Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, compositions, and methods for detecting ovarian cancer cells by photoacoustic flow cytometry.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, compositions, and methods for detecting ovarian cancer cells by photoacoustic flow cytometry.

Abstract: Photoacoustic targeting systems for intracellular recording. In one embodiment, the photoacoustic targeting system includes a light source, a micropipette electrode, an acoustic transducer, and a controller. The light source is configured to emit pulsed light. The micropipette electrode is configured to deliver the pulsed light to a target cell. The acoustic transducer is configured to receive photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of light energy by the target cell. The controller is configured to determine a position of the micropipette electrode relative to the target cell based on the photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: A device comprises a miniature transducer having an altered backing geometry that can be placed within different casing sizes of an imaging probe device. The backing geometry extends along a longitudinal axis of the imaging probe and provides an angle (e.g., 45-degree angle) configured to reflect ultrasound and/or light waves/signals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the imaging probe. This design is configured to enable ultrasound and/or light waves/signals to be redirected and dampened within the transducer to preserve a suitable signal to noise ratio while minimizing the required depth of the backing.

Abstract: A collection device for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a living biological sample is disclosed. The collection device comprises a housing defining an interior chamber and an inlet and outlet each fluidly communicating with the interior chamber. The housing is formed by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a substantially circular sidewall extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The interior chamber comprises a substantially cylindrical volume enclosed by the housing and configured to receive the living biological sample. The inlet and the outlet may extend through the upper surface and may be substantially diametrically opposed with respect to the circular sidewall. The collection device may be configured to pass fluid in a substantially laminar flow path through the inlet, across the interior chamber, and out of the outlet. At least a portion of the housing may comprise a substantially transparent material configured to transmit light therethrough.

Abstract: A system for calculating a Grüneisen parameter of a target tissue is disclosed. The system comprises a first light source configured to emit a first light signal to the target tissue, thereby generating an acoustic signal in the target tissue. The system further comprises a second light source configured to emit a second light signal to the target tissue, which interacts with the acoustic signal, (e.g., in the manner of Brillouin scattering) to generate a backscattered light signal. The system further comprise a light sensor configured to detect the backscattered light signal and a processor configured to receive the backscattered light signal from the light sensor and calculate the Grüneisen parameter of the target tissue based on the backscattered response signal.

Abstract: A system for measuring a membrane potential is disclosed. The system comprises a photoacoustic probe including a laser and an ultrasound transducer. The laser is configured to emit a light signal at one or more wavelengths to a neuronal cell. The neuronal cell may comprise a voltage-sensitive protein configured to absorb the light signal in a voltage-dependent manner. The ultrasound transducer is configured to receive a photoacoustic signal from the voltage-sensitive protein in response to absorbing the light signal. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive the photoacoustic signal from the ultrasound transducer and calculate a membrane potential of the neuron based on the photoacoustic signal. Methods of measuring a membrane potential and biomaterials related to the voltage-sensitive protein are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for measuring the membrane potential of a neuron is disclosed. The system comprises one or more photoacoustic ion indicators, each comprising a metal chelating agent linked to a chromophore molecule. The metal chelating agent is configured to selectively bind to one of sodium ions, calcium ions, and potassium ions. The system further comprises a photoacoustic probe including a laser configured to emit a light signal to the chromophore and an ultrasound transducer configured to receive a photoacoustic signal in response to the light signal. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive the photoacoustic signal from the ultrasound transducer, determine a quantity of photoacoustic ion indicators exhibiting the shift, and calculate a membrane potential of the neuron based on quantity of photoacoustic ion indicators exhibiting the shift.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: An extractor device including a handle, a grasper, a catheter, a control ring, and a control fiber is disclosed. The handle has a drive slide that moves the grasper in and out of the catheter. The grasper has a plurality of arms of staggered length, each slideably coupled to the control fiber to form a control fiber loop while the grasper is outside the catheter Pulling the control ring constricts the loop, deflecting the ends of the arms inward and bending the arms around a foreign body.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, compositions, and methods for detecting ovarian cancer cells by photoacoustic flow cytometry.

Abstract: Methods and systems for image-based guidance in deep-brain stimulation. An endoscope system includes a waveguide tube, a right-angle prism, a light source, and a photoacoustic transducer. Light from the light source propagates along the length of the waveguide tube via internal reflection within the wall. The right-angle prism is positioned to redirect light emitted at a distal end of the waveguide tube in a direction perpendicular to the length of the waveguide tube. Light emitted in the perpendicular direction causes soundwaves to be generated by the surrounding tissue via photoacoustic effect. Those soundwaves are then conducted through the interior channel of the waveguide tube from the distal end of the waveguide tube to a proximal end of the waveguide tube where the soundwaves are detected by the photoacoustic transducer, which is acoustically coupled to the interior channel of the waveguide tube at the proximal end of the waveguide tube.

Abstract: Photoacoustic targeting systems for intracellular recording. In one embodiment, the photoacoustic targeting system includes a light source, a micropipette electrode, an acoustic transducer, and a controller. The light source is configured to emit pulsed light. The micropipette electrode is configured to deliver the pulsed light to a target cell. The acoustic transducer is configured to receive photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of light energy by the target cell. The controller is configured to determine a position of the micropipette electrode relative to the target cell based on the photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: A device comprises a miniature transducer having an altered backing geometry that can be placed within different casing sizes of an imaging probe device. The backing geometry extends along a longitudinal axis of the imaging probe and provides an angle (e.g., 45-degree angle) configured to reflect ultrasound and/or light waves/signals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the imaging probe. This design is configured to enable ultrasound and/or light waves/signals to be redirected and dampened within the transducer to preserve a suitable signal to noise ratio while minimizing the required depth of the backing.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein providing systems and methods for modeling and visualizing interconnection relationships between a first provider network and a partner. In one implementation, a partner of a provider network is defined by at least one interconnection point where network traffic may be exchanged between the provider network and the partner. An interconnection relationship is generated based on the at least one interconnection point. The interconnection relationship is modeled.

Abstract: A portable hands free hair dryer that gently dries the hair of a user The hair dyer comprises a flexible bonnet having heating coils disposed within, a fan blowing unit, and an air hose connecting the two. When the device is powered on, the heating coils warm the area around the user's hair and scalp, and the fan blows air up through the air hose into the bonnet. Warm air in the bonnet is blown around, drying the user's hair. The fan unit is a small portable unit that can be clipped to a user's clothing, and may be used while cordless or plugged into a wall socket. In either manner of use, the device dries the user's hair without the need for user participation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing non-intrusive data link layer performance measurement in communication networks are disclosed. An example method to measure data link layer performance between existing network nodes disclosed herein comprises coupling a first intelligent network interface (INI) to an available access port of a first existing network node providing access to a network, wherein the first INI obtains power and input information only from the access port after being coupled thereto, and exchanging test messages between the first INI and a second INI coupled to a second existing network node during normal operation of the first and second existing network nodes to measure data link layer performance, wherein the test messages originate in the first INI and are routed through the first and second existing network nodes using a first data link layer address associated with the first INI and a second data link layer address associated with the second INI.

Abstract: This is a toy that involves weaving thin plastic strips through notches in a variety of fun shapes. It is designed for young children to develop finger dexterity as they manipulate the plastic strips to go in and out of the notches. The shapes vary in size, color, theme and complexity. Toy difficulty is graded by the number and sizes of notches and number of sides each strip has. The easiest toys designed for younger children have larger, less notches and simple strips. The more complex shapes have smaller and more notches and use strips that may have 2 or more sides or complex curves. In addition, some shapes and corresponding strips have holes so that after the strips are woven and aligned they can be laced with string. The types and themes of shapes that are woven with one or more strips are limitless.