Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a vessel configured to suspend molecules of interest therein, optical sources configured to excite the molecules of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated in a stepwise fashion, during the activation, the sources activated according to a pulse train, the molecules of interest emitting emission light in response to being excited by the excitation light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the molecules of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the molecules of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.

Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a spot-traversal system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot in a first direction, wherein the sample includes one or more fluorescent markers having respective fluorescence wavelengths, a gating system configured to provide a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at a wavelength of the irradiation spot, and an optical detection system configured to detect fluorescent light from at least some of the fluorescent markers irradiated by the irradiation spot, and provide detection signal(s) representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open condition of the gating signal.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a collapsible and expandable frame that, in an expanded condition, includes a central portion, an atrial portion flaring radially outwardly from the central portion, and a ventricular portion flaring radially outwardly from the central portion. A tube positioned within the frame may have a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the frame, wherein the tube is formed of tissue or fabric. Prosthetic leaflets may be directly coupled to the tube to form a valve allowing blood to flow through the lumen of the tube in an antegrade direction but substantially blocking blood from flowing through the lumen of the tube in a retrograde direction. A plurality of cords may each have a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the tube. Each of the plurality of cords may extend in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method includes moving a stabilization device comprising a stabilization surface relative to a base of a surgical cart, wherein the moving comprises moving the stabilization device from a retracted position in which the stabilization surface is spaced from the ground surface to a deployed position in which the stabilization surface is in contact with the ground surface, and wherein the moving comprises overcoming a biasing force biasing the stabilization device toward the retracted position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a topology of an application deployment on a distributed system can include receiving multiple traces of requests within an application, where the application includes multiple components. They can also include determining a number of times that each span between the components is traversed by a trace and associating each span with a corresponding weight reflecting the number of times that the span is traversed. Such systems and methods can further include selecting a deployment scenario based on the respective weights of each of the spans.

Abstract: A system is described wherein a plurality of lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a plurality of lasers configured for irradiation of a flow stream are disclosed where discrete intervals of irradiation by one or more discretely activated lasers are triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with one or more continuously on lasers.

Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to propagate a sample in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to irradiate the sample in the flow stream, one or more detector systems each configured to receive resultant light from the sample and, in response, generate a photon signal, the one or more detector systems each including one or more photon sensors each adapted to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving a photon and a circuit operating in the giga hertz supporting the one or more photon sensors thus configured to count each individual photon in the resultant light from the sample.

Abstract: An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.

Abstract: A flow cytometry measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to flow particles of interest in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to excite the particles of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated according to a pulse train thus causing particles of interest emitting emission light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the particles of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the particles of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.

Abstract: A system is described wherein multiple lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a first laser configured for continuous irradiation of a flow stream and one or more second lasers configured for irradiation of the flow stream in discrete intervals where each discrete interval of irradiation by the second laser is triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with the first laser. Methods for modulating the laser irradiation and measuring light intensity are also described. Also described is the computations and systems required to operate the one or more second lasers.

Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.

Abstract: A loading funnel for a prosthetic heart valve includes a proximal connector configured for releasably securing the funnel to a holding tube for a prosthetic heart valve, a distal end for receiving the prosthetic heart valve in an at least partially expanded state, and a passage extending between the distal end and the proximal connector. The passage includes a conical portion that is wider at a distal end and narrower at a proximal end and centered along a cone axis. One or more internal fins each extend from a relatively proximal location in the conical portion to a relatively distal location in the conical portion and protrude toward the cone axis.

Abstract: A flow cytometry measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to flow particles of interest in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to excite the particles of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated according to a pulse train thus causing particles of interest emitting emission light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the particles of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the particles of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.

Abstract: An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a topology of an application deployment on a distributed system can include receiving multiple traces of requests within an application, where the application includes multiple components. They can also include determining a number of times that each span between the components is traversed by a trace and associating each span with a corresponding weight reflecting the number of times that the span is traversed. Such systems and methods can further include selecting a deployment scenario based on the respective weights of each of the spans.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a valve portion, a tether connected to the valve portion, and an anchor for connecting the tether to the wall of the heart. The anchor may include a flexible first disc biased toward a first shape that is convex in a first direction and a neck extending from the first disc in a second direction opposite the first direction. The neck has a first end connected to the first disc and a second end. The anchor may further include a flexible second disc connected to the second end of the neck and biased toward a second shape that is convex in the first direction. When deployed, the first and second discs sandwich the wall of the heart.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods, reagents, and substrates for detecting target analytes, especially spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for use in food authentication and molecular detection (e.g., when combined with later flow immunoassays (LFIA).

Abstract: A system manages usage of a network-enabled user device. A policy storage is separately located relative to the user device and stores usage policy sets. Each policy set comprises policies defining usage permissions/restrictions applicable to the user device. The system associates a first user with a first time period and a second user with a second time period, each time period exclusive of other time periods. The first user selects/modifies a first policy set for applying during the first time period, and the second user selects/modifies a second policy set for applying during the second time period. The first user cannot select/modify any policy set applicable during the second time period, and the second user cannot select/modify any policy set applicable during the first time period. A usage request from the user device is allowed/denied based on the policy set to be applied when the usage request is made.

Abstract: A system for the identification of micro-organisms includes an irradiation unit adapted to sequentially provide coherent electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is adapted to retain a substrate having a surface adapted for growth of a micro-organism colony. A beamsplitter is adapted to direct the coherent electromagnetic radiation from the common optical path towards the retained substrate. An imager is arranged opposite the beamsplitter from the retained substrate and is adapted to obtain images of backward-scattered light patterns from the micro-organism colony irradiated by the respective wavelengths of the directed coherent electromagnetic radiation. Some examples provide radiation of multiple wavelengths and include an imager arranged optically downstream of the retained substrate to obtain images of forward-scattered light patterns from the micro-organism colony irradiated by the wavelengths of radiation.