Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nanocell compositions and their use in imaging, diagnostic and treatment methods. In one embodiment, nanocells tailored for imaging methods comprise a nanocore surrounded by a lipid matrix, and are modified to contain a radionuclide core or a nanocore with an emission spectra. The nanocells may be size restricted such as being greater than about 60 nm so that they selectively extravasate at sites of angiogenesis (e.g. tumor) and do not pass through normal vasculature or enter non-tumor bearing tissue. In this way, angiogenic sites can be both detected and treated. In another embodiment, nanocells are tailored for various treatment methods, including the treatment of brain cancer, asthma, Grave's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: A control system for improving and stabilizing Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) operation. The control system may also provide regulation of FDML operational parameters such as filter tuning, laser gain, polarization, polarization chromaticity, elliptical polarization retardance, and/or dispersion. The control system may be located internal to or external from the FDML laser cavity.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic device is provided that includes one or more ion-selective membranes enabled by electrically-controlled local modulation of ion concentrations around a nerve so as to achieve different excitability states of the nerve for electrical stimulation or inhibition of nerve signal propagation. The local modulation is achieved by positioning the nerve in a bipolar perpendicular arrangement so as to modulate the ion concentrations of the one or more ion-selective membranes in situ to change the nerve excitability locally at the site of electrical stimulation or along the nerve for on-demand suppression of nerve propagation.