Abstract: A cryogenic tank apparatus includes an inner container for holding a cryogenic medium, an outer housing surrounding the inner container, an insulation space disposed between the inner container and the outer housing, and at least one heat exchanger. The at least one heat exchanger includes at least one cold flow line through which flows the cryogenic medium held in the inner container, and at least one hot flow line in thermal contact with the at least one cold flow line and through which flows a temperature control medium in such a manner that a transfer of heat takes place between the temperature control medium and the cryogenic medium. The at least one cold flow line is arranged on an inner side of the outer housing and the at least one hot flow line is arranged on an outer side of the outer housing so that a portion of the outer housing acts as a heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A sample receiving device may have a first part and a second part, the first part may have at least two rod-shaped sample receiving units which are connected to one another via a bendable connection. The second part may have a locking device such that the bendable connection is bent by the shape of the locking device and the ends of the at least two sample receiving units can be guided toward each other so that the sides of the at least two sample receiving devices facing in the direction of a sample are arranged directly next to one another, are locked in this position by the locking device and a single sample can be received in the at least two sample receiving units or with the at least two sample receiving units.

Abstract: A storage system for storing a cryogenic medium. The storage system includes a storage container operable to receive the cryogenic medium; a first removal line forming a fluid-conducting connection from an interior of the storage container to a first consumer connection for connecting a consumer device that uses the cryogenic medium; a first controllable line shut-off valve arranged in the first removal line; a first heat exchanger arranged in the first removal line; a second removal line, redundant to the first removal line, forming a second fluid-conducting connection from the interior of the storage container to a second consumer connection for connecting the consumer device; a second controllable line shut-off valve, redundant to the first controllable line shut-off valve, arranged in the second removal line; and a second heat exchanger, redundant to the first heat exchanger, arranged in the second removal line.

Abstract: A microbubble composition, comprising: a plurality of microbubbles, a microbubble comprising a noble gas and/or perfluorocarbon encapsulated within a shell that comprises one or more of a lipid, a protein, or a polymer, and a microbubble optionally defining a cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 0.5 to about 20 micrometers. A method, comprising forming a composition according to the present disclosure. A method, comprising administering a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure to a subject, the composition optionally comprising echogenic phospholipid microbubbles. A method, comprising: (a) identifying, with the application of energy, the location of a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure, the energy optionally being ultrasound, (b) controllably effecting rupture of microbubbles of a microbubble composition of the present disclosure, the rupture optionally being effected by application of ultrasound, or both (a) and (b).

Abstract: A device and a method for taking up and handling a liquid sample and a substance are described. The device has a sample unit and a substance container. The substance container has a reservoir which is designed to keep a substance in the reservoir. The reservoir also has an opening which is closed by a sealing film or sealing plate so that substance kept in the reservoir is sealed with respect to the surroundings. The sample unit is equipped with a sample taker which is designed to take up and hold a liquid sample. It also has an opener which is designed to be at least partially inserted into the opening of the reservoir and to lift the sealing film or sealing plate from the opening.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for generating microbubbles includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel embedded in the substrate. The microfluidic channel includes a plurality of fluid inlets, at least one bubble formation outlet having a nozzle with an adjustable diameter, and a flow focusing junction in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid inlets and the bubble formation outlet. A method for mass producing monodisperse microbubbles with a microfluidic device includes supplying a flow of dispersed phase fluid into a first fluid inlet of a microfluidic channel, supplying a flow of continuous phase fluid into a second fluid inlet of the microfluidic channel, and adjusting a diameter of a nozzle to obtain a plurality of monodisperse microbubbles having a specified diameter.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for generating mi-crobubbles includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel embedded in the substrate. The microfluidic channel includes a plurality of fluid inlets, at least one bubble formation outlet having a nozzle with an adjustable diameter, and a flow focusing junction in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid inlets and the bubble formation outlet. A method for mass producing monodisperse microbubbles with a microfluidic device includes supplying a flow of dispersed phase fluid into a first fluid inlet of a microfluidic channel, supplying a flow of continuous phase fluid into a second fluid inlet of the microfluidic channel, and adjusting a diameter of a nozzle to obtain a plurality of monodisperse microbubbles having a specified diameter.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition comprising at least one oleosin-like protein. The present invention also includes a composition comprising a vesicle comprising at least one oleosin-like protein.

Abstract: Provided are polymer vesicles comprising polymersomes, a radiofrequency absorbing moiety, a protein or a polysaccharide associated with the inner leaflet of the membrane and a therapeutic or diagnostic cargo. The invention also concerns the use of these polymer vesicles for selective electromagnetic energy-induced delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition comprising at least one oleosin-like protein. The present invention also includes a composition comprising a vesicle comprising at least one oleosin-like protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of controllably permeabilizing polymersomes. Such methods are useful in permeabilizing polymersomes so as to effect controlled release of therapeutic or imaging agents to a particular location. Also disclosed are systems for controllably delivering various agents to particular locations via polymersomes and related polymersome-based methods for treating diseases and for imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides biocompatible vesicles comprising semi-permeable, thin-walled encapsulating membranes which are formed in an aqueous solution, and which comprise one or more synthetic super-amphiphilic molecules. When at least one super-amphiphile molecule is a block copolymer, the resulting synthetic vesicle is termed a “polymersome.” The synthetic, reactive nature of the amphiphilic composition enables extensive, covalent cross-linking of the membrane, while maintaining semi-permeability. Cross-linking of the polymer building-block components provides mechanical control and long-term stability to the vesicle, thereby also providing a means of controlling the encapsulation or release of materials from the vesicle by modifying the composition of the membrane. Thus, the encapsulating membranes of the present invention are particularly suited for the reliable, durable and controlled transport, delivery and storage of materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized polymersomes having layer structures. Such stabilized polymersomes are, in some embodiments, biocompatible, and are capable of enhanced, sustained release of agents. Also disclosed are related methods for synthesizing such stabilized polymersomes and methods for using such polymersomes for delivery of therapeutic, imaging, and various other agents.

Abstract: Provided are polymer vesicles comprising polymersomes, a radiofrequency absorbing moiety, a protein or a polysaccharide associated with the inner leaflet of the membrane and a therapeutic or diagnostic cargo. The invention also concerns the use of these polymer vesicles for selective electromagnetic energy-induced delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The instant invention concerns compositions comprising polymersomes, visible or near infrared emissive agents, and optionally a targeting moiety associated with a surface of the polymersome. The invention also relates to use of these compositions in the treatment of disease and in imaging methodology.

Abstract: The invention concerns a block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polycaprolactone, the polyethylene oxide having a number average molecular weight from about 2.0 to about 3.8 kD, the block copolymer having a fraction of polyethylene oxide of from about 11.8 to 18.8 percent by weight. The invention also concerns polymersomes made from such copolymers and to methods of making the polymersomes.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing stabilizer material is provided. The apparatus includes one or more spools and stabilizer material. The stabilizer material is disposed around at least one of the one or more spools. The apparatus also includes a dispenser containing the one or more spools and the stabilizer material.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an eye includes a housing and a system of optical components disposed in the housing. The apparatus is capable of operating in a line scanning laser ophthalmoscope (LSLO) mode and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) mode. The system of optical components can include a first source to provide a first beam of light for the OCT mode and a second source to provide a second beam of light for the LSLO mode. In the OCT mode, a first optic is used that (i) scans, using a first surface of the first optic, the first beam of light along a retina of an eye in a first dimension, and (ii) descans, using the first surface, a first light returning from the eye in the first dimension to a detection system in the OCT mode. In the LSLO mode, the first optic is used where the second beam of light passes through a second surface of the first optic.

Abstract: A system provides an optical image of an object. A first module tracks a reference feature of the object. A second module includes a source for an imaging beam, a scanning device to move the imaging beam along a portion of the object and a detection device receives a signal associated with an image of the portion of the object. The first module controls the position of the imaging beam relative to the reference feature to correct for the motion of the object. A third module detects a distortion of the object and compensates for the distortion.

Abstract: The present invention provides biocompatible vesicles comprising semi-permeable, thin-walled encapsulating membranes which are formed in an aqueous solution, and which comprise one or more synthetic super-amphiphilic molecules. When at least one super-amphiphile molecule is a block copolymer, the resulting synthetic vesicle is termed a “polymersome.” The synthetic, reactive nature of the amphiphilic composition enables extensive, covalent cross-linking of the membrane, while maintaining semi-permeability. Cross-linking of the polymer building-block components provides mechanical control and long-term stability to the vesicle, thereby also providing a means of controlling the encapsulation or release of materials from the vesicle by modifying the composition of the membrane. Thus, the encapsulating membranes of the present invention are particularly suited for the reliable, durable and controlled transport, delivery and storage of materials.