Polyurethane material for indicating pH at a locus, preferably as indication of presence of microbes, comprising a polyurethane network having immobilised therein one or more hydrophilic copolymers, the or each said copolymer comprising:

hydrophilic monomer; and
indicating monomer, which provides an indication in response to a change in hydrophilic state of said hydrophilic monomer and/or copolymer;
characterised in that the or each copolymer further comprises one or a plurality of ionisable groups or moieties or polymerisable monomers having one or more characteristic pKa values in the range 5 to 10 and which are responsive to pH at the locus in the range pH 5 to pH 10
and in that hydrophilic state of hydrophilic copolymer is dependent on ionisation of said ionisable groups, moieties or monomers; kit and device comprising the material and process for preparation thereof; and use in detecting or sensing microbes or pH.

A method of using an electrochemical device includes at least first and second electrodes; a chamber for receiving a fluid sample and defining a volume partially bounded by a first portion of the first electrode and a second portion of the second electrode, the first portion having a first characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the first portion, the second portion having a second characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the second portion, the first and second characteristics having a predetermined relationship. The method also includes receiving a fluid sample in the chamber; measuring first and second electrical outputs at least one of the first and second electrodes; and determining whether the first and second electrical outputs are related according to the predetermined relationship.

The present disclosure provides a sensor device of an article of furniture. The sensor device may comprise a flexible sensor. The flexible sensor may comprise a flexible circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) having a piezoelectric material. The sensor device can detect one or more biological signals of a user of the article of furniture comprising the sensor device. The flexible sensor may be sandwiched between two conductive layers. An electrical insulator may be disposed between the flexible sensor and at least one of the two conductive layers.

A working electrode measuring the presence of an analyte is described as one embodiment. The working electrode includes a working conductor with a reactive surface that is operated at a first potential. The working electrode further includes a first transport material with properties that enable analyte flux to the reactive surface. Additionally, the working electrode has a second transport material with properties that enable reactant flux to the reactive surface, wherein the analyte flux and the reactant flux are in dissimilar directions.

A system for physiologic parameter examination includes a housing and a test-strip tray. The housing includes a carrying cavity disposed on a top surface of the housing and including a window. The carrying cavity is configured to receive a portable electronic device having an image-capturing component. The image-capturing component corresponds to the window. The test-strip tray is movably disposed in the housing and located below the carrying cavity. The test-strip tray is configured to carry at least one test strip. The image-capturing component is adapted to capture a test reaction of the test strip through the window. A method for test strip recognition and interpretation applicable to the system is also provided.

Various analyte sensing apparatuses and associated housings are provided. Some apparatuses comprise one or more caps. Some apparatuses comprise a two-part adhesive patch. Some apparatuses comprise one or more sensor bends configured to locate and/or hold a sensor in place during mounting. Some apparatuses utilize one or more dams and/or wells to retain epoxy for securing a sensor. Some apparatuses utilize a pocket and one or more adjacent areas and various transitions for preventing epoxy from wicking to undesired areas of the apparatus. Some apparatuses include heat-sealable thermoplastic elastomers for welding a cap to the apparatus. Related methods of fabricating such apparatuses and/or housings are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to methods, compositions and apparatus for monitoring and improving oral health by utilizing information about nitric oxide levels in an individual's oral cavity. In an embodiment, the disclosure provides methods and apparatus for monitoring nitric oxide metabolites in saliva; this information may be utilized as it relates to improving oral health, i.e. monitoring and improving oral hygiene and increasing the consumption of nitric oxide-potent foods. In an embodiment, methods for improving oral health in a subject comprising, use of an oral cleanser by an individual, wherein the oral cleanser comprises a potassium nitrate source; and use of a saliva test strip for measuring nitrite and nitrogen oxides in the oral cavity of the individual are provided. In an embodiment, a novel nitrate-rich gum composition is provided.

A method of measuring a quantity of a substrate contained in sample liquid is provided. This method can reduce measurement errors caused by a biosensor. The biosensor includes at least a pair of electrodes on an insulating board and is inserted into a measuring device which includes a supporting section for supporting detachably the biosensor, plural connecting terminals to be coupled to the respective electrodes, and a driving power supply which applies a voltages to the respective electrodes via the connecting terminals. One of the electrodes of the biosensor is connected to the first and second connecting terminals of the measuring device only when the biosensor is inserted into the measuring device in a given direction and has a structure such that the electrode becomes conductive between the first and second connecting terminals due to a voltage application by the driving power supply.

Embodiments provide apparatus, systems, and methods for communicating analyte data and/or related information. In a first aspect, the apparatus includes a transmitter/receiver unit which is configurable as either a transmitter or a receiver. The transmitter/receiver unit may be coupled to an on-body sensor and may be configured as a transmitter, or may be coupled to a management unit and may be configured as a receiver as part of a continuous analyte monitoring system. Analyte data communication systems and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids) from a subject, e.g., from or beneath the skin of a subject. In some cases, the blood (or other bodily fluids) may be deposited on a membrane or other substrate. For example, blood may be absorbed in a substrate, and dried in some cases to produce a dried blood spot. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for receiving blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin, using devices including a substance transfer component (which may contain, for example, one or more microneedles), and directing the blood on a substrate, e.g., for absorbing blood. The substrate, in some embodiments, may comprise filter paper or cotton-based paper. After absorption of some blood onto the substrate, the substrate may be removed from the device and shipped or analyzed. In some cases, the device itself may be shipped or analyzed. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of the device may be sealed such that the substrate is contained within an airtight portion of the device, optionally containing desiccant. Other aspects are generally directed at other devices for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.