416 results about "Diagnostic test" patented technology

Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of:

• • (a) placing a blood collection device over a region on the surface of the skin from which said sample is to be obtained,
  • (b) forming a seal between said blood collection device and said surface of the skin,
  • (c) creating a vacuum sufficient to result in said surface of the skin becoming stretched and engorged with blood,
  • (d) triggering a lancing assembly and causing a lancet to penetrate said skin,
  • (e) retracting said lancet,
  • (f) withdrawing blood toward and onto a fluid collector, and
  • (g) releasing the vacuum.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises:

• • (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with said sealable chamber,
  • (b) a power source,
  • (c) a vacuum pump operably connected to said power source, said vacuum pump in communication with said sealable chamber,
  • (d) a lancing assembly positioned within said housing, said lancing assembly capable of moving a lancet towards said sealable opening, and
  • (e) a fluid collector positioned in said sealable chamber, said fluid collector in fluid communication with said sealable opening.

Active diagnosis of current operating and potential fault conditions in the operation of the vehicle is implemented using a diagnostic controller interoperating with an on-board vehicle control system as installed within a vehicle. The diagnostic controller supports autonomous execution of diagnostic tests initiated dependent on the operational state of the vehicle. The control system includes a diagnostics control manager that autonomously selects test routines for execution at defined operational states, including in-service operational states, a monitor, responsive to sensor data retrieved in real-time from the on-board vehicle control system, operative to detect a current instance of the in-service operational state of the vehicle, and a diagnostic test scheduler operative to initiate execution of the diagnostic test routine upon detection of the current instance of the in-service operational state of the vehicle.

A system and method for providing user-initiated vehicle diagnostic testing and reporting in a telematics-enabled vehicle. In the method, a request for a vehicle diagnostic test is received from the driver through a user interface of a telematics unit on the vehicle. A simplified initial diagnostic check is made and a first voice message is played for the driver that provides information concerning any detected vehicle problem. The method then undergoes a more complete diagnostic check and the resulting diagnostic information is used to select and play a second voice message that provides instructions for taking corrective action to fix the detected problem. Communication with a live advisor is also provided by way of a cellular or other wireless carrier system.

Methods, devices and a system for disease management are provided that employ diagnostic testing devices (e.g., blood glucose meters) and medication delivery devices (e.g., insulin delivery devices) for providing data to a repository in real-time and automatically. Repository data can be analyzed to determine such information as actual test strip use, patient health parameters to outside prescribed ranges, testing and medication delivery compliance, patient profiles or stakeholders to receive promotional items or incentives, and so on. Connected meters and medication delivery devices and repository data analysis are also employed to associate a diagnostic test to a mealtime based on timing of a therapeutic intervention performed by an individual.

A health monitoring system, and methods of use and manufacture thereof are disclosed. The health monitoring system may include a computing system and a diagnostic test coupled to a diaper. The diagnostic test may include one or more sensors configured to produce a visual indication of one or more analytes contained in a sample produced by a subject. The diagnostic test may include a machine-readable code. The computing system may be configured to read the machine-readable code to allow an application running on the computing system to automatically perform at least one task related to a production of a data point based on the visual indication. The health monitoring system may aid in identifying a potential abnormal health condition of the subject by providing automatic longitudinal analysis of analytes contained in samples produced by the subject over a period of time.

A substantially moisture-proof, airtight dispenser for both storing and dispensing several flattened articles such as diagnostic test strips. The inventive dispenser includes a novel pivotable housing that a user need merely grab and squeeze to eject a test strip. Independent movement of the user's fingers to push a button or turn a knob is unnecessary to dispense a strip, which makes the present invention well suited for diabetics suffering from nerve damage in their extremities and other complications resulting from the disease. The invention includes a novel flexible arm member and pusher head that engage and push an article from the dispenser as the two parts of the housing are pivoted together. The articles are dispensed through an exit that is configured with a novel flexible seal that maintains the dispenser substantially airtight. Several inventive seal embodiments and methods of making the same are disclosed.

A system and method for verification monitoring of a critical test result management (CTRM) system is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving test result metadata pertaining to test result messages provided to a CTRM system by a diagnostic test facility, verifying compliance of the diagnostic test facility with prescribed usage of the CTRM system using the test result metadata, and sending a message to an interested party regarding whether or not compliance of the diagnostic test facility has been verified.

A self contained diagnostic test device is provided for use in the collection and detection of a biological specimen or the like. The device comprises a tubular swab and reagent dispensing cap component for receiving specimens. The reagent dispensing cap component includes barrel, reagent chamber, and results window subcomponents, and delivers one or more selected reagents to a specimen testing chamber for contacting the collected specimen, upon the rotation of the reagent chamber component.

A rapid screening, threshold, and diagnostic tests for evaluation of hearing includes techniques that are particularly suited for rapid objective hearing screening and evaluation of newborns or other patients who are unable or unwilling to provide reliable subjective responses. The hearing tests may be frequency specific or may evaluate overall hearing ability without special focus on frequency-specific loss. The tests involve the use of novel stimuli, signal processing, signal analysis, and statistical techniques, including the use of ramped stimuli and evaluating the changes that these stimuli evoke in the individual's brain activity at different moments in time.

A database driven system for preparing for a standardized test. The database includes an analysis of previous tests, a Question Pool, and study resources. Based on the analysis of previous tests, the system pulls questions from the Question Pool to create diagnostic tests. The diagnostic tests are administered to the user. Based on the results of the diagnostic tests and the student's goals, the system develops an individualized Study Plan for the student. The Study Plan can be based on an analysis of previous tests, the student's performance on the diagnostic test, the student's goals, or any combination thereof. The Study Plan identifies the areas that are of most importance for the student to learn. The student may they use the study resources based on the results of the Study Plan. The system uses a variety of tools to make the study process more efficient and motivate the student.

The present invention includes methods and devices that detect target molecules in a biological sample. The sample analysis device of the present invention includes nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles are directly immobilized on the surface of the sample analysis device. In another embodiment, the nanoparticles are indirectly immobilized on the surface of the sample analysis device by incorporating them in appropriate media and immobilizing the nanoparticles within a matrix.

A diagnostic test unit is provided. The test unit comprises a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem defining at least one flow channel extending between the first end and the second end. A swab is disposed at the first end of the stem, the swab being configured to collect a test sample derived from a biological source that is suspected of containing an analyte. The test unit also comprises a fluid chamber configured to contain a fluid, wherein the fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the swab via the flow channel. The test unit also comprises a rupturable seal that inhibits leakage of the fluid from the fluid chamber prior to use, and an assay for detecting the presence or absence of the analyte. The assay is in fluid communication with the swab, the flow channel, and the fluid chamber.

Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body. Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a steerable introducer that defines an interior lumen sized and configured to shield a percutaneous electrode from contact with tissue during advancement to a desired position within tissue.

Cable diagnostic test methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed that utilize “standing wave” principles to facilitate identification and location of insulation defect(s) along a power cable. The methods/systems measure dissipation factors and dielectric constants associated with the power cable insulation and the impedance of the power cable conductor at any number of points or sections along the axial length of the cable. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed method involves (i) connecting an alternating voltage source to a cable at a “sending end” thereof; (ii) applying a voltage to the cable at a first frequency to set up a traveling wave along the cable that is reflected at the “receiving end” thereof; (iii) permitting a standing wave pattern to be established along the cable by the traveling wave and the reflection thereof; (iv) measuring the total complex power loss (S_in) at the sending end of the cable; (v) calculating the standing wave voltage at any point/section of the cable based on the load impedance (Z_L) connected at the receiving end of the cable, and the characteristic impedance (Z_O) of the cable, or the measured/calculated cable parameters for the first frequency of the voltage source, (vi) repeating the foregoing steps while one of: (1) varying at least one of: the load impedance (Z_L) connected at the receiving end of the cable, the first frequency of the voltage source; the output impedance of the voltage source, a combination of the load impedance (Z_L), the output impedance of the voltage source and the first frequency of the voltage source, and combinations thereof; (2) interchanging sending and receiving cable ends; and (3) a combination thereof, and (vii) determining a dissipation factor (tan δ) and a dielectric constant (∈′), for the insulation, and an impedance, for the conductor at predetermined points/sections along the axis of the cable.

A disposable, single use test cell is provided for receiving fluid to be diagnostically tested by an instrument. The test cell includes a housing sized and shaped for engagement by the instrument when a diagnostic test is to be performed, the housing including at least one chamber, at least one pair of electrodes within the chamber and in electrical contact with circuitry within the instrument when the housing is engaged by the instrument and a specimen capsule containing the fluid to be tested.

A computer-implemented method of tracking patient data in a clinical trial is provided. The clinical trial has one or more investigative sites which perform patient screening and enrollment for the clinical trial, one or more diagnostic sites which perform analysis on one or more patient diagnostic tests ordered by an investigative site and generate analysis results, and a centralized data center in electronic communication with the one or more investigative sites and the one or more diagnostic sites. Each investigative site is provided with a user interface display screen for allowing a user at the investigative site to enter data regarding patients who have been screened for the clinical trial and patients who have been enrolled in the clinical trial. The data from each of the investigative sites is electronically communicated to the centralized data center. Also, the analysis results from each of the diagnostic sites are electronically communicated to the centralized data center. The centralized data center consolidates the data and analysis results from each of the sites and provides one or more status reports regarding the patients for whom data and analysis results were received from the one or more investigative sites and the one or more diagnostic sites.

Diagnostic methods and systems for electronic devices are disclosed. Separate dedicated diagnostic software code and operating code are respectively executed in a diagnostic mode and an operating mode of an electronic device. A determination may be made as to whether the electronic device is to be operated in the diagnostic mode or the operating mode when the electronic device is started, for example. A transition to the diagnostic mode from the operating mode may also be made in response to errors detected by online diagnostic tests performed in the operating mode. Results of diagnostic tests are preferably stored in a non-volatile memory for subsequent access, independent of the operating software code.

The principles of the present invention extend to accessing results of network diagnostic functions in a distributed system. A chassis allocates resources for performing a network diagnostic function directly to requesting computer system. The requesting computer system communicates directly with the allocated resources to initiate the network diagnostic function. The network diagnostic test continues to execute even if the requesting computer system subsequently malfunctions. Collected test results are stored at the chassis such that any network connectable computer system can access the collected test results. A monitoring computer system (which may or may not be the requesting computer system) requests collected test results corresponding to the network diagnostic function. The chassis identifies appropriate test results and returns the results to the monitoring computer system.

The present invention describes a method utilizing a set of genes or gene products whose altered expression in cancer tissue, particularly head and neck cancer and other carcinomas, or its adjacent normal tissues predicts (a) probability of recurrence in time after treatment (b) sensitivity or resistance to therapies or (c) probability of metastasis at the time of initial discovery of the tumor. Furthermore, the invention describes methods of determining the molecular signature in tumor tissues, tissues adjacent to the tumor, or in saliva by using DNA microarray techniques, quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry or other methods that are used for determining gene or gene product expression levels.

The invention relates to dynamic expert systems to provide a patient with at least one recommendation on performing an aesthetic improvement procedure. The system includes a database with actual case studies and aesthetic improvement procedures. The system also includes software adapted to allow a user to query the database based on a patient's desired aesthetic improvement and the results of at least one diagnostic test performed on the patient. The aesthetic improvement procedure is performed and the results of at least one diagnostic test performed after the procedure are analyzed and added to the database of case studies substantially immediately after analysis. The system may also include software adapted to allow a user to query the database based on a patient's desired aesthetic improvement. The system may also include software adapted to query the database to find the results of at least one diagnostic test performed on a patient, to allow the addition of new case studies to the database, to allow the addition of new diagnostic tests, and to allow the addition of new aesthetic improvement procedures.