Abstract: A strain sensor is based on a self-biasing reference circuit that reaches an operating state that, at least at first order, is at least supply-voltage independent. The strain sensor provides an output signal that is defined by the operating state of the self-biasing reference circuit. At least one component in the self-biasing reference circuit has an electrical characteristic that depends on a strain to which the at least one component is subjected. This makes that the operating state of the self-biasing reference circuit depends on the strain. As a result, the output signal of the strain sensor varies as a function of the strain to which the at least one component is subjected.

Abstract: In an energy harvesting system, a power extraction circuit extracts electrical power from an environmental power source susceptible of providing a level of power that fluctuates. An electrical power storage device stores the electrical power extracted from the environmental power source by the power extraction circuit. A sensing circuit provides an indication of a level of power that the power extraction circuit can extract from the environmental power source. A controlled switch circuit electrically decouples the power extraction circuit from the electrical power storage device when the indication indicates that the level of power that the power extraction circuit can extract from the environmental power source is insufficient for the power extraction circuit to charge the electrical power storage device. This prevents leakage of harvested power.

Abstract: This invention provides for a dermal repair system including a dermal repair device which is configured to be placed on the skin of a user. The dermal repair device is in the form of a removable silicone sheet which can be securely fixed in place and re-used after cleaning etc. The silicone sheet includes sheet sections and a housing section into which a rechargeable control unit can removably be inserted. Waveguides in the form of a dimple teardrop pattern are provided for directing radiation or light to distal ends of the sheet. The control unit includes a low-level radiation or light source from which radiation or light is directed along the sheet for a therapy regimen to treat closed wounds and scars, such as, C-section and breast surgery closed wounds and scars to improve healing and scar appearance. The system further comprises a recharging station configured for recharging the control unit.

Abstract: Ocular devices are provided for placement in the upper fornix of the eye and having a body that encompasses a low-level light source, an energy source, a microcontroller, and an antenna for delivering a programmable, fade in-out, light therapy regimen to treat neurological and ophthalmic diseases and disorders. In one embodiment the ocular device delivers a programmable green light therapy to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal hypoxia during the nocturnal period, that is, when these risk factors are at their highest level especially in glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy patients.

Abstract: This invention provides for a dermal repair system including a dermal repair device which is configured to be placed on the skin of a user. The dermal repair device is in the form of a removable silicone sheet which can be securely fixed in place and re-used after cleaning etc. The silicone sheet includes sheet sections and a housing section into which a rechargeable control unit can removably be inserted. Waveguides in the form of a dimple teardrop pattern are provided for directing radiation or light to distal ends of the sheet. The control unit includes a low-level radiation or light source from which radiation or light is directed along the sheet for a therapy regimen to treat closed wounds and scars, such as, C-section and breast surgery closed wounds and scars to improve healing and scar appearance. The system further comprises a recharging station configured for recharging the control unit.

Abstract: Ocular devices are provided for placement in the upper fornix of the eye and having a body that encompasses a low-level light source, an energy source, a microcontroller, and an antenna for delivering a programmable, fade in-out, light therapy regimen to treat neurological and ophthalmic diseases and disorders. In one embodiment the ocular device delivers a programmable green light therapy to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal hypoxia during the nocturnal period, that is, when these risk factors are at their highest level especially in glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy patients.

Abstract: A memory device is provided comprising a transistor having a floating body positioned between source and drain regions, the floating body being sandwiched between first and second insulated gates each comprising a gate electrode. A control circuit is arranged to program the state of said floating body to have an accumulation or depletion of majority carriers by applying one of first and second voltage levels between the first gate and at least one of the source and drain regions, and to retain the programmed state of said floating body by applying a third voltage level to the second gate. The voltages are switched over a time duration shorter than 100 ns.

Abstract: An ultra-low-power transconductance device is provided, (FIG. 1b, FIG. 1c), comprising a series connection of a transistor of a first channel type (A) and a transistor of a second channel type (B), the first channel type having a different polarity than the second channel type. The transistors each have a source, a drain and a gate. The source of the transistor of the first channel type (A) is coupled with the source of the transistor of the second channel type (B) and the drain of the transistor of the first channel type (A) is coupled with the gate of the transistor of the second channel type (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for capacitive detection of the presence of target sample on a substrate, which comprises the steps of: binding a target sample to selective binding sites on the substrate, the target sample being directly or indirectly labeled with conductive labels, and sensing the presence of the bound conductive labels to a binding site to thereby determine the presence of the target sample. The sensing step is carried out by a capacitive detection of the presence of the conductive labels. The present invention also provides a capacitive sensor device for determining the presence of a target sample. Conductive labels are directly or indirectly couplable to the target sample.

Abstract: A memory device is provided comprising a transistor having a floating body positioned between source and drain regions, the floating body being sandwiched between first and second insulated gates each comprising a gate electrode. A control circuit is arranged to program the state of said floating body to have an accumulation or depletion of majority carriers by applying one of first and second voltage levels between the first gate and at least one of the source and drain regions, and to retain the programmed state of said floating body by applying a third voltage level to the second gate. The voltages are switched over a time duration shorter than 100 ns.

Abstract: A sensing network is described, consisting of a multiplexing reader and one or more sensor pairs, each sensor pair comprising a transponder and a dedicated reader, dedicated to that transponder, each transponder having a sensor. Each sensor pair is able to wirelessly interface and power both capacitive and resistive sensors at a short distance with high efficiency. By providing a dedicated reader for each transponder, each link can be optimized and there is no need for the dedicated reader to distinguish between signals from other transponders. The transponder generates an analog signal directly using a sensor or analog memory value and sends it by modulation to the dedicated reader. So, the dedicated readers do not need to have circuitry to demodulate a digital signal or ID code. The transponder includes the sensors and their electronic circuits and can be optionally remotely powered by the dedicated reader through the wireless link. The expected consumption of the dedicated reader can be lower than 200 ?W.

Abstract: An ultra-low-power transconductance device is provided, (FIG. 1b, FIG. 1c), comprising a series connection of a transistor of a first channel type (A) and a transistor of a second channel type (B), the first channel type having a different polarity than the second channel type. The transistors each have a source, a drain and a gate. The source of the transistor of the first channel type (A) is coupled with the source of the transistor of the second channel type (B) and the drain of the transistor of the first channel type (A) is coupled with the gate of the transistor of the second channel type (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic transducer (10) and a method for detecting and/or characterizing target materials or physico-chemical stimuli in an external medium (8) using the electronic transducer (10). The electronic transducer (10) comprises a sensing element (3) featuring a variable conductance when exposed to a stimulus from the external medium and a first and second electrode (5a, 5b) spaced apart on or in a sensing material surface of a substrate, the sensing element being provided in or on the substrate and being located between the first and the second electrodes (5a, 5b) forming a pair of sensing electrodes for sensing a change in conductance of the sensing element (3) in a direction substantially parallel to the sensing material surface, at least one of the sensing electrodes (5a, 5b) being electrically insulated from the sensing element (3) by a dielectric layer (4), so as to be capacitively coupled to the sensing element (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for capacitive detection of the presence of target sample on a substrate, which comprises the steps of: binding a target sample to selective binding sites on the substrate, the target sample being directly or indirectly labeled with conductive labels, and sensing the presence of the bound conductive labels to a binding site to thereby determine the presence of the target sample. The sensing step is carried out by a capacitive detection of the presence of the conductive labels. The present invention also provides a capacitive sensor device for determining the presence of a target sample. Conductive labels are directly or indirectly couplable to the target sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultra-low power (ULP) MOS diode. The diode has a first and a second terminal. It comprises an n-MOS transistor having a channel, a first N+ doped diffusion region at one extremity of the channel and a second N+ diffusion region at the other extremity of the channel, and a p-MOS transistor having a channel and a first P+ doped diffusion region at one extremity of the channel and a second P+ diffusion region at the other extremity of the channel. The first N+ diffusion region of the n-MOS transistor is coupled to the first P+ diffusion region of the p-MOS transistor, the gate of the n-MOS transistor is coupled to the second P+ diffusion region of the p-MOS transistor, and the gate of the p-MOS transistor is coupled to the second N+ diffusion region of the n-MOS transistor.

Abstract: A differential amplifier is described comprising an input branch for receiving differential and common mode input signal components; an output branch providing differential and common mode output signal components; and the differential amplifier being adapted to set a relationship between the magnitude of the common mode output signal component level of the amplifier with respect to the magnitude of the common mode input signal component level to the input stage so that the common mode output signal component level intrinsically follows the common mode input signal component level as a common mode follower without using feedback control of the common mode output signal component. Also an asymmetrical amplifier is described which may be advantageously used as a component of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: Ultra-low power basic blocks and their uses The present invention relates to ultra-low power (ULP) electronic circuits which do not dissipate more than 10 &mgr;W, preferably not more than 1 &mgr;W. An ultra-low power device comprising a series connection of an n-MOS transistor and a p-MOS transistor each having a source and a drain, whereby the source of the n-MOS transistor is coupled with the source of the p-MOS transistor is provided. Both transistors are such that the absolute values of their threshold voltages are different, and that the absolute value of the relative difference of both threshold voltages is between 0.9 and 1.3 Volts. Each of the transistors in the ultra-low power device having at least one gate, these gates may be coupled together to form a common gate. Different applications of these basic blocks are given, such as ULP reference voltage, a ULP level shifter, a ULP voltage multiplier, a ULP OTA. Also a new diode is described.