Lumped Type Parameters Patents (Class 324/649)
  • Publication number: 20120021918
    Abstract: In one aspect, described herein are field effect chemical sensor devices useful for chemical and/or biochemical sensing. Also provided herein are methods for single molecule detection. In another aspect, described herein are methods useful for amplification of target molecules by PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rashid Bashir, Ashraf Alam, Demir Akin, Oguz Hasan Elibol, Bobby Reddy, Donald E. Bergstrom, Yi-Shao Liu
  • Publication number: 20120013353
    Abstract: A method for determining a power supply impedance profile (|Z(f)|) at a predetermined load location within an electronic system. A repetitive activity (such as a modulated clock tree signal) is applied in the load location, and the local power supply voltage (U(t)) caused by this repetitive activity is measured. Rather than measuring the corresponding current consumption (I(t)) caused by the repetitive activity, the current consumption is calculated analytically. The local power supply impedance profile (|Z(f)|) is calculated as the ratio of the frequency-domain voltage and current consumption magnitudes (|U(f)|, |I(f)|) of the measured power supply voltage (U(t)) and the calculated current consumption (I(t)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roland Frech, Jochen Supper, Thomas-Michael Winkel
  • Publication number: 20120007612
    Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region. The erroneously determined intersecting regions can be detected by comparing the contact points with the corresponding intersecting regions so as to provide the only correct contact points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: SHANG-TAI YEH, Jia-Ming Chen, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Publication number: 20120007609
    Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other to form a depressed intersecting region. According to the depressed intersecting regions, each depression can be determined. The total contact impedance of a depressing crossover a plurality of intersecting regions is the parallel contact impedance of the contact impedances of all intersecting regions corresponding to the same depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: SHANG-TAI YEH, Jia-Ming Chen, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Publication number: 20120007608
    Abstract: An active-matrix device is provided which includes a plurality of array element circuits arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of source addressing lines each shared between the array element circuits in corresponding same columns; a plurality of gate addressing lines each shared between the array element circuits in corresponding same rows; a plurality of sensor row select lines each shared between the array element circuits in corresponding same rows, wherein each of the plurality of array element circuits includes: an array element which is controlled by application of a drive voltage by a drive element; writing circuitry for writing the drive voltage to the drive element, the writing circuitry being coupled to a corresponding source addressing line and gate addressing line among the plurality of source addressing lines and gate addressing lines; and sense circuitry for sensing an impedance presented at the drive element, the sense circuitry being coupled to a corresponding sensor row select line; and
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin J. HADWEN, Jason R. HECTOR, Adrian Marc Simon JACOBS, Patrick ZEBEDEE
  • Publication number: 20120007610
    Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region, wherein the contact impedance of the contact point is determined according to the position of the contact point and the voltages on the contact point of one and the other of the pair depressed strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: SHANG-TAI YEH, Jia-Ming Chen, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Publication number: 20120007611
    Abstract: A method and the device for position detection are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of strips intersecting each other to form a plurality of intersecting regions. A pair of depressed strips intersecting on an intersecting region contact to each other on a contact point to form a depressed intersecting region. According to the voltages of each strip before and after the strip is depressed, an error ratio can be determined. Based on the error ration, the position error caused by the contact impedance crossover strips can be corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Shang-Tai Yeh, Jia-Ming Chen, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Publication number: 20110291672
    Abstract: A method and a circuit functionally test a semiconductor component. The functional test is performed with galvanic isolation by using a transformer. The test itself is based on determining the frequency-dependent impedance of a series circuit of capacitors and inductors using the semiconductor component itself. The impedance is strongly influenced by the conduction state of the semiconductor component, in other words, by the instantaneous conductivity or blocking capability of the semiconductor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Simon Hüttinger, Thomas Komma, Kai Kriegel, Jürgen Rackles, Gernot Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20110291673
    Abstract: Provided is a chemical sensor requiring no ion-sensitive film. Specifically provided is a chemical sensor (1) for detecting a sample base material (19) to be detected in a sample, the chemical sensor (1) including: a sensor TFT (7) of sensor TFTs (7) each of which has a glass substrate (8) and, on the glass substrate (8), a gate electrode (10), a gate oxide film (11), a silicon layer (12), a source electrode (14), and a drain electrode (15), the silicon layer (12) having a channel region (18) at an opening portion between the source electrode (14) and the drain electrode (15); and extracting signal lines PAS1 to PASn and a sensor signal amplifying and extracting circuit (24) that extract a leak current that is generated in the channel region (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shibata, Masahiro Adachi
  • Publication number: 20110291678
    Abstract: A metering system can include a pull up circuit to be selectively coupled between a voltage node and a metering line that communicates a signal indicative of status of a flow line through which a metered substance flows. An impedance of the pull up circuit is set to reduce power consumption based on a calibration, and the pull up circuit can be disabled between sampling of the signal to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Marty Lynn Pflum, Michael L. Duffy, Douglas S. Piasecki, Michael Keith Odland
  • Publication number: 20110285407
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a small impedance detection circuit capable of accurately detecting the impedance of an object to be measured and an adjustment method of an impedance detection circuit can be provided. In the impedance detection circuit according to the present invention, an AC signal generator outputs an AC signal. A detection circuit, which is connected to a circuit to be measured, applies an AC signal to the circuit to be measured. Further, the detection circuit outputs a first signal corresponding to the composite impedance of the impedance of the circuit to be measured and a parasitic impedance. A correction circuit outputs a second signal in synchronization with the first signal. A subtraction circuit outputs a detection signal obtained by subtracting the second signal from the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki ISHIZEKI, Jou KUDOU, Hiroaki SHIRAI
  • Publication number: 20110279130
    Abstract: The electrical properties of particle solutions can be investigated on a single particle basis by using micro fluidic channels. The impedance can be measured across the channel using at least one pair of conductive electrodes, at least one electrode of a pair being a fingered electrode having a plurality of fingers. The pattern of fingered electrodes creates a longer and more complicated measurement signal shape which leads to a significant improvement of measurement sensitivity. An application for the proposed technology is to significantly improve the measurement sensitivity of impedance measurements on blood cells, leading to a better differentiation between different types of white blood cells. Better measurement sensitivity also enables the measurement of smaller particles and higher throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Hermann Christian Reccius, Steven Charles Deane, Cees Van Berkel
  • Publication number: 20110279129
    Abstract: In a sensor control circuit, an impedance signal output unit has a HPF, a P/H circuit, a LPF, etc., and detects an element impedance of a sensor element on the basis of an impedance response signal which is alternately changed in response to an alternating current signal supplied to the sensor element. The P/H circuit has an input comparator which inputs an impedance detection voltage Vz after the HPF, a rectifying element connected to the P/H circuit, and a hold capacitor which is charged by the output of the input comparator. The input comparator has a constant current circuit and a transistor. The constant current circuit limits an updating value of a hold voltage value Vph of the hold capacitor every alternating current period. The sensor control device detects the element impedance of the sensor element with high accuracy while preventing influence of noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20110273188
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes a sensor pad for detecting an object in a detection area by measuring the impedance variation of the sensor pad, the sensor device further including a back focus plate disposed behind the sensor pad relative to the detection area and a first surrounding focus plate arranged around the sensor pad. The sensor device includes a signal generator that drives the sensor pad and the focus plates with a first set of signals having a predetermined constant phase, frequency and voltage amplitude. The sensor device further comprises at least a second surrounding focus plate arranged around the first surrounding focus plate, the second surrounding focus plate being driven with a second set of signals that are different from the first set of signals feeding the sensor pa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: FAURECIA BLOC AVANT
    Inventors: Jean-Marcel Aubry, Thomas W Bach
  • Publication number: 20110275062
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a techniques for precisely and/or functionally cutting carbon nanotubes, e.g., single walled carbon nanotubes (“SWNTs”) and integrating a single nucleic acid molecule (e.g., a DNA molecule) into a gap formed into the carbon nanotubes. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a molecular electronic device includes disposing a SWNT on a base layer, forming a gap in the SWNT using a lithographic process, and disposing a single DNA strand across the gap so that each end of the nucleic acid contacts a gap termini. The disclosed subject matter also provides techniques for measuring the electrical properties (charge transport) of a DNA molecule which is integrated into an SWNT. Furthermore, a molecular electronic device including an SWNT with an integrated nucleic acid molecule is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicants: California Institute Of Technology, The Trustees of Columbia University In the City of New York
    Inventors: Xuefeng Guo, Colin Nuckolls, James Hone, Alon Gorodetsky, Jacqueline K. Barton
  • Publication number: 20110270559
    Abstract: An impedance analysis system for characterizing an energy storage device (ESD) includes a signal vector assembler to generate a signal vector from a composition of one or more waveforms and a signal generator for generating a stimulus signal responsive to the signal vector. A signal measurement device measures a response signal indicative of a response of the ESD substantially simultaneously with when the stimulus signal is applied to the energy storage device. A load variation monitor monitors load variations on the energy storage device due to operational circuitry coupled thereto. An analyzer is operably coupled to the response signal and analyzes the response signal relative to the signal vector to determine an impedance of the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Christophersen, John L. Morrison, William H. Morrison, Chester G. Motloch
  • Publication number: 20110260737
    Abstract: A laser protective wall element for a housing in laser machining stations with which increased protection, in particular for the eyes of living beings, can be achieved. In a laser protective wall element for a housing at laser machining stations, an intermediate layer is present which has hot conductor properties. The intermediate layer can be formed between electrically conductive plate-like elements, an electrically conductive plate-like element and an electrically conductive coating or also two electrically conductive layers or can be arranged there. The electrically conductive plate-like elements, the coating and/or the layers are connected to an electrical voltage source as well as a measuring instrument which detects electrical current, electrical resistance and/or electrical capacity and whose measured signal change can be used for the condition monitoring of the laser protective wall element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Hannweber, Stefan Kuehn, Sven Bretschneider, Michael Melde
  • Publication number: 20110260738
    Abstract: A bioreactor includes a plastic enclosure for containing a biological medium, the enclosure being integrally formed to have one or more elongate port extensions projecting outwardly from the enclosure and communicating from the exterior to the interior of the enclosure. A biomass impendence monitor probe is provided for use in conjunction with the bioreactor. The probe is pushed into one or more of the elongate ports in order to have an electrode arrangement positioned internally of the container. The probe has an elongate housing having an outer surface extending along and contiguous with the elongate inner surface of the port extension. The housing extends from the electrode end of the probe to a remote end. The housing is provided with an electrical connector connected to the electrode arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan Selman, John Carvell
  • Publication number: 20110253546
    Abstract: A molecular detection device for use in electrochemical detection assays includes at least two electrodes, and has a film deposited on at least one of the electrodes. The film includes a conductive polymer and conductive particles, having mean diameters between 1 and 100 nm, within the conductive polymer. Probe molecules may be attached on or to the conductive polymer, or be included in the conductive polymer. The device may be used to detect specific target molecules in a sample, for example, protein, peptide, nucleic acid or small molecule target molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Changming Li, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20110248726
    Abstract: A method of determining the diameter of a hole extending from a surface of an electrically conducting workpiece into or through the workpiece 1 is provided. The hole is defied at the workpiece's surface by an edge of diameter to be determined. For determining the diameter, the workpiece is electrically charged so that discharge occurs at the edges. The discharge current is measured and the diameter of the hole is determined from the measured discharge current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Nigel Wilbraham
  • Publication number: 20110246100
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for using time domain reflectometry to determine the identity of a fluid in a vessel, and to determine whether the quality of a fluid in a vessel is within acceptable parameters. Methods include identifying a fluid by comparing a derived characteristic of a fluid to a reference characteristic, determining the quality of a fluid by determining if a derived characteristic is within an acceptable quality range, monitoring a fluid for a dynamic change in quality or state, and identifying a fluid by comparing a transition reflection waveform to a reference signature transition. The methods are implemented in systems for identifying a fluid layer in a vessel, such as fuel, free liquid water or ice, detecting misfueling or fuel contamination, and detecting fluid state changes, such as the formation of ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Vibro-Meter Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Carvalho, John L. Sinnamon, Thomas Miskell, Vincent J. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20110241576
    Abstract: An ultrasonic electro-mechanical resonant system and instrument that provides improvements in the design and implementation of a feedback system. The disclosed configuration and orientation of coils enhance the motional or velocity feedback signals while minimizing the effects of transformer coupling. A two coil and a three coil approach is disclosed that takes advantage of non-homogeneous magnetic fields. An asymmetrical arrangement enables velocity signals to be coupled into the coils without requiring additional signal conditioning or capacitive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Paschke Consulting Group Inc. (PCG INC.)
    Inventor: Richard H. Paschke
  • Publication number: 20110234241
    Abstract: A system employs physical unclonable functions of an integrated circuit for detecting integrated circuits and protecting products and technology from integrated circuits which have been subject to tampering, stressing and replacement, and counterfeit components. The system includes a sensor detecting a characteristic impedance generated as a result of controlled access to a memory device of the integrated circuit. The characteristic impedance is applied in the creation of a discrimination matrix of values based on electrical interface signals for the integrated circuit. The sensor includes a ring oscillator and associated monitoring components. The ring oscillator is composed of the memory device of the integrated circuit and a sensory circuitry, wherein changes in a frequency generated by the ring oscillator is indicative of changes in circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Lewis, Paul H. Horn, Dane R. Walther
  • Publication number: 20110237998
    Abstract: An access disconnection method for a machine employing a blood circuit, the blood circuit having a machine segment and a patient access segment, the method comprising: injecting an electrical signal into the blood circuit between the machine segment and the patient access segment; attempting to cause the electrical signal to flow through only the patient access segment and to bypass the machine segment; and measuring the signal in the patient access segment and determining that an access disconnection event has occurred upon a threshold change in the measured signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.
    Inventors: Ramesh Wariar, James Han, George Lamberson, Thomas P. Hartranft, Thore Falkvall
  • Publication number: 20110227587
    Abstract: An AC impedance measuring device includes: a signal generator configured to provide a first signal on which a period signal is superimposed to a DUT; a Fourier transform unit configured to perform Fourier transform on current data and voltage data output from the DUT using a transformation window while sequentially shifting a start time of the transformation window, thereby obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform data strings of the voltage data and the current data; a difference sequence calculator configured to sequentially calculate a first difference sequence of the Fourier transform data strings of the voltage data and a second difference sequence of the Fourier transform data strings of the current data; and an impedance calculator configured to calculate an impedance of the DUT based on a ratio of the first difference sequence and the second difference sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi NAKANISHI, Shuhei OKADA
  • Publication number: 20110227603
    Abstract: A device and method using one or more electrically conductive nano-structures defined on one or more surfaces of a microelectronic circuit such as an integrated circuit die, microelectronic circuit package a stacked microelectronic circuit package, or on the surface of one or more layers in a stack of layers containing one or more ICs. The nano-structure is in connection with a monitoring circuit and acts as a “trip wire” to detect unauthorized tampering with the device or module. Such a monitoring circuit may include a power source such as an in-circuit or in-module battery and a “zeroization” circuit within the chip or package to erase the contents of a memory when the nano-structure is breached or altered. One or more electrically conductive nano-structures interconnect and reroute one or more electrical connections between one or more ICs to create an “invisible” set of electrical connections on the chip or stack to obfuscate an attempt to reverse engineer the device. microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Irvine Sensors Corporation
    Inventors: John Leon, James Yamaguchi, W. Eric Boyd, Volkan Ozguz
  • Publication number: 20110210756
    Abstract: A device for detecting the length of a drilling column that has a plurality of pipes (1) assembled on couplings (2) is characterized in that on the pipes (1), there is at least one electrical line (3, 4) that is galvanically connected to the couplings (2). On one end of the electrical line (3, 4), there is a means (7) for the feed of electrical pulses into the electrical line (3, 4) and for detecting the propagation time of the electrical pulses from the means (7) to a reflection site on the other end (5) of the electrical line (3, 4) and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ADVANCED DRILLING SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Anton Scheibelmasser, Abdelrhani Lamik, Bouchra Lamik-Thonhauser, Werner Lindner, Robert Karpf
  • Publication number: 20110210752
    Abstract: A system and method for voltammetric analysis of a liquid sample solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: TRACEDETECT, INC.
    Inventors: Vladimir Dozortsev, William T. Dietze
  • Publication number: 20110204903
    Abstract: An impedance monitoring circuit for an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes an isolation transformer coupled to at least one of an active terminal and a return terminal of an electrosurgical generator, wherein the isolation transformer includes a primary winding coupled to a reference resistor and a secondary winding coupled to a load. The monitoring circuit also includes a driver configured to transmit a sensor signal to the reference resistor and the load, a primary converter coupled to the reference resistor and the load and configured to detect a primary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal passing through the reference resistor and the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: James A. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20110197660
    Abstract: A method of determining the TOC of a purified water stream is disclosed comprising at least the steps of: passing a supply water stream through a water purification apparatus including an oxidiser to provide a purified water stream, and dispensing at least a portion of the purified water stream; stopping the dispense of the purified water stream and recirculating the purified water stream as a recirculating water stream through at least a portion of the water purification apparatus including the oxidiser to provide a re-oxidised water stream; and measuring the conductivity value of the re-oxidised water stream to determine the TOC of the purified water stream. In this way, a determination of the TOC of the purified water stream of can be provided without requiring a dedicated TOC monitor at the point of dispense of the purified water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Lee Underwood, Paul Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20110199106
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solid-state electric charge sensor (200, 600) comprising at least one signal-readout circuit (205, 605) that comprises a current source (140, 640) and a column line (120, 620). The sensor also comprises at least one charge detector circuit (210, 610) that is operatively coupled with the at least one signal-readout circuit (205, 605). The at least one signal-readout circuit (205, 605) is characterized by further comprising at least one open-loop amplifier (250, 650), the input of which is operatively connectable with the at least one column signal line (220, 620) and with the at least one current source (240, 640); at least one feedback line (230, 630) that is operatively connectable with the output (254, 654) of the at least one open-loop amplifier (250, 650); and operative to selectively form a negative feedback loop; and wherein the open-loop amplifier (250, 650) has an inverting voltage gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Christian Lotto, Peter Seitz, Simon Neukom
  • Publication number: 20110199100
    Abstract: A method and circuit for evaluating a charge impedance at the output of a directional coupling having a first line adapted to convey a wanted signal between a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to be connected to an antenna, and having a second line coupled to the first one including a third terminal on the side of the first terminal and a fourth terminal on the side of the second terminal, wherein the signal present on the fourth terminal is submitted to a homodyne detector having its local oscillator signal sampled from the third terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Sylvain Charley, François Dupont, Benoît Bonnet
  • Publication number: 20110197657
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of selecting a nanostructured deposit for a conductometric gas sensor, methods of detecting a gas based on the acidic or basic characteristic of the gas using a conductometric gas sensor, devices including conductometric gas sensors, arrays of conductometric gas sensors, methods of determining the acidic or basic characteristic of a gas, methods of treating a sensor, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: James L. Gole
  • Publication number: 20110193568
    Abstract: An impedance correction device and a method thereof are provided. A step generator is used to generate a step signal and send to a circuit under test. A reflected signal returned back from the circuit under test is used as a measurement signal; and the measurement signal can be measured to obtain a characteristic impedance value. When the measurement signal is greater than the initially measured step signal, an impedance value of a correction resistor is increased; when the measurement signal is smaller than the initially measured step signal, the impedance value of the correction resistor is reduced. Through adjustment of the correction impedance value, impedance matching between the correction impedance value and the characteristic impedance value is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Wen-Shan WANG, Ting-Ying Wu
  • Publication number: 20110187388
    Abstract: A single use bioreactor or container including an enclosure provided for containing a biological medium, and at least one device for making at least one impedance measurement in a physical, physico-chemical and/or biological process in this medium. The sensing device is fixed through a wall of the enclosure in such a way as to be an integral part thereof and includes a detection part in direct contact with an inside of the bioreactor or container and a connection part extending towards an outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Frederic Ossart
  • Publication number: 20110181301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medication delivery device for expelling set doses of medicament, the medication delivery device comprising a position determining arrangement for detecting absolute positions of a movably mounted member, such as a dose indicator barrel, relative to a housing of the medication delivery device. The position determining arrangement comprises a plurality of electrically conducting electrodes arranged on an outer surface of the movably mounted member, and a plurality of contacts members fixedly arranged relative to the housing of the medication delivery device. A first and a second contact member are arranged to follow a first path across the electrically conducting electrodes upon movement of the movably mounted member relative to the housing, whereas a third and a fourth contact member are arranged to follow a second path across the electrically conducting electrodes upon movement of the movably mounted member relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Preben Nielsen, Bodo von Münchow, Peter Grønning Sørensen
  • Publication number: 20110175628
    Abstract: Disclosed is a triple-gate or multi-gate component based on the quantum mechanical tunnel effect. The component comprises at least two tunneling electrodes on a substrate that are separated by a gap through which electrons can tunnel. The component comprises an arrangement for applying an electric field to the gap, which is such that the path of an electron tunneling between the tunneling electrodes is elongated as a result of the deflection caused by this field. In general, an arrangement can also be provided for applying an electric field to the gap, this electric field having a field component that is perpendicular to the direction of the tunnel current between the tunneling electrodes and is parallel to the substrate. Since the tunnel current between the tunneling electrodes exponentially depends on the distance traveled by the electrons in the gap, such an electric field has a penetration effect on the tunneling probability and thus on the tunnel current to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Hermann Kohlstedt
  • Publication number: 20110166691
    Abstract: A method of improving the clean, rinse and dry processes during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices to conserve solution and energy while completing the process within a specified time. An electro-chemical residue sensor (ECRS) provides in-situ and real-time measurement of residual contamination on a surface or inside void micro features within the sensor representative of conditions on production wafers. The measured impedance can be used to determine what process variables and specifically how process conditions affect the rate of change of the measured impedance. The in-situ measurements are used to design and optimize a production process and/or to monitor the production run in real-time to control the process conditions and transfer of a patterned wafer through the processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Bert M. Vermeire, Farhang F. Shadman
  • Publication number: 20110156722
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for detecting one or more chemical or biological species, which can either react in a redox reaction or directly or indirectly generate a molecule, which can react in a redox reaction, wherein current generated by said redox reaction is detected at at least one electrode, comprising the following steps: 1. Positioning a quantity of the species or molecule, which quantity varies over time, on, at or in the vicinity of the at least one electrode within a period t1-t2, 2. switching the at least one electrode back and forth multiple times during the period t1-t2 between two different potentials, such that relative to a reference electrode, it assumes potentials that are in the range of the oxidation potential of said species or of said molecule or above it or in the range of the reduction potential of said species or said molecule or under it, as a result of which said species/said molecule is alternatingly reduced and oxidized, and 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Nebling, Joerg Albers
  • Publication number: 20110133752
    Abstract: An electronic device, and associated method, provided with a circuit board (10), with a set of input contacts (IN/COM), a set of output contacts (OUT/COM) and an electrical circuit (18) connected between the input contacts (IN/COM) and the output contacts (OUT/COM) and a controller. The controller carries out a real-time test of the circuit board using a test signal introduced into the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit (18) being designed as a passive network having a characteristic transfer function and provided with at least one capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is a conductor surface (221) forming a capacitor in the assembled state with a corresponding, device-side conductor surface (222?), which is connected to the electrical circuit (18) via a contact element in the assembled state, whereby the capacitive value of the capacitive element in the assembled state differs from the capacitive value of the capacitive element in the disassembled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SARTORIUS AG
    Inventors: Swen Weitemeier, Christian Oldendorf
  • Publication number: 20110133753
    Abstract: An electronic device, and associated method, provided with a circuit board (10), with a set of input contacts (IN/COM), a set of output contacts (OUT/COM) and an electrical circuit (18) connected between the input contacts (IN/COM) and the output contacts (OUT/COM) and a controller. The controller carries out a real-time test of the circuit board using a test signal introduced into the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit (18) being designed as a passive network having a characteristic transfer function and provided with at least two separate partial circuits (18?, 18?) wherein the separate partial circuits are electrically connected in the assembled state by cooperation with at least one of: at least one device components and/or assembly components (181).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SARTORIUS AG
    Inventors: Swen Weitemeier, Christian Oldendorf
  • Patent number: 7958286
    Abstract: Programmable on-chip identification circuitry and associated method are disclosed that provide integrated circuits with the ability to select and report from multiple different vendor and system identification configurations. The integrated circuit device includes programmable circuitry that utilizes vendor identification, system identification, configuration or other device information provided or selected at least in part based upon selection information from a source external to the integrated circuit. The selection information may be provided through one or more externally generated digital and/or analog control signals that are then processed within the integrated circuit device to select, access and utilize desired identification information stored in an on-chip database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bresemann, Alan F. Hendrickson, Robert C. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7956620
    Abstract: An impedance monitoring circuit for an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes an isolation transformer coupled to at least one of an active terminal and a return terminal of an electrosurgical generator, wherein the isolation transformer includes a primary winding coupled to a reference resistor and a secondary winding coupled to a load. The monitoring circuit also includes a driver configured to transmit a sensor signal to the reference resistor and the load, a primary converter coupled to the reference resistor and the load and configured to detect a primary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal passing through the reference resistor and the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: James A. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20110130988
    Abstract: A blood glucose sensing system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes stabilization circuitry. The stabilization circuitry causes a first voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a first timeframe and causes a second voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a second timeframe. The stabilization circuitry repeats the application of the first voltage and the second voltage to continue the anodic-cathodic cycle. The sensor electronics device may include a power supply, a regulator, and a voltage application device, where the voltage application device receives a regulated voltage from the regulator, applies a first voltage to an electrode for the first timeframe, and applies a second voltage to an electrode for the second timeframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: RAJIV SHAH, Bahar Reghabi, James L. Henke, Wayne A. Morgan, Gopikrishnan Soundararajan, David Y. Choy, Peter Schultz, Udo Hoss
  • Publication number: 20110121840
    Abstract: A sensor system (1) for measuring an electrical signal across a lipid bilayer is formed by a cell (2) and an electrical reader unit (3) which are connectable together. The cell (2) is capable of supporting a lipid bilayer across an aperture (11) in a membrane (10) and has a construction which is cheap to manufacture. The reader unit (3) is a portable device which monitors an electrical signal generated in the connected cell (2) to allow analysis of that electrical signal. The sensor system (1) is intended for use outside of a laboratory setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Gurdial Singh Sanghera, Steven Paul White, Terence Alan Reid
  • Publication number: 20110121841
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to assembly techniques. According to the present invention, the alignment and probing techniques to improve the accuracy of component placement in assembly are described. More particularly, the invention includes methods and structures to detect and improve the component placement accuracy on a target platform by incorporating alignment marks on component and reference marks on target platform under various probing techniques. A set of sensors grouped in any array to form a multiple-sensor probe can detect the deviation of displaced components in assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Kong-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7948385
    Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods for using ferrite alignment keys in wireless remote sensor assemblies. In one aspect, the invention provides wireless resonant sensor assemblies comprising a pick-up coil, a ferrite alignment key positioned in and extending from the pick-up coil, and wireless resonant sensor having a receiving element wherein the pick-up coil and the wireless resonant sensor align upon insertion of the ferrite alignment key into the receiving element. The ferrite alignment key may also be part of a resonant sensor such that insertion of a pick-up coil into a receiving element of the alignment key results in a configuration where the alignment key is positioned in and extended from the pick-up coil. Methods of measuring one or more parameters of a monitoring system are also provided. The insertion of the ferrite alignment key aligns the pick-up coil and wireless resonant sensor thereby increasing sensing of the wireless resonant sensor by the pick-up coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, William Guy Morris, Charles Lucian Dumoulin, Cheryl Margaret Surman
  • Publication number: 20110115498
    Abstract: Detecting and/or mitigating the presence of particle contaminants in a MEMS device involves including MEMS structures that in normal operation are robust against the presence of particles but which can be made sensitive to that presence during a test mode prior to use, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Vineet Kumar, William A. Clark, John A. Geen, Edward Wolfe, Steven Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110115499
    Abstract: Advances in a variety of fields such as micromachined silicon in conjunction with MEMS and other devices and attaching biosensors to electrode structures have allowed discrete or continuous monitoring devices to be implemented for biological systems, chemical processes, environmental monitoring etc. However, such devices are typically analysed within controlled laboratory environments due to bulky and large electrochemical impedance measurement systems. In many situations deployment in field, clinic, point-of-care, or consumer scenarios would be beneficial. Accordingly it an intention of the invention to provide a measurement system which offers potential for low cost implementations via multiple technologies to address the different cost targets of these applications as well as number of measurement cells within each. Additionally embodiments of the invention are self-calibrating and self-referencing allowing their use in such scenarios absent highly trained technicians.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventors: Vamsy Chodavarapu, Mark Trifiro
  • Publication number: 20110102003
    Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring conductivity of ink in a printing system are disclosed. An embodiment of the method is used with a printing system comprising a developer roller, wherein the ink is formed on the developer roller using electrostatic forces. The method comprises printing on a substrate using the ink; measuring a first current that charges the developer roller during the printing; and determining the conductivity of the ink, wherein the conductivity is proportional to the square of the first current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Manoj K. Bhattacharyya