Abstract: The present invention provides efficient methods for producing a superhydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT) array. The methods comprise providing a vertically aligned CNT array and performing vacuum pyrolysis on the CNT array to produce a superhydrophobic CNT array. These methods have several advantages over the prior art, such as operational simplicity and efficiency. The invention also relates to superhydrophobic CNT arrays.

Abstract: A method of fabricating optical energy collection and conversion devices using carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and a method of anchoring CNT's into thin polymeric layers is disclosed. The basic method comprises an initial act of surrounding a plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures within at least one fluid layer of substantially uniform thickness such that a first end of the plurality of nanostructures protrudes from the fluid layer. Next, the fluid layer is altered to form an anchoring layer, thereby fastening the nanostructures within the primary anchoring layer with the first ends of the nanostructures protruding from a first surface of the primary anchoring layer. Finally, a portion of the anchoring layer is selectively removed such that a second end of the nanostructures is exposed and protrudes from the anchoring layer. The resulting product is an optically absorbent composite material having aligned nanostructures protruding from both sides of an anchoring layer.

Abstract: A medical device for injecting a liquid medicine into an organism. The device comprises a needle, an injection tube attached to the posterior end of the needle and a housing having a conduit at the distal end. The needle being placed inside the housing in such a way that the needle can move from a position where entire length of needle is situated within the housing and the conduit to a position where the needle is protruded out of the housing. The device allows an anesthesia provider to perform a nerve block more safely and efficiently. In one embodiment of the device, an injection pad is used to single handedly inject syringes of liquid medicine into the injection tube.

Abstract: An intravascular miniature stent pump comprising an intravascular stent for implantation at an implant site within a blood vessel and a miniature pump mounted on the stent, wherein the pump allows an adequate blood flow to prevent clotting within a lumen of the stent, and wherein the blood flow is equal to or greater than a blood flow at the implant site before implantation.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: In various embodiments of a method for filling root canal spaces, the root canal spaces are cleaned and irrigated, for example, by any suitable endodontic procedure, and the irrigating liquid is not removed from the canal spaces prior to filling. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic filler material is introduced into the root canal spaces while they are filled with liquid. As the canal spaces are filled, the hydrophobic filler material displaces the liquid and drives it out of the canal spaces, towards the crown of the tooth, where it can be removed. The hydrophobic filler material may comprise magnetically responsive particles having a hydrophobic surface coating that are compacted into the root canal spaces by application of a magnetic force field. In other embodiments, hydrophilic filler material in a flowable phase is introduced into the canal spaces where it partly displaces and partly absorbs the irrigating liquid before solidifying.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: First and second structures are connected by helical fibers. The orientation between the first and second structures are changed, and by doing so, the positions of the helical fibers are correspondingly changed. The position of change of the helical fibers can be used for a pumping effect, or to change some other fluidic characteristics. One other fluidic characteristics, for example, may use the movement of the helical fibers as a valve.

Abstract: A method of fabricating optical energy collection and conversion devices using carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and a method of anchoring CNT's into thin polymeric layers is disclosed. The basic method comprises an initial act of surrounding a plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures within at least one fluid layer of substantially uniform thickness such that a first end of the plurality of nanostructures protrudes from the fluid layer. Next, the fluid layer is altered to form an anchoring layer, thereby fastening the nanostructures within the primary anchoring layer with the first ends of the nanostructures protruding from a first surface of the primary anchoring layer. Finally, a portion of the anchoring layer is selectively removed such that a second end of the nanostructures is exposed and protrudes from the anchoring layer. The resulting product is an optically absorbent composite material having aligned nanostructures protruding from both sides of an anchoring layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating composites by combining pre-fabricated nanoscale structures (nanostructures) and other materials in which the nanostructures are anchored. This method results in anchored nanostructures with their base held and encased within the anchoring material to a specified depth and with a specified length of protrusion of the nanostructures from the anchoring material. This represents a major advance over previous methods of creating composites containing nanostructures which were limited to fully embedded nanostructures or, at best, very limited and uncontrolled protrusion of nanostructures. In summary, the current method involves bringing nanostructures and anchoring materials into physical contact in a controlled fashion and optionally conducting a treatment step to complete the anchoring process.

Abstract: A device and methods for continuous precision blood sampling from a patient with a micro impedance pump as the driver in a microfluidic system. Depending on the needs of medical technologies, the micro impedance pump in the intravascular diagnostic and therapeutic sampling system serves in a forward pumping function for blood sampling, in a backward infusing for therapeutic treatment, and in a valving function for controlling fluid flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a liquid jet apparatus for dental treatments are disclosed. In one implementation, the liquid jet apparatus may include a handpiece configured to deliver a high velocity liquid jet to a desired location in the mouth of a patient. The handpiece may include a positioning member having a channel through or along which the jet can propagate. The positioning member may have a distal end portion configured to be at least partially disposed in a pulp cavity, canal space, or opening in the tooth under treatment. During operation, the jet may impact an impingement surface of the distal end portion of the positioning member and be deflected as a spray through one or more openings in the distal end portion. The liquid jet apparatus may be used for root canal treatments.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for root canal treatments are provided. In some embodiments, an aiming element may be used to position a high-velocity liquid jet near a desired location in the tooth. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an interrupter that deflects or impedes the liquid jet when it is not desirable for the jet to propagate from the aiming element. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an elongated member that permits passage of the liquid jet through a channel. The elongated member may include one or more openings, for example, on sides and/or ends of the member. Some root canal cleaning techniques include one or more applications of the liquid jet followed by application of a disinfectant such as, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract: A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. A projector projects an optical pattern toward a surface. The camera has at least two off-axis apertures thereon, arranged to obtain an image of the projected pattern including defocused information. The camera is movable between different positions to image the surface from said different positions, and the projector is at a specified angle of at least 5° relative to said camera. A processor carries out a first operation using information received through the apertures to determine a pose of said camera, and to determine three dimensional information about the object based on a degree of deformation of said optical pattern on said surface indicative of a three dimensional surface. An embodiment projects a grid of laser dots and uses laser-dot defocusing for approximate Z and thus grid correspondence, which can greatly increase the working depth of the system.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. An SLR camera has a lens and aperture that allows the SLR camera to determine defocused information.

Abstract: A method for forming a cardiovascular structure in culture is provided. The method includes applying mechanical force to a cell population in culture such that a cardiovascular structure is formed. In some embodiments, the mechanical force is produced in culture medium by a pulsatile liquid flow with a retrograde component. The cell population can include stem cells or differentiated cells, or combinations of both. In particular embodiments, a cardiovascular valve is formed. Scaffolds for the support and growth of the cell population, and bioreactors including the scaffolds, are also provided.

Abstract: First and second structures are connected by helical fibers. The orientation between the first and second structures are changed, and by doing so, the positions of the helical fibers are correspondingly changed. The position of change of the helical fibers can be used for a pumping effect, or to change some other fluidic characteristics. One other fluidic characteristics, for example, may use the movement of the helical fibers as a valve.