Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A tool for arranging voice coil leadouts in a microspeaker comprises a mandrel having a top surface on which a bobbin and voice coil are positioned during formation of helicoidal leadout regions of the voice coil, a bobbin alignment feature for positioning at an inner diameter of the bobbin; a sleeve alignment element at a bottom region of the bobbin alignment feature, the sleeve alignment element having a first surface on which a sleeve of the microspeaker is positioned during the formation of the helicoidal leadout regions, and a gluing ring positioned about the mandrel and on a second surface of the sleeve alignment element for providing guide paths for distal ends of the leadout end regions extending in a direction from the mandrel to the sleeve alignment element.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and a stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A tool for arranging voice coil leadouts in a microspeaker comprises a mandrel having a top surface on which a bobbin and voice coil are positioned during formation of helicoidal leadout regions of the voice coil, a bobbin alignment feature for positioning at an inner diameter of the bobbin; a sleeve alignment element at a bottom region of the bobbin alignment feature, the sleeve alignment element having a first surface on which a sleeve of the microspeaker is positioned during the formation of the helicoidal leadout regions, and a gluing ring positioned about the mandrel and on a second surface of the sleeve alignment element for providing guide paths for distal ends of the leadout end regions extending in a direction from the mandrel to the sleeve alignment element.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A tool for arranging voice coil leadouts in a microspeaker comprises a mandrel having a top surface on which a bobbin and voice coil are positioned during formation of helicoidal leadout regions of the voice coil, a bobbin alignment feature for positioning at an inner diameter of the bobbin; a sleeve alignment element at a bottom region of the bobbin alignment feature, the sleeve alignment element having a first surface on which a sleeve of the microspeaker is positioned during the formation of the helicoidal leadout regions, and a gluing ring positioned about the mandrel and on a second surface of the sleeve alignment element for providing guide paths for distal ends of the leadout end regions extending in a direction from the mandrel to the sleeve alignment element.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A tool for arranging voice coil leadouts in a microspeaker comprises a mandrel having a top surface on which a bobbin and voice coil are positioned during formation of helicoidal leadout regions of the voice coil, a bobbin alignment feature for positioning at an inner diameter of the bobbin; a sleeve alignment element at a bottom region of the bobbin alignment feature, the sleeve alignment element having a first surface on which a sleeve of the microspeaker is positioned during the formation of the helicoidal leadout regions, and a gluing ring positioned about the mandrel and on a second surface of the sleeve alignment element for providing guide paths for distal ends of the leadout end regions extending in a direction from the mandrel to the sleeve alignment element.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A bobbin for an electro-acoustic driver includes an outer surface, a substantially planar surface at an end of the bobbin, and a bobbin axis that is substantially coaxial with a housing axis. The bobbin is disposable inside a housing and configured to move along the bobbin axis. The substantially planar surface at the end of the bobbin is securable to an acoustic diaphragm. The bobbin includes one or more of (a) legs extending from the outer surface to the substantially planar surface, (b) a wall which extends about substantially all of a perimeter of the planar surface, and (c) a plurality of through holes in the substantially planar surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prognosis of the progression of breast cancer in a patient, and more particularly to the prediction of the occurrence of metastasis in one or more tissue or organ of patients affected with a breast cancer.