Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080209988 | CANTILEVERS WITH INTEGRATED ACTUATORS FOR PROBE MICROSCOPY - An atomic force microscopy sensor includes a substrate, a cantilever beam and an electrostatic actuator. The cantilever beam has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The proximal end is in a fixed relationship with the substrate and the cantilever beam is configured so that the distal end is in a moveable relationship with respect to the substrate. The electrostatic actuator includes a first electrode that is coupled to the cantilever beam adjacent to the proximal end and a spaced apart second electrode that is in a fixed relationship with the substrate. When an electrical potential is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode is drawn to the second electrode, thereby causing the distal end of the cantilever beam to move. | 09-04-2008 |
20100306885 | Cantilevers with Integrated Actuators for Probe Microscopy - An atomic force microscopy sensor includes a substrate, a cantilever beam and an electrostatic actuator. The cantilever beam has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The proximal end is in a fixed relationship with the substrate and the cantilever beam is configured so that the distal end is in a moveable relationship with respect to the substrate. The electrostatic actuator includes a first electrode that is coupled to the cantilever beam adjacent to the proximal end and a spaced apart second electrode that is in a fixed relationship with the substrate. When an electrical potential is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode is drawn to the second electrode, thereby causing the distal end of the cantilever beam to move. | 12-02-2010 |
20110055986 | Athermal Atomic Force Microscope Probes - An atomic force microscopy system includes an imaging probe having a first thermal displacement constant and a sample placement surface. At least a portion of the sample placement surface has a second thermal displacement constant. The sample placement surface is spaced apart from the imaging probe at a predetermined displacement. The sample placement surface is configured so that the second thermal displacement constant matches the first thermal displacement constant so that when the imaging probe and the sample placement surface are subject to a predetermined temperature, both the portion of the sample placement surface and the imaging prove are displaced by a same distance. | 03-03-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080307865 | Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Metrology using FIRAT Probe - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is a force sensor for a probe based instrument. The force sensor can comprise a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface, wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance over a selected portion of the gap, the change in distance at the selected portion orienting a probe tip of the force sensor for multi-directional measurement. | 12-18-2008 |
20100180354 | Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Metrology using FIRAT Probe - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is a force sensor for a probe based instrument. The force sensor can comprise a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface, wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance over a selected portion of the gap, the change in distance at the selected portion orienting a probe tip of the force sensor for multi-directional measurement. | 07-15-2010 |
20100227371 | Electrosonic Cell Manipulation Device - In method of injecting a substance into a living cell having a cell membrane, the substance, the cell and a liquid are placed into a tapering passage. Energy is applied to the cell, thereby inducing poration. To sort cells, a cellular suspension is placed in a tapering passage, including a narrow end that defines an opening that has a dimension corresponding to a cell size. An acoustic wave is applied, thereby forcing cells having a cell size smaller than the selected cell size through the opening, with a portion of the cells having a cell size not smaller than the selected cell size not forced through the opening. To extract material from a cell, an electric field and an acoustic wave are applied, thereby causing the cell membrane to allow the material to pass out of the cell. | 09-09-2010 |
20130278937 | Integrated Displacement Sensors for Probe Microscopy and Force Spectroscopy - A force sensor for a probe based instrument includes a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface, wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance. | 10-24-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230693 | REVERSE-TAYLOR CONE IONIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - Ionization systems, methods of using ionization systems, ion source systems, methods of using ion source systems, and methods of ionization, are described herein. | 09-25-2008 |
20090272897 | ELECTROSPRAY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Electrospray systems, electrospray structures, removable electrospray structures, methods of operating electrospray systems, and methods of fabricating electrospray systems, are disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
20100249605 | HARMONIC CMUT DEVICES & FABRICATION METHODS - Harmonic capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a harmonic cMUT device generally comprises a membrane having a non-uniform mass distribution. A mass load positioned along the membrane can be utilized to alter the mass distribution of the membrane. The mass load can be a part of the membrane and formed of the same material or a different material as the membrane. The mass load can be positioned to correspond with a vibration mode of the membrane, and also to adjust or shift a vibration mode of the membrane. The mass load can also be positioned at predetermined locations along the membrane to control the harmonic vibrations of the membrane. A cMUT can also comprise a cavity defined by the membrane, a first electrode proximate the membrane, and a second electrode proximate a substrate. Other embodiments are also claimed and described. | 09-30-2010 |
20100268089 | MULTIPLE ELEMENT ELECTRODE CMUT DEVICES AND FABRICATION METHODS - Multiple electrode element capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. Some embodiments can include a forward or side looking catheter device having a plurality of cMUT arrays for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy. The forward or side looking intravascular device can generally comprise a plurality of cMUT arrays being disposed on a substrate in a spaced apart arrangement. The cMUT arrays can be disposed at differing locations on the substrate. The plurality of cMUT arrays can each comprise a plurality of cMUT elements. At least a portion of the plurality of cMUT elements can comprise a flexible membrane disposed above the substrate and a multiple element electrode. The multiple element electrode can comprise a plurality of electrode elements. The plurality of electrode elements can be shaped and sized to have a width less than the width of the membrane, and be further configured to operatively shape the membrane in a reception state to receive ultrasonic energy and a transmission state to transmit ultrasonic energy. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described. | 10-21-2010 |
20110038492 | OPTICAL SENSING IN A DIRECTIONAL MEMS MICROPHONE - A microphone having an optical component for converting the sound-induced motion of the diaphragm into an electronic signal using a diffraction grating. The microphone with inter-digitated fingers is fabricated on a silicon substrate using a combination of surface and bulk micromachining techniques. A 1 mm×2 mm microphone diaphragm, made of polysilicon, has stiffeners and hinge supports to ensure that it responds like a rigid body on flexible hinges. The diaphragm is designed to respond to pressure gradients, giving it a first order directional response to incident sound. This mechanical structure is integrated with a compact optoelectronic readout system that displays results based on optical interferometry. | 02-17-2011 |
20110142753 | DROPLET IMPINGEMENT CHEMICAL REACTORS AND METHODS OF PROCESSING FUEL - Fuel processors, methods of using fuel processors, and the like, are disclosed. | 06-16-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110170108 | Fast Microscale Actuators for Probe Microscopy - A system for measuring a property of a sample includes an actuation device disposed on a substrate and includes a flexible surface spaced apart from the substrate and configured so as to allow placement of the sample thereupon. The actuation device also includes a vertical actuator that is configured to cause the flexible surface to achieve a predetermined displacement from the substrate when a corresponding potential is applied thereto. A sensing probe is disposed so as to be configured to interact with the sample thereby sensing the property of the sample. | 07-14-2011 |
20110240752 | Self-pumping structures and methods of using self-pumping structures - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for self-pumping structure, methods of self-pumping, and the like. | 10-06-2011 |
20130064043 | COMPACT, ENERGY-EFFICIENT ULTRASOUND IMAGING PROBES USING CMUT ARRAYS WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS - A CMUT on CMOS imaging chip is disclosed. The imaging chip can use direct connection, CMOS architecture to minimize both internal and external connection complexity. Intelligent power management can enable the chip to be used for various imaging applications with strict power constraints, including forward-looking intra-vascular ultrasound imaging. The chip can use digital logic to control transmit and receive events to minimize power consumption and maximize image resolution. The chip can be integrated into a probe, or catheter, and requires minimal external connections. The chip can comprise integrated temperature control to prevent overheating. | 03-14-2013 |
20130128702 | COMPACT, ENERGY-EFFICIENT ULTRASOUND IMAGING PROBES USING CMUT ARRAYS WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS - A CMUT on CMOS imaging chip is disclosed. The imaging chip can use direct connection, CMOS architecture to minimize external connections and minimize chip cross-section. The CMOS architecture can enable substantially the entire chip area to be utilized for element placement. The chip can utilize arbitrarily selected transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) element arrays to improve image quality, while reducing sampling time. The chip can comprise a plurality of dummy elements dispersed throughout the Tx and Rx elements to reduce cross-talk. The chip can utilize batch firing techniques to increase transmit power using sparse Tx arrays. The chip can comprise hexagonal Tx and or Rx subarrays for improved image quality with reduce sample sizes. The chip can utilize electrode geometry, bias voltage, and polarity to create phased and amplitude apodized arrays of Tx and Rx elements. | 05-23-2013 |
20140236017 | CMUT-ON-CMOS BASED GUIDEWIRE INTRAVASCULAR IMAGING - An intravascular guidewire with integrated imaging and pressure measurement capabilities is disclosed. The guidewire can comprise an integrated CMUT-on-CMOS ultrasound transducer array to provide 3D imaging of vasculature and other tissue. The guidewire can also comprise a conventional FFR pressure sensor or Doppler flow sensor. Due to the low power consumption of the chip, power can be provided via a single pair of wire pair proximate the core wire of the guidewire to provide power and ground to the chip. The system can also include a power wire, a ground wire, and a data wire, the data wire using similar data transmission techniques. Data from the sensor array can be transmitted over the power wire using, for example, RF or impedance modulation. Data can also be transmitted through the body using an ultra wideband wireless transmitter and flexible patch antenna on the skin. | 08-21-2014 |