Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices comprising a surface region that is modified by covalently coupling a molecular species (or a combination of molecular species) to the same. The molecular species are selected such that the resulting modified surface region has critical surface energy between 20 and 30 dynes/cm. In certain embodiments, the covalently coupled molecular species comprise one or more methyl groups. An advantage of the present invention is that novel medical devices are provided, which have a surface with a critical surface energy value that has been shown to display enhanced biocompatibility, including enhanced thromboresistance, relative to other surfaces.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which contain at least one polymeric region. The polymeric region contains at least one copolymer, which includes at least one high Tg vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one low Tg monomer. Moreover, the polymeric region contains at least one surface sub-region that is crosslinked and at least one bulk sub-region that is substantially non-crosslinked. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided which includes exposing a polymeric region of a medical device to energetic species such that at least one surface sub-region of the polymeric region becomes crosslinked and at least one bulk sub-region remains substantially non-crosslinked. The polymeric region contains at least one copolymer, which includes at least one high Tg vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one low Tg monomer.

Abstract: Nanocapsules are disclosed which comprise (a) a drug-containing core and (b) a polyelectrolyte multilayer encapsulating the drug-containing core. The nanocapsules include particles whose largest dimension typically ranges between 50 nm to 10000 nm. In some embodiments, the nanocapsules contain a single drug. In others, the nanocapsules contain multiple drugs, either within the same nanocapsules or within separate populations of nanocapsules. In some embodiments, the nanocapsules comprise surfaces that are functionalized, for example, with ligands that allow for attachment to bodily tissue. In some embodiments of the present invention, the nanocapsules are rendered magnetic or are rendered susceptible to magnetic fields. Also disclosed is a drug delivery method that comprises the steps of (a) providing nanocapsules such as those above; and (b) placing the nanocapsules at a desired location within the body of a subject using an implantable or insertable medical device.

Abstract: A router identifies in a data packet an address of a network device. An algorithm determines that the address and a first prefix in a tree data structure match up to a first mask length of the first prefix. The algorithm maintains the first prefix in a temporary storage location if there is a match, and determines whether the address and a second prefix in the tree data structure match up to a second mask length of the second prefix, wherein an external node of the second prefix is linked below an external node of the first prefix, and wherein the second mask length is longer than the first mask length. The algorithm maintains the second prefix as a better match of the address, if the address and the second prefix match up to the mask length of the second prefix.

Abstract: A multiple layer overvoltage protection device is provided. The method begins by providing a substrate having a first impurity concentration of a first conductivity type to define a mid-region layer. A dopant of a second conductivity type is introduced into the substrate with a second impurity concentration less than the first impurity concentration. An upper base region having a second type of conductivity is formed on the upper surface of the mid-region layer. A lower base region layer having a second type of conductivity is formed on a lower surface of the mid-region layer. A first emitter region having a first type of conductivity is formed on a surface of the upper base region layer. A first metal contact is coupled to the upper base region layer and a second metal contact is coupled to the lower base region layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining an acceptable reticle tolerance for a reticle used to produce an integrated circuit layout. The method begins by specifying a wafer target CD and a wafer CD tolerance for the integrated circuit layout. A reticle target CD is provided for the reticle that is producing the wafer target CD. A critical reticle pattern pitch is selected for the reticle target CD. The critical pattern pitch defines a relationship between the wafer CD and illumination dose exposing the reticle for producing the wafer CD which exhibits a maximum gradient. For the critical reticle pattern pitch, a relationship is established between wafer CD and a deviation from the reticle target CD that arises from use of different illumination doses. From the relationship between wafer CD and the deviation from the reticle target CD, a reticle target CD deviation interval is identified that gives rise to the wafer CD tolerance that is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a program controlled stirrer for producing pharmaceutical or cosmetic recipes, comprising a stirring unit which consists of a stirring tool which engages with a mixing receptacle. According to the invention, the stirring unit is coupled to a micro-processor which determines the length of stirring time and stirring speed at the stirring unit in a program-controlled manner. The micro-processor executes a data-processing program with the following steps: input of variable data; input of constant data; determination of the length of stirring time and stirring speed in order to produce the desired amount of the recipe by combining the variable and constant data; conversion of the determined length of stirring time and stirring speed into corresponding first current or voltage values; control of the stirring unit with said first current or voltage values.

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: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing impairment to an adiabatically chirped optical signal propagating in an optical communication system. The method begins by receiving an adiabatically chirped optical signal that has traversed one or more network components in the optical communication system. The optical signal has a parameter characteristic of signal quality (e.g., an extinction ratio) that is reduced at least in part by a fidelity-degrading transmission slope accumulated in the one or more network components. A fidelity-enhancing transmission slope imparted to at least one wavelength of the adiabatically chirped optical signal at one or more select points along a transmission path of the communication system so that the optical signal experiences an increase in said parameter characteristic of signal quality.

Abstract: A power MOSFET is provided that includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer also of the first conductivity type is deposited on the substrate. First and second body regions are located in the epitaxial layer and define a drift region between them. The body regions have a second conductivity type. First and second source regions of the first conductivity type are respectively located in the first and second body regions. A plurality of trenches are located below the body regions in the drift region of the epitaxial layer. The trenches, which extend toward the substrate from the first and second body regions, are filled with an epitaxially layered material that includes a dopant of the second conductivity type. The dopant is diffused from the trenches into portions of the epitaxial layer adjacent the trenches.

Abstract: The medical articles which including the following: (a) a ceramic or metallic region whose surface includes a plurality of depressions, (b) a multilayer coating region including multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over the surface of the ceramic or metallic region; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed beneath or within the multilayer coating region. According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided, which include: (a) a ceramic or metallic region, (b) a multilayer coating region including multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over a surface of the ceramic or metallic region, the multilayer coating region including a plurality of protuberances; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed within regions beneath the protuberances. Also described herein are methods of making such medical articles, and methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a patent using such medical articles.

Abstract: A “managed copy” capability is provided that is both sanctioned and supervised by a service provider so that multimedia content distributed on optical media such as DVD can be copied and used by a client in a controlled manner. In an illustrative example, a content provider generates a fingerprint using heuristics and/or other data that uniquely identifies a multimedia release, like a feature film, as being authorized for copying according to defined usage rules. A managed copy service authorizes the client to make a copy of a source DVD if that source is found to match a stored fingerprint. An identification response, which may include encoding parameters and usage rules, provides confirmation to the client that content on the source DVD is authorized to be copied. The client copies content from the source to another medium in compliance with the identification response.

Abstract: A lead frame facilitates the handling, positioning, attachment, and/or continued integrity of multiple dies, without the use of multiple separate parts, such as jumpers. The lead frame includes a number of structures, each of which is attached to at least one lead. At least one receiving surface, arranged to receive a die, is associated with each structure. When dies are disposed on the receiving surfaces, anodes are similarly-oriented. A number of fingers are attached to the lead frame, and one or more electrode contact surfaces are attached to each finger. Each electrode contact surface can be positioned (for example, bent) with respect to one receiving surface, to facilitate electrical connection between the anode of a die and a lead. The lead frame may be used in connection with surface- and through-hole-mountable electronic devices, such as bridge rectifier modules.

Abstract: An all-optical, optical cross-connect includes first and second pluralities of multiport optical devices. Each of the first plurality of multiport optical devices have at least one input port for receiving a WDM optical signal and a plurality of output ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. Each of the second plurality of multiport optical devices have a plurality of input ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal and at least one output port for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. At least one of the first or second plurality of multiport optical devices are all-optical switches that can route every wavelength component independently of every other wavelength component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for providing selected media files, which are chosen from among a plurality of media files, to a user over a packet-switched network such as the Internet. The method begins by receiving over the packet-switched network a request from the user to receive media content. Next, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from a database. The user profile reflects user preferences in media content to be received over the packet-switched network. The plurality of media files are ranked based at least in part on the user profile. At least one highly ranked media file is selected from among the ranked plurality of media files. At least one of the highly ranked media files is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one multi-component polymeric fiber. The multi-component polymeric fiber further contains at least two components of differing composition.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a power semiconductor device. The method begins by providing a substrate of a second conductivity type and then forming a voltage sustaining region on the substrate. The voltage sustaining region is formed by depositing an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type on the substrate and forming at least one terraced trench in the epitaxial layer. The terraced trench has a plurality of portions that differ in width to define at least one annular ledge therebetween. A barrier material is deposited along the walls of the trench. A dopant of a second conductivity type is implanted through the barrier material lining the annular ledge and said trench bottom and into adjacent portions of the epitaxial layer. The dopant is diffused to form at least one annular doped region in the epitaxial layer and at least one other region located below the annular doped region.

Abstract: A semiconductor junction device includes a substrate of low resistivity semiconductor material having a preselected polarity. A tapered recess extends into the substrate and tapers inward as it extends downward from an upper surface of the substrate. A semiconductor layer is disposed within the recess and extends above the upper surface of the substrate. The semiconductor layer has a polarity opposite from that of the substrate. A metal layer overlies the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing picture quality of a video signal. The method includes displaying a user menu having a plurality of choices of video labels; receiving a choice of video label from the plurality via an input from a user; translating the video label into a label code; receiving at least a first video processing parameter from a look-up table corresponding to the label code; and configuring a video processor according to the first video processing parameter.