Abstract: A circuit board and component fabrication apparatus comprises a print head configured to deposit one or more materials on a substrate so as to print electronic circuit boards and/or components.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a sequencing library includes fragmenting FFPE-extracted DNA into fragments about 800 bp in length on average; ligating adaptors to the fragments to form adaptor-ligated fragments; size-selecting the adaptor-ligated fragments to provide a mixture enriched for selected adaptor-ligated fragments with a size of about 600 to about 900 bp; and amplifying the selected adaptor-ligated fragments to obtain amplicons.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for analyzing sequence data to identify putative structural variants (SVs), filter out germline SVs and artifacts from sample handling and sequencing to leave only somatic SVs. Recognizing that those somatic SVs, especially where sequenced from a tumor or other sample of diseased tissue, may be indicative of the presence of disease, methods may include designing primers to selectively amplify those somatic SVs for monitoring disease progression or recurrence in patient samples including blood. In various embodiments, the original sequence data may be obtained from FFPE-extracted or fresh frozen-extracted DNA and somatic SVs may be identified without the benefit of a matched normal sequence. In some embodiments, machine learning analysis may be used in the identification of SVs, the filtering of artifacts and germline SVs, and/or primer and probe design for disease monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting variant nucleic acid sequences, which are often found in low-abundance, including structural sequence variants and mutations using dPCR and patterns in one or more two-color plots, comprising a multi-vector representation, indicative of a particular variant sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting low-abundance nucleic acids, including structural sequence variants and mutations. The invention provides for pre-amplification of the structural variants or mutants, which may be present in low concentration in the sample, prior to their detection using another method such as conventional PCR or digital PCR. Advantageously, the pre-amplification step, followed by PCR, results in reduction of false-negative results from the sample detection. As a result, the methods of the current invention enhance the sensitivity for sample detection, especially in detecting the presence of low-abundance targets in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting low-abundance nucleic acids, including structural sequence variants and mutations. The invention provides for pre-amplification of the structural variants or mutants, which may be present in low concentration in the sample, prior to their detection using another method such as conventional PCR or digital PCR. Advantageously, the pre-amplification step, followed by PCR, results in reduction of false-negative results from the sample detection. As a result, the methods of the current invention enhance the sensitivity for sample detection, especially in detecting the presence of low-abundance targets in the biological sample.

Abstract: This description relates to a tamp for an explosive. The tamp is formed from heat-shrink material having its ends heat-shrunk closed holding a tamp substance therein. A length of heat-shrink material is provided. A first end of the heat-shrink material is heated-shrunk closed to create a bag shape. A tamp substance is inserted into the bag via a second end of the heat-shrink material. The second end of the heat-shrink material is heat-shrunk closed to create a tamp. The tamp is placed adjacent to an explosive. This description also relates to a sleeve for an explosive. The sleeve is formed from heat-shrink material. An explosive is placed in the sleeve. One or both ends of the sleeve may be heat-shrunk closed.

Abstract: Pressure conditioning systems for supplying insufflation gas to an open-ended body conduit such as a rectal cavity during a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) procedure can reduce billowing of walls of the body conduit. A pressure conditioning system can include a pressure storage component, an accumulator, and a flow restrictor. The pressure storage component can include a variable volume reservoir that is biased to a relatively low volume state. The flow restrictor can include insufflation tubing with a restrictor plate having a relatively low diameter orifice. The pressure storage component, accumulator, and flow restrictor can be fluidly connected in various orders in series or as side branches from a gas flow conduit. Despite a pulsed or otherwise discontinuous insufflation gas flow and leakage and absorption from the body conduit, the pressure conditioning system can maintain a constant pressure within the body conduit.

Abstract: A deployable, linear explosive structure includes a split tube, an explosive coupled to the split tube, and a fragmentable or non-fragmentable projectile disposed with respect to the explosive. The split tube can be rolled into a non-deployed state in which the split tube has a flat, rolled profile. The split tube also can be deployed from the non-deployed state to a deployed state in which the split tube is extended along its length and has a curved cross-section along its length. The split tube provides support of the explosive structure in the deployed state. The split tube also provides smaller storage and transportation volume for the explosive structure when rolled in the non-deployed state.

Abstract: Pressure conditioning systems for supplying insufflation gas to an open-ended body conduit such as a rectal cavity during a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) procedure can reduce billowing of walls of the body conduit. A pressure conditioning system can include a pressure storage component, an accumulator, and a flow restrictor. The pressure storage component can include a variable volume reservoir that is biased to a relatively low volume state. The flow restrictor can include insufflation tubing with a restrictor plate having a relatively low diameter orifice. The pressure storage component, accumulator, and flow restrictor can be fluidly connected in various orders in series or as side branches from a gas flow conduit. Despite a pulsed or otherwise discontinuous insufflation gas flow and leakage and absorption from the body conduit, the pressure conditioning system can maintain a constant pressure within the body conduit.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flexible battery comprises forming a first substrate on a first release liner, forming at least one current collector layer on each of the first and second substrate, forming an anode side of the battery by forming an anode on the current collector of the first substrate, forming a cathode side of the battery by forming a cathode on the current collector of the second substrate, depositing electrolyte on one or both of the anode and cathode, adhering and sealing the anode side and cathode side together such that the anode and cathode face one another with the electrolyte In between, and removing the flexible battery from the release liners. The battery may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. The method may be implemented using a roll-to-roll process.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a roll of a tape that can be extended from a rolled state to an extended state. The tape includes a rigid material that supports the tape and a pliable material disposed at least partially on one side of the tape. A compression roller is disposed on a side of the tape and is biased toward the tape. A drive roller is disposed on the other side of the tape. The drive roller comprises an uneven surface that mechanically engages the pliable material of the tape, without protruding through the tape, as a result of the bias of the compression roller forcing the tape toward the drive roller. A motor turns the drive roller to extend the tape from the roll as the protrusions of the uneven surface of the drive roller mechanically engage the pliable material of the tape as the drive roller turns.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers (percussion caps). An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and the detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive wave into the adapter, which channels the wave into the shock tube and ignites the shock tube. The explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach structures or other applications.

Abstract: A method of connecting a plurality of electronic components to a flexible circuit board comprises: providing a carrier substrate carrying the electronic components, each of the electronic components having at least one electrical contact coated with electrically conductive adhesive; and applying the carrier substrate to the flexible circuit board such that the electronic components are adhered to the flexible circuit board in electrical contact therewith via the conductive adhesive. The electronic components may comprise LEDs and there may be provided one or more optical layers over the flexible circuit board.

Abstract: Tiled display device (19) comprising an array of display units (18) which are mechanically and electrically coupled to each other by removable data and power connectors (50). The application also discloses a self-powered or partially self-powered display device (1) comprising a display layer (2) and a photovoltaic layer (3) behind the display layer. The display device may also include a light collecting lens system (7) for distributing light to the photovoltaic layer.

Abstract: Electrolytic Etching/Deposition System. A system for continuous circuit fabrication comprising means for storing and dispensing the substrate, means for laminating the substrate, means for printing the substrate, means for optical inspection of the substrate, means for photolithography of the substrate, means for drying the substrate, means for developing the substrate, means for washing the substrate and means for electroplating the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly sensitive and specific methods for detection of nucleic acids, which for example are useful for detection of rare mutations, or for detection of low-abundance variants in nucleic acids sequences. The methods involve an asymmetric incremental polymerase reaction (AIPR) followed by an exponential polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: A rechargeable power device comprises one or more supercapacitors, at least one rechargeable battery and control electronics arranged to couple the supercapacitor(s) to the at least one rechargeable battery. The rechargeable power device may be operable to rapidly recharge and provide power to electronic equipment, whilst being flexible in structure. The rechargeable power device may be integrated into a user device and/or garment.