Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices and processes for separating biomolecules from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.

Abstract: Separation of materials is achieved using affinity binding and acoustophoretic techniques. A column provided with a fluid mixture of materials for separation and support structures may be used with acoustic waves to block flow of the support structures. The support structures can have an affinity for one or more materials in the fluid mixture. By blocking flow of the support structures, materials bound or adhered to the support structure are also blocked.

Abstract: Acoustic perfusion devices for separating biological cells from other material in a fluid mixture are disclosed. The devices include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a collection port that are connected to an acoustic chamber. An ultrasonic transducer creates an acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that permits a continuous flow of fluid to be recovered through the collection port while keeping the biological cells within the acoustic chamber to be returned to the bioreactor from which the fluid mixture is being drawn.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for generating blood protein profiles from whole blood, red blood cell enriched blood samples, or red blood cell components. The methods involve the comparison of protein levels before and after incubation with protease inhibitors, or the comparison of protein levels after incubation in the presence and absence of protease inhibitors. The protein profiles are used for monitoring and diagnosing diseases and disorders in subjects including colorectal cancer and preeclampsia.

Abstract: A system and method for the non-destructive testing of additively manufactured parts. An input mechanism excites with an excitation force (e.g., a vibration) an additive manufacturing build structure, which includes a part on a build platform, to induce a dynamic response in the part. An output mechanism (e.g., a non-contact transducer) senses the induced dynamic response in the part. A processor determines and examines the relationship between the response and excitation to identify an indication of a defect in the part, and communicates an alert if the indication is identified. The processor may compare the phase, magnitude, coherence, or time delay of the relationship to a reference relationship and/or may compare the modal frequency or the modal damping to a reference to identify a deviation greater than a pre-established threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for annotating conversations between a user and an electronic assistant in a hierarchical manner are disclosed. An example system includes a data store of hierarchical annotation records. The hierarchical annotation records include root records and non-root records. Each root record has a conversation identifier and an annotation identifier. Each non-root record includes an annotation identifier and a parent identifier, the parent identifier being an annotation identifier of another record. At least some of the non-root records further include an annotation tag. The system generates a first new root record and first non-root records for an input dialog act and generates a second new root record and second non-root records for an output dialog act that is responsive to the input dialog act. At least one of the second non-root records includes an annotation tag linking back to a record of the first non-root records.

Abstract: Beads with functionalized material applied to them are exposed to an acoustic field to trap, retain or pass the beads. The beads may include or be free of ferro magnetic material. The beads may be biocompatible or biodegradable for a host. The size of the beads may vary over a range, and/or be heterogenous or homogenous. The composition of the beads may include high, neutral or low acoustic contrast material. The chemistry of the functionalized material may be compatible with existing processes. The acoustic field may be generated, for example, in an acoustic angled wave device or in an acoustic fluidized bed.

Abstract: A bioreactor utilizing a multilayer disposable bag that may include at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Abstract: A closed and modular fluidic system composed of one or more acoustic elements and cell processing reagents. The system employs a cellular manufacturing process for producing cell and gene therapy therapeutics.

Abstract: A heat press for extracting fluid, such as oil, from a biological plant. A lower heat platen is fixedly attached to a main frame and an upper heat platen is retractably positioned opposite to the lower heat platen. A pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or a manual or electronic linear actuator provides pressure to an actuation means that is operatively connected to the upper heat platen for initiating movement. A control mechanism that consists of a single pressure regulator system or a dual pressure regulator system is used to control pressure of a pressing operation of the heat press. Alternatively, a digital regulator system can be used to control pressure, time, and temperature of a pressing operation of the heat press. At least one of the upper and lower heat platens has embedded heating elements and an isolated thermocouple. A user interface panel, having an LCD display, a user keyboard, or a touchscreen display is also mounted to the main enclosure.

Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices and methods for separating biological cells (particularly T-cells) from other fluids/materials using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The devices include an inlet, at least two outlets, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Specifically, T cells, B cells, or NK cells can be separated from other blood components. A dual-pass acoustophoretic system including two acoustophoretic devices arranged in series and fluidly connected to one another is also illustrated. Means for pre-chilling the mixture prior to separation in the devices or system can be used to improve retention, concentration, and clarification and to prevent outgassing.

Abstract: Methods for introducing foreign nucleic acids into cells, such as by performing transfection/transduction, using acoustic processes are disclosed herein. The foreign DNA/RNA and the cells are co-located in a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave, or are co-located by acoustic streaming.

Abstract: Separation of particles or droplets from a host fluid may be achieved using a transducer and/or reflector that is a thin, non-planar structure. The thin non-planar structure improves operation of an acoustic standing wave generated by an acoustic transducer. The structure may operate as a pressure release boundary and may be constructed as plastic film.

Abstract: Separation of materials is achieved using affinity binding and acoustophoretic techniques. A column provided with a fluid mixture of materials for separation and support structures may be used with acoustic waves to block flow of the support structures. The support structures can have an affinity for one or more materials in the fluid mixture. By blocking flow of the support structures, materials bound or adhered to the support structure are also blocked.

Abstract: A sensor unit has a sensor element which has a substrate and a plurality of optical components, which are integrated into the substrate, and form a plurality of integrated optical sensors. The optical sensors are an optical current sensor based on the Faraday effect, an optical voltage sensor based on the Pockels effect, an optical strain sensor and/or a wavelength sensor. Response signals from the individual sensors are evaluated in an evaluation unit, wherein the response signals from the expansion sensor and/or from the wavelength sensor are preferably used for evaluating the response signals from the other sensors.

Abstract: A predetermined set of connector maintenance functions may be accomplished subsea using a connector maintenance panel which comprises a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel. The connector maintenance panel subsea may be deployed and powered subsea, such as from an external source, and a predetermined set of connector related functions performed in a sequence by sequentially using the connector interface operable to perform a connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Separation of materials is achieved using affinity binding and acoustophoretic techniques. A column provided with a fluid mixture of materials for separation and support structures may be used with acoustic waves to block flow of the support structures. The support structures can have an affinity for one or more materials in the fluid mixture. By blocking flow of the support structures, materials bound or adhered to the support structure are also blocked.

Abstract: A closed and modular fluidic system composed of one or more acoustic elements and cell processing reagents. The system employs a cellular manufacturing process for producing cell and gene therapy therapeutics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for additive manufacturing a metal part having portions with varying microstructures. The method may include depositing an additive manufacturing powder on a surface and melting or sintering a first portion of the additive manufacturing powder while it is covered with a first type of cover gas. Next, the method may include melting or sintering a second portion of the additive manufacturing powder while it is covered with a second type of cover gas. The first portion may be a first layer of the additive manufacturing powder and the second portion may be a second layer of the additive manufacturing powder deposited after melting or sintering of the first layer. Additionally or alternatively, the first portion and the second portion may both include distinct portions of a single layer of the additive manufacturing powder.

Abstract: A predetermined set of connector maintenance functions may be accomplished subsea using a connector maintenance panel which comprises a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel. The connector maintenance panel subsea may be deployed and powered subsea, such as from an external source, and a predetermined set of connector related functions performed in a sequence by sequentially using the connector interface operable to perform a connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in the predetermined sequence.