Abstract:
Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. One such hearing device includes a hearing device core, defining a size and a shape, and including a battery and an acoustic assembly, with a microphone and a receiver with a sound port that is adjacent to a portion of the battery, and a flexible seal apparatus on the hearing device core. The size, shape and configuration of the hearing device core, and the flexibility of the seal, are such that the hearing device is positionable within the ear canal bony region with the entire microphone medial of the bony-cartilaginous junction.
Abstract:
An antenna implantable through minimally invasive techniques, preferably comprising a coil with conductive probes is provided. The antenna is preferably superelastic nickel-titanium having an insulative coating. The antenna may conduct a signal originating from a device external to the body of the implantee, or from another implanted device connected to the antenna depending on whether the antenna is employed for sending, receiving, or transceiving signals. Signals may contain data, operational commands, and may be used to transfer power. The implantable antenna may be connected to another implanted device, such as a blood pressure monitor, or may be implanted as a stand-alone device for purposes such as stimulating tissue.
Abstract:
In one example, the present invention is directed to wound-healing patche that passively or actively draw fluids from a wound using an internal, integral vacuum source. The patches may also include electrodes and electronics for electrostimulation, and bioactive compounds that promote healing, such as anti-inflammatory agents.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating microelectronic spring structures is disclosed. In an initial step of the method, a layer of sacrificial material is formed over a substrate. Then, a contoured surface is developed in the sacrificial material, such as by molding the sacrificial material using a mold or stamp. The contoured surface provides a mold for at least one spring form, and preferably for an array of spring forms. If necessary, the sacrificial layer is then cured or hardened. A layer of spring material is deposited over the contoured surface of the sacrificial material, in a pattern to define at least one spring form, and preferably an array of spring forms. The sacrificial material is then at least partially removed from beneath the spring form to reveal at least one freestanding spring structure. A separate conducting tip is optionally attached to each resulting spring structure, and each structure is optionally plated or covered with an additional layer or layers of material, as desired. An alternative method for making a resilient contact structure using the properties of a fluid meniscus is additionally disclosed. In an initial step of the alternative method, a layer of material is provided over a substrate. Then, a recess is developed in the material, and fluid is provided in the recess to form a meniscus. The fluid is cured or hardened to stabilize the contoured shape of the meniscus. The stabilized meniscus is then used to define a spring form in the same manner as the molded surface in the sacrificial material.
Abstract:
A position sensor for measuring the distance from a first position to a second position. The sensor may include an elastic wave generator, an acoustical path over which the elastic wave passes, and a transducer to which the wave passes. A measurement loop includes the acoustical path, and has electrical and optical elements. The electrical elements may compare the phases of the transducer signals from which the change in position between the first and second positions are determined. Alternatively, the measurement loop may comprise a feedback loop to produce oscillations and an output frequency. A frequency counter is included in the feedback loop to measure frequency.
Abstract:
Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. Such hearing devices may have a hearing device core, which includes a battery and an acoustic assembly with a microphone and receiver positioned such that the lateral end of the receiver substantially abuts the medial end of the microphone, and a seal apparatus on the hearing device core.
Abstract:
Improved lithographic type microelectronic spring structures and methods are disclosed, for providing improved tip height over a substrate, an improved elastic range, increased strength and reliability, and increased spring rates. The improved structures are suitable for being formed from a single integrated layer (or series of layers) deposited over a molded sacrificial substrate, thus avoiding multiple stepped lithographic layers and reducing manufacturing costs. In particular, lithographic structures that are contoured in the z-direction are disclosed, for achieving the foregoing improvements. For example, structures having a U-shaped cross-section, a V-shaped cross-section, and/or one or more ribs running along a length of the spring are disclosed. The present invention additionally provides a lithographic type spring contact that is corrugated to increase its effective length and elastic range and to reduce its footprint over a substrate, and springs which are contoured in plan view. The present invention further provides combination (both series and parallel) electrical contacts tips for lithographic type microelectronic spring structures. The microelectronic spring structures according to the present invention are particularly useful for making very fine pitch arrays of electrical connectors for use with integrated circuits and other substrate-mounted electronic devices, because their performance characteristics are enhanced, while at the same time, they may be manufactured at greatly reduced costs compared to other lithographic type microelectronic spring structures.
Abstract:
A microelectronic spring contact for making electrical contact between a device and a mating substrate and method of making the same are disclosed. The spring contact has a compliant pad adhered to a substrate of the device and spaced apart from a terminal of the device. The compliant pad has a base adhered to the substrate, and side surfaces extending away from the substrate and tapering to a smaller end area distal from the substrate. A trace extends from the terminal of the device over the compliant pad to its end area. At least a portion of the compliant pad end area is covered by the trace, and a portion of the trace that is over the compliant pad is supported by the compliant pad. A horizontal microelectronic spring contact and method of making the same are also disclosed. The horizontal spring contact has a rigid trace attached at a first end to a terminal of a substrate. The trace is free from attachment at its second end, and extends from the terminal in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the substrate to the second end. At least a distal portion of the trace extending to the second end is spaced apart from the surface of the substrate. The spaced-apart distal portion is flexible in a plane parallel to the substrate.