Abstract:
Devices and methods for depositing fluids on substrates in patterns of spots, lines, or other features use a nozzle, which is preferably configured similarly to a micropipette, having a piezoelectric crystal or other ultrasonic actuator coupled to one of its sides. The nozzle may be charged via capillary action by dipping it into a well containing the fluid to be deposited, and may then be positioned over a desired area of a substrate, at which point activation of the ultrasonic actuator at ultrasonic frequencies will eject the fluid onto the substrate. The needle may subsequently be dipped into a well of rinsing fluid for cleaning. Spots or lines on the order of 5 micrometers width may be generated, making the invention particularly suitable for use in biological applications such as microarray production and in microelectronics applications such as the printing of organic circuitry.
Abstract:
A suspended semiconductor film is anchored to a substrate at at least two opposed anchor positions, and film segments are deposited on the semiconductor film adjacent to one or more of the anchor positions to apply either tensile or compressive stress to the semiconductor film between the film segments. A crystalline silicon film may be anchored to the substrate and have tensile stress applied thereto to reduce the lattice mismatch between the silicon and a silicon-germanium layer deposited onto the silicon film. By controlling the level of stress in the silicon film, the size, density and distribution of quantum dots formed in a high germanium content silicon-germanium film deposited on the silicon film can be controlled.
Abstract:
An ultrasonically driven pump, which may be used for sampling body fluids or atomizing liquids, has a stationary outer needle and an inner needle mounted within the bore of the outer needle. The distal end of the inner needle is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer needle. The inner needle is ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic actuator without vibrating the outer needle, with resulting draw of liquid through the distal end of the outer needle into the bore of the inner needle for discharge through the proximal end of the inner needle. The outer needle can be formed to have a penetrating tip suited for penetrating the skin of a subject to allow sampling of body fluids including interstitial fluids. The pump can also be used for atomizing liquid, by drawing liquid from a supply that is pumped from the distal end to an open proximal end of the inner needle where the liquid is discharged by automization into the atmosphere.
Abstract:
Micromechanical parts are freed from a surface of a substrate to which the parts are stiction bonded by applying a pulse stress wave to the substrate that propagates through the substrate and is reflected at the surface to which the micropart is stiction bonded, breaking the bond between the micropart and the substrate surface by a spalling action at the surface. A piezoelectric transducer may be secured to the bottom surface of the substrate such that a voltage pulse supplied to the piezoelectric transducer deforms the piezoelectric element and the substrate to which it is secured to provide a pulse stress wave that propagates through the substrate to the top surface. For microparts that are in contact with but not stiction bonded to the substrate top surface, a pulse stress wave can be applied to the substrate to drive the microparts away from the surface by the rapid displacement of that surface as the pulse stress wave is reflected at the surface. Microparts that are attached to the surface in a way to permit rotation or a translation of movement may be activated by applying a pulse stress wave to the substrate to drive such parts away from contact with the surface into their erected positions.
Abstract:
Un instrumento quirúrgico (12) que comprende: un mango (18) una porción (20) de cuerpo alargada que se extiende distalmente desde el mango, estando dimensionado y configurado el cuerpo alargado para pasar a través de una cánula u orificio de cuerpo; y un efector extremo (22) soportado en el extremo distal de la porción de cuerpo alargada; el efector extremo incluye un miembro ultrasónico (160) que tiene un transductor ultrasónico (106) y un miembro resonante (104), el miembro resonante está conectado de modo operativo al transductor e incluye una superficie (126) de funcionamiento configurada para efectuar la disección de tejidos, cortar, coagular, ligar y/o hemostasis, y además incluye un sensor colocado en el miembro ultrasónico para monitorizar una condición del tejido que va a ser operado, en el que la condición es la impedancia ultrasónica, la impedancia eléctrica y la temperatura.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assemb ly (218), a body (220) extending distally form the handle assembly and an end effector (222) configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector (222) includes an ultrasonic member (226). A transducer (32, 132) is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member (226) and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation o f Th. power source, the transducer (32, 132) effects vibration of the ultrason ic member (226). In one preferred embodiment, the end effector (222) is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.
Abstract:
An ultrasonically driven pump, which may be used for sampling body fluids or atomizing liquids, has a stationary outer needle and an inner needle mounted within the bore of the outer needle. The distal end of the inner needle is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer needle. The inner needle is ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic actuator without vibrating the outer needle, with resulting draw of liquid through the distal end of the outer needle into the bore of the inner needle for discharge through the proximal end of the inner needle. The outer needle can be formed to have a penetrating tip suited for penetrating the skin of a subject to allow sampling of body fluids including interstitial fluids. The pump can also be used for atomizing liquid, by drawing liquid from a supply that is pumped from the distal end to an open proximal end of the inner needle where the liquid is discharged by atomization into the atmosphere.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assemb ly (218), a body (220) extending distally form the handle assembly and an end effector (222) configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector (222) includes an ultrasonic member (226). A transducer (32, 132) is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member (226) and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation o f Th. power source, the transducer (32, 132) effects vibration of the ultrason ic member (226). In one preferred embodiment, the end effector (222) is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.
Abstract:
Micromechanical parts are freed from a surface of a substrate to which the parts are stiction bonded by applying a pulse stress wave to the substrate that propagates through the substrate and is reflected at the surface to which the micropart is stiction bonded, breaking the bond between the micropart and the substrate surface by a spalling action at the surface. A piezoelectric transducer may be secured to the bottom surface of the substrate such that a voltage pulse supplied to the piezoelectric transducer deforms the piezoelectric element and the substrate to which it is secured to provide a pulse stress wave that propagates through the substrate to the top surface. For microparts that are in contact with but not stiction bonded to the substrate top surface, a pulse stress wave can be applied to the substrate to drive the microparts away from the surface by the rapid displacement of that surface as the pulse stress wave is reflected at the surface. Microparts that are attached to the surface in a way to permit rotation or a translation of movement may be activated by applying a pulse stress wave to the substrate to drive such parts away from contact with the surface into their erected positions.