Abstract: A system which includes a first sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity is configured to monitor pulsations of the artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity artery. A second sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity configured to monitor pulsations of the artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity. A third sensor configured to monitor pulsations of a distal artery. A processing system responsive to signals from the first, second, and third sensors is configured to determine intracranial pressure.

Abstract: A system which includes a first sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity is configured to monitor pulsations of the artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity artery. A second sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity and approximately the same distance from the heart as the first sensor configured to monitor pulsations of the artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity. A third sensor placed distally from a heart is configured to monitor pulsations of a distal artery. A processing system responsive to signals from the first, second, and third sensors is configured to determine intracranial pressure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to isolated nucleic acid ligands that are neutral under physiological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and techniques for stimulating a user. For example, materials and methods for manipulating nystagmus and the related vestibular system with coupling of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and visual cueing are provided herein. Use of GVS within the present invention may be applied to simulation, alleviating motion sickness, and directional cueing of a user to a precise target location.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to aptamers that bind CD271. In certain aspects, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid ligand that binds to CD271, in which the nucleic acid ligand includes the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: An active prosthetic socket including a prosthetic socket shaped to fit a residual limb. An active adjustment system is integrated with the prosthetic socket and is configured to dynamically adjust the fit of the active prosthetic socket to the residual limb of a user during ambulation or motion.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to aptamers that bind CD271. In certain aspects, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid ligand that binds to CD271, in which the nucleic acid ligand includes the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Morpholino ligands that have high specificity for targets, such as proteins, and that bind their targets through non Watson-Crick base pairing, are described. The use of such morpholino ligands for targeted delivery of loads, such as drugs or labels, are disclosed.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor system for non-invasively measuring the flow rate of a bodily fluid. The system includes an encapsulated implant having a flow tube having an inlet and an outlet configured to receive a flow of a bodily fluid. A heating element externally coupled to the flow tube is configured to dissipate heat at a predetermined rate over a predetermined amount of time. A temperature sensor externally coupled to the heating element is configured to measure a temperature rise of the heating element over the predetermined amount of time. An implant microcontroller coupled to the temperature sensor is configured to determine the flow rate of the bodily fluid in the flow tube from the measured temperature rise and a curve fit to a stored set of previously obtained calibration measurements. An implant power and communication subsystem is coupled to the implant microcontroller configured to wirelessly receive power and wirelessly transmit and receive data.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for identifying nucleic acid ligands of a target molecule. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for identifying a nucleic acid ligand of a target molecule from a candidate mixture of nucleic acids, including contacting at least one target molecule with a candidate mixture of nucleic acids, in which the nucleic acids have different affinities for the target molecule, and separating in a single step nucleic acids that bind the target molecule with greatest affinity from nucleic acids that bind the target molecule with a lesser affinity and nucleic acids that do not bind the target molecule, thereby identifying the nucleic acid ligand of the target molecule.

Abstract: A hearing protection system including a detection subsystem configured to determine bone conducted sound vibrations and one or more actuators placed proximate a predetermined location on the skull of a user configured to generate cancellation vibrations out of phase with the bone conducted sound vibrations to mitigate the effect of bone conducted sound vibrations on the middle and/or inner ear of a user.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to nucleic acid ligands that specifically bind to infectious prions, and methods of diagnosing a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease in a subject. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid ligand that binds to an infectious prion. In other embodiments, the invention provides a method for diagnosing a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease in a subject including obtaining a tissue or body fluid sample from a subject, contacting the tissue or body fluid with a nucleic acid ligand that binds to an infectious prion, thereby detecting the infectious prion in the sample, and diagnosing the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease based on results of the contacting step.

Abstract: An array of hollow fibers including a plurality of hollow fibers of a predetermined diameter configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and transfer the oxygen to a fluid and/or transfer carbon dioxide in the fluid to a gas. The array is configured in a predetermined pattern having a predetermined packing density that is a fraction of a total cross-sectional area of the array occupied by the hollow fibers.

Abstract: An orientation tracking system including a first tracking system subject to drift. A second tracking system is configured to provide an output for calibrating the first tracking system to reduce the drift of the first tracking system. The second tracking system includes at least one inclinometer, each inclinometer including a light source adjacent one side of the inclinometer, a light sensor adjacent an opposing side of the inclinometer, and a light obscuring material within the inclinometer for obscuring the light between the light source and light sensor to indicate an orientation of the inclinometer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to isolated nucleic acid ligands that are neutral under physiological conditions.

Abstract: A conformable material for an orthotic device including a plurality of fibers each including a plurality of filaments encapsulated by a first thermoplastic material. A second thermoplastic material is configured to bind the plurality of fibers and form the conformable material.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to nucleic acid ligands that specifically bind to infectious prions, and methods of diagnosing a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease in a subject. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid ligand that binds to an infectious prion. In other embodiments, the invention provides a method for diagnosing a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease in a subject including obtaining a tissue or body fluid sample from a subject, contacting the tissue or body fluid with a nucleic acid ligand that binds to an infectious prion, thereby detecting the infectious prion in the sample, and diagnosing the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease based on results of the contacting step.

Abstract: An intervertebral support insertion tool includes a tube having a distal open end for insertion in a patient proximate vertebra and a proximal open end. A shaft is received in the tube proximal open end and has a distal intervertebral support interface for engaging an intervertebral support loaded into the tube. A housing supports the tube and shaft with a first drive mechanism such a linear actuator advances the shaft in the tube. A second drive mechanism such as a rotational drive rotates the shaft. In this way the shaft advances and rotates the intervertebral support to position and deploy it between adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and techniques for stimulating a user. For example, materials and methods for manipulating nystagmus and the related vestibular system with coupling of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and visual cueing are provided herein. Use of GVS within the present invention may be applied to simulation, alleviating motion sickness, and directional cueing of a user to a precise target location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and techniques for stimulating a user. For example, materials and methods for manipulating nystagmus and the related vestibular system with coupling of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and visual cueing are provided herein. Use of GVS within the present invention may be applied to simulation, alleviating motion sickness, and directional cueing of a user to a precise target location.