Abstract: An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for buoyant separation of a target constituent of a sample, the method comprising: at a process chamber, combining a volume of substrates having a first density with the sample, thereby producing a population of target-bound complexes comprising the target constituent bound to at least a portion of the volume of substrates; within the process chamber, physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force; aggregating the population of target-bound complexes at a collection region of the process chamber; extracting the population of target-bound complexes from the process chamber; and processing the target constituent from the population of target-bound complexes for further analysis.

Abstract: An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a material type of an object of interest comprises: directing, using a radio frequency (RF) source, RF energy into a region of interest, the region of interest comprising the object of interest, a known reference and a boundary between the object of interest and the known reference; detecting, using an acoustic receiver, at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal generated in response to the RF energy; correlating, by one or more processors, the at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal to a transmitted power correction factor to generate a corrected thermoacoustic multi-polar signal; and determining, by the one or more processors, the material type of the object of interest as a function of the corrected thermoacoustic multi-polar signal and a transmitted power of the RF energy.

Abstract: A container includes a vial, cap, and one or more wireless transponders secured to the cap, the vial or a jacket to store and identify samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., vitrified biological samples), for instance held by cryopreservation storage devices. A specimen holder may be extend from the cap. The vial and/or cap includes ports or vents. A carrier includes a box, thermal shunt, thermal insulation to store and identify arrays of containers that hold cryopreservation storage devices with samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures. Various apparatus include wireless transponders positioned and oriented to enhance range, and allow interrogation while retained in a carrier. Various apparatus can maintain the biological material at or close to cryogenic temperatures for prolonged period of times after being removed from a cryogenic cooler, and can allow wireless inventorying while maintaining the biological samples at suitably cold temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are controls for use in identifying any of a number of genotypes and/or for use in identifying or characterizing a disease or condition. The controls may be particularly useful for diagnostic tests that utilize circulating cell-free DNA or microRNA. A control may comprise a mixture of nucleic acids. In some embodiments, a control comprises liposomes, e.g., wherein nucleic acids of the control are associated with the liposomes. For example, the controls are useful for determining whether a fetus comprises an aneuploidy. Also disclosed are methods of using the controls.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions which are useful for separating, isolating, detecting, and quantifying compounds of interest which have been modified chemically, enzymatically or catalytically from other compounds which have not been so modified. The modifications may take the form of functional groups which are gained, lost or retained by the compounds of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise microfluidic devices, instrumentation interfacing with those devices, processes for fabricating that device, and methods of employing that device to perform PCR amplification. Embodiments of the invention are also compatible with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (“qPCR”) processes. Microfluidic devices in accordance with the invention may contain a plurality of parallel processing channels. Fully independent reactions can take place in each of the plurality of parallel processing channels. The availability of independent processing channels allows a microfluidic device in accordance with the invention to be used in a number of ways. For example, separate samples could be processed in each of the independent processing channels. Alternatively, different loci on a single sample could be processed in multiple processing channels.

Abstract: A method is provided for infusing a therapeutic. The method includes providing a microvalve device having an inner catheter longitudinally displaceable relative to an outer catheter, and a filter valve coupled to the inner catheter adjacent the distal ends of the inner and outer catheters such that longitudinal displacement of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter permits the filter valve to be reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration. The filter valve is advanced to a target location in via a blood vessel in which the filter valve is configured under tension. Then in an embodiment, the tension is released and the filter valve is placed under compression. Then the therapeutic agent is infused through the inner catheter and out of the orifice of the inner catheter beyond the filter valve.

Abstract: An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a cell therapeutic agent for treating an inflammatory disease induced by a hyperimmune response, more specifically, a composition for treating an inflammatory disease induced by a hyperimmune response, which comprises (i) a chondrocyte or a cell capable of differentiating into a chondrocyte; and (ii) a cell into which a gene encoding TGF-? is introduced, wherein the cell in (ii) is derived from human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cell.

Abstract: A multi-modality fatty tissue mimicking material for phantoms for use with thermoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, which includes: an aqueous mixture of a 3% to 18% thickening agent, a 1% to 30% protein powder, a 0.1% to 2% ionic salt, a 30% to 85% water, and a 0% to 60% oil by weight, wherein the oil percentage corresponds to the fat percentage in tissue, further wherein the ionic salt percentage corresponds to an imaginary part of complex permittivity in tissue, and further wherein the water, oil and protein powder percentages correspond to the real part of complex permittivity in tissue.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions which are useful for separating, isolating, detecting, and quantifying compounds of interest which have been modified chemically, enzymatically or catalytically from other compounds which have not been so modified. The modifications may take the form of functional groups which are gained, lost or retained by the compounds of interest.

Abstract: A biological specimen of a subject is handled and tracked for a procedure involving that specimen. Prior to initiation of the procedure, a first procedure data structure (PDS) is generated. The first PDS binds an identifier corresponding to the subject with an indicator of a procedure to be performed on the specimen and identifiers of a specimen container and a specimen holder that physically contacts the biological specimen, as well as a scheduled time for the procedure. A schedule of a plurality of PDSs including the first PDS, is displayed on a display device of a graphical user interface. Following initiation of the procedure, the first PDS is updated based on user input, and after the procedure, at least a portion of the first PDS, as updated, is stored in a database in conjunction with other PDSs respectively associated with other completed procedures.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.

Abstract: A multi-modality fatty tissue mimicking material for phantoms for use with thermoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, which includes: an aqueous mixture of a 3% to 18% thickening agent, a 1% to 30% protein powder, a 0.1% to 2% ionic salt, a 30% to 85% water, and a 0% to 60% oil by weight, wherein the oil percentage corresponds to the fat percentage in tissue, further wherein the ionic salt percentage corresponds to an imaginary part of complex permittivity in tissue, and further wherein the water, oil and protein powder percentages correspond to the real part of complex permittivity in tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising an analyte bound covalently or through a first binding pair to a polymer. In this composition, the analyte is less than about 2000 MW; the polymer further comprises more than one signal or first member of a second binding pair; and the analyte is not a member of the first binding pair or the second binding pair. Also provided is an assay for an analyte. The assay comprises: combining a sample suspected of containing the analyte with the above-described composition and a binding agent that binds to the analyte; and detecting the signal or the first member of the second binding pair that is bound to the binding agent. In this assay, the amount of the signal or the first member of the second binding pair bound to the binding agent is inversely proportional to the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.