HHMI JANELIA RESEARCH CAMPUS ·
Vision-guided precision control for long-term 4D biomedical imaging
A high-performance image-guided control system that keeps physiologically relevant environments precisely controlled during long-term 4D imaging.
- Sense
- Live 4D optical imaging
- Decide
- Parallel hardware control logic
- Act
- Environmental and positioning control
Challenge
Long-duration live imaging demands that the sample environment stays stable and safe for hours to days, while the microscope keeps acquiring at full performance.
Solution
ACUITYnano led the design and implementation of an image-guided control system that uses hardware-level parallelism to close the loop between imaging and environmental control.
Impact
A robust, scalable foundation that maximizes sample safety and unlocks new performance for precise control of physiologically relevant environments during biomedical imaging.
IIoTEmbedded systemsSignal integrity4D imaging
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) ·
High-throughput imaging-based sorting of mesenchymal stromal cells
A patented, morphology-based adherent cell sorter that uses cell shape as a critical quality attribute for stem cell therapies.
- Sense
- Label-free tomographic imaging
- Decide
- Computer vision & machine learning
- Act
- Light-based selective isolation
Challenge
Stem cell therapies show promise for stroke, diabetes and heart disease, but cell heterogeneity limits clinical success. Surface markers alone are insufficient, and flow cytometry cannot assess features only visible in adherent cells — morphology, confluency, spatial distribution and growth dynamics.
Solution
With an FDA-inspired early-stage startup and Dr. Ross Marklein (creator of FDA specifications for MSCs), ACUITYnano developed a sorter that uses high-resolution pixelated light-generating arrays to obtain tomographic information on unstained adherent cells of arbitrary shape and size — adapting principles of live-sample light-sheet microscopy.
Impact
Fast, gentle isolation of specialized cells from large heterogeneous cultures for expansion — a step toward safe, FDA-approved cell-based therapies.
Computer visionMachine learningFPGA / VHDLMicrofluidicsCell sorting
NEUROPARTICLE CORPORATION ·
Modular image-guided therapy control system
The central FPGA control system for a next-generation modular image-guided therapy (IGT) platform.
- Sense
- Medical imaging (MRI)
- Decide
- Deterministic FPGA controller
- Act
- Therapeutic & robotic modules (TMS)
Challenge
Synchronizing live imaging with therapeutic action is limited by integration complexity and latency between imagers and therapy modules.
Solution
ACUITYnano architected a high-speed, deterministic FPGA controller that serves as a common, scalable “brain” — providing nanosecond-level synchronization between guidance systems such as medical imagers and interchangeable therapeutic or robotic modules.
Impact
Enables mobile, point-of-care solutions, moving complex high-precision procedures from specialized hospital centers into more accessible clinical settings.
FPGAMixed-signal ICsDSPMedical imagingIIoT
NASA missions · Spaceflight
In collaboration with Blue Kick and Dr. Emilio Barbera-Guillem, Founder of Celartia
Autonomous cell culture in microgravity
Autonomous systems that grow, feed and optically monitor living cells on NASA missions without human intervention.
- Sense
- Automated optical monitoring
- Decide
- Embedded culture control
- Act
- Microfluidic feeding & environment
Challenge
Cell development under microgravity must be cultured and observed for weeks with no operator on hand.
Solution
Microfluidic culture combined with automated imaging and embedded control keeps cells alive and monitored throughout the mission.
Impact
Reliable, unattended biology experiments in space.
In collaboration with University of Maryland, College Park · U.S. Patents 7,651,598 & 8,110,083
Near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) on a chip
An inexpensive microscope accessory that replaces NSOM mechanics with precisely controlled fluid flow, steering quantum-dot probes to reach 10 nm imaging resolution.
- Sense
- Nanometer localization of quantum-dot probes
- Decide
- Real-time flow control algorithms
- Act
- Microfluidic probe positioning
Challenge
Light microscopes are limited to about a micrometer by the wavelength of light. Commercial NSOMs cost over $200,000, need vibration isolation and highly trained users, and their mechanical tips limit resolution to 50–100 nm.
Solution
The chip creates the flow, the microscope locates the nanoprobe (e.g. a quantum dot) to nanometer precision, and the probe's intensity at each location yields the nano-resolved image.
Impact
10 nm resolution — more than five times better than commercial NSOM systems — for about $200 of added cost, with no vibration isolation and simple operation.
University of Maryland research · Research
3D electrokinetic tweezing of cells and particles
Vision-based flow and electric field control steers and traps microparticles in three dimensions with accuracy as good as 1 μm.
- Sense
- Real-time 3D imaging
- Decide
- Model-based feedback control
- Act
- Electric & fluidic field shaping
Challenge
Precisely manipulating cells, quantum dots and nanowires on-chip without mechanical contact.
Solution
A multi-layer microfluidic device, model-based control algorithm and 3D imaging algorithm connected in a real-time feedback loop.
Impact
Simple, easy-to-fabricate devices that steer a wide variety of objects to nanoscopic precision.
Biomedical research · Research
Magnetic steering for targeted drug delivery
Feedback control of external electromagnets positions ferrofluid at a distance — toward directing therapeutic nanoparticles to disease locations.
- Sense
- Imaging of ferrofluid position
- Decide
- Optimal feedback control
- Act
- Dynamic magnetic fields
Challenge
A single magnet always attracts magnetic fluid, making precise positioning at a distance difficult.
Solution
Optimal, minimum-power feedback control of multiple electromagnets, extended to electropermanent magnet systems for opening the blood-brain barrier under imaging guidance.
Impact
Closed-loop magnetic manipulation for image-guided therapy.
BIO-FLUID ANALYSIS & REPORTING SYSTEM ·
Automated in-situ bio-fluid analysis and diagnostic reporting
ACUITYnano was the solution provider for an automated bio-fluid analysis and reporting system that collects a sample, analyzes it, and reports results without manual laboratory preparation.
- Sense
- Optical bio-fluid analyte sensing
- Decide
- Embedded processing & analysis
- Act
- Fluid routing, cartridge indexing & reporting
Challenge
Conventional bio-fluid testing depends on manual sample handling, transport to a central laboratory and delayed reporting — slowing decisions and introducing variability.
Solution
ACUITYnano engineered a closed-loop architecture that unifies sample acquisition and fluid routing, automated cartridge indexing, optical analyte sensing and embedded processing with automated result reporting.
Impact
A compact, repeatable path from sample to report at the point of collection, demonstrating the deterministic sensing–decision–actuation loop applied to diagnostics.
DiagnosticsFluid handlingOptical sensingEmbedded systemsPatent
EXOCYTE THERAPEUTICS PTE LTD ·
Harvesting and delivering tumor exosomes into dendritic cells
ACUITYnano was the solution provider for ExoCyte Therapeutics Pte Ltd, leading ideation and concept engineering of methods for harvesting tumor exosomes and delivering them into dendritic cells for medical diagnostics and immunotherapy.
- Sense
- Tumor exosome harvesting & characterization
- Decide
- Ex vivo priming & dosing
- Act
- Delivery into dendritic cells
Challenge
Tumor-derived exosomes carry rich, patient-specific antigen profiles, but isolating these fragile nanoscale vesicles and delivering them into immune cells ex vivo without losing potency is a major engineering hurdle.
Solution
ACUITYnano conceived and engineered methods to harvest extracellular vesicles from diseased cells and deliver them ex vivo into the patient's own dendritic cells, priming them before reintroduction to trigger a targeted immune response.
Impact
A foundation for personalized, exosome-based vaccines — bridging nanoscale vesicle handling with immunotherapy and diagnostics.
