Abstract: Insulated gate bipolar transistors which can restrain causing surge voltage due to an inductance component while an L-load is turned off and can improve a negative characteristic of a sustain voltage during breakdown. An insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is provided with: a p+-type semiconductor substrate; an n+-type buffer layer having high impurity concentration; an n-type intermediate layer; and an n−-type base layer having low impurity concentration. A p-type well layer and an n+-type emitter layer having high impurity concentration are formed in the n−-type base layer. The n-type intermediate layer has an intermediate impurity concentration between an impurity concentration of the n+-type buffer layer and that of the n−-type base layer. Thickness of the intermediate layer is determined so that the depletion layer does not reach the n+-type buffer layer even when the switching operation of the L-load is turned off.

Abstract: A plurality of semiconductor elements are formed at a predetermined interval on a surface of a GaAs substrate, and the semiconductor substrate is worked to a predetermined thickness. On the other hand, an aluminum nitride plate having a flat upper surface and a lower surface, where a plurality of grooves are formed on at an interval which is substantially the same as the interval between the semiconductor elements, is prepared. Next, the semiconductor substrate, a bonding resin, and the aluminum nitride plate are stacked so as to align positions of grooves with positions between the semiconductor elements. Then, the lower surface of the semiconductor substrate is adhered to the upper surface of the plate member using a bonding resin. The thus adhered body of the GaAs substrate and the aluminum nitride plate is broken along the grooves into a plurality of pellets, thereby manufacturing semiconductor devices.

Abstract: This application is directed to a stent delivery system for introducing a flexible, generally cylindrical, self-expandable stent.

Abstract: A biocompatible and biodegradable barrier material is applied to a tissue region, e.g., to seal a vascular puncture site. The barrier material comprises a compound, which is chemically cross-linked without use of an enzyme to form a non-liquid mechanical matrix. The compound preferably includes a protein comprising recombinant or natural serum albumin, which is mixed with a polymer that comprises poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG), and, most preferably, a multi-armed PEG polymer.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a proximal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, distal to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g., arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: An expansion mechanism which includes an elongate instrument and a plurality of struts arranged around the elongate instrument provides radial expansion of a medical device. Each strut has a first end pivotally connected to the elongate instrument and a second strut which expands radially outward. Each strut further carries a flexible line which has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each line passes beyond the second end of the strut which carries it and is attached to the strut immediately adjacent the strut which carries it. Methods of using such an expansion mechanism are also disclosed, particularly to provide deployment of medical devices within a patient's blood vascular system.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for installing a graft within a vascular lumen of a patient so as to substantially reduce fluid flow around the graft and axial migration of the graft. By first deploying a substantially rigid stent within the vascular lumen of the patient so as to expand the vascular lumen beyond its initial natural diameter, the substantially rigid stent is thereby frictionally engaged to the wall of the vascular lumen. A graft is then deployed within the lumen of the substantially rigid stent, with the graft's attachment system being at substantially the same longitudinal level within the target vessel as the substantially rigid stent.

Abstract: This invention is a fused loop (10) of an elongated material such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop. Portions of one or more segments (12) to be joined together are fused in a welding process to form a welded joint (14). The shear area of the fused portion (20) of the joint (14) determines the strength of the joint (14), and is thus preferably relatively large. Various configurations for the welding apparatus facilitate the creation of relatively large fused portions (20) of the joint (14) by maximizing contact between at least one of the welding members of the apparatus, and at least one of the segments (12) to be joined.

Abstract: A method for emplacing a medical anchor in a borehole in biological tissue, the method comprising the steps of providing a borehole in the biological tissue, inserting the anchor into the borehole with a tool such that the anchor is affixed to the tool and in approximate alignment with the borehole, manipulating the tool, the step of manipulating the tool causing the anchor to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the borehole and further comprising rotating the anchor in the borehole about the axis of the borehole, thereby causing the anchor to move outwardly in the borehole to engage a wall of the borehole and cut into the wall of the borehole and secure the anchor in a final position in the borehole such that the anchor is disposed approximately perpendicular to the axis of the borehole; and removing the tool from the borehole by moving the tool proximally in the borehole, thereby separating the anchor from the tool and leaving the anchor secured in the borehole.

Abstract: A guidewire filter (10) has an elongate hollow tube (12) with a proximal end, a distal end, an inside, an outside surface, and a lumen formed therethrough. The hollow tube (12) has a plurality of longitudinal slots (14) forming a plurality of longitudinal rib portions (16) near the distal region of the hollow tube (12). An actuating wire (24) with a proximal end, and a distal end is provided. Filter material (20) is positioned within the lumen in the hollow tube (12). An activation handle (38) on the proximal end of the device (10) is provided for pulling the actuating wire (24) relative to the hollow tube (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closure of defect openings in the human or animal body, which device, in a first state, can assume an elongate shape with a high ratio of length to transverse extent, and, in the implanted state, has a shape with a lower ratio of length to transverse extent, the device being deformable in the radial direction and comprising first arrangements with which the device, in the implanted state, supports itself elastically against the margin of the opening which is to be closed and thereby centers itself approximately within the opening. The device includes second arrangements which, in the implanted state, bear with positive engagement on opposite sides of the tissue surrounding the opening which is to be closed.

Abstract: A SOI device in which floating body effect is reduced to improve performance. The SOI device including a semiconductor substrate; a first buried insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first conductivity type silicon layer formed on the first buried insulating film; an active region and a first conductivity type semiconductor layer formed to be isolated on predetermined areas of the first conductivity type silicon layer; second buried insulating films formed to be isolated from one another in the first conductivity type silicon layer to connect the first conductivity type semiconductor layer with the active region through the first conductivity type silicon layer; a gate electrode formed on the active region; impurity region formed in the semiconductor substrate at both sides of the gate electrode; and contact pads formed on the first conductivity type silicon layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a distal protection device for use with a delivery member. A filter assembly is located on the distal end of the delivery member. The filter is deployed distally of the region to be treated to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. The filter is then retracted to retain any captured emboli and then removed from the patient.

Abstract: A process for creating a dual damascene structure without needing an etch stop is disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor diode has two electrodes that form a cathode and an anode. The semiconductor diode is distinguished by the fact that at least one of the electrodes is curved, and that a surface area of the other electrode amounts to at most 20% of a product of a width of the other electrode and an inner edge length of the curved electrode. An electrical circuit constructed in such a way that it contains the semiconductor diode is also disclosed. The semiconductor diode contains two electrodes which form the cathode and anode, and is distinguished by the fact that at least one of the electrodes is curved, and that the surface area of the other electrode amounts to at most 20% of the product of the width of the other electrode and the inner edge length of the curved electrode.

Abstract: An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval.

Abstract: Cu diffusion between Cu and Cu alloy interconnect members, e.g., lines, in a silicon oxide inter-layer dielectric is avoided or substantially reduced by converting an upper portion of the silicon oxide inter-layer dielectric between neighboring lines to silicon oxynitride and then depositing a capping layer. Embodiments include filling damascene trenches in a silicon oxide inter-layer dielectric with Cu or a Cu alloy, CMP to effect planarization such that the upper surfaces of the lines are substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the inter-layer dielectric and treating the exposed surfaces with a nitrogen plasma of sufficient strength to ion bombard the exposed inter line silicon oxide with nitrogen, thereby converting the upper portion to silicon oxynitride, while simultaneously removing or substantially reducing surface oxides on the lines. A silicon nitride capping layer is then deposited.

Abstract: Hexachlorodisilane (Si2Cl6) is used as a Si raw material for forming a silicon nitride film that can be widely different in the etching rate from a silicon oxide film. The silicon nitride film is formed by an LPCVD method.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a flexible, fibrous hernia mesh is provided, which is intended to be implanted to close hernia defects. The mesh has at least two functional components or layers: (1) a rapidly degradable first layer and (2) a more slowly degradable (with respect to the first layer) second layer. Using the fibrous mesh of this invention, the hernia defect can be closed so that a) the second layer supports the area until the scar tissue is strong enough (around 6 months), to prevent recurrent hernia formation, b) while the more rapid degradation of the first layer induces scar tissue formation due to inflammatory reaction, and c) the second layer isolates the first layer from the abdominal cavity, preventing tissue to tissue adhesion onto the intestines. The mesh is placed on the uncovered fascia area with its more rapidly absorbable side (the first layer) towards the fascia.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising a hollow vessel insertion device with a modular filter apparatus. The insertion device, which can be an introducer, includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a proximal end adapted to receive a modular filter apparatus. When the insertion device is a cannula, the modular filter apparatus is received through a side port. The modular filter apparatus includes a shaft and an adjustable filter device or a removable filter associated with the shaft. The adjustable filter includes filter mesh, an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the mesh. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel or embolic debris may be removed by an aspiration tube.