Abstract: Methods of calibrating a pH sensor fixed within an enclosed vessel are disclosed. The methods include introducing a buffer into the enclosed vessel, introducing a gas mixture comprising CO2 into the enclosed vessel, measuring a pH signal of the solution, measuring a CO2 concentration of a headspace gas of the solution, and calculating a pH value with a buffer calibration curve. The methods include calculating a calibration parameter with a sensor calibration curve and calibrating the pH sensor with the calibration parameter. Reactor systems are also disclosed. The systems include an enclosed reactor, a pH sensor, a CO2 sensor, a temperature control subsystem, and a controller. Methods of facilitating pH sensor calibration without sampling in a bioreactor system are also disclosed. The methods include providing a controller and providing instructions to operably connect the controller to the pH sensor and the CO2 sensor.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a pH sensor fixed within an enclosed vessel are disclosed. The methods include introducing a buffer into the enclosed vessel, introducing a gas mixture comprising CO2 into the enclosed vessel, measuring a pH signal of the solution, measuring a CO2 concentration of a headspace gas of the solution, and calculating a pH value with a buffer calibration curve. The methods include calculating a calibration parameter with a sensor calibration curve and calibrating the pH sensor with the calibration parameter. Reactor systems are also disclosed. The systems include an enclosed reactor, a pH sensor, a CO2 sensor, a temperature control subsystem, and a controller. Methods of facilitating pH sensor calibration without sampling in a bioreactor system are also disclosed. The methods include providing a controller and providing instructions to operably connect the controller to the pH sensor and the CO2 sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an electronic strain sensor, a system incorporating the sensor, and a method of manufacturing the sensor. The present disclosure also relates to methods of measuring one or more physiological parameters of a living subject, or methods of diagnosing a sleep-related disorder of a living subject, the methods comprising sensing a signal produced by the living subject with the electronic strain sensor or system. The strain sensor comprises: an electrode layer printed on a substrate, a sensing layer printed on a portion of the electrode layer, and an encapsulation layer encapsulating the electrode and sensing layers. The electrode layer exhibits a sheet resistance less than that of the sensing layer, and the sensing layer is in direct contact with the electrode layer. The sensor's electrical resistance can be increased through forming microscopic cracks in the sensing layer in response to forces applied to the sensor.

Abstract: A system for generating dynamic multi-layered graphical user interfaces may include at least one processing device configured to retrieve treatment regimen data for a patient from at least one networked database, retrieve patient attribute data for the patient, generate a graphical user interface reflecting a medication identified in the treatment regimen data and one or more associated patient attributes, compare the extracted patient attributes to one or more thresholds in a rule set, the rule set correlating a dose of the medication to one or more expected values of the extracted patient attributes, evaluating at least one condition of at least rule in the rule set, generate, based on the evaluation an interactive icon for display in the graphical user interface, and generate an overlay window displayed adjacent the interactive icon, the overlay window providing details associated with the interactive icon.

Abstract: Methods of treating cells are disclosed. The methods include introducing a media comprising at least about 1×106 cells/mL into a perfusion chamber having a volume of 50 mL or less, introducing a volume effective to treat the cells of at least one additive selected from cell culture media, a transducing agent, a pH control agent, and a cell activator into the perfusion chamber, and withdrawing cell waste and byproducts from the perfusion chamber, and harvesting the treated cells. The methods may include introducing the media comprising at least about 3×106 cells/mL into the perfusion chamber. The methods may include measuring and/or controlling at least one parameter of the cells or the media selected from pH, optical density, dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature, and light scattering.

Abstract: A system for generating dynamic multi-layered graphical user interfaces may include at least one processing device configured to retrieve treatment regimen data for a patient from at least one networked database, retrieve patient attribute data for the patient, generate a graphical user interface reflecting a medication identified in the treatment regimen data and one or more associated patient attributes, compare the extracted patient attributes to one or more thresholds in a rule set, the rule set correlating a dose of the medication to one or more expected values of the extracted patient attributes, evaluating at least one condition of at least rule in the rule set, generate, based on the evaluation an interactive icon for display in the graphical user interface, and generate an overlay window displayed adjacent the interactive icon, the overlay window providing details associated with the interactive icon.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a pH sensor fixed within an enclosed vessel are disclosed. The methods include introducing a buffer into the enclosed vessel, introducing a gas mixture comprising CO2 into the enclosed vessel, measuring a pH signal of the solution, measuring a CO2 concentration of a headspace gas of the solution, and calculating a pH value with a buffer calibration curve. The methods include calculating a calibration parameter with a sensor calibration curve and calibrating the pH sensor with the calibration parameter. Reactor systems are also disclosed. The systems include an enclosed reactor, a pH sensor, a CO2 sensor, a temperature control subsystem, and a controller. Methods of facilitating pH sensor calibration without sampling in a bioreactor system are also disclosed. The methods include providing a controller and providing instructions to operably connect the controller to the pH sensor and the CO2 sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making multiple aseptic fluid interconnections in parallel with an integral clamping mechanism and elastomeric fluid sealing gasket to provide an initial fluid tight seal while removing sealing tape tabs and a final fluid tight seal after sealing tape tabs are removed. The clamping mechanism comprises a hinge coupling and a first set of snap-fit locks to maintain the initial fluid tight seal and a second set of snap-fit locks to maintain the final fluid tight seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making multiple aseptic fluid interconnections in parallel with an integral clamping mechanism and elastomeric fluid sealing gasket to provide an initial fluid tight seal while removing sealing tape tabs and a final fluid tight seal after sealing tape tabs are removed. The clamping mechanism comprises a hinge coupling and a first set of snap-fit locks to maintain the initial fluid tight seal and a second set of snap-fit locks to maintain the final fluid tight seal.

Abstract: A microreactor with a reaction chamber comprising two sub-chambers with reconfigurable volumes, an input conduit with input valve, an un-filtered output conduit with first output valve, and a filtered output conduit with a second output valve is used to perform a method to control a different dilution rate for cells and molecules in continuous culture bioprocesses. In preferred embodiments flow control is achieved using the difference in volume of the two sub-chambers.

Abstract: Active devices such as pumps and mixers have been fabricated in plastic-PDMS hybrid devices. By utilizing functionalized bis-silane primers, bond strength between Polycarbonate or PMMA and PDMS improved in dry and aqueous environments. Plastic-primer-PDMS layers exposed to acid and base solutions at 70° C. for 2 hours showed no signs of delamination at 30 psi for pH ?1 to 15 and 60 psi for pH 0 to 15. A peristaltic pump fabricated in polycarbonate achieved consistent flow rates up to peristaltic cycle frequencies of 10 Hz in water, 1OM HCl, and 1OM NaOH solutions.

Abstract: The present invention features a medical device and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of neurological disorders via electrical stimulation. These device are minimally or non-invasive and are capable of detection of a neurological disorder and its subsequent prevention or treatment. Specifically, seizure control is among the targeted therapeutic areas. Components of the device include control electronics and electrodes; the latter are targeting electrodes located entirely outside the skull and can be constructed from ring type structures or virtually connected disc type arrays. Other sub-systems included in the medical device are a control system, a battery unit, and wires connecting these and other sub-systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods to operate microreactor devices through the controlled delivery of pressurized fluids. A heated reservoir, a heated manifold, and a heater for the microreactor device provides for the delivery of a pressurized gas while minimizing evaporation and condensation; and a fluid interface and pressure interlock provides for the delivery of aseptic fluids while minimizing contamination and fluid loss.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention introduces integrated fluid injection and mixing devices to enable pH control in a miniature parallel integrated bioreactor array system. In another embodiment, the environmental conditions of the growth chamber is enabled through fluidic injections in a miniature parallel cell culture system. In still another embodiment, the present invention utilizes gas switches to control oxygen concentration within a miniature parallel integrated bioreactor array.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for measuring the optical density of a fluid by measuring the light transmission through a reconfigurable optical path. The optical path is reconfigured by the deflection of an elastic membrane wherein the optical path length through the fluid is determined by the position of the membrane relative to a fixed surface. The optical density can be determined from two measurements with different optical path lengths through the fluid.

Abstract: A microreactor with a reaction chamber comprising two sub-chambers with reconfigurable volumes, an input conduit with input valve, an un-filtered output conduit with first output valve, and a filtered output conduit with a second output valve is used to perform a method to control a different dilution rate for cells and molecules in continuous culture bioprocesses. In preferred embodiments flow control is achieved using the difference in volume of the two sub-chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for measuring the optical density of a fluid by measuring the light transmission through a reconfigurable optical path. The optical path is reconfigured by the deflection of an elastic membrane wherein the optical path length through the fluid is determined by the position of the membrane relative to a fixed surface. The optical density can be determined from two measurements with different optical path lengths through the fluid.

Abstract: An energy efficient radio having a clocking system utilizing two clocks with very different precision and power characteristics. In another aspect, the time that a radio spends on listening/receiving is optimized so that energy is not wasted when there is no need to keep receiving. In another aspect, to further improve the energy efficiency, two receive portions with drastic difference in power consumption, instead of a single receive portion as is used in a typical wireless receiver, and are used to process different parts of a received packet.

Abstract: An improved disposable pin site wound protection system for covering the entry or exit site of a surgical pin, wherein the system substantially reduces the time required to change a dressing at a pin site wound. The invention comprises a sponge (11) and clip (21), both of which are designed to be attached to a pin (15) adjacent a wound. The clip (21), when compressed, crosses the legs (23, 25) of the clip and when released will attach to the full-range of external fixation pins and wires. This reverse action of the clip, opening when compressed and closing when released, is a self-closing and self-holding clip that can be applied and removed with one hand. The sponge (11) is preferably cylindrical or hemispherical in shape, and may include a spiral cut (12) to resist accidental displacement from the pin.

Abstract: Active devices such as pumps and mixers have been fabricated in plastic-PDMS hybrid devices. By utilizing functionalized bis-silane primers, bond strength between Polycarbonate or PMMA and PDMS improved in dry and aqueous environments. Plastic-primer-PDMS layers exposed to acid and base solutions at 70° C. for 2 hours showed no signs of delamination at 30 psi for pH ?1 to 15 and 60 psi for pH 0 to 15. A peristaltic pump fabricated in polycarbonate achieved consistent flow rates up to peristaltic cycle frequencies of 10 Hz in water, 1OM HCl, and 1OM NaOH solutions.