Richard C Muller

US Patent:

6712759, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Jan 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/041645

Inventors:

Richard P. Muller - Bronx NY

Assignee:

ACMI Corporation - Southborough MA

International Classification:

A61B 1015

US Classification:

600156, 600129, 600153

Abstract:

A sheath assembly for a medical instrument such as an endoscope comprises an outer sheath and inner sheath and novel means for providing out-flow of fluids from a surgical site. The outer sheath is disposed about at least a portion of an inner sheath. The assembly has an outflow aperture disposed in an outer wall at the distal end of the assembly. The outflow aperture is the initiation for an outflow conduit that is generally longitudinally disposed in a distal tip portion of the assembly and communicates fluid to a main outflow channel formed between the outer sheath and inner sheath. In a preferred embodiment, the outflow aperture and conduit are disposed wholly or partially in a dielectric tip element. The novel assembly allows improved outflow by disposing the outflow aperture at a more distal end of the instrument than conventional devices such that the outflow aperture is less prone to blockage by surrounding tissue or debris when used in tight anatomical passages.

US Patent:

6758983, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/076296

Inventors:

Robert A. Conant - Berkeley CA
Jocelyn T. Nee - Albany CA
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H01L 2100

US Classification:

216 2, 216 24, 216 33, 216 36, 216 67

Abstract:

A staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes a stationary combteeth assembly and a moving combteeth assembly with a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is positioned entirely above the stationary combteeth assembly by a predetermined vertical displacement during a combdrive resting state. A method of fabricating the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes the step of deep trench etching a stationary combteeth assembly in a first wafer. A second wafer is bonded to the first wafer to form a sandwich including the first wafer, an oxide layer, and the second wafer. A moving combteeth assembly is formed in the second wafer. The moving combteeth assembly includes a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is separated from the first wafer by the oxide layer. The oxide layer is subsequently removed to release the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive.

US Patent:

6897539, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Apr 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122451

Inventors:

Behrang Behin - Berkeley CA, US
Kam Yin Lau - Danville CA, US
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H01L031/00

US Classification:

257444, 257434, 257435, 257436, 257443, 257462

Abstract:

Methods for directing an optical beam and for making an apparatus for directing an optical beam are described. One such method may include applying a first force to a plate to move the plate from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation wherein the plate contacts a stop in the second angular orientation. A second force can be applied between the plate and the stop to hold the plate against the stop in a plane substantially parallel to a substantially planar surface of the stop. An apparatus for directing an optical beam may be made by coupling an array of plates to a base assembly wherein each plate is movable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation. An array of apertures may be formed in a stop assembly wherein the stop assembly is coupled to the base assembly and each aperture is positioned to contact its respective plate when the plate is in a second angular orientation.

US Patent:

6962830, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/511428

Inventors:

Behrang Behin - Berkeley CA, US
Kam Yin Lau - Danville CA, US
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H01L021/00

US Classification:

438 50, 438 52, 257443, 257444, 257462

Abstract:

Microstructure apparatus and methods are described. An exemplary movable microstructure apparatus includes a base, a plate, and a stop. The plate may be coupled to the base through a flexure, so that the plate is movable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation. The stop may be configured to contact the bottom portion of the plate in a contact area when the plate is in the second angular orientation. Alternatively, the stop may be configured to contact the plate in a contact area sized so that upon application of an electrostatic bias between the plate and the stop, a sufficient force holds the plate against the stop. Alternatively, the stop may have a substantially planar surface configured to contact the plate in a contact area sized so that, upon application of a force to the plate substantially normal to the substantially planar surface of the stop, a sufficient force holds the plate against the stop such that the plate lies in a plane substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface of the stop.

US Patent:

7079299, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

May 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/584835

Inventors:

Robert A. Conant - Berkeley CA, US
Jocelyn T. Nee - Albany CA, US
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G02B 26/08

US Classification:

359224, 310309

Abstract:

A staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes a stationary combteeth assembly and a moving combteeth assembly with a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is positioned entirely above the stationary combteeth assembly by a predetermined vertical displacement during a combdrive state. A method of fabricating the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes the step of deep trench etching a stationary combteeth assembly in a first wafer. A second wafer is bonded to the first wafer to form a sandwich including the first wafer, an oxide layer, and the second wafer. A moving combteeth assembly is formed in the second wafer. The moving combteeth assembly includes a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is separated from the first wafer by the oxide layer. The oxide layer is subsequently removed to release the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive.

US Patent:

7101379, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/013005

Inventors:

Gregory Konstorum - Stamford CT, US
Richard P. Muller - Bronx NY, US
Frank D'Amelio - Los Olivos CA, US
Gustave Jorgenson - Racine WI, US

Assignee:

ACMI Corporation - Southborough MA

International Classification:

A61B 17/22

US Classification:

606127

Abstract:

A medical retrieval basket device, comprising a plurality of basket wires forming a basket, the basket including a wire collector at its distal end, the wire collector having a substantially rigid body for receiving the wires, the wire collector securing the wires at the distal end of the basket so as to provide a substantially tipless basket.

US Patent:

7301177, Nov 27, 2007

Filed:

May 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/846137

Inventors:

Behrang Behin - Berkeley CA, US
Kam Yin Lau - Danville CA, US
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H01L 29/74

US Classification:

257108, 257415, 257428, 257432, 257433, 257443

Abstract:

Methods for directing an optical beam and for making an apparatus for directing an optical beam are described. One such method may include applying a first force to a plate to move the plate from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation wherein the plate contacts a stop in the second angular orientation. A reflective portion of the plate is stopped from rotating beyond the second angular orientation. A second force can be applied between the plate and the stop to hold the plate against the stop in a plane substantially parallel to a substantially planar surface of the stop. An apparatus for directing an optical beam may be made by coupling an array of plates to a base assembly wherein each plate is movable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation.

US Patent:

7355793, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

May 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/133455

Inventors:

Hyuck Choo - Emeryville CA, US
Richard S. Muller - Kensington CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G02B 27/10
G02B 26/00
G02F 1/00

US Classification:

359619, 359237

Abstract:

An addressable array of lenses is disclosed. Two electrical connections per row address specific lenses within that row. Carriages support individual lenses, thus forming resonant units with frequencies unique within each row. A voltage, having the same frequency as a selected resonant unit is applied. The selected lens produces a resonating image. Testing has verified proper resonance addressing within a 5-by-5 array of microlenses. The array can be applied to a Shack-Hartmann (SH) sensor. To compensate for errant images formed outside of their image area, resonating images are identified by a processor. The array thus improves the dynamic range of the wavefront aberration that can be measured by an SH sensor. The inventors currently estimate the improvement over conventional designs to be about a factor of 30.