Abstract: A method for making a microstructure includes: providing a film (100) on a release liner (110); feeding the film through a cutting plotter (10); cutting the film with a knife blade (34) of the cutting plotter to form a microstructure pattern; peeling the microstructure pattern from the release liner; and transferring the microstructure pattern to a substrate (170). The cutting plotter for making microstructures includes a knife head with a knife blade disposed adjacent a feed mechanism (20), a motor (42) and control system coupled to the knife head for selectively moving the knife head in relation to the film, and the control system and the knife head having an addressable positioning resolution less than approximately 10 ?m.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell having a body with a fluid transport channel disposed therein, the fluid transport channel having a proximal end and a distal end defining a fluid flow path, a fluid inlet port disposed at the proximal end of the fluid transport channel at a central portion of the body and an outlet port disposed at the distal end of the fluid transport channel at an outer portion of the body, and a plurality sample wells disposed in the fluid transport channel substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow path in the fluid transport channel. The microfluidic flow cell may have hundreds or thousands of individual, sub-microliter sample wells. The microfluidic flow cell can be filled by applying a flowable liquid to the inlet port and spinning the flow cell to cause fluid to flow into fluid transport channel. The microfluidic flow cells described herein can be used in a variety of applications where small sample size and/or a large number of replicates are desirable.

Abstract: An NMR probe which includes a probe matrix (24) having a void sample (28) volume therein. A conductive coil (16, 26) can be at least partially embedded in the probe matrix (24). By embedding the conductive coil (16, 26) in the probe matrix (24), the fill-factor can be significantly increased. NMR probes can be formed by a method which includes wrapping a conductive wire (16) around a coil form (18) to produce a coil precursor assembly. The probe matrix (24) can be formed around the conductive wire and coil form with a matrix material using any suitable technique such as soft lithography and/or molding. The coil form can be removed from the probe matrix leaving a void sample volume (28) in the probe matrix. Advantageously, the NMR probes of the present invention allow for fill-factors approaching and achieving 100%.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject can include an ocular active agent delivery device (40) having an active agent reservoir (44) disposed in an annular body (42), the annular body (42) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, an ocular active agent delivery device (10) can include an active agent reservoir (14) disposed in an annular housing (12), the annular housing (12) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule. The device (10) can further include a semipermeable membrane (16) operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the semipermeable membrane (16) is configured to allow diffusion of an active agent from the active agent reservoir (14). Additionally, a valve (18) can be operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the valve (18) is configured to allow filling of the active agent reservoir (14) with an active agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods involving a spotter apparatus for depositing a substance from a carrier fluid onto a deposition surface in an ordered array, the spotter apparatus comprising a loading surface including a first well and a second well; and a different outlet surface, including a first opening and a second opening, where a first microconduit fluidly couples the first well with the first opening and a second microconduit fluidly couples the second well with the second opening. An overlay is sealed to the outlet surface and penetrated by a deposition channel that is situated to communicate carrier fluid among the first opening, the second opening, and the deposition surface when the overlay is pressed against the deposition surface.

Abstract: An NMR probe which includes a probe matrix (24) having a void sample (28) volume therein. A conductive coil (16, 26) can be at least partially embedded in the probe matrix (24). By embedding the conductive coil (16, 26) in the probe matrix (24), the fill-factor can be significantly increased. NMR probes can be formed by a method which includes wrapping a conductive wire (16) around a coil form (18) to produce a coil precursor assembly. The probe matrix (24) can be formed around the conductive wire and coil form with a matrix material using any suitable technique such as soft lithography and/or molding. The coil form can be removed from the probe matrix leaving a void sample volume (28) in the probe matrix. Advantageously, the NMR probes of the present invention allow for fill-factors approaching and achieving 100%.

Abstract: A magnetic field generation system can comprise first (28a) and second (28b) magnetic flux concentrators each spaced apart to form a sample volume (30). The first (28a) and second (28b) magnetic flux concentrators can be formed of a material having a magnetic field saturation. A first set of auxiliary permanent magnets (10a, 10b) can be symmetrically oriented about a portion of the first magnetic flux concentrator (28a) and can be in substantial contact with the first magnetic flux concentrator. Similarly, a second set of auxiliary permanent magnets (1 Oc, 1 Od) can be symmetrically oriented about a portion of the second magnetic flux concentrator (28b) and can be in substantial contact with the second magnetic flux concentrator. Generally, the first set (10a, 10b) and second set (10c, 10d) of auxiliary permanent magnets can be remote from the sample volume (30).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pumps, device, and methods for handling liquids on a microscale. Specifically, a microfluidic pump is described in which liquid in a fluid microchannel may be moved in either direction due to the diffusion of a gas through a diffusion membrane in response to a pressure differential applied through a control microchannel. This pump can provide non-contact, and optionally, bi-directional movement of liquid in microfluidics platforms, as well as bubble-free filling of dead-end microchannels and reservoirs.

Abstract: A micromachined system for electrical field-flow fractionation of small test fluid samples is provided. The system includes a microchannel device comprising a first substrate having a planar inner surface with an electrode formed thereon. A second substrate having a planar inner surface with an electrode formed thereon is positioned over the first substrate so that the respective electrodes face each other. An insulating intermediate layer is interposed between the first and second substrates. The intermediate layer is patterned to form opposing sidewalls of at least one microchannel, with the electrodes on the substrates defining opposing continuous boundaries along the length of the microchannel. Inlet and outlet ports are formed in one or both substrates for allowing fluid flow into and out of the microchannel. The microchannel device can be fabricated with single or multiple microchannels therein for processing single or multiple test fluids.