Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a treatment procedure for breast cancer, a method of predicting a likelihood of success in treating breast cancer, and a method for selecting an endocrine therapy agent for treating breast cancer. In particular, methods of the present invention rely on the amount of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) in a tissue sample.

Abstract: Described herein are devices incorporating Casimir cavities, which modify the quantum vacuum mode distribution within the cavities. The Casimir cavities can drive charge carriers from or to an electronic device disposed adjacent to or contiguous with the Casimir cavity by modifying the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on one side of the electronic device to be different from the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on the other side of the electronic device. The electronic device can exhibit a structure that permits transport or capture of hot carriers in very short time intervals, such as in 1 picosecond or less.

Abstract: A respiration rate measurement apparatus including a plurality of sensors for concurrently generating temperature, pressure and acoustic data representing one or more successive breaths and a method of generating fusion data from the plurality of data streams as a weighted average based on determined correlation coefficients and calculation of a respiratory rate.

Abstract: A lacrimal drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to hold a drug. The reservoir is moveable between a relaxed state and an expanded state. A connector is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a lumen is formed in the connector wherein the drug is configured to flow from the reservoir to an delivery site through the lumen. A hydrogel is within the lumen and configured to absorb the drug from the reservoir and deliver the drug from the lumen at the delivery site. The hydrogel includes a first section which absorbs the drug at a first rate of absorption. A delivery guide is detachably coupled to the reservoir to deliver the reservoir into a lacrimal sac of a patient.

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: 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: 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: Crosslinking compounds for effective and efficient cross-linking and identification of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions of proteins, peptides and nucleic acids.

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

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology include a soft, conformal class of device configured specifically for mechano-acoustic recording from the skin, capable of being used on nearly any part of the body, in forms that maximize detectable signals and allow for multimodal operation, such as electrophysiological recording. Some embodiments can be configured for use in cardiovascular diagnostics, implantable device diagnostics, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). In some embodiments, a conformal sensing device for measuring mechano-acoustic recording from skin of a human subject can include a mechano-acoustic sensor, a wireless transmitter, a flexible housing, and/or one or more electrodes.

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: The disclosed technology includes device, systems, and methods for detecting an analyte using a biosensor. In some implementations, the biosensor may be a transdermal biosensor including a housing material, a nanocellulose material disposed within the housing material, an enzyme entrapped within the nanocellulose material that produces a chemical or biological product when exposed to a vapor or liquid, and a luminescent material within the nanocellulose material that emits visible light upon a chemical or biological reaction with the chemical or biological product.

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.