Abstract: An apparatus comprising a flexible heater in thermal contact with a flexible spring, wherein the flexible spring is configured to provide thermal energy from the heater to a cartridge when the cartridge is in contact with the flexible spring. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for a point of care apparatus. The point of care apparatus includes a fluid container for receiving a biosample, an intermediate cap, and a cartridge having at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A triple sensor structured for simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH. The sensor components are in thin film states such as sensing films or membranes, with a glucose probe associated with emission of radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, an oxygen probe associated with radiation in red portion of the spectrum, and a pH probe—with a green portion of the spectrum. The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the thin film sensing stability, and enabling the repeatable use of the same sensing films.

Abstract: A triple sensor structured for simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH. The sensor components are in thin film states such as sensing films or membranes, with a glucose probe associated with emission of radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, an oxygen probe associated with radiation in red portion of the spectrum, and a pH probe—with a green portion of the spectrum. The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the thin film sensing stability, and enabling the repeatable use of the same sensing films.

Abstract: A holder (10) housing defines a plurality of individual wells (14) sized to retain a substrates such as a bio-chip (20) or microscope slide in a vertical orientation, and to retain a volume of liquid (22) sufficient to immerse the bio-chip. The wells are spaced-apart with an approximately 9 mm pitch and the holder has a form factor approximating an SBS Standard 96-well microplate. The holder configuration is such that it can be manipulated with standard robotic equipment (30), and can be fabricated using injection molding processes.

Abstract: A biochip holder is disclosed, the holder including a means to receive a biochip, a vacuum port in communication with the received biochip, and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum port. Liquid from flushing of the biochip is pulled by vacuum force into a vacuum port and can be collected in order to prevent cross-contamination of the biochip. A method of collecting fluid from such a biochip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A holder (10) housing defines a plurality of individual wells (14) sized to retain a substrates such as a bio-chip (20) or microscope slide in a vertical orientation, and to retain a volume of liquid (22) sufficient to immerse the bio-chip. The wells are spaced-apart with an approximately 9 mm pitch and the holder has a form factor approximating an SBS Standard 96-well microplate. The holder configuration is such that it can be manipulated with standard robotic equipment (30), and can be fabricated using injection molding processes.

Abstract: A biochip holder is disclosed, the holder including a means to receive a biochip, a vacuum port in communication with the received biochip, and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum port. Liquid from flushing of the biochip is pulled by vacuum force into a vacuum port and can be collected in order to prevent cross-contamination of the biochip. A method of collecting fluid from such a biochip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biochip holder is disclosed, the holder including a means to receive a biochip, a vacuum port in communication with the received biochip, and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum port. Liquid from flushing of the biochip is pulled by vacuum force into a vacuum port and can be collected in order to prevent cross-contamination of the biochip. A method of collecting fluid from such a biochip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biochip holder is disclosed, the holder including a means to receive a biochip, a vacuum port in communication with the received biochip, and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum port. Liquid from flushing of the biochip is pulled by vacuum force into a vacuum port and can be collected in order to prevent cross-contamination of the biochip. A method of collecting fluid from such a biochip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A field emission display (400) includes a cathode plate (410), an anode plate (430), and a mechanical support/getter assembly (300) being disposed between the cathode plate (410) and the anode plate (430). The mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes a unitary spacer/frame assembly (310) made from a photosensitive glass. A method for fabricating the mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes the steps of: selectively exposing inter-spacer regions (110) and a getter frame region (120) of a layer (100) of the photosensitive glass to UV radiation, heating the layer (100) to crystallize the UV-exposed regions, and removing the crystallized inter-spacer regions (110) and partially removing the crystallized getter frame regions by contacting the layer (100) with an acid, thereby forming spacer ribs (314) and a getter land (322). The method further includes providing a getter frame (320) on the spacer land (322).

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a display spacer assembly (100, 400, 500) useful in the fabrication of large-area field emission displays (200, 600). The method includes the steps of: forming slots (12, 22, 32, 33) in a substrate (10, 23, 30) thereby providing a jig; providing spacers (14, 24, 34) having lower rounded edges and upper edges; placing the lower rounded edges into the slots (12, 22, 32, 33) so that the spacers (14, 24, 34) are positioned in a predetermined layout pattern over the slotted jig surface; and placing the upper edges of the spacers (14, 24, 34) in abutting engagement with a display plate (18, 10) of a field emission display.

Abstract: A field emission display (400) includes a cathode plate (410), an anode plate (430), and a mechanical support/getter assembly (300) being disposed between the cathode plate (410) and the anode plate (430). The mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes a unitary spacer-frame assembly (310) made from a photosensitive glass. A method for fabricating the mechanical support/getter assembly (300) includes the steps of: selectively exposing inter-spacer regions (110) and a getter frame region (120) of a layer (100) of the photosensitive glass to UV radiation, heating the layer (100) to crystallize the UV-exposed regions, and removing the crystallized inter-spacer regions (110) and partially removing the crystallized getter frame regions by contacting the layer (100) with an acid, thereby forming spacer ribs (314) and a getter land (322). The method further includes providing a getter frame (320) on the spacer land (322).

Abstract: A stand-alone spacer for use in a flat-panel display includes a plurality of members being joined at a common axis. A first one of the members is a load-bearing member; a second one of the members is a stabilizing member. The load bearing member extends into the face plate and backplate of the display to provide standoff of mechanical forces. The load bearing member has an aspect ratio within the range of 2:1 to 20:1. The stand-alone spacer has a tipping angle within the range of 20 to 90 degrees so that, after placement on one of the display plates, the spacer is able to remain upright throughout the subsequent packaging and evacuation steps in the fabrication of the display.

Abstract: A method for affixing a plurality of spacers (102) within a field emission display (160) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of members (104), (ii) coating an edge (106) of each of the plurality of members (104) with a metal to provide a bonding layer (108), (iii) forming a metallic bonding pad (132) on the inner surface of an anode (120) to provide a modified anode (130), (iv) affixing a plurality of metallic compliant members (112) to the bonding layer (108) by using ball bonding techniques, and (v) affixing the metallic compliant members (112) to the metallic bonding pad (132), while positioning the spacer (102) perpendicularly with respect to the modified anode (130), by using thermocompression metal bonding techniques.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a display spacer assembly (100, 400, 500) useful in the fabrication of large-area field emission displays (200, 600). The method includes the steps of: forming slots (12, 22, 32, 33) in a substrate (10, 23, 30) thereby providing a jig; providing spacers (14, 24, 34) having lower rounded edges and upper edges; placing the lower rounded edges into the slots (12, 22, 32, 33) so that the spacers (14, 24, 34) are positioned in a predetermined layout pattern over the slotted jig surface; and placing the upper edges of the spacers (14, 24, 34) in abutting engagement with a display plate (18, 10) of a field emission display.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for guiding and cooling a heated image-carrying support moved along a path such as a heated copy sheet exiting from a fuser in electrographic apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat-conductive guide member having a guide surface located adjacent to the path along which the support is moved, and a surface remote from the path. The guide member has a vacuum opening at said guide surface. Heat-dissipating structure thermally communicates with the remote surface of the guide member. The apparatus produces a cooling flow of fluid past the guide member and the heat-dissipating structure. A vacuum is established at the vacuum opening independently of the flow of fluid past the guide member to draw a heated support into contact with the guide surface as it is moved along the path. The support is cooled as it transfers heat to the guide member and then to the heat-dissipating structure.