Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes at least one &agr;-silicon carbide region and an electrically insulating region, e.g. made of an oxide layer, and an interface located between them. The selection of an &agr;-silicon carbide polytype having a smaller energy gap than that of the 6H silicon carbide polytype for at least one region near the interface results in a high charge carrier mobility in this region.

Abstract: After HSG-Si 15a is formed on the surface of a polycrystal silicon film 15, heat treatment is conducted on it using a phosphorus diffusion apparatus in an atmosphere of a mixture gas containing POCl3, O2, and N2 gases in such a situation that the O2/POCl3 mole ratio is adjusted into 0.2 through 1.5, thus diffusing phosphorus into the HSG-Si 15a. With this, it is possible to suppress the corrosion of silicon by the chlorine radicals and inhibit the accelerated oxidation of silicon, thus preventing the reduction of the HSG-Si 15a.

Abstract: The vasoocclusive coil has a primary coil configuration with a helical loop at at least one end. The terminal helical loop can have a J-shaped configuration, preferably with a loop diameter of about 2 mm. The coil is preferably provided with helical loops at both ends, with helical loop at the proximal and distal ends of the coil acting as an anchor to prevent the coil from coming free from the location being treated and escaping into the vasculature. In a presently preferred embodiment both ends of the coil have a J-shape. In another presently preferred aspect, the vasoocclusive coil includes one or more loops intermediate the ends of the coil. The device is formed from a multi-stranded micro-cable having a plurality of flexible strands of a shape memory material and at least one radiopaque strand.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: A microkeratome is provided for performing a lamellar keratotomy of an ocular globe. The microkeratome includes a guide ring assembly adapted for placement on the ocular globe and suction conduit for temporarily fixing the guide ring to the ocular globe. A cutting head containing a cutting blade suitable for corneal resections is also provided. A vertical support assembly is connected to the guide ring and supports the cutting head for rotation about a horizontal axis such that rotation of the cutting head about the horizontal axis moves the cutting blade along an arcuate cutting path into engagement with the cornea of the ocular globe.

Abstract: The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human-chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors. A series of pulleys corresponding to the number of servo motors are arranged in a housing.

Abstract: Connectors are provided for making connections between tubular conduits in medical procedures such as those involving treatment of a patient's circulatory system. The connectors are variously configured for making end-to-side or end-to-end connections of tubular conduits. One of the tubular conduits may be a graft conduit, which can be artificial conduit, natural conduit, or a combination of both. The connectors for making end-to-side connections can be generally T-shaped or L-shaped. Various portions of the connectors can attach to the inside or outside of the associated conduit, depending on the connector configuration that is selected.

Abstract: The treatment and correction of spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, is accomplished without the need for fusion of the intervertebral disc space. A surgical technique is provided in which opening and closing osteotomies are created in the affected vertebrae. Correction devices are provided which hold the osteotomies in either their closed or open orientations. The correction devices include bone-piercing anchors, some in the form of staples, holding the vertebral body on opposite sides of the body to retain the osteotomies in their desired orientation. In the opening osteotomies, the correction devices include a wedge member that is disposed within the opened wedge osteotomy and in contact with the vertebral body. The correction devices also include connection members which can be used to engage the devices to an elongated member spanning the spine, such as a spinal rod or a metal or non-metal cable or tether.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical stapling apparatus and a buttress, i.e. pledget, for use in the surgical stapling apparatus, which buttress provides sealing for hemostasis and pneumostasis, and which buttress includes a continuous projection, or a plurality of projections, for cooperation with guide channels for thereby attaching the buttress to the staple cartridge or anvil in a releasable pressure fit relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a repair apparatus for repairing a vessel during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a housing, and at least one of a penetration apparatus for use in forming a treatment specific hole in a vessel and a visualization apparatus for viewing an interior of the vessel during the surgical procedure. The housing includes a plurality of layers surrounding a central channel. The housing further includes at least one lumen formed in one of the plurality layers. The repair apparatus according to the present invention may further include a positioning assembly for positioning the repair apparatus within the vessel.

Abstract: A device for dislodging and removing mucositys from the nostril of the user. The device consists of an elongated body made of waxed paper or twisted paper or similar material. The central portion is padded and the two distal ends also have discrete padded areas. The device in use is folded over to present a doubled-over padded section of considerable thickness. The two ends have slightly raised loops (angled above the longitudinal axis) to form padded scoops. The scoops may be hollow to form an eyelet or may be closed to form pads or spoons.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in raising cattle, and in particular bulls, wherein bulls are: (a) fed a particularly nutritious liquid having a distinctive odor prior to weaning; (b) fed a combination of this liquid and conventional feed after weaning in a feedlot; (c) castrated using a ligation tool that provides a ligating tension to endless elastomeric ligation bands wherein the tool indicates the tension applied to such ligation bands; and (d) treated for infection prevention at least around the time of castration. Accordingly, cattle growth is accelerated due to enhanced nutrition, reduction in disease and a reduction in the stress upon the cattle. Furthermore, late castration of bulls (at approximately 5 to 14 months) is employed, wherein the tool of (c) provides a substantially stress-free ligation technique. Moreover, the meat produced from the cattle processed using the present invention has superior cutability characteristics.

Abstract: A semiconductor body with a layer of solder material and a method for soldering the semiconductor body include a chromium layer applied to a rear side of the semiconductor body, and a tin layer applied to the chromium layer. The semiconductor is subsequently soldered directly to the metal substrate, that is without further additives, by being heated to temperatures above 250° C. This metal layer system for soldering power semiconductors to cooling bodies enables two metal layers to be dispensed with as compared with known four metal layer systems.

Abstract: A filter is provided that is convertible from a filter configuration to an open, stent-like configuration. The filter includes a plurality of intraluminal filter elements (filter legs) that may be formed into a single cone or dual cone filter structure. A retainer secures the filter legs in the filter configuration upon initial deployment within a vessel. The retainer is then either self-releasing or removable to permit the filter legs to expand from the filter configuration into what may generally be described as an open or stent-like configuration.

Abstract: A hemostatic plug for sealing wounds in blood vessels comprising a tubular or spring-like body capable of buckling or collapsing upon application of a threshold axial force and having a fretted distal end. A collapsed portion of the plug lodges into the tissue tract and thus acts as a foothold allowing the plug to maintain continuous pressure on the puncture site necessary for a quick effective closure of the wound. Furthermore, collapse of the plug minimizes the chance of arterial penetration.

Abstract: A single use lancet device having a housing, with an open interior and an access opening defined therein, a lancet, with a body and a piercing tip, and disposed in the open interior of the housing so as to move between a cocked orientation and a piercing orientation, a driving assembly structured to move the lancet into the piercing orientation, and a restrictor assembly having a shoulder element and a restrictor panel operatively associated with the lancet and the housing and structured to pass over the restrictor panel upon the lancet moving from its cocked orientation to its piercing orientation, and to abut the restrictor panel upon attempted movement of the lancet back into its cocked orientation after movement into the piercing orientation, thereby preventing the lancet from moving back into the cocked orientation and preventing re-use of a contaminated piercing tip.

Abstract: A thrombus filter configured for placement in within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall. Methods and devices for selectively removing the thrombus filter when the presence of a filter in the vascular system is no longer desired. The thrombus filter includes a first strand formation, a second strand formation, and a joined portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrically activated thermally inserted fastener assembly for use in a surgical procedure for securing a first component to a second component. The fastener assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a securing assembly for securing the first component to the second component, and insertion assembly for inserting the securing assembly through the first component and at least a portion of the second component. A heat transmitting portion of the fastener assembly burns an incision in the first and second component to permit insertion of the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention is a retrievable umbrella sieve for removing blood clots and other debris in blood vessels. The umbrella sieve also functions to prevent blood clots and other derbies from reaching the heart of a human or animal. One of the main uses of the umbrella sieve is for the insertion of the Inferior Vena Cava to prevent and remove blot clots before the clots reach the heart. There are two embodiments of the umbrella sieve. The umbrella sieve provides a method and apparatus for used during the medical surgical treatment phase of thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosos in the precautionary prevention of pulmonary emboli. The umbrella sieve provides a method and apparatus for routinely placing a preventive device in lower extremity fractures, especially that of the hip, in anticipation of preventing pulmonary emboli. The umbrella sieve provides a method and apparatus that is retrievable.

Abstract: A method of anastomosing two hollow bodily organs using a bioadhesive. The method involves apposing apertures in the organs to be joined and applying the bioadhesive, thereby joining the apertures in the organs and allowing movement of fluid or semi-solid material from one of the two organs to the second organ. The invention also relates to a device for anastomosing two hollow organs. The device has two inflatable balloons, one of which is placed into the lumen each of the two organs to be joined. Inflation of the balloons holds the apertures together while the bioadhesive is applied. The device allows anastomosis of blood vessels through endoscopic means.