Abstract: Photosensitizers are incorporated into articles, such a personal protective equipment. A method of applying continuous and consistent light includes fitting the articles with light sources and optical fibers to apply light to the areas of the articles incorporated with the photosensitizers. Photosensitizers can be applied to articles by various applicators in either a gel or solution. A gel can be particularly effective when used on hydrophobic surfaces. Photodynamic reactor systems can be used to determine the effective doses of photosensitizers and the light dosimetry which can then be applied for use with the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaccine generation includes a syringe with a cavity that includes a solution with photosensitizers. Microbial particles are added to the solution. A light source is capable of emitting one or more wavebands of light that are effectively absorbed by the one photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen in the solution and other radical species that rapidly react with and damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA of the microbial particles. This damage produces immunogens that can be applied as a vaccine to viruses and other infectious microbial particles. A plunger that fits within a proximal opening in the syringe is used for forcing the solution including the immunogens through the filter and out of the syringe while the photosensitizers, debris and unwanted microbial particles are trapped within the filter.

Abstract: An antimicrobial preventive netting is disclosed that includes one or more photosensitizers that are capable of generating a cloud of singlet oxygen on each surface and openings through the netting in response to incident light. A depth of the singlet oxygen cloud may be less than 0.7 centimeters from a netting surface. The netting may be supported by screens, enclosures or headgear. The netting can be made by dipping or soaking the netting in a solution of one or more photosensitizers.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and related methods of making fecal transplants are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises a sample collector defining a sample collection chamber shaped to collect a fecal sample from fecal matter; a sample processing module defining a sample port shaped to receive the sample collector and comprising: a channel positioned to receive at a proximal end of the channel the fecal sample from the sample collection chamber when the sample collector is received by the sample port; and a capsule fluidically coupled to a distal end of the channel adapted to receive a portion of the fecal sample passed therethrough; and a sample processing unit comprising: a housing defining an opening shaped to receive the sample processing module; and an actuator disposed in the housing and configured to urge the sample from the sample collection chamber through the channel to the capsule.

Abstract: An antimicrobial preventive netting is disclosed that includes one or more photosensitizers that are capable of generating a cloud of singlet oxygen on each surface and openings through the netting in response to incident light. A depth of the singlet oxygen cloud may be less than 0.7 centimeters from a netting surface. The netting may be supported by screens, enclosures or headgear. The netting can be made by dipping or soaking the netting in a solution of one or more photosensitizers.

Abstract: Methods for making disinfecting compositions based on phototherapy, systems for use in disinfecting with a combination of photosensitizers, and the disinfecting compositions themselves, are described. Concentrations of the photosensitizers can be based on the particular light source and the wavebands or fluence rates emitted by the light source for maximum singlet oxygen generation. Concentrations of the photosensitizers can also be based on the quantum yield of the photosensitizers.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaccine generation includes a syringe with a cavity that includes a solution with photosensitizers. Microbial particles are added to the solution. A light source is capable of emitting one or more wavebands of light that are effectively absorbed by the one photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen in the solution and other radical species that rapidly react with and damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA of the microbial particles. This damage produces immunogens that can be applied as a vaccine to viruses and other infectious microbial particles. A plunger that fits within a proximal opening in the syringe is used for forcing the solution including the immunogens through the filter and out of the syringe while the photosensitizers, debris and unwanted microbial particles are trapped within the filter.

Abstract: Antimicrobial films for generating singlet oxygen and their use is described. The antimicrobial films are generally thin films having two surfaces or faces. The first surface of the film is adhesive. Various adhesives, including, electrostatic charges, are possible. The second surface faces in a direction opposite from the first surface. The second surface of the film emits singlet oxygen when activated by light or ultrasound. Various photosensitizers can be incorporated onto the second surface of the films for generating the singlet oxygen. The singlet oxygen and other radical species generated from the antimicrobial films diffuses out from and in proximity to the films to form a layer or cloud of singlet oxygen at a concentration sufficient to inactivate microbial particles, e.g., viruses and other pathogens, that come within the singlet oxygen layer to provide a protective zone against microbial particles.

Abstract: Photosensitizers are incorporated into articles, such a personal protective equipment. A method of applying continuous and consistent light includes fitting the articles with light sources and optical fibers to apply light to the areas of the articles incorporated with the photosensitizers. Photosensitizers can be applied to articles by various applicators in either a gel or solution. A gel can be particularly effective when used on hydrophobic surfaces. Photodynamic reactor systems can be used to determine the effective doses of photosensitizers and the light dosimetry which can then be applied for use with the articles.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a pathologic tissue membrane, as well as a focused ultrasound apparatus and methods of treatment are disclosed to perform ureterocele puncture noninvasively using focused ultrasound-generated cavitation or boiling bubbles to controllably erode a hole through the tissue. An example ultrasound apparatus may include (a) a therapy transducer having a treatment surface, wherein the therapy transducer comprises a plurality of electrically isolated sections, (b) at least one concave acoustic lens defining a therapy aperture in the treatment surface of the therapy transducer, (c) an imaging aperture defined by either the treatment surface of the therapy transducer or by the at least one concave acoustic lens and (d) an ultrasound imaging probe axially aligned with a central axis of the therapy aperture.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a pathologic tissue membrane, as well as a focused ultrasound apparatus and methods of treatment are disclosed to perform ureterocele puncture noninvasively using focused ultrasound-generated cavitation or boiling bubbles to controllably erode a hole through the tissue. An example ultrasound apparatus may include (a) a therapy transducer having a treatment surface, wherein the therapy transducer comprises a plurality of electrically isolated sections, (b) at least one concave acoustic lens defining a therapy aperture in the treatment surface of the therapy transducer, (c) an imaging aperture defined by either the treatment surface of the therapy transducer or by the at least one concave acoustic lens and (d) an ultrasound imaging probe axially aligned with a central axis of the therapy aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing remotely-operable devices are provided. A security device can receive a plurality of commands to control a remotely-operable device in a remote environment. At least one command in the plurality of commands can include command data that is related to the remotely-operable device. The security device can receive a plurality of responses to the plurality of commands. The security device can process the plurality of commands and the plurality of responses to determine a signature related to an operator that issued the plurality of commands for the remotely-operable device. The security device can determine an identity of the operator based on the signature. The security device can generate an identity report that includes the identity of the operator.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a pathologic tissue membrane, as well as a focused ultrasound apparatus and methods of treatment are disclosed to perform ureterocele puncture noninvasively using focused ultrasound-generated cavitation or boiling bubbles to controllably erode a hole through the tissue. An example ultrasound apparatus may include (a) a therapy transducer having a treatment surface, wherein the therapy transducer comprises a plurality of electrically isolated sections, (b) at least one concave acoustic lens defining a therapy aperture in the treatment surface of the therapy transducer, (c) an imaging aperture defined by either the treatment surface of the therapy transducer or by the at least one concave acoustic lens and (d) an ultrasound imaging probe axially aligned with a central axis of the therapy aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing remotely-operable devices are provided. A security device can receive a plurality of commands to control a remotely-operable device in a remote environment. At least one command in the plurality of commands can include command data that is related to the remotely-operable device. The security device can receive a plurality of responses to the plurality of commands. The security device can process the plurality of commands and the plurality of responses to determine a signature related to an operator that issued the plurality of commands for the remotely-operable device. The security device can determine an identity of the operator based on the signature. The security device can generate an identity report that includes the identity of the operator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing remotely-operable devices are provided. A security device can receive a plurality of commands to control a remotely-operable device in a remote environment. At least one command in the plurality of commands can include command data that is related to the remotely-operable device. The security device can receive a plurality of responses to the plurality of commands. The security device can process the plurality of commands and the plurality of responses to determine a signature related to an operator that issued the plurality of commands for the remotely-operable device. The security device can determine an identity of the operator based on the signature. The security device can generate an identity report that includes the identity of the operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating surgical skills. A computing device can receive a request to evaluate media content of surgical skills with an evaluation form for evaluating the surgical skills. The computing device can determine evaluator groups. The computing device can provide the media content and the evaluation form to each evaluator group. The computing device can receive evaluations of the surgical skills from at least one evaluator of each evaluator group. Each evaluation can include at least one partially-completed evaluation form. The computing device can determine, for each evaluator group, one or more per-group scores of the surgical skills, where the per-group scores for a designated evaluation group are based on an analysis of the evaluations of the surgical skills from the evaluators in the designated evaluation group. The computing device can provide the one or more per-group scores.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing remotely-operable devices are provided. A security device can receive a plurality of commands to control a remotely-operable device in a remote environment. At least one command in the plurality of commands can include command data that is related to the remotely-operable device. The security device can receive a plurality of responses to the plurality of commands. The security device can process the plurality of commands and the plurality of responses to determine a signature related to an operator that issued the plurality of commands for the remotely-operable device. The security device can determine an identity of the operator based on the signature. The security device can generate an identity report that includes the identity of the operator.