Abstract: A device includes a capsule sized to pass through a lumen of a gastrointestinal tract; an enteric coating surround at least a portion of the capsule and configured to protect the capsule form stomach acid while allowing degradation of the capsule in the small intestine of the gastrointestinal tract; a plurality of functionalized particles disposed within the capsule, a plurality of tissue penetrating members configured to puncture a wall of the lumen of the intestinal tract; and an actuator having a first configuration and a second configuration. The actuator is configured to retain the plurality of functionalized particles within the capsule in the first configuration. The actuator is further configured to advance the plurality of functionalized particles from the capsule into a wall of the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract via the plurality of tissue penetrating members by the actuator transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A device can include a capsule containing an array of microneedles and a mechanical actuator. The device can be in an ingestible form for delivery to a duodenum or other target location within a subject and can release the mechanical actuator from constraint by the capsule in response to stimuli or conditions in or en route to the duodenum or other target location. The mechanical actuator upon release from constraint by the capsule can expand outwardly (e.g., responsive to a bias provided by a flexibly resilient material of the mechanical actuator) in a direction away from a central longitudinal axis of the mechanical actuator and drive the array of microneedles into penetrating engagement with a lining of the duodenum or other target location. The penetrating engagement can facilitate delivery of a biotherapeutic agent or other payload via the microneedles.

Abstract: Provided herein are encapsulated liposomes comprising a lipid bilayer, a first polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona, a targeting molecule and a second PEG corona. The second, encapsulating PEG corona can be reversibly linked to the first PEG corona. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the encapsulated liposomes and methods of treating a subject with a disease characterized by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the compositions. Also provided are methods of making the encapsulated liposomes disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to implantable-lead devices that include one or more materials with altered morphology and methods for making and using the same. Specifically, the morphology of electrodes and/or one or more other implant-device materials can be textured to include micro- and/or nanoscale topographical features, which can reduce in vivo fibrotic response and thereby improve signal-to-noise ratios and short-term extractability of the devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that enable sensing of magnetic fields within skin tissue. Specifically, a system includes one or more microneedles that include a high magnetic permeability material. The system also includes a magnetic sensor communicatively coupled to the microneedle and configured to detect a magnetic field proximate to the microneedle. The system also includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a magnetic field proximate to a portion of the microneedle. The controller is further configured to determine a presence of at least one magnetic nanoparticle proximate to the portion of the microneedle based on the received information. Alternatively, other embodiments include a microneedle that includes a nanodiamond material configured to detect a local magnetic field. Such embodiments also include a light source configured to cause the nanodiamond material to emit characteristic emission light that may indicate at least a magnitude of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A device and system for measuring and/or monitoring an analyte present on the skin is provided. The system includes a skin-mountable device that may be attached to an external skin surface and a reader device. The skin-mountable device includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles, and nanosensors encapsulated in the micro-needles. The micro-needles are attached to the substrate such that attachment of the substrate to an external skin surface causes to the micro-needles to penetrate into the skin to contact interstitial fluid. The micro-needles can include a sacrificial agent and are configured to become porous on contact with a solvent, e.g., interstitial fluid, which dissolves at least a portion of the sacrificial agent. The nanosensors encapsulated in the micro-needles include a detectable label and are configured to interact with a target analyte present in the interstitial fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing bi-directionally crosslinked liposomes. The methods include the steps of: providing a lipid composition comprising a plurality of reactive lipids, wherein each of the reactive lipids comprises a reactive hydrophobic group, a reactive hydrophilic group, or a reactive hydrophilic group and a reactive hydrophobic group; forming an un-crosslinked liposome comprising the reactive lipids; and crosslinking at least a portion of the reactive hydrophobic groups or the reactive hydrophilic groups; thereby producing the bi-directionally crosslinked liposomes. Bi-directionally crosslinked liposomes and methods for delivering therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to subjects using the liposomes are also described.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to electrodes of an implantable device, such as electrodes made of noble metals. The hydrogel can be mechanically secured via anchoring features of the electrode. Anchoring features can include apertures, voids, textures, or other patterns created in or on the electrode. The hydrogel can incorporate into the anchoring features to mechanically hold the hydrogel against the electrode. The anchoring features, by being located in or on the electrode, can further increase the surface area of the electrode that is exposed to the hydrogel, which can facilitate the conduction of electrical signals between the electrode and surrounding biological tissue. The substrate supporting the electrode can include additional anchoring features that further assist in mechanically securing the hydrogel.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: Provided herein are encapsulated liposomes comprising a lipid bilayer, a first polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona, a targeting molecule and a second PEG corona. The second, encapsulating PEG corona can be reversibly linked to the first PEG corona. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the encapsulated liposomes and methods of treating a subject with a disease characterized by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the compositions. Also provided are methods of making the encapsulated liposomes disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that enable sensing of magnetic fields within skin tissue. Specifically, a system includes one or more microneedles that include a high magnetic permeability material. The system also includes a magnetic sensor communicatively coupled to the microneedle and configured to detect a magnetic field proximate to the microneedle. The system also includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a magnetic field proximate to a portion of the microneedle. The controller is further configured to determine a presence of at least one magnetic nanoparticle proximate to the portion of the microneedle based on the received information. Alternatively, other embodiments include a microneedle that includes a nanodiamond material configured to detect a local magnetic field. Such embodiments also include a light source configured to cause the nanodiamond material to emit characteristic emission light that may indicate at least a magnitude of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A nanosensor-containing polymer composition for the monitoring of physiological parameters and a method for making the composition are disclosed. The composition includes a nanosensor disposed in a crosslinked, hydrophilic polymer for transdermal application into an intradermal environment. The method involves forming a mixture including nanosensors and a crosslinked polymer precursor, and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for crosslinking the polymer precursor to provide a nanosensor-containing crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Devices are provided that include a plurality of microneedles that penetrate skin and that receive interstitial fluid from the skin tissue. The microneedles are further configured to direct the received interstitial fluid to nanosensors configured to change an optical property based on interaction with an analyte in the received interstitial fluid, allowing optical detection of the analyte. Direction of the received interstitial fluid to the nanosensors can be facilitated by a pump configured to control the flow rate of the interstitial fluid through the microneedles. Such devices could be configured to detect the analyte independently or in combination with a reader device configured to be periodically mounted to the devices and to detect the analyte. Further, such devices can include delivery systems configured to transdermally deliver a drug or other substance into or through the skin in response to a detected concentration, presence, or other property of the analyte.

Abstract: A device and system for measuring and/or monitoring an analyte present on the skin is provided. The system includes a skin-mountable device that may be attached to an external skin surface and a reader device. The skin-mountable device includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles, and nanosensors encapsulated in the micro-needles. The micro-needles are attached to the substrate such that attachment of the substrate to an external skin surface causes to the micro-needles to penetrate into the skin to contact interstitial fluid. The micro-needles can include a sacrificial agent and are configured to become porous on contact with a solvent, e.g., interstitial fluid, which dissolves at least a portion of the sacrificial agent. The nanosensors encapsulated in the micro-needles include a detectable label and are configured to interact with a target analyte present in the interstitial fluid.

Abstract: A device and system for measuring and/or monitoring an analyte present on the skin is provided. The system includes a skin-mountable device that may be attached to an external skin surface and a reader device. The skin-mountable device includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles, and nanosensors. The micro-needles are attached to the substrate such that attachment of the substrate to an external skin surface causes to the micro-needles to penetrate into the epidermis, intradermis, or dermis. The nanosensors include a detectable label and are configured to interact with a target analyte present in the interstitial fluid in the epidermis, intradermis, or dermis. The reader device is configured to detect the analyte in interstitial fluid via interaction with the skin-mountable device.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to electrodes of an implantable device, such as electrodes made of noble metals. The hydrogel can be mechanically secured via anchoring features of the electrode. Anchoring features can include apertures, voids, textures, or other patterns created in or on the electrode. The hydrogel can incorporate into the anchoring features to mechanically hold the hydrogel against the electrode. The anchoring features, by being located in or on the electrode, can further increase the surface area of the electrode that is exposed to the hydrogel, which can facilitate the conduction of electrical signals between the electrode and surrounding biological tissue. The substrate supporting the electrode can include additional anchoring features that further assist in mechanically securing the hydrogel.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: A system is provided which includes the composite nanoparticles configured to bind with a target analyte, the composite nanoparticles including a polymer matrix; nanoparticles at least one type; reporter labels at least one type; and targeting entities at least one type, wherein the nanoparticles at least one type, the reporter labels at least one type and the targeting entities at least one type are encapsulated in the polymer matrix; a body-mountable device mounted on an external surface of a living body and configured to detect a target analyte binding response signal transmitted through the external surface, wherein the target analyte binding response signal is related to binding of the composite nanoparticles with one or more target analytes; and a processor configured to non-invasively detect the one or more target analytes based on the target analyte response signal. Composite nanoparticles and methods for use and for making are also provided.

Abstract: A nanosensor-containing polymer composition for the monitoring of physiological parameters and a method for making the composition are disclosed. The composition includes a fluid nanosensor-containing polymer that becomes rigid in the presence of physiological conditions. In the fluid form, the composition can be suitable for injection on to or into the skin. In the rigid form, the nanosensor is substantially immobilized in the polymer. The method includes forming a mixture comprising a nanosensor and polymer precursor(s), subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for forming the fluid form of the composition; and subjecting the fluid form to physiological conditions to provide a rigid nanosensor-containing composition.