Abstract: A pressure vessel is provided for use in an undersea environment. The pressure vessel including a pressure housing and at least two cable receiving elements disposed on opposing ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of optical cables that each include an electrical conductor therein, said cable receiving elements adapted to be in electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors in the optical cables. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables. The pressure vessel also includes an electrically insulating element electrically isolating at least one of the cable receiving elements from the pressure housing.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having at least two exposed surface crystal orientations. The method begins by providing an SOI substrate having a first silicon layer with a surface having a first crystal orientation located on a first buried oxide layer. The buried oxide layer is located on a silicon substrate having a surface with a second crystal orientation. The first silicon layer and the first buried oxide layer are selectively removed from a first portion of the SOI substrate to expose a first surface portion of the silicon substrate. A second silicon layer is epitaxially grown over the first surface portion of the silicon substrate. The second silicon layer has a surface with a second crystal orientation. A second buried oxide layer is formed in the second silicon layer. Subsequent to the fabrication of the SOI substrate, N and P type MOSFETS may be formed on the surfaces with different crystal orientations.

Abstract: Optical switches are provided in an optical transmission system having at least two optical nodes in optical communication over a primary optical path and a backup optical path. An optical switch is located in each of the optical nodes. Each of the optical switches includes a switching element having an input port and a plurality of output ports coupled to the primary and backup optical paths, respectively. The switching element has a first state optically coupling an optical signal from the input port to the primary path and a second state optically coupling an optical signal from the input port to the backup path. First and second optical taps are located in the primary optical path. Third and fourth optical taps are located in the backup optical path. A first photodetector is optically coupled to the second optical tap for receiving a portion of the optical signal traveling in the primary optical path.

Abstract: A branching unit is provided for interconnecting at least three undersea optical transmission cables. The branching unit includes first, second and third ports for receiving first, second and third undersea optical transmission cables, respectively. The first and second cables each include an electrical power conductor and a plurality of first optical fibers. The third cable is electrically unpowered and includes at least one drop optical fiber and at least one add optical fiber. An electrical power conductor segment is provided for electrically coupling the conductor in the first cable received in the first port to the conductor in the second cable received in the second port. A first optical fiber segment optically couples a first of the plurality of first optical fibers in one of the first or second cables to the drop optical fiber of the third cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device packaging assembly and method for manufacturing the assembly. Preferably, the method of the present invention is used to assemble a plurality of semiconductor chips, such that the throughput of assembly can be enhanced. The method comprises the steps of: providing a bottom frame matrix including a plurality of bottom frame units, each of which unit comprises a bottom supporting portion and a bottom frame portion; providing a bridge frame including a plurality of bridge frame units, each of which unit comprises a bridge frame portion and a plurality of conducting bars; placing each of the semiconductor chips on each of the bottom supporting portions, respectively; and bonding each bottom frame unit and each bridge frame unit together, wherein, the conducting bars extending from each bridge frame portion toward corresponding chips are electrically coupled to bonding areas of the corresponding chips.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically connecting an electronic element and a base includes an electrode region and a terminal region proximate the electrode region. A conductive paste is deposited on at least a portion of the terminal region. The conductive paste has an oxidation-reduced region thereon, formed by application of an acid to the conductive paste. An oxidation-prevention layer is formed on the oxidation-reduced region by deposition of a flux on the oxidation-reduced region, application of a solder to the flux, and blowing of a heated gas by the solder. The oxidation-prevention layer is adapted to bond the electrode associated with the electronic element to the conductive paste by soldering, when the electrode is present in the electrode region.

Abstract: A method for furnishing a therapeutic-agent-containing medical device is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a reactive layer comprising a cross-linking agent on a medical device surface; and (b) subsequently applying a polymer-containing layer, which comprises a polymer and a therapeutic agent, over the reactive layer. The cross-linking agent interacts with the polymer to form a cross-linked polymeric region that comprises the therapeutic agent. Examples of medical devices include implantable or insertable medical devices, for example, catheters, balloon, cerebral aneurysm filler coils, arterio-venous shunts and stents.

Abstract: A medical device for long-term implantation is provided, as well as a method of making the same and a method of treatment using the same. The medical device comprises (1) a reservoir including (a) a polymer matrix and (b) an antimicrobial agent disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the reservoir is adapted for long-term release of the antimicrobial agent from the polymer matrix; and (2) a surfactant region disposed over the reservoir at an outer surface of the device.

Abstract: Provided are artificial muscle patches, which are adapted to be implanted adjacent a patient's heart, and artificial sphincter cuffs, which are adapted to be implanted around a body lumen, such as the urethra, the anal canal, or the lower esophagus. The devices of the present invention comprise: (a) one or more electroactive polymer actuators; and (b) a control unit for electrically controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators to expand or contract the devices.

Abstract: A double diffused field effect transistor and a method of forming the same is provided. The method begins by providing a substrate of a first conductivity type. Next, at least one dopant species, also of the first conductivity type, is introduced into a surface of the substrate so that the substrate has a nonuniform doping profile. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed over the substrate and one or more body regions of a second conductivity type are formed within the epitaxial layer. A plurality of source regions of the first conductivity type are then formed within the body regions. Finally, a gate region is formed, which is adjacent to the body regions.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit is provided that includes a substrate and at least one boundary positioned in the substrate and defining a cavity. The boundary is substantially non-transmissive and absorbing for wavelengths of stray light present in the vicinity of the boundary. The boundary possesses substantial symmetry under at least one symmetry group operation.

Abstract: A surface mountable multi-chip device is provided which includes first and second lead frames portions and at least two chips. The lead frame portions each include a header region and a lead region. Beneficially, the header regions of the first and second lead frame portions lie in a common plane, with at least one semiconductor chip being placed on each of the header regions. A conductive member link is placed on top of the two chips to electrically and mechanically interconnect the chips.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module is provided that contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier. The module also includes at least one circuit board on which reside electronics associated with the optical amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reformatting or interleaving a WDM signal that includes a plurality of optical channels having a first bandwidth and a first channel spacing. The method begins by receiving the WDM signal and dividing it into first and second subsets of optical channels each having a second channel spacing. Next, the first subset of optical channels are divided into third and fourth subsets of optical channels each having a third channel spacing. In addition, the second subset of optical channels is divided into fifth and sixth subsets of optical channels each having a fourth channel spacing. The third and fifth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a first output WDM signal, while the fourth and sixth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a second output WDM signal.

Abstract: An optical tap is provided that includes an input waveguide having a first width for receiving an optical signal and a tap waveguide having a second width. The tap waveguide is coupled to the input waveguide in a junction region. An output waveguide, which has a third width, is coupled to the input waveguide in the junction region defined by the intersection of the input and tap waveguides. The input waveguide, tap waveguide and output waveguide respectively have input, tap and output longitudinal, centrally disposed optical axes. The input and tap axes define a first acute angle therebetween and the input and output axes define a second acute angle therebetween. A tapping ratio is defined by a ratio of optical output power from the tap waveguide to optical output power from the output waveguide. The tapping ratio is determined at least in part by the first, second and third widths and the first and second angles.

Abstract: The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.

Abstract: An enhanced method and device are provided to treat atrial fibrillation or inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium. In another embodiment, blood perfusion is performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An organic electronic device structure and a method of making the same. According to a first aspect of the invention, an organic electronic device structure is provided, which comprises: (a) a substrate layer; (b) an organic electronic region disposed over the substrate layer; (c) an adhesive layer disposed over the organic electronic device; and (d) a barrier layer disposed over the adhesive layer. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an organic electronic device structure is provided, which comprises: (a) a substrate layer; (b) an organic electronic region disposed over the substrate layer; (c) a barrier layer disposed over the organic electronic region; (d) an adhesive layer disposed over the substrate layer and over the barrier layer; and (e) an additional layer disposed over the adhesive layer. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for providing an organic electronic device structure of provided.

Abstract: An abrasive tape is supplied to a tape head by a tape supply unit and taken up from the tape head by a tape take-up unit. The tape head presses the abrasive tape against a surface of an object under polish, which is rotated by a rotating unit. A tape head pressuring unit utilizes a voice coil motor, for example. Since the tape head pressuring unit generates a pressuring force for pressuring the tape head using the electromagnetic force, it is able to set a minute pressuring force by controlling a drive signal, and to obtain the fine adjustment of the pressuring force easily by controlling the electric signal. Therefore, it becomes possible to press the abrasive tape against the surface of the object under polish with a desired low pressure.

Abstract: An Adaptive Software Application consists of several types of modules, called Adaptive Units, which are highly parameterized such that they can adapt to varying business requirements by virtue of externally provided parameters. An Adaptive Application is assembled through repeated use of various combinations of different types of Adaptive Units. Large and complex business systems can be rapidly implemented through this approach. An Adaptive Unit includes interface components that can present information to and accept information from the outside world (such as a web page or a system interface), processing logic components that can manipulate and evaluate information based on received parameters received (such as comparisons and decisions including data dependency decisions), and data persistence logic components that retrieves, adds, updates, and deletes data targeting one or more Occurrence Databases. All three components of an Adaptive Unit are parameter driven.