Abstract: A directionally limited illuminating balloon catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end and a hollow balloon portion disposed at the distal end and inflated through the shaft, the balloon portion having a light source illuminating only a portion of the environment outside the balloon portion. The balloon portion can be have a directionally limited light source directing substantially all illumination towards the shaft. Also provided is a directionally illuminating balloon catheter kit including a set of illuminating catheters each having the light source with different sized illuminating areas to illuminate a different sized partial portion of the environment outside the balloon portion.

Abstract: A protective bird apron includes a main body area with a length and a width and a pair of opposing lateral sections attached to the main body area at corresponding opposing edges thereof, each lateral section having a length less than the length of the main body area and a width dimensioned to extend beneath respective wings of the bird. At least one securing strap is coupled to an upper portion of the main body area and to an upper portion of at least one of the lateral sections, the main body area, the at least one of the lateral sections, and the at least one securing strap defining at least one shoulder securing area. A shoulder protector is coupled to the back covering, disposed to protect shoulders of the bird, and has a width substantially the same or greater than a width of the back covering.

Abstract: A modularly constructed electrical component having a module substrate, preferably, of Si, and having one or more preferably un-housed chips placed on the module substrate while being electrically connected thereto and each joined to the module substrate, e.g., by direct wafer bonding. A recess is provided in the module substrate so that a closed hollow space is formed when the chip is joined to the module substrate. The hollow space is not formed by a protective cap, which surrounds the chip and, with the module substrate, closes it on all sides. Rather it is formed by the joining of opposing contact areas of the chip underside and of the upper side of the module substrate. The component can be economically produced because it does not require a protective cap for creating the hollow space. The component has a higher yield than monolithic integration of the functional units.

Abstract: The Present invention provides a system and method for fast computing the Cholesky factorization of a positive definite matrix. In order to reduce the computation time of matrix factorizations, the present invention uses three atomic components, namely MA atoms, M atoms, and an S atom. The three kinds of components are arranged in a configuration that returns the Cholesky factorization of the input matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transoral invagination and fundoplication of the stomach to the esophagus includes a clip applier having sharp toothed jaws for grasping and damaging the fundus prior to applying the clip. The clip applier has an overall diameter of less than 7 mm. The clip applier jaws are coupled to a pull wire via a linkage which increases the mechanical advantage and thus permits greater grasping force. A plurality of clip designs are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing a photomask or layer or stack patterning include applying two resists to a layer, a layer stack, or a mask substrate (collectively “the layer”). Sensitivity of the first resist with respect to the exposure dose is greater than sensitivity of the second. Both resists are subjected to an exposure dose in defined regions of the layer surface, the dose varying locally between first and second doses. The first dose is chosen to expose the first resist but not the second. The second dose is chosen to expose the second resist. After a first development of the second and of the first resist the layer is etched at the uncovered locations for a first time. After complete removal of the second resist and a second development of the first resist, the layer is etched. As a result, it is possible to produce structures of different depths in the layer.

Abstract: A method of determining an exposure dose for writing a pattern using an electron beam writer determines a target dose in the exposure region to obtain a predetermined energy deposition in a specific position of the exposure region, the predetermined energy deposition being larger than a reference energy deposition in the non-exposure region. The target dose is locally increased in a marginal region of the exposure region (the marginal region being adjacent the exposure boundary) to a value that obtains an energy deposition in the marginal region higher than the predetermined energy deposition. Optionally, the target dose can be locally decreased in an intermediate region of the exposure region (the intermediate region being adjacent the marginal region) to a value that obtains an energy deposition in the intermediate region smaller than the predetermined energy deposition. Also provided is an exposure device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A veneer composition that includes a mixture of at least one of an acrylic emulsion and one or more hard resins and also includes at least about 60% by volume of translucent, uniformly spherical, non-resin, absorbent beads of at least one of acrylic and polypropylene.

Abstract: A thin-film resonator and a method for producing a thin-film component includes, for the purpose of structuring an upper first dielectric layer, a mask that comprises a second dielectric layer facing the upper dielectric layer and a photoresist layer. Initially, the photoresist layer that serves as photomask during the structuring of the second dielectric layer is structured. The structures of the second dielectric layer, together with the structures of the photoresist layer located thereabove, form a mask that is used for structuring the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface of a photomask by removing contaminants from its surface that includes placing the photomask in a vessel, which is held under an elevated pressure and feeding a supercritical fluid, in particular, CO2 in a supercritical state, to the vessel. An additive, such as alcohol, water ketones, esters, surfactants, and organic solvents, can be added to the fluid. The vessel can be held under a pressure higher than the critical pressure of the fluid and at a temperature higher than the critical temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the flexible state of the catheter. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to change stiffness of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device.

Abstract: A target moving configuration includes a weighted base, a shooter's target, a target-moving assembly rotationally connected to the base and a hinge pivotally connecting the target thereto. A target-fall control device operatively connects the hinge to selectively pivot the target when activated. The control device has a balloon, a lock with a removable key, and a pull cord connecting the balloon to the key, which cord holds the key in the lock while the balloon is intact. A target motion device has a drive shaft, a drive cord connected to the target moving assembly and the drive shaft. An electric motor is connected to the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft. A controller is operable to selectively and randomly power the motor to, thereby, move the target movement arm with respect to the base. Multiple targets and assemblies are provided and connected to the drive shaft for independent movement.

Abstract: A tissue retractor includes a body having proximal and distal ends. The retractor also includes a retraction device having a head connected to the distal end of the body and defining two opposing openings, a connector movably disposed in the body, and two flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are fixedly connected to the connector for traveling through a respective one of the openings. The memory shape of the needles includes a portion with an arcuate shape. A one-handed actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and is operatively connected to the connector through the body. Upon actuation of the actuation device, the connector can be moved to selectively extend the needles out of the head and withdraw the needles into the head. Methods for using the tissue retractor, in particular for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, are also provided.

Abstract: A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device includes an electrically conductive switching piston to form a first electrical contact of the switch, a hollow body, an end stop, a bias device, and an electrically conductive second contact of the switch electrically insulated from the piston. The piston is movably disposed in the body hollow along the axis to define different switch-making and -breaking positions. The piston is also movably disposed in a cavity of the stop and the stop is disposed in the body. The stop can be a smooth or threaded puck. The bias device surrounds the piston and imparts bias against it to retain it in one of the two positions until an external axis force overcomes the bias, at which time the switch indicates a state changeover. The switch can be normally open or closed.

Abstract: A method of performing a treatment for gastroesophagheal reflux disease (GERD) includes providing a distal end of a shaft of a medical instrument with a proximally facing end effector having a laterally offset clevis defining a shaft-clevis plane and opposing mutually rotatable jaws proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The jaws hold parts of a two-part fastener, respectively, and are offset and separated from the shaft. Significantly, the jaws operate in a plane at an angle to the shaft-clevis plane. The shaft is inserted with the proximally facing end effector through the esophagus in a first direction. The shaft is retracted in a second direction substantially opposite the first. The end effector contacts a stomach wall at a location near the esophagus and the stomach wall is manipulated with the end effector.

Abstract: To enable contactless laser microdissection in a closed container (10, 11), for example in the form of a Petri dish, it is proposed according to the invention to use a holding device which comprises a receiving portion (4) for arrangement in the container (10, 11) and a holding portion (1) for arrangement externally of the container (10, 11). The receiving portion (4) serves to receive at least one receiving means (9), which serves in turn to receive or collect at least one biological specimen obtained by laser microdissection from biological material (15) located in the container (10, 11). The holding portion (1) is coupled to the receiving portion (4) in contactless manner, for example by means of magnetic coupling, in such a way that, by moving the holding portion (1), the receiving portion (4), together with the receiving means (9) held thereby, may be positioned in the closed container (10, 11) precisely over the biological specimen in each case to be received.