Abstract: Disclosed are bottles for automatically creating custom blends of spirits. The disclosed automatic infinity bottles siphon or transfer a portion of their contents from a blending container, and move them to a sampling container from which a custom blended spirit can be decanted and consumed. The two containers are connected by a siphon tube or other suitable means. The blending container includes a selectively closeable opening for adding or removing liquids, and is configured to store a certain volume of spirits. When such volume is exceeded, the excess spirit will move into the sampling container, where the excess spirit is added to an existing custom blend. One embodiment includes a dip tube for discouraging a bottle user from removing liquid from the blending container. Another embodiment is configured with the sampling container located around the outside of the blending container.

Abstract: The invention includes a container for storing liquids, the container including a blending chamber for holding a larger volume of liquid, and an opening that can be selectively sealed or unsealed. The container also includes a sampling chamber for holding a smaller volume of liquid, and another opening that can be selectively sealed or unsealed. Fluidically connecting the blending chamber and the sampling chamber is a siphon having an upper opening in the blending chamber and a lower opening in the sampling chamber. The siphon includes a siphoning level, which is a fluid height in the blending chamber at which liquid will siphon from the blending chamber to the sampling chamber. In some embodiments the siphon is located in the blending chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical aptamer-based biosensing devices and methods are described herein that are configured to produce a detectible signal upon target analyte interaction, with reduced reliance on a conformational change by the aptamer. The disclosure includes embodiments of docked aptamer EAB sensors for measuring the presence of a target analyte in a biofluid sample. The sensors include an electrode capable of sensing redox events, and a plurality of aptamer sensing elements with aptamers selected to interact with a target analyte. Each aptamer sensing element includes a molecular docking structure attached to the electrode, and an analyte capture complex that includes an aptamer releasably bound to the docking structure, and an electroactive redox moiety. Upon the aptamer binding with a target analyte, the analyte capture complex separates from the docking structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide wearable devices that use a humidity sensor to measure sweat rate generated from an area of skin. A sensing chamber is continuously filled with a sweat sample, which forms a droplet and alters the humidity measured within the chamber. Once the sweat sample droplet expands to the edge of the chamber, the droplet contacts a wick and is drawn away, so the chamber can fill with a subsequent droplet. The device uses a droplet volume and the time required to reach a maximum humidity to calculate a sweat rate. A pump is used to draw old sweat sample out of the wick to allow extended device operation. Some embodiments also include capacitive sensors to perform back up measurements. Another set of embodiments includes alternatively shaped sensing chambers configured to reduce sample volumes or improve function. A method for determining sweat rate based on humidity sensor measurements is also included.

Abstract: Challenges of the sweat medium for electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor (“EAB sensor”) devices can be mitigated through aptamer selection, sensor/device configuration and physiological algorithms that account for the effects of (1) target analyte size, (2) potential concentration ranges, (3) sweat sample pH, and (4) sweat sample salinity. The disclosed invention includes a method of aptamer selection for use in an EAB sensor configured for use in a wearable sweat sensing device. The disclosed invention further provides a sweat sensing device configured to use EAB sensors to detect target analytes in a sweat sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are bottles for automatically creating custom blends of spirits. Embodiments of the disclosed automatic infinity bottles siphon or transfer a portion of their contents from a blending container, and move them to a sampling container from which a blended spirit can be decanted and consumed. The two containers are connected by a siphon tube or other suitable means. The blending container includes a selectively closeable opening for adding or removing liquids, and is configured to store a certain volume of spirits. When such volume is exceeded, the excess spirit will move into the sampling container, where the excess spirit is added to an existing custom blend. Custom blends of sprits are thereby created in the sampling container and can be poured from a selectively closeable opening in the sampling container.

Abstract: Electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensing devices are described that provide drift correction and calibration to EAB sensor measurements of biofluid analyte concentrations by disclosing reference sensors that are configured to not interact with a target analyte, but otherwise mirror the performance of active EAB sensors within the expected application parameters of the device. Such reference sensors are configured to allow comparisons with their companion active sensors to track aptamer sensing element dissociation from an electrode surface, temperature-induced effects, redox moiety dissociation, and/or the effects of surface fouling. Some embodiments include separate electrodes for active and reference aptamer sensing elements. Other embodiments include a single electrode for both active and reference aptamer sensing elements. Single electrode embodiments include two or more distinct redox moieties.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide devices and methods to incorporate suspension-based, i.e., hydrogel-based and thixotropic compound-based, ion-selective electrodes and reference electrodes into a wearable sweat sensing device. Embodiments of this device are configured to monitor sweat electrolyte concentrations, trends, and ratios under demanding use conditions. The accompanying method includes use of the disclosed device to track fluid and electrolyte gain and loss in order to produce an electrolyte estimate, such as a sweat electrolyte concentration, a sweat electrolyte concentration trend, a sweat rate, or a concentration ratio between a plurality of electrolytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides sweat sensing devices with smart sweat stimulation and sensing embodiments: which improve the dependability and predictability of sweat sampling rates; achieve a desired number of sweat sampling events per day while minimizing skin irritation and prolonging device lifespan; and use physical, optical or thermal sweat stimulation to augment or replace chemical sweat stimulation.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a sensing device capable of concentrating a fluid sample with respect to a target analyte and a reference analyte, and measuring the target analyte and reference analyte in the concentrated sample. The invention includes a concentrator that may include a selectively permeable membrane, or a gel having an increasing density gradient. In another embodiment, the invention includes an air or gas gap between a fluid transport channel and the concentrator. In another embodiment, the sensing device includes a driver for electronically moving a fluid sample through the channel and membrane to cause concentration. In some embodiments, the invention may also determine the change in molarity of the fluid sample with respect to the target analyte, as the sample is concentrated by the device.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided for use in a wearable device for measuring analytes in a pH-variable biofluid. The sensor includes a plurality of aptamer sensing elements which have biorecognition elements, such as aptamers, that experience a conformational change on interaction with a target analyte in the biofluid. Each aptamer sensing element forms a first configuration before target analyte capture and a second configuration after target analyte capture. A redox moiety is paired with each aptamer sensing element. The redox moiety has a reaction potential that is at least partially independent of a pH value of the biofluid. The EAB sensor further includes an electrode operative in conjunction with the plurality of aptamer sensing elements to produce a variable signal depending upon the configuration of the aptamer sensing elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-assembled monolayers (SAM) configured for use with electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors, which allow sensing devices to detect very low concentrations of target analytes in a biofluid sample. Embodiments of the disclosed invention include SAMs with improved long-term stability in sweat through persistent thiolate bonds between the sensor electrode and disclosed blocker groups, or between the sensor electrode and aptamer sensing elements via disclosed binder molecules. Embodiments of the invention also include blocker groups configured to form densely packed and persistent SAMs on sensor electrodes.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a fluid sensing device and method capable of collecting a fluid sample, concentrating the sample with respect to one or more target analytes, and measuring the target analyte(s) in the concentrated sample. The invention is also capable of determining the change in molarity of the fluid sample with respect to the target analyte(s), as the sample is concentrated by the device. The invention further includes a method for using a fluid sensing device to concentrate a fluid sample with respect to one or more target analytes. The disclosed method further includes the ability to correlate the measured target analyte concentration to a physiological condition of a device wearer, or of a fluid source.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes sweat sensing devices configured to periodically measure sweat conductivity and galvanic skin response, devices to measure volumetric sweat flow rate, and devices that combine the three functions. The disclosure further includes methods for using a device configured to perform periodic sweat conductivity measurements, galvanic skin response measurements, and volumetric sweat rate measurements so that each sensor modality informs composite estimates of sweat onset, sweat cessation, sweat ion concentration, and sweat rate. The method uses those measurements to inform other sweat sensing device functions, such as determining the existence of a physiological condition, or performing measurements of concentrations, ratios, and trends of sweat analytes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide devices for measuring concentrations of bound and unbound fractions of a target analyte in a biofluid sample. Analytes present in biofluid may be found in a free state, or bound to a binding solute, presenting difficulties for wearable analyte sensors to measure physiologically significant concentrations of the analyte in biofluid. The disclosed devices feature sensors configured to measure both the bound and unbound fractions of the analyte, as well as analyte releasers that cause a portion of the bound fraction of analytes to be released to facilitate measurement. Some embodiments include a collector and or a sample conduit. Other embodiments include a plurality of fluid pathways.

Abstract: A device (200) for sensing a biofluid (18) includes at least one analyte-consuming sensor (220) for measuring at least a first analyte concentration of an analyte in the biofluid (18) and at least one additional component (248). The at least one additional component (248) maintains analyte-consuming sensor (220) measurements within 20% of the first concentration measurement if a biofluid (18) sample flow rate is less than or equal to 2 times a first biofluid (18) sample flow rate measurement as measured by the device (200). A method for sensing a biofluid (18) includes measuring a first analyte concentration of an analyte in the biofluid (18) using an analyte-consuming sensor (220), measuring a first biofluid sample flow rate, and maintaining a subsequent analyte concentration measurement within 20% of the first analyte concentration measurement when a subsequently measured biofluid (18) flow rate is less than or equal to 2 times the first biofluid sample flow rate.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes integrative electrochemical aptamer-based sensors for use in wearable biofluid sensing devices. The disclosed integrative EAB sensors are configured to detect very low concentrations of target analytes in a sweat or biofluid sample by aggregating signals from individual sensing elements over time until a signal threshold is reached. Signal aggregation is accomplished through various retention structures that extend the time sensing elements retain target analyte molecules. Embodiments include attaching complementary primers and functional groups to the aptamer, covering such retention structures with blockers until analyte capture, or coating the sensor electrode with a hydrophilic and hydrophobic monolayer. The invention also includes methods of using the disclosed integrative sensors. Some embodiments of the disclosed method include tracking time to signal threshold to estimate analyte concentration.

Abstract: Devices for calibrating electrochemical aptamer-based biofluid sensors. In some embodiments a calibrant is located proximate to the EAB sensors, and calibration is facilitated by introduction of the biofluid into the device. Other embodiments include various mechanisms for introducing calibration solution to the sensors, including drawing calibration solution into contact with sensors through electrical potential, a dispensing mechanism such as an ink jet-type nozzle, as well as pressure actuated calibration dispensing. Also included are embodiments employing bifurcated biofluid transport paths that allow alternately for calibration and biofluid sensing.