Abstract: A point-of-care system with a diagnostic tool and a base station with a display and in communication with the diagnostic tool is described. Used in diagnosing health conditions for a tissue under analysis, the diagnostic tool includes a handle and a head portion. The head portion includes a speculum and optical spectroscopy (OS) data acquisition components positioned within the head portion. The OS data acquisition components are configure to (i) emit light toward the tissue under analysis, (ii) receive light reflected at least in part from the tissue under analysis based on the emitted light, and (iii) determine reflectance spectra associated with the received light. Either the diagnostic tool or a base station includes analytic components configured to (i) generate diagnostic metrics including characteristics of the reflectance spectra and (ii) compare these characteristics to data associated with characteristics of known reflectance spectra associated healthy and/or unhealthy tissue of patients.

Abstract: A composite material for detecting and measuring levels of analytes and target molecules in biological fluid and tissue is disclosed herein. This composite material is constructed from a porous mesh sheet that is coated with a signal emitting material and is impregnated with target detecting molecules mixed inside one or multiple polymer mixtures. The geometry and configuration of different constituents can provide high efficiency of signals, the ability to measure multiple signals, small dimensions, fast response to changes, long storage lifetimes, controlled diffusional and mechanical properties, as well as easy industrial manufacturability. The composite material can be used in many sensing applications including optical or electrochemical continuous biosensing such as continuous glucose and lactate monitors.

Abstract: Infusion sets for subcutaneous drug delivery are described herein. The infusion set integrates a bijel-templated material (BTM) into a cannula such that a portion of the BTM protrudes from the cannula tip into the host tissue. The BTM is a porous, polymeric sponge having a co-continuous architecture with consistent curvature throughout non-constricting, interpenetrating channels, which is critical in mitigation of the deleterious host tissue response, vascularization, and flow redistribution in the implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in detecting health condition of a physiological cavity or passageway are disclosed herein. In one example, the system may include one or more illuminators configured to illuminate a target area with light at discrete wavelengths. The system may additionally include detectors that are configured to receive a reflectance spectrum based on light emitted at discrete wavelengths from tissue and tissue constituents associated with the target area under analysis. Communicatively coupled to the one or more detectors, the processing unit is configured to analyse data associated with the reflectance spectra to produce one or more output values that identify the health condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a continuous analyte sensor that can be used to measure glucose or lactate levels in a patient, along with other analytes. In some embodiments, the sensor can be located in the tissue or a blood vessel of a patient, and a probe can be located on the skin of the patient generally adjacent to the sensor. The probe can detect luminescent signals that originate from the sensor and that are dependent on analyte levels.

Abstract: A method and material composition of a highly porous material that is applied to an object, such as a biomaterial implant and biomedical device, is described. The method involves forming a bijel mixture that is exposed to at least an outer surface of an object. Thereafter, a precursor is added to the bijel mixture to allow the precursor to transport into a particular liquid phase of the bijel mixture. After at least partial transport, the precursor-containing liquid phase of the bijel mixture is solidified to form a bijel-templated material (BTM) that is bonded to a surface of the object.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for inducing mechanical stress in a cellular sample to evaluate mechanotransduction in the cellular sample. In one embodiment, the mechanical stress is induced by generating a microcavitation bubble in the cellular sample using a pulsed energy. The microcavitation bubble creates a microtsunami, which provides a transient, impulsive mechanical stress on the cellular sample, forming a gradient of effects at distances away from the microcavitation bubble.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a continuous analyte sensor that can be used to measure glucose or lactate levels in a patient, along with other analytes. In some embodiments, the sensor can be located in the tissue or a blood vessel of a patient, and a probe can be located on the skin of the patient generally adjacent to the sensor. The probe can detect luminescent signals that originate from the sensor and that are dependent on analyte levels.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for inducing mechanical stress in a cellular sample to evaluate mechanotransduction in the cellular sample. In one embodiment, the mechanical stress is induced by generating a microcavitation bubble in the cellular sample using a pulsed energy. The microcavitation bubble creates a microtsunami, which provides a transient, impulsive mechanical stress on the cellular sample, forming a gradient of effects at distances away from the microcavitation bubble.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of diabetes using artificial islets of Langerhans. In one example, the artificial islet of Langerhans include islets or stem cells (but can also include hepatocytes or even any biological cell type) encapsulated in alginate microcapsules. The microcapsules can then be shrunk to reduce dead space between the capsules and the cells by incubating at physiological human temperatures and/or alginate crosslinking in the presence of barium chloride.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an implantable structure and a two stage method for cell and/or tissue transplantation. The implantable structure is configured to promote vascularization prior to cell and/or tissue transplantation, thereby allowing for implanted cells and/or tissues to have increased viability. In some embodiments, oxygen sensitive dyes can be used to determine levels of vascularization of the device.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for inducing mechanical stress in a cellular sample to evaluate mechanotransduction in the cellular sample. In one embodiment, the mechanical stress is induced by generating a microcavitation bubble in the cellular sample using a pulsed energy. The microcavitation bubble creates a microtsunami, which provides a transient, impulsive mechanical stress on the cellular sample, forming a gradient of effects at distances away from the microcavitation bubble.

Abstract: A microscope fluid applicator includes an immersion fluid reservoir for storing immersion fluid and an applicator tip coupled to the immersion fluid reservoir. The microscope fluid applicator is releasably engaged to a moveable turret on a microscope. The microscope fluid applicator may be secured to an objective lens port on a turret of a microscope via threads. Immersion fluid is ejected from the applicator tip onto a sample holder. The turret may be rotated to place an immersion fluid objective into the immersion fluid. The sample may then be viewed through the immersion fluid. Any excess immersion fluid that is dispensed from the applicator tip may be collected in a fluid collector to prevent contamination of the microscope optics and other components.