Abstract: It is known that when etching gold films using etching solutions containing iodine and iodide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NP) is added to improve the etching solution's wettability, microfabrication property, and solution life. However, in recent years, the use of NMP has been regulated due to its adverse effects on human health. The present invention provides an etching solution and etching method for gold film that improves wettability, microfabrication property, and solution life without containing NP. In order to address the problem of the prior art, the present invention provides etching solutions and etching methods for gold films that improve wettability, microfabrication property, and liquid life without NMP, characterized by the inclusion of a specific organic solvent in the etching solution containing iodine and iodide.

Abstract: In a non-volatile storage device, a first lower-layer metal wire, a lower plug, a variable resistance element, an upper plug, and a first upper-layer metal wire are formed in that order from below in a storage region, and a second lower-layer metal wire, a first via, a middle-layer metal wire, a second via, and a second upper-layer metal wire are formed in that order from below in a circuit region. The first and second lower-layer metal wires are formed in the same layer, and the first and second upper-layer metal wires are formed on the same layer. Relative to a substrate, the variable resistance element and the middle-layer metal wire have top faces at different heights, bottom faces at different heights, or both top faces and bottom faces at different heights.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gas detecting element that includes a first electrode, a metal oxide layer, and a second electrode; and a first insulating film that has an opening allowing the second electrode to be partially exposed therethrough and covers the first electrode, the metal oxide layer, and another part of the second electrode. The metal oxide layer has a characteristic where its resistance value changes as the second electrode makes contact with gas molecules including hydrogen atoms. A first step is provided at a portion lying on an interface between the metal oxide layer and the second electrode and located within the opening as viewed in plan view. A local region is provided in the metal oxide layer and near the first step. A degree of oxygen deficiency of the local region is greater than a degree of oxygen deficiency of other regions in the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A ligating apparatus including a thread receiving portion movably disposed at a distal end of an inserting part body. An outer circumference of the thread receiving portion forms the loop holding portion around which a knot forming loop formed from a ligature is disposed. When a first end of the ligature is pulled into the thread receiving portion, the knot forming loop is pushed out of the loop holding portion by a delivery portion of the knot pusher. The knot forming loop is further pushed by the delivery portion along the ligature toward tissue and ligated. Such ligating apparatus is capable of reducing a load on the tissue to be ligated during a ligating operation.

Abstract: A medical apparatus including: a projecting member; an introducing sheath; an extrusion member inside the introducing sheath, at a proximal side of the projecting member and movable in an axial direction with respect to the introducing sheath; a cover sheath outside the introducing sheath, the introducing sheath being movable between a first and second position with respect to the cover sheath; an introducing sheath manipulating section at a proximal side of the introducing sheath; an extrusion member manipulating section at a proximal side of the extrusion member; a cover sheath manipulating section at a proximal side of the cover sheath; and a release member on the cover sheath manipulating section and/or the introducing sheath manipulating section to release a fixation between the extrusion member manipulating section and the introducing sheath manipulating section when the introducing sheath is disposed on the first or second position.

Abstract: A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible sheath and a proximal manipulating section, and a cutting member for cutting the ligating member. The cutting member is provided on the manipulating device and is movably provided on the ligating member.

Abstract: A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible sheath and a proximal manipulating section, and a cutting member for cutting the ligating member. The cutting member is provided on the manipulating device and is movably provided on the ligating member.

Abstract: A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible sheath and a proximal manipulating section, and a cutting member for cutting the ligating member. The cutting member is provided on the manipulating device and is movably provided on the ligating member.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes: a high-frequency knife for carrying out incisional intervention; a wire having a distal end connected to the high-frequency knife; an outer sheath for allowing the wire to pass therethrough; a main body having a proximal end of the sheath fixed thereto; a first slider, capable of freely sliding on the main body, having the wire fixed thereto; at least a stopper projecting radially outward relative to the wire; a first abutment member making contact with the stopper and regulating distal sliding movement of the wire; and a projection-length-adjusting member, provided in the outer sheath, for regulating proximal sliding movement of the wire by making contact with the stopper. This configuration allows the high-frequency knife to be maintained at different projection lengths based on the stopper making contact with the first abutment member and the stopper making contact with the projection-length-adjusting member.

Abstract: A tissue puncturing system used to suture tissues in a body cavity including: an endoscope; a flexible sheath having a distal portion provided with at least a side opening and a lumen, through which an endoscope may pass; at least one mechanism for puncturing tissue disposed in the flexible sheath, and having a pointed end, which is movable from a first position to a second position; and an operation mechanism for moving the mechanism for puncturing between the first and second positions.

Abstract: In the case where the living tissues in the patient's body is resected as well, it is possible to suture the resected portion immediately without replacement with another treatment device after resection. Thus, prevention of bleeding from the resected portion or earlier repair of an ulcer that occurs with the resected portion can be carried out for the patent lowly invasively and easily.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment device is used with an endoscope. This treatment device includes a transmission member with a flexible structure having a distal end portion to be inserted into a body and can be operated outside the body, a push rod coupled to the distal end portion, and first and second connecting members rotatably coupled to the push rod. The treatment device further includes first and second arm members rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the connecting member, a holding member rotatably holding the respective arm at a predetermined interval therebetween, and first and second actuating members integrally formed with the arm members and can open/close when the transmission member actuates the first and second connecting members and the first and second arm members through the push rod. This device also includes a needle mounted on at least one of the first and second actuating members.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment device is used with an endoscope. This treatment device includes a transmission member with a flexible structure having a distal end portion to be inserted into a body and can be operated outside the body, a push rod coupled to the distal end portion, and first and second connecting members rotatably coupled to the push rod. The treatment device further includes first and second arm members rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the connecting member, a holding member rotatably holding the respective arm at a predetermined interval therebetween, and first and second actuating members integrally formed with the arm members and can open/close when the transmission member actuates the first and second connecting members and the first and second arm members through the push rod. This device also includes a needle mounted on at least one of the first and second actuating members.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument used to form an artificial valve for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device has a plurality of word line provided on a semiconductor region, extending in a row direction, a plurality of bit lines provided in the semiconductor region, extending in a column direction, and a plurality of memory elements provided at intersections between the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines. Each word line provides a first gate electrode in the corresponding memory element. A lower portion of a side surface of each word line in a direction parallel to an extending direction of the word line is perpendicular to a main surface of the semiconductor region. An upper portion of the side surface is inclined so that a width thereof becomes smaller toward a top thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element and a protection diode formed on a semiconductor substrate. Over the semiconductor substrate, a first interlayer dielectric layer is formed so as to cover the semiconductor element and the protection diode. In the first interlayer dielectric layer, a first plug electrically connected to the semiconductor element and a second plug electrically connected to the protection diode are formed. The area of the top surface of the second plug is greater than the area of the top surface of the first plug.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes bit line diffusion layers extending along the X direction in an upper portion of a semiconductor substrate; and gate structures extending along the Y direction on the semiconductor substrate and each including a charge trapping film and a gate electrode. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device further includes a first interlayer insulating film in which first contacts respectively connected to the bit line diffusion layers are formed; and second contacts that penetrate through a UV blocking film and a second interlayer insulating film formed on the first interlayer insulating film and have bottom faces respectively in contact with the first contacts and top faces respectively in contact with metal interconnections.

Abstract: A ligature and suture device for medical application that ligatures or sutures biomedical tissue that has been suctioned by a suction device using a suturing member. The ligature and suture device includes an insertion portion having a lumen into which an endoscope can be inserted, and a distal end portion that is connected to the lumen and in which at least one side aperture is provided, at least one hollow needle that is able to support inside itself the suturing member, and that is placed inside the insertion portion such that a tip of the hollow needle is able to move between a first position, which is on a base end side of the side aperture, and a second position, which is on a distal end side of the side aperture, an operating section that performs an operation to move the needle, and at least one pledget that can be penetrated by the needle, and that is placed in a vicinity of the distal end of the side aperture so as to be freely removable from the distal end portion.

Abstract: An endoscope for treatment suitable to the treatment in a body cavity comprises an elongated soft observing optical unit having at least an observing optical system; and a unit inserting tool having a unit inserting channel in which the observing optical unit is inserted and a treatment tool inserting channel in which a treatment tool is inserted. The unit inserting channel of the unit inserting tool has a branching portion at which the unit inserting channel is branched into a first inserting channel and a second inserting channel. An observing window which is arranged at the end opening of the first inserting channel is provided in a surface at the distal-end and an observing window which is arranged at the end opening of the second inserting channel is provided in a surface at the halfway portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes, in a memory region, a plurality of bit line diffusion layers, a plurality of word lines, and a plurality of memory elements composed of a bit line diffusion layer pair, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode. The plurality of bit line diffusion layers are divided into plural in respective columns, and are connected electrically to each other through bit line contact diffusion layers. The width of sidewall insulating films on the sides of the bit line contact diffusion layers formed at the word lines arranged adjacent to the bit line contact diffusion layers is smaller than that of the sidewall insulating films formed on the opposite sides of the bit line contact diffusion layers.