Abstract: The present invention features a hand beverage carrier comprising a fastening strap having a hand space, a flap attached to the fastening strap, and a holder. In some embodiments, the fastening strap comprises a flexible material. In some embodiments, the flap further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener to secure the flap to the fastening strap, thereby tightening the fastening strap around a hand inserted into the hand space.

Abstract: Disclosed are electroactive polymer fibers, processes of preparing electroactive polymer fibers, and devices containing electroactive polymer fibers. Devices can be used as actuators and sensors, generators and transducers. Applications include inter alia artificial muscles, prosthetics and robotics.

Abstract: A method for training a user in recognition of the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration and concentration trends includes monitoring a user's bodily fluid analyte concentration (for example, a user's whole blood glucose concentration) with an analyte monitoring module of a device for training a user in recognition of the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration. The method also includes generating, at a predetermined time interval, using a generation module of the device, a user-perceived sensation (e.g., a user-perceived vibratory sensation) that is proportional the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A device for training a user in recognition of the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration and concentration trends (such as the user's whole blood glucose concentration and concentration trends) includes an analyte monitoring module, a control module and a sensation generation module. The analyte monitoring module is configured to monitor the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration and to output a monitor signal corresponding to the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration. The control module is configured to receive the monitor signal, convert the monitor signal into a sensation instruction signal corresponding to the user' bodily fluid analyte concentration, and output the sensation instruction signal. The sensation generation module configured to receive the sensation instruction signal and to generate a user-perceived sensation (e.g., a user-perceived vibratory sensation) corresponding to the user's bodily fluid analyte concentration.

Abstract: A method and system for wastewater treatment includes flowing a quantity of a wastewater into a first microbubble chamber having a plurality of diffusers for injecting microbubbles into the wastewater to promote oxygenation. The microbubble includes activated sludge for treating the wastewater. The wastewater is then flowed from the first microbubble chamber through a plurality of rotating discs having a biofilm of microorganisms mounted thereon. The discs rotate about a shaft such that a portion of each disc is exposed to air during rotation. The wastewater is the flowed into a second microbubble chamber having a plurality of diffusers for injecting microbubbles into the wastewater. The treated wastewater is then recovered.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a screen printing process for depositing carbon electrodes including a method for selectively removing components that degrade the electrochemical performance from the surface of said carbon electrodes. In one embodiment of the present invention, the process includes applying a corona treatment to the carbon electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timer device capable of performing one or more control actions in response to the time lapsed since a user initiated action took place. The timer device comprises contact means operatable between two conditions, timer means, and means for storing first and second time stamps. The device further comprises control means for setting a first time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between first and second conditions, setting a second time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between the second and first conditions, calculating the time elapsed between the two time stamps, comparing the elapsed time with a preset time value, and performing a control action if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time value.

Abstract: A magnetic drive and mechanical oscillator system comprising a mechanical oscillator, a coil, a means for providing alternating current to said coil thereby creating a magnetic field within and about the coil, said means including an on-off means and a ferromagnetic material in communication with the diaphragm of the mechanical oscillator and the coil.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a measuring device compares the current generated by two working sensor active areas and gives an error indication if they are too dissimilar, i.e., the current at one sensor active area differs too greatly from what would be expected from considering the current at the other. Not only can this method detect when one of the sensor parts has not been properly covered with sample liquid, but it can also detect if there is a manufacturing defect in either sensor part or if either has been damaged after manufacture, since even with complete coverage of the working sensor parts, an anomalous current will be generated at the affected sensor part under such circumstances.

Abstract: A lancing device includes a housing, a lancing mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to lance a target site with a lancet, and an integrated light source. The integrated light source, in combination with the housing, produces an intense beam of light for illumination and a diffuse light that provides a user with spatial awareness.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device includes a cap body with a distal end, a proximal end, an opening through the cap body from the distal end to the proximal end of thereof, and an integrated light source. The distal end of the cap has a target site contact surface and the proximal end is configured for attachment to a lancing device. Moreover, the light source, in combination with the cap body, produces an intense beam of light for illumination and a diffuse light that provides a user with spatial awareness.

Abstract: A lancing system includes a lancing device and a meter. The lancing device has a housing, a lancing mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to lance a target site with a lancet, and an integrated light source. The meter is configured for the analysis of a bodily fluid sample expressed from a target site lanced by the lancing mechanism. Moreover, the light source, in combination with at least the housing, produces an intense beam of light for illumination and a diffuse light that provides a user with spatial awareness.

Abstract: A method for lancing a target site in low ambient light conditions includes employing diffuse light produced by an integrated light source of a lancing device to achieve user spatial awareness in a low ambient light condition. The method further includes illuminating a target site, also in the low ambient light condition, with an intense beam of light from the integrated light source and urging the lancing device against the target site. Subsequently, the target site is lanced with a lancet held by the lancing device.

Abstract: The present invention is a mechanical oscillator metal loss sensor for use in a corrosive or erosive environment. The elements include a means for mechanical excitation, and a mechanical oscillator with two regions that corrode differently, where the regions are determined to affect specific influences on the resonance parameters, wherein said mechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency, f, and a quality factor, Q. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical oscillator has the shape of a tuning fork.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a measuring device compares the current generated by two working sensor parts and gives an error indication if they are too dissimilar, i.e., the current at one sensor part differs too greatly from what would be expected from considering the current at the other. Not only can this method detect when one of the sensor parts has not been properly covered with sample liquid, but it can also detect if there is a manufacturing defect in either sensor part or if either has been damaged after manufacture, since even with complete coverage of the working sensor parts, an anomalous current will be generated at the affected sensor part under such circumstances.

Abstract: A system transports a device into a piece of industrial equipment for the purpose of collecting data inside of the industrial equipment. In an embodiment, the industrial equipment is a furnace and the device is an IR camera. The system opens a door covering an opening on the furnace, moves the IR camera inside of the furnace for a short time, the IR camera captures images, and the system removes the camera from the furnace and closes the door.

Abstract: A method for promoting bodily fluid expression from a target site includes urging a target site of a user's body toward a device for promoting expression of bodily fluid from the target site. The method also includes sequentially increasing an area of contact and applied pressure between a pressure application mechanism of the device and the user's body in the vicinity of the target site, and in a direction toward the target site, thereby urging bodily fluid toward the target site. Thereafter, the target site is lanced.

Abstract: A device for promoting the expression of bodily fluid from a target site on a user's body includes a base and a pressure application mechanism. The pressure application mechanism is attached to the base and urges bodily fluid toward the target site. The pressure application mechanism configured for urging the bodily fluid by sequentially increasing an area of contact and applied pressure between the pressure application mechanism and the user's body in the vicinity of the target site. Moreover, the area of contact and applied pressure sequentially increases in a direction toward the target site.

Abstract: An analyte monitoring system for the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes a housing, a meter for the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, and a device for promoting the expression of the bodily fluid sample from a target site. The device for promoting expression of bodily fluid has a pressure application mechanism for urging bodily fluid toward the target site attached to the housing. In addition, the pressure application mechanism is configured for urging the bodily fluid by sequentially increasing an area of contact and applied pressure between the pressure application mechanism and the user's body in the vicinity of the target site with the area of contact and applied pressure sequentially increasing in a direction toward the target site.