Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising one or more embolics attached to an inert, dissolvable matrix as well as kits comprising these novel embolic formulations. Also described are methods of making and using these embolic formulations.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate, an n-channel MOSFET formed on the substrate and a p-channel MOSFET formed on the substrate. A first layer is formed to cover the n-channel MOSFET, wherein the first layer has a first flexure-induced stress. A second layer is formed to cover the p-channel MOSFET, wherein the second layer has a second flexure-induced stress.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an avionics component to a level of certification. Steps include: receiving and sending data to a data monitor and an integrity monitor, the data monitor operating at a first level of certification and the integrity monitor operating at a second higher level; using the integrity monitor, determining where a feature of the data should appear on a display; checking if the feature properly appears, and if not, an error condition appears. The system includes: a sensor for sensing an aircraft condition; a data monitor for receiving and rendering data from the sensor, the data monitor certified to a first category level; an integrity monitor for receiving the data from the sensor and for calculating where a feature of the data should appear on a data display, the integrity monitor certified to a second higher level. If the feature does not properly appear, an error condition appears.

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: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided, which contain (a) a substrate and (b) a polymeric region disposed over the substrate which contains at least one block copolymer. The block copolymer, in turn, contains at least two polymer blocks which phase separate into two or more immiscible phase domains within the polymeric region. Moreover, a bioactive species is covalently attached to at least one of the polymer blocks. By attaching the bioactive species selectively to at least one polymer block, self-assembled clusters of the bioactive species are created as the blocks phase separate into immiscible phase domains.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain at least one polymeric region in contact with a metallic region. The polymeric region contains at least one block copolymer that contains at least one low Tg block and at least one high Tg block. The polymeric region contains at least one polymer that contains at least one adhesion promoting group selected from one or more of halo-silane, alkoxy-silane, epoxy, anhydride, phenoxy, hydroxyl, amino, sulfonate and carboxyl groups, which at least one polymer may correspond to the block copolymer, a supplemental polymer, or both.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: Parallel programming and execution systems and techniques are discussed herein. In accordance with one technique, a parallel programming model is used to decompose a complex process into parallelizable tasks with proper dependencies set by data objects as interfaces. Another technique features a scheduling mechanism that provides thread affinity and automatic load-balance management among an assortment of processing units such as CPUSs/CPU cores, GPUs/GPU cores, and/or hardware threads in a scalable manner. The models and techniques are applied in an exemplary manner to a digital media encoding process.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that control the release of one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers that contain one or more rigid, nonplanar polycyclic molecular structures. The therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region.

Abstract: Novel methods for the chemical ablation of tissue (e.g. prostatic tissue) are described. These methods include the steps of: (a) providing one or more solid salt dosage forms comprising 50-100% w/w salt; and (b) inserting one or more of such solid salt dosage forms into the tissue. The solid salt dosage forms is optionally inserted into the tissue under real-time ultrasonic observation. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate toxic byproducts. For example, where NaCl-based solid salt dosage forms are used to effect localized chemical ablation, the concentration is ultimately reduced to the level of normal saline (i.e., about 0.9%) upon absorption by the body of the subject being treated.

Abstract: A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an OPCPA apparatus. The OPCPA of the present invention includes an optical pulse stretcher (100) for outputting chirped laser light using odd-order dispersion (third-order dispersion is mainly used). A pump laser (200) outputs pump laser light. An OPA unit (300) receives the pump laser light and the chirped laser light (signal), amplifies the signal using the pump laser light, and generates an idler. An optical signal separation unit (400) separates output light of the OPA unit into the signal, the idler, and remaining light (pump). An optical pulse compressor (600) compensates for pulse chirping caused by odd-order dispersion that is imparted by the optical pulse stretcher, thus temporally compressing the signal and the idler, which overlap each other.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, ureteral stents are provided that comprise an elongated stent body and a urologically beneficial agent. The elongated stent body comprises a kidney portion adapted to occupy the kidney of a subject upon implantation, a ureter portion adapted to occupy the ureter of a subject upon implantation, and a bladder portion adapted to occupy the bladder of a subject upon implantation. The ureteral stents of the invention are adapted to release the urologically beneficial agent into the subject. Moreover, the amount of urologically beneficial agent that is released varies along the length of the stent. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of forming such stents and methods of using such stents.

Abstract: An elongate medical device configured for at least partial implantation or insertion into a subject. The medical device has at least one surface that contains one or more depressions, which are at least partially filled with a soluble material. Also described methods of making such devices.

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 device mountable to a substrate includes a semiconductor die and an electrically conductive attachment region having a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface is arranged for electrical communication with the semiconductor die. A housing at least in part encloses the semiconductor die and the interlayer material. The housing has a recess disposed through the second attachment surface of the electrically conductive attachment region. A dielectric, thermally conductive interlayer material is located in the recess and secured to the housing. A metallic plate is located in the recess and secured to the interlayer material.

Abstract: A tubular endoprosthesis including a polymeric material is disclosed. The endoprosthesis has a collapsed position that can be reverted to a first expanded position larger than the collapsed position by heating to a first temperature subsequent to insertion of the endoprosthesis into a cavity or lumen in a mammal. The endoprosthesis can be further expanded to a second expanded position within the cavity or lumen.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided, which have at least two superhydrophobic surface regions which engage one another when the medical device is deployed in vivo.

Abstract: A tissue patch for treatment of a lesion in an alimentary tract of a patient includes a tissue implant having a top surface and a bottom surface. The tissue patch also includes a substrate completely surrounding the tissue implant such that the substrate forms a first layer on the top surface and a second layer on the bottom surface. At least one of the first and second layers contacts the respective top or bottom surface and is entirely bio-absorbable so that the tissue implant touches an area of the patient's tissue upon dissolving of the at least one of the first and second layers. The first layer has a first predetermined thickness and the second layer has a second predetermined thickness different from the first predetermined thickness.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices, which contain at least one polymeric region. The polymeric region contains at least one fluorocarbon-containing block copolymer, which, in turn, contains (a) at least one fluorocarbon-containing, low glass transition temperature (low Tg) copolymer chain and (b) at least one glass transition temperature (high Tg) polymer chain.