Abstract: An electrical connector can receive a substrate having conductive tracks. The connector includes a housing with a port and at least one alignment feature that together define a direction of insertion. At least three function pins mounted to the housing each include contacts that electrically connect to one of the conductive tracks of a substrate inserted in the connector. A sense pin mounted to the housing has a contact that electrically connects to at least one of the conductive tracks of an inserted substrate. The sense pin can include a plurality of electrically-connected segments, each segment extending substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the substrate. Systems and methods for detecting an analyte in a bodily-fluid sample are also described.

Abstract: An electrical connector can receive a substrate having conductive tracks. The connector includes a housing with a port and at least one alignment feature that together define a direction of insertion. At least three function pins mounted to the housing each include contacts that electrically connect to one of the conductive tracks of a substrate inserted in the connector. A sense pin mounted to the housing has a contact that electrically connects to at least one of the conductive tracks of an inserted substrate. The sense pin can include a plurality of electrically-connected segments, each segment extending substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the substrate. Systems and methods for detecting an analyte in a bodily-fluid sample are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also includes a transfer device having a cannula with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are adapted to puncture the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also includes a transfer device having a cannula with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are adapted to puncture the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers.

Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample (e.g., a whole blood sample) includes a housing, with an outer surface, and an analytical test strip ejection mechanism (“ATSEM”). The ATSEM has an actuation button disposed in the outer surface of the housing, a motion amplification and rotation assembly (“MA&RA”) operatively connected to the actuation button and a test strip slider (“TSS”) operatively connected to the MA&RA. The actuation button is configured for movement by a user's digit in a first direction and the MA&RA and TSS are configured to convert the movement in the first direction into amplified movement of the TSS in a second direction with the second direction being rotated with respect to the first direction. Moving the TSS in the second direction from the engaged state to an ejected state ejects the strip.

Abstract: A method of regenerating tissue in a living organism. The method includes the act of contacting an affected area of the living organism with a solid-fibrin web, the solid-fibrin web comprising platelets that release growth factors about one minute after contact to regenerate the tissue in the living organism.

Abstract: A method of regenerating tissue in a living organism. The method includes the act of contacting an affected area of the living organism with a solid-fibrin web, the solid-fibrin web comprising platelets that release growth factors about one minute after contact to regenerate the tissue in the living organism.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also includes a transfer device having a cannula with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are adapted to puncture the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers.

Abstract: A method of regenerating tissue in a living organism. The method includes the act of contacting an affected area of the living organism with a solid-fibrin web, the solid-fibrin web comprising platelets that release growth factors about one minute after contact to regenerate the tissue in the living organism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a solid-fibrin web. The apparatus includes a centrifuge (600) having a housing (604), and actuator (648), a wheel (660), and a flange (664). The housing includes a recessed area (616) and a base (608) supportable on a surface. The wheel is coupled to the actuator and extends into the recessed area and is adapted to contact a first end of a container (620). The flange extends into the recessed area opposite the wheel and defines an adjustable distance between the wheel and the flange. The flange is adapted to contact a second end of the container and the actuator is operable to rotate the container. The container is oriented substantially parallel with respect to the base.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also comprises a transfer device including a cannula having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are capable of puncturing the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers. The low-density high-viscosity liquid of the primary container is capable of blocking flow through the cannula upon entering therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium separates red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also comprises a transfer device including a cannula having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends puncture the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers. The low-density high-viscosity liquid of the primary container blocks flow through the cannula upon entering therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also comprises a transfer device including a cannula having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are capable of puncturing the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers. The low-density high-viscosity liquid of the primary container is capable of blocking flow through the cannula upon entering therein.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid-fibrin web is disclosed. The method includes drawing blood from a patient, separating plasma from the blood, contacting the plasma with a calcium-coagulation activator and concurrently coagulating and centrifuging the plasma to form the solid-fibrin web. The solid-fibrin web is suitable for regenerating body tissue in a living organism.