Abstract: Amplifiers with temperature-adaptive gain and peaking gain control are described. In one example, a temperature-adaptive amplifier includes an amplifier, a temperature sense circuit, and a peaking control level shifter to bias shift the output of the amplifier and adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The peaking control level shifter can adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The temperature-adaptive control can help to compensate for peaking gain in amplifiers based on the operating temperature of the amplifier. The control can help to compensate for unwanted changes in amplifier peaking gain, over time, resulting in more consistent peaking gain over the full operating frequency range of amplifiers.

Abstract: A method for using saliva to measure at least one substance or physiological parameter of a human or animal subject may involve inserting a first end of a sensor into a handheld saliva testing device. The method may also involve receiving saliva from the subject on a second end of the sensor, moving the saliva from the second end of the sensor to the first end, and processing the saliva with the handheld saliva testing device to provide initial saliva data related to the at least one substance or physiological parameter of the subject. In some embodiments, the sensor remains inserted in the handheld device while the subject deposits saliva on the opposite, free end of the sensor.

Abstract: A core-shell microneedle system and a method of manufacturing the microneedle system provides a pulsatile drug delivery system which is programmed to release drugs/vaccines at predictable times using biodegradable polymers and with controllable dosages. This microneedle system can be fully embedded into the skin and then release drugs/vaccines as sharp bursts in a timely manner, similar to multiple bolus injections.

Abstract: A core-shell microneedle system and a method of manufacturing the microneedle system provides a pulsatile drug delivery system which is programmed to release drugs/vaccines at predictable times using biodegradable polymers and with controllable dosages. This microneedle system can be fully embedded into the skin and then release drugs/vaccines as sharp bursts in a timely manner, similar to multiple bolus injections.

Abstract: A transdermal, biodegradable microneedle system and method for treating pain in a patient. The transdermal easy-to-use biodegradable microneedle system can be fully embedded into the skin to perform a sustained and nearly zero-order release kinetics of therapeutics over a long period of time (at least 30 days) for the treatment of pain.

Abstract: A core-shell microneedle system and a method of manufacturing the microneedle system provides a pulsatile drug delivery system which is programmed to release drugs/vaccines at predictable times using biodegradable polymers and with controllable dosages. This microneedle system can be fully embedded into the skin and then release drugs/vaccines as sharp bursts in a timely manner, similar to multiple bolus injections.

Abstract: Methods of acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for angiography. The present invention includes novel magnetization preparation schemes where the navigator and fat saturation pulses are executed in steady state after the preparatory pulses in order to minimize the delay between the magnetization preparation and the image echoes. The present invention also provides for improved methods of contrast-enhanced MRI where data are collected along non-linear trajectories through k-space and may also involve novel view ordering. In addition, the present methods employ novel motion corrections that minimize motion artifacts. The present invention further provides novel methods of self-calibrated sensitivity-encoded parallel imaging that allow for accurate and rapid scanning of subjects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting displacement of an object using navigator echoes is presented. For motion that is linear in 3D, a linear regression on k-space data is performed by fitting a straight line to the motion-induced phase shift using a k-space weighted least squares minimization to find the displacement. For general motion due to rotation, dilation, and displacement, a rotation angle and dilation scaling factors are determined from the magnitude k-space data by a weighted least squares minimization. A displacement vector is then obtained from the phase data in k-space using a weighted least squares minimization. The weighting factor takes into account that the noise in k-space is inversely proportional to the signal to noise ration. For motion of coronary arteries, the k-space data is acquired in one embodiment using selective volumetric excitation and sampling the resulting excited signal with a trajectory sensitized to the motion of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting displacement of an object using navigator echoes is presented. For motion that is linear in 3D, a linear regression on k-space data is performed by fitting a straight line to the motion-induced phase shift using a k-space weighted least squares minimization to find the displacement. For general motion due to rotation, dilation, and displacement, a rotation angle and dilation scaling factors are determined from the magnitude k-space data by a weighted least squares minimization. A displacement vector is then obtained from the phase data in k-space using a weighted least squares minimization. The weighting factor takes into account that the noise in k-space is inversely proportional to the signal to noise ration. For motion of coronary arteries, the k-space data is acquired in one embodiment using selective volumetric excitation and sampling the resulting excited signal with a trajectory sensitized to the motion of interest.

Abstract: Microporous hollow fiber polysulfone membranes can be prepared continuously by using a particular combination of casting solution and precipitation solution formulations, and casting conditions. The concentration of components in the precipitation solution are adjusted continuously to maintain original concentrations. The membranes are characterized by high quality, consistent performance and uniform porosity throughout the membrane.

Abstract: Microporous polysulfone membranes can be prepared by using a particular combination of casting solution and precipitation solution formulations, and casting conditions. The casting solution comprises polysulfone and a protein non-adsorptive prepolymer and the precipitation solution comprises a polymerization catalyst. Both hollow fiber and flat membranes can be prepared in this manner. The membranes are substantially protein non-adsorptive and have valuable physical characteristics including increased strength and high flux.

Abstract: Isotropic microporous polysulfone membranes can be prepared by using a particular combination of casting solution and precipitation solution formulations, and casting conditions. Both hollow fiber and flat membranes can be prepared in this manner. The membranes are skinless and are characterized by uniform porosity throughout the membrane.