R Szema | PubMed Health

PubMed1999

Filtration of sub-100 nm particles using a bulk-micromachined, direct-bonded silicon filter.

For successful size separation in biomedical applications, the filter used must meet several strict criteria. Not only must it have precisely-machined sub-100 nm pores (<5% variation), but it must also be able to handle large and small volumes with very high reduction ratios (>10(4)). In this paper, we will present a bulk-micromachined, direct-bonded silicon nanofilter that can remove particles as small as 44 nm. In doing so, we will describe the fabrication, the gas and liquid characterization, and the filtrations studies done on 44 nm and 100 nm beads.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An artificial compound eye for stereoendoscopy.

A scanning endoscope has been designed with the ability to both project three-dimensional images and provide precise measurements of internal structures. This is beneficial for minimally invasive surgery, where surgeons suffer from a lack of depth perception, limited field of view, and the absence of a reference frame for dimensional measurements. Borrowing from the insect compound eye, the design uses an array of prisms, each facing a different direction but with overlapping fields of view. The prisms redirect their respective images normal to a fibre optic imaging plane and are individually controlled by electro-chromic shutters. The device thereby retains the ability to scan in multiple directions without mechanical parts and uses only a single camera. Comparison of the overlapping images with known prism positions allows for the calculation of absolute coordinates. Results from large-scale models show that the technology is plausible, and fabrication methods for a smaller device are discussed.

Depth Perception↗