Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a system and method that includes a microfluidic device that can be used in either an extracorporeal or implantable configuration. The device supports efficient and safe removal of carbon dioxide from the blood of patients suffering from respiratory disease or injury. The microfluidic device can be a multilayer device that includes gas channels and fluid channels. Distensible membranes within the device can affect a cross-sectional area of the blood channels.

Abstract: A cover for an automated robot includes elastic sheets that are adhered to each other in a geometry. The geometry is configured to allow the elastic sheets to expand and contract while the automated robot moves within its range of motion. The elastic sheets are attached to the automated robot by elasticity of the elastic sheets. A first group of the elastic sheets forms an elastic collar configured to grip the automated robot at a distal end and a proximal end of the cover in a non-breakable manner such that during operation of the robot, the elastic sheets hold their elasticity and integrity without breaking.

Abstract: The present solution provides trans-round window membrane (RWM) drug delivery. As an overview, the system can include a micropump that is connected to a flexible cannula. The cannula can include a stiffened and sharpened tip to facilitate insertion through the RWM. The cannula can be inserted through the RWM to improve the distribution of the delivered drug throughout the inner ear. The present solution can function as a small implantable or wearable device that can be used for both chronic and acute trans-RWM drug delivery. With this configuration, the micropump can constantly or intermittently deliver, over a period of days to months, small volumes of drugs from an internal reservoir.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for handling an order includes determining a plurality of ingredients based on an order, received from a user over a network, for a location having a plurality of robots. The method further includes planning at least one trajectory for at least one robot based on the plurality of ingredients and utensils available at the location, and proximity of each ingredient and utensil to the at least one robot. Each trajectory can be configured to move one of the plurality of ingredients into a container associated with the order. In an embodiment, the method includes executing the at least one trajectory by the at least one robot to fulfill the order. In an embodiment, the method includes moving the container to a pickup area.

Abstract: Local terrain feature location data is obtained from a local sensor device at a user location without a prior-known global position. The local terrain feature location data characterizes relative distances and directions to a plurality of local terrain features nearest to the user location. Global terrain feature location data stored in at least one hardware memory device is accessed. The global terrain feature location data characterizes relative distances and directions between a plurality of distinctive terrain features located in a defined terrain region in terms of absolute global location coordinates. The local terrain feature location data is compared to the global terrain feature location data to develop multiple pattern matching hypotheses, wherein each pattern matching hypothesis characterizes a likelihood of a subset of the local terrain features matching a subset the global terrain features. Global location coordinates for the user location is then determined from the pattern matching hypotheses.

Abstract: A compressive/transform imager comprising a lens array positioned above input ports for collecting light into the input ports, waveguides routing the light from the input port to waveguide mixing regions (e.g. multi-mode interference couplers), and detectors for receiving outputs of the waveguide mixing regions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, for metadata processing, a current instruction with associated metadata tags. The metadata processing is performed in a metadata processing domain isolated from a code execution domain including the current instruction. Each respective associated metadata tag represents a respective policy of the composite policy. For each respective metadata tag, the method includes determining, in the metadata processing domain and in accordance with the metadata tag and the current instruction, whether a rule exists for the current instruction in a rules cache. The rules cache may include rules on metadata used by the metadata processing to define allowed instructions. The determination of whether a rule exists results in a respective output, which may include generating a new rule and inserting the new rule in the rules cache. Control Status Registers, and associated tags, may be used to accomplish the metadata processing.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a hardware circuit for encrypting and/or decrypting data transmitted between a processor and a memory. The circuit is situated between the processor and memory. The circuit includes a first interface communicatively coupled to the processor via a set of buses. The circuit also includes a second interface communicatively coupled to the memory. The circuit further includes hardware logic capable of executing an encryption operation on data transmitted between the processor and memory, without adding latency to data transmission speed between the processor and the memory. The hardware logic is configured to encrypt data received at the first interface from the processor, and transmit the encrypted data to the memory via the second interface. The hardware logic is also configured to decrypt data received at the second interface from the memory, and transmit the decrypted data to the processor via the first interface.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method and system use various sensors to determine a shape of a collection of materials (e.g., foodstuffs). A controller can determine a trajectory which achieves the desired end-state, possibly chosen from a set of feasible, collision-free trajectories to execute, and a robot executes that trajectory. The robot, executing that trajectory, scoops, grabs, or otherwise acquires the desired amount of material from the collection of materials at a desired location. The robot then deposits the collected material in the desired receptacle at a specific location and orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting assays on tissue fragment samples including providing a suspension maintaining pump, and a plurality of fluid reservoirs, wherein the fluid reservoirs are configured to hold a volume of fluid. The fluid reservoirs are fluidically coupled to a microfluidic assay chip, wherein the microfluidic assay chip includes a plurality of parallel assay channels, a first inlet port for introduction of a tissue fragment sample into the microfluidic assay ship, and a second inlet port coupled to the fluid reservoir. Each channel of the microfluidic assay chip also includes a retention barrier configured to trap the tissue fragment sample such that the fluid perfuses through the tissue sample, as well as an outlet port fluidically coupled to a waste receptacle.

Abstract: A microfluidic system can include a substrate comprising an elastic material and defining a microfluidic channel. The substrate can have a first set of dimensions defining a thickness of a wall of the microfluidic channel and a second set of dimensions defining a width of the microfluidic channel. A transducer can be mechanically coupled with the substrate. The transducer can be operated at a predetermined frequency different from a primary thickness resonant frequency of the transducer. A thickness and a width of the transducer can be selected based on the first set of dimensions defining the thickness of the wall of the microfluidic channel and the second set of dimensions defining the width of the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleansing blood are disclosed herein. The methods include acoustically separating undesirable particles bound to capture particles from formed elements of whole blood. After introducing the capture particles to whole blood containing undesirable particles, the whole blood and capture particles are flowed through a microfluidic separation channel. At least one bulk acoustic transducer is attached to the microfluidic separation channel. A standing acoustic wave, imparted on the channel and its contents by the bulk acoustic transducer, drives the formed elements and undesirable particles bound to capture particles to specific aggregation axes. After aggregating the particles, the formed elements exit the separation channel through a first outlet and are returned to the patient. The undesirable particles, bound to the capture particles, exit through a second outlet and can be discarded to saved for later study.

Abstract: A method of acoustophoresis using selection particles that alter acoustic response is provided. The method can include selecting a set of selection particles based on surface markers of a plurality of target particles to be separated using acoustophoresis. The method can include incubating the set of selection particles with the plurality of target particles in a solution such that the set of selection particles bind with the surface markers on the plurality of target particles to create a plurality of bound particles. The method can include providing the plurality of bound particles to an acoustophoresis device tuned to separate the particles based on a net acoustic contrast between each of the plurality of bound particles. The method can include receiving a plurality of output streams from the acoustophoresis device that each include a respective bound particle of the plurality of bound particles.

Abstract: Robots, including robot arms, can interface with other modules to affect the world surrounding the robot. However, designing modules from scratch when human analogues exist is not efficient. In an embodiment, a mechanical tool, converted from human use, to be used by robots includes a monolithic adaptor having two interface components. The two interface components include a first interface component cabal be of mating with an actuated mechanism on the robot side, the second interface capable of clamping to an existing utensil. In such a way, utensils that are intended for humans can be adapted for robots and robotic arms.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for the delivery of therapeutic substances to the cavities of a patient. The system can include a wearable micropump that is fluidically coupled with a handpiece. The handpiece can be inserted, for example, into the middle ear via a surgical tympanotomy approach. The system can enable a controlled injection of a therapeutic substance directly into the patient's cavity.

Abstract: Current technologies allow a robot to acquire a tool only if the tool is in a set known location, such as in a rack. In an embodiment, a method and corresponding system, can determine the previously unknown pose of a tool freely placed in an environment. The method can then calculate a trajectory that allows for a robot to move from its current position to the tool and attach with the tool. In such a way, tools can be located and used by a robot when placed at any location in an environment.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes identifying a force and torque for a robot to accomplish a task and identifying context of a portion of a movement plan indicating motion of the robot to perform the task. Based on the identified force, torque, and context, a context specific torque is determined for at least one aspect of the robot while the robot executes the portion of the movement plan. In turn, a control signal is generated for the at least one aspect of the robot to operate in accordance with the determined context specific torque.

Abstract: A problem with current food service robots is making the robots safe to work around food. A solution provided by the present disclosure is a food-safe tool switcher and corresponding tool. The tool switcher can mate with a variety of tools, which can be molded or 3D printed out of food-safe materials into a single-part, instead of constructed modularly. This provides for easier cleaning.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method during execution of a motion plan by a robotic arm includes determining a voice command from speech of a user said during the execution of the motion plan, determining a modification of the motion plan based on the voice command from the speech of the user, and executing the modification of the motion plan by the robotic arm.

Abstract: A device for treatment of cells with particles is disclosed. The device includes a semi-permeable membrane positioned between two plates, the first plate defining a first flow chamber and comprising a port, a flow channel, a transverse port, and a transverse flow channel, the first flow chamber constructed and arranged to deliver fluid in a transverse direction along the first side of the semi-permeable membrane, the second plate defining a second flow chamber and comprising a port. A method for transducing cells is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fluid with cells and viral particles into a flow chamber adjacent a semi-permeable membrane such that the cells and the viral particles are substantially evenly distributed on the semi-permeable membrane. The method also includes introducing a recovery fluid to suspend the cells and the viral particles, and separating the cells from the viral particles. A method of activating cells is disclosed.