Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for remote or distributed continuous monitoring of physiologically relevant states. The invention provides for methods to automatically detect deviations or other states in physiological parameters and automatically alert a measured subject, user or other authorized party. The device provides for a universal platform for sensors, and further provides for the automatic compensation or distribution of devices or bioactive agents at appropriate levels and/or intervals in response to deviations or other states sensed in various physiological parameters.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the fabrication of microscale, including micron and sub-micron scale, including nanoscale, devices. Electronic transport of movable component devices is utilized through a fluidic medium to effect transport to a desired target location on a substrate or motherboard. Forces include electrophoretic force, electroosmotic force, electrostatic force and/or dielectrophoretic force. In the preferred embodiment, free field electroosmotic forces are utilized either alone, or in conjunction with, other forces. These forces may be used singly or in combination, as well as in conjunction with yet other forces, such as fluidic forces, mechanical forces or thermal convective forces. Transport may be effected through the use of driving electrodes so as to transport the component device to yet other connection electrodes. In certain embodiments, the component devices may be attached to the target device using a solder reflow step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parenteral therapeutic agent delivery device. The therapeutic agent delivery device has a disposable section and an implant section suitable for long term implantation within the tissue of a subject. When necessary, the disposable section can be detached from the implant section, and a new disposable section can be attached. The disposable section may contain a reservoir containing the therapeutic agent, a pump for dispensing the therapeutic agent, controlling circuitry for regulating the dispensing of the therapeutic agent, and transceiver circuitry and an antenna for wireless communication with external devices.

Abstract: A method for electronically stabilizing hybridization of nucleic acids bound at a test site of a microelectronic device is described. First and second negatively charged nucleic acids are provided, the second nucleic acid being bound to the test site. A zwitterionic buffer having a conductance of less than 100 mS/cm is applied to the microelectronic device. A current is applied to the test site to positively bias the test site, such that the first negatively charged nucleic acid is transported to the positively biased test site having the bound the second negatively charged nucleic acid. At the test site, the first and second negatively charged nucleic acids hybridize. The zwitterionic buffer acquires a net positive charge under influence of the current, such that the positively charged zwitterionic buffer stabilizes the hybridization by reducing the repulsion between the first and second negatively charged nucleic acids.

Abstract: Aspects include methods and apparatuses for determining change over time in one or more measured regions of a body using a plurality of data sets obtained by analysis of applied signals to said region. The method may include transmitting and receiving one or more of electromagnetic wave signals, applied acoustic wave signals and electrical signals transmitted through or reflected off of a portion of the measured body region.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for monitoring hydration. In one implementation, a method includes measuring an electrical impedance of a region of a subject to generate an impedance measurement result, and wirelessly transmitting the data to a remote apparatus. The probe with which impedance is measured may in the form of a patch adhesively secured to the subject.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for monitoring hydration. In one implementation, a method includes measuring an electrical impedance of a region of a subject to generate an impedance measurement result, and wirelessly transmitting the data to a remote apparatus. The probe with which impedance is measured may take the form of a patch adhesively secured to the subject.

Abstract: Aspects include methods and apparatuses for effecting change over time in one or more measured regions of a body using a plurality of data sets obtained by analysis of applied signals to said region and effecting a change in treatment protocol. The method may include transmitting and receiving one or more of electromagnetic wave signals, applied acoustic wave signals and electrical signals transmitted through or reflected off of a portion of the measured body region. Some aspects may include determining a change in tissue structure, or a change in tissue content.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the design, fabrication, and uses of an electronic system which can actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex reactions in macroscopic or microscopic formats. In particular, these reactions include molecular biological reactions, such as nucleic acid hybridizations, nucleic acid amplification, sample preparation, antibody/antigen reactions, clinical diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry and selection, drug screening, oligonucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis, peptide synthesis, biopolymer synthesis, and catalytic reactions. A key feature of the present invention is the ability to control the localized concentration of two or more reaction-dependant molecules and their reaction environment in order to greatly enhance the rate and specificity of the molecular biological reaction.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating biologics within a hydrogel by using an aqueous solution of an isocyanate-functional hydrogel prepolymer which is mixed with an amount of biologics and an aqueous solution containing a dithiol crosslinking agent under physiological pH conditions. An additional bidentate crosslinking agent may be included. The product of such method may be a bioreactor or an assay device having a plurality or different biologics encapsulated at predetermined locations in a substrate.

Abstract: A method of improving amplification of nucleic acids using a nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (“NASBA”) method is provided wherein target nucleic acids and NASBA primers are electronically addressed to electronically addressable capture sites of a microchip. This improvement uses electronically induced hybridization of the target nucleic acids to the primers. The primers may be solution-based or immobilized on the capture sites of the microchip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the fabrication of microscale, including micron and sub-micron scale, including nanoscale, devices. Electronic transport of movable component devices is utilized through a fluidic medium to effect transport to a desired target location on a substrate or motherboard. Forces include electrophoretic force, electroosmotic force, electrostatic force and/or dielectrophoretic force. In the preferred embodiment, free field electroosmotic forces are utilized either alone, or in conjunction with, other forces. These forces may be used singly or in combination, as well as in conjunction with yet other forces, such as fluidic forces, mechanical forces or thermal convective forces. Transport may be effected through the use of driving electrodes so as to transport the component device to yet other connection electrodes. In certain embodiments, the component devices may be attached to the target device using a solder reflow step.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for remote or distributed continuous monitoring of physiologically relevant states. The invention provides for methods to automatically detect deviations or other states in physiological parameters and automatically alert a measured subject, user or other authorized party. The device provides for a universal platform for sensors, and further provides for the automatic compensation or distribution of devices or bioactive agents at appropriate levels and/or intervals in response to deviations or other states sensed in various physiological parameters.

Abstract: The methods and devices disclosed provides for the delivery of agents to an orifice cavity and subsequent aspiration of the agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In one form, the delivery and aspiration system comprises an agent delivery sub-assembly, an aspiration sub-assembly and a device tip sub-assembly. The subassemblies operate to first deliver an agent contained within the device to an orifice cavity and after an optional time delay, subsequently aspirate the delivered agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In another form, a removable reservoir is provided whereby the aspirated agent and orifice contents from the orifice are assayed either independent of or within the device itself.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the design, fabrication, and uses of an electronic system which can actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex reactions in macroscopic or microscopic formats. In particular, these reactions include molecular biological reactions, such as nucleic acid hybridizations, nucleic acid amplification, sample preparation, antibody/antigen reactions, clinical diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry and selection, drug screening, oligonucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis, peptide synthesis, biopolymer synthesis and catalytic reactions. A key feature of the present invention is the ability to control the localized concentration of two or more reaction-dependant molecules and their reaction environment in order to greatly enhance the rate and specificity of the molecular biological reaction.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating biologics within a hydrogel by using an aqueous solution of an isocyanate-functional hydrogel prepolymer which is mixed with an amount of biologics and an aqueous solution containing a dithiol crosslinking agent under physiological pH conditions. An additional bidentate crosslinking agent may be included. The product of such method may be a bioreactor or an assay device having a plurality or different biologics encapsulated at predetermined locations in a substrate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of matter are provided for the strand displacement amplification of target nucleic acids of interest using primer pair sets that are anchored to electronically addressable capture sites on a microarray. The primer pair sets may be individually bound to the capture sites or may comprise a unique branched primer pair moiety. The anchored primers allow for the simultaneous multiplex capture, amplification and detection of a target nucleic acid derived from any sample source.

Abstract: A self-addressable, self-assembling microelectronic device is designed and fabricated to actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex molecular biological reactions in microscopic formats. These reactions include nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen reactions, diagnostics, and biopolymer synthesis. The device can be fabricated using both microlithographic and micro-machining techniques. The device can electronically control the transport and attachment of specific binding entities to specific microlocations. The specific binding entities include molecular biological molecules such as nucleic acids and polypeptides. The device can subsequently control the transport and reaction of analytes or reactants at the addressed specific microlocations. The device is able to concentrate analytes and reactants, remove non-specifically bound molecules, provide stringency control for DNA hybridization reactions, and improve the detection of analytes. The device can be electronically replicated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the fabrication of microscale, including micron and sub-micron scale, including nanoscale, devices. Electronic transport of movable component devices is utilized through a fluidic medium to effect transport to a desired target location on a substrate or motherboard. Forces include electrophoretic force, electroosmotic force, electrostatic force and/or dielectrophoretic force. In the preferred embodiment, free field electroosmotic forces are utilized either alone, or in conjunction with, other forces. These forces may be used singly or in combination, as well as in conjunction with yet other forces, such as fluidic forces, mechanical forces or thermal convective forces. Transport may be effected through the use of driving electrodes so as to transport the component device to yet other connection electrodes. In certain embodiments, the component devices may be attached to the target device using a solder reflow step.

Abstract: The methods and devices disclosed provides for the delivery of agents to an orifice cavity and subsequent aspiration of the agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In one form, the delivery and aspiration system comprises an agent delivery sub-assembly, an aspiration sub-assembly and a device tip sub-assembly. The subassemblies operate to first deliver an agent contained within the device to an orifice cavity and after an optional time delay, subsequently aspirate the delivered agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In another form, a removable reservoir is provided whereby the aspirated agent and orifice contents from the orifice are assayed either independent of or within the device itself.