Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method samples a body fluid of a patient. The method includes providing a fluid handling system having one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes infusing an infusion fluid by way of a fluid handling system into a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes obtaining a sample of body fluid by way of a fluid handling system from a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The obtained sample is no more than 5 milliliters in volume. The method further includes analyzing at least an analyzed portion of the obtained sample by way of an analyte detection system operatively associated with the fluid handling system to determine a concentration of at least one analyte.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of maintaining health of a patient uses an analyte detection system. The analyte detection system is coupled to the patient such that a bodily fluid of the patient is accessible to the analyte detection system. The method includes automatically initiating and conducting a measurement of an analyte in the bodily fluid using the analyte detection system. The method further includes determining a treatment dose for the patient based on the measurement using the analyte detection system.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid includes a first fluid passageway having a patient end which is configured to provide fluid communication with a bodily fluid within a patient. The apparatus further includes at least one pump coupled to the first fluid passageway. The at least one pump has an infusion mode in which the pump is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode in which the pump is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus further includes an analyte detection system accessible via the first fluid passageway such that the analyte detection system can receive at least one component of the drawn sample of bodily fluid and determine a concentration of at least one analyte. The analyte detection system is spaced from the patient end of the first fluid passageway.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a body fluid analyzing system includes a body fluid analyzer configured to be in fluid communication with a body fluid within a patient. The body fluid analyzing system further includes a communication interface configured to provide communication between the body fluid analyzer and a data system which includes at least one data file. The body fluid analyzer is configured to access the at least one data file via the communication interface.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring a predetermined parameter of a patient's body fluid while infusing an infusion fluid into the patient. The apparatus comprises an infusion line and a catheter configured for insertion into a blood vessel of the patient, and a reversible infusion pump connected between a source of an infusion fluid and the infusion line and catheter. The apparatus further comprises a body fluid sensor assembly mounted in fluid communication with the infusion line and which includes a first sensor and a sample cell. The first sensor provides a signal indicative of a predetermined parameter of any fluid present in the infusion line. The sample cell is substantially transmissive to light comprising a wavelength ?. The apparatus further comprises a controller that is configured to operate the infusion pump in a forward direction so as to pump the infusion fluid through the infusion line and catheter for infusion into the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating a diabetic condition of a patient comprises providing a glucose detection system which is portable and usable by the patient, and which is configured to measure glucose levels with a standard error of less than about 30 mg/dL. The method further comprises making a plurality of measurements of the patient's glucose level with the portable, patient-usable glucose detection system. The method further comprises administering a diabetes treatment to the patient based on one or more of the measurements of the patient's glucose level.

Abstract: A method of extracting and analyzing bodily fluids from a patient at the point of care for the patient is provided. The method comprises establishing fluid communication between an analyte detection system and a bodily fluid in the patient. A portion of the bodily fluid is drawn from the patient. The drawn portion is separated into a first component of the bodily fluid, while the analyte detection system remains in fluid communication with the patient. The analyte detection system analyzes the first component to measure a concentration of an analyte.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a sampling assembly is for use with a main analyzer. The main analyzer is configured to sense an analyte in a body fluid obtained from a patient through a first fluid passageway extending from the main analyzer. The sampling assembly includes an instrument portion separate from the main analyzer and including at least one sensor. The instrument portion is removably engaged with the first fluid passageway. The at least one sensor is in sensing engagement with the first fluid passageway such that the at least one sensor can sense a property of a fluid within the first fluid passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus comprises a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient and at least one pump intermittently operable to draw a sample of bodily fluid from the patient. The apparatus further comprises a fluid analyzer positioned to analyze at least a portion of the sample and measure the presence of two or more analytes. Also disclosed is a method for analyzing the composition of a bodily fluid in a patient. The method comprises drawing a sample of the bodily fluid of the patient through a fluid handling network configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient. The method further comprises analyzing the at least a portion of the sample in a fluid analyzer to estimate the concentration of two or more analytes in the sample.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method samples a body fluid of a patient. The method includes providing a fluid handling system having one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes infusing an infusion fluid by way of a fluid handling system into a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes obtaining a sample of body fluid by way of a fluid handling system from a patient through one or more fluid passageways. The obtained sample is no more than 400 microliters in volume. The method further includes analyzing at least an analyzed portion of the obtained sample by way of an analyte detection system operatively associated with the fluid handling system to determine a concentration of at least one analyte.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring a predetermined parameter of a patient's body fluid while infusing an infusion fluid into the patient. The apparatus comprises an infusion line and a catheter configured for insertion into a blood vessel of the patient, and a reversible infusion pump connected between a source of an infusion fluid and the infusion line and catheter. The apparatus further comprises a body fluid sensor assembly mounted in fluid communication with the infusion line and which includes a first sensor and a sample cell. The first sensor provides a signal indicative of a predetermined parameter of any fluid present in the infusion line. The sample cell is substantially transmissive to light comprising a wavelength B. The apparatus further comprises a controller that is configured to operate the infusion pump in a forward direction so as to pump the infusion fluid through the infusion line and catheter for infusion into the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus comprises a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient; and a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit has an infusion mode in which the pump unit is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode in which the pump unit is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus further comprises a spectroscopic analyzer positioned to analyze at least a portion of the sample; a processor in communication with or incorporated into the spectroscopic analyzer; and stored program instructions executable by the processor to obtain measurements of two or more properties of the sample.

Abstract: A coupling pad can be used with a transducer element. Ultrasound produced by the transducer element can be propagated through the coupling pad to a patient. In one arrangement, the pad is a pouch containing a pliant substance. In other arrangements, the pad is a somewhat solid member formed of a material that transmits ultrasound waves efficiently. The pad may be configured to fit between a patient's skin and a transducer element so that output from the transducer element passes through the pad to a treatment site of the patient.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: A central venous catheter comprises an ultrasound assembly. In one arrangement, the radiating member is used to remove a blockage from the central venous catheter. In another arrangement, inserting an ultrasound assembly into a central venous catheter. The ultrasound assembly comprises an ultrasound radiating member mounted on an elongate support structure. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasound assembly within the central venous catheter such that the ultrasound radiating member is adjacent to a deposited material formed on a portion of the central venous catheter. The method further comprises supplying an electrical current to the ultrasound radiating member to expose the deposited material to ultrasonic energy. The method further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the central venous catheter to expose the deposited material to the therapeutic compound simultaneously with ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sample element for holding a volume of bodily fluid drawn from the skin of a patient at a withdrawal site. The sample element comprises a housing defining a sample chamber therein, and a barrier. The sample element also comprises a vacuum source. The barrier has a first side configured to contact the skin of the patient at the withdrawal site, and a second side in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The barrier is configured to be pierced by a lance to permit the bodily fluid to pass from the first side to the second side. Additionally, the vacuum source can be actuated to draw the bodily fluid through the barrier and into the sample chamber. Also disclosed is a method of drawing a bodily fluid form the skin of a patient at a withdrawal site. The method comprises placing a first side of a barrier against the skin of the patient at the withdrawal site.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sample holder comprises a microporous sheet. The microporous sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and at least one side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The side surface forms an exposed transit opening configured to contact a material sample and distribute the contacted material sample into the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a first planar support member positioned on, and substantially parallel to, the top surface of the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a second planar support member positioned on the bottom surface of the microporous sheet, and oriented substantially parallel to the first planar support member.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sample holder comprises a microporous sheet. The microporous sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and at least one side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The side surface forms an exposed transit opening configured to contact a material sample and distribute the contacted material sample into the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a first planar support member positioned on, and substantially parallel to, the top surface of the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a second planar support member positioned on the bottom surface of the microporous sheet, and oriented substantially parallel to the first planar support member.