Abstract: A light engine for a nano-arthroscope assembly includes a light source, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a circuit board; a collimating optic positioned proximate to the LED, wherein the collimating optic collimates light emitted from the LED and increases an intensity of the light emitted from the LED; a ball lens positioned to receive the light collimated by the collimating optic, wherein the ball lens focuses the received light to a focal point outside of the ball lens; and a bundle of light fibers positioned proximate to the ball lens, wherein the bundle of light fibers includes a first end that is positioned at the focal point of the light focused by the ball lens such that the light is coupled into the first end of the bundle of light fibers at the focal point.

Abstract: A film composite with protection against tampering includes a base film, which is arranged as the lowermost layer in the film composite, and a cover layer, which is arranged as the uppermost layer in the film composite. The film composite further includes an intermediate film, which is arranged between the base film and the cover layer, and a laser-inscribable layer, which is arranged in the film composite between the base film and the intermediate film. Lines of weakening are provided in the film composite, which run within the base film and within the intermediate film.

Abstract: An imaging needle apparatus, associated system, and method of use are described. The apparatus includes various interchangeable modules, including a trocar assembly, a blunt cannula assembly, and an arthroscope assembly, such as a nano-arthroscope. For example, using the imaging needle apparatus, a doctor can treat a patient by inserting the trocar assembly into the patient's body, inserting the blunt cannula assembly into the body via the trocar assembly, removing the trocar assembly, and inserting the arthroscope assembly into the blunt cannula assembly. Further, the imaging needle apparatus, in some embodiments, includes a light engine that provides a light source for a camera cannula of the apparatus, such as a camera cannula that is part of the arthroscope assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotides comprise a cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome, or a portion thereof, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, wherein the CMV genome or portion thereof comprises a mutation within a interleukin-10-like gene sequence. Methods for preventing and treating diseases such as infectious diseases and cancer are also provided herein.

Abstract: A film composite with protection against tampering includes a base film, which is arranged as the lowermost layer in the film composite, and a cover layer, which is arranged as the uppermost layer in the film composite. The film composite further includes an intermediate film, which is arranged between the base film and the cover layer, and a laser-inscribable layer, which is arranged in the film composite between the base film and the intermediate film. Lines of weakening are provided in the film composite, which run within the base film and within the intermediate film.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slotted tube having a plurality of first slots and a plurality of second slots; an imager disposed in the slotted tube, the imager having a plurality of corners arranged in the plurality of first slots; and a plurality of light guides disposed in the plurality of second slots.

Abstract: A film structure with protection against manipulation includes a top film, a laser-inscribable layer which is arranged on the bottom side of the top film, and also a bottom film and a connecting layer for connecting the bottom film to the top film and the laser-inscribable layer. The connecting layer is arranged between the laser-inscribable layer and the bottom film. The film structure has an inscribed region and an uninscribed region. The top film is fused with the bottom film in the inscribed region of the film structure. As a result, it is virtually impossible to separate the top film with the inscribed layer from the bottom film without destruction in the event of a manipulation attempt.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a hub; a needle extending from the hub, a probe provided within the needle and configured to extend and retract, an imager disposed in the probe, and an interposer provided within the needle. The imager is configured to generate an imaging signal. The interposer includes a substrate and a conductive line patterned on the substrate. The interposer is configured to receive the image signal from the imager via the conductive line.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slotted tube having a plurality of first slots and a plurality of second slots; an imager disposed in the slotted tube, the imager having a plurality of corners arranged in the plurality of first slots; and a plurality of light guides disposed in the plurality of second slots.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a trimmed imager including an imager chip and an encapsulation layer, the imager chip have a polygonal cross-section with a first number of corners, the encapsulation layer being disposed around the polygonal cross-section of the imager chip and having a second number of corners that is greater than the first number of corners; and a slotted tube having a plurality of first slots, the corners of the encapsulation layer being disposed in the plurality of first slots.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotides comprise a cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome, or a portion thereof, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, wherein the CMV genome or portion thereof comprises a mutation within a interleukin-10-like gene sequence. Methods for preventing and treating diseases such as infectious diseases and cancer are also provided herein.

Abstract: A light engine for a nano-arthroscope assembly includes a light source, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a circuit board; a collimating optic positioned proximate to the LED, wherein the collimating optic collimates light emitted from the LED and increases an intensity of the light emitted from the LED; a ball lens positioned to receive the light collimated by the collimating optic, wherein the ball lens focuses the received light to a focal point outside of the ball lens; and a bundle of light fibers positioned proximate to the ball lens, wherein the bundle of light fibers includes a first end that is positioned at the focal point of the light focused by the ball lens such that the light is coupled into the first end of the bundle of light fibers at the focal point.

Abstract: An imaging needle apparatus, associated system, and method of use are described. The apparatus includes various interchangeable modules, including a trocar assembly, a blunt cannula assembly, and an arthroscope assembly, such as a nano-arthroscope. For example, using the imaging needle apparatus, a doctor can treat a patient by inserting the trocar assembly into the patient's body, inserting the blunt cannula assembly into the body via the trocar assembly, removing the trocar assembly, and inserting the arthroscope assembly into the blunt cannula assembly. Further, the imaging needle apparatus, in some embodiments, includes a light engine that provides a light source for a camera cannula of the apparatus, such as a camera cannula that is part of the arthroscope assembly.

Abstract: An imaging needle apparatus includes a body, a needle coupled to the body, a probe, and an imager. The needle includes a needle body and a sharp tip. The probe can be exposed from the needle or housed within the needle body according to an operation being performed with the image needle apparatus. The imager is disposed inside of the probe, and includes a plurality of photocells.

Abstract: A film structure with protection against manipulation includes a top film, a laser-inscribable layer which is arranged on the bottom side of the top film, and also a bottom film and a connecting layer for connecting the bottom film to the top film and the laser-inscribable layer. The connecting layer is arranged between the laser-inscribable layer and the bottom film. The film structure has an inscribed region and an uninscribed region. The top film is fused with the bottom film in the inscribed region of the film structure. As a result, it is virtually impossible to separate the top film with the inscribed layer from the bottom film without destruction in the event of a manipulation attempt.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a needle, an imager, and a syringe. The needle includes a tip. The imager includes a plurality of stacked integrated circuits (ICs). The syringe is coupled to the needle.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a needle, an imager, and a syringe. The needle includes a tip. The imager includes a plurality of stacked integrated circuits (ICs). The syringe is coupled to the needle.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a hub; a needle extending from the hub, a probe provided within the needle and configured to extend and retract, an imager disposed in the probe, and an interposer provided within the needle. The imager is configured to generate an imaging signal. The interposer includes a substrate and a conductive line patterned on the substrate. The interposer is configured to receive the image signal from the imager via the conductive line.

Abstract: An imaging needle apparatus includes a body, a needle coupled to the body, a probe, and an imager. The needle includes a needle body and a sharp tip. The probe can be exposed from the needle or housed within the needle body according to an operation being performed with the image needle apparatus. The imager is disposed inside of the probe, and includes a plurality of photocells.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a needle, an imager, and a syringe. The needle includes a tip. The imager includes a plurality of stacked integrated circuits (ICs). The syringe is coupled to the needle.