Abstract: A system is provided for stimulating a portion of skin, the system including at least two electrodes; a motor and an electrical system, the electrical system including a power source; and an end effector operably coupled to the motor and the electrical system, the end effector having at least one embedded electrode, from the at least two electrodes, disposed and operably coupled to the electrical system at which the end effector is configured to be in electrical communication with the portion of skin, wherein the motor is configured to subject the end effector to repetitive movements while contacting the skin to provide mechanical stimulation to the skin, wherein the at least one embedded electrode is configured to serve as a source electrode and another of the at least two electrodes is configured to serve as a return electrode, and wherein the power source is configured to bias the source electrode to the return electrode and form an electric field with the portion of skin.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for skin treatment. An apparatus includes an applicator assembly that includes an applicator tip which is configured to apply a normal cyclical mechanical force to a skin surface area of a user and to deliver a skin formulation to a skin surface area of a user. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic energy assembly that includes at least one electromagnetic energy source adjacent to or within the applicator assembly and is configured to deliver pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to penetrate one or more dermal layers within the skin surface area of a use.

Abstract: A motion-activated dispenser includes a housing having a base and top defining a gap sized to receive a human hand. The top portion defining cavity sized to receive a fluid reservoir and an opening extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion to the cavity, a neck of the fluid reservoir extending through the opening. A pressing member is positioned within the cavity and an actuator is coupled to the pressing member and configured to urge the pressing member toward and away from the opening. The pressing member may include, for example, a sliding member positioned opposite a stop face; a roller moved by the actuator toward the opening; a plunger positioned above the opening and driven by an actuator toward the opening; or a pair of rods spanning the cavity and urged by the actuator through the cavity, the rods pressing against sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: A formulation-specific electrode is provided that includes an electrode support portion; a conductive shorting layer disposed over a surface of the electrode support portion; and an electrode contact layer disposed over a surface of the conductive shorting layer and is configured to contact a skin surface of a user, wherein the electrode support portion is configured to function as a mechanical coupler and as an electrical connector to the conductive shorting layer.

Abstract: A system is provided for stimulating a portion of skin, the system including at least two electrodes; a motor and an electrical system, the electrical system including a power source; and an end effector operably coupled to the motor and the electrical system, the end effector having at least one embedded electrode, from the at least two electrodes, disposed and operably coupled to the electrical system at which the end effector is configured to be in electrical communication with the portion of skin, wherein the motor is configured to subject the end effector to repetitive movements while contacting the skin to provide mechanical stimulation to the skin, wherein the at least one embedded electrode is configured to serve as a source electrode and another of the at least two electrodes is configured to serve as a return electrode, and wherein the power source is configured to bias the source electrode to the return electrode and form an electric field with the portion of skin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for skin treatment. The apparatus includes an applicator assembly that includes an applicator tip which is configured to apply a normal cyclical mechanical force to a skin surface area of a user and to deliver a skin formulation to a skin surface area of a user. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic energy assembly that includes at least one electromagnetic energy source adjacent to or within the applicator assembly and configured to deliver a continuous electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to penetrate one or more dermal layers within the skin surface area of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for skin treatment. An apparatus includes an applicator assembly that includes an applicator tip which is configured to apply a normal cyclical mechanical force to a skin surface area of a user and to deliver a skin formulation to a skin surface area of a user. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic energy assembly that includes at least one electromagnetic energy source adjacent to or within the applicator assembly and is configured to deliver pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to penetrate one or more dermal layers within the skin surface area of a use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for skin treatment. The apparatus includes an applicator assembly that includes an applicator tip which is configured to apply a normal cyclical mechanical force to a skin surface area of a user and to deliver a skin formulation to a skin surface area of a user.

Abstract: A motion-activated dispenser includes a housing having a base and top defining a gap sized to receive a human hand. The top portion defining cavity sized to receive a fluid reservoir and an opening extending directly through a lower surface of the top portion to the cavity, a neck of the fluid reservoir extending through the opening. A pressing member is positioned within the cavity and an actuator is coupled to the pressing member and configured to urge the pressing member toward and away from the opening. The pressing member may include, for example, a sliding member positioned opposite a stop face; a roller moved by the actuator toward the opening; a plunger positioned above the opening and driven by an actuator toward the opening; or a pair of rods spanning the cavity and urged by the actuator through the cavity, the rods pressing against sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.

Abstract: An electromechanical system includes a structural plate in contact with a stop and an actuator activated by a force for creating a movement of the stop relative to the structural plate, wherein the movement is sufficient to overcome stiction forces between the structural plate and the stop.

Abstract: An electromechanical system includes a structural plate in contact with a stop and an actuator activated by a force for creating a movement of the stop relative to the structural plate, wherein the movement is sufficient to overcome stiction forces between the structural plate and the stop.

Abstract: A number of methods and systems for overcoming stiction are provided. The systems include electro-mechanical systems capable of exerting a variety of forces upon areas prone to stiction. The systems can be MEMS arrays or other types of devices where stiction related forces occur. The methods include a variety of ways of causing movement in areas prone to stiction forces. Such movement can be vibrational in nature and is sufficient to overcome stiction, allowing a trapped element to be moveed to a desired location.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing dopant leaching from a doped structural film during fabrication of a microelectromechanical system. A microstructure that includes the doped structural film, sacrificial material, and metallic material is produced with a combination of deposition, patterning, and etching techniques. The sacrificial material is dissolved with a release solution that has a substance destructive to the sacrificial material. This substance also acts as an electrolyte, forming a galvanic cell with the doped structural film and metallic material acting as electrodes. The effects of the galvanic cell are suppressed by including a nonionic detergent mixed in the release solution.

Abstract: A movable microstructure is provided that mitigates stiction. A substrate is provided on which a structural linkage is connected to support a structural film. A hold electrode is connected with the substrate at a position laterally beyond an orthogonal projection of the structural film on the substrate. It is configured to hold the structural film electrostatically in a tilted position with respect to the substrate upon application of a potential difference between the structural film and the hold electrode. Because of its positioning with respect to the structural film, it is ensured that the structural film is not in contact with the substrate when the structural film is being held by the hold electrode.

Abstract: A microstructure is provided including a base layer underlying a first and second structural plates. Operation of the microstructure is capable of overcoming stiction. Methods of operation include providing an edge of the first structural plate in contact with a contact point. A second structural plate is deflected in a way that overcomes stiction between the first structural plate and the contact point. Such deflection can include providing a prying force to lift the first structural plate or a hammering force to disturb any stiction related forces at the contact point.

Abstract: A number of methods and systems for overcoming stiction are provided. The systems include electro-mechanical systems capable of exerting a variety of forces upon areas prone to stiction. The systems can be MEMS arrays or other types of devices where stiction related forces occur. The methods include a variety of ways of causing movement in areas prone to stiction forces. Such movement can be vibrational in nature and is sufficient to overcome stiction, allowing a trapped element to be moved to a desired location.