Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optical sensors for measuring clinically relevant analytes, their methods of manufacture, and their various uses. In an effort to develop a dry calibration method for the optical sensors of the invention it is discovered that water content inside or in the immediate vicinity of a such a sensor can have a major impact on fluorescence intensity (i.e., a sensor's response in the dry state). Thus, one of the objectives of the invention is the elimination of the bias of sensor responses measured at different humidity environments.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optical sensors for measuring clinically relevant analytes, their methods of manufacture, and their various uses. In an effort to develop a dry calibration method for the optical sensors of the invention it is discovered that water content inside or in the immediate vicinity of a such a sensor can have a major impact on fluorescence intensity (i.e., a sensor's response in the dry state). Thus, one of the objectives of the invention is the elimination of the bias of sensor responses measured at different humidity environments.

Abstract: A method and kit for testing a multi-channel blood-testing cartridge. In particular, blood-testing cartridges are tested with plasma samples with clotting times measured to indicate whether a batch of cartridges is suitable for testing the blood of a patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: An improved ion-sensing electrode for detecting ions or polyions is provided having an electrically conducting member sheathed or coated with a layer of insulation except at an exposed, uninsulated area, where the insulation free surface of the electrically conducting member is texturized, and a polymeric membrane coated on the insulation-free surface of the electrically conducting member, where the ion selective membrane includes an ionophore. The texturized surface improves the starting EMF stability and reproducibility of the ion-sensing electrodes, and further improves membrane adherence to the electrically conducting member.

Abstract: A method and kit for testing a multi-channel blood-testing cartridge. In particular, blood-testing cartridges are tested with plasma samples with clotting times measured to indicate whether a batch of cartridges is suitable for testing the blood of a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of certain succinimide compounds in the treatment of mycobacterial diseases.