Abstract: A microfluidic device may employ one or more sorting stations for separating target species from other species in a sample. The separation is driven by magnetophoresis. A sorting station generally includes separate buffer and sample streams. A magnetic field gradient applied to the sorting station deflects the flow path of magnetic particles (which selectively label the target species) from a sample stream into a buffer stream. The buffer stream leaving the sorting station is used to detect or further process purified target species labeled with the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and set of compositions are disclosed for calibrating a bio-photonic scanner. The scanner detects selected molecular structures of tissues, nondestructively, in vivo. The apparatus may include a computer, including processor and memory connecting to the scanner, including an illuminator to direct light nondestructively onto tissue in vivo, a detector to detect an intensity of a radiant response of the tissue to the light, and a probe to direct light onto the subject and receive a radiant response back into the detector. The apparatus is calibrated using a synthetic material to mimic the radiant response of live tissue, correcting for background fluorescence and elastic scattering. Dopants in a matrix of synthetic material mimic selected molecular structures of tissue. Matrix materials include a dilatant compound, and dopants include biological materials as well as K-type polarizing film powdered and mixed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the placement and monitoring of the position of an intraluminal indwelling catheter using an infrared (IR) signal encoded in the catheter and the detection of the IR signal by an IR optical detector. IR emitted from the catheter or IR reflected from the catheter may encode the IR signal into the catheter. The catheter includes a partially opaque flash chamber having a backing with optical properties that contrast with that of blood to allow the detector to image the blood filling the chamber and verify a successful insertion.

Abstract: A replacement stretch type boot (8) is applied to the tie rod shaft (10) of a steering rack assembly using an application aid consisting of a sleeve of flexible sheet material (20) which is applied over the tie rod end (2) to provide a smooth surface for passage of the boot (8) over the tie rod end (2).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RIFD) inlay includes an electrical connection between a chip and an antenna. The electrical connection includes conductive interposer leads and a capacitive connection. The capacitive connection may involve putting the antenna and the interposer leads into close proximity, with dielectric pads therebetween, to allow capacitive coupling between the antenna and the interposer leads. The dielectric pads may include a non-conductive adhesive and a high dielectric material, such as a titanium oxide. The connections provide a convenient, fast, and effective way to operatively couple antennas and interposers. The RFID inlay may be part of an RFID label or RFID tag.

Abstract: An electrical device and method of making same is provided wherein a chip or other electrical component is embedded in a substrate. The substrate may be a thermoplastic material capable of deforming around the chip and at least partially encasing the chip when heat and/or pressure is applied to the substrate. Electromagnetic radiation such a near infrared radiation can be used to heat the substrate. The substrate may include a compressible layer that can be compressed and/or crushed to form a recess into which the chip can be inserted. Once embedded, the chip or electrical component is secured by the substrate and may be coupled to another electrical component. A method of making an RFID transponder is also provided wherein an RFID chip is embedded in a substrate using heat and/or pressure, an antenna structure is applied to the substrate, and the RFID chip and antenna structure are coupled together.

Abstract: A method for measuring a chemical concentration in tissue has two measurement steps. First, generating a first light and illuminating a portion of the tissue with the first light; capturing a first reflected light from the tissue; directing the first reflected light to a plurality of light sensors, each light sensor measuring light at a different wavelength, that wavelength being proximate to a wavelength of an expected Raman shift wavelength for the chemical in the tissue; and obtaining a measurement from each of the light sensors, each measurement being specific to the first reflected light through that light sensor.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive pattern, such as an antenna, on one side of a substrate, and a chip, such as part of a strap, electrically coupled to the conductive pattern, and either on an opposite side of the substrate or on the same side of the substrate as the antenna. A method of fabricating the RFID device may include crimping the strap onto the substrate, in contact with a seed layer, which is subsequently used in forming the antenna or other conductive pattern by plating. The seed layer may be a patterned conductive ink layer. Alternatively, the seed layer may be a layer of conductive material deposited on the substrate, such as by vacuum deposition. Parts of the deposited layer may be covered with a patterned mask in order to form the desired configuration of the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label (311) well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label (311) comprises (i) a support portion (313), the support portion (313) comprising a carrier (315) and a release layer (317); (ii) a wax layer (319), the wax layer overcoating the release layer (317); and (iii) a transfer portion (321), the transfer portion (321) comprising an adhesive layer (323) printed directly onto the wax layer (319) and an ink design layer (325) printed directly onto the adhesive layer (323). Each of the adhesive layer (323) and the ink design layer includes a non-cross-linked PVC resin. The ink design layer may be screen printed onto the adhesive layer (323) or may be printed onto the adhesive layer (323) using thermal transfer printing, ink jet printing or laser printing.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a face stock and an RFID device. The face stock has a printable side and an inlay side, with the RFID device mounted to the inlay side. A layer of adhesive is coated on the inlay side of the face stock. A liner is releasably adhered to the layer of adhesive and includes a relief area that accommodates for defection of the RFID device. The accommodation of the thickness of the RFID device results in a tag that has a substantially uniform printable surface. Accordingly, when passing through a printer, the printable surface is maintained substantially flat or linear at the print head of the printer, thereby minimizing jamming and enhancing printability. A pinch roller for a printer also accommodates for deflection of the RFID tag by providing a deformable section along a length thereof the body that has a greater resiliency than the rest of the body.

Abstract: A high-speed machine and method for placing an RFID circuit onto an electrical component includes separating an RFID circuit from a web of RFID circuits, and placing the RFID circuit onto an electrical component with a placing device. The separating includes directing the RFID circuit onto a transfer drum of the placement device and separably coupling the RFID circuit to the transfer drum. According to one method, a separator device separates and directs chips or interposers onto a placement device. According to another method, chips or interposers are tested before being separated from a web, and if good, are separated from the web, directed onto a placement device, and placed on an electrical component. If defective, the chips or interposers are not directed onto a placement device and are removed by a scrap web removal device.

Abstract: A method of forming a RFID device includes placing a patterned release layer on an RFID device substrate for use as a stencil. The release layer covers the portions of the RFID device substrate upon which conductive material is not to be placed, in the formation of a patterned layer, such as for formation of an antenna. The release layer may be formed by selectively printing a suitable liquid on portions of the RFID device substrate. Following placement of the release layer, a layer of metal is deposited on the release layer and the open portions of the RFID device substrate. The release layer and the metal overlying the release layer are then removed, leaving the desired pattern of metal of the RFID device substrate (a negative image of the pattern of the release layer).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and set of compositions are disclosed for calibrating a bio-photonic scanner. The scanner detects selected molecular structures of tissues, nondestructively, in vivo. The apparatus may include a computer, including processor and memory connecting to the scanner, including an illuminator to direct light nondestructively onto tissue in vivo, a detector to detect an intensity of a radiant response of the tissue to the light, and a probe to direct light onto the subject and receive a radiant response back into the detector. The apparatus is calibrated using a synthetic material to mimic the radiant response of live tissue, correcting for background fluorescence and elastic scattering. Dopants in a matrix of synthetic material mimic selected molecular structures of tissue. Matrix materials include a dilatant compound, and dopants include biological materials as well as K-type polarizing film powdered and mixed.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: An apparatus for sectioning fresh unfixed tissue into very thin layers with preserved tissue architecture, antigenicity, mRNA content, and amenable to 3-D computer reconstruction. An electro-discharge machine (EDM) to accurately slice tissues through electro-dissociation of the tissue without mechanical or thermal damage. The tissue sample is placed on a holder submerged in a cooling bath comprising a liquid such as saline or water to minimize thermal effects and to provide a sink for dissociated ions. A cutting tool is electrically biased with respect to the tissue sample. A computer controlled EDM machine with x-y-z translation stage slices the tissue as defined by a predetermined program. The liquid in the cooling bath may be cooled to minimize tissue heating during cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus for sectioning fresh unfixed tissue into very thin layers with preserved tissue architecture, antigenicity, mRNA content, and amenable to 3-D computer reconstruction without mechanical or thermal damage by employing a sectioning tool having an electrode with an intense focused electrical field at an edge. A computer controlled x-y-z translation stage moves the sectioning tool through the tissue as defined by a predetermined program. The sectioning tool produces consecutive thin sections of fresh tissue for immunohistochemical and nucleic acids analyses without mechanical or thermal damage, ultimately allowing high-resolution volumetric reconstruction of gene and protein expression patterns of large tissue specimens. The geometry of the sectioning tool is selected so as to produce a spatially localized electrical field of sufficient intensity to sever molecular bonds or propagate flaws in tissue without mechanical cutting.

Abstract: A web of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices includes a conductive layer atop an insulating layer, the conductive layer having one or more apertures therein. Alternatively, the web may not include an insulating layer. RFID chips or straps are electrically coupled to portions of the conductive layer on either side of an aperture, for use as antennas when the RFID devices are separated from one another, as by cutting. The apertures may be formed by creasing portions of the web, and removing parts of the creased portion. There may be one or more apertures in a longitudinal or transverse direction of the web. The antenna shapes of various of the RFID devices may be tessellated, nesting within one another or having the same boundary, thereby improving efficiency by using substantially all of the conductive material. The RFID devices may be tested and/or programmed while remaining in the web format.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and compositions calibrate a bio-photonic scanner detecting selected molecular structures of tissues, nondestructively, in vivo. The apparatus may include a processor, memory, and scanner. The scanner directs light nondestructively onto tissue in vivo, then receives back a radiant response through a system of mirrors and lenses back into the detector. Software for controlling the scanner and processing its output may be calibrated using a synthetic material to mimic the radiant response of tissue. Calibration may account for background fluorescence and elastic scattering, mimicking skin tissue materials having substantially no Raman scattering response of interest. Dopants may be added to the matrix of white scan material to mimic selected molecular structures in tissue. Matrix materials include a dilatant compound, and dopants include biological materials as well as K-type polarizing film and other materials.