Abstract: A nozzle includes a housing having an inner chamber, a first opening connected to the inner chamber, and a second opening connected to the inner chamber, and a solid, partially conical, plug in the second opening, the solid plug configured to leave a slit around the plug connected to the inner chamber, and the plug extending beyond an end of the housing.

Abstract: A fenestration piercing the otic capsule bone of the cochlea receives a therapeutic appliance, such as a microactuator, plug, micropump for drug or therapeutic agent delivery, electrode, and the like. Several different ways of achieving a ‘water tight’ seal between the otic capsule bone and the therapeutic appliance are provided. The therapeutic appliance may be implanted with or without a sheath or sleeve lining the wall of the fenestration formed using specialized surgical burrs. The burrs permit safely fenestrating the otic capsule bone adjacent to the scala tympani of the cochlea without damaging the basilar membrane or organ of corti. This approach may also be adopted for safely fenestrating other areas of the inner ear such as the scala vestibuli, bony labyrinth of semicircular canals, or walls of the vestibule, or the oval or round windows thereof.

Abstract: A fenestration piercing the otic capsule bone of the cochlea receives a therapeutic appliance, such as a microactuator, plug, micropump for drug or therapeutic agent delivery, electrode, and the like. Several different ways of achieving a ‘water tight’ seal between the otic capsule bone and the therapeutic appliance are provided. The therapeutic appliance may be implanted with or without a sheath or sleeve lining the wall of the fenestration formed using specialized surgical burrs. The burrs permit safely fenestrating the otic capsule bone adjacent to the scala tympani of the cochlea without damaging the basilar membrane or organ of corti. This approach may also be adopted for safely fenestrating other areas of the inner ear such as the scala vestibuli, bony labyrinth of semicircular canals, or walls of the vestibule, or the oval or round windows thereof.

Abstract: A set of fenestration burrs, for fenestrating otic capsule bone (34), includes an initial burr (150) and a sequence of fenestration polishing burrs (180). A polishing burr (152, 1521), of each of the burrs (150, 180), carries at least one spiraling flute (166, 166?). Fenestrations (36) piercing the bone (34) formed using the burrs (150, 180) exhibit uniform diameters while excluding bone dust from the inner ear. An implantable casing (72) includes a hollow collar (76) from which projects a hollow sleeve (74) receivable into the fenestration (36). The casing (72) is secured there by at least one prong (92, 102) jutting from the sleeve (74). A therapeutic appliance (134) is insertable into the casing (72). A flange (116) extending from one end of the sleeve (74) carries at least one L-shaped slot (122) open at one end and extending circumferentially around the flange (116).

Abstract: A fenestration (36) piercing the otic capsule bone of the cochlea (34) receives a therapeutic appliance, such as a microactuator (78), plug (92), micropump for drug or therapeutic agent delivery, electrode (102), etc. Disclosed are several different ways of achieving a “water tight” seal between the otic capsule bone and the therapeutic appliance. Also disclosed are specific ways of implanting the therapeutic appliance both with and without a sheath (72) lining the wall of the fenestration (36) formed using specialized surgical burrs (122, 124, 162, 164).

Abstract: A set of fenestration burrs, for fenestrating otic capsule bone (34), includes an initial burr (150) and a sequence of fenestration polishing burrs (180). A polishing burr (152, 1521), of each of the burrs (150, 180), carries at least one spiraling flute (166, 166?). Fenestrations (36) piercing the bone (34) formed using the burrs (150, 180) exhibit uniform diameters while excluding bone dust from the inner ear. An implantable casing (72) includes a hollow collar (76) from which projects a hollow sleeve (74) receivable into the fenestration (36). The casing (72) is secured there by at least one prong (92, 102) jutting from the sleeve (74). A therapeutic appliance (134) is insertable into the casing (72). A flange (116) extending from one end of the sleeve (74) carries at least one L-shaped slot (122) open at one end and extending circumferentially around the flange (116).

Abstract: A percutaneous agent delivery or sampling device comprising a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing and anchoring to the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent and for improving the attachment of the device to the skin.

Abstract: A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.

Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.

Abstract: One aspect is a method for controllably attenuating the beam of light (108) coupled between incoming and outgoing optical fibers (106) by misaligning minor surfaces (116a, 116b) included of an optical switching module (100). Misalignment of the mirror surfaces (116a and 116b) causes only a portion of the beam of light (108) propagating along the incoming optical fiber (106), which is less than when the light beam deflectors' mirror surfaces (116) are precisely aligned, to propagate along the outgoing optical fiber (108). Thus, the optical switching module (100) controllably attenuates the beam of light (108) coupled between the incoming and the outgoing optical fibers (106). Another aspect is a variable-optical-attenuator (“VOA”) (212) that includes an optically reflective membrane (222) upon which the beam of light (108) impinges. Application of an electrostatic field between an adjacent electrode (228) and the membrane (222) deforms the membrane (222) thereby attenuating an impinging beam of light (108).

Abstract: An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.

Abstract: An expandable skin stretching device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface on opposite sides of an area of the skin surface having micropathways therein. When the skin stretching device is expanded the skin between the opposite ends is placed under tension, i.e., stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to about 2 megapascals. The skin stretching can be unidirectional or multi-directional. Alternative embodiments of skin stretching devices use suction or normal force to stretch the skin. Stretching the skin helps keep the micropathways open for enhanced agent (e.g., drug) delivery through the micropathways. The stretching also delays micropathway closure.

Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.

Abstract: A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) arranged in a V-shape which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.

Abstract: One aspect is a method for controllably attenuating the beam of light (108) coupled between incoming and outgoing optical fibers (106) by misaligning minor surfaces (116a, 116b) included of an optical switching module (100). Misalignment of the mirror surfaces (116a and 116b) causes only a portion of the beam of light (108) propagating along the incoming optical fiber (106), which is less than when the light beam deflectors' mirror surfaces (116) are precisely aligned, to propagate along the outgoing optical fiber (108). Thus, the optical switching module (100) controllably attenuates the beam of light (108) coupled between the incoming and the outgoing optical fibers (106). Another aspect is a variable-optical-attenuator (“VOA”) (212) that includes an optically reflective membrane (222) upon which the beam of light (108) impinges.

Abstract: A scanner, through which a document moves while being scanned by a moving beam of light, includes a wheel that rotates responsive to document movement. The wheel includes a multi-sectioned optical encoder upon which the scanning beam of light impinges when in a position at which it does not impinge upon the document. The scanner also includes an optical detector which receives light that is not absorbed by the optical encoder sections. Thus, the optical detector generates an electrical signal that indicates document movement speed. A preferred embodiment the scanner includes a pair of cup-shaped wheels one of which carries the optical encoder that encircles an inner surface of the wheel adjacent to a lip thereof. An axle, also included in the preferred embodiment, spans between, is coupled to, and supports the wheels for rotation in unison about a longitudinal axis parallel to the axle.

Abstract: Methods for filling transducers of a fully implantable hearing aid system with liquids having either a high or a low vapor pressure are described. Methods are also described for avoiding damage to transducers during their testing and shipment.