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Cyber-physical system (CPS) can increase efficiency and lower costs in manufacturing operations. CPS and related technologies can help medical device manufacturers to meet the rising demands for quality and affordable healthcare products and services. In this paper, a novel architecture for CPS-based manufacturing workcell systems was proposed. Its contribution is to provide quality inspection and operator guidance in manual assembly systems, specifically for the production of hybrid medical devices. The proposed system involves the integration of enabling technologies including Machine Vision (MV), Internet-of-things (IoT) and Augmented Reality. The group illustrated and evaluated the implementation of two CPS prototypes based on the proposed architecture on the fabrication of a specific hybrid medical device, verifying their effectiveness as guidance tools for operators. The two prototypes, CPS-1 and CPS-2 differ in their MV subsystems by having non-deep learning and deep learning-based image processing methods respectively. Experimental results illustrate that, when exposed to various changing conditions, the Regional Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) of CPS-2, on average, has outperformed the non-deep learning image processing method of CPS-1 by 42.3% and 8.5%, in terms of accuracy and precision respectively. Hence, this presents evidence on the usefulness of R-CNN-based MV system to increase the flexibility and adaptability of the CPS in terms of object monitoring and reporting. more...

Massively parallel DNA sequencing is established, yet high-throughput protein profiling remains challenging. Here, we report a barcoding approach that leverages the combinatorial sequence content and the configurational programmability of DNA nanostructures for high-throughput multiplexed profiling of the subcellular expression and distribution of proteins in whole cells. The barcodes are formed by in situ hybridization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures and short DNA sequences conjugated with protein-targeting antibodies, and by nanostructure-assisted ligation (either enzymatic or chemical) of the nanostructures and exogenous DNA sequences bound to nanoparticles of different sizes (which cause these localization sequences to differentially distribute across subcellular compartments). Compared with linear DNA barcoding, the nanostructured barcodes enhance the signal by more than 100-fold. By implementing the barcoding approach on a microfluidic device for the analysis of rare patient samples, we show that molecular subtypes of breast cancer can be accurately classified and that subcellular spatial markers of disease aggressiveness can be identified. more...

Manufacturers often overlook the importance of optimizing workcell layout. Optimizing manufacturing workcell layouts can help increase production efficiency by reducing unnecessary actions and movements. However, the application of conventional optimization methods to modern production lines is not only becoming too complex, but also becoming inaccurate and unreliable. In this paper, we proposed an accurate and practical methodology that is readily implementable. The methodology uses multi-objective combinatorial optimization (MOCO) concepts to optimize manufacturing workcell layouts, specifically for the production of hybrid medical devices. The proposed model, also known as the Two-Step MOCO model, considers objectives and constraints that are selected by the manufacturer. The first step determines the optimal number of equipment and operators required given a fixed budget, while the second step determines the optimal positions for every equipment, given a fixed space and the required safety distance among each equipment, after considering the results of the first step. We illustrated the implementation of the proposed model on the fabrication of a hybrid medical device. Virtual manufacturing workcells were developed and utilized to evaluate the proposed methodology. The evaluation results proved the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model, and its ability to provide flexibility to manufacturers. This paper highlights the potential of our proposed optimization model in improving production efficiency in medical device and other manufacturing industries. more...

Rapid, visual detection of pathogen nucleic acids has broad applications in infection management. Here we present a modular detection platform, termed enzyme-assisted nanocomplexes for visual identification of nucleic acids (enVision). The system consists of an integrated circuit of enzyme–DNA nanostructures, which function as independent recognition and signaling elements, for direct and versatile detection of pathogen nucleic acids from infected cells. The built-in enzymatic cascades produce a rapid color readout for the naked eye; the assay is thus fast (, Rapid, visual detection of pathogens is important for point-of-care diagnostics. Here the authors present enVision, which uses enzyme-DNA complexes to detect pathogen nucleic acids and provide a rapid, smartphone compatible readout. more...

Programmable Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 In article number 2101155, Huilin Shao and co‐workers report the collaborative coupling of enzyme–DNA nanostructures to establish multi‐enzyme catalysis. Through programmable nanostructures and favorable equilibrium architecture, the technology achieves direct and sensitive detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in native patient samples, within 30 minutes at room temperature. [Image: see text] more...

Optimizing assembly is an important process for fabrication of hybrid medical devices comprising multiple components and materials. The process is highly complex, time-consuming and requires the devices to be free from contamination. It requires highly skilled and well-trained workers and a sterile and conducive environment to perform the assembly operations. However, the assembly of medical devices is often neglected and/or overlooked. We propose a novel, intelligent workcell system design that aims to effectively guide operators in the assembly process while maintaining the necessary environmental settings. The potential of the proposed workcell for fabrication of an artificial trachea is investigated. more...