Brigham Young University

C. R. Bard, Inc.

Jeffrey K Anderson

Larry L Howell

Timothy W McLain

Robert K Messenger

William Randy Barron

Catherine C Breiter

Kelly Rasmussen

Scott D Hinckley

Abraham C Teng

Jack R Peterson

David W Pierce

A micromechanical device may include one or more piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to externally or internally induced strain. The present invention leverages the piezoresistive properties of such devices to sense the positional state of the device. A sensing circuit may be integrated into the device that senses an electrical resistance of at least a portion of the micromechanical device and provides information regarding the positional state of the micromechanical device. The micromechanical device may be a compliant device that includes relatively flexible members such as mechanical beams or ribbons. The positional states may be continuous positional states (such as the position of an actuator) or discreet positional states (such as the positional state of a bistable memory device). In certain embodiments, the micromechanical device is a threshold detector that latches to a particular stable configuration when an applied force exceeds a selected value.

Micromechanical positional state sensing apparatus method and system

Bistable micromechanical devices

A catheter connector system that allows trimming of the proximal end of a catheter (single or multiple lumen) prior to the placement of a connector hub. In one variation, the catheter connector system comprises a catheter, a connector sheath including a soft collet, and a connector hub including a cannula for engaging the catheter and a connector hub interface for receiving the connector sheath.

Catheter connector system

Growing community of inventors

Provo, UT, United States of America

Jeffrey K Anderson