Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described herein that relate to massage devices with force control and feedback for providing pain relief and improved muscle recover to users. The massage devices can output mechanisms for applying a mechanical output to a muscle area of a user to treat a muscle condition, driving mechanisms for driving the movement of the output mechanisms, and sensors for measuring force and other properties associated with application of the mechanical output. The massage devices can be configured to adapt therapy being applied to a muscle area or provide users with feedback based on sensor measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing cells—referred to as a cassette. The cell culturing device includes a housing that contains a lid having an optically clear window; a fluid distribution channel; a sample injection port fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel; a base housing a porous media pad; and a media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad. The lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal; the fluid distribution channel is disposed over the media pad, which is viewable through the optical window; and sample fluid introduced into the fluid distribution channel is distributed evenly to the media pad, e.g., via a plurality of channels. The invention also provides kits that include cassettes of the invention and a tube set.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for enrichment of at least one target nucleic acid in a library of nucleic acids. A first oligonucleotide is hybridized to a target nucleic acid in library of nucleic acids having first and second adapters. The hybridized first oligonucleotide is extended with a first polymerase, thereby producing a first primer extension complex including the target nucleic acid and the extended first oligonucleotide. The first primer extension complex is captured, enriched relative to the library of nucleic acids, and a second oligonucleotide is hybridized to the target nucleic acid. The hybridized second oligonucleotide is extended with a second polymerase, thereby producing a second primer extension complex including the target nucleic acid and the extended second oligonucleotide, and further liberating the extended first oligonucleotide from the first primer extension complex.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved DNA polymerases that may be better suited for applications in recombinant DNA technologies, in particular technologies involving plant-derived samples. Among other things, the present invention provides modified DNA polymerases derived from directed evolution experiments designed to select mutations that confer advantageous phenotypes under conditions used in industrial or research applications.

Abstract: The present invention features general-purpose microbiological growth media capable of supporting growth of microorganisms on membranes. The media contain casein digest, soybean digest, animal tissue digest, yeast extract, dextrose, a phosphate buffer, hemin, and L-cystine. The invention features an all-purpose microbiological growth media that can support the growth of anaerobes, molds, injured spores, and general aerobic bacteria to a greater extent than other media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid detection of viable microorganisms (e.g., pathogens) in liquid media suspensions utilizes at least two electrodes in electrical communication with a suspension (e.g., liquid media possible containing microorganisms). Electrical response to an electrical pulse in a short initial time window (e.g., no longer than a time required to attain 95% (or another threshold percentage) of a study state electrical response value after a change in state of the pulse) permits bulk electrical response of the suspension between the electrodes to be determined before electrical response signals are dominated by double layer formation at surfaces of the electrodes. Pulse application and detection of electrical response to a change in state of a pulse may be repeated over time, with changes in such response being useful to detect microorganism proliferation in a bulk suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved DNA polymerases, in particular, type A DNA polymerases, that may be better suited for applications in recombinant DNA technologies. Among other things, the present invention provides modified DNA polymerases derived from directed evolution experiments designed to select mutations that confer advantageous phenotypes under conditions used in industrial or research applications.

Abstract: A wearable biofluid volume and composition system includes a microfluidic flexible fluid capture substrate having a microfluidic channel configured as a sweat collection channel and is configured to be worn on a human body and to collect and analyze biofluid. The microfluidic flexible fluid capture substrate further has a plurality of conductive traces and electrodes. An electronic module is attached to the microfluidic flexible fluid capture substrate and is configured to measure and analyze data from the biofluid collected by the microfluidic flexible fluid capture substrate and to transmit the analyzed data to a smart device.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic relaxometry measurement apparatus, comprising: a magnetizing system configured to supply a pulsed magnetic fields to a sample; a sensor system configured to detect magnetic fields produced by induced magnetization of the sample after a magnetic field pulse from the magnetizing system; one or more compensating coils configured to suppress generation of eddy currents in an environment surrounding the apparatus due to the pulsed magnetic fields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for skin tightening after incising or excising tissue portions from a subject. Exemplary methods and devices include tunable dressings having an adhesive layer and a regulatable layer or an un-stretched layer that responds to one or more external stimuli to contract or expand the dressing, where the contraction or expansion can be uniform or non-uniform.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid detection of viable microorganisms (e.g., pathogens) in liquid media suspensions utilizes at least two electrodes in electrical communication with a suspension (e.g., liquid media possibly containing microorganisms). Electrical response to an electrical pulse in a short initial time window (e.g., no longer than a time required to attain 95% (or another threshold percentage) of a steady state electrical response value after a change in state of the pulse) permits bulk electrical response of the suspension between the electrodes to be determined before electrical response signals are dominated by double layer formation at surfaces of the electrodes. Pulse application and detection of electrical response to a change in state of a pulse may be repeated over time, with changes in such response being useful to detect microorganism proliferation in a bulk suspension.

Abstract: The invention features methods panels, cartridges, and systems for detecting pathogens and for diagnosing and treating diseases, including bacteremia and sepsis.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices (e.g., needles (e.g., hollow needles), hollow staples, articles, apparatuses, and systems), kits, and methods for treating skin and skin conditions, for example, by promoting skin tightening, such as by reducing skin laxity and reducing tissue area or volume.

Abstract: A sweat collection system includes a sweat collection device configured to be adhered to the skin of a user to collect sweat for storage, extraction, and analysis. The sweat collection device includes a flexible body having a first, outwardly facing surface and a second, skin-facing surface, and a sweat collection channel formed in the body and having a first end defining a sweat inlet port, and a second end defining a sweat outlet port. A biochemical assay well is formed in the sweat channel, and a dye is disposed therein and is positioned to react with sweat in the sweat channel and to provide an indicator of the flow of the sweat in the sweat channel. The sweat collection device is affixed to the skin to determine a total volume of sweat collected over a known period, and a graph of sweat volume over time is plotted to determine a sweat rate.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting and sequencing target nucleic acids in complex samples (e.g., blood), as well as related panels and compositions (e.g., systems, cartridges, and kits).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a composition comprising a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) sequence comprising from 5? to 3?, a sequence comprising a first adaptor sequence, a template sequence, and a second adaptor sequence, wherein the second adaptor sequence comprises a hybridization site for a template switching oligonucleotide (TSO). The disclosure provides methods for making the compositions of the disclosure using a template switching mechanism to add non-templated basepairs to the ends of a DNA molecule, hybridize a TSO to the non-templated basepairs, and then extend the sequence complementary to the TSO to add an adaptor.