Abstract: A biosensor strip having a low profile for reducing the volume of liquid sample needed to perform an assay. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip includes an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; a sample chamber; and an incompressible element placed between the cover and the electrode support, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber. In another embodiment, the biosensor strip has an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; and a sample chamber, the cover having a plurality of openings formed therein, at least one of the openings in register with the sample chamber. The invention further includes methods for preparing such a biosensor strips in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A passively athermalized infrared imaging system includes an object side meniscus lens that forms at least one aspheric surface, and an image side meniscus lens that forms two aspheric surfaces. Each of the meniscus lenses are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a chalcogenide glass, germanium, silicon, gallium arsenide, zinc selenide and glass. An optical power of the image side meniscus lens is at least 1.6 times an optical power of the object side meniscus lens such that an effective focus position of the imaging system is athermalized over a range of 0 to +40 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of aligning elements in a manufacturing process includes placing a middle element onto a base element, the base element forming first alignment features, the middle element forming apertures therethrough corresponding to the first alignment features. The method also includes placing second alignment features of an upper element onto the first alignment features such that the first and second alignment features cooperate, through the apertures, to align the upper element with the base element. An infrared lens assembly includes a lens formed of an infrared transmitting material that is disposed within a carrier of a base material, the lens being molded within the carrier with at least one feature that secures the lens to the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, data access management utility and a method of generating links between local merchants and a marketing system. For example, the marketing system may be that disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CA2009/001605. The present invention may be operable to register members, merchants, community programs, intermediaries and other entities with the marketing system. Embodiments of the present invention may be operable to quickly and efficiently register multiple members and/or multiple merchant store types virtually simultaneously to the marketing system. An automated registration and/or boarding process may be operated by the present invention to undertake such registration and/or boarding of members, merchants, community programs, intermediaries and other entities with the marketing system, including automated boarding of merchants.

Abstract: A biosensor strip having a low profile for reducing the volume of liquid sample needed to perform an assay. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip includes an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; a sample chamber; and an incompressible element placed between the cover and the electrode support, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber. In another embodiment, the biosensor strip has an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; and a sample chamber, the cover having a plurality of openings formed therein, at least one of the openings in register with the sample chamber. The invention further includes methods for preparing such a biosensor strips in a continuous manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods image with selective narrow FOV and 360 degree FOV onto a single sensor array. The 360 degree FOV is imaged with null zone onto the sensor array and the narrow FOV is imaged onto the null zone. The narrow FOV is selectively within the 360 degree FOV and has increased magnification as compared to the 360 degree FOV.

Abstract: A digital data system comprising a server and a client capable of communication with one another over a network. The server includes an item store holding a plurality of data items, each data item comprising a pointer to a source data entity accessible from the network, and a component for serving copies of data items to the client. The client includes an item store for holding a copy of one or more of the data items held by the server item store and a component for requesting a copy of a data item from the server and placing it in the client item store. The client additionally includes a component for validating copies of data items held by the client item store and initiating a request for an updated copy of a data item from the server if the copy held by the item store is out of date and a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the data items to access the associated source data entities.

Abstract: A digital data system comprising a server and a client capable of communication with one another over a network. The server includes an item store holding a plurality of data items, each data item comprising a pointer to a source data entity accessible from the network, and a component for serving copies of data items to the client. The client includes an item store for holding a copy of one or more of the data items held by the server item store and a component for requesting a copy of a data item from the server and placing it in the client item store. The client additionally includes a component for validating copies of data items held by the client item store and initiating a request for an updated copy of a data item from the server if the copy held by the item store is out of date and a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the data items to access the associated source data entities.