Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump comprising a pump tank having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A float, carried within the interior of the pump tank, is operable to move between a low level position and a high level position. A snap-acting valve control mechanism uses magnetic interaction to switch between exhaust porting and motive porting. Fluid exiting the pump tank causes the float to fall from the high level position to the low level position due to introduction of motive gas during motive porting. Exhaust porting begins when the float falls to the low level position.

Abstract: A system for sensing movement comprising an elongate object having a restrained end and an unrestrained end which is free to move in at least two degrees of freedom in response to an applied force, the unrestrained end of the elongated object being configured to move in response to the applied force. An electrically conductive element is disposed on the elongate object and is configured to cooperate with the elongate object in producing a signal usable to determine the magnitude and direction of the movement of the unanchored end due to the applied force. Sensing circuitry is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive element and is configured for processing the signal from the electrically conductive element so as to determine a magnitude and a direction of deformation and produce a signal indicative of the magnitude and direction.

Abstract: A resonant electrical generation system includes a resonator, an energy source, and an electrical generator. The resonator provides resonating movement in a resonating element. The resonator can include a mass and spring element. The energy source is operatively coupled to the resonator to maintain resonating movement of the resonating element. The energy source can be a pulsatile linear combustor. The electrical generator is operatively coupled to and driven by the resonator to generate electrical power from the resonating movement.

Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump for pumping a gas from an inlet to an outlet includes a high-speed spinning disk disposed within a housing. Gas flows through passageways in the housing adjacent the disk, where it comes into contact with surfaces of the spinning disk. Conformable wipers direct the gas to successive stages adjacent the disk. The pump can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets in the disk and cooperating coils in the housing. The pump can include various features, such as ridges on the wipers, seal rings, and regenerative pumping pockets, to reduce leakage and prevent backflow. The housing can have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series. Successive modules may be independently or commonly powered, and may counter-rotate.

Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump comprising a pump tank having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A float, carried within the interior of the pump tank, is operable to move between a low level position and a high level position. A snap-acting valve is operatively connected to the float. The snap acting valve has a rotatable port member that moves so as to switch to exhaust porting when the float falls to the low level position. The port member further switches to motive porting when the float rises to the high level position. As a result, fluid filling the pump tank causes the float to rise from the low level position to the high level position during exhaust porting. Fluid exiting the pump tank causes the float to fall from the high level position to the low level position due to introduction of motive gas during motive porting.

Abstract: A portable electronic device configured for single hand use. The portable electronic device includes a housing, a micro-processor, a display and a keypad. The housing includes an operating surface and an upright hand-held operating position. The micro-processor is disposed within the housing and is coupled to the display and the keypad. The display is positioned on the operating surface and the keypad is positioned on the operating surface above the display with the housing in the upright hand-held operating position.

Abstract: A system configured for forming precision cuts in an elongate object comprising a base member and a movable member carried by the base member and movable toward and away from the elongate member, and a cutting blade carried by the movable member; and a clamping device coupled to the base member, and configured to engage the elongate object while the cutting blade makes an incision therein; and a contact detection system configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a housing, a communications processor, a speaker and transducer, a viewable display, and a data entry keypad. A communications processor is able to receive and transmit a communication signal, and may be further coupled to an antenna. The speaker and transducer work together to provide communications for the user through the communication device where the transducer receives an audio input for transmission. The viewable display communicates information processed by the communications processor. The data entry keypad is positioned in a location above the video display on the housing and is coupled to the communications transceiver to allow single hand use and manipulation of the data entry keypad such that operation of the keypad does not obstruct the view of the display during operation.

Abstract: A drug administration system configured to administer a drug to a user's ear includes a housing, sized and shaped to substantially fit behind the user's ear, and configured to pump the drug in controlled amounts to the user's middle ear. A drug reservoir is disposed in the housing and includes a drug configured to treat an inner ear condition. A catheter is operatively coupled to the drug reservoir and is sized and shaped to extend from the drug administration unit into the user's middle ear.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include a lens, an SSID including an imaging array optically coupled to the lens; an umbilical including a conductive line; and an adaptor configured to support the lens and provide electrical communication between the SSID and conductive line. Alternatively, the adaptor can be a rigid adaptor configured to provide electrical communication between the SSID and the conductive line through a conductive path. The conductive path can be configured along multiple contiguous surfaces of the adaptor such that the SSID is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a first surface, and the conductive line is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a second surface.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward miniaturized imaging devices. In one embodiment, the device can include a utility guide having at least one aperture configured for supporting utilities, and an SSID carried by the utility guide. The SSID can include an imaging array on a top surface, and a conductive element on a side surface, wherein the imaging array is electrically coupled to the conductive element. Further, a lens can be optically coupled to the imaging array, and an umbilical, including a conductive line, can be carried by the at least one aperture. The conductive line can be electrically coupled to the conductive element on the side surface of the SSID. Alternatively, the device can include an SSID having, as an integral structure, an imaging array electrically coupled to a conductive pad, wherein the SSID further includes at least one utility aperture passing therethrough.

Abstract: A shaving device with one or more shaving blades. Sensors are attached to (or near) the blades which produce a shaving signal. A processor or intelligent analysis unit then receives the shaving signal and determines what shaving changes should be made. An audible indicator is coupled to the processor to inform the user of the shaving changes needed. The audible indicator is a speech playback unit, or it produces an audible sound or tone. In the alternative, a visual indicator can be used, such as a liquid crystal (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display, which informs the user of the shaving changes needed.

Abstract: A guidewire system configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising a core wire having proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile, and a micromachined tube coupled to the core wire, and a joint where the micromachined tube is joined to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transferred by the core wire and the micromachined tubing are substantially the same.

Abstract: A method and device for controllably combusting combustible material, including a combustion device comprising an elongate combustion tube having an inlet section including an inlet for combustible material, an ignition section, including an igniter displaced along a length of the tube from the inlet section to ignite the combustible material, and at least one energy extraction device operatively coupled to the combustion tube and configured to extract energy from combustion of the combustible mixture.

Abstract: A micro-lithographic apparatus and method for selectively exposing/masking resist material on a non-planer workpiece or filamentary substrate includes a hollow, energy transparent tubular member with a hollow for containing the workpiece. The tubular member is selectively coated with a layer of energy-opaque material to form the desired pattern. The transparent tube and opaque coating selectively expose/mask the resist material on the workpiece. Alternatively, the apparatus and method include an energy opaque tubular member with apertures formed through the walls of the tubular member. The apertures form the desired pattern. The opaque tube with apertures selectively exposes/masks the resist material. The apparatus and method may also include an energy source and a rotating device for rotating the tubular member, with the workpiece disposed therein, to the energy source or rotating energy source around tubular member or have energy source surround tubular member.

Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.

Abstract: A micro-machining system configured for cutting an elongate object, including a clamp configured to enable repeatedly releasing and then holding the elongate object in a position suitable for cutting the elongate object transversely relative to its lengthwise axis, and a manipulating means, which can include a pinch roller feed configured to advance the elongate element and to rotate it about a lengthwise axis of the elongate object, thereby moving the elongate object so that it can be disposed in the position suitable for cutting, and a cutter configured for forming the at least one precision cut in the elongate object to a desired depth, under the control of a controller.

Abstract: An embolic device comprised of a linear sequence of flexibly interconnected miniature beads. The device generally comprises a flexible elongate filament having a linear sequence of miniature beads disposed thereon. The beads may be fixedly or slidably connected to the filament. The device is configured to allow the beads to compress together for pushing through a catheter to a target location and extended beyond a distal end of the catheter, whereupon the flexible string of beads may fold back upon itself so as to occupy a volume of space at the target location. The string of beads may be preconfigured to the exact length needed, or the distal end of the string may be cut or severed after placement at the target location. The beads may be porous or hollow to allow them to function as drug delivery devices, and the string of beads may have an anchor device at one end to aid in anchorage of the string within the anatomy.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing movement comprises a rod anchored at one end to a base and plurality of strain gauges circumferentially disposed about the rod. The free end of the rod may be subject to forces in various directions. The strain gauges produce signals whose magnitudes are an indication of the degree of strain occurring at the location of the strain gauges. The use of three or more strain gauges spaced circumferentially about the rod provide both direction and degree of bend of the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a primary piston and a secondary piston with a combustion portion of the chamber situated adjacently between the primary piston and secondary piston. The secondary piston includes a substantially lesser mass than that of the primary piston. The chamber includes at least one fluid port for supplying fuel to the combustion portion and an out-take port for releasing combustive exhaust. The chamber includes a controller for controlling the combustion therein at selected cycles of the primary piston. With this arrangement, the secondary piston is configured to draw a portion of energy from combustion controlled by the controller in the chamber. Such portion of energy is provided with a rapid response to an energy transferring portion interconnected to the secondary piston, which in turn, transfers and/or converts the energy for acting on a load or external application.