Abstract: The present disclosure provides microneedles and microneedle patches for transdermal drug delivery and methods of making and using the same. The microneedles are porous and contain a drug in particulate form within the pores.

Abstract: An assay device includes a thread that supports capillary flow of a sample from a sample zone to a test zone through a conjugation zone that has photothermal particles functionalized to bind to an analyte. The test zone is functionalized to trap those photothermal particles that have been bound to the analyte. Illuminating the test zone causes the photothermal particles to convert electromagnetic energy into thermal energy, thus a causing temperature rise, which a temperature sensor detects. This temperature rise results from photothermal conversion at the trapped photothermal particles.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter that outputs an analog value representing a digital value includes a decoding stage and an interpolation stage. The decoding stage defines upper and lower bounds and the interpolation stage outputs an interpolated value that is between the upper and lower bounds. The upper and lower bounds are based on a most-significant portion of the digital value. The interpolation stage selects the interpolated value based on the least-significant portion of the digital value.

Abstract: A wearable sensor for monitoring an external bodily fluid includes a sensor thread, a wick, a substrate, and a communication interface all of which are disposed on a substrate. The wick wicks the external bodily fluid to a functionalized region of the thread. The communication interface transmits, to an external device, data indicative of what the sensor thread has measured in said external bodily fluid. The external device can then carry out real-time analysis or storage.

Abstract: An ingestible capsule for sampling liquid in the gastrointestinal tract includes an inlet and a valve. The valve includes an actuator bead that absorbs liquid. As it does so, it swells. This swelling closes the valve, thus preventing further liquid from entering the capsule.

Abstract: A sensor array that is configured to distinguish between volatilomes, each of which comprises a plurality of volatile organic compounds, includes a fibrous substrate with sensors disposed thereon. Some of the sensors change color in response to exposure to particular volatile organic compounds and others change resistance in response to exposure to particular volatile organic compounds. These volatile organic compounds are collected by a patch that is placed on the skin of a subject and then heated in the presence of the sensors.

Abstract: A capsule for passage through a gastrointestinal tract includes an electrochemical sensor disposed thereon and circuitry disposed within it. The circuitry uses the electrochemical sensor to obtain a measurement of a parameter within said gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A transistor that has a capacitance that varies in response to pressure includes a gel coupled to a gate thereof. The gel comprises a eutectic mixture having ionic conductivity.

Abstract: A thread-based transistor includes a channel thread, a gate wire, and an ion gel. The channel thread includes a textile core that includes a source segment, a drain segment, and a gap segment that is between the source segment and the drain segment. Both the source segment and the drain segment are coated by a conductive coating. The gap segment, however, is coated by a semiconducting material. The ion gel provides electrical coupling between the gap segment and the gate wire.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor for sensing dissolved oxygen concentration in tissue includes an electrochemical sensor comprising first and second conductive threads having proximal sections connected to a potentiostat. The first thread forms a cathode, and the second thread forms an anode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides microneedles and microneedle patches for transdermal drug delivery and methods of making and using the same. The microneedles are porous and contain a drug in particulate form within the pores.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing motion of a subject's head comprises three conductive threads, each of which has a resistance that varies in response to strain thereof, circuitry for applying a voltage across the threads, circuitry for detecting current flowing through the threads, a data-collection system configured to detect the current, and a data-processing system that classifies, based on data provided by the data-collection system, a type of motion of the head and an extent of the motion.

Abstract: An orally-administered gut sampler traverses the gut and obtains a sample of a bacterial population that is present at a selected location within the gut. The sampler has a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis thereof. The body includes an inlet at the proximal end and a sample chamber distal to the inlet. A sample of bacteria begins to pass into the inlet and into the sample chamber when the sampler arrives at the selected location.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter that outputs an analog value representing a digital value includes a decoding stage and an interpolation stage. The decoding stage defines upper and lower bounds and the interpolation stage outputs an interpolated value that is between the upper and lower bounds. The upper and lower bounds are based on a most-significant portion of the digital value. The interpolation stage selects the interpolated value based on the least-significant portion of the digital value.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a coated thread, a thread extends between first and second spools and passes through a cartridge having ink reservoirs in which the stretched thread is dipped while the thread and a sensor that provides, to a controller, a value of a parameter indicative of an extent to which the thread has been dipped in the ink reservoir. The controller uses this parameter as a basis for controlling rotation of a motor that rotates one of the spools.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor for sensing dissolved oxygen concentration in tissue includes an electrochemical sensor comprising first and second conductive threads having proximal sections connected to a potentiostat. The first thread forms a cathode, and the second thread forms an anode.

Abstract: A composite thread includes first and second segments joined to each other. The first segment comprises a functional segment that interacts with an environment of the thread. The second segment communicates information between the first segment and a point external to said composite thread.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor for sensing dissolved oxygen concentration in tissue includes an electrochemical sensor comprising first and second conductive threads having proximal sections connected to a potentiostat. The first thread forms a cathode, and the second thread forms an anode.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a characteristic of a measurement region includes a first thread, a second thread, which comprises a semiconductor, a dielectric that capacitively couples the threads, and a sensing electrode that interacts with the measurement region. This interaction causes a change in an electrical characteristic of the sensing electrode, the sensing electrode is in electrical communication with one of the first and second threads.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating microneedle arrays capable of delivering a suitable drug dosages to subjects are provided. In one aspect, a method comprises creating at least one forming mold using laser ablation in a cross-over line pattern. The method further comprises casting a first material onto the at least one forming mold to create at least one microneedle mold. The method further comprises casting a second material onto the at least one microneedle mold to create at least one hollow microneedle.