Abstract: A lacrimal tear flow measurement device, and methods of manufacture and use, are described that includes a polymer microcapillary tube or similar structure having at least one end coated on the outside with soft silicone rubber and one end treated on the inside to be hydrophobic. The hydrophobic end keeps liquid from escaping or entering that end while allowing air to pass. The rest of the tube's insides may be hydrophilic or a neutral hydrophobe. As a Schirmer's test strip replacement, the entrance end of the device can be touched to the lacrimal lake of a patient's eye to collect suck up, or merely collect, tear fluid within the collection tube for weighing, volume measurement, or other analysis. Long-term collection devices for wear between doctors' visits can have a bypass channel allowing liquid to flow back onto the eye.

Abstract: Neurostimulator devices are described. An example neurostimulator device includes a stimulation assembly connectable to a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to stimulate a spinal cord. The neurostimulator device also includes an interface and at least one processor configured to modify at least one complex stimulation pattern deliverable by the plurality of electrodes by integrating data from the interface and performing a machine learning algorithm on the at least one complex stimulation pattern.

Abstract: A portion of a concentric bipolar microelectrode sensor is attached to an inflatable balloon of a catheter. Another portion of the concentric bipolar microelectrode sensor is also attached to a body of the catheter. The inflatable balloon is guided to become in proximity of a tissue. The inflatable balloon is then inflated. The inflation increases the likelihood of contact between microelectrodes of the concentric bipolar microelectrode sensor with the tissue. A voltage is supplied to the microelectrodes. The tissue's impedance is accordingly measured over a frequency range. A disease of the tissue, such as a lesion, is diagnosed based on the measured impedance.

Abstract: Methods, and devices produced by the methods, for electroplating a multitude of micro-scale electrodes that are electrically isolated from each other on a cable or other device is described. A localized area of connections on another end of the cable is shorted together by depositing a metal sheet or other conductive material over the localized area. The metal sheet is connected to a terminal of a power supply, and the electrode end of the cable is immersed in an electrolyte solution for electrodeposition by electroplating. After the electrodes are electroplated, the metal sheet is removed from the cable in order to re-isolate the electrodes.

Abstract: Techniques are described for a non-invasive detection of a health condition of an organ. In an example, the electrical conductivity of the organ reflects the organ's health of. An inductive damping sensor can be used to detect the organ's electrical conductivity and, thus, its health. The inductive damping sensor can be placed in proximity of the organ such as the organ is within the magnetic field generated based on a coil of the inductive damping sensor. The conductivity of the organ impacts the inductance and the resistance of the coil. Hence, the inductance and/or resistance of the coil can be measured, where the measurements can be associated with the health of the organ.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a phototherapy eye device. In an example, the phototherapy eye device includes a number of radioluminescent light sources and an anchor. Each radioluminescent light source includes an interior chamber coated with phosphor material, such as zinc sulfide, and containing a radioisotope material, such as gaseous tritium. The volume, shape, phosphor material, and radioisotope material are selected for emission of light at a particular wavelength and delivering a particular irradiance on the retina (when implanted in an eyeball). The wavelength is in the range of 400 to 600 nm and the irradiance is substantially 109 to 1011 photons per second per cm2.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a phototherapy eye device. In an example, the phototherapy eye device includes a number of radioluminescent light sources and an anchor. Each radioluminescent light source includes an interior chamber coated with phosphor material, such as zinc sulfide, and containing a radioisotope material, such as gaseous tritium. The volume, shape, phosphor material, and radioisotope material are selected for emission of light at a particular wavelength and delivering a particular irradiance on the retina (when implanted in an eyeball). The wavelength is in the range of 400 to 600 nm and the irradiance is substantially 109 to 1011 photons per second per cm2.

Abstract: An eye treatment apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an annular body that has a hollow optical zone in its center. An inner perimeter of the annular body surrounds the optical zone. The inner perimeter has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the eye's cornea. An outer perimeter of the annular body has a diameter such that the annular body can extend to underneath the eye lid in an open eye position when the eye treatment apparatus is in operation. In this way, the apparatus can be worn on the eye, where the hollow optical zone substantially corresponds to the cornea and does not interfere with the field of vision. The annular body also includes a storage chamber that stores therapeutic liquid for an eye. An outlet is coupled with the storage chamber such that, in operation, the therapeutic liquid can be dispensed to the eye.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes an anti-condensation filler that is highly permeable to a predetermined class of small molecules, such as oxygen. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule discharge bag that is permeable to the small molecule, and a cannula that connects an interior of the small discharge bag to the anti-condensation filler. In operation, small molecules are collected and transported through the anti-condensation filler to the cannula for diffusion through the small molecule discharge bag. Even when this device is implanted in a high humidity and temperature gradient environment, the anti-condensation filler prevents condensation, such as water condensation.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are instruments and methods for delivery of substrates, including cell-seeded substrates, to target tissues requiring treatment for various diseases that induce cell death, damage or loss of function. The substrates are configured to provide cells, including stem cells, with a structural support that allows interconnection with and transmission of biological signals between the cells and the target tissue.

Abstract: A parylene microcapillary is manufactured by drawing a polyethylene carbonate (PEC) fiber from a 0° C. solution of 12-25% PEC in chloroform to create a PEC fiber that has a constant diameter over several centimeters. Parylene is deposited in a chamber over the PEC fiber, and then the coated PEC fiber is heated above 180° C. This heating melts and decomposes the PEC fiber such that it self-expels from the coating, leaving a microcapillary. The self-expulsion allows for meters-long lengths of microcapillaries. Alternatively, a serpentine fiber channel of PEC is created by deposition, photolithography, and etching within a sandwich of parylene. It is heated above 180° C. to expel the PEC leaving a hollow channel within a mass of parylene. The resulting microcapillaries may have residues of cyclic ethylene carbonate remaining from the decomposed PEC.

Abstract: A polymeric substrate for treating a chondral or osteochondral defect includes a polymeric sheet having a predetermined shape and size for placement over a chondral or osteochondral defect. The polymeric sheet defines suture openings therein that allow fixation of the polymeric scaffold. Characteristically, the polymeric sheet includes biocompatible polymer. A method for treating a subject having a chondral or osteochondral defect is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provide compositions and methods for classifying leukocytes in a leukocyte population using fluorescence detection. The methods include contacting a leukocyte population in a sample having one or more leukocyte types with a diagnostic composition, exciting the leukocyte population with a light source; and measuring emitted light from each of the one or more leukocyte types to classify the leukocyte population.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a wearable phototherapy eye device. In an example, phototherapy can be controlled by varying an emission property of light emitted from the wearable phototherapy eye device to a user eye. In particular, the wearable phototherapy eye device includes a light source oriented to emit the light towards the user eye. The wearable phototherapy eye device also includes controls, such as electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical controls, to vary the emission property of the light based on an emission target associated with a sleep phase.

Abstract: A parylene microcapillary is manufactured by drawing a polyethylene carbonate (PEC) fiber from a 0° C. solution of 12-25% PEC in chloroform to create a PEC fiber that has a constant diameter over several centimeters. Parylene is deposited in a chamber over the PEC fiber, and then the coated PEC fiber is heated above 180° C. This heating melts and decomposes the PEC fiber such that it self-expels from the coating, leaving a microcapillary. The self-expulsion allows for meters-long lengths of microcapillaries. Alternatively, a serpentine fiber channel of PEC is created by deposition, photolithography, and etching within a sandwich of parylene. It is heated above 180° C. to expel the PEC leaving a hollow channel within a mass of parylene. The resulting microcapillaries may have residues of cyclic ethylene carbonate remaining from the decomposed PEC.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for characterizing regions of tissue and methods for using the same. The devices are capable of locating, identifying, and characterizing tissue regions of interest in vivo. In one embodiment, the devices are ultrasound-guided. In one embodiment, the devices use characterize regions of tissue using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) sensors. In one aspect, the devices are useful in predicting plaque rupture, such as by determining the level of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and macrophage/foam cells present in an atheroma. In one aspect, the devices are useful in identifying metabolically active atherosclerotic lesions that are angiographically invisible.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substrates for cell delivery to target tissues requiring treatment for various diseases that induce cell death, damage or loss of function. The substrates are configured to provide seeded cells, including stem cells, with a structural support that allows interconnection with and transmission of biological signals between the cells and the target tissue.

Abstract: A composition of matter is described in which a porous material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is coated with parylene N, C, D, or AF-4 by vapor deposition polymerization while a temperature of the porous material's surface being coated is heated to between 60° C. and 120° C., or 80° C. and 85° C., during deposition. The parylene forms nano roots within the porous material that connect with a conformal surface coating of parylene. In some embodiments, a watertight separation chamber in an integrated microfluidic liquid chromatography device is fabricated by heating tunnels in micro-fabricated PDMS and depositing parylene within the heated tunnels.