Abstract: The invention provides for improved devices and methods for forming openings in a biological membrane for delivering substances into an animal through the biological membrane for treatment applications, or extracting substances from the animal through the biological membrane for monitoring or other diagnosis applications and for increased transmembrane flux.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting a biological fluid from an organism and continuously monitoring its characteristics. The system comprises a tissue interface device suitable for positioning on or about the surface of the biological membrane of the organism and a monitor and control unit coupled to the tissue interface device. The tissue interface device comprises a sensor positioned in a flow path of the fluid for continuously sensing a characteristic of the biological fluid as it flows out from the one or more artificial openings formed in the biological membrane. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof. The monitor and control unit electrically or optically reads the sensor to obtain a measurement of a characteristic, such as concentration of a particular analyte, of the biological fluid on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A test device and method for testing one of a disk drive microactuator and a disk drive sensor that includes two piezoelectric elements. The test device includes a signal generator, signal analyzer, and a user interface. The test device is operational to provide a reference signal (e.g. an electrical signal) to one of the piezoelectric elements in the microactuator and obtain a test measure from the other one of the piezoelectric elements. The test measure is then utilized to assess a performance parameter for the microactuator. The test measure is generated by the other one of the piezoelectric elements in response to the reference signal provided to the first one of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A photothermal structure designed for the uniform application of a photothermal material, such as, for example, a dye or a pigment, to a tissue, e.g., the stratum corneum. In one embodiment, the photothermal structure comprises photothermal material combined with a carrier, such as, for example, an adhesive or an ink, and the resulting combination is applied to a substrate, such as, for example, an inert polymeric substrate to form a photothermal structure. In another embodiment, the photothermal structure comprises photothermal material incorporated into a film-forming polymeric material.

Abstract: An integrated device (100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 1000) for harvesting a biological fluid from the tissue and analysis of the biological fluid. The device comprises a layer having a porating element disposed thereon to form at least one opening in the tissue. Biological fluid is harvested from the opening of the tissue and placed in contact with a sensor incorporated in the integrated device. The sensor is responsive to the biological fluid to provide an indication of a characteristic of the biological fluid, such as the concentration of an analyte in interstitial fluid. The porating element may comprise one or more heat conducting elements that are either optically or electrically heated, or one or more mechanical porating elements.

Abstract: A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.

Abstract: A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the permeability of the skin to an analyte for diagnostic purposes or to a drug for therapeutic purposes is described utilizing microporation and optionally sonic energy and a chemical enhancer. If selected, the sonic energy may be modulated by means of frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and/or combinations thereof. Microporation is accomplished by (a) ablating the stratum corneum by localized rapid heating of water such that such water is vaporized, thus eroding the cells; (b) puncturing the stratum corneum with a micro-lancet calibrated to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter; (c) ablating the stratum corneum by focusing a tightly focused beam of sonic energy onto the stratum corneum; (d) hydraulically puncturing the stratum corneum with a high pressure jet of fluid to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter, or (e) puncturing the stratum corneum with short pulses of electricity to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.

Abstract: A method corrects track misregistration attributable to out-of-plane motions of a rotating disk in a hard disk drive, and includes the steps of measuring a base plate-roll-bias angle between the rotating data storage disk and the head arm with a precision measuring device, and connecting the head arm and load beam at a roll-bias angle selected to minimize track misregistration attributable to the roll-bias. A number of connection arrangements and structures are presented in order to achieve the desired reduction in track misregistration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electroporating tissue. At least one micropore is formed to a predetermined depth through a surface of the tissue, and electrical voltage is applied between an electrode electrically coupled to the micropore and another electrode spaced therefrom. By applying electroporation to tissue that has been breached by a micropore, the electroporation effects can be targeted at tissue structures beneath the surface, such as capillaries, to greatly enhance the withdrawal of biological fluid, and the delivery for uptake of compounds into the tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a device is provided having elements that are suitable for microporating the tissue and which serve as the electroporation electrodes.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the permeability of the skin to an analyte for diagnostic purposes or to a drug for therapeutic purposes is described utilizing microporation and optionally sonic energy and a chemical enhancer. If selected, the sonic energy may be modulated by means of frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and/or combinations thereof. Microporation is accomplished by (a) ablating the stratum corneum by localized rapid heating of water such that such water is vaporized, thus eroding the cells; (b) puncturing the stratum corneum with a micro-lancet calibrated to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter; (c) ablating the stratum corneum by focusing a tightly focused beam of sonic energy onto the stratum corneum; (d) hydraulically puncturing the stratum corneum with a high pressure jet of fluid to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.m in diameter, or (e) puncturing the stratum corneum with short pulses of electricity to form a micropore of up to about 1000 .mu.

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit with improved sealing and performance is disclosed. Centrifugal capillary seals are angularly defined between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a top screw and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the top of the bearing unit as well as between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a seal plate and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the bottom of the bearing unit. During operation, bearing lubricant is pumped away from the seal opening and toward the bearings by centrifugal force at the seals, providing dynamic sealing. When the bearing unit is not rotating, capillary forces retain the lubricant within the seal, preventing the lubricant from leaking. The tapered configuration of the seals also shortens the vertical seal length for a given effective seal length, thereby maximizing the journal bearing length/span and improving dynamic performance of the bearing unit.

Abstract: An optimized bump and offset along the spring section of a load beam of a head-gimbal assembly ("HGA") in the loaded state redistributes the mass and stiffness distributions of the load beam from a truly flat state, so that the mode shape of the first torsional resonance mode is changed such that the coupling between a drive actuator head arm and the head slider is essentially eliminated. A fabrication method to produce the desired bump and offset, and a characterization method to ascertain that optimized bump and offset parameters have been achieved are also disclosed. By optimizing bump and offset, the slider remains independent from any load beam first torsional vibration even at resonance and/or sway mode resonant frequency of the HGA may be increased.

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit includes a shaft having a threaded axial opening at one end thereof and a shaft shoulder adjacent the opening and perpendicular with a longitudinal axis of the shaft, a sleeve defining an opening for receiving the shaft for relative rotation, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart radial hydrodynamic journal bearings defined between the shaft and the sleeve, a shaft-bolt including a threaded end region for mating with the threaded axial opening of the shaft and defining a bolt shoulder, an annular thrust plate having two parallel radial faces and adapted to fit upon the shaft-bolt for mounting between the shaft shoulder and the shaft bolt shoulder when the shaft-bolt is mated with the threaded axial opening of the shaft, the sleeve defining a radial thrust bearing surface portion extending radially outwardly at one end and positioned to confront one radial face of the thrust plate, an annular thrust bushing mounted to the sleeve and defining a radial thrust bearing su

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit includes a shaft and a shaft housing defining an opening for receiving the shaft for relative rotation. The shaft and bearing define at least one radial hydrodynamic bearing and an annular thrust bearing, formed as a disk portion extending radially outward of a main cylindrical surface of the shaft which cooperates with an adjacent annular face of the shaft housing. A gap between an outer cylindrical wall of the thrust bearing disk portion and an adjacently facing cylindrical surface of the shaft housing provides a primary annular capillary seal segment. An annular bushing ring extends from the housing radially inwardly to enclose the thrust bearing disk, and cooperates with an adjacent outer face of the thrust bearing disk to provide a secondary containment capillary seal segment. Normally, lubricating liquid is in the bearing unit at the radial hydrodynamic bearing, at the hydrodynamic thrust bearing and in the primary annular capillary seal segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing vibration in a flex circuit located between a rotary actuator and electronics within a disk drive. Specifically, the apparatus contains a strain gauge attached to or imbedded within the flex circuit. The resistivity of the strain gauge varies in response to vibrations on the cable. This resistance variation can be transformed into electrical signals that are used by a servo system to move the actuator assembly in compensatory motion that effectively cancels any off-track motion caused by the vibrations.

Abstract: An optimized bump and offset along the spring section of a load beam of a head-gimbal assembly ("HGA") in the loaded state redistributes the mass and stiffness distributions of the load beam from a truly flat state, so that the mode shape of the first torsional resonance mode is changed such that the coupling between a drive actuator head arm and the head slider is essentially eliminated. A fabrication method to produce the desired bump and offset, and a characterization method to ascertain that optimized bump and offset parameters have been achieved are also disclosed. By optimizing bump and offset, the slider remains independent from any load beam first torsional vibration even at resonance and/or sway mode resonant frequency of the HGA may be increased.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing unit includes a shaft, a sleeve rotatably disposed over the shaft and defining a plurality of spaced-apart hydrodynamic journal bearings, an annular axial thrust plate secured to the shaft to form a shaft subassembly and having a first radial surface in facing confrontation with a shoulder of the sleeve and defining a first hydrodynamic thrust bearing, a thrust bushing secured to the sleeve to form a sleeve subassembly and having a bearing surface in overlying facing engagement with a second radial surface of the annular axial thrust plate to form a second hydrodynamic thrust bearing, a seal for hydrodynamic lubricant defined within an annular Vee groove located adjacent to the shaft and having an apex converging toward the second hydrodynamic thrust bearing, a motor for rotating the sleeve subassembly relative to the shaft subassembly, and hydrodynamic lubricant within the annular Vee groove, the lubricant being retained in place by capillary force in the absence, of rotation, and by c

Abstract: When a rotary-actuator voice coil type disk drive is powered down the actuator arm is moved to a parking position against an I.D. stop by a disk spindle motor back EMF, resulting from the spinning down of the spindle motor. Current is applied by the back EMF through a delay circuit to a latch arm voice coil on one end of a latch arm and forming part of a magnetic circuit including a drive permanent magnet on a ferrous base plate and a ferrous upper plate. Resultant movement of the latch arm overcomes a spring bias of a torsion spring extending between the base plate and pivoted latch arm normally keeping the latch arm in an unlatched position. A latch permanent magnet extends from the other end of the latch arm and is brought into spaced proximity, but not contact, with a ferrous member extending from the actuator arm so that the magnetic force therebetween holds the actuator arm against the I.D. stop in latched position to withstand high shock loadings.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly is fabricated with a load beam formed with a central triangular-type major section, a tongue section at the front end and a rigid mount section at the opposing rear end. The load beam has flanges along the sides of the central major section and the rear mount section. A leaf spring is provided between the central major section and the rear mount section for providing flexibility to the suspension. A flexure that is joined to the load beam is formed with a U-shaped finger surrounded by a cutout at the front end of the flexure. A load dimple that is provided on the flexure is in contact with the load beam. The flexure supports an air bearing slider that pitches and rolls relative to a disk surface. The flexure does not extend beyond the load dimple of the flexure or the front leading edge of the slider. The suspension is characterized by a high first bending mode frequency and low pitch and roll stiffness.