Abstract: Durable, anti-fouling, crosslinked zwitterionic coatings that are grafted to the surface of a substrate through covalent bonding are disclosed. When exposed to a light source, zwitterionic monomers react with a crosslinker and with activated radicals at the surface of the substrate, simultaneously forming the crosslinked zwitterionic coating and anchoring it to the surface of the substrate. Photomasking techniques can be used to micropattern the zwitterionic coatings. The zwitterionic coatings can be applied to a variety of substrates, including medical devices and systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in targeting a payload to, or editing a target nucleic acid, where a governing gRNA molecule is used to target, optionally inactivate, a Cas9 molecule or a Cas9 molecule/gRNA complex.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an automated medical procedure is provided. The method may include positioning an effector unit over a patient, acquiring medical imagery of the patient, analyzing the medical imagery using at least one processor to determine a location, and positioning a subunit of the effector unit to perform the automated medical procedure at the location. The automated medical procedure may be performed using at least one of a plurality of subunits of the effector unit. The automated medical procedure may be a body fluid aspiration procedure and one of the plurality of subunits of the effector unit may include a fluid aspirating cannula. Multiple subunits may be sequentially used to perform the procedure.

Abstract: This invention provides an device for electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The device has an electrode assembly with a sufficiently thin profile to be implanted between the pial surface of the spinal cord and the dura mater, and secured to the dura. Electrodes on the electrode assembly are directed towards the surface of the spinal cord, and connected through the dura to a signal generator located outside the dura. Following implantation, the subject is treated by transmitting electrical signals from the signal generator through the leads to the electrodes, stimulating the subject's spinal cord.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide fissure detection in CT images, with improved performance, accuracy, and specificity. For example, in an embodiment, a method may comprise imaging, using a computed tomography system, at least one lung, to generate, at a computer system comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and computer program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, at least one computed tomography image of the at least one lung, determining, at the computer system, at least one approximate fissure region of interest in the at least one lung image, determining, at the computer system, a more precise fissure location within the at least one region of interest, and generating an image of the lung including indication of the determined fissure location.

Abstract: A system for simulating surgery includes an electromagnetic tracking system comprising an emitter and a plurality of electromagnetic sensors and a plurality of model bone fragments, each of the model bone fragments operatively connected to one of the plurality of electromagnetic sensors. A method for simulating surgery includes electromagnetically tracking position of a plurality of model bone fragments and a model bone shaft using an electromagnetic tracking system and displaying virtual fluoroscopic images based on sensed position of the model bone fragments and the model bone shaft.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object of interest can comprise obtaining first samples of an intensity distribution of one or more object of interest, obtaining second samples of an intensity distribution of confounder objects, transforming the first and second samples into an appropriate first space, performing dimension reduction on the transformed first and second samples, whereby the dimension reduction of the transformed first and second samples generates an object detector, transforming one or more of the digital images into the first space, performing dimension reduction on the transformed digital images, whereby the dimension reduction of the transformed digital images generates one or more reduced images, classifying one or more pixels of the one or more reduced images based on a comparison with the object detector, and identifying one or more objects of interest from the classified pixels.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for (a) increasing skeletal muscle mass; (b) reducing skeletal muscle atrophy; (c) increasing muscular strength; (d) promoting muscle growth; (e) decreasing muscle wasting; or (f) increasing strength per unit of muscle mass in an animal identified or having been identified to be in need of one or more of (a)-(f), the method comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a compound of formula: or a stereoisomer, solvate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby accomplishing one or more of (a)-(f).

Abstract: A percutaneous catheter system for use within the human body and an ablation catheter for ablating a selected tissue region within the body of a subject. The percutaneous catheter system can include two catheters that are operatively coupled to one another by magnetic coupling through a tissue structure. The ablation catheter can include electrodes positioned within a central portion. The ablation catheter is positioned such that the central portion of a flexible shaft at least partially surrounds the selected tissue region. Each electrode of the ablation catheter can be activated independently to apply ablative energy to the selected tissue region. The ablation catheter can employ high impedance structures to change the current density at specific points. Methods of puncturing through a tissue structure using the percutaneous catheter system are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for ablating a selected tissue region using the ablation catheter.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method to identify driver mutations in a tumor and its cancer cell subpopulations. The method of the present invention is used to design treatment strategies for cancer patients.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional printing of target material can include filling a receptacle with a matrix suspension comprising a powder matrix suspended in a first liquid. A second suspension can be extruded into the matrix suspension, where the second suspension can include a target powder suspended in a second liquid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting a predisposition for cardiovascular disease in an individual.

Abstract: This invention provides an device for electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The device has an electrode assembly with a sufficiently thin profile to be implanted between the pial surface of the spinal cord and the dura mater, and secured to the dura. Electrodes on the electrode assembly are directed towards the surface of the spinal cord, and connected through the dura to a signal generator located outside the dura. Following implantation, the subject is treated by transmitting electrical signals from the signal generator through the leads to the electrodes, stimulating the subject's spinal cord.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of SWELL1-LRRC8 modulators and/or binding molecules for therapeutic use, e.g., to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), immune deficiency, and/or male infertility and to regulate vascular tone, systemic arterial and/or pulmonary arterial blood pressure and/or blood flow.

Abstract: A method for imaging a lung of a patient is provided. The method includes acquiring a full inspiration computed tomography (CT) scan of the lung to provide a total lung capacity (TLC) image and acquiring a functional residual capacity contrast enhanced multi-energy CT scan of the lung. The method further includes processing the functional residual capacity contrast enhanced multi-energy CT scan of the lung to generate a perfused blood volume (PBV) image and a virtual non-contrast (VNC) image. The method further includes registering the TLC image to at least one of the PBV and VNC images so as to provide a map of regional ventilation and to co-register local ventilation with blood perfusion, generating a lung performance metric using the co-registered images, and outputting the lung performance metric at a user interface of a computing device.

Abstract: A system for simulating surgery includes an electromagnetic tracking system comprising an emitter and a plurality of electromagnetic sensors and a plurality of model bone fragments, each of the model bone fragments operatively connected to one of the plurality of electromagnetic sensors. A method for simulating surgery includes electromagnetically tracking position of a plurality of model bone fragments and a model bone shaft using an electromagnetic tracking system and displaying virtual fluoroscopic images based on sensed position of the model bone fragments and the model bone shaft.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for preventing or treating post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administrating a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes or mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal microRNA to the subject. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for preventing progressive fibrocartilage degeneration in a subject in need thereof, comprising administrating a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes or mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal microRNA to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in targeting a payload to, or editing a target nucleic acid, where a governing gRNA molecule is used to target, optionally inactivate, a Cas9 molecule or a Cas9 molecule/gRNA complex.

Abstract: A method for visualization of dynamic objects using a generative manifold includes steps of: acquiring a set of measurements associated with the dynamic objects using sensors; estimating parameters of a generator using the set of measurements and estimating latent variables using the set of measurements; modeling using a computing device the dynamic objects as a smooth non-linear function of the latent variables using the generator such that points in a latent subspace are mapped to a manifold in a generative manifold model; and generating a visualization of the dynamic objects using the generative manifold model. The set of measurements may include multi-slice data. The generative manifold model may provide for modeling deformations.

Abstract: A composition comprising a crosslinked polymer network and one or more oligomers that are substituted with one or more polar groups. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of furniture, flooring, optical fibers, information storage media, dental devices and implants, printing inks, 3D printing, adhesives, biomaterials, and optical lenses (e.g. contact lenses).