Abstract: A progressive cellular architectures has been presented for vapor-phase chemical analyzers. The progressive cellular architecture consists of a series of heterogeneous micro-gas chromatography cells. Each individual cell targets vapor species within a specific volatility range by using a unique combination of a preconcentrator and a separation column. The cells are connected progressively in series to cover a broad range of volatile analyte chemical vapors. Valves may inadvertently absorb or adsorb and subsequently release target chemical analyte molecules, thereby interfering with quantitative analysis. Therefore, the inlet to the cells is configured without a valve.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides an example autonomous microsystem for immersion into a fluid. The autonomous microsystem includes electronics, a power source, and a packaging system that surrounds the electronics and the power source. The electronics can be configured to sense and record one or more environmental conditions. The packaging system may include a deformable shell that defines an internal space and a plurality of filler particles disposed in the internal space and configured to control a density of the autonomous microsystem in relation to the fluid. The filler particles may comprise a low-density material having a bulk density greater than or equal to about 100 kg/m3 and less than or equal to about 1,000 kg/m3 and have a packing density greater than or equal to about 1011/m3 and less than or equal to about 1021/m3.

Abstract: An ingestible electronic capsule for the collection of samples along a gastric intestinal tract and methods relating thereto are provided. The ingestible electronic capsule includes a housing and a cap that form an interior chamber. The cap includes a sampling port and one or more sample collection chambers are disposed within the interior chamber. A motor is also disposed within the interior chamber and is configured to rotate one of the cap and the one or more sample collection chambers so to align one or the one or more sample collection chambers and the sampling port of the cap so to allow for sample collection. A microcontroller is also disposed within the interior chamber and is in communication with at least the motor. The microcontroller is configured to control the selective alignment of the sampling port and one of the one or more sample collection chambers and induce gastric intestinal fluid sampling.

Abstract: Encapsulation packages for stent-deployable monitoring devices formed of resonator sensors and allowing for magnetic biasing elements that exhibit a targeted impact on the mechanical characteristics of a stent are provided. Encapsulation packages are formed of different types and include a longitudinal shield and curved end on profile for aligning the shield within the deployable stent, the shield having perforations such that a resonator can be positioned adjacent the perforations for allowing particulate within the stent to collect and be measured by the resonator during deployment.

Abstract: An improved gas chromatography system is presented. The system comprises: an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, such that the ventilation flow is from the inlet to the outlet; a chamber disposed in the enclosure; a monolithic gas analyzer disposed in the chamber and a temperature control unit disposed in physical contact with the chamber. The monolithic gas analyzer operates to separate and detect molecules from a gas; whereas, the temperature control unit is configured to control temperature inside the chamber.

Abstract: Investigating the permeability and porosity of geological samples is a routine element of geological studies, and is of particular interest in the oil and gas industry. Core-flood experiments are commonly performed on rock samples to measure transport characteristics in the laboratory. This disclosure reports the design and implementation of a high resolution distributed pressure measurement system for core-flood experiments. A series of microfabricated pressure sensors can be embedded in bolts that are housed within the pressurized polymer sheath that encases a rock core. A feedthrough technology has been developed to provide lead transfer between the sensors and system electronics across a 230-bar pressure difference. The system has been successfully benchtop tested with fluids such as synthetic oil and/or gas. Pressure measurements were recorded over a dynamic range of 20 bar with a resolution as small as 0.3 mbar.

Abstract: A progressive cellular architectures has been presented for vapor-phase chemical analyzers. The progressive cellular architecture consists of a series of heterogeneous micro-gas chromatography cells. Each individual cell targets vapor species within a specific volatility range by using a unique combination of a preconcentrator and a separation column. The cells are connected progressively in series to cover a broad range of volatile analyte chemical vapors. Valves may inadvertently absorb or adsorb and subsequently release target chemical analyte molecules, thereby interfering with quantitative analysis. Therefore, the inlet to the cells is configured without a valve.

Abstract: In order to achieve a system capable of analyzing a wide range of compounds while saving time and energy consumption, a progressive cellular architecture is presented for vapor collection and gas chromatographic separation. Each cell includes a preconcentrator and separation column that are adapted for collecting and separating compounds only within a specific volatility range. A wide volatility range can therefore be covered by the use of multiple cells that are cascaded in the appropriate order. The separation columns within each cell are short enough to reduce the heating and pumping requirements. The gas flow for vapor collection and separation is provided by low-power gas micropumps that use ambient air. The system is also configurable to incorporate capabilities of detecting and reducing vapor overload. The progressive cellular architecture directly address the compromise between low power and broad chemical analyses.

Abstract: An ingestible electronic capsule for the collection of samples along a gastric intestinal tract and methods relating thereto are provided. The ingestible electronic capsule includes a housing and a cap that form an interior chamber. The cap includes a sampling port and one or more sample collection chambers are disposed within the interior chamber. A motor is also disposed within the interior chamber and is configured to rotate one of the cap and the one or more sample collection chambers so to align one or the one or more sample collection chambers and the sampling port of the cap so to allow for sample collection. A microcontroller is also disposed within the interior chamber and is in communication with at least the motor. The microcontroller is configured to control the selective alignment of the sampling port and one of the one or more sample collection chambers and induce gastric intestinal fluid sampling.

Abstract: Encapsulation packages for stent-deployable monitoring devices formed of resonator sensors and allowing for magnetic biasing elements that exhibit a targeted impact on the mechanical characteristics of a stent are provided. Encapsulation packages are formed of different types and include a longitudinal shield and curved end on profile for aligning the shield within the deployable stent, the shield having perforations such that a resonator can be positioned adjacent the perforations for allowing particulate within the stent to collect and be measured by the resonator during deployment.

Abstract: In order to achieve a system capable of analyzing a wide range of compounds while saving time and energy consumption, a progressive cellular architecture is presented for vapor collection and gas chromatographic separation. Each cell includes a preconcentrator and separation column that are adapted for collecting and separating compounds only within a specific volatility range. A wide volatility range can therefore be covered by the use of multiple cells that are cascaded in the appropriate order. The separation columns within each cell are short enough to reduce the heating and pumping requirements. The gas flow for vapor collection and separation is provided by low-power gas micropumps that use ambient air. The system is also configurable to incorporate capabilities of detecting and reducing vapor overload. The progressive cellular architecture directly address the compromise between low power and broad chemical analyses.

Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating a fluidic system for a gas chromatograph. The method includes: microfabricating a portion of a fluidic system of a gas chromatograph on a substrate using a first mask; microfabricating a portion of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph using a second mask; and microfabricating a portion of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph using a third mask, such that the first mask, the second mask and the third mask are different from each other and the microfabricating of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph is completed using only the first, second and third masks. A gas chromatograph wherein a microfabricated Knudsen pump is arranged to operate in a first direction to draw carrier gas into a preconcentrator and in a second direction to draw gas out of the preconcentrator.

Abstract: An assembly and planar structure for use therein which is expandable into a 3-D structure such as a stent and device for making the planar structure are provided. The planar structure permits the use of planar batch manufacturing technologies to fabricate coronary artery stents. Stents with different wall patterns are fabricated from 50 ?m thick stainless steel foil using micro-electro-discharge machining, and expanded to tubular shapes by using angioplasty balloons. The stents are free-standing. The free-standing stents exhibit diameter variations of <±4%, almost zero radial recoil after deflation of the balloon, and longitudinal shrinkage of <3% upon expansion. A variation of the stents uses breakable links to provide additional customization of electrical and mechanical properties. Loading tests reveal that the radial strengths match commercially available stents, while longitudinal compliance, at 0.02 m/N for a 4 mm long section of the stent, is substantially higher.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adaptive methods for gas chromatography analysis of a gas sample comprising one or more target analytes (such as a micro-gas chromatography) and adaptive gas chromatography devices for carrying out such analytical methods. Broadly, the system can regulate flow into a downstream chromatographic column by detecting one or more upstream conditions. For example, one adaptive chromatography device comprises a first column, a modulator component, and a second column. A first detector or sensor detects the presence of target analytes upstream from the second column, while a second detector detects the presence of target analytes eluted from the second column. The modulator component assembly is responsive to an output generated by the first detector and adaptively regulates fluid flow into the second column. Such adaptive chromatography (micro-GC) systems have higher separation speed, better analyte identification capability, and far greater energy savings.

Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating a fluidic system for a gas chromatograph. The method includes: microfabricating a portion of a fluidic system of a gas chromatograph on a substrate using a first mask; microfabricating a portion of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph using a second mask; and microfabricating a portion of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph using a third mask, such that the first mask, the second mask and the third mask are different from each other and the microfabricating of the fluidic system of the gas chromatograph is completed using only the first, second and third masks. A gas chromatograph wherein a microfabricated Knudsen pump is arranged to operate in a first direction to draw carrier gas into a preconcentrator and in a second direction to draw gas out of the preconcentrator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and devices capable of wireless communications based on RF transmissions from discharges. A transmitting device includes a discharge generator having a plurality of electrodes spaced to support generation of the discharge, and a circuit coupled to the plurality of spaced electrodes to control a supply for the discharge generator. In some embodiments, controlling the supply for the discharge generator modifies a property of the discharge to modulate the RF transmission such that the resulting RF transmission is indicative of the device state or other information to be communicated.

Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus for the intrathecal delivery of one or more medications to a patient is disclosed. The liquid delivery apparatus generally includes a liquid reservoir, a liquid metering unit fluidly connected to the liquid reservoir, and a catheter delivery tube fluidly connected to the liquid metering unit. Preferably, the liquid delivery apparatus includes two or more liquid reservoirs. In various embodiments, the liquid reservoir includes a deformable balloon and a compressive sleeve spring as a pressure source, the liquid metering unit is a piezoelectrically actuated microvalve, and/or diagnostic sensors are included in the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus are compact, volume-efficient, energy-efficient, capable of delivering accurate fluid volumes, and address problems associated with multi-medication therapies. Methods of operating the liquid delivery apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adaptive methods for gas chromatography analysis of a gas sample comprising one or more target analytes (such as a micro-gas chromatography) and adaptive gas chromatography devices for carrying out such analytical methods. Broadly, the system can regulate flow into a downstream chromatographic column by detecting one or more upstream conditions. For example, one adaptive chromatography device comprises a first column, a modulator component, and a second column. A first detector or sensor detects the presence of target analytes upstream from the second column, while a second detector detects the presence of target analytes eluted from the second column. The modulator component assembly is responsive to an output generated by the first detector and adaptively regulates fluid flow into the second column. Such adaptive chromatography (micro-GC) systems have higher separation speed, better analyte identification capability, and far greater energy savings.

Abstract: A microdischarge-based pressure sensor that includes an anode, two cathodes, a drive circuit connected to the electrodes, and a measurement circuit that permits sensing of transient current pulses flowing through at least one of the electrodes. One of the cathodes is interposed between the anode and other cathode, and it includes a central opening which permits a microdischarge to occur between the anode and each cathode in response to applied voltage pulses from the drive circuit. Changes in relative current between the two cathodes are indicative of changes in ambient pressure in the microdischarge chamber. In other embodiments, a sealed chamber can be used with one of the electrodes acting as a diaphragm which deflects based on external pressure and changes its inter-electrode spacing, thereby altering the relative cathode currents.

Abstract: A sensor is mounted to a needle at a location proximate to a tip of the needle. The sensor senses tissue density of tissue in contact with the tip as the needle passes through the tissue. Further, the sensor detects a change in tissue density as the tip passes from one tissue to a target tissue.