Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus and method that is capable of non-contact cooling of a hot body by optically-enhanced radiation. An apparatus in accordance with the illustrative embodiment includes a cold body and an optical system. The optical system couples the cold body to a hot body for the transmission of infrared radiation. Once optically coupled, heat will flow, at an enhanced rate, from the hot body to the cold body, as dictated by thermodynamics, thereby cooling the hot body. In some embodiment, the temperature of the cold body is held substantially constant.

Abstract: The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.

Abstract: A scent-delivery system is disclosed that utilizes as least one of (1) a venturi-effect delivery device for promoting evaporation of volatile compounds or (2) a pendulum for energy-efficient movement of solid or liquid forms containing the volatile compounds. When the venturi-effect delivery device is used, a flow of air therethrough drives the evaporation of volatile compounds. The pendulum can be used to move the venturi-effect delivery device to generate the relative movement between the air and the device, hence creating a “flow” of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a large number of binding interactions and obtaining data related to the interactions. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes an IR sensor, a sliding separator, and IR-transmitting fibers that are optically coupled, at a first end thereof, to the sensor. The sliding separator adjusts the spacing between fibers as is required for interfacing the second end of the fibers with any of a variety of sample carriers. The second end of the fibers capture chemical entities form the sample carriers. The chemical entities at the end of the fibers are then contacted with a binding compound. If binding activity occurs, a thermal signal indicative thereof will be transmitted through the fiber to the sensor.

Abstract: An article and method for high throughput and a high content investigation of compound interactions with live tissue or its substitutes under controlled conditions during compound absorption and related processes. In some variations of the illustrative embodiment, the article is a multi-chamber enclosure having at least two chambers separated by a membrane. Membranes can be prepared from live epithelial tissue or from an artificial material with or without attached cells from cell-line cultures. Each chamber is advantageously connected to a fluidic-control system by tubes that pass through a feed fitting. In addition to coupling the chambers with the fluidic-control system, the feed fitting, which is spring-biased, provides a sealing force to seal the enclosure. In some variations, one or more multi-chamber enclosures are installed in a mother chamber, which provides controlled environmental conditions.

Abstract: A U-valve apparatus including a bidirectional check valve for controlling the flow of liquid from a vessel while preventing inadvertent discharge from the vessel. The check valve allows passage of a fluid such a gas into the vessel, for purposes of agitating the liquid or for other purposes, and also permits the evacuation of the liquid from the vessel. The U-valve apparatus is advantageously included in a universal fluid exchange device including upper and lower reaction vessel supports which include pressure sealed injection and evacuation ports for each supported reaction vessel. Reaction vessels matingly engage through the injection and evacuation ports with fittings which are connected through flexible tubing to respective supplying and receiving vessels. Each of one or more reaction vessels may suitably be connected by a U-valve apparatus including a check valve to a corresponding receiving vessel.

Abstract: The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-throughput analysis of compound absorption in a controlled environment that closely resembles in-vivo conditions. The apparatus includes at least one tissue-receiving enclosure that is capable of interfacing (e.g., via transfer of fluids, electronically, etc.) with a variety of preparative devices and analytical instrumentation. In some variations, the tissue-receiving enclosure is formed from two housings, which, when engaged, have a capsular shape. The enclosure receives a tissue sample in the form of an un-everted or everted intestinal segment or tubular artificial membrane. The tissue sample is coupled to a generally cylindrical tissue support. The tissue support and the enclosure are axially aligned, and openings at the ends of the enclosure align with openings at the ends of the tissue support. Two feed fittings, one for each end of the enclosure, forcefully mate with the aligned openings in the housing and the tissue support.

Abstract: A particle sorter/dispenser wherein particles that are suspended in a liquid are flowed through a conduit and selectively dispensed through a dispensing orifice. The conduit includes a sensing zone wherein the liquid-suspended particles are interrogated by a sensor. Data from the sensor is received by processing electronics that analyzes the data from the sensor and makes a decision whether or not to dispense a particle. The particle sorter/dispenser further includes a switch that, responsive to a signal from the processing electronics, controls whether or not a given particle is dispensed through the dispensing orifice. The switch has one or two valves that introduce relatively high-pressure liquid into the conduit. The flow streamlines of the high-pressure liquid controls the flow of the relatively low-pressure liquid-suspended particles in the conduit. Particles that are not dispensed are flowed past the dispensing orifice to a recycle reservoir that depends from the downstream end of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a wide variety of vessels and for providing access to the interior of such vessels while sealed. In some embodiments, a sealing apparatus includes a base plate, a cover plate, and a seal that is disposed therebetween. In use on a vessel, when the seal is disposed in a rest position, it covers a vessel-access hole that penetrates the base plate and communicates with the underlying vessel. To temporarily displace the seal, a tube, such as a syringe needle, etc., is inserted through a guide hole in the cover plate. The tube contacts the seal, which forces the seal to move at least partially out of its sealing position. With continued downward movement, the tube enters the underlying vessel so that it can withdraw or add fluid to it. When the tube is withdrawn, the seal returns to its sealing position.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser that uses rotary motion to create a relative movement between one or more dispensing elements and one or more receivers is disclosed. The dispensing elements are fluidically coupled to one or more reservoirs, which contain ingredients that are to be dispensed by the dispensing elements into one or more receivers. The receivers are disposed on a receiver support structure that is located beneath the dispensing elements. In some embodiments, the dispenser operates according to a quasi-continuous dispensing protocol or quasi-simultaneous dispensing protocol, or both quasi-continuous and quasi-simultaneous dispensing protocol.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser that dispenses liquid via the action of a collapsing tube. The illustrative dispenser includes a liquid-carrying tube, a wire, and a magnet. The magnet is shaped to receive the tube and the wire between an elongated North pole and an elongated South pole. A pulse of current of controlled amperage and duration is sent through the wire, which causes it to deflect. This causes the tube to collapse with the result that a portion of the liquid that is contained in the tube is ejected.

Abstract: A universal fluid exchange device includes upper and lower reaction vessel supports which include pressure sealed injection and evacuation ports for each supported reaction vessel. Reaction vessels matingly engage through the injection and evacuation ports with fittings which are connected through flexible tubing to respective supplying and receiving vessels. The reaction vessels or fittings are moved into position, as required, so that reactants may be directly supplied from supplying vessels in the order and amount desired without operation of valves that can become contaminated, and so that the reaction vessels may dispel their contents into the appropriate receiving vessels. The system may be highly advantageous in applications such as combinatorial chemistry where myriad combinations of chemicals, solvents and reagents are employed.

Abstract: A dispenser that is capable of simultaneously filling a large array of receivers (e.g., wells, etc.) with nano-liter volumes of liquid at high accuracy. The dispenser has a very simple construction, is quite compact, and has few if any moving parts.

Abstract: A U-valve apparatus including a bidirectional check valve for controlling the flow of liquid from a vessel while preventing inadvertent discharge from the vessel. The check valve allows passage of a fluid such a gas into the vessel, for purposes of agitating the liquid or for other purposes, and also permits the evacuation of the liquid from the vessel. The U-valve apparatus is advantageously included in a universal fluid exchange device including upper and lower reaction vessel supports which include pressure sealed injection and evacuation ports for each supported reaction vessel. Reaction vessels matingly engage through the injection and evacuation ports with fittings which are connected through flexible tubing to respective supplying and receiving vessels. Each of one or more reaction vessels may suitably be connected by a U-valve apparatus including a check valve to a corresponding receiving vessel.

Abstract: A U-valve apparatus including a bidirectional check valve for controlling the flow of liquid from a vessel while preventing inadvertent discharge from the vessel. The check valve allows passage of a fluid such a gas into the vessel, for purposes of agitating the liquid or for other purposes, and also permits the evacuation of the liquid from the vessel. The U-valve apparatus is advantageously included in a universal fluid exchange device including upper and lower reaction vessel supports which include pressure sealed injection and evacuation ports for each supported reaction vessel. Reaction vessels matingly engage through the injection and evacuation ports with fittings which are connected through flexible tubing to respective supplying and receiving vessels. Each of one or more reaction vessels may suitably be connected by a U-valve apparatus including a check valve to a corresponding receiving vessel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser that dispenses liquid via the action of a collapsing tube. The illustrative dispenser includes a liquid-carrying tube, a wire, and a magnet. The magnet is shaped to receive the tube and the wire between an elongated North pole and an elongated South pole. A pulse of current of controlled amperage and duration is sent through the wire, which causes it to deflect. This causes the tube to collapse with the result that a portion of the liquid that is contained in the tube is ejected.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus and method that is capable of non-contact cooling of a hot body by optically-enhanced radiation. An apparatus in accordance with the illustrative embodiment includes a cold body and an optical system. The optical system couples the cold body to a hot body for the transmission of infrared radiation. Once optically coupled, heat will flow, at an enhanced rate, from the hot body to the cold body, as dictated by thermodynamics, thereby cooling the hot body. In some embodiment, the temperature of the cold body is held substantially constant.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is a handle that engages a wide variety of elongated-shape tools to provide an ergonomic grip. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the ergonomic handle includes a grip, a tightening/locking arrangement, and a coupler. The handle is easily adjustable and reliably positioned to accommodate different gripping styles, different positioning patterns and right- or left-handed use. Additionally, the handle accommodates are variety of hand sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a large number of binding interactions and obtaining data related to the interactions. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes an IR sensor, a sliding separator, and IR-transmitting fibers that are optically coupled, at a first end thereof, to the sensor. The sliding separator adjusts the spacing between fibers as is required for interfacing the second end of the fibers with any of a variety of sample carriers. The second end of the fibers capture chemical entities form the sample carriers. The chemical entities at the end of the fibers are then contacted with a binding compound. If binding activity occurs, a thermal signal indicative thereof will be transmitted through the fiber to the sensor.