Abstract: Systems and methods for changing a cosmetic formulation attribute are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises a detector configured to detect a cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate; an additive applicator configured to apply an additive to the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate, wherein the additive is configured to change a cosmetic formulation attribute; and a controller operatively coupled to the detector and the additive applicator. In an embodiment, controller includes logic that, when executed by the controller, is configured to cause the system to perform operations including: detecting, with the detector, the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate; and applying, with the additive applicator, the additive to the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate to change the cosmetic formulation attribute of the cosmetic formulation.

Abstract: A cold plasma system and method for treating a region of a biological surface is presented. In one embodiment, the system includes: a housing; an air conduit within the housing; a first electrode configured proximately along the air conduit; a second electrode configured proximately along the air conduit and opposite from the first electrode; and a source of alternating current (AC) electrically connected with the first electrode. The source of alternating current is configured to generate cold plasma in the air conduit.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating a skin surface of a user, comprising: at least one light emitting source configured to focus light on a specified skin region of the user, the light being configured to treat a skin condition of the user; and a controller configured to control emission of the light onto the specified skin region of the user.

Abstract: A cold plasma system and method for treating a region of a biological surface is presented. In one embodiment, the system includes: a housing; an air conduit within the housing; a first electrode configured proximately along the air conduit; a second electrode configured proximately along the air conduit and opposite from the first electrode; and a source of alternating current (AC) electrically connected with the first electrode. The source of alternating current is configured to generate cold plasma in the air conduit.

Abstract: Light therapy devices and systems configured to apply light to a portion of skin are described. In an embodiment, the light therapy device comprises a sheet defining two opposing major sides, wherein the sheet is configured to transmit light through the sheet by internal reflection, and wherein a portion of a light emission side of the two opposing major sides is configured to couple with the portion of skin and defines micropatterning configured to emit light from within the sheet; and a light source configured to emit light into the sheet between the two opposing major sides.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating a skin surface of a user, comprising: at least one light emitting source configured to focus light on a specified skin region of the user, the light being configured to treat a skin condition of the user; and a controller configured to control emission of the light onto the specified skin region of the user.

Abstract: Light therapy devices and systems configured to apply light to a portion of skin are described. In an embodiment, the light therapy device comprises a sheet defining two opposing major sides, wherein the sheet is configured to transmit light through the sheet by internal reflection, and wherein a portion of a light emission side of the two opposing major sides is configured to couple with the portion of skin and defines micropatterning configured to emit light from within the sheet; and a light source configured to emit light into the sheet between the two opposing major sides.

Abstract: A computer system creates time lapse video of a live subject to help assess effects of skin treatments, use of cosmetics, or personal care routines over time. In one aspect, the computer system obtains a set of digital source images (e.g., from video or a series of still images) of a region of interest of a live subject (e.g., the face of the live subject or a portion thereof) captured in a first time period; normalizes the set of digital source images; obtains a first representative image that includes the region of interest by synthesizing or selecting it from the set of digital source images; and combines the first representative image with additional representative images from other time periods to form a time lapse video of the region of interest of the live subject.

Abstract: A computer system creates time lapse video of a live subject to help assess effects of skin treatments, use of cosmetics, or personal care routines over time. In one aspect, the computer system obtains a set of digital source images (e.g., from video or a series of still images) of a region of interest of a live subject (e.g., the face of the live subject or a portion thereof) captured in a first time period; normalizes the set of digital source images; obtains a first representative image that includes the region of interest by synthesizing or selecting it from the set of digital source images; and combines the first representative image with additional representative images from other time periods to form a time lapse video of the region of interest of the live subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for changing a cosmetic formulation attribute are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises a detector configured to detect a cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate; an additive applicator configured to apply an additive to the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate, wherein the additive is configured to change a cosmetic formulation attribute; and a controller operatively coupled to the detector and the additive applicator. In an embodiment, controller includes logic that, when executed by the controller, is configured to cause the system to perform operations including: detecting, with the detector, the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate; and applying, with the additive applicator, the additive to the cosmetic formulation disposed on the substrate to change the cosmetic formulation attribute of the cosmetic formulation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.

Abstract: A system and method for cosmetic treatment of a region of a biological surface using cold atmospheric plasma is presented. In one embodiment, a method of treatment of a region of a biological surface with cold plasma includes: selecting a post-treatment formulation; and applying the post-treatment formulation to the region pre-treated by the cold plasma.

Abstract: A cold plasma system and method for treating a region of a biological surface is presented. In one embodiment, the system includes: a housing; an air conduit within the housing; a first electrode configured proximately along the air conduit; a second electrode configured proximately along the air conduit and opposite from the first electrode; and a source of alternating current (AC) electrically connected with the first electrode. The source of alternating current is configured to generate cold plasma in the air conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capture concentration of analytes using lectins and other capture ligands are described. For example, stationary phase media functionalized with lectins are used for capture concentration and cleaning of TB lipoarabinomannan (TB LAM) prior to assay on a lateral flow assay (LFA) device, and filtration devices suitable for particulate or bulk capture media are described. Size-exclusion filtration is used to separate particles with captured analyte during washing and concentration steps. Captured analyte can be eluted from stationary phase media prior to application to a LFA or eluted directly onto a customized LFA device that includes a size-selective filter. In various aspects, a size-selective filter on a LFA is used to transfer particulate capture media on a LFA device.

Abstract: A fluidic assay device and related methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. A fluidic assay device includes a diversion structure pad having a fixed bed volume and capable of producing a capillary flow rate to preferentially draw a first volume of sample fluid delivered by a fluid delivery device to a loading region away from an assay flow path. A second volume of sample fluid delivered from the delivery device flows from the loading region into an assay flow path. For example, the assay flow path may include a lateral flow membrane and components for capture and detection of an analyte of interest. The fluidic assay device can be used with, sandwich immunoassays and other assays suited for use in lateral flow format, for example.

Abstract: A device for application of even pressure on a plunger head includes: a center rod with a pressure plate affixed at a first end and a back plate positioned adjacent to a second end; a positioning spring adjacent to the pressure plate at a surface distal to the center rod; a positioning plate adjacent to an end of the positioning spring distal to the pressure plate; a housing including an aperture at a position adjacent to a distal surface of the positioning plate; a main spring surrounding the center rod between the back plate and the pressure plate; and a mechanism positioned to move the center rod between the pressure plate and the back plate, the mechanism positioned to compress the main spring between the pressure plate and the back plate in response to force applied by a user.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device includes a memory; and a processing circuit coupled to the memory and configured to receive call data regarding a plurality of telephone calls placed to the computing device, each of the plurality of telephone calls being placed by a caller; prioritize each caller based on the call data and prioritization data stored in the memory, the prioritization data providing an indication of a relationship between each caller and a receiver associated with the computing device and including at least one of electronic contact data, electronic calendar data, and social media data; determine a future time for each caller to speak with the receiver based on the prioritization of each caller; and transmit a message to each caller providing an indication of the future time.