Abstract: A system for amplifying nucleic acids is disclosed which, in one embodiment, includes a fluidic device having a sample channel and a heat exchange channel disposed sufficiently close to the sample channel such that a heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange channel can cause a sample in the sample channel to gain or lose heat at desired levels. In one illustrative embodiment, the system further includes three reservoirs coupled to the heat exchange channel and a temperature control system configured to heat fluids stored in the respective reservoirs at different temperatures. One or more pumps and a controller are configured to cause fluid stored in the reservoirs to enter and flow through the heat exchange channel at different times.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods including a combination of thermal generating device technologies to achieve more efficiency and accuracy in PCR temperature cycling of nucleic samples undergoing amplification.

Abstract: Pass-through mounting assemblies include an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, a bushing component, and a cap that are configured to be assembled onto a partition aperture in a partition to retain a tube as the tube passes through the partition. The outer sleeve is sized to fit into the partition aperture. The inner sleeve is sized to nest into the outer sleeve and includes a non-concentric inner rim. The bushing component defines a tube aperture configured to retain the tube and includes an outer rim sized to nest into the inner rim of the inner sleeve. The tube aperture is non-concentric with the outer rim of the bushing component. The cap includes an inner rim sized to nest over the outer rim of the inner sleeve. The tube aperture position may be adjusted by changing the relative angular position of the bushing component, the inner sleeve, and the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature of each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow in channels, especially in microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow rate in systems and methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chip comprising a first zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a second zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones are in fluid communication. The microfluidic device further comprising a thin-film heater in thermal communication with each of the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to independently control the temperature of each of the thin-film heaters using pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals that are optimized for each of the thin-film heaters.

Abstract: An assembly for performing micro-fluidic assays includes a micro-fluidic chip with access ports and micro-channels in communication with the access ports and a fluid cartridge having internal, fluid-containable chambers and a nozzle associated with each internal chamber that is configured to be coupled with an access port. Reaction fluids, such as sample material, buffer, and/or reagent, contained within the cartridge are dispensed from the cartridge into the access ports and micro-channels of the micro-fluidic chip. Embodiments of the invention include a cartridge which includes a waste compartment for receiving used DNA and other reaction fluids from the micro-channel at the conclusion of the assay.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fluid flow within a microchannel includes a fluid circuit comprising a fluid outlet well and one or more fluid inlet wells, all in communication with a microchannel. A negative pressure differential is applied to the outlet well and fluid flow from an inlet well into the microchannel is controlled by opening or closing the inlet well to atmospheric pressure. To stop fluid flow from the inlet well, a negative pressure differential may be applied to the inlet well to equalize pressure between the inlet and outlet wells. By sequentially opening and closing different inlet wells to atmosphere, controlled amounts of different reagents can be serially introduced into the microchannel.

Abstract: A low-speed towed power generating apparatus may include a mobile base comprising a platform and an axle with a pair of wheels and a differential gear set and a pair of axle shafts extending from the differential gear set and having a said wheel mounted on each of the axle shafts such that rotation of the wheels rotates the shafts and the differential gear set. The axle may include an output pulley mounted on the differential gear set. A generator assembly on the mobile base may comprise an electrical generator having an input shaft with an input pulley mounted on the input shaft, a drive belt being mounted on the input pulley and the output pulley, and a power output circuit electrically connected to the generator. A battery may be electrically connected to the generator for receiving power from the power output circuit of the generator assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for distributing processing tasks during a start up routine for a computing device between a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU). In some embodiments, a method of loading an operating system for a computing device with a CPU includes receiving power from a power supply and locating a master boot record in a non-volatile storage device. The method further includes copying a first portion of a compressed operating system image from an address indicated by the master boot record to a location in a volatile storage device and instructing a GPU to decompress the first portion of the compressed operating system image in the volatile storage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow in channels, especially in microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring velocity or flow rate in systems and methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of a heater electrode associated with a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, wherein power applied to the heater electrode is regulated by varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM). In another aspect, the present invention a controller configured to compute the temperature of the heater electrode during the power-on portion of the duty cycle and the during the power-off portion of the duty cycle and to adjust the duty cycle as necessary to achieve a desired temperature in the heater electrode.

Abstract: An active catheter device is provided. At least one elongate catheter segment includes an elongate flexible tube member defining an axis, and a pair of ferrule members operably engaged with and spaced apart along the tube member. The ferrule members are not rotatable about the axis relative to each other. At least one articulation member is operably engaged with and extends at least between the ferrule members along the tube member. Each articulation member is configured to be actuatable to cause a change in a distance between the ferrule members so as to articulate the tube member. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: An assembly for performing micro-fluidic assays includes a micro-fluidic chip with access ports and micro-channels in communication with the access ports and a fluid cartridge having internal, fluid-containable chambers and a nozzle associated with each internal chamber that is configured to be coupled with an access port. Reaction fluids, such as sample material, buffer, and/or reagent, contained within the cartridge are dispensed from the cartridge into the access ports and micro-channels of the micro-fluidic chip. Embodiments of the invention include a cartridge which includes a waste compartment for receiving used DNA and other reaction fluids from the micro-channel at the conclusion of the assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods including a combination of thermal generating device technologies to achieve more efficiency and accuracy in PCR temperature cycling of nucleic samples undergoing amplification.