Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward measurement systems capable of optical analysis of a test sample. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a sample holder having a plurality of projections that extend from a planar surface, where the projections and planar surface collectively define an open sample-collection surface that enables an interrogation signal direct access to the test sample. The projections can be dimensioned and arranged to collectively define a geometric anti-reflection surface that is substantially non-reflective for the interrogation signal even at large angles of incidence. In some embodiments, the sample holder is configured as a reflective element that enables multiple passes of the interrogation signal through the test sample. In some embodiments, the sample holder is configured as a transmissive element. In some embodiments, the projections themselves are reflective.

Abstract: A sensing chip attached to a bandage monitors the healing process of a wound by detecting growth factors, thrombin and fibrinogen. The complementary metal-oxide semiconductor includes a functionalized working electrode, functionalized counter electrode and functionalized reference electrode. The healing progress is stimulated by generating oxygen in the wound.

Abstract: Artificial muscles comprising a body of dielectric elastomer, wherein the body contains a pair of microfluidic networks are presented. Each microfluidic network includes a plurality of channels fluidically coupled via a manifold. The channels of the microfluidic networks are interdigitated and filled with conductive fluid such that each set of adjacent channels functions as the electrodes of an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator. By using the manifolds as compliant wiring to energize the electrodes, artificial muscles in accordance with the present disclosure mitigate some or all of the reliability problems associated with prior-art artificial muscles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for fabricating thin hydrogel layers on biosensors by a drop-spin method, which includes placing a drop of the hydrogel on the electrode, spinning the wafer at high speed in a vacuum, and heating the wafer to cure. One and multilayer sensors can be fabricated in this way, by adding layers of hydrogel or metal.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer for operation in the mid-infrared spectral range is presented, where the spectrometer includes a Bragg-mirror-based spectral filter that is operative for providing an interrogation signal whose spectral content is dispersed along a first direction at a filter aperture. The filter aperture is imaged through a sample by a thermal-imaging camera to create a focused image that is based on the interrogation signal and the absorption characteristics of the sample. As a result, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be smaller, less complex, and less expensive than infrared spectrometers known in the prior art.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a measurement system capable of rapid spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis of the chemical makeup of a test sample. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure include a low-thermal-mass sample holder having a substrate whose surface has been engineered to create a large-area sample-collection surface. The sample holder includes an integrated temperature controller that can rapidly heat or cool the test sample. As a result, the sample holder enables differential scanning calorimetry Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DSC-FTIR) that can be performed in minutes rather than hours, as required in the prior art.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the components of a long-chain molecule by making electrical measurements from fabricated nanoscale electrodes as the molecule moves down a narrow microfluidic channel. The channel can be along the surface of a chip, through a chip, or both.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits for the multiplexed detection of a plurality of analytes in a sample. In some examples, this disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits wherein multiple analytes may be detected in a single sample volume by acquiring a cumulative measurement or measurements of at least one quantifiable component of a signal. In some cases, additional components of a signal, or additional signals (or components thereof) are also quantified. Each signal or component of a signal may be used to construct a coding scheme which can then be used to determine the presence or absence of any analyte.

Abstract: An implantable device having a communication system, a sensor, and a monolithic substrate is described. The monolithic substrate has an integrated sensor circuit configured to process input from the sensor into a form conveyable by the communication system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a measurement system capable of rapid spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis of the chemical makeup of a test sample. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure include a low-thermal-mass sample holder having a substrate whose surface has been engineered to create a large-area sample-collection surface. The sample holder includes an integrated temperature controller that can rapidly heat or cool the test sample. As a result, the sample holder enables differential scanning calorimetry Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DSC-FTIR) that can be performed in minutes rather than hours, as required in the prior art.

Abstract: Methods and devices including implantable micro-sensors used to detect tissue-dissolved inert gas and to detect microbubble formation to avoid Caisson disease are described. The disclosed methods and devices are based on measuring the refractive index changes in hydrophobic liquids after absorbing an inert gas such as nitrogen. The changes in the refractive index are based on implementing one of an interferometry, optical microcavity resonance shift, a photonic crystal resonance, a beam deflection, a resonance tuning or detuning, an amplitude change, or an intensity change method.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward optical elements, such as sample cuvettes, lenses, prisms, and the like, whose transmissivity is increased by the addition of a geometric anti-reflection layer disposed on at least one surface of the optical element, where the geometric anti-reflection layer includes a plurality of geometric features that collectively reduce the reflectivity of the interface between the surface and another medium. As a result, more of an optical signal incident on the surface passes through the interface. In some embodiments, every surface through which an optical signal passes includes a geometric anti-reflection layer. Due to the increased transmissivity of the optical element, in some embodiments, the use of low-cost, high-refractive-index materials, such as conventional silicon, is enabled.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a measurement system capable of rapid spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis of the chemical makeup of a test sample. Systems in accordance with the present disclosure include a low-thermal-mass sample holder having a substrate whose surface has been engineered to create a large-area sample-collection surface. The sample holder includes an integrated temperature controller that can rapidly heat or cool the test sample. As a result, the sample holder enables differential scanning calorimetry Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DSC-FTIR) that can be performed in minutes rather than hours, as required in the prior art.

Abstract: Medical systems for detecting a genetic variation in a polynucleotide analyte in a sample. A fluorophore is attached to a first primer, a quencher is attached to a second primer, and the first primer and the second primer are specific for the polynucleotide analyte. The primers are configured to amplify the polynucleotide analyte having the genetic variation and a corresponding polynucleotide analyte lacking the generic variation. There is a detectable difference between a change in signal generated by the fluorophore and quencher, and measured by a sensor of the medical system, when using the first and second primers to amplify the polynucleotide analyte with the genetic variation, and a change in signal generated by the fluorophore and quencher, and measured by the sensor of the medical system, when using the first and second primers to amplify the corresponding polynucleotide analyte lacking the genetic variation.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer for operation in the mid-infrared spectral range is presented, where the spectrometer includes a Bragg-mirror-based spectral filter that is operative for providing an interrogation signal whose spectral content is dispersed along a first direction at a filter aperture. The filter aperture is imaged through a sample by a thermal-imaging camera to create a focused image that is based on the interrogation signal and the absorption characteristics of the sample. As a result, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be smaller, less complex, and less expensive than infrared spectrometers known in the prior art.

Abstract: A fully integrated small size implantable sensing device is described, which can include a sensor and an electronic circuit to interface with the sensor and communicate with an external device. Various fabrication methods for the sensing device are described, including provision of wells, created using same fabrication technology as the electronic circuit, to contain electrodes of the sensor and corresponding functionalization chemicals. Such implantable sensing device can be used for a variety of electrochemical measuring applications within a living body as well as actuation by injecting a current into the living body.

Abstract: A sensing chip attached to a bandage monitors the healing process of a wound by detecting growth factors, thrombin and fibrinogen. The complementary metal-oxide semiconductor includes a functionalized working electrode, functionalized counter electrode and functionalized reference electrode. The healing progress is stimulated by generating oxygen in the wound.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer for operation in the mid-infrared spectral range is disclosed, where the spectrometer includes a Bragg-mirror-based spectral filter that is operative for providing an output optical signal whose spectral content is spatially dispersed along a first direction, where the Bragg mirrors include low-refractive-index layers comprising a polymer material that is transmissive across the mid-infrared spectral range and is characterized by less than ten absorption peaks with the operating spectral range of the spectrometer.

Abstract: An implantable device contains a drug or biosensing compound, protected from the external environment within a human body by several barriers which are broken upon activation of the device through electrothermal, chemical, and mechanical processes. The device allows accurate and repeated dosing within a human body, thus reducing the number of implantation procedures required. This device extends the lifetime of a biosensor, reducing the number of implantation procedures required.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer for operation in the mid-infrared spectral range is presented, where the spectrometer includes a Bragg-mirror-based spectral filter that is operative for providing an interrogation signal whose spectral content is dispersed along a first direction at a filter aperture. The filter aperture is imaged through a sample by a thermal-imaging camera to create a focused image that is based on the interrogation signal and the absorption characteristics of the sample. As a result, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be smaller, less complex, and less expensive than infrared spectrometers known in the prior art.