Abstract: In a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), the metal contact area, the associated metal bonding pad and the interconnecting metal bridge are deposited on top of a conductive upper mirror stack. To prevent current flow from the pad through the conductive mirror stack which would bypass the active medium, a moat is etched surrounding the pad area. The moat isolates the pad area and the conductive material beneath the pad area. In a method of making a VCSEL, the semiconductor layered portion of an optical semiconductor device is first formed on a suitable substrate. Such semiconductor layers can include various layers of conductive, semiconductive or insulating material as may be required for the type of device being constructed. The metal contact and the metal bonding pad areas together with an interconnecting metal bridge are then deposited on the surface of the semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A process for use in fabrication of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The fabricated semiconductor device includes a top oxide aperture within a top oxidation layer and a bottom oxide aperture within a bottom oxidation layer precisely positioned relative to each other, and an electrical contact to a contact layer between the top and bottom oxidation layers. The process includes the following steps: etching past one of the oxidation layers and stopping in the contact layer, etching one or more holes traversing the top and bottom oxidation layers, and simultaneously oxidizing both oxidation layers. Etching past both oxidation layers in the same alignment step ensures that the centers of the two apertures, as formed through selective oxidation, will be aligned.

Abstract: There are numerous medical situations involving deficiencies of living tissue and where increase of living tissue mass is desired. Methods are described wherein a configured, shell-like device that is capable of being penetrated by living cells and tissues, is implanted into the body of a mammal in such a way as to establish a space, the space being at least partly, bounded by the device. The configuration of the device is such that the configuration of the established space is essentially the same as the configuration of living tissue that is desired for treatment of the tissue deficiency. At least one tissue stimulating molecular substance is placed within the established space for the purpose of stimulating the growth of desired living tissue within the established space. A kit for the generation of desired living tissue, comprised of the components mentioned above, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sighting device having an aperture with a series of visual reference points framing the aperture that are used in concert with a vertical front sight to quickly acquire and precisely aim a firearm at a target. The visual reference points framing the aperture are readily discernable to a shooter, even though the reference points and the aperture may be visually out of focus as the shooter concentrates on the target. The visual reference points framing the aperture are in the form of edges, angles, and vertices that take advantage of the human eye's natural acuity for angular geometric shapes as the shooter visually coordinates the position of the present invention with the vertical front sight and a target.

Abstract: A process for use in fabrication of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The fabricated semiconductor device includes a top oxide aperture within a top oxidation layer and a bottom oxide aperture within a bottom oxidation layer precisely positioned relative to each other, and an electrical contact to a contact layer between the top and bottom oxidation layers. The process includes the following steps: etching past one of the oxidation layers and stopping in the contact layer, etching one or more holes traversing the top and bottom oxidation layers, and simultaneously oxidizing both oxidation layers. Etching past both oxidation layers in the same alignment step ensures that the centers of the two apertures, as formed through selective oxidation, will be aligned.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials that assist respiration of living cells contained in cell-containing systems. The materials form air-filled conduits or channels through which gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, can readily exchange by diffusional means between regions of different gas partial pressures. When the present invention is placed within an aqueous environment, such as cell-culture media or host tissue, the invention provides aid to cellular respiration in cell-containing systems.

Abstract: A package for mounting an integrated circuit chip includes a body having at least a first region, the size of the integrated circuit chip, and a second region. The first region has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the second region has a second, different CTE. The first region approximately matches the CTE of the integrated circuit chip mounted on the package, and the second region approximates the CTE of the printed wiring board to which the package is mounted.

Abstract: A crush, kink, and torque resistant, flexible fiber optic cable having a closely spaced, spiraled, rigid, metal wire layer disposed around the cable. Small size, light weight, good flexibility with minimum spring-back and excellent crush resistance are provided, along with excellent kinking and torque resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydrophobic biodegradable polymeric materials having at least one surface thereof rendered more hydrophilic by attachment of at least one layer of a hydrophilic polymer thereto. The hydrophilic polymer layer is cross-linked together on the surface of the biodegradable material with a cross-linking agent or scheme that is biodegradable. Bioactive species are immobilized to chemically functional groups of the components of the first layer or to unreacted chemically functional groups of the cross-linking agent. Optionally, the bioactive species may be reversibly immobilized through chemically functional linkages that are degradable. The result is an implantable construction with immobilized bioactive species having structural components that are all subject to degradation in the body of a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to support members having surfaces that are rendered hydrophilic for use as a substrate for the immobilization of bioactive species thereon. The hydrophilic surfaces are chemically stable on the support member. The surfaces are also chemically variable to provide a variety of chemically functional groups for immobilization of bioactive species thereto. The surfaces comprise polymeric surfactants attached onto the surfaces of a support member and covalently cross-linked thereon to form a first layer. Hydrophilic polymers are then attached to the first layer on the support member to form a second layer thereon. The second layer is used to enhance the hydrophilicity of a support member, as well as, to provide a substrate for immobilizing bioactive species thereto. Methods for forming the first and second layers are also provided. In addition methods for attaching bioactive substances to the hydrophilic polymers are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, such as a drug delivery device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered substantially nonthrombogenic through addition of a preserved layer of extracellular subendothelial matrix. The preserved subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the blood interface of the device, is analogous to the subendothelial matrix layer beneath the endothelium of native vascular surfaces. The device consists of a permanent synthetic base material, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, on which this biologic layer of subendothelial matrix is grown in situ. The biologic layer is produced using in vitro tissue culture methods whereby living cells synthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components, after which the cells are killed and/or removed and the subendothelial matrix layer preserved before implantation. A key aspect of this invention is that no living cells are present in the final configuration, so that the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cell encapsulation device that permits rapid and straightforward cell transfer into the device. The preferred device includes components that allow a user to quickly transfer cells into the device with minimal risk to the cells. Among the most important improvements of the present invention are: automatic filtration of excess solution during cell transfer; an instantly wettable cover, allowing ready view into the cell chamber; and a swellable core, allowing cells to be transferred with minimal shear force while assuring optimal cell placement in the device during use. The device of the present invention may be used either in vivo, such as to deliver therapeutic substances, or in vitro, such as to serve as a bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to support members having surfaces that are rendered hydrophilic for use as a substrate for the immobilization of bioactive species thereon. The hydrophilic surfaces are chemically stable on the support member. The surfaces are also chemically variable to provide a variety of chemically functional groups for immobilization of bioactive species thereto. The surfaces comprise polymeric surfactants attached onto the surfaces of a support member and covalently cross-linked thereon to form a first layer. Hydrophilic polymers are then attached to the first layer on the support member to form a second layer thereon. The second layer is used to enhance the hydrophilicity of a support member, as well as, to provide a substrate for immobilizing bioactive species thereto. Methods for forming the first and second layers are also provided. In addition, methods for attaching bioactive substances to the hydrophilic polymers are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered antithrombotic through the use of recipient endothelial cells grown on an appropriate subendothelial matrix. The subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the substratum for growing endothelial cells, may be obtained from either natural donor vessels or from in vitro tissue culture sources. This subendothelial matrix is used in situ on the donor vessel, or is grown or applied to a synthetic component, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Once this subendothelial matrix is prepared, recipient endothelial cells are seeded onto this matrix substratum, which then serves as the immediate blood contact surface. The endothelial cells may be applied as an intra-operative procedure, or grown on the subendothelial matrix substratum in vitro until the cells establish a confluent monolayer.