Abstract: A method comprises rolling a medical implant to reduce a profile of the medical implant. The medical implant comprises a first end and a second end. The method further comprises inserting the medical implant into a catheter, delivering the catheter to a treatment location within a human body, and removing the medical implant from the catheter.

Abstract: A puncture needle can comprise an elongate portion, a puncture component associated with a distal end of the elongate portion, and a spacer associated with a distal portion of the elongate portion, where the spacer can be configured to contact a wall of the delivery catheter lumen to prevent contact between the puncture component and the wall. A puncture needle can comprise an elongate portion and a puncture component associated with a distal end of the elongate portion, where the puncture component comprises a blade edge on a distal edge, and where the puncture component is configured to be advanceable through a lumen of a delivery catheter without the blade edge sticking to a wall of the lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clamp having a band for substantially surrounding an object between a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening, a bracket, and a fastener. The bracket includes a base with a bottom surface for placement on a surface of the object and a wall. The base also includes a first base aperture for receiving the first end and a second base aperture spaced from the first base aperture for receiving the second end. The wall has a wall opening and extends substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the base. The fastener extends through the wall opening, the first opening and the second opening to secure the first end to the second end and moves the first end towards the second end to tighten the band and the base of the bracket to the surface of the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clamp having a band for substantially surrounding an object between a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening, a bracket, and a fastener. The bracket includes a base with a bottom surface for placement on a surface of the object and a wall. The base also includes a first base aperture for receiving the first end and a second base aperture spaced from the first base aperture for receiving the second end. The wall has a wall opening and extends substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the base. The fastener extends through the wall opening, the first opening and the second opening to secure the first end to the second end and moves the first end towards the second end to tighten the band and the base of the bracket to the surface of the object.

Abstract: Luminance information and a subset of chrominance information associated with a video signal are encoded into a first encoded video signal. The subset of chrominance information does not include all of the received chrominance information. At least the remaining chrominance information that is associated with the video signal but is not encoded into the first encoded video signal is encoded into a second encoded video signal. The second encoded video signal could include all of the chrominance information, and not only the remaining chrominance information. In either case, a full set of chrominance information for the video signal is encoded.

Abstract: Lever handles for video fader consoles are disclosed. A lever handle is used to control transition of video segments in a video production system. A hand grip of the lever handle is parallel to the video fader console in an embodiment, and could be made to fit a user's hand such that a user can completely grasp the hand grip with all fingers. The lever handle includes the hand grip and an arm structure which offsets the hand grip thereby permitting a user to grasp the hand grip without any impedance from the arm structure, which could provide greater operator control of the handle during operation. Embodiments with adjustable handle length or height are also disclosed.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: A low-k interconnect dielectric layer is strengthened by forming pillars of hardened material in the low-k film. An E-beam source is used to expose a plurality of pillar locations. The locations are exposed with a predetermined power and exposure time to convert the low-k film in the selected locations to pillars having higher hardness and strength than the surrounding portions of the low-k film.

Abstract: A method of diverting void diffusion in an integrated circuit includes steps of forming an electrical conductor having a boundary in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit, forming a via inside the boundary of the electrical conductor in a dielectric layer between the first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit, and forming a slot between the via and the boundary of the electrical conductor for diverting void diffusion in the electrical conductor away from the via.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting void diffusion away from vias in an integrated circuit design includes steps of forming an electrical conductor in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit design, forming a via between a distal end of the electrical conductor and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit design, and reducing tensile stress in the electrical conductor to divert void diffusion away from the via.

Abstract: A method for correcting operation of the sleep oscillator (116) of a wireless communications device (100). Sleep oscillator frequency is estimated (412) so as to compensate for estimated temperature induced errors. In estimating temperature induced errors, errors (504) in sleep oscillator frequency are treated as being temperature induced errors (522), but probable multipath errors are bounded (410, 520) to predetermined sleep clock error maxima (602) corresponding to sleep duration over which the error occurred.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an extreme low-K circuit structure formed on a substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive structures. A lattice structure of bracing material configured to support the electrically conductive structures is formed on the substrate and also can define regions of extreme low-K dielectric space between the electrically conductive structures. Additionally, methods for creating dielectric structures on a substrate are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the substrate temperature of a substrate during processing of the substrate at a process energy. A chuck temperature input receives temperature measurements from temperature sensors at a substrate chuck, and a temperature set point input receives temperature set points. The temperature set points define a range of temperatures within which the apparatus maintains the substrate temperature. A chuck temperature controller output sends control signals to a chuck temperature controller, which signals are operable to selectively increase and decrease the chuck temperature. A process energy output sends control signals that are operable to selectively increase and decrease the process energy during the processing of the substrate. A controller compares the temperature measurements received from the temperature sensors at the substrate chuck through the chuck temperature input to the temperature set points received through the temperature set point input.

Abstract: A low-k interconnect dielectric layer is strengthened by forming pillars of hardened material in the low-k film. An E-beam source is used to expose a plurality of pillar locations. The locations are exposed with a predetermined power and exposure time to convert the low-k film in the selected locations to pillars having higher hardness and strength than the surrounding portions of the low-k film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for stabilizing a change in corneal curvature, stabilizing refractive error improvements and stabilizing (maintaining) unaided visual acuity improvements after corneal reshaping procedures. This stabilization process is accomplished by administering compositions containing at least one stabilizing ophthalmic agent to the cornea of the eye after a corneal reshaping procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for forming copper interconnect structure. The method involves providing a substrate having a copper conductive layer formed thereon. An insulating layer having openings is formed on the conductive layer so that the openings expose portions of the underlying conductive layer at the bottom of the openings. A barrier layer is formed on the surface of the substrate. A portion of the barrier layer is removed at the bottom of the opening to expose the underlying conductive layer. A copper plug is formed in the opening such that the bottom of the plug is in contact with the exposed conductive layer. The substrate can be subjected to further processing if desired. The invention also includes a copper interconnect structure having increased resistance to electromigration.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device to produce graded doping in the source region and the drain region includes the steps of implanting the gate material, usually a polysilicon, with a dopant ion that varies the level of oxide formation on the gate. The dopant ion is driven into undoped polysilicon. Nitrogen ions, may also be implanted in the polysilicon to contain the previously implanted ions. For N-type transistors, typically arsenic is implanted. For P-type transistors, typically boron is implanted. Gates are formed. The gate structure is then oxidized. The oxidation process is controlled to grow a desired thickness of silicon dioxide on the gate. The portion of the gate carrying the dopant grows silicon dioxide either more quickly or more slowly. An isotropic etch can then used to remove a portion of the silicon oxide and form a knob on each sidewall of the gate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting refractive errors of the eye are disclosed. Accelerated reshaping of the corneal tissue is accomplished by administering one or more enzymes and/or other agents to the eye which temporarily soften the cornea. The cornea is thereafter fitted with a rigid contact lens or a series of lenses which have a concave curvature that will correct a refractive error. The softened cornea then rapidly reshapes its convex curvature to the concave curvature of the contact lens or series of lenses, thereby rendering the eye emmetropic. The enzymes and/or other agents then dissipate from the cornea, and the cornea "hardens" to retain the new emmetropic shape. After "hardening" has occurred, the lens rendering the eye emmetropic is removed.