Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprises a piezoelectric stack with a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between a bottom electrode and a top electrode to form a piezoelectric transducer. At least one of the bottom and top electrodes is a polymer electrode formed of a polymer based conductive material having a first resistivity. A conductive line structure is provided to forms an extended line contact with contact areas of the polymer electrode along a respective length of one or more conductive lines of the conductive line structure at least partially overlapping the contact areas. The conductive line structure is formed of a conductive material having a second resistivity that is lower than the first resistivity to help distribute an electrical field over the polymer electrode via the extended line contact.

Abstract: The invention aims to provide a contactless method to create small conductive tracks on a substrate. To this end a method is provided for selective material deposition, comprising depositing a first material on a substrate; followed by solidifying the first material selectively in a first solidified pattern by one or more energy beams; and followed by propelling non-solidified material away from the substrate by a large area photonic exposure, controlled in timing, energy and intensity to leave the solidified first pattern of the first material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a negative temperature coefficient product comprising an electrically conductive percolation network of printable NTC material as particles in a cross-linked dielectric polymer matrix and to a method of manufacturing thereof. The particles comprising a spinel phase, preferably a C-spinel phase, having a general formula M3O4 comprising at least a first metal MI that is manganese and second metal MII that is nickel. In addition the particles include a nickel oxide phase. The printable NTC material can be dispersed in a printable NTC ink comprising a dispersant, from which the NTC product, e.g. a thermistor, can be formed, e.g., after drying of the dispersant. During processing the ink is kept at a temperature below 300° C. Optionally, the spinel phase comprises a further metal MIII. The weight fraction of nickel oxide with respect to the overall mass of the printable NTC material is preferably in a range between one and twenty weight percent.

Abstract: Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to a malleable and integrally illuminated surgical retractor. In an embodiment, a malleable steel strip, having a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, may form a substrate. An elastically deformable layer, such as a polymeric layer, may be secured to the malleable steel strip. One or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks, which may elongate and/or compress during bending of the substrate, may be secured to the TPU layer. The one or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks may operate to couple current from an electronics module to one or more malleable illumination sources comprising, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a stretchable substrate (30) with a flap (30f) formed by a cut (40) in the substrate (30). The flap (30f) is disconnected by the cut (40) from a surrounding main section (30m) of the substrate (30) except on one side. The flap (30f) is exclusively connected to the main section (30m) via a connected section (30c) of the substrate (30) between two ends (40a, 40b) of the cut (40). An electronic component (10) is disposed on the flap (30f) with electrical contacts (11,12) connected to conductive tracks (21,22) disposed on the substrate (30). The conductive tracks (21,22) extend between the component (10) disposed on the flap (30f), and other parts (10r) of the electronic device (100) outside the flap (30f) via the connected section (30c). The flap (30f) with the component (10) is disposed in a pocket formed by surrounding lamination layers (31,32).

Abstract: A heart monitoring system (100) comprises an array of force-sensitive resistors (10) spanning a sensor surface (50). Each resistor (10) is configured to change a respective resistance value (R) in accordance with an amount of static pressure (P) exerted on the sensor surface (50) at a respective location of the force-sensitive resistor (10) by a subject (200). An array of piezoelectric transducers (20) is interspersed among the array of force-sensitive resistors (10). Each transducer (20) is configured to generate 10 a respective time-dependent electrical signal (S) in accordance with respective vibrations (F) exerted on the sensor surface (50) at a respective location of the transducer (20) by the subject (200). A controller (30) is configured to determine a heart rate (H1) of the subject (200) based on a combination of the measured resistance values (R) of the force-sensitive 15 resistors (10) and the time-dependent electrical signals (S) of the piezoelectric transducers (20).

Abstract: A method and system for heat bonding a chip to a substrate by means of heat bonding material disposed there between. At least the substrate is preheated from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature below a damage temperature of the substrate. A light pulse applied to the chip momentarily increases the chip temperature to a pulsed peak temperature below a peak damage temperature of the chip. The momentarily increased pulsed peak temperature of the chip causes a flow of conducted heat from the chip to the bonding material, causing the bonding material to form a bond.

Abstract: Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to a malleable and integrally illuminated surgical retractor. In an embodiment, a malleable steel strip, having a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, may form a substrate. An elastically deformable layer, such as a polymeric layer, may be secured to the malleable steel strip. One or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks, which may elongate and/or compress during bending of the substrate, may be secured to the TPU layer. The one or more meandering conductive lines, spiral conductors, or conductive inks may operate to couple current from an electronics module to one or more malleable illumination sources comprising, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

Abstract: Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a pressure sensor, comprising at least two adjacent electrically conductive leads disposed in a pattern on a face of a first elastomeric carrier; and an electrically resistive layer formed of a electrically resistive composite material for shunting the at least two adjacent electrically conductive leads, said electrically conducting layer disposed on a face of a second elastomeric carrier. The first and second carriers are stacked across a spacer such that the at least two adjacent electrically conductive leads faces the electrically resistive layer across a gap defined by the spacer. The gap is formed by a pocket between the carriers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a skin-compatible electrode (100) comprises printing a circuit pattern (P1) onto a flexible substrate (200) to form an electrically conductive pattern including an electrode pad area (301). A layer of an adhesive composition (401p) is printed in a second pattern (P2) onto the electrode pad area (301) to form an adhesive interface layer (401). The adhesive interface layer (401) is a dry film formed from the adhesive composition (401p) comprising an ionically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a resin (R), an ionic liquid (I), and optionally electrically conductive particles (P). A layer thickness and material of the flexible substrate, the conductive pattern, and the conductive adhesive interface have relatively low stiffness in plane of the flexible substrate (200).

Abstract: Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising a single control element to control an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a core body temperature sensor for measuring the core body temperature of a body in a non-invasive way via applying the core body temperature sensor to a surface of the bod. The core body temperature sensor comprises: at least a first thermistor pair of opposing thermistors across a first thermal insulator and a second thermistor pair, adjacent to the first thermistor pair, of opposing thermistors across a second thermal insulator, and a means to measure blood perfusion. The core body temperature sensor is an essential planar sandwich structure formed of the at least first and second thermistor pairs across the respective first and second thermal insulators sandwiched between opposing carriers. The present disclosure further concerns a method for determining a core body temperature and a method for the manufacturing of a core body temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved electronic device (100) and resulting product. A patterned layer of non-conductive support material (12m) is printed onto a thermoplastic substrate (11) to form a support pattern. An electrical circuit (13,14) is applied onto the support pattern (12), wherein the electrical circuit (13,14) comprises circuit lines (13) comprising a conductive material (13m) applied onto support lines (12b) of the pattern and electrical components (14) applied onto support islands (12a) of the pattern. A thermoforming process (P) is used for deforming (S) the substrate (11) while a relatively high resistance of the support material (12m) to the deforming maintains a structural integrity of the electrical circuit (13,14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for light induced selective transfer of components. A donor substrate (10) with a plurality of components (11,12) divided in different subsets arranged according to respective layouts (A,B). A target substrate (20) comprises recesses (21) and protrusions (25). The donor and target substrates (10,20) are aligned such that a first subset of components (11) is suspended over corresponding recesses (21) in the target substrate (20) and a second subset of components (12) is in contact with corresponding protrusions (25) of the target substrate (20). Light (L) is projected onto the donor substrate (10) to transfer the first subset of components (11) across and into the corresponding recesses (21) while the second subset of components (12) remains attached to the donor substrate (10).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved electronic device (100) and resulting product. A patterned layer of non-conductive support material (12m) is printed onto a thermoplastic substrate (11) to form a support pattern. An electrical circuit (13,14) is applied onto the support pattern (12), wherein the electrical circuit (13,14) comprises circuit lines (13) comprising a conductive material (13m) applied onto support lines (12b) of the pattern and electrical components (14) applied onto support islands (12a) of the pattern. A thermoforming process (P) is used for deforming (S) the substrate (11) while a relatively high resistance of the support material (12m) to the deforming maintains a structural integrity of the electrical circuit (13,14).

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (100) comprises a piezoelectric foil (10) with a piezoelectric material (M) exhibiting a shear piezoelectric effect (d14). An actuating structure (20) is configured to actuate the foil with actuation forces (Fu, Fd) applied at respective actuation points (Au, Ad) in respective actuation directions (U, D) to bend the foil in two opposing bending directions (S1, S2), which are orthogonal to each other and both diagonal to the polarization direction (3) of the foil, according to a saddle shape deformation. Preferably, the foil (10) is wrapped around a flexible plate (15).

Abstract: A wearable system is for mounting against the skin of a subject. It comprises a flexible circuit board sandwiched (e.g. laminated) between a top layer and a base layer. The flexible circuit board has a meander section between end pads. The base layer and the top layer are bonded together by a bonding layer which has a meander opening around the meander section. This means the stretchability of the meander section is not inhibited by the lamination process.

Abstract: Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising a single control element to control an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a stretchable substrate (30) with a flap (30f) formed by a cut (40) in the substrate (30). The flap (30f) is disconnected by the cut (40) from a surrounding main section (30m) of the substrate (30) except on one side. The flap (30f) is exclusively connected to the main section (30m) via a connected section (30c) of the substrate (30) between two ends (40a, 40b) of the cut (40). An electronic component (10) is disposed on the flap (30f) with electrical contacts (11,12) connected to conductive tracks (21,22) disposed on the substrate (30). The conductive tracks (21,22) extend between the component (10) disposed on the flap (30f), and other parts (10r) of the electronic device (100) outside the flap (30f) via the connected section (30c). The flap (30f) with the component (10) is disposed in a pocket formed by surrounding lamination layers (31,32).