Patents Assigned to CASCADE
  • Patent number: 8402848
    Abstract: A probe holder has a manipulator, a probe arm arranged on the manipulator, and a probe needle that is at least indirectly connected to the probe arm. To increase the number of contacts of a substrate to be tested and to make it possible to test a plurality of contacts in etched trenches of semiconductor elements in a group of wafers, the probe arm is connected to a needle support on which the probe needle and at least one second probe needle are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Kiesewetter, Stojan Kanev, Stefan Kreissig
  • Patent number: 8403618
    Abstract: A fork positioner, usable alternatively either as an attachment to an existing load-lifting carriage with forks, or as part of the original equipment of a load-lifting carriage, has a pair of elongate hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies mountable in an interconnected parallel relationship between an upper transverse fork-supporting member and a lower transverse member of the carriage. Each of a pair of fork-positioning guide members has a fork-engagement surface movable by a respective piston and cylinder assembly and connectable thereto so that the fork-engaging surfaces face substantially perpendicularly away from an imaginary plane containing the respective longitudinal axes of the piston and cylinder assemblies. An exemplary carriage mounting the fork positioner is also disclosed, together with a wireless hydraulic function control system for use with the fork positioner or other multi-function load handlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Prentice, Patrick A. Armony, David Petronek
  • Publication number: 20130069680
    Abstract: Risers including a plurality of high aspect ratio electrical conduits, as well as systems and methods of manufacture and/or use of the risers and/or the high aspect ratio electrical conduits. The systems and methods may include incorporation of the plurality of high aspect ratio electrical conduits within a substantially planar body that may include and/or be formed from a solid dielectric material. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to conduct a plurality of electric currents between a first surface of the body and a second, substantially opposed, surface of the body. The surfaces may include a plurality of contact pads configured to provide a robust and/or corrosion-resistant surface and/or to improve electrical contact between the riser and another device. The risers also may include a layered structure, wherein the layers are sequentially formed to increase a thickness of the riser and/or the aspect ratio of the electrical conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Koby L. Duckworth, Eric Hill, Mike Jolley, Kurt Schultz, Jody Curtis
  • Publication number: 20130056515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered stapling device and, more specifically, but not limited to, a powered stapling device for driving staples over a strip of linear material, such as a cable located in an otherwise inaccessible or difficult to reach place. The stapling device includes an actuation mechanism, a handle, a staple ejection mechanism, and a drive arm operable along a primary axis of the stapling device. The actuation mechanism provides energy to the drive arm, which in turn engages the staple ejection mechanism, which in turn drives the staple. At least a portion of the staple engagement mechanism may be positioned at an angle with respect to the primary axis. This configuration of the staple engagement mechanism allows the stapling device to drive the staple at an angle relative to the linear object being stapled, even when the primary axis of stapling device is aligned substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the linear object being stapled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Cascade Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20130048654
    Abstract: A waste cart includes a container having first and second wall portions, and first and second openings defined by the wall portions to receive and support a grab bar. The container includes at least one positioning element to constrain the lateral movement of the grab bar. During assembly, the first end of the grab bar is inserted through the opening in the first sidewall, and the grab bar is pivoted to align the grab bar with the opening in the second sidewall. During the pivoting of the grab bar, the first positioning element is deformed. The second end of the grab bar is inserted into the opening in the second sidewall, allowing the first positioning element to snap back to its original, non-deformed orientation. When the grab bar is installed, the positioning elements are positioned at the outer ends of the grab bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CASCADE ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Kilduff, Linda R. Umlor, Brian G. Parker, Jeffrey W. Miles, Joseph A. Bollo, JR., Dean T. Miller, Michael A. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20130044203
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for imaging are provided. Specifically, systems and methods for extending the range of a digital zoom are provided in which an imaging system provides continuous magnification over a plurality of interleaved optical pathways and digital zooming imagers. Systems and methods of centering an image as the field of view changes, and for masking out undesirable obstacles from a magnified image are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Cameron Abnet, Daniel Leibovich Feldkhun, Michael Stephen Mermelstein
  • Publication number: 20130027070
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and device for contacting contact areas (22) with probe tips (18) in a tester. The contact areas (22), which are arranged on a substrate (6), and the probe tips (18) are positioned relative to each other and then brought in contact with each other by an advancing motion. In order to detect a secure contact for each of the probe tips (18), the contacting between the probe tips (18) and the contact areas (22) is observed from at least two observation directions (34), which include an observation angle ? in a range of 0 to 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CASCADE MICROTECH INC
    Inventors: Claus Dietrich, Stojan Kanev, Frank Fehrmann, Botho Hirschfeld
  • Publication number: 20130015871
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for two-sided testing of electronic devices. These systems, devices, and methods may include the use of a test fixture that is configured to electrically connect a back side electrical pad of a device under test with an auxiliary pad that faces in a different direction than the back side electrical pad. Additionally or alternatively, these systems, devices, and methods also may include the use of a probe head that is configured to form an electrical connection with both the auxiliary pad and a front side electrical pad of the device under test. The systems, devices, and methods also may include providing a test signal to the device under test, receiving a resultant signal from the device under test, and/or analyzing the resultant signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Cleary, Peter Hanaway, Eric Strid, David Leslie, Eric Hill, Ken Smith, K. Reed Gleason
  • Publication number: 20130010099
    Abstract: A system that includes an imaging device for effectively positioning a probe for testing a semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CASCADE MICOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Andrews, David Hess
  • Publication number: 20130005603
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for detecting target nucleic acid. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CASCADE BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Smith, Nina Yazvenko, Mariya Smit
  • Patent number: 8344744
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for testing DUTs with a chuck that has a support surface for supporting of a DUT as well as for supplying the support surface with a defined potential, or for connecting the DUT. The arrangement further includes a positioning device for positioning the chuck as well as an electromagnetic shielding housing enclosing at least the chuck. Inside the housing and adjacent to the chuck, a signal preamplifier is arranged whose signal port facing the chuck is electrically connected with the support surface, wherein the signal preamplifier is moveable together with the chuck by the positioning device in a way that it holds its position constant relative to the chuck during positioning. The signal preamplifier is connected to a measurement unit outside of the housing via a measurement cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Schmidt, Botho Hirschfeld, Stojan Kanev, Andrej Rumiantsev, Michael Teich
  • Patent number: 8339606
    Abstract: A portal or gateway that includes a detector comprising a chirped laser; an open optical sample cell and a detector for detecting light from the chirped laser that has passed through the cell. The chirped laser may be a quantum cascade laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cascade Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Iain Howieson
  • Publication number: 20120306587
    Abstract: High frequency interconnect structures, electronic assemblies that utilize high frequency interconnect structures, and methods of operating the same. The high frequency interconnect structures include a plurality of dielectric waveguides and are configured to communicatively connect a plurality of transmitters with a plurality of receivers and to convey a plurality of signals therebetween. The plurality of signals may include a plurality of electromagnetic waves and may have a frequency of at least 200 GHz. The high frequency interconnect structures further may be configured to decrease a potential for crosstalk between a first signal that is conveyed by a first dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides and a second signal that is conveyed by a second dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides, such as through control of a passband of the first dielectric waveguide relative to the second dielectric waveguide and/or the use of a crosstalk mitigation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Strid, Richard L. Campbell, Kenneth R. Smith, K. Reed Gleason, Kooho Jung
  • Patent number: 8319503
    Abstract: A flicker noise test system includes a guarded signal path and an unguarded signal path selectively connectable to respective terminals of a device under test. The selected signal path is connectable a terminal without disconnecting cables or changing probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Mark Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120286817
    Abstract: Probe head assemblies, components of probe head assemblies, test systems including the probe head assemblies and/or components thereof, and methods of operating the same. The probe head assemblies are configured to convey a plurality of test signals to and/or from a device under test and include a space transformer, a contacting assembly, and a riser that spatially separates the space transformer from the contacting assembly and conveys the plurality of test signals between the space transformer and the contacting assembly. The contacting assembly may include a frame that defines an aperture and has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is within a threshold difference of that of the device under test, a flexible dielectric body that is attached to the frame, maintained in tension by the frame, and extends across the aperture, and a plurality of conductive probes. The plurality of conductive probes may include a dual-faceted probe tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Koby Duckworth, Eric Hill
  • Publication number: 20120266438
    Abstract: Latches, latch arrangements and related methods for temporarily associating two objects, each having one part of a magnetic catch retention arrangement. Latches according to various embodiments of the invention have matable first and second housings wherein the first housing defines a primary recess and the second includes a primary protrusion that is receivable by the primary recess. A biased, displaceable catch of one housing selectively retains the other housing when the two housings are in a mated condition. The magnetic catch retention arrangement becomes functional after sufficient user displacement of the catch; upon sufficient differential movement of the housings, the magnetic catch retention arrangement no longer has sufficient effect to overcome the catch bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CASCADE DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventors: L. Paul Nickerson, Philip R. Hitch
  • Patent number: 8278951
    Abstract: A probe station for testing semiconductor substrates, i.e., wafers and other electronic semiconductor elements, suitable for carrying out low-current and low-voltage measurement, comprises a shielding with which the electromagnetic influence (EMI) of the measurement of the semiconductor substrate can be minimized, and also comprises devices for the preparation of test signals. In addition, the housing of the probe station can offer a different possibility for the accessibility of individual components or component groups of the probe station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stojan Kanev, Hans-Jurgen Fleischer, Stefan Kreissig, Karsten Stoll, Axel Schmidt, Andreas Kittlaus
  • Patent number: 8278048
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for detecting target nucleic acid. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Cascade Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Smith, Nina Yazvenko, Mariya Smit
  • Publication number: 20120238928
    Abstract: A corrective device to be worn on a human foot having a misalignment and positioned inside of footwear. The device including an inner shell having a first rigidity, and shaped to accommodate receiving therein and supportingly couple with the foot, and an outer shell having a second rigidity, the outer shell shaped to accommodate receiving therein the inner shell, supportingly couple with the inner shell and allow positioning into the footwear. The inner shell including an anterior portion and the outer shell including an anterior portion, with the anterior portion of the inner shell extending forward of the anterior portion of the outer shell and terminating rearward of a pivot region where the human pivots when walking or running and at or forward of a location where the metatarsal heads of the foot of the human approximately end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Cascade Dafo, Inc
    Inventor: Donald R. Buethorn
  • Patent number: D670595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley J. Vandehey, D. Clark Jordan, Scott E. Schauer