Abstract: Systems and methods for coverslipping a sample on a slide employ a coverslip tape. The systems and methods can reduce or eliminate the use of xylene and other toxic solvents for coverslipping.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus that gravitationally transfer cells from a first medium to a second medium. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes a cell transfer region, a cell settling channel, a waste channel, a cell output channel, and an input medium channel. The cell settling channel, the waste channel, and the cell output channel extend from, are in fluid communication with, and are smaller in cross section than the cell transfer region. The cell output channel is substantially perpendicular to the cell settling channel and to the waste channel. The input medium channel extends from and is in fluid communication with the cell output channel.

Abstract: One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus that gravitationally transfer cells from a first medium to a second medium. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes a cell transfer region, a cell settling channel, a waste channel, a cell output channel, and an input medium channel. The cell settling channel, the waste channel, and the cell output channel extend from, are in fluid communication with, and are smaller in cross section than the cell transfer region. The cell output channel is substantially perpendicular to the cell settling channel and to the waste channel. The input medium channel extends from and is in fluid communication with the cell output channel.

Abstract: One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for stimulation of a vagus nerve of a patient are disclosed. An element that can be deployed and retained inside the patient's stomach without surgery and having a power supply and electrodes is associated with the expandable element. The electrodes are capable of stimulating the vagus nerve while the expandable element remains in the stomach for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a substance to the olfactory region is described. The device includes a nosepiece and an elongate tubular member slidably disposed within the nosepiece for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The tubular member is in flow communication with a reservoir containing the substance to be delivered. During use, the tubular member extends from the device, to direct the substance toward the olfactory region.

Abstract: A system for intraosseous drug delivery includes a reservoir containing a drug, an injection port which provides a route through which the drug can be delivered to a root of a tooth from an exterior of the tooth, and an injection needle in communication with the reservoir and adapted for insertion into the injection port. A portal for intraosseous drug delivery includes a prosthetic body adapted to mate with a tooth and a port formed in the prosthetic body such that when the prosthetic body mates with the tooth a route is formed through which a drug can be delivered from an exterior of the prosthetic body to a root of the tooth.

Abstract: An osmotic intraosseous drug delivery device includes an artificial crown having a cavity defined therein and at least one inlet port in communication with the cavity. The device also includes an osmotic module including an osmotic agent and a drug formulation. The osmotic module is adapted to be inserted in the cavity in order to allow fluid received in the cavity through the inlet port to activate the osmotic module. The osmotic module has an outlet port through which the drug formulation can be dispensed.

Abstract: A device for intraosseous drug delivery includes a first implant body having a delivery orifice at a distal end thereof. The first implant body is adapted for mounting in a jawbone such that the delivery orifice communicates with the jawbone. The device further includes a drug cartridge including a reservoir for a drug disposed in the first implant body. The device further includes a pump disposed in the first implant body for pumping the drug from the reservoir to the delivery orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery member having a plurality of microprojections adapted to pierce the stratum corneum of a subject, each of the microprojection having a length less than 145 microns. In a preferred embodiment, each microprojection has a length in the range of approximately 50-145 microns.

Abstract: A transdermal agent delivery apparatus and system having a low infection potential comprising a delivery system having a microprojection member (or system) that includes a plurality of microprojections (or array thereof) that are adapted to pierce through the stratum corneum into the underlying epidermis layer, or epidermis and dermis layers. In one embodiment, the microprojection member includes a biocompatible coating having at least one biologically active agent and at least one antimicrobial agent disposed therein. In another embodiment, the microprojection member includes a hydrogel formulation having at least one biologically active agent and at least one antimicrobial agent. In yet another embodiment, the microprojection member includes a hydrogel formulation having at least one antimicrobial agent and a solid film having at least one biologically active agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system. The device of the invention is generally capable of performing one or more sample acquisition and preparation operations, in combination with one or more sample analysis operations. For example, the device can integrate several or all of the operations involved in sample acquisition and storage, sample preparation and sample analysis, within a single integrated unit. The device is useful in a variety of applications, and most notably, nucleic acid based diagnostic applications and de novo sequencing applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system.

Abstract: The amplification of nucleic acids in a single phase can reliably provide products at relatively low cost and labor. A single-phase amplification can also increase the amount of nucleic acids while preserving the relative abundance of the individual nucleic acid species, or portions thereof. A single-phase amplified nucleic acid preparation may be analyzed in a gene expression monitoring system, preferably involving a nucleic acid probe array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system. The device of the invention is generally capable of performing one or more sample acquisition and preparation operations, in combination with one or more sample analysis operations. For example, the device can integrate several or all of the operations involved in sample acquisition and storage, sample preparation and sample analysis, within a single integrated unit. The device is useful in a variety of applications, and most notably, nucleic acid based diagnostic applications and de novo sequencing applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a plurality of small-volume reactions simultaneously with components in a bulk-phase medium are disclosed. The apparatus includes a device having an elongate or planar channel providing a plurality of discrete small-volume reaction regions within the channel, each communicating with supply and hold reservoirs from which material can be introduced into the regions, and to which material can be transferred from the reaction regions. A reaction-specific reagent is carried on a wall portion of each reaction region, or in a reservoir associated with a reaction region, for reacting in solution with one or more components in the bulk-phase medium, to effect a selected solution-phase reaction in each region or in a region-specific reservoir associated therewith.

Abstract: A microchannel apparatus and method for processing a sample are disclosed. The apparatus include a multisite reaction channel, one or more sample-preparation stations upstream of the reaction channel, for carrying out one or more selected sample-preparation steps effective to convert a sample to the bulk-phase medium, and one or more product-processing stations downstream of the reaction channel, for processing products generated in one or more of the reaction regions. Also included is structure for transferring solvent or solvent components between one of the sample-preparation stations and one or more selected reaction regions in the reaction channel, and between one or more selected reaction regions in the reaction channel and one of said product-processing stations, under the control of a control unit.

Abstract: A method and device for performing a plurality of small-volume reactions simultaneously are disclosed. The device includes an elongate or planar channel and a port for introducing such bulk-phase medium into the channel, a plurality of discrete small-volume reaction regions within the channel, and a reaction-specific reagent releasably carried on a wall portion of each reaction region. In carrying out the method of the invention, a bulk phase medium containing common reactants is added to the channel. Upon release of reaction-specific reagent from the wall portions of the reaction regions, a reagent-specific reaction can occur simultaneously in each region. The channel is dimensioned to substantially prevent convective fluid flow among the reaction regions during such reactions.