Abstract: An electrode array, having application as a cochlear implant, includes a tube formed of Parylene defining a hollow channel. A substrate formed primarily of Parylene is supported by the tube. In turn, a plurality of metallic electrodes and feed lines are supported by the substrate. Numerous voids are defined by the tube which opens into the hollow channel. The size and spacing of the voids regulate stiffness and curl of the tube to provide excellent fit within the cochlea.

Abstract: A method of embedding material in a glass substrate is provided. The method includes providing a glass composition and a mold substrate having a patterned surface defining a recess therein. The mold substrate is formed from a material having a higher reflow temperature than the glass composition. A surface wettability of the patterned surface is increased relative to the glass composition. At least a portion of the glass composition is flowed into the recess defined by the patterned surface of the mold substrate, followed by solidifying the glass composition to form a solidified glass layer. Material is removed from the solidified glass layer until a portion of the underlying patterned surface of the mold substrate is exposed with at least a portion of the mold substrate embedded in the solidified glass layer to thereby form the glass substrate having the material embedded therein.

Abstract: An electrode array, having application as a cochlear implant, includes a tube formed of Parylene defining a hollow channel. A substrate formed primarily of Parylene is supported by the tube. In turn, a plurality of metallic electrodes and feed lines are supported by the substrate. Numerous voids are defined by the tube which opens into the hollow channel. The size and spacing of the voids regulate stiffness and curl of the tube to provide excellent fit within the cochlea.

Abstract: An electrode array, having application as a cochlear implant, includes a tube formed of Parylene defining a hollow channel. A substrate formed primarily of Parylene is supported by the tube. In turn, a plurality of metallic electrodes and feed lines are supported by the substrate. Numerous voids are defined by the tube which opens into the hollow channel. The size and spacing of the voids regulate stiffness and curl of the tube to provide excellent fit within the cochlea.

Abstract: An implantable device is provided, along with a surgical technique for implanting the implantable device. The implantable device includes a body, at least two fingers, and a diagnostic tool. The body presents a generally flat configuration. The at least two fingers extend from opposite sides of the body along a common plane with the flat configuration of the body. For the surgical technique, the implantable device is positioned above flexible and elastic tissue at a target location. The finger on one side of the body is slid under a portion of the flexible and elastic tissue without penetrating the flexible and elastic tissue. The finger on the opposing side of the body is slid under another portion of the flexible and elastic tissue without penetrating the flexible and elastic tissue. The flexible and elastic tissue exerts force perpendicular to the body and fingers to fixate the implantable device.

Abstract: An electrode array, having application as a cochlear implant, includes a tube formed of Parylene defining a hollow channel. A substrate formed primarily of Parylene is supported by the tube. In turn, a plurality of metallic electrodes and feed lines are supported by the substrate. Numerous voids are defined by the tube which opens into the hollow channel. The size and spacing of the voids regulate stiffness and curl of the tube to provide excellent fit within the cochlea.

Abstract: A method of embedding material in a glass substrate is provided. The method includes providing a glass composition and a mold substrate having a patterned surface defining a recess therein. The mold substrate is formed from a material having a higher reflow temperature than the glass composition. A surface wettability of the patterned surface is increased relative to the glass composition. At least a portion of the glass composition is flowed into the recess defined by the patterned surface of the mold substrate, followed by solidifying the glass composition to form a solidified glass layer. Material is removed from the solidified glass layer until a portion of the underlying patterned surface of the mold substrate is exposed with at least a portion of the mold substrate embedded in the solidified glass layer to thereby form the glass substrate having the material embedded therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a device having a microstructure. The method includes forming a connector on a semiconductor substrate, coating the connector with a polymer layer, and immersing the semiconductor substrate and the coated connector in an etchant solution to form the microstructure from the semiconductor substrate and to release the coated connector and the microstructure from the semiconductor substrate such that the microstructure remains coupled to a further element of the device via the coated connector. In some cases, the microstructure is defined by forming an etch stop in the semiconductor substrate, and the microstructure and the semiconductor substrate are coated with a polymer layer, which may then be selectively patterned. The microstructure may then be released from the semiconductor substrate in accordance with the etch stop.

Abstract: In some embodiments, without limitation, the invention comprises a micromachined probe with one or more buried flow microchannels, where at least one of the microchannels is filled with an organic polymer. In some additional embodiments, the invention comprises a micromachined probe having at least a portion of one external surface coated with an organic polymer. The internally or externally applied organic polymer increases the buckling strength of the micromachined probe and decreases the risk of fracture of the probe, or movement or migration of broken fragments, during insertion, use, or removal from biological tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent device useful for maintaining the patency of a lumen while monitoring an intraluminal characteristic. The device includes a structure having a set of extendible bands that are capable of plastic deformation to form a scaffolding having an inductance, and further includes a capacitance coupled to the set of extendible bands and responsive to the intraluminal characteristic. The capacitance and the inductance form a tank circuit after the plastic deformation of the set of extendible bands to enable wireless transmission of an indication of the intraluminal characteristic.

Abstract: A microvalve device includes a semiconductor-based valve housing that defines a flow passage, and a valve face disposed within the valve housing and in fluid communication with the flow passage. The microvalve device further includes a thermal expansion actuator that drives movement of the valve face from a first position to a second position relative to the flow passage, and a capacitor that holds the valve face in the second position. The microvalve may also include an insulating layer disposed on portions of the semiconductor-based valve housing, and a capacitance sensor for monitoring a capacitance level to determine when the valve face reaches the second position. Once the sensor indicates that the second position has been reached, power is no longer applied to the thermal expansion actuator such that power is only substantially consumed during the transition from the first position to the second position.