Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080269561 | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM - An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient. | 10-30-2008 |
20080281273 | Microneedle transdermal transport device - A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and a needle with a bore extending along the length of the needle from a first end of the needle to a second end of the needle. The second end is substantially aligned to a plane parallel to a body surface of a biological body when the device is placed on the body surface. The device also includes an actuator which pumps the formulation through the bore of the needle between a target area of the body and the reservoir. | 11-13-2008 |
20080319392 | MICRONEEDLE TRANSPORT DEVICE - A transdermal transport device includes a reservoir for holding a formulation of an active principle, and an array of needles which have bores in fluid communication with the reservoir to facilitate transporting the formulation to and from the reservoir through the needles. The device also includes a first actuator which drives the array of needles into the body, and a second actuator which pumps the formulation between the reservoir and the body through the needles. The first actuator is reversible to withdraw the needles from the body. | 12-25-2008 |
20100004624 | MEASURING PROPERTIES OF AN ANATOMICAL BODY - A medical device includes a sensor that is configured to measure a property of an outer layer of an anatomical body surface. The sensor includes a source probe configured stimulate a local surface of the outer layer of an anatomical body surface. The sensor also includes a detector configured to measure a response of the outer layer resulting from the source probe stimulation. A controller coupled to the source probe and the sensor drives the source probe using a tailored stochastic sequence and determines the property of the outer layer using the measured response received from the detector. The sensor can be used with medical devices, such as drug delivery devices including microneedle transport devices and needleless injection devices. | 01-07-2010 |
20100016827 | NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR DEVICE WITH AUTOLOADING CAPABILITY - A needle-free transdermal transport device includes a chamber ( | 01-21-2010 |
20110028676 | Molecular Actuators, and Methods of Use Thereof - The synthesis of thiophene based conducting polymer molecular actuators, exhibiting electrically triggered molecular conformational transitions is reported. Actuation is believed to be the result of conformational rearrangement of the polymer backbone at the molecular level, not simply ion intercalation in the bulk polymer chain upon electrochemical activation. Molecular actuation results from π-π stacking of thiophene oligomers upon oxidation, producing a reversible molecular displacement that leads to surprising material properties, such as electrically controllable porosity and large strains. The existence of active molecular conformational changes is supported by in situ electrochemical data. Single molecule techniques have been used to characterize the molecular actuators. | 02-03-2011 |
20110054354 | Nonlinear System Identification Techniques and Devices for Discovering Dynamic and Static Tissue Properties - A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a Lorentz force linear actuator. The mechanical property may be determined using non-linear stochastic system identification. The mechanical property may be indicative of, for example, tissue compliance and tissue elasticity. The device can further include a handle for manual application of the probe to the surface of the tissue and may include an accelerometer detecting an orientation of the probe. The device can be used to test skin tissue of an animal, plant tissue, such as fruit and vegetables, or any other biological tissue. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054355 | Identification Techniques and Device for Testing the Efficacy of Beauty Care Products and Cosmetics - A method for testing the effect of a skin care product includes measuring a mechanical property of skin tissue using nonlinear stochastic system identification, applying the product to the skin, repeating the measurement of the mechanical property after the application of the product, and comparing the before and after measurements to quantify the effect of the product. | 03-03-2011 |
20110065590 | Method and Apparatus for Performing Microassays - A method and apparatus for analyzing a plurality of substances. A platen is provided having two substantially parallel planar surfaces and a plurality of through-holes. An optical arrangement analyzes light emanating from the through-holes. The through-holes may be individually addressable, and may have volumes less than 100 nanoliters. Samples may be accurately dispensed, diluted and mixed in accordance with embodiments of the invention, and may be plated onto walls of the through-holes, and then subsequently resuspended prior to characterization, or, alternatively, retained in the through-holes by surface tension. | 03-17-2011 |
20110082388 | BI-DIRECTIONAL MOTION OF A LORENTZ-FORCE ACTUATED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR (NFI) - The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for extraction of a sample from a sample source. A fluid is injected into the sample source and the sample source is vibrated. A sample is withdrawn from the vibrated sample source and the sample source is evaluated by measuring one or more identifying parameters in the withdrawn sample. | 04-07-2011 |
20110108339 | Electric motor - A rotary and linear motion device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed electromagnetic actuators, and a linear-to-rotary converter (e.g., cam). Each electromagnetic actuator includes a coil that is configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The electromagnetic actuators are coupled to the linear-to-rotary converter and upon reciprocation or linear translation, drive the linear-to-rotary converter in rotary or linear motion. The device may be located inside a wheel, which may be part of a vehicle. If part of a wheel of a vehicle, the device can be used to provide propulsion, steering, braking, and suspension for the vehicle. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109051 | Tunable pneumatic suspension - A tunable pneumatic suspension includes a piston and two opposed pneumatic chambers. The two champers apply opposed pneumatic pressures to opposite faces of the piston. The tunable pneumatic suspension also includes a pneumatic controller that independently controls the pressure in each of the chambers. The independent control of the two chambers allows the suspension to change the relative positions of the piston and the chambers by differing the pressures in each chamber, and allows the suspension to change its stiffness by increasing or decreasing the pressures in each of the chambers by equal amounts. If used in a vehicle, changing the relative positions of the piston and the chambers can change the ride height of the vehicle, and changing the stiffness of the suspension can change the stiffness of the vehicle's ride. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109174 | Electric generator - An electric generator device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed coils, and a rotary-to-linear converter (e.g., cam). The coils are configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The coils are coupled to the cam and, upon rotary or linear motion of the cam, reciprocate or linearly translate relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The reciprocation or linear translation of the coils creates an electric current flowing through the coils, which may then be harvested. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109413 | Electric coil and method of manufacture - Instead of being made from one continuous piece of material, a coil includes multiple flat coil segments that are stacked together and electrically coupled in series. In many embodiments, the coil segments are U-shaped segments, and the segments are arranged so that each segment is rotated (e.g., by 270 degrees) with respect the segment it follows. The stacked coils may then be fastened together using, for example, bolts through the corners of the coil segments. The combined coil segments form a continuous coil. | 05-12-2011 |
20110143310 | Lorentz-Force Actuated Cleaning Device - A method of surface treatment includes sensing a surface condition and controlling ejection of a fluid jet against the surface to treat the surface based on the sensed condition. The fluid may be a liquid and may be carried in a self-contained reservoir in a handle of a fluid ejection device. The liquid can be a cleansing solution and may contain cleaning particles. The ejection can be controlled to clean a part of the surface at high pressure and to reduce pressure applied to another part of the surface, for example, to clean the surface. The method may further include automatically scanning the fluid jet relative to a handle of an injection device. In an embodiment, the fluid is ejected by means of a fluid ejector comprising a stationary magnet assembly providing a magnetic field and a coil assembly, slidably disposed with respect to the magnet assembly, the coil assembly driving ejection of the fluid jet. Sensing the surface condition can include measuring a response of the surface to a mechanical perturbation and may include sensing an acoustic signal reflected from the surface. The mechanical perturbation can include applied force and the measured response can include deformation of the surface. The method may further include mechanically disturbing the surface with the fluid jet. A surface treatment device includes a fluid ejector that ejects fluid against a surface and a servo controller controlling pressure of ejected fluid in response to a sensed surface condition. The fluid jet can have a diameter of less than 500 microns, a peak relative pressure of at least 1 kilopascal and velocity of at least 1 meter per second. | 06-16-2011 |
20110166549 | BI-DIRECTIONAL MOTION OF A LORENTZ-FORCE ACTUATED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR (NFI) - The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber. A bi-directional electromagnetic actuator is in communication with the chamber. The actuator, when activated, generates a pressure within the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body. | 07-07-2011 |
20110257626 | CONTROLLED NEEDLE-FREE TRANSPORT - A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input. | 10-20-2011 |
20110303531 | CONDUCTING POLYMER WITH ACTIVELY SWITCHABLE ABSORBENCY - Structure with electrically switchable wettability. The structure includes a doped conducting polymer, a counter electrode and an electrolyte disposed between the doped conducting polymer and the counter electrode. A preferred conducting polymer is polypyrrole doped with fluorinated carbon ions. A voltage between the doped conducting polymer and the counter electrode will cause the conductive polymer to switch between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states. | 12-15-2011 |
20110311939 | Plaque Removal and Differentiation of Tooth and Gum - A method of tooth treatment includes sensing a surface condition of tooth or gum and controlling ejection of a fluid jet against the tooth based on the sensed condition. The fluid may be a liquid and may be carried in a self-contained reservoir in a handle of a fluid ejection device. The liquid can be a cleansing solution and may contain cleaning particles. The ejection can be controlled to clean teeth at high pressure and to reduce pressure applied to gum, for example, to clean plaque. In some embodiments, the method may be used to remove soft tooth. The method may further include automatically scanning the fluid jet relative to a handle of an injection device. In an embodiment, the fluid is ejected by means of a fluid ejector comprising a stationary magnet assembly providing a magnetic field and a coil assembly, slidably disposed with respect to the magnet assembly, the coil assembly driving ejection of the fluid jet. Sensing the surface condition can include measuring a response of tissue to a mechanical perturbation and may include sensing an acoustic signal reflected from tissue. The mechanical perturbation can include applied force and the measured response can include deformation of the tissue. The method may further include mechanically disturbing the tissue with the fluid jet. A tooth treatment device includes a fluid ejector that ejects fluid against teeth and a servo controller controlling pressure of ejected fluid in response to a sensed surface condition. The fluid jet can have a diameter of less than 500 microns, a peak relative pressure of at least 1 kilopascal and velocity of at least 1 meter per second. | 12-22-2011 |
20110319877 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LASER TREATMENT WITH SPECTROSCOPIC FEEDBACK - A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system. | 12-29-2011 |
20120003601 | Jet Injector Use In Oral Evaluation - A tooth treatment device includes a detector that detects a marker of oral health and a fluid ejector that ejects fluid against teeth in response to the detected marker. The device can include a housing configured to be held on hand, the fluid ejector being positioned at an end of the housing. The fluid may include a liquid, a medicant, a cleansing solution, cleaning particles, or any combination thereof. The medicant can include any combination of a chelating agent, fluoride, a fluorescent dye, a bacterial specific probe, and a biochemical specific biomarker. Further, the device can include a servo controller controlling pressure of ejected fluid in response to the detected marker and a sensed surface condition, latter including for example, a mechanical property of tissue. The device may include a pressure sensor that senses pressure of the fluid in the ejector. Also included may be a distance sensor that senses distance of the ejector from a tissue surface. The surface condition may be sensed using the sensed pressure, sensed distance, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fluid ejector comprises a stationary magnet assembly providing a magnetic field and a coil assembly, slidably disposed with respect to the magnet assembly, the coil assembly driving ejection of the fluid jet. A method of tooth treatment includes detecting a marker of oral health and controlling ejection of a fluid jet against the tooth responsive to the detected marker. In some embodiments, detecting the marker includes detecting plaque and the ejection is controlled to clean the plaque. Detecting the marker can include collecting a sample from an oral cavity. | 01-05-2012 |
20120089114 | INJECTION METHODS USING A SERVO-CONTROLLED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR - A method for injecting a substance through a biological body surface includes providing a needle-free transdermal transport device configured to inject the substance through the surface. The substance is injected into the biological body with the transport device while a parameter of the injection is sensed and a servo-controller is used to dynamically adjust at least one injection characteristic based on the sensed parameter. The substance is injected for (i) a first time period during which a first portion of a volume of the substance is injected at a first injection pressure, and (ii) a second time period during which a remainder of the volume of the substance is injected at a second injection pressure. A viscosity of the substance may be determined, and a pressure calculated for injecting the substance based on the viscosity. The substance may be injected with the transport device by using the calculated pressure. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095435 | DELIVERY OF A SOLID BODY AND/OR A FLUID USING A LINEAR LORENTZ-FORCE ACTUATED NEEDLE-FREE JET INJECTION SYSTEM - A method for transferring a solid body across a surface of a biological body includes (i) applying an electrical input to a controllable electromagnetic actuator; (ii) producing with the electromagnetic actuator a mechanical force corresponding to the electrical input; and (iii) applying the mechanical force to a reservoir coupled at one end to a nozzle, the mechanical force producing a pressure within the reservoir, a magnitude of the pressure varying with the mechanical force and causing ejection of a fluid from the reservoir to drive the solid body into the biological body. A method for delivering a substance to a target body includes (i) positioning a needle-free injector proximate to a surface of the target body; (ii) injecting the substance into the target body; and (iii) while injecting, moving the needle-free injector along the surface, thereby sweeping the surface. | 04-19-2012 |
20120165608 | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM - An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient. | 06-28-2012 |
20120205534 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY - A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer. | 08-16-2012 |
20130002052 | MAGNETIC STATOR ASSEMBLY - An electric device including: a stator assembly; and an actuator including a coil having an axis, wherein the stator assembly includes: a stator core arranged along a linear axis, the stator core made up of a plurality of magnets each characterized by a magnetic moment, the plurality of magnets arranged in a stack along the linear axis with the magnet moments of the plurality of magnets being co-linearly aligned parallel to the linear axis, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a first magnet and a second magnet positioned adjacent to each other in the stack separated by a gap and with their magnetic moments in opposition to each other, and wherein the actuator is arranged on the stator core with the coil of the actuator encircling the linear axis with the axis of the coil parallel to the linear axis. | 01-03-2013 |
20130088194 | OVERHEAD POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a charging station for charging a plurality of vehicles and methods of charging energy storage systems within a plurality of vehicles. A charging station for charging a plurality of vehicles each with a receiver coil located on top of a vehicle, includes: a first and second support structures, an overhead track stretching between the first and second support structures, a movable carriage on the overhead track, the carriage including a transmitter coil located at a position under the carriage for transferring power to the receiver coils of the plurality of vehicles when they are parked under the overhead track and an inductive power transfer module connected to the transmitter coil, and a motorized transport mechanism for moving the carriage along the tracks and positioning the carriage over any selectable one of the plurality of vehicles. | 04-11-2013 |
20130093265 | MINIMIZATION OF TORQUE RIPPLE - An electric motor including: a first and second linear actuator, each linear actuator including a first and second coil respectively, a rotational shaft, a cam assembly mounted on the rotational shaft for translating linear movement of the two linear actuators to rotational movement of the rotational shaft, a controller programmed to generate during operation a first and second drive signal for first coil and second coil respectively, wherein the first drive signal causes the first linear actuator to generate a first torque on the rotational shaft that varies periodically over a complete rotation of the shaft and the second drive signal causes the second linear actuator to generate a second torque on the rotational shaft that varies periodically over a complete rotation of the shaft, and wherein the sum of the first and second torques produces a total torque that is substantially constant throughout the complete rotation of the shaft. | 04-18-2013 |
20130102957 | CONTROLLED NEEDLE-FREE TRANSPORT - A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input. | 04-25-2013 |
20130108902 | MULTI-CELL BATTERY ASSEMBLY | 05-02-2013 |
20130155579 | FLEXIBLE CONDUCTING POLYMER ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - Electrochemical redox supercapacitor. The supercapacitor includes two thin films of electrically conducting polymer separated by an ion-permeable membrane and including an electrolyte disposed between the two thin films. Electrical contacts are disposed on outer surfaces of the two thin films. The supercapacitor is flexible and may be rolled, folded on itself, or kept substantially flat. A suitable conducting polymer is polypyrrole. In another aspect, the invention is a method for making a redox supercapacitor. | 06-20-2013 |
20130197162 | INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN CONDUCTING POLYMER MATERIALS - Method for connecting two portions of a first electrically conducting polymer with a second polymer. The method includes disposing a solution of a second polymer in a solvent to be in contact with the two portions of the first electrically conducting polymer and allowing the solvent to evaporate leaving the second polymer joining the two portions of the first polymer. The second polymer may be doped to improve its conductivity. | 08-01-2013 |
20130271090 | DEVICES AND METHODS INCLUDING POLYACETYLENES - Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided. | 10-17-2013 |
20130300218 | Electric Motor - A rotary and linear motion device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed electromagnetic actuators, and a linear-to-rotary converter (e.g., cam). Each electromagnetic actuator includes a coil that is configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The electromagnetic actuators are coupled to the linear-to-rotary converter and upon reciprocation or linear translation, drive the linear-to-rotary converter in rotary or linear motion. The device may be located inside a wheel, which may be part of a vehicle. If part of a wheel of a vehicle, the device can be used to provide propulsion, steering, braking, and suspension for the vehicle. | 11-14-2013 |
20130330577 | DYNAMIC PRESSURE CONTROL IN A BATTERY ASSEMBLY - Operating a battery assembly that includes one or more rechargeable battery cells includes: monitoring one or more operational parameters of the battery cells; and dynamically controlling pressure applied to the one or more battery cells based at least in part on one or more of the monitored operational parameters. | 12-12-2013 |
20140028508 | CONFORMABLE ANTENNA USING CONDUCTING POLYMERS - Antenna including a wire made of a conducting polymer. The wire is sewn into fabric material in a selected pattern. A preferred conducing polymer is polypyrrole. It is also preferred that the wire be encased in a non-conductive, low dielectric plastic. | 01-30-2014 |
20140084181 | IRREGULAR EXCITATION OF OPTICAL SENSORS - A material is excited with light whose intensity is modulated according to a modulation signal. The modulation signal includes multiple transitions between at least two intensity levels, with times of at least a first contiguous sequence of the transitions being selected according to an irregular pattern. A response of the material to the excitation is detected. | 03-27-2014 |
20140088358 | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM - An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient. | 03-27-2014 |
20140109395 | ELECTRIC COIL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - Instead of being made from one continuous piece of material, a coil includes multiple flat coil segments that are stacked together and electrically coupled in series. In many embodiments, the coil segments are U-shaped segments, and the segments are arranged so that each segment is rotated (e.g., by 270 degrees) with respect the segment it follows. The stacked coils may then be fastened together using, for example, bolts through the corners of the coil segments. The combined coil segments form a continuous coil. | 04-24-2014 |
20140167704 | NONLINEAR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FOR OBJECT DETECTION IN A WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - A method of detecting whether a foreign object is near a transmit coil in a wireless power transfer system (WPTS), the method involving: applying a pseudo-random signal to the transmit coil; while the pseudo-random signal is being applied to the transmit coil, recording one or more signals produced within the WPTS in response to the applied pseudo-random signal; by using the one or more recorded signals, generating a dynamic system model for some aspect of the WPTS; and using the generated dynamic system model in combination with stored training data to determine whether an object having characteristics recognizable from the stored training data as characteristic of the foreign object is near the transmit coil. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172338 | NONLINEAR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FOR OPTIMIZATION OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER - A method of detecting whether a receiver coil is near a transmit coil in a wireless power transfer system (WPTS), the method involving: applying a pseudo-random signal to the transmit coil; while the pseudo-random signal is being applied to the transmit coil, recording one or more signals produced within the WPTS in response to the applied pseudo-random signal; by using the one or more recorded signals, generating a dynamic system model for some aspect of the WPTS; and using the generated dynamic system model in combination with stored training data to determine whether an object having characteristics distinguishing the object as a receiver coil is near the transmit coil. | 06-19-2014 |
20140257236 | INJECTION METHODS USING A SERVO-CONTROLLED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR - A method for injecting a substance through a biological body surface includes providing a needle-free transdermal transport device configured to inject the substance through the surface. The substance is injected into the biological body with the transport device while a parameter of the injection is sensed and a servo-controller is used to dynamically adjust at least one injection characteristic based on the sensed parameter. The substance is injected for (i) a first time period during which a first portion of a volume of the substance is injected at a first injection pressure, and (ii) a second time period during which a remainder of the volume of the substance is injected at a second injection pressure. A viscosity of the substance may be determined, and a pressure calculated for injecting the substance based on the viscosity. The substance may be injected with the transport device by using the calculated pressure. | 09-11-2014 |
20140265649 | ACTUATOR CONFIGURATION FOR A ROTARY DRIVE - A rotary drive includes: a support structure; and a linear actuator supported by the support structure. The linear actuator includes: a first member; a second member that moves in a linear direction relative to the first member when a drive signal is applied to the linear actuator; and a bearing arrangement supporting the first and second members within the support structure and enabling independent movement of the first member and the second member relative to the support structure. The rotary drive also includes a linear-to-rotary converter to which the second member of the linear actuator is coupled. The linear-to-rotary converter includes an output member having a rotational axis. During operation, the linear-to-rotary converter converts linear reciprocating movement of the second member of the linear actuator to rotary movement of the output member about the rotational axis. | 09-18-2014 |
20140312716 | PERMANENT MAGNET LINEAR ACTUATORS - An electromagnetic actuator including: a core comprising a material having a high magnetic permeability relative to air; an array of coils sequentially arranged on the core, each coil of the array of coils being wound around the longitudinal axis of the core; and a magnet assembly movably mounted along the array of coils, the magnet assembly having a coil side facing the array of coils and an opposite side facing away from the array of coils and including an array of permanent magnets sequentially arranged along the array of coils in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the magnetic moments of the plurality of magnets are selected and arranged to augment the magnetic field produced on the coil side of the magnet assembly and to reduce the magnetic field produced on the opposite side of the magnet assembly. | 10-23-2014 |
20140326866 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY - A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer. | 11-06-2014 |
20150011830 | TIP ACTUATED DISPOSABLE ENDOSCOPE - The present invention relates to an endoscope having a motorized assembly to control the distal end of an endoscope. Preferred embodiments can include disposable and reusable components. The system reduces the force need to control the tip of the endoscope and thereby reduce the risk of perforation′. | 01-08-2015 |
20150025505 | Bi-Directional Motion of a Lorentz-Force Actuated Needle-Free Injector (NFI) - The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber of a plurality of chambers. A plurality of electromagnetic actuators are in communication with the plurality of chambers. The actuators, when activated, generate a pressure within at least the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body. | 01-22-2015 |
20150051513 | Nonlinear System Identification Techniques and Devices For Discovering Dynamic And Static Tissue Properties - A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a Lorentz force linear actuator. The mechanical property may be determined using non-linear stochastic system identification. The mechanical property may be indicative of, for example, tissue compliance and tissue elasticity. The device can further include a handle for manual application of the probe to the surface of the tissue and may include an accelerometer detecting an orientation of the probe. The device can be used to test skin tissue of an animal, plant tissue, such as fruit and vegetables, or any other biological tissue. | 02-19-2015 |