Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for the detection and characterization of circulating cells in a blood sample. Such method can include depositing a sample of a bodily fluid on a device comprising carbon nanotubes, wherein the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes are not functionalized; and detecting target cells adhered to the carbon nanotubes.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for delivering fluid to a microfluidic device is provided. The system includes a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells and an inlet tube having a first end being in communication with the one or more wells of the multi-well plate and a second end being in communication with a microfluidic device. The first end of the inlet tube is moveable between the plurality of wells of the multi-well plate to deliver fluid to the microfluidic device from the plurality of wells of the multi-well plate.
Abstract:
A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether. Multiple finger members may be placed in close geometric proximity for gripping a common object.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, there is provide a method of analysing a bone fracture, comprising; stabilizing a bone having a fracture including a first support point located distal of the fracture and a second support point located proximal of the fracture; applying a force to an area of the bone having the fracture to cause a displacement of the fracture; imaging the bone during the application of force thereto; and comparing the image of the bone during the application of force to an image of the bone without the application of force to determine the state of the fracture.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, a method for determining a deformity in a bone surface comprises performing a scan of a healthy bone and a diseased bone; creating 3-dimmensional (3D) representations of a current surface of the diseased bone; constructing an estimated healthy surface in 3D for the diseased bone based on the surface of the healthy bone; and identifying a deformity in the diseased bone by comparing the estimated healthy surface to the current surface of the diseased bone. In some embodiments, the scan is performed using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).
Abstract:
A rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery employs a solvent-less, low temperature approach to battery manufacturing that forms charge material from kinetic energy of high velocity particles impelled into aggregation such that bombardment of the particles against other particles in the aggregation forms a charge conveying structure. High velocity bombardment from a carrier gas nozzle accumulates an active charge material (active material) and metal binder in a layered arrangement for the finished battery. Preparation of the particles, such as by ball milling or freeze drying, arranges particle agglomerations. The particle agglomerations, when impelled against other agglomerations or a current collector, forms a layer of cathodic, anodic or electrolytic battery material. The metallic binder conveys charge for mitigating or eliminating a need for planar current collector underlying the sprayed layer. The resulting layers are suitable for battery operation, and are manufactured in an absence of any solvent drying or disposal.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides micro-array devices for capturing cells in blood and methods of their use. In some aspects, a method for counting cells in a blood sample is provided, the method comprising applying a blood sample onto a CNT device; allowing cells in the blood sample to differentially settle on the CNT device, and identifying and counting cells of preselected type in the blood sample.
Abstract:
A surface topography analysis invokes a sensor device for receiving a series of values from a sensor element of measurement equipment adapted to quantify an input stimuli into a surface height value, and computes consecutive curvatures from the received series of values. An aggregate value (sum) of the consecutive curvatures is compared to a threshold, and based on the comparison, the approach concludes that at least one of the consecutive curvatures corresponds to an outlier. The set of values are based on a signal that is continuous, although not necessarily differentiable, as received from the measurement equipment. Such measurement equipment embodying the sensor device may further comprise at least one of atomic probe microscopes, interferometric microscopes, confocal microscopes, scanning laser microscopes, profiling instruments, scanners, and CMMs.
Abstract:
Decellularized plant tissues and the use of these plant tissues as scaffolds are disclosed herein. Particularly, decellularized plant tissues are functionalized such to allow for human cell adhesion, thereby allowing for their use as scaffolds for human cells. These scaffolds can then be used in a number of applications/markets, including as research tools for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and basic cellular biology.
Abstract:
Variable stiffness devices and methods of their use are provided. In some embodiments, a variable stiffness device comprises an inner member defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid; an outer member disposed around the inner member; and a granular medium disposed between the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member is being moveable in a radial direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing the actuating fluid into the compartment of the inner member to compress the granular medium against the outer member to increase the stiffness of the device.