Abstract: The use of an intravascular cooling element to induce hypothermia in connection with a medical procedure. According to a first aspect of the present, invention, a coronary bypass procedure is conducted in which a patient's blood is oxygenated with the patient's lungs and in which blood is circulated using the patient's heart or using an intracorporeal pump. The procedure preferably comprises: (a) positioning a heat transfer element in a blood vessel of a patient; (b) cooling the body of the patient to less than 35° C., more preferably 32±2° C., using the heat transfer element; and (c) forming a fluid communicating graft between an arterial blood supply and the coronary artery. The body of the patient is preferably heated to about 37° C. using the heat transfer element subsequent to the step of forming the fluid communicating graft.

Abstract: A pump apparatus, which comprises: (a) a tubular portion comprising an electroactive polymer actuator that expands and contracts an inner volume of the tubular portion based upon received control signals; and (b) a control unit electrically coupled to the electroactive polymer actuator and sending control signals to the actuator. The pump apparatus can further include at least one valve that is in fluid communication with the inner volume of the tubular portion. The pump apparatus can be used, for example, as a heart-lung bypass pump apparatus. Also disclosed herein is a method of providing circulatory support for patient.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a plurality of capsules, and a method of administering therapeutic agent to a patient using the same. The capsules further comprise a therapeutic agent and a multilayer polyelectrolyte shell. The medical device is adapted to apply a pressure to the capsules that is greater than or equal to the critical pressure of at least a portion of the capsules, such that therapeutic agent is released from the capsules.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described. The medical devices comprise (a) a therapeutic agent and (b) a polymeric release region that controls the release of the therapeutic agent upon administration to a patient. The polymer release region comprises a graft copolymer, which further comprises a main chain and a plurality of side chains. One of (a) the main chain and (b) the side chains corresponds to a rubbery phase within the release region at ambient temperatures, while the other corresponds to a hard phase within the release layer at ambient temperatures. Typically, the graft copolymer will comprise one glass transition temperature below ambient temperature and another second glass transition temperature above ambient temperature. Also described are methods for forming the above graft copolymers, methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient using the above implantable or insertable medical devices, as well as methods for making the above devices.

Abstract: A method for creating sensory experiences operates by scanning the acoustical signal across the human neural cortex to create the desired sensory perceptions. The acoustic signal is scanned in a predetermined pattern. The pattern is then modified to fill in spaces in the predetermined pattern so that over a short time period, the desired signal is scanned across the intended region of the neural cortex. In one exemplary embodiment, the pattern begins with an array of points on the cortex. Thus, an acoustic signal in an array of points is directed towards the cortex. The acoustic pattern is then shaped to expand in radius about each point. Thus, the acoustic signal scans the visual cortex in an array of expanding circles. Varying the signal at each point along the radius as it expands produces neural firing differences in the neural tissue. When the circles expand to where they begin to touch, the pattern changes to fill in the areas between the original array of points.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for temperature control of the human body. The system includes an indwelling catheter with a tip-mounted heat transfer element. The catheter is fluidically coupled to a console that provides a heated or cooled heat transfer working fluid to exchange heat with the heat transfer element, thereby heating or cooling blood. The heated or cooled blood then heats or cools the patient's body or a selected portion thereof. In particular, strategies for optimizing the rewarming of patients for various medical procedures are provided, including stroke, neurosurgery, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch selectively transferring engine power for a manual transmission includes a stator fixedly connected to an engine crankshaft via a flywheel, having an electromagnet and a lining drum, a clutch rotor for transmitting the engine power to a transmission power shaft by means of the magnetic force of the stator, a lining selectively contacting or releasing the lining drum of the stator, and a lining arm being rotated so that an end portion thereof presses the lining to the lining drum for physical contact between the lining and the lining drum.

Abstract: A medical device delivery sheath, which comprises an active member that volumetrically expands and contracts upon application of an appropriate electrical potential. The active member further comprises an electroactive polymer, for example, polypyrrole. Also described is a medical device delivery system comprising the same, as well as a method of delivering a medical device using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a formulation into a body in integer amounts includes a cannula with an insertion end for insertion into the body. The cannula includes a channel such as a tube to store the formulation. A rod is inserted into an end of the cannula opposite the insertion end; the rod has one end to contact the formulation and another end. The actuator controllably moves the rod through the tube of the cannula to deliver the formulation through the insertion end of the cannula.

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: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the production of macromolecule crystals containing at least one fluorescence emitter, comprising the following steps: a) a solution volume with dissolved macromolecules of a molecule species containing at least one fluorescence emitter is subjected to conditions, which cause the macromolecules to crystallize to macromolecule crystals or which are expected to cause the macromolecules to crystallize to macromolecule crystals, b) the solution volume of step a is irradiated with coherent light, and the light scattered by the macromolecule crystals is detected in at least one defined spatial angle range by means for the detection scattered light, c) before, simultaneously with or after step b, the solution volume is irradiated with a light source, the light emission of which is suitable for exciting the fluorescence emitter, and the fluorescence light is detected by means for the detection of fluorescence light, and to a device for carrying-out the method.

Abstract: It is important to assess and reduce errors that arise in mask correction techniques such as optical proximity correction. A preliminary mask is obtained using an OPC model. An etched wafer is created from the preliminary mask using lithography, and first and second critical dimensions (CD) are measured on the wafer and. An edge placement error (EPE) is determined that corresponds to a difference between a measured value and a desired value of the second CD. These steps are repeated for a plurality of different values of the first CD, and of for each of the values of, the measured value of the second CD is correlated with its corresponding value on the mask as predicted by the OPC model. ? difference ?CD is obtained between the difference of the mask CDs calculated by interpolation of wafer CD measurements and by OPC model predictions and is transformed into an OPC model error.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mudguard for motor vehicles in general, comprising an external body (10) and an intrados (17) between which a curved cavity (16) extending from a front sector to a rear sector of the mudguard is defined, with reference to the wheel (2, 3) where it is mounted. The mudguard is further provided with a manifold (18) and a pair of deflectros (19, 20) which convey air into the cavity, so as to evacurate the water sprayed by the vehicle wheels and preventing sprays towards the outside.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one layer of functional devices formed on the substrate, a first dielectric layer formed over the functional device layer and a first trench/via located in the first dielectric layer. A copper conductor fills the first trench/via. An electromigration inhibiting barrier layer is selectively located over a surface of the copper conductor and not any other remaining exposed surface. An insulating cap layer overlies the barrier layer and the remaining exposed surface. A second dielectric layer overlies the insulating cap layer. A second trench/via is located in the second dielectric layer and extends through the insulating cap layer and the barrier layer. A micro-trench is located within the first dielectric layer and is associated with the formation of the second trench/via. The micro-trench exposes a portion of the copper conductor. A filler fills the micro-trench.

Abstract: A device and method for providing body cooling. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vena cavae that is then distributed throughout the body. The cooling can be assisted by use of thermoregulatory drugs or warming devices to prevent shivering and vasoconstriction.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a power semiconductor device. The method begins by providing a substrate of a first 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: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for temperature control of the human body. The system includes an indwelling catheter with a tip-mounted heat transfer element. The catheter is fluidically coupled to a console that provides a heated or cooled heat transfer working fluid to exchange heat with the heat transfer element, thereby heating or cooling blood. The heated or cooled blood then heats or cools the patient's body or a selected portion thereof. In particular, methods and devices are provided for control and determination of the pressure within the heat transfer element.

Abstract: An SOI device, and a method for producing the SOI device, for use in an SRAM memory having enhanced stability. The SRAM is formed with a wider W and a fully-depleted FET. The wider FET is extended by an expitaxial silicon sidewall, and the performance of the FET is improved.

Abstract: A black body assembly is provided for use in the calibration of infrared cameras. The assembly includes, among other things, a housing within which calibration components may be situated, and a lens guide for accurately positioning the assembly over a lens of the infrared camera. A heat emitter may be positioned within the housing for emitting a necessary amount of heat for calibration purposes. A heating element may also be provided within the housing for controlling the heating and cooling of the heat emitter. The assembly may also include a heat sink to remove excessive heat generated from the thermoelectric cooler during temperature cycling. An arm may be employed to hingedly connect the assembly to the camera to provide reliable and repeatable way to position the black body assembly at the front of the infrared lens. A method for calibrating an infrared camera is also provided.

Abstract: A catheter and method for heating or cooling a surrounding fluid in a feeding vessel in a vasculature of a patient. The catheter includes a heat transfer element shaped and arranged to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid. A guidewire tube runs substantially parallel to the axis of the catheter to receive a guidewire. The catheter may further have a temperature-monitoring device disposed at the distal tip of the guidewire. Feedback may further be provided to control the temperature of a source of working fluid. A method is also provided for selectively controlling the temperature of a selected volume of blood in a patient.