Abstract: A method for fabricating a back-illuminated semiconductor imaging device on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and resulting imaging device is disclosed. The method for manufacturing the imaging device includes the steps of providing a substrate comprising an insulator layer, and an epitaxial layer substantially overlying the insulator layer; fabricating at least one imaging component at least partially overlying and extending into the epitaxial layer; forming a plurality of bond pads substantially overlying the epitaxial layer; fabricating a dielectric layer substantially overlying the epitaxial layer and the at least one imaging component; providing a handle wafer; forming a plurality of conductive trenches in the handle wafer; forming a plurality of conductive bumps on a first surface of the handle wafer substantially underlying the conductive trenches; and bonding the plurality of conductive bumps to the plurality of bond pads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of quality assurance/quality control for high-throughput bioassay processes. The method includes generating a bioassay process model, and then comparing spectral data based on a combination of a biochip and a test serum to the bioassay process model to determine if the test sample and the bioassay process are producing acceptable data. Alternatively, the method may include comparing spectral data based on a combination of serum and diluents used in an electrospray process to the bioassay process model. If the bioassay process and test sample fall within the model, then the spectrum produced may be further analyzed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a back-illuminated semiconductor imaging device and resulting imaging device is disclosed, which includes the steps providing a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; growing an epitaxial layer substantially overlying the front surface of the substrate; forming at least one barrier layer substantially within the epitaxial layer; fabricating at least one imaging structure overlying and extending into the epitaxial layer, the imaging structure at least one charge transfer region, the at least one barrier layer substantially underlying the at least one charge transfer region, wherein light incident on the back surface of the substrate generates charge carriers which are diverted away from the at least one charge transfer region by the at least one barrier layer. At least a portion of the epitaxial layer is grown using an epitaxial lateral overgrowth technique.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a back-illuminated semiconductor imaging device on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and resulting imaging device is disclosed. The device includes an insulator layer; a semiconductor substrate, having an interface with the insulator layer; an epitaxial layer grown on the semiconductor substrate by epitaxial growth; and one or more imaging components in the epitaxial layer in proximity to a face of the epitaxial layer, the face being opposite the interface of the semiconductor substrate and the insulator layer, the imaging components comprising junctions within the epitaxial layer; wherein the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer exhibit a net doping concentration having a maximum value at a predetermined distance from the interface of the insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate and which decreases monotonically on both sides of the profile from the maximum value within a portion of the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an imager has an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during the integration period, the array having a charge capacity which increases during the integration period. A charge capacity controller coupled to the imager adjusts how the imager increases the charge capacity of the array based upon the brightness distribution detected by the imager during at least one previous integration period.

Abstract: A well-controlled serum study set (n=248) from women being followed and evaluated for the presence of ovarian cancer was used to extend serum proteomic pattern analysis to a higher resolution mass spectrometer instrument platform to explore the existence of multiple distinct highly accurate diagnostic sets of features present in the same mass spectrum. Multiple highly accurate diagnostic proteomic feature sets exist within human sera mass spectra. Using high-resolution mass spectral data, at least 56 different patterns were discovered that achieve greater than 85% sensitivity and specificity in testing and validation. Four of those feature sets exhibited 100% sensitivity and specificity in blinded validation. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic models generated from high-resolution mass spectral data were superior (P<0.00001) than those generated from low-resolution mass spectral data using the same input sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging light are disclosed. Light is imaged by collecting light, converting the collected light into a electrical charge signal, multiplying the electrical charge signal to produce multiple electrical charge signals with associated levels of gain, converting the electrical charge signals to voltage signals, and developing an output signal from one or more of the voltage signals that represents the collected light. The electrical charge signal may be multiplied using an electron multiplication device associated with multiple taps to produce the electrical charge signal with different levels of gain.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for determining a biological state through the discovery and analysis of hidden or non-obvious, discriminatory biological data patterns. The biological data can be from health data, clinical data, or from a biological sample, (e.g., a biological sample from a human, e.g., serum, blood, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, needle aspirantas, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate.), etc. which is analyzed to determine the biological state of the donor. The biological state can be a pathologic diagnosis, toxicity state, efficacy of a drug, prognosis of a disease, etc. Specifically, the invention concerns processes that discover hidden discriminatory biological data patterns (e.g., patterns of protein expression in a serum sample that classify the biological state of an organ) that describe biological states.

Abstract: A model of a particular biological state can be developed. The model may be used to determine if an unknown biological sample exhibits a particular biological state. This can be done by receiving either a biological sample or data associated with the biological sample. After the data is received, the data may be input into the model. In one embodiment, the acquisition of the data associated with the biological sample is performed at a first location and the imputing of the data into the model is performed at a second location different than the first location. Unless the data maps identically to the model, the data would have an inherent effect on the position of the particular clusters within the discriminatory pattern, if it is allowed to affect the model. The modeling software can keep track of the net effect on the model that each sample received has on the position of the model. If the model has drifted outside of a predetermined tolerance, the model can be updated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging spectral lines are disclosed. Spectral lines are imaged using an imager that includes photosensitive cells. The photosensitive cells are arranged to form channels including banks of photosensitive cells. Horizontal blooming barriers and drains are coupled to one or more of the banks to limit accumulated charge in the banks such that the amount of charge accumulated and retained in at least one subsequent bank is incrementally increased. Charge is accumulated for spectral lines that are received by the channels to image those spectral lines.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for determining a biological state through the discovery and analysis of hidden or non-obvious, discriminatory biological data patterns. The biological data can be from health data, clinical data, or from a biological sample, (e.g., a biological sample from a human, e.g., serum, blood, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, needle aspirantas, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate.), etc. which is analyzed to determine the biological state of the donor. The biological state can be a pathologic diagnosis, toxicity state, efficacy of a drug, prognosis of a disease, etc. Specifically, the invention concerns processes that discover hidden discriminatory biological data patterns (e.g., patterns of protein expression in a serum sample that classify the biological state of an organ) that describe biological states.

Abstract: A new method of reading an imager is achieved. The method comprises providing an imager array comprising n rows and m columns where a pair of rows can be read during a single row access time. A first image field is completed by sequentially reading and storing pixel values of pairs of adjacent rows of the imager array. The reading begins at a first row, and the reading stops when less than three rows are unread. Thereafter pixel values of the next row are read and not stored. Thereafter pixel values of the first row of the imager array are read and not stored. A second image field is completed by sequentially reading and storing pixel values of pairs of adjacent rows. The reading begins at the second row, the reading stops when less than two rows are unread.

Abstract: An infrared imager includes an array of capacitance sensors that operate at room temperature. Each infrared capacitance sensor includes a deflectable first plate which expands due to absorbed thermal radiation relative to a non-deflectable second plate. In one embodiment each infrared capacitance sensor is composed of a bi-material strip which changes the position of one plate of a sensing capacitor in response to temperature changes due to absorbed incident thermal radiation. The bi-material strip is composed of two materials with a large difference in thermal expansion coefficients and an amorphans silicon a corbide layer.

Abstract: An extended dynamic range imager. An array of pixels provides an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period. A row of extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuits having an XDR sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures an XDR signal related to a difference between the output signal and an XDR clamp level to which the pixel is reset at a predetermined time before the end of the integration period. A row of linear sample and hold circuits having a linear sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures a linear signal related to a difference between the output signal and an initial output signal to which the pixel is reset at the beginning of the integration period.

Abstract: An infrared imager includes an array of capacitance sensors that operate at room temperature. Each infrared capacitance sensor includes a deflectable first plate which expands due to absorbed thermal radiation relative to a non-deflectable second plate. In one embodiment each infrared capacitance sensor is composed of a bi-material strip which changes the position of one plate of a sensing capacitor in response to temperature changes due to absorbed incident thermal radiation. The bi-material strip is composed of two materials with a large difference in thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: A imager has an array of photodetectors, each of which accumulates charge during an integration period as a result of light detected during said integration period, said array having a charge capacity which increases during the integration period. A charge capacity controller coupled to said imager adjusts how the imager increases the charge capacity of the array based upon the brightness distribution detected by said imager during at least one previous integration period.

Abstract: A hand tool for applying pressure to plastic laminate material during the adhesion thereof to a suitable substrate. The device consists of a hard-rubber roller rotatably mounted within and extending beyond one corner of a pressure block. The block is adapted to fit the installer's hand so that the heel can be positioned over the corner adjacent the roller mounting corner of the roller while the installer's fingers can grip the remaining corner of the block.

Abstract: A defect corrector for a solid-state imager having a number of defective pixels less than the total number of pixels in the imager in which only defect correction signals associated with the defective pixels are generated. The defect correction signals are then combined with photoresponse signals from the corresponding defective pixels, so as to provide a defect compensated photoresponse signal for each of the defective pixels.