A sweat sensor includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are parallel with one another. The sweat sensor also includes a channel disposed between the first and second conductors. The channel is configured to receive a sample of sweat. A measure of capacitance between the first and second conductors changes based at least partially upon a volume of the sweat in the channel.

A sub-centimeter structure includes a first structural component, a second structural component arranged proximate the first structural component, and a joint connecting the first and second structural components. The joint includes a material that has a first phase that is substantially rigid to hold the first and second structural components in a substantially rigid configuration while the material is in the first phase. The material of the joint has a second phase such that the joint is at least partially fluid to allow the first and second structural components to move relative to each other while the material is in the second phase. The joint interacts with the first and second structural components while the material is in the second phase to cause the first and second structural components to move relative to each other. And, the first and second structural components include a polymer.

Disclosed is a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an implant device associated with a proprietary system provided by a first entity. An external device, that may not be associated with said first entity, is provided and is configured to be calibrated to communicate with the implant device that is located within a patient. The external device may be used in place of an existing reader device that was initially calibrated to communicate with the implant device prior to the implant device being placed within the patient. The external device may be particularly useful for implant devices that communicate wirelessly with external devices where said implant devices are intended to be located within the human body on a permanent or indefinite duration of time.

The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, and specifically to a packaging structure and a packaging method for a retinal prosthesis implanted chip, including a high-density stimulation electrode component processed by a glass substrate, wherein the stimulation electrode component comprises the glass substrate, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes and a pad structure provided on the glass substrate; the stimulation electrodes are formed through cutting out metal pins on the metal and then pouring with glass; the stimulation electrode component is connected to an ASIC chip; a glass packaging cover is covered on the ASIC chip, the glass packaging cover is provided with a metal feedthrough structure for communicating with the stimulation chip; and the packaging cover covers and encapsulates the pad structure. In the packaging structure of the present invention, the substrate and the packaging cover are both made of a glass material, and thereby enable manufacture of a high-density stimulation electrode array, and the metal feedthrough structure is directly used on the glass cover, which facilitates wiring and achieves good sealing performance of the package cover.

An intermediate structure for a microfluidic device and a method for manufacturing a microfluidic device are provided. The method includes: a) providing a first substrate having a first layer thereon, and a second layer on the first layer; b) forming a first nanopore in the second layer, in such a way that a part of the first layer coincides with a bottom of the first nanopore; c) exposing said part of the first layer to a liquid etchant, thereby forming a cavity under the first nanopore, the cavity having a larger width than a width of the bottom of the first nanopore; d) filling the first nanopore and the cavity with a filling material, thereby forming a first plug; e) forming a bottom fluidic access for the nanopore by removing part of the first substrate and part of the first layer so as to expose the plug; and f) removing the plug, thereby fluidly connecting the bottom fluidic access to the nanopore.

Disclosed are a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to analyze the strength of a response signal transmitted from the wireless sensor in response to an excitation pulse generated by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage be placed in a plurality of modes to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the wireless sensor to output a resonant signal. The reader device may receive the resonant signal from the wireless sensor and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the strength and the proximity of the reader device relative to the wireless sensor as it is implanted in a patient.

Compression cold welding methods, joint structures, and hermetically sealed containment devices are provided. The method includes providing a first substrate having at least one first joint structure which comprises a first joining surface, which surface comprises a first metal; providing a second substrate having at least one second joint structure which comprises a second joining surface, which surface comprises a second metal; and compressing together the at least one first joint structure and the at least one second joint structure to locally deform and shear the joining surfaces at one or more interfaces in an amount effective to form a metal-to-metal bond between the first metal and second metal of the joining surfaces. Overlaps at the joining surfaces are effective to displace surface contaminants and facilitate intimate contact between the joining surfaces without heat input. Hermetically sealed devices can contain drug formulations, biosensors, or MEMS devices.

A microelectromechanical system includes a membrane of amorphous carbon having a thickness between 1 nm and 50 nm, and for example between 3 nm and 20 nm.

A method for preparing a flexible electrode is provided. The method comprises sequentially forming a flexible base layer and an intermediate conductive layer on a carrier plate; treating an elastomeric template having an electrode pattern with an acid, followed by transferring and printing the electrode pattern onto the intermediate conductive layer to form an electrode inducing layer; forming a titanium dioxide-polydopamine composite layer in a gap of the electrode inducing layer; forming a platinum electrode layer on the titanium dioxide-polydopamine composite layer; removing the carrier plate. The invention solves the problems of slow formation of a polydopamine film and slow formation of a platinum electrode layer. A flexible electrode is further provided.

The present invention features a stretchable strain sensor for detecting minute amounts of strain or pressure. The stretchable strain sensor may comprise a first soft polymer layer, a wrinkled conductive layer disposed on the first soft polymer layer, and a second soft polymer layer disposed on the wrinkled conductive layer. Strain applied to the sensor may cause the wrinkled conductive layer to stretch and crack and send a signal based on resistance. Pressure applied to the sensor may cause the wrinkled conductive layer to deform and crack and send a signal based on resistance. The stretchable strain sensor may be capable of measuring contractions of a tissue, detecting fluid flowing through a microfluidic channel, and detecting whether a microfluidic valve is closed or not.