Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.

Abstract: A switching circuit for controlling supply of electrical power from a power pole input to a power pole output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensing pressure in a region of interest by providing a plurality of metallic particles operatively associated with one another in the region of interest (for example, wherein the metallic particles sustain a plasmon upon excitation), and with the metallic particles configured or positioned in relationship to one another so that a physical property of the particles (for example, the energy of the plasmon) varies in response to pressure; measuring the physical property of the metallic particles that varies in response to pressure; and then determining the pressure in the region of interest from the detected physical property (e.g., resistance, energy of the plasmon). Compositions, articles and formulations for carrying out the method in industrial and biomedical applications are also described.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for sample processing. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, and also comprises a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically. Each device of at least two of the plurality of devices may have one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device. The at least two devices may utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator scheme is user-configurable. In some embodiments, the one or more status lights of at least one device are provided by one or more recessed light-emitting strips.

Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for sample processing. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, and also comprises a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically. Each device of at least two of the plurality of devices may have one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device. The at least two devices may utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator scheme is user-configurable. In some embodiments, the one or more status lights of at least one device are provided by one or more recessed light-emitting strips.

Abstract: Provided herein are protective devices that can fully capture and enclose a needle for a medical procedure, e.g., a swedged suture needle, such that the needle may safely remain attached to a wound or surgical site via suture material but also prevent accidental needle-stick injuries to medical personnel and patients. Such devices may be employed for temporary or longer periods of time while other phases related to the medical procedure transpire.

Abstract: An automated centrifuge apparatus for conducting a cell preparation procedure is provided. A rotor assembly supports centrifuge tubes, which are installable at respective tube positions. The tube positions are indexable to an index location. A sensing module monitors the index location during a set of status checks, which relate to the centrifuge tubes. Logic signals generated by the sensing module are used to automatically determine whether the status checks are satisfied.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions useful for treating ischemia and/or reperfusion injury, such as that associated with myocardial infarct, ischemic stroke, brain trauma such as traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, chronic wounds, and burns.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions useful for treating ischemia and/or reperfusion injury, such as that associated with myocardial infarct, ischemic stroke, brain trauma such as traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, chronic wounds, and burns.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions useful for treating ischemia and/or reperfusion injury, such as that associated with myocardial infarct, ischemic stroke, brain trauma such as traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, chronic wounds, and burns.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a system for supplying electrical connectivity to one or more circuit board based devices includes a backplane and at least one module. The backplane includes a mounting surface having a plurality of modular power connectors. The at least one module includes an interface portion, a power connection portion, and a circuit board. The power connection portion is configured to connect with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular power connectors. The circuit board includes a plurality of power-related electrical contacts and a plurality of data-related electrical contacts. At least one of the plurality of power-related electrical contacts is connected with the power connection portion, and at least one of the plurality of data-related electrical contacts is connected with the interface portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensing pressure in a region of interest by providing a plurality of metallic particles operatively associated with one another in the region of interest (for example, wherein the metallic particles sustain a plasmon upon excitation), and with the metallic particles configured or positioned in relationship to one another so that a physical property of the particles (for example, the energy of the plasmon) varies in response to pressure; measuring the physical property of the metallic particles that varies in response to pressure; and then determining the pressure in the region of interest from the detected physical property (e.g., resistance, energy of the plasmon). Compositions, articles and formulations for carrying out the method in industrial and biomedical applications are also described.