Abstract: A drug storage and dispensing system that includes a packaging unit and an injection device for pre-filled containers having a needle shield and containing a medication is disclosed. The drug storage and dispensing system of the present disclosure provides for drug administration while minimizing the space occupied by such containers in the cold chain. The packaging unit minimizes the risk of a needle-stick injury, as a healthcare worker does not have to manually remove the needle shield. The injection device provides a novel way of auto-disabling a container, such as a syringe, as a plunger rod is not engaged with the container until the container is actually used. The drug storage and dispensing system provides for a reduction in the number of steps required to perform an injection, and thus a productivity and efficiency gain in mass immunization campaigns.

Abstract: A drug storage and dispensing system that includes a packaging unit and an injection device for pre-filled containers having a needle shield and containing a medication is disclosed. The drug storage and dispensing system of the present disclosure provides for drug administration while minimizing the space occupied by such containers in the cold chain. The packaging unit minimizes the risk of a needle-stick injury, as a healthcare worker does not have to manually remove the needle shield. The injection device provides a novel way of auto-disabling a container, such as a syringe, as a plunger rod is not engaged with the container until the container is actually used. The drug storage and dispensing system provides for a reduction in the number of steps required to perform an injection, and thus a productivity and efficiency gain in mass immunization campaigns.

Abstract: Systems and methods for air cooling a microfluidic device using confinement channels to isolate cooling air from exposed liquids are disclosed. The systems and methods may also thermally condition the cooling airflow for improved robustness of the microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the air cooling system includes a split-level cooling manifold including an inlet duct that directs cooling air to a microfluidic device and an outlet duct that directs air heated by the microfluidic device away from the microfluidic device. The temperature of cooling air may be measured. The cooling air may be preheated to a temperature that is higher than an expected ambient temperature. The temperature of the cooling air after being heated by a microfluidic device may be measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing a fluidic cartridge for use in an analyzer device. In one non-limiting aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a fluidic cartridge for use in an analyzer device. The method may include controlling valves and a vacuum pump of a priming station to evacuate air from a fluidic cartridge loaded in the priming station. The method may include controlling the valves and the vacuum pump to draw priming fluid into sipper wells and channels of the loaded fluidic cartridge. In another non-limiting aspect, the present invention provides a priming station for preparing a fluidic cartridge for use in an analyzer device. The priming station may include a vacuum pump, a priming manifold assembly, and a controller. The priming manifold assembly may be configured to interface with a fluidic cartridge loaded in the priming station.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods for treating an ischemic brain injury. Certain aspects include delivering the treatment substrate to a therapy region in a patient's brain. In addition, certain aspects of the disclosure can include using a number of electrodes arranged with a deep brain stimulation lead to identify the therapy region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for establishing a communication connection between a biowearable embedded circuit and a computing device associated with a user, wherein the biowearable embedded circuit is mounted to the user; obtaining atmospheric, motion, communication, and/or biometric data associated with the user; and providing the atmospheric, motion, communication, and/or biometric data to the computing device.

Abstract: When a request having a keyword is received, a domain name having the keyword can be generated and a network resource corresponding to the domain name can be requested wherein the network resource is adapted to extract the keyword from the domain name. In turn, when a request having a first domain name is received, a second domain name having the first domain name can be generated and a network resource corresponding to the second domain name can be requested wherein the network resource is adapted to extract the first domain name from the second domain name.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: Medical devices for injecting tissue and methods of use thereof are described. The medical device may comprise a handle, a shaft, and a plurality of needles extending through the shaft, each needle defining a lumen therethrough and being independently moveable along a longitudinal axis of the device to transition from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. In the extended configuration, a distal portion of each needle may deflect radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device. The medical device may comprise an end cap coupled to the distal end of the shaft and/or a locking mechanism to selectively lock the needles in the retracted configuration and/or extended configuration.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Abstract: A drug storage and dispensing system that includes a packaging unit and an injection device for pre-filled containers having a needle shield and containing a medication is disclosed. The drug storage and dispensing system of the present disclosure provides for drug administration while minimizing the space occupied by such containers in the cold chain. The packaging unit minimizes the risk of a needle-stick injury, as a healthcare worker does not have to manually remove the needle shield. The injection device provides a novel way of auto-disabling a container, such as a syringe, as a plunger rod is not engaged with the container until the container is actually used. The drug storage and dispensing system provides for a reduction in the number of steps required to perform an injection, and thus a productivity and efficiency gain in mass immunization campaigns.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: An automated sample tube blotting system having one or more rotating grippers, a supply of absorbent material, a transporter, and an absorbent material removal mechanism. Each rotating gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip, and the one or more rotating grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the rotating gripper in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the absorbent material, and in a vertical direction towards and away from the absorbent material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for the real time processing of nucleic acid during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and thermal melt applications. According to an aspect of the invention, a system for the rapid serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to: a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic (flow-through) channels, a fluorescence imaging system, a temperature measurement and control system; a pressure measurement and control system for applying variable pneumatic pressures to the microfluidic cartridge; a storage device for holding multiple reagents (e.g., a well-plate); a liquid handling system comprising at least one robotic pipettor for aspirating, mixing, and dispensing reagent mixtures to the microfluidic cartridge; systems for data storage, processing, and output; and a system controller to coordinate the various devices and functions.

Abstract: A water/slurry containment device for core drilling can contain and allow water/slurry to be extracted while the coring is occurring rather than allowing a puddle to form with more extensive cleanup required afterward. The device contains the water/slurry mix so that none escapes the confines of the device, so that water can be used in the core drilling. Water is essential to the life of the diamond coated bit and it keeps dust and noise to a minimum. The device includes a base plate with a collector ring that can rest on a surface to be core drilled. A notch can be cut in the collector ring and/or base plate to allow water and slurry to be removed from the device while core drilling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for air cooling a microfluidic device using confinement channels to isolate cooling air from exposed liquids are disclosed. The systems and methods may also thermally condition the cooling airflow for improved robustness of the microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the air cooling system includes a split-level cooling manifold including an inlet duct that directs cooling air to a microfluidic device and an outlet duct that directs air heated by the microfluidic device away from the microfluidic device. The temperature of cooling air may be measured. The cooling air may be preheated to a temperature that is higher than an expected ambient temperature. The temperature of the cooling air after being heated by a microfluidic device may be measured.