Abstract: A microfluidic strain sensing device for monitoring intraocular pressure. The device has a contact lens and a closed microfluidic network embedded with the contact lens. The network has a volume that is sensitive to an applied strain. The network distinguishes: (i) a gas reservoir containing a gas, (ii) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that changes volume when the strain is applied, and (iii) a sensing channel able to hold the liquid within the sensing channel. The sensing channel connects the gas reservoir on one end and connects the liquid reservoir on another end. The sensing channel establishes a liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium within the sensing channel, which would fluidically change as a response to radius of curvature variations on a cornea, or as a response to mechanical stretching and release of the cornea. The liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium are used for measuring the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Continuous microfluidic dilatometry devices and methods are provided for activity monitoring with ultra-high sensitivity. Corner flow in capillary channels is used to detect the resistance change in microfluidic circuits filled with ionic 5 liquids. The conversion of mechanical input (e.g. strain) to an intermediary domain, namely liquid displacement, allows a large enhancement in sensor performance. Embodiments are suitable for tracking skin deformations that occur as a result of human movements.

Abstract: A microfluidic strain sensing device for monitoring intraocular pressure. The device has a contact lens and a closed microfluidic network embedded with the contact lens. The network has a volume that is sensitive to an applied strain. The network distinguishes: (i) a gas reservoir containing a gas, (ii) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that changes volume when the strain is applied, and (iii) a sensing channel able to hold the liquid within the sensing channel. The sensing channel connects the gas reservoir on one end and connects the liquid reservoir on another end. The sensing channel establishes a liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium within the sensing channel, which would fluidically change as a response to radius of curvature variations on a cornea, or as a response to mechanical stretching and release of the cornea. The liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium are used for measuring the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Continuous microfluidic dilatometry devices and methods are provided for activity monitoring with ultra-high sensitivity. Corner flow in capillary channels is used to detect the resistance change in microfluidic circuits filled with ionic liquids. The conversion of mechanical input (e.g. strain) to an intermediary domain, namely liquid displacement, allows a large enhancement in sensor performance. Embodiments are suitable for tracking skin deformations that occur as a result of human movements.

Abstract: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the global world. It is a multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important. IOP measurements are used for glaucoma diagnosis and patient monitoring. IOP has wide diurnal fluctuation, and is dependent on body posture, so the occasional measurements done by the eye care expert in clinic can be misleading. We provide an implantable sensor, based on microfluidic principles, which in one example has 1 mmHg limit of detection, high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. This sensor has an optical interface, which enables IOP to be read with, for example, a cell phone camera. The design, fabrication, along with the option of self-monitoring are promising steps toward better patient care and treatment for this devastating disease.

Abstract: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the global world. It is a multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important. IOP measurements are used for glaucoma diagnosis and patient monitoring. IOP has wide diurnal fluctuation, and is dependent on body posture, so the occasional measurements done by the eye care expert in clinic can be misleading. We provide an implantable sensor, based on microfluidic principles, which in one example has 1 mmHg limit of detection, high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. This sensor has an optical interface, which enables IOP to be read with, for example, a cell phone camera. The design, fabrication, along with the option of self-monitoring are promising steps toward better patient care and treatment for this devastating disease.

Abstract: A microfluidic strain sensing device for monitoring intraocular pressure. The device has a contact lens and a closed microfluidic network embedded with the contact lens. The network has a volume that is sensitive to an applied strain. The network distinguishes: (i) a gas reservoir containing a gas, (ii) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that changes volume when the strain is applied, and (iii) a sensing channel able to hold the liquid within the sensing channel. The sensing channel connects the gas reservoir on one end and connects the liquid reservoir on another end. The sensing channel establishes a liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium within the sensing channel, which would fluidically change as a response to radius of curvature variations on a cornea, or as a response to mechanical stretching and release of the cornea. The liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium are used for measuring the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Continuous microfluidic dilatometry devices and methods are provided for activity monitoring with ultra-high sensitivity. Corner flow in capillary channels is used to detect the resistance change in microfluidic circuits filled with ionic liquids. The conversion of mechanical input (e.g. strain) to an intermediary domain, namely liquid displacement, allows a large enhancement in sensor performance. Embodiments are suitable for tracking skin deformations that occur as a result of human movements.

Abstract: A microfluidic strain sensing device for monitoring intraocular pressure. The device has a contact lens and a closed microfluidic network embedded with the contact lens. The network has a volume that is sensitive to an applied strain. The network distinguishes: (i) a gas reservoir containing a gas, (ii) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that changes volume when the strain is applied, and (iii) a sensing channel able to hold the liquid within the sensing channel. The sensing channel connects the gas reservoir on one end and connects the liquid reservoir on another end. The sensing channel establishes a liquid-gas equilibrium pressure to interface and equilibrium within the sensing channel, which would fluidically change as a response to radius of curvature variations on a cornea, or as a response to mechanical stretching and release of the cornea. The liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium are used for measuring the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: An optical probe having a controlled viewing angle lens tip is provided that includes an elastomer lumen, where the elastomer lumen includes internal dividers disposed to separate the elastomer lumen into a plurality of channels, a lens that is sealably attached to a distal end of the elastomer lumen, where each channel is disposed to operate as an independent hydraulic channel, where an angle of the lens relative to a central axis of the elastomer lumen is positioned according to a state of pressure in each independent hydraulic channel, and a hydraulic generator, where the hydraulic generator is disposed to pressurize each hydraulic channel to a defined state as set by a computer input from a to computer.

Abstract: A microfluidic strain sensing device for monitoring intraocular pressure. The device has a contact lens and a closed microfluidic network embedded with the contact lens. The network has a volume that is sensitive to an applied strain. The network distinguishes: (i) a gas reservoir containing a gas, (ii) a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that changes volume when the strain is applied, and (iii) a sensing channel able to hold the liquid within the sensing channel. The sensing channel connects the gas reservoir on one end and connects the liquid reservoir on another end. The sensing channel establishes a liquid-gas equilibrium pressure to interface and equilibrium within the sensing channel, which would fluidically change as a response to radius of curvature variations on a cornea, or as a response to mechanical stretching and release of the cornea. The liquid-gas equilibrium pressure interface and equilibrium are used for measuring the intraocular pressure.

Abstract: An optical probe having a controlled viewing angle lens tip is provided that includes an elastomer lumen, where the elastomer lumen includes internal dividers disposed to separate the elastomer lumen into a plurality of channels, a lens that is sealably attached to a distal end of the elastomer lumen, where each channel is disposed to operate as an independent hydraulic channel, where an angle of the lens relative to a central axis of the elastomer lumen is positioned according to a state of pressure in each independent hydraulic channel, and a hydraulic generator, where the hydraulic generator is disposed to pressurize each hydraulic channel to a defined state as set by a computer input from a to computer.

Abstract: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the global world. It is a multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important. IOP measurements are used for glaucoma diagnosis and patient monitoring. IOP has wide diurnal fluctuation, and is dependent on body posture, so the occasional measurements done by the eye care expert in clinic can be misleading. We provide an implantable sensor, based on microfluidic principles, which in one example has 1 mmHg limit of detection, high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. This sensor has an optical interface, which enables IOP to be read with, for example, a cell phone camera. The design, fabrication, along with the option of self-monitoring are promising steps toward better patient care and treatment for this devastating disease.

Abstract: a contact lens that monitors the radius of curvature of cornea includes an amplification chamber, am annular membrane, a microfluidic channel, and a gas reservoir within a top and bottom lens layers of the contact lens. The annular membrane is positioned within the amplification chamber and is in fluid communication with the gas reservoir through the microfluidic channel. A working gas within the gas reservoir and a working fluid within the amplification chamber and the microfluidic channel create a fluid-gas equilibrium pressure interface. The curvature change of the cornea results the amplification chamber wall and the annular membrane to deflect, wherein the deflection results the fluid-gas equilibrium pressure interface baseline to change within the microfluidic channel. Then the baseline position change is recorded by an external imaging system to analysis sensitivity calculation of the cornea.

Abstract: a contact lens that monitors the radius of curvature of cornea includes an amplification chamber, am annular membrane, a microfluidic channel, and a gas reservoir within a top and bottom lens layers of the contact lens. The annular membrane is positioned within the amplification chamber and is in fluid communication with the gas reservoir through the microfluidic channel. A working gas within the gas reservoir and a working fluid within the amplification chamber and the microfluidic channel create a fluid-gas equilibrium pressure interface. The curvature change of the cornea results the amplification chamber wall and the annular membrane to deflect, wherein the deflection results the fluid-gas equilibrium pressure interface baseline to change within the microfluidic channel. Then the baseline position change is recorded by an external imaging system to analysis sensitivity calculation of the cornea.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a micromechanical valve includes: (1) forming a control layer according to a first weight ratio of cross linker: elastomer base; (2) forming a flow layer according to a second weight ratio of cross linker: elastomer base; (3) forming a membrane layer according to a third weight ratio of cross linker: elastomer base, where the third weight ratio is smaller than the first weight ratio, and is smaller than the second weight ratio; (4) bonding the membrane layer to the control layer to form a two-layer structure; and (5) bonding the two-layer structure to the flow layer to form the micromechanical valve.

Abstract: Provided are methods of tuning the emission wavelength from a tunable infrared plasmonic emitting structure, which structure comprises: (a) a perforated or patterned first conductive layer having a plurality of relief features provided in a periodic spatial configuration, wherein the relief features are separated from each other by adjacent recessed features, wherein the distance between features is between 1-15 ?m; (b) a dielectric layer underlying the first conductive layer; (c) a second conductive layer underlying the dielectric film; and (d) a substrate underlying the second conductive layer; wherein the emission wavelength is tuned by applying a force in a biaxial direction parallel to the substrate, changing the distance between relief features, or changing the resistivity and dielectric constant of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Provided are methods of tuning the emission wavelength from a tunable infrared plasmonic emitting structure, which structure comprises: (a) a perforated or patterned first conductive layer having a plurality of relief features provided in a periodic spatial configuration, wherein the relief features are separated from each other by adjacent recessed features, wherein the distance between features is between 1-15 ?m; (b) a dielectric layer underlying the first conductive layer; (c) a second conductive layer underlying the dielectric film; and (d) a substrate underlying the second conductive layer; wherein the emission wavelength is tuned by applying a force in a biaxial direction parallel to the substrate, changing the distance between relief features, or changing the resistivity and dielectric constant of the dielectric layer.