Abstract: A computational method for generating a feeding score for an individual infant based upon a comparison of feeding factor measurements obtained from the individual infant, values associated with the feeding factor measurements, and feeding parameter metrics from a population of infants having a similar gestational age as the individual infant.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring infant feeding performance. The device includes a body portion, a pressure sensor and an integrated circuit. The body portion includes a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit in fluid communication with the first and second ends. The pressure sensor is disposed in the body portion, is in contact with the fluid in the conduit, and generates a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session. The integrated circuit is disposed in the body portion and is electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit receives the pressure signal and determines a feeding factor over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance.

Abstract: A method and system for computing a relative score indicative of an individual infant's feeding performance based, at least in part, upon a comparison of one or more feeding factor measurements of the individual infant with a corresponding database metric that is derived from a population-based sample of infants, where the comparison optionally provides a statistical association between normative metric values and adverse outcomes recorded for the same population-based sample and, thereby, a means for assessing the tested infant's risk for said adverse outcomes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring infant feeding performance. The device includes a body portion, a respiration sensing device for receiving respiration and an integrated circuit disposed in the body portion and electrically connected to the respiration sensing device. The body portion has a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end for passing fluid to a feeding nipple, and a conduit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The respiration sensing device is mechanically coupled to the body portion and is mateable with the feeding nipple. The respiration sensing device generates a signal representing a variation in temperature or airflow of the respiration during a feeding session. The integrated circuit receives the temperature or airflow signal determines a respiration pattern over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring infant feeding performance. The device includes a body portion, a pressure sensor and an integrated circuit. The body portion includes a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit In fluid communication with the first and second ends. The pressure sensor is disposed in the body portion, is in contact with the fluid in the conduit, and generates a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session. The integrated circuit is disposed in the body portion and is electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit receives the pressure signal and determines a feeding factor over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: A method and system for computing a relative score indicative of an individual infant's feeding performance based, at least in part, upon a comparison of one or more feeding factor measurements of the individual infant with a corresponding databased metric that is derived from a population-based sample of infants, where the comparison optionally provides a statistical association between normative metric values and adverse outcomes recorded for the same population-based sample and, thereby, a means for assessing the tested infant's risk for said adverse outcomes.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: An integrated environment temperature sensor device provides improved temperature sensitivity by using a diode as the sensing element. The integrated sensor device comprises a heater element for creating a fixed quantity of heat energy. The sensor device also comprises an integrated circuit diode which receives the fixed quantity of heat energy from the heater element. The integrated circuit diode has a constant forward bias current applied thereto and a change in environment temperature is reflected in a voltage change across the integrated circuit diode. The integrated circuit diode further comprises an electrically insulating layer positioned substantially between the heater element and the integrated circuit diode for electrically insulating the two from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for analyzing a fluid cell containing sample. The devices are composed of a solid substrate, microfabricated to define at least one sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system. The mesoscale flow system includes a sample flow channel, extending from the inlet port, and a cell handling region for treating cells disposed in fluid communication with the flow channel. The devices may further include a component for inducing flow of cells in the sample through the flow system. In one embodiment, the cell-handling region may include a cell lysis component to enable the lysis of cells in the sample, prior to, e.g., the detection of an intracellular component in the cell sample. In another embodiment, the cell handling region may have a cell capture region, with binding sites which reversibly bind to a specific population of cells in the cell sample, to permit the isolation of the specific cell population from the sample.

Abstract: A pyroelectric swirl indicator for measurement of swirl in flowing fluid comprising at least one pyroelectric substrate having at least one surface to which is applied a fluctuating heat input, the fluctuating heat input causing a fluctuating surface charge distribution in response to temperature fluctuations of the substrate. Spaced apart conductor elements for sensing the fluctuating surface charge on the surface of the substrate in the vicinity of the spaced apart conductor elements are provided, the differences in the charge fluctuations between the spaced apart conductor elements comprising an indication of swirl flow in the fluid, said spaced apart conductor elements disposed in a manner which enables measurement of orthogonal components of fluid flow.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous measurement of thermal conductivity and the mass flow of a fluid comprising two conduits arranged in a concentric or bypass arrangement through which the fluid is flowing, a pyroelectric anemometer disposed within each of the two conduits, and a differential amplifier connected to each of the pyroelectric anemometers which generate a signal based upon flow of fluid through the conduits.

Abstract: Devices are provided for analyzing a fluid cell containing sample. The devices comprise a solid substrate, microfabricated to define at least one sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system. The mesoscale flow system includes a sample flow channel, extending from the inlet port, and a cell handling region for treating cells disposed in fluid communication with the flow channel. The devices may further include a structure inducing flow of cells in the sample through the flow system. In one embodiment, the cell-handling region may comprise a cell lysis structure to enable the lysis of cells in the sample, prior to, e.g., the detection of an intracellular component in the cell sample. In another embodiment, the cell handling region may comprise a cell capture region, comprising binding sites which reversibly bind to a specific population of cells in the cell sample, to permit the isolation of the specific cell population from the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container holding a partially conductive ionic fluid with a flexible tactile surface covering the fluid and sealing the container. Along the bottom of the container a series of parallel conductors are located with the farthest spaced apart conductors being connected to a voltage source. Measurements of changes in voltages between individual pairs of conductors will provide an indication of any localized deformation of the flexible tactile surface. Such a tactile sensor can be utilized in any device where an electrical output is desired which is indicative of the surface or surface characteristics of the object to be contacted.

Abstract: Microachitectured, deep well surfaces have been disclosed. Such surfaces geometrically generate high energy standing waves within the deep wells when irradiated or heated. The high energy standing waves are quantum states. Uses for the microarchitectured, deep well surfaces have also been disclosed and include, but are not limited, to spectroscopy, photocatalysts and energy tuners.