Other

Pi Medical, Inc.

The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Health

Metron Systems, Inc.

Microsound Systems, Inc.

The Boeing Company

University of Washington

Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.

Pryon Incorporated

Thomas R Clary

Scott S Corbett, Iii

Kyle S Johnston

Spencer G Nelson

John P Yarno

Heath M Greenberg

Tomas E Lock

John J Stobie

William J Heetderks

Edward M Schmidt

Martin J Bak

David Edell

Fredrick T Hambrecht

Conrad V Kufta

John W Swanson

John C Lazenby

Joseph Franklin

Daniel Ward Knodle

Paul R Norris

Lee David Dunbar

Jerry Martyniuk

Ben M Clopton

Arne H Voie

Francis A Spelman

Richard H Chesarek

Bruce M Pirie

Joseph R Ketterl

Leonard D Seader

Claude N Jolly

William E Crone

David M Polakowski

Brian J Sargent

W Gerrit Barrere

David R Axness

Richard K Johnson

Richard A Revell

James R Chekerylla

Michael J Veraya

Joseph D Ridge

John Folline

Donald R Gardner

Charles C Myrick

Louis A Heaton

This disclosure describes the design and construction of high-precision off-axis optical imaging systems. The disclosure also describes the design and construction of high-precision mounting structures for rigidly holding optical elements in an optical imaging system. The disclosure further describes both a mechanism for highly stable mounting and a technique for high precision focusing of a detector in a complex optical setup. The disclosure even further describes both tooling and a technique used for focusing high precision optical imaging systems. The theory and use of at least these concepts are introduced by examining how these concepts aid the construction and use of a non-contact laser scanning system.

High precision optical imaging systems and related systems

A system and method for measuring the profile of an external surface of a part is provided. The system includes a source of light that directs light onto a region of the external surface of the part. The system also includes a linear, light-sensitive sensor, and a lens used to image locations within the region onto the sensor. The source of light and the sensor are located substantially within the same plane such that the sensor detects substantially only light scattered, diffracted, or reflected from the region and travelling substantially within the plane. The system additionally includes a re-positionable mirror that re-directs the light emitted from the source of light to the plurality of locations within the region and re-directs light scattered, diffracted, or reflected from the plurality of locations within the region to the lens and the sensor. An automatic gain control system which controls the output power of the source of light to thereby avoid saturating the exposure of the sensor may also be included in the above system. Further, a spring which functions as a low-pass filter may be used to couple the motor to the shaft of the rotating mirror. In another embodiment, a re-positionable polygon mirror system comprising standoffs with tangs which restrict the outside reflecting mirror surfaces to pre-aligned planes during rotation of the polygon mirror system is disclosed. A fail-safe eye safety technique is also disclosed which controls the power to the source of light. Even further, an optical scanning system is disclosed which utilizes bi-cell photo-detectors to determine the angular position of the source of light with high precision.

Profiling of a component having reduced sensitivity to anomalous off-axis reflections

A bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end. The bio-implant has at least two lamina of dielectric material joined together, thereby defining a boundary and also defining a side surface that is intersected by this boundary. In addition, at least one set of conductors is interposed between the two lamina and extend lengthwise from the proximal end toward the distal end, each one of the set of conductors being terminated adjacent to the side surface to form a set of conductor terminations. Further, a set of electrode contact points are constructed on the side surface, with each electrode contact point contacting one of said conductor terminations.

Bio-implant and method of making the same

An improved ultrasound transceiver array for permitting improved imaging is taught. The array may be either a two dimensional array for volumetric imaging or a one dimensional array of elements shaped to permit a more precise beam focus for finer resolution imaging. An Nd:YAG laser is used to machine a workpiece from both ends to produce kerfs which taper inwardly from the transceiving side of the array thereby permitting a stronger ultrasound signal and clearer imaging.

Ultrasound transceiver and method for producing the same

Method of producing an ultrasound transducer

A biologically implantable percutaneous connector (20) for providing optionally separable interconnection between an implanted connector (21) attached to bone tissue and a removable connector (40). The connectors each include a supporting matrix of dielectric material (86, 94) within which an array of tiny conductive rods (90, 88) are sealed with ends (112, 110) of the rods exposed as contacts at mating faces (94, 92) and the other ends (102, 100) joined to conductors (33, 43) of cables (32, 42). Elastomeric anisotropic connector material (44) is located between corresponding arrays of contacts to provide for repeated reliable electrical connection and disconnection of corresponding contacts. External surfaces of the implantable body (21) of the percutaneous connector may be coated with a bioactive material promoting integration of surrounding tissue into the surfaces of the implanted percutaneous connector. A contact block (22, 62) including the mating face (94, 92) and a terminal face (98, 96) to which the conductors of a cable are individually connected is made by shaping an array of conductive rods (90, 88) and supporting dielectric material to form a smooth surface including dielectric matrix material and the ends of the electrically conductive rods.

Percutaneous connector for multi-conductor electrical cables

A multi-electrode cochlear implant is taught in which approximately twenty or more insulated metal wires are wound around a flexible tube. These wires are held in place with a further layer of dielectric insulating material. The insulation is selectively removed with a laser beam to form electrodes. Two or more layers or valences of wires can be used, with the inner layer of wires terminating distal to the outer layers to provide a stepwise approximation of the tapering of the scala tympani. A core of shape memory material may be introduced into the tube, so that the implant will retain an effective shape after implantation.

Multi-electrode cochlear implant and method of manufacturing the same

A biologically implantable percutaneous connector for providing optionally separable interconnection of a large number of small electrical conductors of an externally located electrical cable includes a mating face incorporating an array of exposed end surfaces of tiny conductive rods sealed in a supporting matrix of dielectric material which is supported in a connector body. Elastomeric anisotropic connector material is located between corresponding arrays of contacts to provide for repeated reliable electrical connection and disconnection. External surfaces of the implantable body of the percutaneous connector are coated with a bioactive material promoting integration of surrounding tissue into the surfaces of the implanted percutaneous connector. A contact block including the mating face and a terminal face to which the conductors of a cable are individually connected is made by shaping an array of conductive rods and supporting dielectric material to form a smooth surface including dielectric matrix material and the ends of the electrically conductive rods.

Method of making percutaneous connector for multi-conductor electrical

A nondispersive infrared radiation source includes a base, a plurality of formed pins, a thick film resistor and an o-ring, the base has the shape of a cylinder and a plurality of grooves formed therein. A bore is formed in the base which is terminated by a bottom surface defined by a spherical radius. A reflective coating is applied upon the bottom surface. The plurality of formed pins are heat staked into the plurality of grooves and the o-ring is placed in one of the grooves. The thick film resistor comprises a substrate, a dielectric glass layer and a conductor layer, the substrate has a plurality of thick film resistors which are formed thereon. The plurality of thick film resistors are separated by use of a quadrapole laser. The thick film resistor is electrically connected to the plurality of pins with a solder connection. A DC source is electrically connected to the plurality of formed pins, and infrared light radiates from the resistive pad striking the reflective surface in the base, and the infrared light emits from the second end of the base.

Nondispersive infrared radiation source

An ultrasound imaging system is provided which produces gray scale images of the anatomy simultaneous with Doppler signal processing so as to provide a single real-time image that shows not only the vascular anatomy and surrounding tissue but also flow events in the vascular compartment. A phased linear array having near-continuous focus over the scanning field provides high resolution and very small Doppler sample volumes. The system tests incoming signals from throughout the scanning field for amplitude, phase and frequency so as to determine B-mode data, motion presence and direction, and echo source velocity.

Ultrasound blood flow/tissue imaging system

Growing community of inventors

Issaquah, WA, United States of America

Thomas R Clary