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 method for manufacturing integrated objects, e.g., electronic devices, biological devices. The method includes providing a holder substrate, which has at least one recessed region, the recessed region having a predetermined shape. The holder substrate has a selected thickness and is characterized as being substantially rigid in shape. The method includes aligning a chip comprising a face and a backside into the predetermined shape of the recessed region and disposing the chip into the recessed region. The chip is secured into the recessed region. The method includes providing a first film of insulating material having a first thickness overlying the face and portions of the holder substrate to attach the chip to a portion of the first film of insulating material and patterning the first film of insulating material to form at least one opening through a portion of the first thickness to a contact region on the face of the chip.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a parylene-based electrode array that includes an underlying parylene layer, one or more patterned electrode layers comprising a conductive material such as a metal, and one or more overlying parylene layers. The overlying parylene is etched away or otherwise processed to expose the electrodes where stimulation or recording is to occur. All other conductive material in the device is occluded from the environment by the two layers of parylene surrounding it.

Abstract: A biocompatible, mechanical, micromachined pressure sensor and methods of manufacturing such a pressure sensor are provided. The pressure sensor of the current invention includes a high-aspect-ratio curved-tube structure fabricated through a one-layer parylene process. The pressure sensor of the current invention requires zero power consumption and indicates the pressure variation by changes of the in situ in-plane motion of the sensor, which can be gauged externally by a direct and convenient optical observation. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor of the current invention has been shown to work as an IOP sensor for eye implantation where the intraocular in-plane motion of the sensor can be recorded from outside of the eye, such that the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients can be constantly monitored.

Abstract: A microgyroscope having a suspended vertical post uses the Coriolis force to detect the rotation rate. The microgyroscope consists of a single vertical post which is the rotation rate sensing element. The vertical post is formed from the same silicon wafers as the rest of the microgyroscope. A first portion of the vertical post and the clover-leaf structure are made from a first silicon wafer. A second portion of the vertical post and the baseplate are made from a second silicon wafer. The two portions are then bonded together to from the clover-leaf gyroscope with an integrated post structure.

Abstract: Suspended single crystal silicon (SCS) beams coated with metal form transmission lines that are used in MEMs type microactuated phase shifters and switches. The characteristic impedance of any section of the transmission lines is a function of the beam spacing in that section. Microactuators, such as comb-drive actuators, are connected to the beams to vary this spacing in a controllable manner. A continuos phase shifter is formed that consists of two tunable capacitance sections connected by a matching section that reduces reflections and improves compliance of the beams to reduce the energy required to move the beams.

Abstract: A microgyroscope having a suspended vertical post uses the Coriolis force to detect the rotation rate. The microgyroscope consists of a single vertical post which is the rotation rate sensing element. The vertical post is formed from the same silicon wafers as the rest of the microgyroscope. A first portion of the vertical post and the clover-leaf structure are made from a first silicon wafer. A second portion of the vertical post and the baseplate are made from a second silicon wafer. The two portions are then bonded together to from the clover-leaf gyroscope with an integrated post structure.

Abstract: A microgyroscope having a suspended vertical post uses the Coriolis force to detect the rotation rate. The microgyroscope consists of a single vertical post which is the rotation rate sensing element. The vertical post is formed from the same silicon wafers as the rest of the microgyroscope. A first portion of the vertical post and the clover-leaf structure are made from a first silicon wafer. A second portion of the vertical post and the baseplate are made from a second silicon wafer. The two portions are then bonded together to from the clover-leaf gyroscope with an integrated post structure.

Abstract: Suspended single crystal silicon (SCS) beams coated with metal form transmission lines that are used in MEMs type microactuated phase shifters and switches. The characteristic impedance of any section of the transmission lines is a function of the beam spacing in that section. Microactuators, such as comb-drive actuators, are connected to the beams to vary this spacing in a controllable manner. A continuos phase shifter is formed that consists of two tunable capacitance sections connected by a matching section that reduces reflections and improves compliance of the beams to reduce the energy required to move the beams.