Microfab Technologies Inc.

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Other

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Compag Computer Corporation

Microfab Technology, Inc.

Microfab Technoologies, Inc.

Donald J Hayes

David B Wallace

John R Pies

Christopher J Frederickson

David W Taylor

W Royall Cox

Michael T Boldman

James L Stortz

Mary W Hartnett

Matthew D Hayes

Ting Chen

Millard M Judy

Donald J Verlee

J Lester Matthews

Ioan Achiriloaie

Mickey H Everett

Kenneth R Houseman

Norman Comparini

Daniel R Fusting

Scott D Ayers

Virang G Shah

Murray Sinks

The invention is a coded cat's eye retro-reflector array fabricated using data-driven, ink jet micro-dispensing technology. Specifically the invention claims the apparatus, the method of fabricating the apparatus, and the method of using the apparatus. The function of the apparatus is the identification of objects, materials and gasses from a distance using light beams. The apparatus is based upon the cat's eye retro-reflector device that is well known to one skilled in the art.

Cat's eye retro-reflector array coding device and method of fabrication

Micro-optical elements such as lenses and wave-guides are manufactured by printing a hardenable optical fluid using digitally driven ink-jet technology. An array of micro-optical elements are precisely positioned in an electroformed substrate having a surface containing structural openings which serve as molds for micro-droplets of optical fluids deposited from an ink-jet printhead. The structural openings have a stepped down edge, a shelf-like support surface below the edge and a centered aperture in the substrate. The micro-optical element formed is controlled by the shape of the edge in the surface of the substrate and the radius by the volume of micro-droplets deposited into the structural opening. The structural openings can be circular, or any desired shape which is easily and precisely formed in an electroformed substrate.

Precision micro-optical elements and the method of making precision micro-optical elements

A method and apparatus is disclosed which employs a pulse-controlled microdroplet fluid delivery system for precisely dispensing fragrances and other odor producing vapors. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery device is capable of ejecting microdroplets of fluid with a diameter less than 350 micrometers at a controlled ejection rate based upon inkjet printing technology. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery system includes mechanisms for vaporizing the fluids and delivery of the vapors to the nose, which is controlled by a programmable system controller capable of real time data-driven dispensing with a multi-fluid capability. Synthesis of custom fragrances is made possible by a multijet programmed control system which adjusts dispensing rates of components. Calibration of a prior art &ldquo;electronic nose&rdquo; is disclosed. A precise calibration gas is produced in real-time to counteract the effect of drifting.

Method for calibrating a sensor for measuring concentration of odors

A method for forming a micro-optical switch component includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface. An opto-electronic device is integrated into the semiconductor substrate at a site. A pedestal of microlens material is formed on the semiconductor substrate surface at the site of the opto-electronic device. The pedestal extends from the semiconductor substrate surface and has a top surface spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate surface. A print head is provided and contains an optical fluid which is hardenable and capable of serving as a micro-optical element. The printhead includes an orifice from which micro-droplets of the optical fluid are ejected in response to control signals. Optical fluid is deposited onto the top surface of the pedestal to thereby form a micro-optical element on the pedestal.

Method for producing a fiber optic switch

A method for making a laminated carrier film for use in releasing interstitial fluid from skin for collection or measurement includes providing a printhead having an orifice and a reservoir containing a meltable absorber substance, the printhead being capable in response to electrical signals, to eject droplets of said meltable absorber substance from the orifice; supporting a carrier film having a series of spaced apart openings for a meltable absorber substance on a support base, in close proximity to the printhead, whereby the spaced apart openings on the carrier film can be positioned relative to the orifice to receive absorber substance droplets ejected from the printhead; filling the spaced apart openings of the carrier film with meltable absorber substance ejected from the printhead; and covering the carrier film on one side with a clear polymer film strip selected to allow laser energy to pass through the clear polymer film in order to reach the meltable absorber substance inside the openings.

Method for fabricating laminated carrier for collecting interstitial fluid from the skin

A process of making thermoelectric coolers by direct printing of n- and p-type semiconductor materials suitable for making thermoelectric coolers is disclosed. Micro Jet Printing of arrays on n and p-type materials belong to conductive site pads on non-conductive substrate and crystalization of these materials in the preferred direction as they cool produces thermoelectric cooler components without the need for sawing and machining operations. A non-conductive top substrate having conductive bonding pads is secured to the tops of the columns n and p-type semiconductor materials thereby forming an electrical and physical bond to make a thermoelectric cooler package.

Low cost method for making thermoelectric coolers

A method and apparatus is disclosed which employs a pulse-controlled microdroplet fluid delivery system for precisely dispensing fragrances and other odor producing vapors. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery device is capable of ejecting microdroplets of fluid with a diameter less than 350 micrometers at a controlled ejection rate based upon ink-jet printing technology. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery system includes mechanisms for vaporizing the fluids and delivery of the vapors to the nose, which is controlled by a programmable system controller capable of real time data-driven dispensing with a multi-fluid capability. Synthesis of custom fragrances is made possible by a multijet programmed control system which adjusts dispensing rates of components. Calibration of a prior art &ldquo;electronic nose&rdquo; is disclosed. A precise calibration gas is produced in real-time to counteract the effect of drifting.

Method and apparatus for delivery of fragrances and vapors to the nose

A low cost digitally operated dispenser apparatus and method of operation and construction is obtained by combining flat sided, preferably rectangular tubular capillary tube having an orifice, with a flat elongated strip of piezoelectric material. Microdroplets are dispensed from an internal chamber within the capillary tube, or a separate feed supply, upon application of voltage pulses through electrodes connected to conductive layers on the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric strip may be parallel to the flat capillary tube or perpendicular to it. On a variation, a fixture can be used to improve performance in combination with the capillary tube and piezoelectric strip. A standoff strip allows the piezoelectric operator to be thermally isolated from a flat rectangular capillary tube.

Flat-sided fluid dispensing device

A method and apparatus for dispensing pheromones, semiochemicals, and other materials that can control the behavior or physiology of insects and other pests are described. The dispensers (AgJets) use electronic dispensing technology such as that used in ink jet printing. The units have a self-containing reservoir for the to-be-dispensed chemical, and they are capable of being activated to dispense by an electromagnetic signal from a broadcasting controller unit. Picoliter volumes of pheromones and semiochemicals can be dispensed in drop-on-demand mode. The units for dispensing shall be powered by battery and/or solar energy for hands-off operation in remote sites. The units may also have weather monitoring devices (thermometer, anemometer, humidity measurement), and such climactic information can be transmitted to central receiving stations and/or used locally in the AgJet device to control chemical dispensing.

Method and apparatus for dispensing airborne materials for controlling pests

A more reliable and precise method of determining the olfactory threshold is provided by a digitally operated apparatus that dispenses controlled amounts of a volatile test fluid from a digital jetting device of the type used for ink jet printing. A precise number and size of micro droplets are dispensed onto a heater which vaporizes the fluid at a test location where a patient can sniff and report whether the odor is sensed. Incremental adjustments are made to determine the approximate threshold of olfactory perception of the odor. Sensors are included to verify dispensing and to coordinate dispensing with breathing.

Digital olfactometer and method for testing olfactory thresholds

Miniaturized, self-contained apparatus for conducting bio-chemical reactions and analyses is formed in a compact structure comprising a substrate which includes a plurality of reaction chambers and a plurality of analysis chambers which are in fluid communication with the reaction chambers. Independently controllable heaters and coolers are positioned in thermal contact with the reaction chambers to permit parallel processing of biological samples at different temperature cycles. The apparatus is especially useful for performing and analyzing the results of a polymerase chain reaction.

Flexible apparatus with ablation formed chamber(s) for conducting bio-chemical analyses

A carrier film has one or more openings or wells loaded with a meltable absorbing substance for absorbing laser energy. The carrier film has a clear film which covers one side of the opening containing the absorber substance and the open side of the opening in the carrier film is positioned adjacent to the skin and irradiated through the clear cover film by a laser beam. The melted laser energy absorbing substance is ejected to form a spot laying on the skin. After moving the carrier film, a laser beam impinges the spot thereby raising a tiny blister on the skin containing interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid is collected for diagnosis and analysis. A method of making and loading the carrier film with a digitally operated dispenser of the type used for ink jet printing is disclosed. Special construction of the opening appears to enhance ejection.

Method for collecting interstitial fluid from the skin

An ink-jet dispenser for the micro-dispensation of airborne materials into an individual's airspace for inhalation or sniffing. The ink-jet dispenser will allow the study of temporal integration times, inter-nostril summation, backwards and forwards masking, and other olfactory phenomena.

Devices for presenting airborne materials to the nose

An ink jet printhead assembly for ink jet printing apparatus and a method for the manufacture thereof. The piezoelectrically operable ink jet printhead assembly has two arrays of driving channels aligned with a single orifice array in which each orifice connects through a fluid channel to a single driving channel.

Orifice array for high density ink jet printhead

Solder jetting technology is employed to prepare a chip scale package which is 'bumped' in preparation for making electrical interconnections with pads on a connection surface of the chip. The chip scale packages can be produced in wafer form before severing the wafer to produce individually packaged chips. In one embodiment a column is built on each pad of the chip connection surface and then the pads and columns are covered with a layer of dielectric jetted on to the connection surface to provide the package. The upper surface portion of the dielectric layer is removed to expose the ends of the columns. The ends of the columns are then bumped using solder jet technology to ready the package for subsequent electrical interconnections. An alternate embodiment employs taller columns which extend above the layer of dielectric. A solder reflow operation is applied to convert the exposed upper ends of the columns into generally spherical balls. The technique also allows vertical solder columns to be extended laterally along the surface of a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer applied wherein a second vertical portion of column is bumped in order to make a connection.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Donald J Hayes