Abstract: A miniature, low power electronic pressure sensor with a first, oil-filled chamber to protect its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensitive membrane and a second chamber filled with saline or body fluids connected by tube into an organ in the body, such as an eyeball, that needs pressure sensing, is described. The tube carries pressure from a sensitive area within the organ to the electronic pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may communicate wirelessly with external readers and pass data to a server or other computer. Running alongside the tube is another tube for draining and pressure relief. The tubes, or cannulas, can share an opening into the organ in order to minimize the number of holes needed. The tubes may be molded into a single oval cross section, combined coaxially, or share a lumen for a portion that enters the wall of an organ so as to promote healing.

Abstract: A polymeric substrate for treating a chondral or osteochondral defect includes a polymeric sheet having a predetermined shape and size for placement over a chondral or osteochondral defect. The polymeric sheet defines suture openings therein that allow fixation of the polymeric scaffold. Characteristically, the polymeric sheet includes biocompatible polymer. A method for treating a subject having a chondral or osteochondral defect is also provided.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for imaging an eye in a patient includes a housing with a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion including an adapter sized to be placed over the eye of the patient. A lens is mounted within the housing, and a light source is provided within the housing to illuminate the eye. The rear portion of the housing is arranged to be mounted on a mobile device such that the lens is aligned with a camera associated with the mobile device for obtaining an image of the eye.

Abstract: A miniature, low power electronic pressure sensor with a first, oil-filled chamber to protect its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensitive membrane and a second chamber filled with saline or body fluids connected by tube into an organ in the body, such as an eyeball, that needs pressure sensing, is described. The tube carries pressure from a sensitive area within the organ to the electronic pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may communicate wirelessly with external readers and pass data to a server or other computer. Running alongside the tube is another tube for draining and pressure relief. The tubes, or cannulas, can share an opening into the organ in order to minimize the number of holes needed. The tubes may be molded into a single oval cross section, combined coaxially, or share a lumen for a portion that enters the wall of an organ so as to promote healing.

Abstract: An implanted parylene tube shunt relieves intra-ocular pressure. The device is implanted with an open end in the anterior chamber of the eye, allowing excess fluid to be drained through the tube out of the eye. In one embodiment, only a first end of the tube implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye is open. Intra-ocular pressure (IOP) is then monitored, for example utilizing an implanted sensor. When IOP exceeds a critical valve, a practitioner intervenes, puncturing with a laser a thinned region of the tube lying outside the eye, thereby initiating drainage of fluid and relieving pressure. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the both ends of the tube are open, and the tube includes a one-way valve configured to permit drainage where IOP exceeds the critical value. The tube may include projecting barbs to anchor the tube in the eye without the need for sutures.

Abstract: An implanted parylene tube shunt relieves intra-ocular pressure. The device is implanted with an open end in the anterior chamber of the eye, allowing excess fluid to be drained through the tube out of the eye. In one embodiment, only a first end of the tube implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye is open. Intra-ocular pressure (IOP) is then monitored, for example utilizing an implanted sensor. When IOP exceeds a critical valve, a practitioner intervenes, puncturing with a laser a thinned region of the tube lying outside the eye, thereby initiating drainage of fluid and relieving pressure. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the both ends of the tube are open, and the tube includes a one-way valve configured to permit drainage where IOP exceeds the critical value. The tube may include projecting barbs to anchor the tube in the eye without the need for sutures.

Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A foldable polymer-based coil structure and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The coil structure has metal wirings and interconnections between the wirings. The wirings and connections are embedded by a polymer. The coil structure is foldable in two or more layers. In the folded condition, coils of one layer overlap the coils of another layer. A stackable structure and jigs for aligning the foldable and stackable structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Micro check valves having a free-floating member for controlling flow of fluid in microfluidic and biomedical applications and methods of fabrication. A micro check valve includes a valve seat, a valve cap that contacts the valve seat and an untethered floating member that can move between the valve seat and the valve cap. Certain micro check valves have zero cracking pressure and no reverse leakage. Certain other valves may be configured to permit flow of fluid within a pressure range. The floating member can be solid or define an orifice, and the valve seat can have one or two levels. Valves can be configured to allow fluid to flow when the floating member is pushed by fluid against the valve cap or against the valve seat. The valve seat may be silicon or another material that is compatible with micromachining processes, and the valve cap and the floating member may be a polymer such as Parylene.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the design and fabrication of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) for applications in such varied fields as the biomedical, micro-fluidics and chemical analysis fields for wireless data and power transfer.

Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Intraocular retinal prosthesis devices and methods for fabricating the same. A prosthesis device includes a cable region that connects an electrode array region with a power and data management region. The electrode array region includes one or more arrays of exposed electrodes, and the power and data management region includes various power and control elements. The power and data management elements, in one aspect, include an RF coil or coils and circuit arrangements and/or chips configured to provide drive signals to the electrodes via a cable and receive power and signals from the RF coil or coils. Each region includes elements fabricated on or in a single polymer layer during the same fabrication process.

Abstract: A method (and resulting structure) for fabricating a sensing device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a surface region and forming an insulating material overlying the surface region. The method also includes forming a film of carbon based material overlying the insulating material and treating to the film of carbon based material to pyrolyzed the carbon based material to cause formation of a film of substantially carbon based material having a resistivity ranging within a predetermined range. The method also provides at least a portion of the pyrolyzed carbon based material in a sensor application and uses the portion of the pyrolyzed carbon based material in the sensing application. In a specific embodiment, the sensing application is selected from chemical, humidity, piezoelectric, radiation, mechanical strain or temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and fabrication of micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) for applications in such varied fields as the biomedical, micro-fluidics and chemical analysis fields.

Abstract: Micro check valves having a free-floating member for controlling flow of fluid in microfluidic and biomedical applications and methods of fabrication. A micro check valve includes a valve seat, a valve cap that contacts the valve seat and an untethered floating member that can move between the valve seat and the valve cap. Certain micro check valves have zero cracking pressure and no reverse leakage. Certain other valves may be configured to permit flow of fluid within a pressure range. The floating member can be solid or define an orifice, and the valve seat can have one or two levels. Valves can be configured to allow fluid to flow when the floating member is pushed by fluid against the valve cap or against the valve seat. The valve seat may be silicon or another material that is compatible with micromachining processes, and the valve cap and the floating member may be a polymer such as Parylene.

Abstract: Micro check valves having a free-floating member for controlling flow of fluid in microfluidic and biomedical applications and methods of fabrication. A micro check valve includes a valve seat, a valve cap that contacts the valve seat and an untethered floating member that can move between the valve seat and the valve cap. Certain micro check valves have zero cracking pressure and no reverse leakage. Certain other valves may be configured to permit flow of fluid within a pressure range. The floating member can be solid or define an orifice, and the valve seat can have one or two levels. Valves can be configured to allow fluid to flow when the floating member is pushed by fluid against the valve cap or against the valve seat. The valve seat may be silicon or another material that is compatible with micromachining processes, and the valve cap and the floating member may be a polymer such as Parylene.

Abstract: A foldable polymer-based coil structure and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The coil structure has metal wirings and interconnections between the wirings. The wirings and connections are embedded by a polymer. The coil structure is foldable in two or more layers. In the folded condition, coils of one layer overlap the coils of another layer. A stackable structure and jigs for aligning the foldable and stackable structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method (and resulting structure) for fabricating a sensing device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a surface region and forming an insulating material overlying the surface region. The method also includes forming a film of carbon based material overlying the insulating material and treating to the film of carbon based material to pyrolyzed the carbon based material to cause formation of a film of substantially carbon based material having a resistivity ranging within a predetermined range. The method also provides at least a portion of the pyrolyzed carbon based material in a sensor application and uses the portion of the pyrolyzed carbon based material in the sensing application. In a specific embodiment, the sensing application is selected from chemical, humidity, piezoelectric, radiation, mechanical strain or temperature.