FLEXIBLE POLYMER-BASED ENCAPSULATED-FLUID DEVICES
First Claim
1. An encapsulated-liquid device comprising:
- a flexible housing having an interior surface defining a chamber and configured to encapsulate a liquid within the chamber;
first and second fluidic access ports configured to admit liquid into the chamber; and
first and second electrodes, each having a portion exposed to the chamber, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to sense an impedance of a liquid within the chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to MEMS-based medical devices including a flexible housing that forms a chamber for encapsulating a fluid or liquid. The devices also include encapsulated electrodes, portions of which are exposed to the fluid or liquid within the chamber for sensing and/or physical actuation (controlled movement). Such medical devices can function specifically as: contact force sensors; and/or out-of-plane actuators. Device function is enabled by the encapsulation of liquid within the microchamber. Depending on the kind of electrical input applied, the encapsulated electrodes can function as electrochemical sensing elements; and/or electrolytic generation electrodes. Devices according to the present disclosure can have a fluidic coupling to the external environment or can be isolated. Fluidic isolation from the surrounding environment can be accomplished by the inclusion of an annular-plate stiction valve within the device. Related methods of use and fabrication are also described.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An encapsulated-liquid device comprising:
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a flexible housing having an interior surface defining a chamber and configured to encapsulate a liquid within the chamber; first and second fluidic access ports configured to admit liquid into the chamber; and first and second electrodes, each having a portion exposed to the chamber, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to sense an impedance of a liquid within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An encapsulated-liquid medical device comprising:
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a flexible housing having an interior defining a chamber and configured to encapsulate a liquid within the chamber; first and second fluidic access ports configured to admit liquid into the chamber; first and second electrodes, each having a portion exposed to the chamber; and
configured to cause electrolysis of a liquid within the chamber; andat least one electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of positioning a surface relative to a device, wherein the medical device includes (i) a flexible housing having a substrate and an interior defining a chamber configured to encapsulate a liquid within the chamber, (ii) first and second electrodes, each having a portion exposed to the chamber, and (iii) and at least one electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the housing, the method comprising:
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applying a voltage potential across the first and second electrodes; causing electrolysis of a liquid within the chamber; and moving the exterior surface relative to the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of sensing force applied to a movable surface of a device, wherein the device includes (i) a flexible housing having a substrate, a moveable surface, and an interior defining a chamber configured to encapsulate a liquid within the chamber, and (ii) first and second electrodes, each having a portion exposed to the chamber, the method comprising:
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applying a voltage potential across the first and second electrodes; in response to a force applied to the movable surface, sensing an impedance change of a liquid within the chamber; and correlating sensed impedance change of the liquid to the force applied to the moveable surface. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification