Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for measuring vibration of an implanted elongate vibrating body coupled to a bone of the middle ear. One system includes an elongate vibratory body having a first and second piezoelectric body separated by a central vane. The piezoelectric bodies and central vane can be individually electrically coupleable to an implantable electronic device. The electronic device can have a switch, driving circuitry and sensing circuitry within. In normal use, the driving circuitry is coupled through the switch to drive both piezoelectric bodies causing the vibratory body to vibrate. In diagnostic use, one piezoelectric body is driven while the other piezoelectric body is sensed to detect changes in vibration indicative of decoupling or undesirable impedance of the vibratory body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring vibration of an implanted driven vibrating elongate body coupled to a bone of the middle ear, for example using an accelerometer coupled to the vibrating body. The measured vibration can be taken during implantation and long again after implantation to check for possible decoupling, disease, or additionally impeded vibratory driving of the middle ear bone. An accelerometer signal can be converted to a displacement value and used to check for an under impeded or over impeded vibratory body. An implanted device can be used to periodically check the vibration of the vibratory body. Methods and devices can be used in conjunction with implanted devices which receive vibratory signals from a middle ear bone and use the signals to drive a disarticulated middle ear bone closer to the ear drum.

Abstract: A fully implantable apparatus for improving the hearing of a hearing-impaired subject is shown, said apparatus comprising a means for sensing vibrations impinging upon the tympanic membrane or an object in operative contact with the tympanic membrane, a means for converting said vibrations to an electrical signal, and a means for transmitting the electrical signal to the inner ear.

Abstract: Wafer-scale integration in gallium phosphide (GaP) is used to overcome the assembly difficulties of current optical heads, resulting in significantly improvements in optical performance as well as reduced cost.

Abstract: A detector layer for an optics module includes at least one diode having at least one sloped sidewall. At least one isolation region may be formed adjacent to the at least one sloped sidewall to isolate the at least one diode. Conducting material is disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the diode. An insulating material is disposed on at least a portion of the diode and extends to the conducting material. A metal is disposed on at least a portion of the insulating material and at least a portion of the conducting material such that the metal is coupled to the conducting material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a magnetic head suspension assembly (10) comprised of a rectangular portion (12), load beam (14) and flexure (16) fabricated from a silicon structure using the etching techniques of the integrated circuit fabrication industry. The magnetic head suspension assembly (10) has electrical leads (23) to a slider, a pre-amp circuit (25) and a microactuator (27) fabricated directly thereon. A system of providing a loading force passing to slider (50) comprises either a tapered base plate (40) adapted to be held by a horizontally oriented actuator arm or an actuator arm (60) having at least one angled receiving surface (62,64) for attachment to said suspension assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a magnetic head suspension assembly (10) comprised of a rectangular portion (12), load beam (14) and flexure (16) fabricated from a silicon structure using the etching techniques of the integrated circuit fabrication industry. Said magnetic head suspension assembly (10) having electrical leads (23) to a slider, a pre-amp circuit (25) and a microactuator (27) fabricated directly thereon. A system of providing a loading force passing to slider (50) comprising either a tapered base plate (40) adapted to be held by a horizontally oriented actuator arm or an actuator arm (60) having at least one angled receiving surface (62,64) for attachment to said suspension assembly.