1. A method for determining the presence, concentration, or amount of analytes of interest in a sample comprising the steps of:
a. collecting a biological fluid;
b. separating a liquid sample from said biological fluid;
c. aliquoting said sample;
d. derivatizing analytes of interest within said sample;
e. transferring said sample to a preparation vessel;
f. purifying said sample; and
g. analyzing analytes of interest of said sample.
2. The method of claim 1 in which said a biological fluid is whole blood.
3. The method of claim 1 in which said liquid sample is separated and aliquoted by use of a PSD.
4. The method of claim 3 in which one or more of the blood holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD is pre-loaded with one or more of a derivatizing agent and one or more internal standards.
5. The method of claim 4 in which one or more of blood holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD is pre-loaded with a derivatizing agent.
6. The method of claim 5 in which one or more of said one or more of derivatizing agents and said one or more internal standards are isotopically tagged.
7. The method of claim 1 in which said derivatizing agent comprises one or more of: 4-(1-methyl-4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and 4-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and their isomers, isotopes, and analogs.
8. The method of claim 1 in which said liquid sample is purified by one or more of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, solvent extraction, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, and dilution.
9. The method of claim 1 in which said liquid sample is analyzed by mass spectrometry.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step, prior to analysis, of treating said sample with an internal standard.
11. The method of claim 10 in which said internal standard comprises one or more of an isotopically labeled analyte of interest or an isotopically labeled derivatizing agent.
12. The method of claim 11 in which said liquid sample is separated and aliquoted by use of a PSD, and said internal standard is loaded in one or more of the sample holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD prior to introduction of said sample.
13. A method for determining the presence, concentration, or amount of secosteroids of interest in a blood sample comprising the steps of:
a. collecting whole blood;
b. separating a plasma sample from said whole blood sample;
c. aliquoting said plasma sample;
d. derivatizing secosteroids within said plasma sample using a derivatizing agent;
e. transferring said sample to a preparation vessel;
f. purifying said sample; and
g. analyzing desired components of said sample.
14. The method of claim 13 in which said plasma sample is separated and aliquoted by use of a PSD.
15. The method of claim 14 in which one or more of the blood holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD is pre-loaded with one or more of a derivatizing agent or one or more internal standards
16. The method of claim 15 in which one or more of said one or more of derivatizing agents and said and one more internal standards are isotopically tagged.
17. The method of claim 13 in which said derivatizing agent comprises one or more of: 4-(1-methyl-4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and 4-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and their isomers, isotopes, and analogs.
18. The method of claim 13 in which said sample is purified by one or more of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, solvent extraction, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, and dilution.
19. The method of claim 13 in which said sample is analyzed by mass spectrometry.
20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step, prior to analysis, of treating said sample with an internal standard.
21. The method of claim 20 in which said internal standard comprises one or more of an isotopically labeled analyte of interest or an isotopically labeled derivatizing agent.
22. The method of claim 21 in which said sample is separated and aliquoted by use of a PSD, and said internal standard is loaded in one or more of the sample holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD prior to introduction of said sample.
23. The method of claim 20 in which:
(a) multiple plasma samples are separately treated with multiple internal standards, wherein each of said internal standards is analytically distinct from each other of said internal standards; and
(b) after each said sample is treated with one of said internal standards, said samples are analyzed as a batch.
24. The method of claim 23 in which each of said samples is separated and aliquoted by use of a separate PSD, and each PSD is loaded with an analytically distinct internal standard in one or more of the sample holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD prior to introduction of said sample.
25. A method for determining the presence, concentration, or amount of Vitamin D in a blood sample comprising the steps of:
a. collecting whole blood;
b. separating a plasma sample from said whole blood sample;
c. aliquoting said plasma sample;
d. derivatizing Vitamin D within said plasma sample using a derivatizing agent;
e. transferring said sample to a preparation vessel;
f. purifying said sample; and
g. analyzing desired components of said sample.
26. The method of claim 25 in which said plasma sample is separated from said whole blood sample and aliquoted by use of a PSD.
27. The method of claim 26 in which one or more of the blood holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD is pre-loaded with one or more of a derivatizing agent or one or more internal standards.
28. The method of claim 27 in which one or more of said one or more of derivatizing agents and said one or more internal standards are isotopically tagged.
29. The method of claim 25 in which said derivatizing agent comprises one or more of: 4-(1-methyl-4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and 4-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and their isomers, isotopes, and analogs.
30. The method of claim 25 in which said sample is purified by one or more of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, solvent extraction, filtration, precipitation, centrifugation, and dilution.
31. The method of claim 25 in which said sample is analyzed by mass spectrometry.
32. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step, prior to analysis, of treating said sample with an internal standard.
33. The method of claim 32 in which said internal standard comprises one or more of an isotopically labeled analyte of interest or an isotopically labeled derivatizing agent.
34. The method of claim 33 in which said sample is separated and aliquoted by use of a PSD, and said internal standard is loaded in one or more of the sample holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD prior to introduction of said sample.
35. The method of claim 32 in which:
(a) multiple plasma samples are separately treated with multiple internal standards, wherein each of said internal standards is analytically distinct from each other of said internal standards; and
(b) after each said sample is treated with one of said internal standards, said samples are analyzed as a batch.
36. The method of claim 35 in which each of said samples is separated and aliquoted by use of a separate PSD, and each PSD is loaded with an analytically distinct internal standard in one or more of the sample holding member, semi-permeable member, or collection reservoir of said PSD prior to introduction of said sample.
37. A method for determining the presence, concentration, or amount of analytes of interest in a plasma sample comprising the steps of:
a. Collecting, separating, and aliquoting a plasma sample by use of a PSD, wherein said collection reservoir of said PSD comprises an absorptive material element and said aliquoted plasma sample becomes substantially absorbed by said absorptive material element;
b. Preparing said plasma sample for analysis;
c. Purifying said plasma sample; and
d. Analyzing said plasma sample.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the preparation step further comprises the substeps of:
a. exposing said absorptive material element to the atmosphere;
b. placing said absorptive material element in a preparation vessel;
c. adding an extraction agent to said preparation vessel; and
d. adding a derivatizing agent to said preparation vessel.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein said purification step comprises one or more of liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, ion mobility separation, electrospray ionization (ESI), matrix assisted laser desortion ionization (MALDI), direct electrospray ionization (DESI), and solvent extraction.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein said analysis steps comprises performance of mass spectrometry.
41. The method of claim 38 in which said derivatizing agent comprises one or more of: 4-(1-methyl-4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and 4-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and their isomers, isotopes, and analogs.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein said derivatizing agent and extraction agent are added together in a single step;
43. The method of claim 38, wherein said derivatizing agent reacts with a functional group on the analyte of interest;
44. The method of claim 38, wherein an internal standard is added to said absorptive material element one or more of before the introduction of said sample or after the introduction of said sample.
45. The method of claim 38, wherein an isotopically-labeled internal standard is added to said whole blood sample before said sample is introduced to said PSD.
46. A method for determining the presence, concentration, or amount of Vitamin D and its analogs in a plasma sample comprising the steps of:
a. Collecting, separating, and aliquoting a plasma sample by use of a PSD, wherein said collection reservoir of said PSD comprises an absorptive material element and said aliquoted plasma sample becomes substantially absorbed by said absorptive material element;
b. Preparing said plasma sample for analysis;
c. Purifying said plasma sample; and
d. Analyzing said plasma sample.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the preparation step further comprises the substeps of:
a. exposing said absorptive material element to the atmosphere;
b. placing said absorptive material element in a preparation vessel;
c. adding an extraction agent to said preparation vessel; and
d. adding a derivatizing agent to said preparation vessel.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein said purification step comprises one or more of liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, ion mobility separation, electrospray ionization (ESI), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), direct electrospray ionization (DESI), and solvent extraction.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein said analysis steps comprises performance of mass spectrometry.
50. The method of claim 47 in which said derivatizing agent comprises one or more of: 4-(1-methyl-4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and 4-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione, and their isomers, isotopes, and analogs.
51. The method of claim 47, wherein an isotopically labeled internal standard is added to said sample.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person comprising the steps of: storing user messages containing personal, travel, and outdoor recreation activity information on a database system; and transmitting the user messages to predetermined message destinations upon the failure of the user to check in at a predetermined time the user registered with the system.
2) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
3) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
4) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of user entry of message locations that are predetermined by the user and where said message locations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA).
5) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of user entry of message locations that are predetermined by the user and where said message locations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA); and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
6) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of user entry of message locations that are predetermined by the user and where said message locations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA); and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
7) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time
8) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the user fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
9) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the user fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
10) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity.
11) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
12) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
13) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans.
14) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
15) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans; and wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
16) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
user entry of message destinations that are predetermined by the user and where said message destinations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA);
receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the user fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time;
confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity;
electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans; and
electronically sending the message that the user has returned to the message destinations registered by the user when the user returns from their travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity and checks in with the service before the predetermined time.
17) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
user entry of message destinations that are predetermined by the user and where said message destinations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA);
receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the user fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time;
confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity;
electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans; and
electronically sending the message that the user has returned to the message destinations registered by the user when the user returns from their travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity and checks in with the service before the predetermined time;
wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a web server on the World Wide Web (WWW).
18) A method for automatically transmitting information on a lost person recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
user entry of message destinations that are predetermined by the user and where said message destinations consist of electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, and personal data assistant addresses (PDA);
receiving and storing to the database a specified message composed by the user to be sent to the message destinations the user registered with the system in the event the user fails to check in with the system by a predetermined time;
confirming the user’s data via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s personal electronic mail, alphanumeric pager or personal data assistant address after their entry of specific travel or outdoor recreation activity;
electronically sending notice to the message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel or outdoor recreation plans; and
electronically sending the message that the user has returned to the message destinations registered by the user when the user returns from their travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity and checks in with the service before the predetermined time;
wherein said method receives, stores, and electronically transmits said information from a server on a local area network (LAN).
19) A method of emergency notification comprising the steps of;
maintaining a database on the Internet or Intranet that is capable of storing personal information, travel plans, outdoor recreation activity, and other activity plans;
receiving and storing to the database personally identifiable information from users to include their height, weight, hair color, eye color, and clothing description;
receiving and storing to the database a username and individual password with the system;
receiving and storing to the database user travel, outdoor recreation activity, and other activity plans to include the date the user is scheduled to leave and the date and time they are scheduled to return home from the travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity;
receiving and storing to the database email addresses, alphanumeric pager email addresses, and other message destinations registered by the user for emergency messages to be sent to in the event the user does notfails to check in with system by the scheduled time of return;
receiving and storing to the database an emergency message composed by the user to be sent to the registered message destinations they registered with the system in the event they fail to check in with the system by their scheduled return time;
confirming the user’s data before acceptance via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s email address or other message destination after their completion of the specific travel, outdoor recreation activity, or other activity data entry;
electronically sending notice to the email, alphanumeric pager email addresses, or other message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity plans;
electronically sending the message that the user has returned to the email addresses, alphanumeric pager email addresses or other message destinations they registered with the system when the user returns from their travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity and checks in with the service beforeby the scheduled return home time;
electronically sending the emergency message the user composed to the email addresses andor alphanumeric pager email addresses they registered with the system when the user does not check in with the service beforeby the scheduled return home time.
20) A method of emergency notification consisting the steps of;
maintaining a database on the Internet or Intranet that is capable of storing personal information, travel plans, outdoor recreation activity, and other activity plans;
receiving and storing to the database personally identifiable information from users to include their height, weight, hair color, eye color, and clothing description;
receiving and storing to the database a username and individual password with the system;
receiving and storing to the database user travel, outdoor recreation activity, and other activity plans to include the date the user is scheduled to leave and the date and time they are scheduled to return home from the travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity;
receiving and storing to the database email addresses, alphanumeric pager email addresses, and other message destinations registered by the user for emergency messages to be sent to in the event the user does notfails to check in with system by the scheduled time of return;
receiving and storing to the database an emergency message composed by the user to be sent to the registered message destinations they registered with the system in the event they fail to check in with the system by their scheduled return time;
confirming the user’s data before acceptance via a confirmation message which is sent to the user’s email address or other message destination after their completion of the specific travel, outdoor recreation activity, or other activity data entry;
electronically sending notice to the email, alphanumeric pager email addresses, or other message destinations registered by the user, notifying the message recipients of the user’s travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity plans;
electronically sending the message that the user has returned to the email addresses, alphanumeric pager email addresses or other message destinations they registered with the system when the user returns from their travel, outdoor recreation activity or other activity and checks in with the service beforeby the scheduled return home time;
electronically sending the emergency message the user composed to the email addresses andor alphanumeric pager email addresses they registered with the system when the user does not check in with the service beforeby the scheduled return home time.