Abstract: A magnetically coupled drive module for delivering an implant to an eye. An implant may be stored, advanced, and delivered to an eye using a powered drive module. The drive module may be decoupled and sterilized for reuse.

Abstract: A sensing system for determining the location and orientation of an object which comprises a magnetic tag. The sensing system comprises selection coils and interrogation coils. The selection coils are arranged to generate a spatially-varying DC magnetic field from which the location of the tag can be determined in use. At least some of the interrogation coils are arranged to generate one or more AC magnetic fields and at least some of the interrogation coils are arranged to receive harmonics, intermodulation products or time dependent variations of the AC magnetic fields, from which the orientation of the tag is determined in use.

Abstract: A liquid droplet production apparatus comprising a perforate membrane and an actuator. The actuator is configured to vibrate the perforate membrane such that a liquid in contact with the perforate membrane during use is caused to pass through at least one aperture of the perforate membrane and to be ejected as liquid droplets from the perforate membrane. The perforate membrane includes one or more stiffening structures for increasing the stiffness of the perforate membrane, the one or more stiffening structures each being defined by a local transverse deformation of the perforate membrane. A removable cartridge, a perforate membrane, an actuator assembly for use in such a liquid droplet delivery apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a perforate membrane for such a liquid droplet apparatus.

Abstract: An acoustic droplet ejection apparatus comprises an acoustic actuator and a fluid well having abase and at least one side wall. The actuator is arranged to couple acoustic energy into the fluid well through the side wall.

Abstract: Described are examples of a method and a system for locating and identifying an object in a search space. The method may be used to determine the presence, identity and relative location of a consumable item. The method uses an array of RFID antennas to interrogate the search space in which one or more objects having an attached RFID tag may be present. The RFID antennas transmit RF signals into the search space and detect RFID reply signals from RFID tags. RFID antennas can be operated at different receiver sensitivity gains or transmit power gains to define additional cell locations within the search space. The identity and location of the objects is determined from the detected RFID reply signals. In various applications, the location is determined in a linear search space, a two-dimensional search space or a three-dimensional search space according to array configuration and gain implementation.

Abstract: A magnetically coupled drive module for delivering an implant to an eye. An implant may be stored, advanced, and delivered to an eye using a powered drive module. The drive module may be decoupled and sterilized for reuse.

Abstract: A liquid droplet production apparatus comprising a perforate membrane and an actuator. The actuator is configured to vibrate the perforate membrane such that a liquid in contact with the perforate membrane during use is caused to pass through at least one aperture of the perforate membrane and to be ejected as liquid droplets from the perforate membrane. The perforate membrane includes one or more stiffening structures for increasing the stiffness of the perforate membrane, the one or more stiffening structures each being defined by a local transverse deformation of the perforate membrane. A removable cartridge, a perforate membrane, an actuator assembly for use in such a liquid droplet delivery apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a perforate membrane for such a liquid droplet apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive temperature sensing comprises a coil configuration, a target, and an impedance measurement circuit. The target has a non-zero conductivity and susceptibility and the impedance measurement circuit measures the apparent inductance of the coil configuration at a measurement frequency close to the crossover frequency to provide an indication of temperature of the target.

Abstract: A nozzle plate (201) for use in a liquid droplet production apparatus and such apparatus, the nozzle plate comprising a flexible substrate having a linear array of nozzles that extend through said plate, said nozzles being arranged in at least one line, forming thereby a nozzle-bearing region, wherein the substrate is curved so as to impart an increased longitudinal stiffness to it. The apparatus comprises a piezo actuator (202, 203), which may have slots (211) separating fingers acting on the nozzle plate (201). The nozzle plate may be separable form the actuator.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system is designed to transmit power through a permeable conductive barrier layer. The system comprises a power transmitting circuit including a first inductive coil. A power receiving circuit includes a second inductive coil located on the opposite side of the barrier layer to the first inductive coil. A biasing magnet or electromagnet is provided and characterised by its ability to substantially saturate the magnetisation of the barrier layer in a region adjacent to the first and second inductive coils.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system is designed to transmit power through a permeable conductive barrier layer. The system comprises a power transmitting circuit including a first inductive coil. A power receiving circuit includes a second inductive coil located on the opposite side of the barrier layer to the first inductive coil. A biasing magnet or electromagnet is provided and characterised by its ability to substantially saturate the magnetisation of the barrier layer in a region adjacent to the first and second inductive coils.

Abstract: A method of hermetically packaging an electronic device (8), in an enclosure (2) comprising mutually inter-engageable first and second housing members (4, 6), comprising the steps of securing the electronic device (8) to the first housing member (4), engaging the first (4) and second (6) housing members such that an hermetic seal is provided there between, wherein the engagement step is performed in a controlled atmosphere. The hermetic seal may be provided by an interference fit between the first (4) and second (6) housing members or via sealing means (16) interposed between the housing members (4, 6). The second housing member (6) may comprise an optical element (20), for example a window or lens. The packaging method is particularly applicable to packaging thermal detectors, for example microbolometer arrays.

Abstract: The three-dimensional structure of the surface of a cavity is reconstructed. The cavity can be the outer ear canal of a person. A probe with an optical sensor is introduced into the cavity to produce video signals, which are transmitted to a computer device. The computer device transforms the video signals into position data representing the surface of the cavity, thereby defining the three-dimensional structure of the cavity.

Abstract: The three-dimensional structure of the surface of a cavity is reconstructed. The cavity can be the outer ear canal of a person. A probe with an optical sensor is introduced into the cavity to produce video signals, which are transmitted to a computer device. The computer device transforms the video signals into position data representing the surface of the cavity, thereby defining the three-dimensional structure of the cavity.