement, instructions to the user in the course of conducting the measurement, and notice of the breath analyte measurement results. The auditory or vibratory notice may be provided at the wearable, and/or at the command device where a command device is used. Related methods also are provided.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring a ketone, such as an acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding ketone measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the ketone measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of an analyte of interest in breath. The method includes obtaining a disposable cartridge comprising a reaction chamber, a liquid chamber, and a window to permit determination of a color intensity in the reaction chamber, directing a volume of breath into the cartridge, and initiating a sequence whereby liquid is released from the liquid container into the reaction chamber to cause a reaction which produces a change in the intensity of a color viewable through the window. The intensity of the color corresponds to the concentration of the analyte of interest. The reaction progresses through a kinetic phase and eventually reaches equilibrium. The sequence additionally includes measuring the intensity of the color at a point in the kinetic phase, to determine the concentration of the analyte of interest in breath.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for analyzing acetone in breath. One such method comprises disposing a reactant in a reaction zone within the breath analysis device, wherein the reactant comprises a primary amine disposed on a surface, and wherein the reaction zone has an optical characteristic that is at a reference level. It also comprises pre-storing a liquid nitroprusside solution within the breath analysis device separately from the reactant. The method further comprises using the breath analysis device to cause the breath to contact the reactant in the reaction zone so that the acetone in the breath reacts with the reactant to form a reaction product and, after the reaction product has been formed, using the breath analysis device to cause the nitroprusside solution to contact and react with the reaction product and to facilitate a change in the optical characteristic of the reaction zone relative to the reference level.

Abstract: A portable system is provided for measuring a ketone, such as an acetone, in the breath or other bodily fluid of a user. The system includes a portable measurement device that analyzes fluid samples and generates corresponding ketone measurements. The portable measurement device communicates with an application which runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application tracks, and generates graphs of, the ketone measurements, and may include various features for facilitating the analysis of the measurements.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fluid collecting device configured to receive a sample of breath; a conditioning device coupled to the fluid collecting device and configured to receive the sample of breath and condition the sample with respect to at least one of temperature, flow rate, pressure, humidity, and concentration; and a sensing device coupled to the conditioning device and configured to receive the conditioned sample, wherein the sensing device includes a nanoparticle-based sensor and further whereby the analyte interacts with the sensing device to cause a change that is sensed by the sensing device and wherein the change comprises information useful in characterizing the analyte. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and characterizing the analyte is useful for health monitoring.

Abstract: A breath capture device for determining the concentration of acetone in a breath sample from a user. In some embodiments, the device includes a controller programmed to use stored data to control flow of a breath sample into an analysis chamber as the user exhales into a port. In other embodiments, the device includes a switch responsive to an action by the user that is operable between a first orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a second flow path and a second orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path. In still other embodiments, the device includes a flow regulator both responsive to user action and operable from a first position in which breath entering a port preferentially travels through a second flow path to a second position in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path.

Abstract: A breath capture device for determining the concentration of acetone in a breath sample from a user. In some embodiments, the device includes a controller programmed to use stored data to control flow of a breath sample into an analysis chamber as the user exhales into a port. In other embodiments, the device includes a switch responsive to an action by the user that is operable between a first orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a second flow path and a second orientation in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path. In still other embodiments, the device includes a flow regulator both responsive to user action and operable from a first position in which breath entering a port preferentially travels through a second flow path to a second position in which breath entering the port preferentially travels through a first flow path.

Abstract: A method for extending an effective working range of an analyzer for measuring an analyte in a breath sample. The method includes initiating a reaction in the analyzer that produces an optically discernable reaction product having an optical property that is indicative of a concentration of the analyte in the breath sample, taking a first reading of the optical property at a first time, and comparing the first reading to a reference. If the comparison yields a first state, the method includes determining the concentration using the first reading. If it yields a second state different from the first state, the method includes taking a second reading of the optical property at a second time, and determining the concentration of the analyte using the second reading. Other methods are provided as well.

Abstract: A portable ketone measurement device measures ketone levels in breath samples or other bodily fluid samples of a user, and communicates the ketone measurements to an application that runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application may communicate with, and report the measurements to, a remote server. One or more components of the system (e.g., the portable ketone measurement device, the mobile application, and/or the server) may, where appropriate, adjust the ketone measurements to compensate for ketone variations resulting from, e.g., the age of the user, a medical condition of the user, a missed medication event, or an interrupted sleep event. The application may, in some scenarios, withhold the display of a ketone measurement from the user until an authorization has been received from the server.