Abstract: The present solution provides trans-round window membrane (RWM) drug delivery. As an overview, the system can include a micropump that is connected to a flexible cannula. The cannula can include a stiffened and sharpened tip to facilitate insertion through the RWM. The cannula can be inserted through the RWM to improve the distribution of the delivered drug throughout the inner ear. The present solution can function as a small implantable or wearable device that can be used for both chronic and acute trans-RWM drug delivery. With this configuration, the micropump can constantly or intermittently deliver, over a period of days to months, small volumes of drugs from an internal reservoir.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for fabricating a high-resolution, non-cytotoxic and transparent microfluidic device. A material can be selected based on having an optical property with a predetermined degree of transparency to provide viewability of a biological sample through the microfluidic device and a level of cytotoxicity within a predetermined threshold to provide viability of the biological sample within the microfluidic device. An additive manufacturing technique can be selected from a plurality of additive manufacturing techniques for fabricating the microfluidic device based on the selected material to provide a resolution of dimensions of one or more channels of the microfluidic device higher than a predetermined resolution threshold.

Abstract: A MEMS optical switch-based LiDAR beam steering unit may comprise an optical switching array comprising two or more translatable optical switch gratings. The two or more translatable optical switch gratings may be arranged in a foveal pattern. Each of the two or more translatable optical switch gratings may have an associated MEMS structure operative to selectively translate the optical switch grating between a first position and a second position, and a first waveguide associated with the translatable optical switch grating. The grating being in the first position may cause the grating to be sufficiently close to the first waveguide to produce a strong optical coupling between the grating and the first waveguide. The grating being in the second position may cause the grating to be sufficiently far from the first waveguide to produce a weak optical coupling between the grating and the first waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and methods of testing a fluid sample are provided. A method can include controlling an orientation of a loader including a sample holder configured to hold a sample vessel to correspond to a first predetermined tilt angle. The method can include controlling an articulator to transfer the fluid sample from the sample vessel to at least one well of a plurality of wells of a multiwell plate positioned on a plate deck within the enclosure. The method can include controlling the articulator to move the multiwell plate to a hotel incubator within the enclosure. The method can include applying a bacteriophage to the fluid sample. The method can include controlling the articulator to move the multiwell plate from the hotel incubator to a testing system within the enclosure after a predetermined reaction time period. The method can include receiving output data from the testing system.

Abstract: A potentially small, gimballed, multi-sensor system employs a shared aperture for at least some of the image sensors. Applications include intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR), and guiding autonomous vehicles. The system can actively blend images from multiple spectral bands for clarity and interpretability, provide remote identification of objects and material, provide anomaly detection, control lasers and opto-mechanics for image quality, and use shared aperture using folded optics.

Abstract: The material stack of the present disclosure can be used for fabricating optical waveguides that are thin and flexible, and that can bend light around small turns. The stack of materials can include a polymer core and a cladding, which together can create a large difference in refractive index. As a result, light can remain within the core even when bent around radii where standard glass fibers could fail.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to remote cooling. More particularly, the systems described herein include a side to be cooled coupled to an object to be cooled, and a side where heat is dissipated at a distant location. The side to be cooled includes a thermodynamic energy converter and a coil that is electrically coupled to the thermodynamic energy converter. The side where heat is dissipated includes a coil configured to inductively couple with the coil of the side to be cooled. The side where heat is dissipated also includes a heating element electrically coupled to the second coil. The heating element is configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. The thermodynamic energy converter absorbs thermal energy from the object to be cooled and converts, directly or indirectly, the thermal energy into electrical energy.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a visible spectrum optical component includes: providing a substrate; forming a resist layer over a surface of the substrate; patterning the resist layer to form a patterned resist layer defining openings exposing portions of the surface of the substrate; performing deposition to form a dielectric film over the patterned resist layer and over the exposed portions of the surface of the substrate, wherein a top surface of the dielectric film is above a top surface of the patterned resist layer; removing a top portion of the dielectric film to expose the top surface of the patterned resist layer and top surfaces of dielectric units within the openings of the patterned resist layer; and removing the patterned resist layer to retain the dielectric units over the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods to maintain clock synchronization of multiple computers, or computer systems, through the exchange of communication messages that include clock and/or timing information.

Abstract: An electro-holographic light field generator device is disclosed. The light field generator device has an optical substrate with a waveguide face and an exit face. One or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) optical modulator devices are included within each light field generator device. The SAW devices each include a light input, a waveguide, and a SAW transducer, all configured for guided mode confinement of input light within the waveguide. A leaky mode deflection of a portion of the waveguided light, or diffractive light, impinges upon the exit face. Multiple output optics at the exit face are configured for developing from each of the output optics a radiated exit light from the diffracted light for at least one of the waveguides. An RF controller is configured to control the SAW devices to develop the radiated exit light as a three-dimensional output light field with horizontal parallax and compatible with observer vertical motion.

Abstract: A method of and system for performing metadata tag compression in security policy enforcement system may comprise conveying a set of data elements, each with an associated metadata tag, from a first processor subsystem to a second processor subsystem. The first processor subsystem may be configured to process conventional tasks, the second processor configured to apply one or more policy decisions to the data element. The conveying may further comprise sending the set of data elements along with an index element that identifies one or more metadata tags, and sending one or more of the metadata tags identified by the index element.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter includes a primary lumen having a proximal end and a tip and a secondary lumen parallel to the primary lumen. The primary lumen and the secondary lumen share a wall. A port is defined in the wall proximate the tip of the primary lumen and provides fluidic communication between the primary lumen and the secondary lumen.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include an external base station with a tethered transceiver, an implanted hub that includes power, telemetry, and processing electronics, and a plurality of implanted satellite that contain reconfigurable front-end electronics for interfacing with electrodes. The system can operate in different modes. In a first mode, called a base boost mode, the external base station is used for closed-loop control of stimulation therapies. In a second, autonomous mode, closed-loop control is performed in the hub without direct influence from the base station. In a third mode, streams of neural data are transmitted to an offline processor for offline analysis.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise electric field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, an electric field detector includes a proof mass, a source of concentrated charge coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The electric field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received electric field at the source of concentrated charge. The electric field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the electric field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: A method for preparing and processing a sample is provided. The method includes obtaining a sample including biofluid. The method further includes purifying at least part of the sample via an acoustic separator to separate target cells from the sample. The sample may accordingly be at least partially purified. The method further includes causing a portion of an output collected from the acoustic separator to flow through a filter. At least one reagent, such as a lysis reagent or assay reagent, is caused to flow over the cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure discussed a handpiece for trans-canal delivery of a therapeutic substance to the inner ear. The handpiece can be inserted into the middle ear via a surgical tympanotomy approach. The handpiece can enable a controlled injection of a therapeutic substance directly through the round window membrane and into the inner ear. The direct delivery of the therapeutic substance to the inner ear can enable the delivery of a precise amount of therapeutic substance into the inner ear. Because the therapeutic substance is delivery directly to the inner ear the delivery of the therapeutic substance is not subject to limitations on molecule size and inconsistent diffusion rates that are present when therapeutic substances are diffused across the round window membrane.

Abstract: A method for separating cells in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive comprising a cell activator, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel to accumulate target cells in a primary stream and non-target cells in a secondary stream. A system for microfluidic cell separation capable of separating target cells from non-target cells in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive comprising a cell activator, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel.

Abstract: An optical system such as an imaging system, projecting system or combined imaging and projecting system, has complex dielectric coatings and/or reflecting polarizers to separate multiple spectral bands and/or polarizations on one or more of the system's curved mirrors.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a hardware circuit for performing operations on data transmitted between a processor and memory. The hardware circuit includes a first interface communicatively coupled to the processor. The first interface configured to emulate a first protocol of the memory. The hardware circuit further includes a second interface communicatively coupled to the memory. The second interface configured to emulates a second protocol of the processor. The hardware circuit also includes hardware logic configured with a bi-directional path, such that each of the first and second interfaces is associated with a different direction of the bi-directional path. The bi-directional path is configured to execute an operation on data received at both the first interface and the second interface.