The present disclosure provides a baffle for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The baffle comprises a flat plate with a region comprising a plurality of annular elements designed for receiving the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, arranged in at least two rows, wherein a row is staggered with respect to an adjacent row, wherein the outer diameter of the annular element is less than 130% of the inner diameter of the annular element, and wherein each annular element is joined with all of its adjacent annular elements by a bridging structure in the plane of the plate, oriented along a line connecting the centers of two adjacent annular elements, thereby defining a plurality of openings in the plate. The present disclosure also provides a shell- and-tube heat exchanger, a method for heating a liquid composition, a method for stripping a liquid composition comprising urea, carbamate, ammonia and water, and a method for producing a solid, particulate, urea-based composition.

The present disclosure provides a baffle for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The baffle comprises a flat plate with a region comprising a plurality of annular elements designed for receiving the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, arranged in at least two rows, wherein a row is staggered with respect to an adjacent row, wherein the outer diameter of the annular element is less than 130% of the inner diameter of the annular element, and wherein each annular element is joined with all of its adjacent annular elements by a bridging structure in the plane of the plate, oriented along a line connecting the centers of two adjacent annular elements, thereby defining a plurality of openings in the plate. The present disclosure also provides a shell- and-tube heat exchanger, a method for heating a liquid composition, a method for stripping a liquid composition comprising urea, carbamate, ammonia and water, and a method for producing a solid, particulate, urea-based composition.

Embodiments relate to an insertion device that includes: a plunger coupled with a lock collar. The insertion device houses contents including: a striker including self-locking striker snap arm(s) where the striker is kept from firing by a striker spring captured between the plunger and the striker when the insertion device is in a cocked position; a sensor assembly; and a needle carrier that holds a piercing member, the needle carrier captured between the striker and a needle carrier spring where a self-releasing snap(s) keeps the needle carrier cocked, where the plunger prevents the self-releasing snap(s) from repositioning and releasing the needle carrier. The striker fires the needle carrier such that the self-locking striker snap arm(s) are positioned to allow the striker to snap down. The needle carrier is then retracted when the user releases the plunger and the piercing member is encapsulated within the insertion device.

Embodiments relate to an insertion device that includes: a plunger coupled with a lock collar. The insertion device houses contents including: a striker including self-locking striker snap arm(s) where the striker is kept from firing by a striker spring captured between the plunger and the striker when the insertion device is in a cocked position; a sensor assembly; and a needle carrier that holds a piercing member, the needle carrier captured between the striker and a needle carrier spring where a self-releasing snap(s) keeps the needle carrier cocked, where the plunger prevents the self-releasing snap(s) from repositioning and releasing the needle carrier. The striker fires the needle carrier such that the self-locking striker snap arm(s) are positioned to allow the striker to snap down. The needle carrier is then retracted when the user releases the plunger and the piercing member is encapsulated within the insertion device.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for processing sensor data, including calculating a rate of change of sensor data and/or determining an acceptability of sensor or reference data.

A method for detecting in-vivo properties of a biosensor. In the inventive method, a sensitivity-to-admittance relation is provided and a raw current in the biosensor is measured. An in-vivo current response is also measured at first and second operating points. A time constant τ is determined by the electrical capacitance C of the working electrode and the electrical resistance R.sub.M of the membrane by τ=R.sub.M.Math.C. The first and second operating points are selected below and above τ, respectively. An analyte value in a sample of a body fluid is determined by using the raw current and compensating sensitivity drift in the biosensor, which in turn is compensated by using the measured value for the raw current and a corrected value for the sensitivity. The failsafe operation of the biosensor is monitored by using the in-vivo current response measured at the first and second operating points.

A system for determining a concentration of hemoglobin A1C includes a first electrochemical test strip, the first electrochemical test strip providing for an HbA1C concentration; and a second electrochemical test strip, the second electrochemical test strip providing for the total amount of hemoglobin.

A system for determining a concentration of hemoglobin A1C includes a first electrochemical test strip, the first electrochemical test strip providing for an HbA1C concentration; and a second electrochemical test strip, the second electrochemical test strip providing for the total amount of hemoglobin.

The present invention relates to a biosensor for determining an analyte comprising a substrate, a working electrode comprising an electrically conductive pad in conductive contact with a mediator layer, and an enzyme layer in diffusion-enabling contact with said mediator layer, wherein said mediator layer is an electrodeposited mediator layer, and wherein said mediator layer comprises, in an embodiment consists of, an electrocatalytic agent. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a biosensor, comprising providing a substrate having at least one conductive pad, electrodepositing a mediator layer onto at least part of said conductive pad, wherein said mediator layer comprises, in an embodiment consists of, an electrocatalytic agent, and depositing an enzyme layer onto at least part of said mediator layer. Moreover, the present invention relates to uses and methods related to the biosensor of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a biosensor for determining an analyte comprising a substrate, a working electrode comprising an electrically conductive pad in conductive contact with a mediator layer, and an enzyme layer in diffusion-enabling contact with said mediator layer, wherein said mediator layer is an electrodeposited mediator layer, and wherein said mediator layer comprises, in an embodiment consists of, an electrocatalytic agent. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a biosensor, comprising providing a substrate having at least one conductive pad, electrodepositing a mediator layer onto at least part of said conductive pad, wherein said mediator layer comprises, in an embodiment consists of, an electrocatalytic agent, and depositing an enzyme layer onto at least part of said mediator layer. Moreover, the present invention relates to uses and methods related to the biosensor of the present invention.