Abstract: An environmentally-controlled structure for a cold chain. The structure includes a sensor, an identification reader, an environment implementer, and a controller. The sensor senses a parameter indicative of an environmental condition in the environmentally-controlled structure. The identification reader is positioned relative to the environmentally-controlled structure and reads information about the goods from an identification device associated with the goods. The environment implementer modifies the environmental condition inside the environmentally-controlled structure. The controller receives the indication of the environmental condition inside the environmental control structure from the sensor, receives the information about the goods from the identification reader, and controls the environment implementer to maintain a desired environment inside the environmentally-controlled structure based on the information about the goods and the indication of the environmental condition.

Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes accessing by one or more members of the supply chain a database via a network, transporting a commodity through the supply chain on a transport device using a transportation system, and monitoring characteristics of the supply chain associated with the commodity using a sensor and a controller associated with the sensor. The method also includes acquiring data that is representative of the characteristics of the supply chain from the sensor and that includes expected conditions associated with the commodity; and retrieving from the database over the network via an input device a predicted shelf life of the commodity that is based on the acquired data.

Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A system for measuring total hemoglobin of whole blood may include at least one light source, a catheter, optical fibers, at least one photodetector, data processing circuitry, and/or a display unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparation of calibrant infusion fluid sources are disclosed. In one embodiment, a precise volume of glucose is injected into a saline-solution filled calibrant infusion fluid source proximate in time to conducting a calibration procedure. The glucose concentration in the calibrant infusion fluid source is subsequently calculated based on the measured weight of the saline-solution, as determined prior to glucose injection, and the volume of glucose injected. This method provides a highly accurate and convenient manner for use in a hospital environment, for example, with an intravenous blood glucose sensor system. In another embodiment, a premixed calibrant infusion fluid source is provided that includes saline solution and a predetermined concentration of glucose. In such embodiments, shelf life problems related to water evaporation are mitigated by hermetically covering or otherwise hermetically containing the calibrant infusion fluid source up until the point of use.

Abstract: An environmentally-controlled structure for a cold chain. The structure includes a sensor, an identification reader, an environment implementer, and a controller. The sensor senses a parameter indicative of an environmental condition in the environmentally-controlled structure. The identification reader is positioned relative to the environmentally-controlled structure and reads information about the goods from an identification device associated with the goods. The environment implementer modifies the environmental condition inside the environmentally-controlled structure. The controller receives the indication of the environmental condition inside the environmental control structure from the sensor, receives the information about the goods from the identification reader, and controls the environment implementer to maintain a desired environment inside the environmentally-controlled structure based on the information about the goods and the indication of the environmental condition.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for food processing equipment. The cleaning apparatus includes a base and a curved dome coupled to the base. The base has a first surface with a reflectance, and supports the food processing equipment. The dome is pivotable between an open position and a closed position relative to the base, and includes a second surface having a reflectance. The cleaning apparatus further includes an ultraviolet (“UV”)-based purification device that has at least one photohydroionization (“PHI”) cell operable to produce an advanced oxidation component. The UV-based purification device further has a plurality of UV light sources that are operable to produce UV light. The PHI cell and the UV light sources are coupled to at least one of the base and the dome to impinge directly and indirectly via reflection on the food processing equipment to clean the equipment when the dome is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a temperature-related error in an electrochemical sensor without using separate sources of temperature measurement by measuring sensor current, temporarily lowering sensor voltage to a first level below a reaction-sustaining threshold, measuring a first offset current, adjusting sensor voltage to a second level below the threshold, measuring a second offset current, calculating a difference between the offset currents, deriving a temperature compensation value from the difference based on empirical data, and adding the value to the measured sensor current. A computer system may execute the method as an algorithm stored in memory, provide automatic control of the sensor, and provide continuous display of corrected output values.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparation of calibrant infusion fluid sources are disclosed. In one embodiment, a precise volume of glucose is injected into a saline-solution filled calibrant infusion fluid source proximate in time to conducting a calibration procedure. The glucose concentration in the calibrant infusion fluid source is subsequently calculated based on the measured weight of the saline-solution, as determined prior to glucose injection, and the volume of glucose injected. This method provides a highly accurate and convenient manner for use in a hospital environment, for example, with an intravenous blood glucose sensor system. In another embodiment, a premixed calibrant infusion fluid source is provided that includes saline solution and a predetermined concentration of glucose. In such embodiments, shelf life problems related to water evaporation are mitigated by hermetically covering or otherwise hermetically containing the calibrant infusion fluid source up until the point of use.

Abstract: There are provided methods of packaging and packages that prevent damage of the package contents while maintaining sterility and that limit the negative effects of sterilization on sensors such as enzyme sensors. A method of packaging an enzyme sensor includes providing an enzyme sensor such as a glucose oxidase sensor in a gas impermeable package comprising one or more of oxygen and water, removing a significant portion of the oxygen and water present in the package, and sealing the package. The resulting package comprises the enzyme sensor in an atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen and water. The package can also include a pressure indicator that indicates when the package has exceeded a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An analyte monitoring system includes a biosensor for detecting an analyte concentration in blood. The monitoring system includes a sensor for sensing whether tool or other piece of equipment is producing electrical noise that may affect operation of the biosensor. If such electrical noise is detected, the system isolates the biosensor during the period of detected operation of the other tool or equipment. In some embodiments, the system measure both signal noise in and temperature of the environment surrounding the biosensor to determine whether another tool or other piece of equipment is currently in operation. The system may also include an auxiliary power source to maintain the biosensor in a biased state during the period when the biosensor is placed in isolation.

Abstract: An analyte monitoring system includes a biosensor for detecting an analyte concentration in blood. The monitoring system includes first and second power sources, each selectively couplable to the biosensor for providing power to the biosensors. A sensor may be associated with the first power source and senses the output thereof. A selector is coupled to both the first and second power sources and the biosensor, such that it may selectively couple an output or outputs of either the first or second power sources to the biosensor. In operation, the first power source is coupled to the biosensor to thereby bias the sensor. If the sensor indicates that the first power source is not providing power to the biosensor, the selector decouples the first power source from the biosensor and couples the second power source to the biosensor to thereby maintain the biosensor in a biased state.

Abstract: A medical sensing system including an access tube with a fluid infusate lumen and a sensing probe that can be passed through a second lumen in the access tube and extended into the vasculature for sensing a blood parameter. The sensing probe has a sensor on a distal end thereof and a shape that permits it to extend from the access tube such that the sensor is displaced laterally from the access tube, and out of the infusate flow. If the sensing probe passes through the lumen opening at the distal tip of the catheter, the distal end of the probe bends or otherwise deflects laterally so that the sensor is displaced laterally from the infusate flow path. Alternatively, the probe may exit a side port of the access tube upstream of an infusate side port. The deflectable probe is particularly useful for sensing glucose in blood through any number of conventional, off-the-shelf catheters.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a temperature-related error in an electrochemical sensor without using separate sources of temperature measurement by measuring sensor current, temporarily lowering sensor voltage to a first level below a reaction-sustaining threshold, measuring a first offset current, adjusting sensor voltage to a second level below the threshold, measuring a second offset current, calculating a difference between the offset currents, deriving a temperature compensation value from the difference based on empirical data, and adding the value to the measured sensor current. A computer system may execute the method as an algorithm stored in memory, provide automatic control of the sensor, and provide continuous display of corrected output values.

Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A system for measuring total hemoglobin of whole blood may include at least one light source, a catheter, optical fibers, at least one photodetector, data processing circuitry, and/or a display unit.

Abstract: Oxygenation of a subject's blood is determined by sensing an absorption spectrum of light directed either invasively or non-invasively into the blood, and then calculating an oxygenation value by evaluating a cost function of the remitted spectrum relative to at least two pre-determined reference absorption spectra representing different, known levels of blood oxygenation. The source of light preferably uses stable, long-life, white LEDs, in which case white-balancing of the remitted spectrum can be accomplished by pre-determining and storing the spectrum of the LEDs, one time for all, and then adjusting the remitted spectrum accordingly to compensate for deviations of the LED spectrum from the constant ideal.

Abstract: Oxygenation of a subject's blood is determined by sensing an absorption spectrum of light directed either invasively or non-invasively into the blood, and then calculating an oxygenation value by evaluating a cost function of the remitted spectrum relative to at least two pre-determined reference absorption spectra representing different, known levels of blood oxygenation. The source of light preferably uses stable, long-life, white LEDs, in which case white-balancing of the remitted spectrum can be accomplished by predetermining and storing the spectrum of the LEDs, one time for all, and then adjusting the remitted spectrum accordingly to compensate for deviations of the LED spectrum from the constant ideal.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A system for measuring total hemoglobin of whole blood may include at least one light source, a catheter, optical fibers, at least one photodetector, data processing circuitry, and/or a display unit.

Abstract: A multiple lumen access device for use in providing a single entry port into the human body for selectively introducing medical implements therethrough and for providing simultaneous auxiliary access into the body. The multiple lumen access device includes a multi-lumen sheath which may have an outer tube and structure defining a device lumen located therein. The inner structure may be an inner wall or inner tube. The outer tube and inner structure are located so as to define at least one auxiliary lumen. Some embodiments include flexible inner walls which can be flexed between relaxed and expanded/contracted positions wherein the relative cross-sectional areas of the device lumen and auxiliary lumens are varied. The access device further includes a valve which provides sealing of the device lumen. The valve may be provided in a lumen junction housing or separate from the housing either permanently or removably connected with the device lumen.