Abstract: An ultrasound transducer system is provided which produces a wide area scan of a body being imaged. The ultrasound transducer includes an array of N×M transducer elements, with the transducer elements preferably arranged in columns and rows. The transducer array comprises M columns of N elements each, with M and N being integers. The ultrasound transducer system further includes a transmitter for generating transmission signals and a receiver for receiving and processing ultrasound backscatter signals. A first switching arrangement sequentially connects the transmitter to subarrays of N×X transducers each so as to sequentially energize the subarrays to generate ultrasound interrogating beams across the face of the array. A second switching arrangement is provided which sequentially couples the receiver to each energized subarray to enable the reception and processing of acoustic signals from each subarray, in sequence.

Abstract: A laser having a first layer of a III-V semiconducting material of a first semiconductor type on which a mask having an opening therein is deposited. A second layer of a III-V semiconducting material of the first semiconductor type is grown from the portion of the first layer underlying the opening in the mask and extends over the mask. A first cladding layer of a III-V semiconducting material of the first semiconductor type is grown over the second layer so as to cover the second layer. The active layer that generates light upon the recombination of holes and electrons therein is grown over the first cladding layer. A second cladding layer of a III-V semiconducting material is grown over the active layer, the second cladding layer including a III-V semiconducting material of the opposite semiconductor type from the first layer. A third layer of a III-V semiconducting material is grown over the second cladding layer.

Abstract: A p-contact that comprises a contact layer of a p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor having an exposed surface and an electrode layer of palladium (Pd) located on the exposed surface of the contact layer. The p-contact is made by providing a p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor contact layer having an exposed surface, and depositing an electrode layer of palladium on the exposed surface of the contact layer. Preferably, the p-contact is annealed for a prolonged annealing time after the electrode layer is deposited, and the exposed surface of the contact layer is etched using hydrofluoric acid (HF) before depositing the electrode layer.

Abstract: A signal measurement system is disclosed. The signal measurement system includes an operating system and a graphical user interface. A dialog box control system constructed and arranged to manage display and interactivity with respect to a selected one of a plurality of dialog boxes to be opened on the graphical user interface in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of dialog launch modalities is included in the signal measurement system. For each of the plurality of dialog launch modalities the dialog box control system closes open dialog boxes not having a predetermined relationship with the selected dialog box, thereby achieving a display clarity associated with the selected dialog box modality. Preferably, for each of the plurality of dialog launch modalities the dialog box control system controls user interactivity with the system beyond an active dialog box, thereby also achieving an extent of system interactivity associated with the selected dialog box modality.

Abstract: A removable grip for an ultrasound probe. The grip may be an integrated or unitary hand-held device having a circular or C-shaped cross-section that, when located at a predetermined operative position on the probe, removably surrounds a substantial portion of the probe to provide an exterior shape and size optimal for a desired application. The probe is generally an elongated instrument having proximal and distal ends and an external casing that is grasped by a sonographer. An ultrasound transducer is generally disposed at the distal end and a cord for transferring data and power typically extends from the proximal end of the probe. The grip includes proximal and distal ends and, in one disclosed aspect, a channel for receiving the cord. The channel is defined by opposing edges of the grip that longitudinally extend between the proximal and distal ends. The channel extends through the grip from an exterior surface to an interior surface of the grip.

Abstract: A light source constructed from a light emitting device and a light conversion device. The light-emitting device emits light of a first wavelength and includes a semiconductor device on a surface of a substrate. The light conversion device includes a portion of the substrate. The light conversion device receives the light of the first wavelength and emits light of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The substrate includes a crystal of a fluorescent material doped with an activator. The light emitting device is preferably a light emitting diode or a laser diode. In one embodiment of the invention, the light emitting device is constructed in a groove in the substrate such that light generated by the light emitting device enters the wall of the groove.

Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to provide an estimate of the leakage current expected from an integrated circuit having a known test vector applied thereto. The method generates a graph having a first node connected to a terminal maintained at a first power supply potential and a second node connected to a terminal maintained at a second power supply potential, the first and second power supply potentials having a potential difference of VDD. Each edge represents a source-drain connected transistor connected between two nodes as a switch having a resistance that depends on whether the transistor is “on” or “off” when the test signals are present. Each node in the graph is assigned a value of 0 or 1, together with the strength of that value. The assignment process also verifies that the circuit is in a valid static state.

Abstract: A low-stress interface between materials having different thermal coefficients of expansion and method for fabricating same includes using a laminated composite layer having a lateral thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) that is matched to the TCE of another layer of material that is joined thereto. Using a laminate material having a lateral TCE similar to the TCE of the material to which it is joined equalizes the lateral thermal expansion of the two materials at the interface therebetween and minimizes the stress placed on the material that joins the two materials. Furthermore, the layer of material to which the laminate is joined can also be a laminate.

Abstract: A signal comparison system determines whether a data signal is transitioning close to transitions of its clock signal, thereby causing possible errors in the sampling of the data signal. The signal comparison system includes a plurality of latches that receive a first signal and a second signal and that transmit a respective value of the first signal in response to a transition of the second signal. Delay mechanisms delay the transition of the second signal before the transition is received by latches so that the transition is delayed different amounts relative to each of the latches. A feedback mechanism receives the values transmitted by the latches and determines whether these values are logically equivalent. The feedback mechanism then transmits a feedback signal in response to a determination that one of the values is logically different than another of the values.

Abstract: A mass biosensor uses an intermediate avidin layer to facilitate binding of a biotinylated antibody to a measurement surface of the biosensor. The avidin layer can be added by the manufacturer of the biosensor, while the biotinylated layer can be added by the user. This two-phase method of chemically modifying the measurement surface significantly reduces the user time required to customize the measurement surface to render it capable of binding selected compounds. An organosilane coupling agent attached to the surface provides sites to which avidin is bound. Avidin acts as a universal receptor of biotinylated compounds with specific binding affinities. Biotinylated antibodies or other biotinylated compounds are added and bind to the immobilized avidin. Surface adsorption is reduced by washing the modified surface with biotin to block potential sites of weak bond formation, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.

Abstract: A light emitting device and heterojunction phototransistor combination having a structure where a p-type material terminal of a laser is common with an emitter of a PNP heterojunction phototransistor. This configuration results in a light emitting device and heterojunction phototransistor structure that has a drastically reduced bias voltage requirement and that allows independent biasing of the laser and the heterojunction phototransistor.

Abstract: Methods and kits for labeling nucleic acids are provided. In the subject methods, an oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid comprising an oligonucleotide tag is first generated. The oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid is then contacted under hybridization conditions with a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag, yielding a labeled nucleic acid. The kits of the subject invention at least include a primer for use in enzymatically generating an oligonucleotide tagged target nucleic acid, where the primer generally at least includes an oligo dT region and the oligonucleotide tag, and a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag. The subject methods and kits find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in gene expression analysis applications.

Abstract: A system that can test individual components having tolerances on a circuit board without complete access to every node on the board is disclosed. The system uses a method that develops test limits from a model of the board, component tolerances, and a list of accessible nodes. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of components under consideration is also disclosed. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of nodes under consideration is also disclosed. A method of picking nodes to apply stimulus to a board is also disclosed. Finally, a method of correcting for certain parasitics associated with tester hardware is disclosed.

Abstract: The addition of an array of transistors through areas of the circuit where active devices normally don't exist, such as under routing channels. By connecting this array of transistors such that the gates are tied to one power supply and the sources and drains to another, the transistors act as bypass capacitors between the power supplies and act to reduce noise on the supplies. Also, the transistors may later be reconnected through changes in the design to form diodes, inverters, buffers, or other logic gates to allow changes to the circuit late in the design cycle.

Abstract: A system that can test individual components having tolerances on a circuit board without complete access to every node on the board is disclosed. The system uses a method that develops test limits from a model of the board, component tolerances, and a list of accessible nodes. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of components under consideration is also disclosed. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of nodes under consideration is also disclosed. A method of picking nodes to apply stimulus to a board is also disclosed. Finally, a method of correcting for certain parasitics associated with tester hardware is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a biopolymer array, and an apparatus which can execute the method. droplets of fluid carrying the biopolymer or a biomonomer are deposited onto a front side of a transparent substrate. Light is directed through the substrate from the front side, back through a substrate back side and a first set of deposited droplets on the first side to an image sensor. The substrate may be mounted by means of a chuck with parallel channels, and a scanning operation of a droplet dispensing head, light source, and sensor conducted in unison in the direction of the channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing a subject's pain perception during an invasive medical procedure, such as blood sampling and the like. The apparatus can include a receiving surface constructed to contact a portion of the subject's skin and a vibratory mechanism associated with the receiving surface such that the vibratory mechanism transmits vibrations through the receiving surface and to the subject's skin. An invasive sharp can be substantially permanently supported and moveably disposed with respect to the receiving surface such that the invasive sharp reciprocates between a first position in which the sharp is spaced from the receiving surface, away from the subject's skin, and a second position in which at least a portion of the sharp protrudes through an opening in the receiving surface.

Abstract: A magnetic strip interface reads data from a first track and a second track of a magnetic strip. The magnetic strip interface transmits the data read from the first track to a first data handler, which converts this data into a first data word, and the magnetic strip interface also transmits the data read from the second track to a second data handler, which converts this data into a second data word. The first and second data handlers transmit the first and second data words, respectively, to a multiplexer in response to command signals transmitted from a control mechanism. The multiplexer transmits the first and second data words received from the first and second data handlers, respectively, in response to control signals transmitted from the control mechanism. The control mechanism analyzes a priority scheme to determine the timing of transmissions from the data handlers.

Abstract: A CMOS digital integrated circuit (IC) chip on which an image is captured, digitized, and then processed on-chip in substantially the digital domain. A preferred embodiment comprises imaging circuitry including a photo cell array for capturing an image and generating a representative analog signal, conversion circuitry including an n-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal, filter circuitry including a spatial filter for edge and contrast enhancement of the corresponding image, compression circuitry for reducing the digital signal storage needs, correlation circuitry for processing the digital signal to generate result surface on which a minima resides representing a best fit image displacement between the captured image and previous images, interpolation circuitry for mapping the result surface into x- and y-coordinates, and an interface with a device using the chip, such as a hand-held scanner.