Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include devices, methods, and systems for direct, selective, and sensitive detection of single-stranded and double-stranded target DNA sequences from various sources using a Cas12a protein. When activated by binding a target DNA sequence, the Cas12a cleaves a tether releasing a reporter molecule that may then be detected. In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and devices may include a filter or membrane that may help to separate the tethered and untethered reporter molecules. These devices, systems, and techniques allow a user to rapidly process samples that may contain the target DNA, without needing to amplify the target sequences. These devices and methods may be used to assay a wide variety of samples and target DNA sources, for the presence or absence of target DNA sequences. Compositions and kits, useful in practicing these methods, for example detecting a target DNA in a biological sample, are also described.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an intelligent system includes an electronic circuit configured to execute a neural network, to detect at least one feature in an image of a body portion while executing the neural network, and to determine a respective position and a respective class of each of the detected at least one feature while executing the neural network. For example, such a system can execute a neural network to detect at least one feature in an image of a lung, to determine a respective position within the image of each detected feature, and to classify each of the detected features as one of the following: A-line, B-line, pleural line, consolidation, and pleural effusion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods for determining if a fluid is present in a body region. The systems and methods include using ultrasound systems having operational parameters that provide ultrasound echo maps having high resolution B-line artefacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to applicators for microneedle array patches and methods of application of microneedle array patches to a skin surface. The applicator can include a shaft having an opening at a first end for affixing a microneedle array patch, a plunger positioned substantially within the shaft, a loading mechanism operably associated with the plunger within the shaft, and a force applicator. The method can include affixing the microneedle array patch to a first end of a plunger of a microneedle array patch applicator, loading the plunger and the affixed microneedle array patch to a loaded position, positioning the opening against the skin region of the individual and operating the force applicator to release the plunger.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Embodiments include assay devices within a single use, disposable cassette for biochemical assays with at least one fluid well and at least one capillary valve. The capillary valve in combination with motion of porous sheets within the assay leads to addition of liquid reagents at different times to the assay although a user adds the liquid reagents to the cassette simultaneously.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include devices, methods, and systems for direct, selective, and sensitive detection of single-stranded and double-stranded target nucleic acid sequences from various sources in a solution-based system. When activated by binding a target nucleic acid sequence, the Cas protein cleaves a tether separating a reporter molecule from a capture moiety. The capture moiety can then be used to remove, localize, or sequester uncleaved molecule containing intact tethers. In some embodiments, the systems, methods, and devices may include a filter, a membrane, or other molecules that may help to separate the tethered and untethered reporter molecules and/or capture the reporter molecules. These devices, systems, and techniques allow a user to rapidly process samples that may contain the target nucleic acid, in some cases, without needing to amplify the target sequences, and without the need for sophisticated or expensive laboratory equipment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal carrier device includes: one or more sections of thermal insulation positioned to form an internal space with an adjacent first side region and an adjacent second side region; a first panel including a first phase change material positioned within the first side region of the internal space, the first side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the first panel; and a second panel including a second phase change material positioned within the second side region of the internal space, the second side region of a size and shape to firmly contain an integral number of portable cold packs in thermal contact with the second panel.

Abstract: Pacifier devices with internal reservoirs and metering units are described. The metering units provide single dosages of an internal supplement material during a fixed period of time. For example, embodiments of pacifier devices can be utilized to provide supplemental nutrition paste or gel to undernourished infants with metered dosages as appropriate to the supplement.

Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

Abstract: Enteric elastomers and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, the enteric elastomer is a polymer composite. Certain embodiments comprise a polymer composite in which hydrogen bonds within two carboxyl group-containing polymers cross-link the polymer networks into an elastic and pH-responsive polymer composite. Advantageously, this polymer composite has the capacity of being stable and elastic in an acidic environment such as that of the stomach but can be dissolved in a neutral pH environment such as that of the small and large intestines. In some embodiments, the polymer composites described herein comprise a mixture of two or more polymers with carboxyl functionality such that the two or more polymers form hydrogen bonds. In certain embodiments, the polymer composite has both enteric and elastic properties.

Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies for automated microscopy scanning systems are disclosed wherein a microscopy system performs “hunt mode” operations at coarsely-spaced locations throughout a scanning window until an acceptable quality scan result is achieved. The system then performs detailed scans at all fields of view within a grid cell that includes the location having the acceptable scan result. The system performs another evaluation of the scan results for the entire grid cell, and if the scan results for the grid cell are collectively acceptable, then the system proceeds to perform “scan mode” operations. The scan mode operations include scanning and evaluating all of the fields of view within one or more grid cells adjacent to the acceptable grid cell from the hunt mode operations. The system may successively perform hunt mode operations and scan mode operations, compiling information regarding one or more aspects of the scanning process, until one or more termination criteria are satisfied.