University of Southern California

Alpha Therapeutic Corporation

Doheny Eye Institute

John J Whalen, Iii

Mark Salman Humayun

James David Weiland

Mark Edward Thompson

Charles M Heldebrant

Yi Zhang

Florian B Mansfeld

Niki Bayat

H Edward Matveld

Artin Petrossians

Artak Arakelian

Paulo Falabella

Michael E Chlebowski

Charles M Heldebrandt

The present disclosure describes, among other things, a thereto-responsive hydrogel comprising a PNIPAM copolymer having adhesive properties that are temperature dependent, as well as a device for administering the hydrogel, and methods for making and using the foregoing.

System for sutureless closure of scleral perforations and other ocular tissue discontinuities

The present disclosure describes, among other things, a thermo-responsive hydrogel comprising a PNIPAM copolymer having adhesive properties that are temperature dependent, as well as a device for administering the hydrogel, and methods for making and using the foregoing.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to electrochemical approaches for synthesis of platinum-iridium alloys with selected platinum-iridium ratio content and subsequently predetermined mechanical properties and electrochemical impedance properties. Such can provide a simple and cost-effective process for preparing these electrodes, as compared to conventional thin film processing techniques. A three-electrode electrochemical electrodeposition system is described including an electrochemical cell with a working electrode on which the electrodeposited film is deposited, a counter electrode to complete the electrochemical circuit and a reference electrode to measure and control surface potential. Mixed layers of platinum atoms and iridium atoms can be deposited from electrolyte solution onto the working electrode surface to create an electrically conductive surface with material properties related to the composition of the as-deposited film. The mechanical properties and electrochemical properties of the film can be tuned by adjusting the electrodeposition parameters.

Electrodeposition of platinum/iridium (Pt/Ir) on Pt microelectrodes with improved charge injection properties

Microelectrode assemblies and related methods are disclosed for bio-stimulating and/or bio-sensing a target tissue. The assemblies can include a two-side substrate, an array of microelectrodes, each of the microelectrodes including a nano-wire embedded within the substrate and extending from a proximal end to a distal end and through the substrate, each nano-wire having a diameter preferably less than 1 &#x3bc;m. The substrate can include portions made of nano-porous material(s) through which the microelectrodes pass. The substrate with the embedded nano-wires can effectively be fluid impermeable. The proximal ends of the nano-wires can be adapted to be connected to an electronic device and the distal ends are adapted to be disposed in a biological environment for bio-stimulating a target tissue and/or bio-sensing activities of the target tissue. Suitable alloys such as platinum, platinum-iridium, and/or other noble-metal-alloyed compositions can be used for the nano-wires.

Microelectrode systems for neuro-stimulation and neuro-sensing and microchip packaging and related methods

Systems, processes and devices are provided which are useful for testing blood or plasma donations to detect those specific donations which are contaminated by virus above a predetermined level. An apparatus and process is described which forms individual, separately sealed, and connected sample-containing pouches from a flexible hollow tubing segment connected to a fluid donation container. The tubing segment is sealed at spaced-apart intervals along its length, with tubing segment portions in the intervals between the seals defining pouches, each of which contains a portion of a plasma sample. The contents of the pouches are formed into pools which are subsequently tested for virus contamination by a high sensitivity test such as PCR. When a pool tests positive, indicating it is contaminated by a virus, a further pouch is removed from each of the tubing segments used to form the initial pool. Subsequent pouches are divided into approximately equal sized subgroups and their contents separately formed into subpools. A selected one of the subgroup pools is then tested for virus contamination. The test process is iterated, with each pool that tests positive being further subdivided into two successively smaller subgroups, until two final subgroups are formed, each comprising a single pouch corresponding to a single plasma donation. The final two pouches are subsequently PCR tested in order to determine and uniquely identify the corresponding contaminated donation.

Method and system for testing blood samples

A method for providing oxygen to an internal body cavity by providing an oxygenated oxygen-transporting perfluorochemical enclosed within an oxygen permeable/perfluorochemical impermeable membrane within said body cavity.

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

John J Whalen, Iii