Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system comprising a pipette tip manipulable between a sample area and an active agent exposure zone and a controller configured to manipulate the pipette tip between the sample area and the active agent exposure zone, wherein when the pipette tip comprises at least a portion of a biological sample target, the controller is further configured to isolate at least a portion of the biological sample target from one or more biological sample targets. Also disclosed is a method for detecting an effect of an active agent on a cell, by forming a high-resistance seal between a cell and an apertured surface, isolating at least a portion of the cell, translocating the apertured surface in one or more translations within an x-plane, a y-plane, a z-plane, or combinations thereof, and exposing the portion of the cell to an active agent.

Abstract: In an automated methodology for carrying out in vivo cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is automatically moved into position and targeted to a neuron. Neuron contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the cell patch clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: In an automated method for in vivo multiple cell patch clamping, cell patch clamping devices are automatically moved into position and targeted to multiple corresponding cells. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping devices as they are moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve cell-attached or gigaseal formation and subsequent cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells according to the methodology by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: In an automated method for in vivo multiple cell patch clamping, cell patch clamping devices are automatically moved into position and targeted to multiple corresponding cells. Cell contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the clamping devices as they are moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve cell-attached or gigaseal formation and subsequent cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells according to the methodology by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: In an automated methodology for carrying out in vivo cell patch clamping, a cell patch clamping device is automatically moved into position and targeted to a neuron. Neuron contact is determined by analyzing the temporal series of measured resistance levels at the cell patch clamping device as it is moved. The difference between successive resistance levels is computed and compared to a threshold, which must be exceeded for a minimum number of computations before neuron contact is assumed. Pneumatic control methods are used to achieve gigaseal formation and cell break-in, leading to whole-cell patch clamp formation. An automated robotic system capable of performing this methodology automatically performs patch clamping in vivo, automatically detecting cells by analyzing the temporal sequence of electrode impedance changes.

Abstract: Described herein in several embodiments are a system, method and apparatus for measuring platelet thrombus volume of a blood sample. In some embodiments, the present invention comprises a microfluidic apparatus having a blood input that receives the blood sample and a plurality of flow channels. In some embodiments of the present invention, each flow channel has a non-stenotic region that receives a portion of the blood sample from the blood input and a stenotic region for creating a discrete initial shear rate in the flow channel. The initial shear rate in the flow channel can be from approximately 500 s?1 to approximately 13000 s?1. The stenotic region, or a narrowing or stricture of the flow channel passageway, is used to simulate a partial blockage of a blood vessel that can result in thrombosis within the blood vessel.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for improvement of the modulo-26 Hill system that encrypts a limited character set in blocks of two, and for expanding its original polygraphic capability into a polygraphic/polymorphic modulo-256 system to be known as the “Scrambler” system. Methods are provided so that the new system will encrypt in blocks of potentially any size and will be capable of encrypting any computer file into random-appearing ciphertext containing a variable length from approximately 30 to 130 characters larger than the original plaintext. The encrypted file will be any of a very large number of possible random-appearing ciphertext patterns. The improved system is invulnerable to all known forms of cyptanalysis, including simple brute-force key searches or sophisticated known-plaintext attacks, hides repeating plaintext patterns of any length, and it resists traffic analysis.