Abstract: A projectile detection system, and method of detecting a projectile (for example a bullet), for use on a vehicle (100) (for example a helicopter), the projectile detection system comprising: a radar antenna array (4) arranged to transmit and receive microwave signals so as to provide a plurality of detection segments (40, 42, 44, 46) of a volume of airspace (38); one or more processors (3) arranged to: determine which segments (40, 42, 44, 46) microwave signals reflected by a projectile (10) are received from; determine timing information relating to a time order in which the received microwave signals are received; and determine directional information relating to a direction of travel of the projectile (10) using the determined segments (40, 42, 44, 46) and the determined timing information; wherein the microwave signals have a frequency between 1 GHz and 30 GHz.

Abstract: An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.

Abstract: A projectile detection system, and method of detecting a projectile (for example a bullet), for use on a vehicle (100) (for example a helicopter), the projectile detection system comprising: a radar antenna array (4) arranged to transmit and receive microwave signals so as to provide a plurality of detection segments (40, 42, 44, 46) of a volume of airspace (38); one or more processors (3) arranged to: determine which segments (40, 42, 44, 46) microwave signals reflected by a projectile (10) are received from; determine timing information relating to a time order in which the received microwave signals are received; and determine directional information relating to a direction of travel of the projectile (10) using the determined segments (40, 42, 44, 46) and the determined timing information; wherein the microwave signals have a frequency between 1 GHz and 30 GHz.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus includes a tray made of a thermally conductive material which has two opposite sides. Each side has a plurality of cavities for receiving water, when facing up. The water is frozen to form ice units conforming to the shape of the cavities. The cavities are shaped to have a smooth contour and are coated with a non-wetting material. After the water in the cavities in the side of the tray that is facing up is frozen, the tray is rotated such that the ice units are dislodged and are collected in a receptacle. The other side of the tray is now filled with water; the heat of the water flows thermally to the opposite side. An embodiment also includes a mechanically driven finger bar with prongs to dislodge the ice.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for stimulating and increasing the production of saliva during immunoassay tests for drugs or other analytes wherein a scent or odor capable of stimulating saliva production is incorporated into a device for obtaining an oral sample from a test subject. The scent or odor may be impregnated into the oral sample collection device or may be part of an attachment to such a device, and the scent or odor is disposed in such a manner so as to maximize the exposure of the scent to the test subject and thus stimulate the production of saliva. The method and device of the invention are advantageous because the increased production of saliva will facilitate the testing of an oral sample for drugs or other analytes and will increase the likelihood of obtaining a complete and accurate result.

Abstract: An assay device for testing of liquid samples for drugs of abuse has a transparent container for retaining a liquid sample. A backing member is within the container and is curved so that its front surface corresponds to the curvature of the container wall. Immunoassay test strips are on the front face of the backing and are visible through the container wall. Each test strip is enclosed in a transparent pocket which has a bottom opening through which the bottom portion of the test strip protrudes to contact the liquid sample within the container. The liquid then flows upwardly through the test strip to react with reagents within the test strip.

Abstract: A device which collects specimen fluids or performs chemical or biological assays of the specimen fluid is provided with a specimen fluid receiver and a fluid actuated expandable trigger coupled to receive specimen fluid from the specimen fluid receiver such that a predetermined delay occurs before the trigger expands sufficiently to move another component of the device, and the specimen fluid interacts with a substance during the delay. The trigger is made of a material which expands substantially upon absorbing specimen fluid, and it is mounted and positioned so as to contact and move the other component of the device upon expanding through the absorption of specimen fluid. The other component may contain a surface coupled to receive specimen fluid from the specimen fluid receiver and the surface has an area which contains a substance which interacts with the specimen fluid.

Abstract: A transmitter of a platform is arranged to generate a transmission pulse, which is transmitted to a receiver of another platform and is also arranged to couple its transmission pulse to a digital receiver associated with its platform via an attenuator and a coupler. Another platform performs a similar task. Each digital receiver determines the time separation between its transmission pulse and a received pulse from the other platform. The determined time separation information is shared with the other platform, and each digital receiver then determines a time offset between the time at its platform and the other platform.

Abstract: An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.

Abstract: A lateral flow immunoassay test device is provided that includes a housing with an elongated slot for holding a test sample collector; an elongated holder member for securing at least one immunoassay test strip therein; a first chamber for storing a first, pre-treatment reagent; and a second chamber for storing a second reagent. Methods of conducting lateral flow immunoassays are also provided. The device and methods of conducting lateral flow immunoassays as provided herein are advantageous in that they allow pre-treatment and pre-incubation of the test sample so that the sample flows onto the test strip more easily and provide for increases in the sensitivity of the assay.

Abstract: An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of any of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates the reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.

Abstract: An assay device for testing of liquid samples for drugs of abuse has a transparent container for retaining a liquid sample. A backing member is within the container and is curved so that its front surface corresponds to the curvature of the container wall. Immunoassay test strips are on the front face of the backing and are visible through the container wall. Each test strip is enclosed in a transparent pocket which has a bottom opening through which the bottom portion of the test strip protrudes to contact the liquid sample within the container. The liquid then flows upwardly through the test strip to react with reagents within the test strip.

Abstract: A transmitter (106, 120, 118, 122 and 110) of a platform (100) is arranged to generate a transmission pulse which is transmitted to a receiver (212, 224 and 208) of another platform (200) and is also arranged to couple its transmission pulse to a digital receiver (104) associated with its platform (100) via attenuater (126) and coupler (124). The other platform (200) performs a similar task. Each digital receiver (108, 208) determines the time separation between its transmission pulse and received pulse from the other platform (100 or 200). The determined time separation information is shared with the other platform (100, 200) and each digital receiver (108, 208) then determines a time offset (?t) between the time at its platform (100) and the other platform (200).

Abstract: An assay device for testing of liquid samples for drugs of abuse has a transparent container for retaining a liquid sample. A backing member is within the container and is curved so that its front surface corresponds to the curvature of the container wall. Immunoassay test strips are on the front face of the backing and are visible through the container wall. Each test strip is enclosed in a transparent pocket which has a bottom opening through which the bottom portion of the test strip protrudes to contact the liquid sample within the container. The liquid then flows upwardly through the test strip to react with reagents within the test strip.

Abstract: In a lateral test flow immunoassay device, a saliva sample and a buffer solution are delivered into a mixing chamber to mix with a second reagent. The resulting test mixture is allowed to incubate for a pre-determined period of time and then selectively delivered to a test strip.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for stimulating and increasing the production of saliva during immunoassay tests for drugs or other analytes wherein a scent or odor capable of stimulating saliva production is incorporated into a device for obtaining an oral sample from a test subject. The scent or odor may be impregnated into the oral sample collection device or may be part of an attachment to such a device, and the scent or odor is disposed in such a manner so as to maximize the exposure of the scent to the test subject and thus stimulate the production of saliva. The method and device of the invention are advantageous because the increased production of saliva will facilitate the testing of an oral sample for drugs or other analytes and will increase the likelihood of obtaining a complete and accurate result.

Abstract: An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of any of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates the reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.

Abstract: A system and method for merging carpet design image patterns in order to create a custom-designed patterned carpet image. A customized carpet image is defined by identifying a plurality of carpet design fields within a carpet and selecting a distinct design pattern from a plurality of selection options for each identified carpet design field in order to define a customized design field pattern. The customized design field pattern comprises the selected design pattern. Merging the customized design field patterns together defines an image of a custom-designed carpet. Further, a strike-off of the image of the custom-designed carpet image can be produced from the system and method.

Abstract: An assay device for testing of liquid samples for drugs of abuse has a transparent cylindrical container for retaining a liquid sample and a portion of the cylindrical wall is flat. A test strip holder is within the container and is flat so that its front surface corresponds to the flat portion of the container wall. Immunoassay test strips are in pockets on the front face of the strip holder and are visible through the container wall. Each test strip is enclosed in a transparent pocket which has a bottom opening through which the bottom portion of the test strip protrudes to contact the liquid sample within the container. The liquid then wicks upwardly through the test strip to react with reagents within the test strip.

Abstract: In a lateral test flow immunoassay device, a saliva sample and a buffer solution are delivered into a mixing chamber to mix with a second reagent.