Abstract: A motion amplification apparatus taking the form of a reverse vibration absorber (RVA) comprises a piezoelectric diaphragm (22); a driving diaphragm (26) configured to serve as a driving member for an actuated device (34); a mass (28) attached to the driving diaphragm (26); and, a resilient member (30) configured to connect the piezoelectric diaphragm (22) and the driving diaphragm (26) whereby motion of the piezoelectric diaphragm (22) resulting from application of the drive signal is amplified for driving the actuated device (34). The piezoelectric diaphragm (22) has a drive signal applied thereto and is held stationary around at least a portion of its periphery. The driving diaphragm (26) is also held stationary around at least a portion of its periphery.

Abstract: An energy scavenging apparatus comprises a frame which can be human-carried or human-borne; plural cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric members connected to the frame to have an essentially parallel orientation, each cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric member comprising a proximal end connected to the frame and a distal end; and, a mass member connected to the distal end of the plural cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric members.

Abstract: A valve (20) comprises a valve body (22) having for defining a valve chamber (28) and having plural ports (P). A flow restrictor (32) is situated in the valve chamber (28) for providing selective communication of fluid between selected ones of the plural ports (P). One or more piezoelectric actuator(s) (40) displace the flow restrictor (32) to achieve the communication of the fluid between selected ones of the plural ports (P). In one example embodiment a biasing element (48) is situated in the valve chamber opposite the piezoelectric actuator (40). In another example embodiment, two piezoelectric actuators (40) are provided, one at each of opposing ends of the valve chamber (28).

Abstract: A pump (20, 120, 320, 420) comprises a pump body (22); an actuator (26); and, one or more active valves (30, 32). The pump body at least partially defines a pumping chamber (28) which has an inlet port (29) and an outlet port (31). The actuator (26) is situated at least partially in the pumping chamber for acting upon a fluid in the pumping chamber. The active valve (30, 32) selectively opens and closes a port with which it is aligned, e.g., either the inlet port (20) or the outlet port (31). In some embodiments, the active valve (30, 32) comprises a piezoelectric element (40) which responds to voltage for the selective opening and closing of its aligned port. In an illustrated embodiment, the piezoelectric element is a piezoceramic film (42). In one implementation of the pump, both the inlet valve (30) and the outlet valves (32) are active valves. In another implementation of the pump, the inlet valve (30) is an active valve but the outlet valve (323) is a passive valve (e.g.

Abstract: A pump comprises a body for at least partially defining a pumping chamber (28); a pump member which undergoes displacement when acting upon a fluid in the pumping chamber; and a piezoelectric element which responds to the displacement of the pump member to generate an electric current. The electric current generated by the piezoelectric element is preferably applied to a charge storage device which is coupled to the piezoelectric element. The storage device can take various forms, including but not limited to a battery (50, 150, 250), a capacitor (52, 152, 252), and a power supply for the pump (54). In one example embodiment, the pump member is a diaphragm (26) which undergoes the displacement when acting upon a fluid in the pumping chamber. In this example embodiment, the piezoelectric element responds to the displacement of the diaphragm to generate the electric current.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies comprise an actuator element and two piezoelectric assemblies, with the two piezoelectric assemblies being configured and arranged for controlling movement of the actuator element. In some example implementations, the first piezoelectric assembly and the second piezoelectric assembly are constructed and arranged so that a temperature dependency of the first piezoelectric assembly is cancelled by the temperature dependency of the second piezoelectric assembly. In a first example embodiment, a first piezoelectric assembly comprises a first or main piezoelectric diaphragm connected to the actuator element for displacing the actuator element in response to displacement of the first piezoelectric diaphragm. The first piezoelectric diaphragm is mounted to a movable carriage. A second piezoelectric diaphragm, which comprises the second piezoelectric assembly, is connected to the carriage for displacing the carriage in response to displacement of the second piezoelectric diaphragm.

Abstract: In the serum, PSP94 occurs as a free form or is associated with a carrier protein. PSP94 in its bound form has been quantified in the blood of prostate cancer patients and these measurements have shown utility as evaluation or prognosis of prostate cancer. Diagnostic assays, methods, and kits for detecting a free form of PSP94, and reagents such as antibodies able to bind to a free form of PSP94 are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator (20, 120) comprises plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122); an actuator (24) positioned to impart an excitation to the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) in a predefined sequence; and, an electrical conduction system (30) connected to the plural piezoelectric devices for conducting an electrical charge created by the excitation. Preferably the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) are arranged in a predetermined relationship relative to the actuator (24) whereby only one of the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) is actuated at a time. For example, the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) can be arranged in an angular pattern (such as a circular pattern) relative to the actuator (24). Preferably, a rotational speed of the actuator (24) permits an excitation response for a given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) to essentially fully decay before the given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) is again excited.