Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for image-management operations that includes generating adaptive image armatures based on an alignment between composition lines of a reference armature and a position of an object in an image. In operation, a reference armature for an image is accessed. The reference armature includes a plurality of composition lines that define a frame of reference for image composition. An alignment map is determined using the reference armature. The alignment map includes alignment information that indicates alignment between the composition lines of the reference armature and the position of the object in the image. Based on the alignment map, an adaptive image armature is determined. The adaptive image armature includes a subset of the composition lines of the reference armature. The adaptive image armature is displayed.

Abstract: A microfluidic biochip device includes a housing including at least one microchannel defining at least one cell adhesion region. The at least one cell adhesion region is provided with at least one capturing agent that adheres a cell of interest to a surface of the at least one microchannel when a fluid sample containing cells is passed through the at least one microchannel. An imaging system measures the morphology and/or quantity of cells of interest adhered by the at least one capturing agent to the surface of the at least one microchannel when the fluid sample is passed therethrough.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for image-management operations that includes generating adaptive image armatures based on an alignment between composition lines of a reference armature and a position of an object in an image. In operation, a reference armature for an image is accessed. The reference armature includes a plurality of composition lines that define a frame of reference for image composition. An alignment map is determined using the reference armature. The alignment map includes alignment information that indicates alignment between the composition lines of the reference armature and the position of the object in the image. Based on the alignment map, an adaptive image armature is determined. The adaptive image armature includes a subset of the composition lines of the reference armature. The adaptive image armature is displayed.

Abstract: A biochip compatible with very small blood sample volumes is used for delecting for detecting hemoglobin disorders and monitoring disorders associated with aberrant blood cell deformability and adhesion, including disease severity, upcoming pain crisis, treatment response, and treatment effectiveness in a clinically meaningful way.

Abstract: A shellfish utensil with a handle portion and at least one substantially circular disk attached at one end of the handle portion. The diameter of the disk is configured to be less than the diameter of an exoskeleton section of the shellfish appendage. Optionally the utensil can have a second substantially circular disk of a different diameter to the disk attached at a second end of the handle portion, or even come in a set having various diameters of between, for example, 0.5 and 1.25 centimeters. The disk can be attached to the handle at the center of the disk or at the edge. Alternate embodiments of the present invention can optionally include scissors, hook blades, crab crackers, and the like.

Abstract: A linear fluid actuator having two pistons and two cylinder chambers in tandem to provide redundancy when supplied from independent pressure sources. The actuator is balanced in that the actuator output force is equal in extend or retract positions. The two cylinder chambers are made from separate housings to prevent crack propagation between the chambers and dual piston rod construction is provided to enhance redundancy.