Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target pathogen (e.g., a virus or a bacterium) in a specimen is disclosed, which includes at least two sensing units one of which is configured to detect at least one protein (such as a structural protein) associated with the target pathogen and another one is configured to detect at least one genetic component (e.g., an RNA or a DNA segment) associated with that pathogen (e.g., an RNA segment that is unique to that pathogen).

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to a dermal patch, comprising a substrate; a set of projections coupled to the substrate and configured to be at least partially insertable into skin, at least a portion of each projection of the set of projections comprising a biodegradable material; and a ghrelin blocker material encapsulated in the plurality of projections. The set of projections are coupled to the substrate via an adhesive that is configured to be dissolved within the skin after the patch is applied to the skin for a predetermined time, thus resulting in separation of the set of projections from the substrate. Once embedded in the skin, the protrusions can degrade and release the anti-ghrelin antibody encapsulated therein. The released anti-ghrelin antibody can find its way into the subject's circulatory system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to a dermal patch, comprising a substrate; a set of projections coupled to the substrate and configured to be at least partially insertable into skin, at least a portion of each projection of the set of projections comprising a biodegradable material; and a ghrelin blocker material encapsulated in the plurality of projections. The set of projections are coupled to the substrate via an adhesive that is configured to be dissolved within the skin after the patch is applied to the skin for a predetermined time, thus resulting in separation of the set of projections from the substrate. Once embedded in the skin, the protrusions can degrade and release the anti-ghrelin antibody encapsulated therein. The released anti-ghrelin antibody can find its way into the subject's circulatory system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device for measuring breast volume is disclosed, which comprises a housing comprising an enclosure having an opening, a flexible membrane sealingly covering said opening so as to provide an enclosed space within said enclosure, a gas disposed within said enclosed space, and at least one pressure sensor coupled to said enclosure so as to measure pressure of said gas within said enclosed space. The flexible membrane is configured to reversibly flex into said enclosed space in response to pressure of a breast against the membrane. The flexure of the membrane causes a change in the pressure and volume of the gas within said enclosed space.

Abstract: A method of detecting a pathogen in a sample, comprising: mixing at least a portion of the sample with a plurality of capture particles functionalized with a molecular recognition element exhibiting specific binding to said pathogen to capture at least a portion of pathogen particles when present in the sample; exposing said captured pathogen particles to at least two fluorescent dyes, which emit fluorescent radiation at two different wavelengths in response to excitation, such that live pathogen particles among said captured pathogen particles are preferentially stained with one of the dyes and dead pathogen particles among said captured pathogen particles are preferentially stained with the other dye; irradiating the captured stained pathogen particles with excitation radiation to excite said fluorescent dyes; and detecting fluorescent radiation emitted by said excited fluorescent dyes; and distinguishing said live pathogen particles from said dead pathogen particles based on wavelengths of the detected flu

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target pathogen (e.g., a virus or a bacterium) in a specimen is disclosed, which includes at least two sensing units one of which is configured to detect at least one protein (such as a structural protein) associated with the target pathogen and another one is configured to detect at least one genetic component (e.g., an RNA or a DNA segment) associated with that pathogen (e.g., an RNA segment that is unique to that pathogen).

Abstract: In one aspect, a device for measuring breast volume is disclosed, which comprises a housing comprising an enclosure having an opening, a flexible membrane sealingly covering said opening so as to provide an enclosed space within said enclosure, a gas disposed within said enclosed space, and at least one pressure sensor coupled to said enclosure so as to measure pressure of said gas within said enclosed space. The flexible membrane is configured to reversibly flex into said enclosed space in response to pressure of a breast against the membrane. The flexure of the membrane causes a change in the pressure and volume of the gas within said enclosed space.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., Listeria bacterium, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as Listeria bacteria, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, a trap for capturing a marine animal, e.g., a lobster, is disclosed, which includes a housing having an inlet port for receiving a marine animal, said inlet port being configured to prevent the marine animal from leaving the container, and a sensor coupled to the housing for detecting the presence of the marine animal in the housing. In some embodiments, a stretchable netting is coupled to the inlet port such that the marine animal passes through the netting before entering the housing via the inlet port. A stretch detector can be coupled to the netting to register the passage of a marine animal via the netting into the housing. The passage of a marine animal through the netting can result in a stretch of the netting, which is registered by the stretch signal. The stretch signal indicates the passage of the marine animal into the housing.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target pathogen (e.g., a virus or a bacterium) in a specimen is disclosed, which includes at least two sensing units one of which is configured to detect at least one protein (such as a structural protein) associated with the target pathogen and another one is configured to detect at least one genetic component (e.g., an RNA or a DNA segment) associated with that pathogen (e.g., an RNA segment that is unique to that pathogen).

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a target agent of interest, e.g., a pathogen, in a sample are described herein. In some embodiments, a sensor is provided that can include a substrate, a graphene layer disposed on a surface of said substrate, and a protein bound to said graphene layer. The protein can be capable of binding to one or more target agents of interest, e.g., pathogens, etc. The binding of the protein to the one or more target agents of interest can generate a change in an electrical property of the graphene layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., listeria bacterium, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as listeria bacteria, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus in a sample, e.g., a blood sample, is disclosed, which includes a graphene layer, a plurality of binding agents coupled to said graphene layer to generate a functionalized graphene layer, where the binding agents exhibit specific binding to at least one epitope of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and a plurality of electrical conductors electrically coupled to said functionalized graphene layer for measuring an electrical property (e.g., DC electrical resistance) of the functionalized graphene layer. While in some embodiments such binding agents are monoclonal antibodies, in other embodiments they can be polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor for detecting hemoglobin protein (e.g., human hemoglobin protein) in a sample is disclosed, which includes a graphene layer, a plurality of binding agents coupled to said graphene layer to generate a functionalized graphene layer, where the binding agents exhibit specific binding to a hemoglobin protein (e.g., to human hemoglobin protein) and a plurality of electrical conductors electrically coupled to said functionalized graphene layer for measuring an electrical property (e.g., DC electrical resistance) of said functionalized graphene layer. While in some embodiments such binding agents are monoclonal antibodies, in other embodiments they can be polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor for detecting a drug of abuse (DOA) in a sample is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor includes a graphene layer, a plurality of binding agents, which bind to the DOA, coupled to said graphene layer to generate a functionalized graphene layer, and a plurality of electrical conductors electrically coupled to said functionalized graphene layer for measuring an electrical property of said functionalized graphene layer. While in some embodiments, such binding agents are monoclonal antibodies, in other embodiments they are polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to a dermal patch, comprising a substrate; a set of projections coupled to the substrate and configured to be at least partially insertable into skin, at least a portion of each projection of the set of projections comprising a biodegradable material; and a ghrelin blocker material encapsulated in the plurality of projections. The set of projections are coupled to the substrate via an adhesive that is configured to be dissolved within the skin after the patch is applied to the skin for a predetermined time, thus resulting in separation of the set of projections from the substrate. Once embedded in the skin, the protrusions can degrade and release the anti-ghrelin antibody encapsulated therein. The released anti-ghrelin antibody can find its way into the subject's circulatory system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device for measuring breast volume is disclosed, which comprises a housing comprising an enclosure having an opening, a flexible membrane sealingly covering said opening so as to provide an enclosed space within said enclosure, a gas disposed within said enclosed space, and at least one pressure sensor coupled to said enclosure so as to measure pressure of said gas within said enclosed space. The flexible membrane is configured to reversibly flex into said enclosed space in response to pressure of a breast against the membrane. The flexure of the membrane causes a change in the pressure and volume of the gas within said enclosed space.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing the sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to THC, applying a time-varying electric field to said antibody-functionalized graphene layer, monitoring electrical resistance of said graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of THC in the sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of THC with said anti-body functionalized graphene layer.

Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.