Abstract: A microminiature electro-magnetic coil sensor pull ring with a pull wire attached thereto is used in changing the angle of a distal end of a medical catheter. The tubular pull ring has a connection recess with a flat bottom machined into the full wall thickness and located proximal to a coil wrap area. Circuit wires are electrically connected to the two lead ends of the coil within the connection recess, such that neither the circuit wires nor the lead ends stand proud of the full wall thickness. The coil wrap area is also recessed, and can have side walls defining an offset angle for the turns of the coil. In another aspect, a coil is wound around one of the pull wires for the pull ring.

Abstract: An interconnect ring is used in attaching the leadwires to the coil wire ends of a microminiature sensor. The interconnect ring is affixed directly to an outside surface of either the core or the coil wire of the microminiature sensor. At least the two flexible ends of the coil wire are electrically joined to metal pads on the interconnect ring. Thereafter, the microminiature sensor can be handled with minimal risk of breakage, shorting or dislodging of the ends of the coil wire. Two other metal pads on the interconnect ring are left open for subsequent attachment of leadwires which can run the length of the catheter device in which the microminiature sensor is used.

Abstract: An interconnect ring is used in attaching the leadwires to the coil wire ends of a microminiature sensor. The interconnect ring is affixed directly to an outside surface of either the core or the coil wire of the microminiature sensor. At least the two flexible ends of the coil wire are electrically joined to metal pads on the interconnect ring. Thereafter, the microminiature sensor can be handled with minimal risk of breakage, shorting or dislodging of the ends of the coil wire. Two other metal pads on the interconnect ring are left open for subsequent attachment of leadwires which can run the length of the catheter device in which the microminiature sensor is used.

Abstract: An earset microphone includes an earpiece having a wedge portion wherein the wedge portion is positioned between a back side of the ear and a scalp to secure the earpiece in a selected position. A mounting bracket is positioned within the wedge portion. A boom is secured to the mounting bracket and extends from the earpiece such that the boom positions from below an ear lobe towards a mouth of the speaker. A microphone is positioned at the distal end of the boom proximate the speaker's mouth such that the microphone converts the speaker's voice into an electronic signal. An end of a cable is secured to the mounting bracket such that the cable remains secured to the mounting bracket during use and wherein the cable transfers the signal from the microphone to an external component.

Abstract: An in-ear auditory device and methods of using same. The in-ear auditory device has a receiver sized to fit within an ear canal of a user, a transducer and an isolator disposed to substantially acoustically isolate the transducer from the receiver. The in-ear auditory device may include a bone vibration sensor acoustically or mechanically coupled to the transducer to detect the user's speech. The in-ear auditory device can further include a physiologic sensor to sense physiologic signals of the user. In use, the in-ear auditory device is coupled to an auxiliary device having circuitry to process signals to and from the in-ear auditory device. The auxiliary device may include wireless communication circuitry to communicate signals to and from remote communication or monitoring devices.

Abstract: A microphone construction for use in a hearing aid wherein a faceplate separates a switching mechanism from a microphone having first and second acoustic ports. The first and second acoustic ports are placed into acoustic relationships with first and second acoustic opening within the faceplate by first and second acoustic passages, respectively. The switching mechanism is positionable between a first position wherein the first and second acoustic ports are in an acoustically receptive state and a second position wherein either the first or second acoustic port is in an acoustically receptive state and the other acoustic port is in an acoustically unreceptive state.

Abstract: An acoustic microphone configuration includes first and second acoustic microphones, each microphone having a port, the ports being spaced apart from each other a selected distance and being disposed along substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A microphone construction for use in a hearing aid includes a housing with first and second acoustic passages in communication with a microphone retaining chamber and acoustic openings in an exterior surface. A microphone, disposed within the microphone retaining chamber, has a first acoustic port in an acoustic relationship with the first acoustic passage and a second acoustic port in an acoustic relationship with the second acoustic passage. A first and second set of electrical leads are disposed within the housing. A switching mechanism secured to the housing and is positionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first and second acoustic passages are in an acoustic receptive state and a first electric circuit is completed by connecting the first set of leads with a first connecting element disposed within the switching mechanism while breaking a second circuit.

Abstract: A wet-mateable fiber optic connector includes mateable and demateable plug and receptacle parts having opposite end housings. The housings mount inner sleeves which interfit with one another when the connector parts are assembled together. Guide and latch fingers attached to the receptacle part facilitate interfitting of the sleeves together and latching and retaining the connector parts in mated condition. A pair of elongated wand structures mounted at outer ends to the end housings receive and hold end portions of respective optical fibers. The wand structures are mounted at inner ends to centering and sealing members in the respective inner sleeves. When the parts are mated together, one of the centering and sealing members mounts in axially aligned and a butting relation respective inner ends of the wand structures and positions in axially aligned and optically coupled relation the respective ends of the optical fiber end portions extending through the wand structures.

Abstract: A microwave browning ware (10) comprises a body (11) formed of a member transparent to microwave energy having a base (16) and a sidewall (18), the sidewall carrying an inwardly directed shelf (22); a metallic pan (12) having an upper cooking surface (39) and a lower surface (42) and having an edge (23) adapted to be supported by the shelf and maintain a clearance (28) from the sidewall. A heating matrix (13) absorbent to microwave energy is cured to the lower surface of the metallic pan, a binder material (14) is located between the edge of the pan and the shelf capable of withstanding the heat from the metallic pan without melting or degrading, resulting from the absorption of microwave energy by the heating matrix and, a cavity (36) is formed between the metallic pan and the base which houses the heating matrix therein. A method for the manufacture of such browning ware is also provided.