Abstract: An ophthalmic implant configured for peri-operative, intra-operative, or post-operative assembly and disassembly. Drug delivery devices may be implanted with an intraocular lens, and later removed and replaced with new drug delivery devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions and methods for recombinantly generating tagless constructs of proteins or peptides. In certain embodiments, recombinant proteins or peptides disclosed herein concern human papilloma virus (HPV). Other embodiments concern using these constructs in compositions to elicit immune responses in a subject to one or more HPV types. Therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for the prevention and treatment of viral infections are also disclosed. Nucleic acids and expression vectors coding for constructs contemplated herein are provided. In certain embodiments, an HPV capsid protein generated is devoid of any fusion tags. In addition, truncated forms of HPV L1 are contemplated.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides an in vitro method for identifying a patient as likely as likely to require a transfusion of at least six units of blood in six hours or less. The method comprise, consists essentially of, or consists of (a) analyzing a sample of blood from a patient with a viscoelastic analysis assay to obtain a coagulation characteristic value that is independent of time of the patient; and (b) comparing the coagulation characteristic value of the patient to a coagulation characteristic value that is independent of time of a control, wherein the coagulation characteristic value of the patient that is lower than the coagulation characteristic value of the control identifies the patient as likely to require a transfusion of at least six units of blood in six hours or less.

Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used for any endoscopy procedure. In certain embodiments, the devices of the invention reduce the occurrence of looping in the most difficult segment of the colon to navigate—the splenic flexure. In other embodiments, the devices of the invention make colonoscopies more comfortable for patients and reduce the risk of damage to the colon. In yet other embodiments, the devices of the invention comprise a supportive, friction-reducing device that can be attached to the tip of existing endoscopes to help the scope advance better through the colon and intestinal tract.

Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels, depending on the solvents in the gels.

Abstract: Capacitive wireless power transfer systems are provided. In one embodiment, for example, the system comprises two pair of coupled conducting plates; a first matching network coupled to the first pair of conducting plates; and a second matching network coupled to the second pair of conducting plates. At least one of the first and second matching networks comprises an inductor having inductance value selected based on at least one parasitic capacitance value of the capacitive wireless power transfer system. In another embodiment, a method of designing a capacitive wireless power transfer system is provided comprising determining a parasitic capacitance value of a capacitive wireless power transfer system and determining an inductance value of an inductor of at least one of the first and second matching network having a value selected based on at least one parasitic capacitance value of the capacitive wireless power transfer system.

Abstract: A compact diode laser achieves high-power, short duration output pulses by separating the lasing action from the pulse-generating mechanism. A diode seed source is configured for gain-switching via a variable RF source. A time lens element includes an intensity modulation device, a phase modulation device, and a pulse compressor. The intensity modulation device carves shorter pulses from the long gain-switched seed pulses, the phase modulation device adds chirp, and the pulse compressor compensates for the chirp while producing high-power short-duration output pulses.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for identifying a patient suffering from or suspected of suffering in from a disease associated with the cardiovascular system that is having a subnormal response to the treatment for the disease comprising: subjecting a blood sample from a patient being treated for a disease to a viscoelastic analysis in the presence of a known amount of a thrombolytic agent, to obtain a coagulation characteristic value of the patient; and comparing the coagulation characteristic value of the patient to a coagulation characteristic value of a healthy individual, wherein a difference in the coagulation characteristic value of the patient as compared to the coagulation characteristic value of the healthy individual identifies the patient as a patient having a subnormal response to treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an implantable device comprising a substrate capable of capturing an intraocular target molecule and to methods of use thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulation of intracellular activity. In particular, the invention relates to compositions and methods of identifying and tracking specific intracellular RNAs. For example, a fluorescently tagged RNA probe may be tracked by in vivo live imaging throughout its intracellular lifetime in order to determine its purpose and identify regulatory targets to modify its effects. Alternatively, an RNA probe may carry a therapeutic payload for treatment of medical condition or disorder.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates devices and methods to administer nutritional compositions and/or therapeutic drugs directly into a portal venous system. For example, total parenteral nutrition therapy may be administered directly into the hepatic portal venous system thus circumventing known side effects of conventional parenteral administration. Alternatively, hepatic diseases and disorders may be treated using locally administered therapeutic drugs. Devices capable of direct portal venous system administration include, but are not limited to, a direct portal access catheter or a transjugular access catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and circuits of a hybrid converter family that allows using a combination of a switched multiple capacitor network and a number of inductors in order to a power conversion from an input to an output that may require a large conversion ratio, high output current, low output voltage, and/or high input voltage. The disclosed circuits and methods can be applied to today's switching regulators and allow them to provide the same power conversion function with less number of power conversion stages, smaller passive components, and less number of active components, and therefore, reduce the implementation space to save cost as well as improve efficiency. Sample applications include, but are not limited to, point-of-load power converters for data centers, telecommunication systems and other high-performance electronic systems.

Abstract: A spinal implant device comprising a frame and a plurality of mechanical stiffness members extending from the frame, with the plurality of mechanical stiffness members being individually customized to provide a specific axial stiffness. The plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be coupled to the frame, and the plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be a plurality of wave-spring modules. A method of treating spinal disease includes determining actual spatial mechanical properties across a vertebral contact surface of a vertebra of a patient. The method may also include manufacturing a spinal implant device that has conforming spatial mechanical properties that are specific to the patient and that are based on the actual spatial mechanical properties of the vertebral contact surface. The method may include surgically implanting the spinal implant device against the vertebral contact surface such that the actual spatial mechanical properties and the conforming spatial mechanical properties align.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing three-dimensional facial modeling and visual speech synthesis. In various embodiments, a computing system might determine an orientation, size, and location of a face in a received input image; retrieve a three-dimensional model template comprising a face and head; project the input image onto the model template to generate a three-dimensional model; define, on the model, a polygon mesh in a region of facial feature corresponding to feature in the input image; adjust parameters on the model; and display the model. The computing system might parse a text string into allophonic units; encode each allophonic unit into a point(s) in linguistic space corresponding to mouth movements; retrieve, from a codebook, indexed images/morphs corresponding to encoded points in the linguistic space; render the indexed images/morphs into an animation of the three-dimensional model; synchronize, for output, the animation with audio representations of the text string.

Abstract: A system and methods for the delivery of oxygen through a body cavity of a subject using oxygen microbubbles. Through circulation of oxygen microbubbles through the body cavity, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange may occur. Overall improvement in extending survival rate time during emergency situations caused by pulmonary or similar oxygen-intake restricting injury and/or failure may be achieved through use of the invented system and methods.

Abstract: A probe beam is passed through a first optically pumped magnetometer vapor cell portion that has a first magnetic bias field orientation relative to a pump beam. The probe beam is also passed through a second optically pumped magnetometer vapor cell portion that has a second magnetic bias field orientation relative to the pump beam with the same properties as in the first portion, where the first magnetic bias field orientation is opposite to that of the second magnetic bias field orientation. This configuration reduces or eliminates linearly polarized magnetic signals (e.g., noise) from the output probe beam and passes circularly polarized magnetic signals. Thus, the intensity of the probe beam after passing through the first and second optically pumped magnetometer vapor cell portions is measured to obtain a noise suppressed signal.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate body and an inflatable balloon attached to and partially surrounding at least a section of the elongate body. The inflatable balloon is selectively inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state. Engagement between the balloon and a physiological lumen is provided, in part, by multiple protrusions extending from the inflatable balloon and having various physical and functional characteristics. In certain implementations, the balloon may be configured to exhibit various separation forces by applying different strains to the balloon, such as by varying the degree to which the balloon is inflated or deflated.