摘要:
A method for designing and optimnizing compliant mechanisms is provided, in addition to bistable compliant mechanism designs. According to the method, a selected compliant structure may be modeled analytically, and the characteristics of the analytical model may be optimized. Multiple recursive optimization algorithms may be used, for example, to determine the general location of a global optimum, and then to determine the values of the analytical model characteristics that obtain the global optimum or a feasible configuration for the selected compliant structure. Geometric characteristics of the selected compliant structure may be derived from the values of the analytical model characteristics. Bistable compliant designs may have a shuttle disposed between a pair of base members. The shuttle (20) may be linked to the base members (22, 24) by a pair of legs (30, 32), via flexural pivots. The base members may have cantilevered mounting beams to create deformable mounts that receive and store potential energy. The stable configurations are those in which the stored potential energy is at a relative minimum.
摘要:
A compliant, bistable mechanism has a plurality of segments coupled end-to-end in a series to form a continuous chain of segments. The plurality of segments includes at least two rigid segments and at least one relatively flexible and resilient segment. Adjacent rigid segments are coupled by flexible joints or pin joints. The flexible and resilient segment is coupled to adjacent segments either fixedly or by pin joints. There are at least four pin joints, flexible joints, and/or flexible and resilient segments. The joints allow relative movement of the segments while the flexible and resilient segment resists movement and biases the segments. The segments move between first and second stable equilibrium positions. The segments have a pseudo-rigid-body model resembling a four-bar linkage. The segments and flexible joints may be integrally formed. First and second electrical contacts may be coupled to the segments to form an electrical connection as the segments move to one of the positions.
摘要:
Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into an organelle of a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for introducing biological material into an organelle of a cell includes bringing into proximity a lance and a preselected biological material outside of a cell and charging the lance with a polarity and a charge sufficient to electrically associate the preselected biological material with a tip portion of the lance. The method also includes penetrating an outer portion of the cell with the lance and directing and inserting the lance into an organelle, discharging the lance to release at least a portion of the biological material into the organelle, and withdrawing the lance from the cell.
摘要:
Systems and methods for manipulating molecular material are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for manipulating molecular material may include positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment, charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure, moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another, and discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.
摘要:
Devices and methods for constraining or holding a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a cellular constraint device is provided. Such a device can include a support surface and at least one constraining arm movably coupled to the support surface. The constraining arm has a first position in which the constraining arm is substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to the support surface. Additionally, at least a portion of the constraining arm is movable away from the support surface to a second position where the constraining arm is operable to constrain a single cell.
摘要:
Systems, devices, and methods for protecting a biological material during delivery into a biological structure are provided. In one aspect, for example, a device for protecting and delivering a preselected biological material into a biological structure can include a lance operable to maintain a charge capable of associating a biological material thereto and at least one protective region formed on or in the lance, where the protective region protects the biological material during delivery into a biological structure.
摘要:
Systems, devices, and methods for restraining a biological structure are provided. In one example, a biological structure restraining device can include a barrier structure, an opening defined in the barrier structure, and at least two contact points positioned adjacent to the opening and oriented to contact the biological structure, wherein the barrier structure and the opening are structurally positioned to receive the cell at the contact points. In another aspect, the device can also include a biological structure manipulator having a structure operable to press the biological structure against the contact points. In yet another aspect, the device can further include a biological structure injector having a structure operable to be inserted through the opening and into the biological structure, wherein the biological structure manipulator is operable to maintain the biological structure against the contact points as the biological structure injector is inserted into the biological structure.
摘要:
Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into a cell are provided. In one example, a lance device for introducing biological material into a cell and configured for use in a nanoinjection system including a microscope is provided. Such a device can include a lance having a tip region and a shaft region, wherein the lance is structurally configured to allow entry and movement of the tip region into the cell along an elongate axis of the tip region and along a focal plane of the microscope. In another example, the lance can be configured to allow substantially horizontal entry and movement of the tip region into the cell.
摘要:
A device for amplifying mechanical and geometrical advantage having a base structure, a first link member having a first end and a second end, and a first compliant flexural joint pivotally interconnects the first end of the first link member to the base structure. A second link member is also provided having a first end and a second end. A second compliant flexural joint pivotally interconnects the first end of the second link member to the base structure. Furthermore, a third link member is provided having a first end and a second end. A third compliant flexural joint pivotally interconnects the first end of the third link member to the second end of the first link member and a fourth compliant flexural joint pivotally interconnects the second end of the third link member to the second end of the second link member. The base structure, first link member, second link member, and third link member cooperate to define a four-bar linkage for receiving an input force and providing an amplified force or displacement output in response thereto.
摘要:
A new approach toward MEMS quality control and materials characterization is provided by a combined test structure measurement and mechanical response modeling approach. Simple test structures are cofabricated with the MEMS devices being produced. These test structures are designed to isolate certain types of physical response, so that measurement of their behavior under applied stress can be easily interpreted as quality control and material properties information.