Vasiliki (Vicky) Demas

The present invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.

A device includes a capsule sized to pass through a lumen of a gastrointestinal tract; an enteric coating surround at least a portion of the capsule and configured to protect the capsule form stomach acid while allowing degradation of the capsule in the small intestine of the gastrointestinal tract; a plurality of functionalized particles disposed within the capsule, a plurality of tissue penetrating members configured to puncture a wall of the lumen of the intestinal tract; and an actuator… Show more

A device includes a capsule sized to pass through a lumen of a gastrointestinal tract; an enteric coating surround at least a portion of the capsule and configured to protect the capsule form stomach acid while allowing degradation of the capsule in the small intestine of the gastrointestinal tract; a plurality of functionalized particles disposed within the capsule, a plurality of tissue penetrating members configured to puncture a wall of the lumen of the intestinal tract; and an actuator having a first configuration and a second configuration. The actuator is configured to retain the plurality of functionalized particles within the capsule in the first configuration. The actuator is further configured to advance the plurality of functionalized particles from the capsule into a wall of the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract via the plurality of tissue penetrating members by the actuator transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration. Show less

Systems and methods are described that enable sensing of magnetic fields within skin tissue. Specifically, a system includes one or more microneedles that include a high magnetic permeability material. The system also includes a magnetic sensor communicatively coupled to the microneedle and configured to detect a magnetic field proximate to the microneedle. The system also includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a magnetic field proximate to a portion of the… Show more

Systems and methods are described that enable sensing of magnetic fields within skin tissue. Specifically, a system includes one or more microneedles that include a high magnetic permeability material. The system also includes a magnetic sensor communicatively coupled to the microneedle and configured to detect a magnetic field proximate to the microneedle. The system also includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a magnetic field proximate to a portion of the microneedle. The controller is further configured to determine a presence of at least one magnetic nanoparticle proximate to the portion of the microneedle based on the received information. Alternatively, other embodiments include a microneedle that includes a nanodiamond material configured to detect a local magnetic field. Such embodiments also include a light source configured to cause the nanodiamond material to emit characteristic emission light that may indicate at least a magnitude of the magnetic field. Show less

The present invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.

Methods of exerting magnetic forces to collect and manipulate magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature using a wearable device are provided. The wearable device is configured to change the exerted magnetic force over time. For example, the exerted magnetic force could be sufficient to collect the magnetic particles during a first period of time and low enough to release the magnetic particles during a second period of time. The exerted magnetic force could be changed… Show more

Methods of exerting magnetic forces to collect and manipulate magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature using a wearable device are provided. The wearable device is configured to change the exerted magnetic force over time. For example, the exerted magnetic force could be sufficient to collect the magnetic particles during a first period of time and low enough to release the magnetic particles during a second period of time. The exerted magnetic force could be changed over time to vary some effect on the magnetic particles, for example to control a rate of release of collected magnetic particles. In some embodiments, the magnetic particles are configured to bind to an analyte of interest. The collection and manipulation of the magnetic particles can enable detection of one or more properties of the analyte, modification of the analyte, and/or extraction of the analyte bound to the magnetic particles. Show less

A variety of wearable magnetic assemblies are provided that are configured to produce magnetic fields having high field magnitudes and/or high field gradients. Such magnetic assemblies include a plurality of magnetic segments arranged in a linear array. Individual magnetic segments of the magnetic array can each include multiple magnetic elements. An individual magnetic segment can include elements that have similar shape, size, composition, and relative location to elements of neighboring… Show more

A variety of wearable magnetic assemblies are provided that are configured to produce magnetic fields having high field magnitudes and/or high field gradients. Such magnetic assemblies include a plurality of magnetic segments arranged in a linear array. Individual magnetic segments of the magnetic array can each include multiple magnetic elements. An individual magnetic segment can include elements that have similar shape, size, composition, and relative location to elements of neighboring magnetic segments while having magnetic moments that are antiparallel to the magnetic moments of corresponding elements of the neighboring magnetic segments. These wearable magnetic assemblies are configured to exert forces on magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature to attract, slow, speed, separate, or otherwise influence the magnetic particles in various applications. The magnetic particles can be configured to bind to an analyte of interest. Show less

A device and system for measuring and/or monitoring an analyte present on the skin is provided. The system includes a skin-mountable device that may be attached to an external skin surface and a reader device. The skin-mountable device includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles, and nanosensors. The micro-needles are attached to the substrate such that attachment of the substrate to an external skin surface causes to the micro-needles to penetrate into the epidermis, intradermis, or… Show more

A device and system for measuring and/or monitoring an analyte present on the skin is provided. The system includes a skin-mountable device that may be attached to an external skin surface and a reader device. The skin-mountable device includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles, and nanosensors. The micro-needles are attached to the substrate such that attachment of the substrate to an external skin surface causes to the micro-needles to penetrate into the epidermis, intradermis, or dermis. The nanosensors include a detectable label and are configured to interact with a target analyte present in the interstitial fluid in the epidermis, intradermis, or dermis. The reader device is configured to detect the analyte in interstitial fluid via interaction with the skin-mountable device. Show less

Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the… Show more

Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte includes illuminating the environment and detecting signals emitted from the fluorophores in response to the illumination during first and second periods of time. Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte further includes modulating the modulatable fluorescent property of the fluorophores during the second period of time and determining which individual fluorophores in the environment are bound to the analyte based on the signals detected during the first and second periods of time. Show less

A system is provided which includes the composite nanoparticles configured to bind with a target analyte, the composite nanoparticles including a polymer matrix; nanoparticles at least one type; reporter labels at least one type; and targeting entities at least one type, wherein the nanoparticles at least one type, the reporter labels at least one type and the targeting entities at least one type are encapsulated in the polymer matrix; a body-mountable device mounted on an external surface of a… Show more

A system is provided which includes the composite nanoparticles configured to bind with a target analyte, the composite nanoparticles including a polymer matrix; nanoparticles at least one type; reporter labels at least one type; and targeting entities at least one type, wherein the nanoparticles at least one type, the reporter labels at least one type and the targeting entities at least one type are encapsulated in the polymer matrix; a body-mountable device mounted on an external surface of a living body and configured to detect a target analyte binding response signal transmitted through the external surface, wherein the target analyte binding response signal is related to binding of the composite nanoparticles with one or more target analytes; and a processor configured to non-invasively detect the one or more target analytes based on the target analyte response signal. Composite nanoparticles and methods for use and for making are also provided. Show less

Methods of exerting magnetic forces to separate magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature using a wearable device are provided. The magnetic forces can act to attract, slow, speed, or otherwise influence the magnetic particles in various applications. In some examples, different magnetic forces are exerted on respective sets of magnetic particles to separate the respective sets of magnetic particles. In some examples, similar magnetic forces are exerted on sets of… Show more

Methods of exerting magnetic forces to separate magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature using a wearable device are provided. The magnetic forces can act to attract, slow, speed, or otherwise influence the magnetic particles in various applications. In some examples, different magnetic forces are exerted on respective sets of magnetic particles to separate the respective sets of magnetic particles. In some examples, similar magnetic forces are exerted on sets of magnetic particles, and separation of the sets of magnetic particles is related to properties of the sets of magnetic particles and/or of the environment of the sets of magnetic particles. In some embodiments, the magnetic particles are configured to bind to an analyte of interest. The separation of the magnetic particles can enable detection of one or more properties of the analyte, modification of the analyte, and/or extraction of the analyte bound to the magnetic particles. Show less

A variety of wearable magnetic assemblies are provided that are configured to produce magnetic fields having high field magnitudes and/or high field gradients. These wearable magnetic assemblies are configured to exert forces on magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature (e.g., a portion of the ulnar artery near the wrist) proximate to the magnetic assemblies. These magnetic assemblies include a plurality of dipolar permanent magnets. The forces can act to attract, slow,… Show more

A variety of wearable magnetic assemblies are provided that are configured to produce magnetic fields having high field magnitudes and/or high field gradients. These wearable magnetic assemblies are configured to exert forces on magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature (e.g., a portion of the ulnar artery near the wrist) proximate to the magnetic assemblies. These magnetic assemblies include a plurality of dipolar permanent magnets. The forces can act to attract, slow, speed, separate, or otherwise influence the magnetic particles in various applications. In some embodiments, the magnetic particles are configured to bind to an analyte of interest. The collection, separation, and/or concentration of the magnetic particles can enable detection of one or more properties of the analyte, modification of the analyte, and/or extraction of the analyte bound to the magnetic particles. Show less

Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the… Show more

Methods and systems for detecting the locations of individual instances of an analyte (e.g., individual cells, individual molecules) in an environment are provided. The environment includes functionalized fluorophores that are configured to selective interact with (e.g., bind with) the analyte and that have a fluorescent property that can be modulated (e.g., a fluorescence intensity that can be affected by the presence of a magnetic field). Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte includes illuminating the environment and detecting signals emitted from the fluorophores in response to the illumination during first and second periods of time. Detecting the location of individual instances of the analyte further includes modulating the modulatable fluorescent property of the fluorophores during the second period of time and determining which individual fluorophores in the environment are bound to the analyte based on the signals detected during the first and second periods of time. Show less

This invention features systems and methods for the detection of analytes, and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease.

Invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.

This invention features devices and methods for analyte processing and detection, and use of such methods, e.g., in the treatment and diagnosis of disease or determining the presence of a pathogen.

Wearable devices configured to detect the presence, concentration, number, or other properties of magnetic nanoparticles disposed in subsurface vasculature of a person are provided. The wearable devices are configured to detect, using one or more magnetometers, magnetic fields produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetometer(s) are atomic magnetometers. In some embodiments, the wearable devices include magnets or other means to magnetize the magnetic nanoparticles… Show more

Wearable devices configured to detect the presence, concentration, number, or other properties of magnetic nanoparticles disposed in subsurface vasculature of a person are provided. The wearable devices are configured to detect, using one or more magnetometers, magnetic fields produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetometer(s) are atomic magnetometers. In some embodiments, the wearable devices include magnets or other means to magnetize the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the wearable devices produce a time-varying magnetic field, and the magnetometer(s) are configured to detect a time-varying magnetic field responsively produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are configured to bind to an analyte of interest and detected properties of the magnetic nanoparticles can be used to determine the presence, concentration, or other properties of the analyte. Show less

A system and method for Fourier encoding a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal is disclosed. A static magnetic field B0 is provided along a first direction. An NMR signal from the sample is Fourier encoded by applying a rotating-frame gradient field BG superimposed on the B0, where the BG comprises a vector component rotating in a plane perpendicular to the first direction at an angular frequency in a laboratory frame. The Fourier-encoded NMR signal is detected.

A system and method for Fourier encoding a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal is disclosed. A static magnetic field B0 is provided along a first direction. An NMR signal from the sample is Fourier encoded by applying a rotating-frame gradient field BG superimposed on the B0, where the BG comprises a vector component rotating in a plane perpendicular to the first direction at an angular frequency ω in a laboratory frame. The Fourier-encoded NMR signal is detected.

A method for locally creating effectively homogeneous or “clean” magnetic field gradients (of high uniformity) for imaging (with NMR, MRI, or spectroscopic MRI) both in in-situ and ex-situ systems with high degrees of inhomogeneous field strength.

Wearable devices configured to detect the presence, concentration, number, or other properties of magnetic nanoparticles disposed in subsurface vasculature of a person are provided. The wearable devices are configured to detect, using one or more magnetometers, magnetic fields produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetometer(s) are atomic magnetometers. In some embodiments, the wearable devices include magnets or other means to magnetize the magnetic nanoparticles… Show more

Wearable devices configured to detect the presence, concentration, number, or other properties of magnetic nanoparticles disposed in subsurface vasculature of a person are provided. The wearable devices are configured to detect, using one or more magnetometers, magnetic fields produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetometer(s) are atomic magnetometers. In some embodiments, the wearable devices include magnets or other means to magnetize the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the wearable devices produce a time-varying magnetic field, and the magnetometer(s) are configured to detect a time-varying magnetic field responsively produced by the magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are configured to bind to an analyte of interest and detected properties of the magnetic nanoparticles can be used to determine the presence, concentration, or other properties of the analyte. Show less