SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING IMAGES USING A PRESSURE SENSITIVE MEMBRANE
First Claim
1. A pressure sensitive membrane including:
- a top surface;
a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and
an elastic deformable film forming at least a portion of the top surface; and
a textured surface disposed between the bottom surface and an imaging surface of a light transmitting member, the textured surface being in contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane or in contact with at least a portion of the imaging surface, the textured surface holding the pressure sensitive membrane at a default position, the textured surface and/or the pressure sensitive membrane being formed such that an application of pressure at any location on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane deforms the deformable film to reduce a distance between the deformable film and the imaging surface at such location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A total internal reflection based imaging system may include a light transmitting member having an imaging surface. A pressure sensitive membrane may be arranged on the imaging surface. The pressure sensitive membrane may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and an elastic deformable film forming at least a portion of the top surface. The imaging system may include a textured surface disposed between the pressure sensitive membrane and the imaging surface. An application of pressure on the top surface may deform the deformable film to reduce a distance between the deformable film and the imaging surface. A light source may be configured to emit a light towards the imaging surface such that reduced total internal reflection of the light occurs where the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane contacts the imaging surface. A sensor may be configured to capture the light reflected from the imaging surface.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A pressure sensitive membrane including:
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a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and an elastic deformable film forming at least a portion of the top surface; and a textured surface disposed between the bottom surface and an imaging surface of a light transmitting member, the textured surface being in contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane or in contact with at least a portion of the imaging surface, the textured surface holding the pressure sensitive membrane at a default position, the textured surface and/or the pressure sensitive membrane being formed such that an application of pressure at any location on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane deforms the deformable film to reduce a distance between the deformable film and the imaging surface at such location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A total internal reflection based imaging system comprising:
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a light transmitting member having an imaging surface; a pressure sensitive membrane arranged on the imaging surface, the pressure sensitive membrane including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and an elastic deformable film forming at least a portion of the top surface; a textured surface disposed between the pressure sensitive membrane and the imaging surface, the textured surface being in contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane or in contact with at least a portion of the imaging surface, the textured surface holding the pressure sensitive membrane at a default position, the textured surface and/or the pressure sensitive membrane being formed such that an application of pressure at any location on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane deforms the deformable film to reduce a distance between the deformable film and the imaging surface at such location; a light source configured to emit a light towards the imaging surface from a side of the imaging surface opposite the textured surface such that reduced total internal reflection of the light occurs at any location on the imaging surface at which the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane contacts the imaging surface due to pressure exerted on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane; and a sensor configured to capture the light reflected from the imaging surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fluorescent or scattered light imaging system comprising:
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a light transmitting member having an imaging surface; a pressure sensitive membrane arranged on the imaging surface, the pressure sensitive membrane including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and an elastic deformable film forming at least a portion of the top surface; a textured surface disposed between the pressure sensitive membrane and the imaging surface, the textured surface being in contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane or in contact with at least a portion of the imaging surface, the textured surface holding the pressure sensitive membrane at a default position, the textured surface and/or the pressure sensitive membrane being formed such that an application of pressure at any location on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane deforms the deformable film to reduce a distance between the deformable film and the imaging surface at such location; a light source configured to emit a light towards the imaging surface from a side of the imaging surface opposite the textured surface such that reduced total internal reflection of the light occurs and enhanced fluorescent or scattered light emission occurs at any location on the imaging surface at which the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane contacts the imaging surface due to pressure exerted on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane; and a sensor configured to capture the enhanced fluorescent or scattered light emission from the imaging surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electrical pressure sensor readout grid system comprising:
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a pressure sensitive membrane arranged on an electrical acquisition surface, the pressure sensitive membrane comprising; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; an elastic deformable film with electrically active layers forming at least a portion of the top surface; and electrically active layers forming at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane contacting the electrical acquisition surface; a textured surface disposed between the pressure sensitive membrane and the electrical acquisition surface, the textured surface being in contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane or in contact with at least a portion of the electrical acquisition surface, the textured surface holding the pressure sensitive membrane at a default position, the textured surface and/or the pressure sensitive membrane being formed such that an application of pressure at any location on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane deforms the elastic deformable film to reduce a distance between the elastic deformable film and the electrical acquisition surface at such location causing electrical properties of the electrically active layer to change; and an electrical sensor readout grid configured to apply a current or voltage between electrodes of the electrical sensor readout grid at the electrical acquisition surface such that an electrical response occurs between electrodes at any location on the electrical acquisition surface at which the bottom surface of the pressure sensitive membrane contacts the electrical acquisition surface due to pressure on the top surface of the pressure sensitive membrane. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification