Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090168385 | FLEX CIRCUIT SNAP TRACK FOR A BIOMETRIC SENSOR - The present disclosure relates to a sensor assembly, comprising a frame comprising structural supports, and housings configured to house an optical component; and a strut disposed between one of the structural supports and housings; wherein the struts are adapted to house conductors connecting the optical component to a circuit. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171224 | SENSOR WITH INTEGRATED LIVING HINGE AND SPRING - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a sensor assembly. In various embodiments the sensor assembly includes a body having a first segment, a second segment, and a living hinge. The living hinge has a pivot axis and mechanically couples the first segment and the second segment. Further, the living hinge facilitates the first segment and the second segment to pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis. Embodiments may also relate to a method of manufacturing a sensor frame. The method may include forming an integral sensor body having a first frame segment, a second frame segment, and a living hinge. The first frame segment and the second frame segment are configured to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis of the living hinge. The method may also include coupling one or more biasing mechanisms to the first frame segment and the second frame segment. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a moment about the pivot axis of the living hinge. The moment biases the first segment and second segment into a closed position. | 07-02-2009 |
20090264723 | COMPLIANT DIAPHRAGM MEDICAL SENSOR AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME - A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having a loop structure. An emitter and detector are disposed on opposite sides of the loop structure. A coating is provided over the frame. The coating includes at least one diaphragm structure disposed such that at least one of the emitter and detector can move along an axis running between the emitter and detector. The sensor may thereby be placed on a patient's finger, toe, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. A sensor frame and method of manufacturing the frame are also provided. | 10-22-2009 |
20090308531 | BI-STABLE MEDICAL SENSOR AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME - A bi-stable sensor is provided that includes a frame upon which electrical and optical components may be disposed and a coating, such as an overmold coating, provided about the frame. A resistance-providing component is provided integral with or external to the coated bi-stable sensor such that the bi-stable sensor has two mechanically stable configurations that may be transitioned between by overcoming the resistance provided by the resistance-providing component and/or the by the coating. In one embodiment, the resistance-providing component comprises an elastic band provided about a hinge of the frame, either within or external to the coating. In one embodiment, the sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. | 12-17-2009 |
20100280582 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REMOVING HEAT FROM SUBCUTANEOUS LIPID-RICH CELLS - Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate. | 11-04-2010 |
20110238051 | HOME-USE APPLICATORS FOR NON-INVASIVELY REMOVING HEAT FROM SUBCUTANEOUS LIPID-RICH CELLS VIA PHASE CHANGE COOLANTS, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Home-use applicators for non-invasively removing heat from subcutaneous, lipid-rich cells via phase change coolants, and associated devices, systems and methods. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an applicator releasably positionable in thermal communication with human skin, and a coolant vessel having a coolant. The device further includes a heat transfer conduit operatively coupled to the applicator and housing a heat transfer fluid that is isolated from fluid contact with the coolant. A heat exchanger is operatively coupled between the coolant vessel and the heat transfer conduit to transfer heat between the heat transfer fluid and the coolant, and a fluid driver is operatively coupled to the heat transfer conduit to direct the heat transfer fluid between the applicator and the heat exchanger. | 09-29-2011 |
20120239123 | DEVICES, APPLICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH LOCALIZED HEAT FLUX ZONES FOR REMOVING HEAT FROM SUBCUTANEOUS LIPID-RICH CELLS - Application systems, disposable interface assemblies and methods for cooling subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue. One embodiment of an application system includes a cooling unit, a cryoprotectant vessel, a contact member and an array of selectively addressable heating elements. The cryoprotectant vessel is configured to contain a fluidic cryoprotectant such that at least a portion of the cryoprotectant is cooled by the cooling unit to a desired base temperature. The contact member is attached to the cryoprotectant vessel and includes a backside in contact with the cryoprotectant and a front side opposite the backside. The contact member is configured to allow the cryoprotectant to flow from the backside to the front side. The array of selectively addressable heating elements is carried by the contact member. | 09-20-2012 |
20130178725 | STACKED ADHESIVE OPTICAL SENSOR - An optical sensor having a cover layer, an emitter disposed on a first side of the cover, a detector disposed on the first side of said cover, and a plurality of stacked independent adhesive layers disposed on the same first side of the cover, wherein the top most exposed adhesive layer is attached to a patient's skin. Thus, when the sensor is removed to perform a site check of the tissue location, one of the adhesive layers may also be removed and discarded, exposing a fresh adhesive surface below for re-attachment to a patient's skin. The independent pieces of the adhesive layers can be serially used to extend the useful life of the product. | 07-11-2013 |
20130330465 | BI-STABLE MEDICAL SENSOR AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME - A bi-stable sensor is provided that includes a frame upon which electrical and optical components may be disposed and a coating, such as an overmold coating, provided about the frame. A resistance-providing component is provided integral with or external to the coated bi-stable sensor such that the bi-stable sensor has two mechanically stable configurations that may be transitioned between by overcoming the resistance provided by the resistance-providing component and/or the by the coating. In one embodiment, the resistance-providing component comprises an elastic band provided about a hinge of the frame, either within or external to the coating. In one embodiment, the sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. | 12-12-2013 |
20140135600 | STACKED ADHESIVE OPTICAL SENSOR - An optical sensor, having a cover layer, an emitter disposed on a first side the cover, a detector disposed on the first side of said cover, and a plurality of stacked independent adhesive layers disposed on the same first side ate cover, wherein the top most exposed adhesive layer is attached to a patient's skin. Thus, when the sensor is removed to perform a site check of the tissue location, one of the adhesive layers may also be removed and discarded, exposing a fresh adhesive surface below for re-attachment to a patient's skin. The independent pieces of the adhesive layers can he serially used to extend the useful life of the product. | 05-15-2014 |
20140257443 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REMOVING HEAT FROM SUBCUTANEOUS LIPID-RICH CELLS - Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate. | 09-11-2014 |
20140277302 | TREATMENT SYSTEMS WITH FLUID MIXING SYSTEMS AND FLUID-COOLED APPLICATORS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A treatment system for cooling subcutaneous lipid-rich cells in a human subject includes an applicator and a control unit. The treatment system has a cooling mode for cooling tissue and a heating mode for warming tissue. The control unit includes a circulation circuit in fluid communication with the applicator, a chiller apparatus configured to chill fluid from the applicator circulation circuit, and a heater apparatus to warmed fluid from the applicator circulation circuit. The control unit mixes the chilled fluid and/or the warmed with fluid in the applicator circulation circuit control the temperature of the fluid circulated in the applicator. | 09-18-2014 |
20160051401 | TREATMENT SYSTEMS, SMALL VOLUME APPLICATORS, AND METHODS FOR TREATING SUBMENTAL TISSUE - Systems for treating a subject's tissue can include a thermally conductive cup, a tissue-receiving cavity, and a vacuum port. The vacuum port is in fluid communication with the tissue-receiving cavity to provide a vacuum for drawing the submental tissue, or other targeted tissue, into the tissue-receiving cavity. A thermal device can cool and/or heat the conductive cup such that the conductive cup non-invasively controls the temperature of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells in the tissue. A restraint apparatus can hold a the conductive cup in thermal contact with the target region. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080295882 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES - A photovoltaic device includes a supporting layer, a semiconductor layer stack, and a conductive and light transmissive layer. The supporting layer is proximate to a bottom surface of the device. The semiconductor layer stack includes first and second semiconductor sub-layers, with the second sub-layer having a crystalline traction of at least approximately 85%. A conductive and light transmissive layer between the supporting layer and the semiconductor layer stack, where an Ohmic contact exists between the first semiconductor sub-layer and the conductive and light transmissive layer. | 12-04-2008 |
20100078064 | MONOLITHICALLY-INTEGRATED SOLAR MODULE - A solar module includes a substrate, a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells, and an upper separation gap. The solar cells are provided above the substrate. At least one of the solar cells includes a reflective electrode, a silicon layer stack and a light transmissive electrode. The reflective electrode is provided above the substrate. The silicon layer stack includes an n-doped layer provided above the reflective electrode, an intrinsic layer provided above the n-doped layer and a p-doped layer provided above the intrinsic layer. The light transmissive electrode is provided above the silicon layer stack. The upper separation gap is provided between the cells. The upper separation gap electrically separates the light transmissive electrodes in the solar cells from one another such that the light transmissive electrode of one of the solar cells is electrically connected to the reflective electrode of another one of the solar cells. | 04-01-2010 |
20100282314 | PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS AND METHODS TO ENHANCE LIGHT TRAPPING IN SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER STACKS - A photovoltaic cell includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer stack, a reflective and conductive electrode layer, and a textured template layer. The semiconductor layer stack is disposed above the substrate. The electrode layer is located between the substrate and the semiconductor layer stack. The template layer is between the substrate and the electrode layer. The template layer includes an undulating upper surface that imparts a predetermined shape to the electrode layer. The electrode layer reflects light back into the semiconductor layer stack based on the predetermined shape of the electrode layer. | 11-11-2010 |
20100313935 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES HAVING TANDEM SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER STACKS - A monolithically-integrated photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes an insulating substrate and a lower electrode above the substrate. The method also includes a lower stack of microcrystalline silicon layers above the lower electrode, an upper stack of amorphous silicon layers above the lower stack, and an upper electrode above the upper stack. The upper and lower stacks of silicon layers have different energy band gaps. The module also includes a built-in bypass diode vertically extending in the upper and lower stacks of silicon layers from the lower electrode to the upper electrode. The built-in bypass diode includes portions of the lower and upper stacks that have a greater crystalline portion than a remainder of the lower and upper stacks. | 12-16-2010 |
20120240995 | FOIL-BASED INTERCONNECT FOR REAR-CONTACT SOLAR CELLS - A rear-contact solar cell interconnect is disclosed. The rear-contact solar cell interconnect includes a first conductive foil with an opening and a second conductive foil. The first conductive foil is arranged to be electrically connected to a first polarity contact of a solar cell. The second conductive foil is arranged to be electrically connected to a second polarity contact of the solar cell through the opening of the first conductive foil. The solar cell includes a first surface arranged to receive solar irradiation and a second surface substantially opposite the first surface. The first polarity contact and the second polarity contact are provided on the second surface of the solar cell. | 09-27-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100313942 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE HAVING MULTIPLE SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER STACKS - A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic module is provided. The method includes providing an electrically insulating substrate and a lower electrode, depositing a lower stack of silicon layers above the lower electrode, and depositing an upper stack of silicon layers above the lower stack. The lower and upper stacks include N-I-P junctions. The lower stack has an energy band gap of at least 1.60 eV while the upper stack has an energy band gap of at least 1.80 eV. The method also includes providing an upper electrode above the upper stack. The lower and upper stacks convert incident light into an electric potential between the upper and lower electrodes with the lower and upper stacks converting different portions of the light into the electric potential based on wavelengths of the light. | 12-16-2010 |
20100313952 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES HAVING MULTIPLE SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER STACKS - A monolithically-integrated photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes an electrically insulating substrate, a lower stack of microcrystalline silicon layers above the substrate, a middle stack of amorphous silicon layers above the lower stack, an upper stack of amorphous silicon layers above the middle stack, and a light transmissive cover layer above the upper stack. An energy band gap of each of the lower, middle and upper stacks differs from one another such that a different spectrum of incident light is absorbed by each of the lower, middle and upper stacks. | 12-16-2010 |
20110189811 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES - A photovoltaic device includes a supporting layer, a semiconductor layer stack, and a conductive and light transmissive layer. The supporting layer is proximate to a bottom surface of the device. The semiconductor layer stack includes first and second semiconductor sub-layers, with the second sub-layer having a crystalline fraction of at least approximately 85%. A conductive and light transmissive layer between the supporting layer and the semiconductor layer stack, where an Ohmic contact exists between the first semiconductor sub-layer and the conductive and light transmissive layer. | 08-04-2011 |
20120006391 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE HAVING AN ELECTRODE DIFFUSION LAYER - A photovoltaic module that converts incident light received through a light transmissive cover sheet into a voltage is provided. The photovoltaic module includes a substrate, conductive upper and lower layers between the substrate and the cover sheet, and a semiconductor layer stack between the conductive upper and lower layers. The conductive lower layer includes an electrode diffusion layer between a lower electrode and a conductive light transmissive layer. The electrode diffusion layer restricts diffusion of the lower electrode of the conductive lower layer into the conductive light transmissive layer during deposition of the semiconductor layer stack. The incident light is converted by the semiconductor layer stack into the voltage potential between the conductive upper and lower layers. | 01-12-2012 |