Abstract: A method of fabricating a device, wherein the device comprises a plurality of lengths of material and at least one junction joining two or more of the lengths of material. In a masking phase, a mask is formed on an underlying layer of the device. The mask comprises a plurality of trenches exposing the underlying layer, each trench corresponding to one of the lengths of material. A respective section of two or more of the trenches either (a) narrow down, or (b) are separated by a discontinuity, at a position corresponding to the at least one junction. In a selective area growth phase, material is grown in the set of trenches to form the lengths of material on the underlying layer. The two or more lengths of material are joined at the at least one junction.

Abstract: A device comprising: a portion of semiconductor; a portion of superconductor arranged to a enable a topological phase having a topological gap to be induced in a region of the semiconductor by proximity effect; and a portion of a non-magnetic material comprising an element with atomic number Z greater than or equal to 26, arranged to increase the topological gap in the topological region of the semiconductor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a device, wherein the device comprises a plurality of lengths of material and at least one junction joining two or more of the lengths of material. In a masking phase, a mask is formed on an underlying layer of the device. The mask comprises a plurality of trenches exposing the underlying layer, each trench corresponding to one of the lengths of material. A respective section of two or more of the trenches either (a) narrow down, or (b) are separated by a discontinuity, at a position corresponding to the at least one junction. In a selective area growth phase, material is grown in the set of trenches to form the lengths of material on the underlying layer. The two or more lengths of material are joined at the at least one junction.

Abstract: In-situ patterning of semiconductor structures is performed using one or more “shadow walls” in conjunction with an angled deposition beam. A shadow wall protrudes outwardly from the surface of a substrate to define an adjacent shadow region in which deposition is prevented due to the shadow wall inhibiting the passage of the angled deposition beam. Hence, deposition will not occur on a surface portion of a semiconductor structure within the shadow region. Shadow walls can thus be used to achieve selective patterning of semiconductor structures. The shadow walls themselves are formed of semiconductor. In one implementation, the semiconductor structure and the one or more shadow walls used to selectively pattern it may be formed using selective area growth (SAG).

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle comprising: a linear actuator for mounting in an interior of a frame of the closure panel and having an extensible member for extending through an aperture in the frame, the extensible member configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior along a linear axis of the linear actuator, the frame having the aperture on a shut face; a sealing member for positioning on the shut face adjacent to the extensible member for inhibiting foreign matter from entering the interior from an exterior of the frame, the sealing member inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member with respect to the linear axis; and a linkage operationally first connecting at one end to the extensible member and for operationally second connecting at another end to a body of the vehicle adjacent to the closure panel, such that both the one end and the another end are located externally to the interior of the frame being both to one side of the aperture.

Abstract: A breaker box suitable for safely housing an electrical connection. The electrical connection can be made between at least two electrical conductors. The breaker box includes a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each the side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall can have a top edge wherein the top edges define a box interior and an open box perimeter. At least one the side wall includes a screw connection near the box perimeter, the screw connection including threads for engaging mating threads of a screw. The screw connection can be disposed to receive the screw generally parallel to and adjacent the at least one side wall. A screw guard can be disposed on the side wall, the screw guard encompassing and isolating the screw from the interior when the screw is screwed into the screw connection.

Abstract: A breaker box suitable for safely housing an electrical connection. The electrical connection can be made between at least two electrical conductors. The breaker box includes a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each the side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall can have a top edge wherein the top edges define a box interior and an open box perimeter. At least one the side wall includes a screw connection near the box perimeter, the screw connection including threads for engaging mating threads of a screw. The screw connection can be disposed to receive the screw generally parallel to and adjacent the at least one side wall. A screw guard can be disposed on the side wall, the screw guard encompassing and isolating the screw from the interior when the screw is screwed into the screw connection.

Abstract: An electrical box suitable for safely and efficiently housing an electrical connection. The electrical box includes a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall has a top edge wherein the top edges define an open box perimeter. At least one side wall has at least one notch, the notch comprising deformable plastic members that can be biased in an open position to define a conductor opening to receive at least one of the electrical conductors. A top can be hingedly joined to one the top edges of one side wall and can be adapted to be moveable from an open position to a closed position. The conductor opening is at least partially defined by the top when the top is in the closed position, and the flexible flanges contact the conductors when the top is in the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical box suitable for safely and efficiently housing an electrical connection. The electrical box includes a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall has a top edge wherein the top edges define an open box perimeter. At least one side wall has at least one notch, the notch comprising deformable plastic members that can be biased in an open position to define a conductor opening to receive at least one of the electrical conductors. A top can be hingedly joined to one the top edges of one side wall and can be adapted to be moveable from an open position to a closed position. The conductor opening is at least partially defined by the top when the top is in the closed position, and the flexible flanges contact the conductors when the top is in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for providing self-service inventory control comprises at least one RFID antenna mat placed adjacent to a cart with the RFID antenna transmitting and receiving information from a plurality of passive RFID tags within the cart, a connector unit attached to the cart and including a connector a processing unit for determining a position of said connector unit with respect to the processing unit, receiving information from each of the RFID tags, to obtain at least one characteristic information regarding each item and a display unit for displaying the obtained characteristic information.

Abstract: A system for providing self-service inventory control is disclosed.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: Endovascular filter (10) including a plurality of struts (14) with distal ends (18) adapted to anchor the filter to the vessel wall after deployment, such as by having barbs (20), the filter being adapted to be retrieved if desired. Strut distal ends (18) are coated with an antiproliferative agent (40) that inhibits the ingrowth of tissue around the filter, thereby permitting the filter to be retrieved and removed atraumatically after a prolonged period of time, thus extending the useful life of the retrievable filter. Optionally, the proximal end (22) of the filter may also be so coated, or the entire filter.

Abstract: An electrical box suitable for safely and efficiently housing an electrical connection. The electrical box comprises a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall has a top edge wherein the top edges define an open box perimeter. A top is hingedly joined to one the top edges of one the side walls and is adapted to be moveable from an open position to a closed position. At least one the side walls comprises at least one notch, the notch comprising deformable plastic members that can be biased in an open position to define a conductor opening to receive at least one of the electrical conductors, the conductor opening being at least partially defined by the top when the top is in the closed position.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a frame comprising wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration which a generally serpentine shape. The device is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be sutured or attached to the frame using heat or pressure welding crimping, adhesive, or other techniques to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.

Abstract: A gradient drive system for delivering current pulses to an MRI gradient coil, having an input for receiving an relatively high voltage supply for the gradient coil, a relatively low voltage battery supply for the gradient coil and a controller coupled to the input for controlling the high voltage supply dependent on the current supply to the gradient coil.

Abstract: This application is concerned with solvent coated carbon papers which consist of a base sheet, a layer of porous material with colored ink contained within the pores in which the porous material comprises a mixture of a cellulose ester and an acrylic resin.