Abstract:
Devices having an electromagnetic detector for the detection of analytes are disclosed. The devices include an electromagnetic detector, including effective inductance-change magnetic detectors, and a binding moiety. The device can include an electromagnetic material that can be detected by the detector. The device is configured such that binding of an analyte to the binding moiety changes the relationship between the electromagnetic detector and the electromagnetic material such that a change in electromagnetic field is detected by the electromagnetic detector.
Abstract:
A frequency/timing measurement apparatus includes a reference source having a reference source output terminal. At least one target source has a target source output terminal. The at least one target source is communicatively coupled to the reference source. A frequency timing measurement block has a first input terminal electrically coupled to the reference source output terminal. A second input terminal is electrically coupled to the target source output terminal and at least one output terminal. The frequency timing measurement block is configured to perform a noise shaping technique to reduce measurement error attributable to a phase noise that is correlated between the reference source and the target source, and to provide a reduced correlated noise measurement at the at least one output terminal. A method to reduce correlated noise is also described.
Abstract:
Methods of bonding a structure fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an integrated circuit chip. The procedures for bonding include providing a substrate, affixing the integrated circuit to the substrate, as needed preparing the surface of the integrated circuit chip to permit bonding, aligning the PDMS structure and the features of the integrated circuit chip, and applying a bonding agent. The bonding agent is cured by exposure to a thermal regime for a suitable length of time. Depending on relative sizes, in some cases, a plural number of PDMS structures can be attached to one chip, or a single PDMS structure can be bonded to multiple chips. In some cases, the integrated circuit chip operates wirelessly. In other situations, the substrate provides electrical communication from the integrated circuit chip to electronic components.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing self-healing integrated circuits. The method is characterized in that the behavior of a circuit or a device in response to an input signal is observed. One or more operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or the device are derived. A corrective action to bring the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or device within a desired range is deduced, if needed. The corrective action can be the application of a correction signal or a modification of one or more parameters or characteristics of an element in the circuit. The calculated corrective action, if needed, is applied to bring the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or device within the desired range. Optionally, the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or the device after the correction is effectuated can be checked.
Abstract:
The invention is an integrated temperature regulator that can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technology. The integrated temperature regulator can include a reaction chamber, for example fabricated from PDMS, in which chemical or biochemical reactions of interest can be carried out. The temperature regular can also be used to regulate the temperature of some circuits, e.g. an effective-inductance-change based magnetic particle sensor, to achieve a stable operation performance, such as an improved sensitivity. The integrated temperature regulator includes as subcomponents a temperature sensing circuit that receives a thermal signal from the vicinity of the reaction chamber, a temperature reference circuit, and a temperature control circuit that controls a heater based at least in part on the difference between the sensed temperature and the reference temperature. The various subcomponents can be programmable.
Abstract:
According to one aspect, an integrated magnetic particle measurement device for detecting a presence or absence of magnetic particles in a sample volume includes at least one sensor cell having a differential sensor pair. An active sensor oscillator frequency is responsive to one or more magnetic particles situated within a sample volume. The sensor cell is configured to be operative in the absence of an externally applied magnetic field. A frequency measurement circuit provides as a time-multiplexed output a first count representative of the active sensor oscillator frequency and a second count representative of the reference sensor oscillator frequency. A calculated difference between the first count and the second count is indicative of a presence or an absence of one or more magnetic particles within the sample volume. An integrated magnetic particle measurement system array and a method for detecting one or more magnetic particles are also described.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an integrated measurement system to detect a quantity of magnetic particles in a sample. The measurement system includes a substrate. An electromagnetic (EM) structure disposed on the surface of the substrate is configured to receive a sample including the magnetic particles in proximity thereof. The integrated measurement system also includes an electrical current generator disposed on the surface of the substrate which is electro-magnetically coupled to the EM structure. The electrical current generator is configured to cause an electrical current to flow in the EM structure. The integrated measurement system also includes an effective inductance sensor disposed on the surface of the substrate which is configured to measure a selected one of an effective inductance and a change in effective inductance. The invention also relates to a method to determine the number of and/or the locations of the magnetic particles in a sample.
Abstract:
Spectral scanning magnetic resonance imaging methods and systems. In preferred methods and systems of the invention, to measure the resonance spectrum of the target object (18), a plurality of excitation signals in different frequencies and/or waveform shapes are introduced simultaneously to the imaging volume through one or more excitation coils (12,12a), and the response spectrum is measured also in real-time and/or after excitation. Systems of the invention can be compact and portable, with small magnets (10) providing the deterministic inhomogeneous magnetic field. Preferred embodiments include integrated circuit transmitters (22) and receivers (20). Preferred systems of the invention are suitable, for example, for point of care medical diagnostics.
Abstract:
A spring assembly for a communications jack configured to receive a communications plug having a plurality of plug contacts. The jack includes first, second, third, and fourth jack contacts. The first and second jack contacts are configured to carry a first differential signal. The third and fourth jack contacts are configured to carry a second differential signal. Each jack contact is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plug contacts when the plug is received by the jack. The spring assembly has a conductive spring member for each jack contact. Each spring member is electrically connected to a corresponding jack contact and biases that jack contact against a corresponding plug contact. To reduce crosstalk, the spring member connected to the first jack contact is capacitively coupled to the third jack contact and the spring member connected to the fourth jack contact is capacitively coupled to the second jack contact.
Abstract:
A multilayer thermoformable film comprises (A) a top-layer thermoplastic film having an inner surface and an outer surface, where the top layer thermoplastic film has a softening temperature, (B) at least one mask layer thermoplastic film, where the mask layer thermoplastic film has a softening temperature that is within about 30 degrees centigrade of the softening temperature of the top layer film, and (C) at least one tielayer disposed between the inner surface of the top layer film and the mask layer.