Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.

Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices on a moveable fiber includes the steps of moving the fiber longitudinally along a predetermined pathway, applying a semiconductor material to at least a portion of the surface of the fiber at a first station along the pathway, applying a resist over the semiconductor material at a second station spaced from the first station in a direction of movement of the fiber, pre-baking the resist at a third station spaced from the second station, exposing a predetermined semiconductor device pattern in the resist at a fourth station spaced from the third station, developing the exposed resist at a fifth station along the pathway, etching or depositing the predetermined pattern on the material over which the exposed resist was located at a sixth station along the pathway, and removing the remaining resist from the semiconductor material at a seventh station along the pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the nonplanar treatment of a volumetric workpiece or substrate utilizing exposure beam lithography are disclosed. The method includes supplying one or more layers of one or more semiconductor materials to surfaces of the substrate, applying a resist over the semiconductor layers, setting the resist, and then directing an exposure beam, such as an electron beam, toward the substrate. The substrate is then moved in at least two degrees freedom of movement, relative to the beam, with one degree of freedom of movement being the rotating of the substrate about an axis generally perpendicular to the beam. The other degree of freedom of movement could be moving the substrate linearly in a direction generally parallel to the axis. By such movement, the resist is exposed to the beam in a predetermined pattern. The exposed resist is then developed and a layer or layers under the exposed resist are etched. The remaining resist is then removed yielding the desired semiconductor device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a plurality of compartments each of which includes an opening on one side thereof and a floor generally opposite the opening. Also included are a plurality of flexible drug containment sacks, each having a mouth circumscribing an opening in the sack, with the sack being disposed in a respective compartment with the mouth affixed to the opening of that compartment to seal the inside of the sack from the inside of the compartment and to enable holding a drug formulation in the sack. A plurality of covers are disposed over a respective compartment opening for preventing the release of drug formulation contained in the sacks in the compartment covered, until ruptured or removed.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed for administering substantially sterile dialysate to the peritoneal cavity of a patient. The system includes a dialyzer for passing a primary solution and a secondary solution therethrough to enabale removal of waste products from the primary solution to the secondary solution, and a primary circuit for selectively circulating a primary solution through the dialyzer. Connecting conduits or tubing is provided for selectively carrying primary solution from the primary circuit to the peritoneal cavity of the patient and for selectively withdrawing at least some of the solution from the peritoneal cavity back into the primary circuit. A pump is disposed in the primary circuit for causing primary solution to circulate in the primary circuit independently of transfer of primary solution between the primary circuit and the peritoneal cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction oppposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.

Abstract: Apparatus for non-planar treatment of a workpiece utilizing exposure beam lithography includes a vacuum chamber, an exposure beam generator such as an electron beam generator disposed in the chamber for directing a beam towards a work location, a chuck disposed in the chamber for holding and positioning the workpiece at the work location, a rotary motorized stage disposed in the chamber and responsive to first control signals for selectively rotating the chuck, and thus the workpiece, to thereby expose different areas of the workpiece to the beam, and a linear motorized stage disposed in the chamber on which the rotary stage is mounted, said linear motor being responsive to second control signals for selectively moving the rotary stage and thus the chuck and workpiece in a linear direction which is generally parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary stage. The workpiece is thus exposed over additional areas by operation of the linear stage.

Abstract: A teleoperation system includes a master station having a manually operable master link coupled to a master actuator which provides force resistance to operation and movement of the master link, and a slave station having a slave link moveable by a slave actuator in response to command signals.

Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises an elongate flexible valve element having a fixed end and a free, movable end, and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the valve element adjacent its fixed end. An armature is secured to the valve element so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the free end of the valve element, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid, and a bore for delivering fluid.

Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction opposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.

Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises an elongate flexible valve element having a fixed end and a free, moveable end, and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the valve element adjacent its fixed end. An armature is secured to the valve element so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the free end of the valve element, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid, and a bore for delivering fluid.

Abstract: A servovalve apparatus for use in fluid systems which comprises a flexible fluid conduit and a conductive coil which surrounds at least a portion of the conduit adjacent its upstream end. An armature is secured to the flexible conduit so as to be adjacent the conductive coil. Two permanent magnets, preferably formed of a rare earth metal material, are provided adjacent the armature on opposite sides thereof, the magnets being positioned such that one magnet presents a north magnetic pole facing the armature and the other magnet presents a south magnetic pole facing the armature. A receiving plate is provided adjacent the downstream end of the flexible conduit, the receiving plate having one or more channels formed therein for receiving fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring strain in an object on which the transducer is placed includes a flexible, generally planar frame member for placement on the object. The frame member, in turn, includes a pair of generally parallel beams, one of which is moveable with respect to the other when the object is subjected to strain, and a plurality of spaced-apart laterally flexible connecting beams extending between the pair of beams. The transducer also includes a force field emitter disposed on the one moveable beam for producing a force field which diminishes in strength with distance from the force field emitter. A spacer plate is disposed on the other of said parallel beams and a substrate is disposed on the spacer plate so as to be be positioned above, but spaced from the frame member.

Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction opposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.

Abstract: An eccentric motion motor includes a hollow cylindrical stator in which is positioned a cylindrical armature in rolling engagement with the stator. Elongate conductive strips are disposed in the inside wall of the hollow of the stator to extend substantially the length thereof, with the strips being circumferentially spaced about the stator hollow. The conductive strips are coupled to a commutator voltage source which applies a voltage to successive ones of the conductive strips to produce an electrostatic force which attracts the armature and causes it to roll in the hollow of the stator. The armature may be made either of a conductive material or a dielectric material.

Abstract: A rotary variable differential transformer produces a substantially linear output over about 180 degrees of rotation of a rotor core. The transformer includes a base housing having a central bore, and a rotor having a shaft whose angular displacement is to be determined and a generally planar, circular rotor core mounted off-center at one end of the shaft and in a plane normal thereto. The rotor core is rotatably disposed within the opening of the base housing. Also included is a primary coil disposed in the opening of the base housing to circumscribe the shaft at a location rearwardly of the rotor core. First and second windings, with cores, are carried by the base housing and positioned about the base housing opening so that the axes of the coils are oriented radially of the opening and generally in a common plane with the rotor core. The first and second windings are connected together in series opposition.