Abstract: A device and methodology for cleaning optical instruments. The device includes a sheath, a wiper mechanism, and an actuator. The sheath attaches to an optical instrument such that the wiper mechanism is in proximity to a lens of the optical instrument. The wiper mechanism includes a blade and a compliant deployment system having first and second curved cross members attached to the blade and sheath such that they bias the blade in a first state where the blade is in a deployed position but can de-form allowing the blade to transition to a second state in a stored position. The actuator maintains tension on the blade to keep the blade in the second state and when the actuator releases tension on blade spring energy stored by the deformation of the curved cross members is released transitioning the blade to the first deployed position providing a wipe of the wiper mechanism.

Abstract: An example deployable structure includes at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member. The deployable structure must include at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member otherwise the deployable structure may not be switchable between the compact and deployed states thereof. The base member is articulably connected to the first articulable member using a first hinge, the first articulable member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a second hinge, and the interference member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a third hinge. The interference member is also attached to the base member, for example, using a fourth hinge. The deployable structure is configured to switch from at least a compact state to a deployed state.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for deactivating coronavirus. A method includes providing a deactivation composition including one or more CSA compounds and a carrier, administering the deactivation composition to a subject, and the deactivation composition deactivating coronavirus virions in the subject or coming into contact with the subject. The method can thereby prevent, decrease, or inhibit a coronavirus infection, such as COVID-19, of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating microbial infections of ciliated tissues, such as tissues of the trachea, lungs, and sinuses. The method utilizes a treatment composition that includes a cationic steroidal antimicrobial (CSA) compound, a poloxamer, and a carrier, which is administered to ciliated tissue, such as lung tissue, in order to prevent or treat a microbial infection by killing microbes associated with the ciliated tissue. The poloxamer forms micelles that encapsulate the CSA compound, the poloxamer being included in the treatment composition in an amount, by weight, that is about 100 to 1000 times the amount of the CSA compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reference electrode that includes a tube, saturated reference salt, an excess reference salt, and a wire. The saturated reference salt and the excess reference salt are placed inside the tube. The wire is also placed inside the tube. Also disclosed is a system comprising a crucible, a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The crucible contains molten salt. The electrodes are placed within the molten salt. The reference electrode that includes a tube, saturated reference salt, an excess reference salt, and a wire. The saturated reference salt and the excess reference salt are placed inside the tube. The wire is also placed inside the tube.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a second link comprising a first tool member pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder, a third link comprising a second tool member pivotably connected to the first tool member at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second tool member is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the tool is closed to a second state where the tool is open.

Abstract: Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.

Abstract: Cationic steroidal antimicrobial (CSA) compounds having a structure of Formula I, II or III, or salt thereof, wherein at least one of at least one of R1-R18, (e.g., R3, R7 and R12) is linked to the steroidal backbone by a urethane group: At least one of R1-R18, (e.g., R3, R7 and R12) has the following urethanyl structure: —O—(C?O)—NR19R20 where R19 and R20 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aminoalkyl, aminoalkenyl, aminoalkynyl, or aminoaryl, provided that at least one of R19 or R20 includes an amino group (e.g., R19 is hydrogen and R20 is (C2-C6)aminoalkyl). R18 can have the following structure: —R21—(C?O)—NR22R23 where R21 is omitted or alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl, and R22 and R23 are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl, provided that at least one of R22 or R23 is not hydrogen.

Abstract: A system includes: an acoustic exciter, a compliant material applied to the acoustic exciter to configure the acoustic exciter for triggering acoustic excitation of at least part of a substrate; a sensor configured to receive an acoustic response of the acoustic excitation; and circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of the substrate using the acoustic response.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a deployment ring including second link comprising a first portion pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder and a third link comprising a second tool portion pivotably connected to the first portion at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second portion of the deployment ring is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the deployment ring is stowed within the tool to a second state where the deployment ring is deployed externally.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a cylinder defining the outer circumference of the hollow rod, a first tool mechanism, and a second tool mechanism. The hollow rod developable actuator tool transitions from a first closed state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism are contained entirely within the outer circumference of the hollow rod to a second open state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism extent outside the outer circumference of the hollow rod.

Abstract: A disclosed system uses modulations of ionic current across a nanopore in a membrane to detect target molecules passing through the nanopore. This principle has been applied mainly to nucleic acid sequencing, but can also be used to detect other molecular targets such as proteins and small molecules. In addition, the system delivers target molecules to a nanopore to provide label-free single molecule analysis using a chip-based system. Target molecules are concentrated on microscale carrier beads, and the beads are delivered and optically trapped in an area within the capture radius of the nanopore. The target molecules are released from the beads and detected using nanopore current modulation. In addition, the disclosed system combines sample preparation (e.g. purification, extraction, and pre-concentration) with nanopore-based readout on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A system comprises error microphones disposed in a predetermined pattern to capture audio signals including speech and one or more reference sensors to capture a reference noise signal from a noise source. A portion of the reference noise signal is removed from the captured audio signals to generate partially processed audio signals, which are paired to form signal pairs. For each signal pair, a modified cross-correlation vector, with effects of low frequency contents removed, is generated, then converted to a rotated angular domain cross-correlation vector based in part on a physical angle associated with locations of an associated pair of error microphones. The rotated angular domain cross-correlation vectors are summed, and a weighting vector is applied to the sum to identify direction information of a desired audio signal associated with the speech. The directional information is utilized to beamform the partially processed audio signals and output the desired audio signal.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to select a depth within a body part to measure an impedance. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band configured to extend at least partially around a body part of a user; a user interface coupled to the band; a miniaturized impedance sensor embedded in the band and positioned in the band to be pressed against the body part when the user wears the band, the miniaturized impedance sensor including an array of miniaturized electrodes, where the array of miniaturized electrodes is configured to measure an impedance at a depth within the body part and the depth corresponds to a subdermal feature within the body part; a processing device coupled to the band, where the processing device is configured to select the depth within the body part to measure an impedance; and an electrical circuit embedded in the band.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to determine a condition of a user using a spectrometer with a collimator on a glass substrate. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band comprising a shape, size, and flexibility designed for attaching the band to a body part of a user; a light source embedded in the band that emits light comprising a constituent wavelength that provides an indication of a feature of the body part; an optical sensor positioned in the band to receive the constituent wavelength; and a glass substrate oriented in the band to receive the light, the glass substrate comprising: an optical filter that comprises a passband to isolate the constituent wavelength from other wavelengths of the light; and a carbon nanotube grid structure comprising walls and through-channels, the carbon nanotube grid structure adhered to the glass substrate.

Abstract: A lamina emergent torsional (LET) joint that includes an integrated membrane to reduce, or eliminate, certain unwanted motions and/or displacements associated with the operation of the LET joint is disclosed. The membrane-integrated LET joint (i.e., M-LET) can be used as a hinge for a lamina emergent mechanism and/or as a surrogate fold for an origami application to ensure accurate and repeatable transitions from a planar (i.e., lamina) state to a non-planar (i.e., lamina-emergent) state, and vice versa.

Abstract: Methods of treating, reducing, or preventing lung infections and/or lung inflammation include identifying a patient in need of treatment and administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Treatment of cystic fibrosis lung infections, COPD lung infections, inflammation of the lungs in these patient populations, and lung scarring in these patient populations is also described.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to align a miniaturized impedance sensor over the muscular-walled tube of a user. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band comprising a shape, size, and flexibility designed for attaching the band to a body part of a user, where the body part includes a dermal layer and a muscular-walled tube; a miniaturized impedance sensor embedded in the band and positioned in the band to be pressed against a portion of the body part adjacent to the muscular-walled tube as the user wears the band, where the miniaturized impedance sensor may include two or more miniaturized electrode strips or an array of miniaturized electrode pillars; and an alignment device embedded in the band and configured in the band to align the miniaturized impedance sensor over the muscular-walled tube as the user wears the band.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for eliminating noise in non-invasive biological interrogation techniques may be described herein. A method may include taking a first set of measurements over a time period. The first set of measurements may be indicated by an electronic signal. The first set of measurements may correspond to a physiological characteristic of a subject. A change in the physiological characteristic of the subject may correspond to a change in a blood constituent of the subject. The method may include: taking a second set of measurements over the time period; correlating the first and second sets of measurements, wherein the correlating removes noise from the electronic signal; sectioning out the electronic signal; calculating an amplitude difference between two or more sections of the electronic signal; and determining a change in the amount of the blood constituent based on the difference.