Abstract: Described herein are methods for making clear ice. In one embodiment, a method for making clear ice includes providing a mold of any of the embodiments described herein, optionally inserting a skewer through the mold, the skewer being coupled to an item; circulating, using fluid inlet and outlet valves, a fluid in a mold cavity defined by the mold; varying overtime one or both of: a temperature of the cooling apparatus or a fluid flow rate, through the fluid inlet valve, as a percentage of max flow; and optionally retracting the skewer when the ice formation encases at least a portion of the item. In some embodiments, the method optionally includes a period of flow reversal, such that the fluid inlet valve becomes the fluid outlet valve and the fluid outlet valve becomes the fluid inlet valve. In some embodiments, the method optionally includes releasing the ice from the mold.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a transdermal membrane, a piston, a control rod, a spring, and a rotational cam. The reservoir is configured to hold a formulation. The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough. The piston is configured to move into the reservoir. The control rod is attached to the piston and includes a plurality of teeth thereon. The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir. The rotational cam has a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth. The rotational cam, when rotated, is configured to disengage the first camming surface from a first tooth of the plurality of teeth, thereby allowing the spring to advance the piston into the reservoir to expel the formulation onto the transdermal membrane.

Abstract: Devices and methods for withdrawing blood from a patient and separating plasma from the blood are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a fluid cartridge can be coupled to a collection device and configured to receive whole blood withdrawn from the patient using the collection device. The cartridge can include a housing having a reservoir portion configured to receive the whole blood, and a plasma separation substrate positioned within the housing. The substrate can be folded to define (a) a crease, (b) a first strip portion extending away from the crease, and (c) a second strip portion extending away from the crease. The crease can be positioned adjacent to the reservoir portion to receive the whole blood, and the plasma separation substrate can be configured to wick the whole blood along the first and second strip portions to separate the plasma from the whole blood.

Abstract: A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a transdermal membrane, a piston, a control rod, a spring, and a rotational cam. The reservoir is configured to hold a formulation. The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough. The piston is configured to move into the reservoir. The control rod is attached to the piston and includes a plurality of teeth thereon. The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir. The rotational cam has a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth. The rotational cam, when rotated, is configured to disengage the first camming surface from a first tooth of the plurality of teeth, thereby allowing the spring to advance the piston into the reservoir to expel the formulation onto the transdermal membrane.

Abstract: A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a transdermal membrane, a piston, a control rod, a spring, and a rotational cam. The reservoir is configured to hold a formulation. The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough. The piston is configured to move into the reservoir. The control rod is attached to the piston and includes a plurality of teeth thereon. The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir. The rotational cam has a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth. The rotational cam, when rotated, is configured to disengage the first camming surface from a first tooth of the plurality of teeth, thereby allowing the spring to advance the piston into the reservoir to expel the formulation onto the transdermal membrane.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a painting machine are provided. The painting machine may include an end effector controlled by custom software. The painting machine may include a self-contained medium circulation system. The custom control software may be capable of coordinated n-axis manipulation of an end. Illustrative end effectors may include an inkjet head, brush, air brush or any suitable tool for applying ink, paint, color and/or texture to a surface. For example an end effector may utilize oil-based ink or ultraviolet-cured ink. Illustrative surfaces may include canvas, paper, brick, glass etc. The custom control software may control manipulation of the end effector based on a variety of electronic inputs. The custom software may manipulate different end effectors in different ways depending on the input data, type of ink/paint being used, type of surface receiving the ink/paint or any other variable.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes a reservoir, a transdermal membrane, a piston, a control rod, a spring, and a rotational cam. The reservoir is configured to hold a formulation. The transdermal membrane is configured to allow the formulation from the reservoir to pass therethrough. The piston is configured to move into the reservoir. The control rod is attached to the piston and includes a plurality of teeth thereon. The spring is configured to apply force to the control rod in the direction of the reservoir. The rotational cam has a first camming surface and a second camming surface that are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth. The rotational cam, when rotated, is configured to disengage the first camming surface from a first tooth of the plurality of teeth, thereby allowing the spring to advance the piston into the reservoir to expel the formulation onto the transdermal membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a painting machine are provided. The painting machine may include an end effector controlled by custom software. The painting machine may include a self-contained medium circulation system. The custom control software may be capable of coordinated n-axis manipulation of an end. Illustrative end effectors may include an inkjet head, brush, air brush or any suitable tool for applying ink, paint, color and/or texture to a surface. For example an end effector may utilize oil-based ink or ultraviolet-cured ink. Illustrative surfaces may include canvas, paper, brick, glass etc. The custom control software may control manipulation of the end effector based on a variety of electronic inputs. The custom software may manipulate different end effectors in different ways depending on the input data, type of ink/paint being used, type of surface receiving the ink/paint or any other variable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a painting machine are provided. The painting machine may include an end effector controlled by custom software. The custom control software may be capable of coordinated n-axis manipulation of an end. Illustrative end effectors may include an inkjet head, brush, air brush or any suitable tool for applying ink, paint, color and/or texture to a surface. For example an end effector may utilize oil-based ink or ultraviolet-cured ink. Illustrative surfaces may include canvas, paper, brick, glass etc. The custom control software may control manipulation of the end effector based on a variety of electronic inputs. The custom software may manipulate different end effectors in different ways depending on the input data, type of ink/paint being used, type of surface receiving the ink/paint or any other variable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a painting machine are provided. The painting machine may include an end effector controlled by custom software. The custom control software may be capable of coordinated n-axis manipulation of an end. Illustrative end effectors may include an inkjet head, brush, air brush or any suitable tool for applying ink, paint, color and/or texture to a surface. For example an end effector may utilize oil-based ink or ultraviolet-cured ink. Illustrative surfaces may include canvas, paper, brick, glass etc. The custom control software may control manipulation of the end effector based on a variety of electronic inputs. The custom software may manipulate different end effectors in different ways depending on the input data, type of ink/paint being used, type of surface receiving the ink/paint or any other variable.