Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses are provided. An incision tool for creating an incision having a controlled length in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. A delivery device for inserting a hollow annular connector into an incision in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. The delivery device may include first and second anvil structures around which the connector may be disposed. By moving the first anvil structure away from the second anvil structure, the connector may expand to a desired configuration (e.g., non-round) within the aperture. In one example, the connector may be inserted into the aperture to hold the aperture open prior to attachment of a graft conduit to the aperture, thereby allowing a physician to inspect the aperture and the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provided that include power detection circuits that indicate whether power supplies have reached functional voltage levels. The power detection circuits include latches coupled to power supplies that can detect whether all the power supplies have reached functional voltage levels, logic circuits to provide appropriate output signals, and well bias circuits that supply current to the power detection circuits. Well bias circuits provide current from first power supplies to reach functional voltage levels so that indication may be provided from the power detection circuit without requiring functional voltage levels of all power supplies. Outputs from power detection circuits can be combined with control signals, for various applications. Applications include holding an integrated circuit device in reset until power supplies have reached functional voltage levels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying morphogen analogs. The preferred methods and compositions relate to the discovery that morphogen upregulation of the mouse type X collagen promoter activity is mediated by a MEF-2 like sequence and requires an adjacent AP-1 sequence. Certain methods rest on the use of test cells comprising DNA defining a morphogen-responsive transcription activating element operatively associated with a reporter gene. Other methods rest on the use of DNAs for measuring morphogen-inducible DNA-binding. In certain preferred embodiments, the methods and DNAs involve an osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) responsive transcription activating element. Substances that mediate interaction with and/or activate the OP-1 responsive transcription activating element are considered herein likely to be useful for reproducing in vivo effects of morphogens such as OP-1.

Abstract: General purpose methods for the fabrication of integrated circuits from flexible membranes formed of very thin low stress dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, and semiconductor layers. Semiconductor devices are formed in a semiconductor layer of the membrane. The semiconductor membrane layer is initially formed from a substrate of standard thickness, and all but a thin surface layer of the substrate is then etched or polished away. In another version, the flexible membrane is used as support and electrical interconnect for conventional integrated circuit die bonded thereto, with the interconnect formed in multiple layers in the membrane. Multiple die can be connected to one such membrane, which is then packaged as a multi-chip module. Other applications are based on (circuit) membrane processing for bipolar and MOSFET transistor fabrication, low impedance conductor interconnecting fabrication, flat panel displays, maskless (direct write) lithography, and 3D IC fabrication.

Abstract: The invention relates to mechanically bi-stable shutter assemblies for use in display apparatus to form images.

Abstract: The invention relates to light modulators for use in display apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to methods for supporting and support structures for light modulators to reduce unwanted motion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for programmably powering down a structured application-specific integrated circuit are provided. At least one of the programmable layers of the structured ASIC that frequently provides some programmability as between or among a small number of alternative functions is used to provide this programmability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multicomponent composition for photodegradable and biodegradable plastic articles, and the use of said composition in the manufacture of various disposable and packaging plastic articles and the articles made therefrom. The multicomponent composition does not contain starch, and is a multicomponent compounded composition of new bioactive material of chitin, casein and the like, with biodegradable aid component, photodegradable and auto-oxidation catalysis component, and nonmetallic minerals and the like. Under natural condition, the degraded material can be utilized by microorganism to release carbon dioxide and water, and acts as an eco-friendly plastic material.

Abstract: An improved system for sensing ground motion is provided. The system generally comprises a shell and a case within the shell and connected by a suspension. The mass of the case is greater than the mass of the shell. An electrode within the shell detects relative motion between the shell and the case.

Abstract: A system (105) determines a power level for transmitting to a neighboring node in a wireless network. The system (105) receives a message indicating a three-dimensional position and orientation of the neighboring node and a type of directional antenna of the neighboring node that transmitted the message. The system (105) determines the power level for transmitting to the neighboring node based on the three-dimensional position and orientation of the neighboring node and the type of the directional antenna.

Abstract: An intraluminal medical device comprises a stent having a coating applied to at least part of an interior surface, an exterior surface, or both. The coating comprises a sustained release formulation of a combination of pharmaceutical compounds dispersed within a biologically tolerated polymer composition. The choice of the combination of pharmaceutical compounds are intended to reduce neointimal hyperplasia restenosis.

Abstract: An RF-driven plasma source, including a pair of spaced-apart plasma electrodes, wherein the electrodes act as plates of a capacitor, the gas electrically discharges and creates a plasma of both positive and negative ions, in a clean process that enables efficient sample analysis, with preferred isolated sample photo-ionization, reduced-power operation and also including signal detection with modulated drive electronics.

Abstract: A data-display system employs a display in which the representations of data objects are caused to move on the display in order to convey information about the represented data objects. In one example, icons in a link-analysis display that represent data objects satisfying a selection criterion are made to execute distinctive motion. In another example, three-dimensional models of moving bodies in whose features components of respective data objects are encoded are projected onto a screen plane, and the resultant values are used to generate the display.

Abstract: A programmable logic device includes configurable phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry that outputs multiple clock signals having programmable phases and frequencies. Each output signal is programmably selectable for use as an external clock, internal global clock, internal local clock, or combinations thereof. The PLL circuitry has programmable frequency dividing, including programmable cascaded frequency dividing, and programmable output signal multiplexing that provide a high degree of clock design flexibility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing distributed configuration storage are presented. The configuration storage is divided into distributed configuration target modules that are physically located in each design section of a device that uses configuration storage. A distributed configuration master module, physically located near the host interface, controls access into and out of each target module via a distributed configuration bus. The creation of each storage array in the distributed configuration storage can be automated using a scripting tool that converts each register specification into hardware description language code.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging integrated circuit chips in castellation wafer level packaging are provided. The active circuit areas of the chips are coupled to castellation blocks and, depending on the embodiment, input/output pads. The castellation blocks and input/output pads are encapsulated and held in place by an encapsulant. When the devices are being fabricated, the castellation blocks and input/output pads are sawed through. If necessary, the wafer portion on which the devices are fabricated may be thinned. The packages may be used as a leadless chip carrier package or may be stacked on top of one another. When stacked, the respective contacts of the packages are preferably coupled. Data may be written to, and received from, packaged chips when a chip is activated. Chips may be activated by applying the appropriate signal or signals to the appropriate contact or contacts.

Abstract: In a system for chemical analysis, an RF-driven plasma ionization device including a pair of spaced-apart and plasma-isolated electrodes, the electrodes are connected to a power source wherein the electrodes act as plates of a capacitor of a resonant circuit, the gas electrically discharges and creates a plasma of both positive and negative ions, and the voltage is applied as a continuous alternating waveform or as a series of pulses, such as a packet waveform.