Abstract: A wound monitoring system including a sensor for detecting color and flow rate of a fluid flowing through a wound drain tubing, a base station for receiving color and flow rate data from the sensor over the one or more networks, for storing the data, and for sending notifications over the one or more networks, and a user device for receiving the notification over the one or more networks. Also disclosed is a wound monitoring system that includes the sensor, the base station, a cloud server, and the user device. The base station receives the data from the sensor and transmits the data over one or more networks to the cloud server. Further disclosed is a wound drain monitoring method that employs the wound monitoring system.

Abstract: A wound monitoring system including a sensor for detecting color and flow rate of a fluid flowing through a wound drain tubing, a base station for receiving color and flow rate data from the sensor over the one or more networks, for storing the data, and for sending notifications over the one or more networks, and a user device for receiving the notification over the one or more networks. Also disclosed is a wound monitoring system that includes the sensor, the base station, a cloud server, and the user device. The base station receives the data from the sensor and transmits the data over one or more networks to the cloud server. Further disclosed is a wound drain monitoring method that employs the wound monitoring system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microfluidic structures, and more specifically, to microfluidic structures and methods including meandering and wide channels. Microfluidic systems can provide an advantageous environment for performing various reactions and analyses due to a reduction in sample and reagent quantities that are required, a reduction in the size of the operating system, and a decrease in reaction time compared to conventional systems. Unfortunately, the small size of microfluidic channels can sometimes result in difficulty in detecting a species without magnifying optics (such as a microscope or a photomultiplier). A series of tightly packed microchannels, i.e., a meandering region, or a wide channel having a dimension on the order of millimeters, can serve as a solution to this problem by creating a wide measurement area.

Abstract: Microfluidic, electrochemical devices are described. The microfluidic, electrochemical device comprises one or more electrode(s) on a substrate and a patterned porous, hydrophilic layer having a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic channels within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophilic channel(s) comprises a hydrophilic region which is in fluidic communication with the electrode(s). In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. In some embodiments, the microfluidic, electrochemical device further comprises a fluid sink. The method of assembling the microfluidic, electrochemical device is described. The method of using the device for electrochemical analysis of one or more analytes is also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of patterning of thin films of an ionotropic polymer (e.g., poly(acrylic acid)) are provided. These processes can create micron or sub-micron-scale patterns of ionotropic polymers such as cation crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (CCL-PAA). In one embodiment, patterning may be performed within microfluidic channels by flowing a solution of crosslinking agent (e.g., metal cations such as Ag+, Ca2+, Pd2+, Al3+, La3+, and Ti4+) that can crosslink a portion of an ionotropic polymer in contact with the solution. In another embodiment, methods of patterning ionotropic polymers involve photolithography. Upon patterning a positive photoresist (e.g., diazonaphthoquinone-novolac resin) on a film of CCL-PAA, the exposed regions of CCL-PAA can be etched by an aqueous solution. Advantageously, the patterned, crosslinked polymer may also serve as both a reactant and a matrix for subsequent chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microfluidic structures, and more specifically, to microfluidic structures and methods including meandering and wide channels. Microfluidic systems can provide an advantageous environment for performing various reactions and analysis due to a reduction in sample and reagent quantities that are required, a reduction in the size of the operating system, and a decrease in reaction time compared to conventional systems. Unfortunately, the small size of microfluidic channels can sometimes result in difficulty in detecting a species without magnifying optics (such as a microscope or a photomultiplier). A series of tightly packed microchannels, i.e., a meandering region, or a wide channel having a dimension on the order of millimeters, can serve as a solution to this problem by creating a wide measurement area.

Abstract: The invention provides kits, methods and devices for detection of analytes in a biological sample. Capillary action is employed to carry out single or multiplexed immunoassays in a vertical flow-through format.

Abstract: Microfluidic, electrochemical devices are described. The microfluidic, electrochemical device comprises one or more electrode(s) on a substrate and a patterned porous, hydrophilic layer having a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic channels within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophilic channel(s) comprises a hydrophilic region which is in fluidic communication with the electrode(s). In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. In some embodiments, the microfluidic, electrochemical device further comprises a fluid sink. The method of assembling the microfluidic, electrochemical device is described. The method of using the device for electrochemical analysis of one or more analytes is also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of patterning of thin films of an ionotropic polymer (e.g., poly(acrylic acid)) are provided. These processes can create micron or sub-micron-scale patterns of ionotropic polymers such as cation crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (CCL-PAA). In one embodiment, patterning may be performed within microfluidic channels by flowing a solution of crosslinking agent (e.g., metal cations such as Ag+, Ca2+, Pd2+, Al3+, La3+, and Ti4+) that can crosslink a portion of an ionotropic polymer in contact with the solution. In another embodiment, methods of patterning ionotropic polymers involve photolithography. Upon patterning a positive photoresist (e.g., diazonaphthoquinone-novolac resin) on a film of CCL-PAA, the exposed regions of CCL-PAA can be etched by an aqueous solution. Advantageously, the patterned, crosslinked polymer may also serve as both a reactant and a matrix for subsequent chemistry.

Abstract: The invention features microfluidic devices that contain structures that impart differential resistance to a fluid flow. The structures are disposed adjacent to intersections of channels. Devices of the invention provide differential resistance, e.g., under electric-field-driven flow and pressure-driven flow.