Abstract: A test system, apparatus and method for applying high current test stimuli to a semiconductor device in wafer or chip form includes a plurality of probes for electrically coupling to respective contact points on the semiconductor device, a plurality of current limiters electrically coupled to respective ones of the plurality of probes, and a current sensor electrically coupled to the plurality of probes. The current limiters are operative to limit current flow passing through a respective probe, and the current sensor is operative to provide a signal when detected current in any contact of the plurality of probes exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A snow melter that may be used to melt snow. The snow melter includes a dump tank for receiving a quantity of snow to be melted. The melter also includes a melt tank and a heat exchanger. The melt tank separate from the dump tank. The heat exchanger heats the water in the melt tank. Water heated by the melt tank is allowed to flow from the melt tank into the dump tank to melt the snow in the dump tank. Doors may also be added to the dump tank to facilitate the removal of debris from the dump tank after use. Further, the dump tank may also have an inclinable floor to further facilitate the removal of debris from the dump tank after use.

Abstract: The encryption/decryption device includes a plaintext unit, a ciphertext unit and a cryptographic unit connected therebetween. The plaintext unit may include a logic device such as a first programmable logic device (PLD), e.g. a field programmable gate array (FPGA), for interfacing with the protected network to perform encapsulation of data from the protected network to define outgoing datagrams, and to perform decapsulation of incoming datagrams from the cytographic unit. The ciphertext unit may include a second logic device such as a PLD or FPGA for interfacing with the unprotected network to perform routing of incoming encrypted datagrams from the unprotected network to the cryptographic unit, and to perform routing of outgoing encrypted datagrams from the cryptographic unit to the unprotected network.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The instrument assembly comprises coaxially disposed shafts, and a mechanically drivable interface to which the proximal ends of the shafts are mounted. The drivable interface has first and second actuating elements configured for independently axially rotating the shafts relative to each other, and a third actuating element configured for deflecting the distal end of one of the shafts. The robotic medical system comprises the instrument assembly, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, and a drive unit coupled to the drivable interface. The robotic medical system further comprises an electrical controller configured, in response to the at least one command, for directing the drive unit to drive the first and second actuating elements to independently axially rotate the shafts relative to each other, and to drive the third actuating element to deflect one of the shafts.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for use with an elongated medical implement comprises a motor, a first pulley mechanically coupled to the motor, and a second pulley. The drive mechanism further comprises a connector mechanically coupled to the second pulley. The connector is configured for laterally receiving the medical implement. The drive mechanism further comprises a belt wrapped around the first and second pulleys to transmit force from the motor to the connector. A robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, a drive mechanism including a motor and a connector configured for laterally receiving the medical implement, and an electrical controller configured for directing the motor to cause the drive mechanism to move the medical implement within at least one degree-of-freedom.

Abstract: A remote control flexible instrument system, employing a shaft which supports a tool, is described in which the has proximal and distal ends with at least a portion thereof extending through a lumen of the human body so as to locate the shaft at an internal target site. A master station including an input device provides control of the instrument situated at a slave station. The master station can control at least one degree-of-freedom of the flexible instrument. A controller intercouples the master and slave stations and is operated in accordance with a computer algorithm that receives a command from the input device for controlling at least one degree-of-freedom of the catheter so as to respond in accordance with action at the input device. The flexible instrument further comprises a controlled flexible segment along the shaft, for controlled bending at the flexible segment to guide the shaft and to dispose the tool at an operative site.

Abstract: A system for assisting and controlling the movement of a portion of a body, such as the head or head and neck is disclosed. The system and the methods of using and controlling the system can be effective in preventing and treating various conditions relating to the movement and positioning of the body or parts of the body. As such, the system can be effective in preventing and treating occipital flattening, plagiocephaly, cervical muscle tightening, torticollis, and other conditions.

Abstract: A method for digitally watermarking an image or video by replacing the least significant bit of each pixel of the image with data so that an image or video can be authenticated by removing the least significant bits, reassembling the bits into a data stream and decoding the data stream.

Abstract: A sutureless biopsy closure that includes an adhesive member adapted to be disposed over a biopsy region prior to the performance of the biopsy; at least one adhesive strip including one end supported on the adhesive member and a second free end forming a tab. The tab is adapted to extend over the biopsy region to seal the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous regenerator for addition to an aqueous developer that contains an organic solvent, a dispersing agent and a weak base, and has a pH of between about 8 and less than about 13. The aqueous regenerator includes an organic solvent, dispersing agent, and an effective amount of a strong base such that the regenerator has a greater pH than the developer into which the regenerator is to be added.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The medical instrument assembly comprises an intravascular catheter having an elongated flexible shaft, and a drivable mechanism to which the flexible catheter shaft is mounted. The drivable mechanism has an actuating element configured for effecting movement of the catheter within at least one degree-of-freedom. The medical instrument assembly further comprises a receiver to which the drivable mechanism is configured for being removably mated. The receiver is configured for operably coupling a drive unit to the actuating element. The robotic medical system comprises the medical instrument assembly, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the receiver, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to drive the actuating element via the receiver to effect movement of catheter to the degree(s)-of-freedom.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a catheter having an elongated shaft with a plurality of flexible segments spaced apart along the catheter, and a drive unit coupled to the catheter. The catheter may have a plurality of cables respectively terminating at the flexible segments, in which case, the drive unit will be coupled to the plurality of cables. The robotic medical system further comprises a user interface remote from the drive unit and configured for generating at least one command, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to independently bend the flexible segments (e.g., three flexible segments).

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises introducing a medical instrument into the patient via a natural body orifice, conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to advance the medical instrument to a target region via the natural body orifice, and to actuate a tool on the medical instrument to perform the medical procedure at the target region. In one method, the control signals are conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The medical instrument comprises an outer probe having an elongated shaft, an inner probe having an elongated shaft coaxially disposed within the outer probe shaft, and actuating elements. The robotic medical system comprises the medical instrument assembly, a support on which the medical instrument assembly is slidably disposed, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the actuating elements, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to drive the actuating elements to independently effect movement of the outer and inner probes within at least one degree-of-freedom, and to linearly translate the medical instrument assembly along the support.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The medical instrument assembly comprises an outer probe having an elongated shaft, an inner probe having an elongated shaft, coaxially disposed within the outer probe shaft, and a driver interface module having a plurality of actuating elements configured to be driven by a drive unit to independently effect movement of each of the outer and inner probes within at least one degree-of-freedom. The robotic medical system may comprise the driver interface module, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the actuating elements, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to drive the actuating elements to independently effect movement of each of the outer and inner probes to the degree(s)-of-freedom.

Abstract: A robotic medical system and method of performing a medical procedure on a patient are provided. Control signals are conveyed from a remote controller to a drive unit, and a drive unit is operated in accordance with the control signals to advance a first medical instrument within an anatomical vessel (e.g., a blood vessel) of the patient, to advance a second medical instrument outside of the anatomical vessel, and to respectively actuate first and second tools located on the first and second medical instruments, in unison, to perform at least one of a suturing procedure and a sewing procedure on the anatomical vessel. The control signals may be conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the first and second medical instruments.

Abstract: A medical probe and medical system are provided. The medical probe comprises an elongated shaft, a plurality of electromagnetic elements spaced along the elongated shaft, and a plurality of wires extending through the elongated shaft and configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements that actuate a controlled bending of the elongated shaft. The medical system may comprise the medical probe and a controller configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements via the wires to actuate the controlled bending of the elongated shaft. The medical system may optionally comprise a user interface configured for conveying commands to the controller, in which case, the controller will be configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements via the wires to actuate a controlled bending of the elongated shaft in response to the commands.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure (e.g., a cardiac bypass procedure) on a patient comprises introducing at least one medical instrument into a patient (e.g., percutaneously), conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to actuate at least one tool respectively located on the medical instrument(s) to transversely secure a first anatomical vessel (e.g., a blood vessel) to a sidewall of a second anatomical vessel (e.g., another blood vessel). In one method, the control signals are conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the medical instrument(s).

Abstract: A medical system and method of performing a medical procedure on a patient are provided. An electrical controller directs an electromechanical driver to bend an elongated member back upon itself to place a active work element in a working relationship with an intermediate work element, and to respectively control the active work element and intermediate work element, in unison, to perform a medical procedure. The electrical controller may be remote from the electromechanical driver, and may be coupled to the electromechanical driver via external cabling. The electrical controller may have a user interface for receiving commands from a user. In this case, the movements made at the user interface correspond to movements of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, a first drive mechanism configured for receiving the outer medical implement, a second drive mechanism configured for receiving the inner medical implement, a linear drive arrangement (e.g., one of a drive screw drive arrangement, a rack and pinion drive arrangement, and a belt/pulley drive arrangement) mechanically coupled to the first and second drive mechanisms, and a motor array. The robotic medical system further comprises an electric controller configured for directing the motor array to cause the first drive mechanism to axially rotate the outer medical implement, to cause the second drive mechanism to axially rotate the inner medical implement, and to cause the linear drive mechanism to linearly translate the first and second drive mechanisms relative to each other in response to the at least one command.