Ypsilanti-based Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. said Wednesday that the United States Patent Office has given the company U.S. Patent No. 7,351,603 covering technology involved in making components of its tiny flow sensors.
The patent, officially titled "Process of Making a Microtube and Microfluidic Devices Formed Therewith," describes a new method of forming micromachined tubes used to produce mass flow meters, density and chemical concentration sensors, drug infusion systems, fuel cell concentration sensors, and other devices that employ microtube technology.
Officials at the company said the new patent complements other patents owned by ISSYS in the area of flow sensors and micro electro-mechanical systems devices.
The new patent describes novel techniques to make larger microtubes for higher flow applications. The new fabrication methods also reduce the cost of manufacturing these micromachined devices, a particularly important advance for high-volume applications such as drug delivery systems with disposable parts.
"This technology is already seeing use in industrial and biomedical devices, as well as fuel cell systems," said Nader Najafi, the company's president and CEO. "This is ISSYS' 20th patent and reinforces the other ISSYS' patents on the design, packaging, fabrication, and application of microtube-based sensors, giving ISSYS comprehensive IP protection and offering a competitive barrier to market entry. ISSYS also has more than 80 pending and provisional patents."
Founded in 1995, ISSYS is one of the oldest independent MEMS companies in the US. The company operates a full MEMS fabrication plant and is qualified under the ISO 9001:2000 quality standard and the ISO 13485:2003 medical device manufacturing standard.
More at www.mems-issys.com.
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