Abstract: A tissue classification system includes a tube inserted into an anatomy of a patient, with a sensing needle at a distal end of the tube. The sensing needle includes electrodes that generate an electrical field passing through one or more cells of the anatomy contacting one or more electrodes in response to an activation signal. The electrodes generate an electrical sensing signal based on an electrical characteristic of the one or more cells when the electric field is applied. A controller classifies the one or more cells as cancerous or non-cancerous based on the electrical characteristic. Based on the classification, the controller may control a medicament delivery device to enable medicament delivery when the sensing needle meets position criteria relative to a target tumor.

Abstract: A method of detecting a crack in a semiconductor element on a wire bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor element on a wire bonding system; and (b) detecting if there is a crack in the semiconductor element on the wire bonding system.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasonic characteristic on a wire bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a reference ultrasonic characteristic for formation of a wire bond; (b) determining a reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; (c) determining a calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic, on a wire bonding system to be calibrated, that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; and (d) determining a calibration factor for the wire bonding system to be calibrated using the reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic and the calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasonic characteristic on a wire bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a reference ultrasonic characteristic for formation of a wire bond; (b) determining a reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; (c) determining a calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic, on a wire bonding system to be calibrated, that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; and (d) determining a calibration factor for the wire bonding system to be calibrated using the reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic and the calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting an artificially induced neuromuscular response within a limb of a subject includes a carrier material and a plurality of mechanical sensors. The carrier material is operative to be secured around a portion of the limb, and each of the plurality of mechanical sensors are coupled with the carrier material. Each mechanical sensor is positioned on the carrier material such that it is operative to monitor a mechanical response of a different muscle group of the limb. Each mechanical sensor then generates a respective mechanomyography output signal corresponding to the monitored mechanical response of its adjacent muscle group.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasonic characteristic on a wire bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining a reference ultrasonic characteristic for formation of a wire bond; (b) determining a reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; (c) determining a calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic, on a wire bonding system to be calibrated, that results in a non-stick wire bond condition; and (d) determining a calibration factor for the wire bonding system to be calibrated using the reference non-stick ultrasonic characteristic and the calibration non-stick ultrasonic characteristic.

Abstract: A method of installing a wire bonding tool on a wire bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) holding a wire bonding tool with an installation tool; (b) engaging the wire bonding tool in an aperture of a transducer of a wire bonding system while the wire bonding tool is held by the installation tool; (c) securing the wire bonding tool in the aperture; and (d) releasing the wire bonding tool from the installation tool.

Abstract: A neuromuscular sensing method includes transmitting an electrical stimulus from a distal end portion of an elongate stimulator extending within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and detecting an artificially induced response of at least two muscles of the subject in response to the transmitted electrical stimulus, each response being detected by a respective sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle. A graphical user interface (GUI) is transitioned from a first state to a second state; the first state indicating to the transmission of a stimulus with no artificially induced response detected, and the second state indicating the detection of the artificially induced response of the at least two muscles, and further identifying one of the at least two muscles as a primary muscle response.

Abstract: A neuromuscular sensing method includes transmitting an electrical stimulus from a distal end portion of an elongate stimulator extending within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and detecting an artificially induced response of at least two muscles of the subject in response to the transmitted electrical stimulus, each response being detected by a respective sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle. A graphical user interface (GUI) is transitioned from a first state to a second state; the first state indicating to the transmission of a stimulus with no artificially induced response detected, and the second state indicating the detection of the artificially induced response of the at least two muscles, and further identifying one of the at least two muscles as a primary muscle response.

Abstract: A neuromuscular sensing method includes transmitting an electrical stimulus from a distal end portion of an elongate stimulator extending within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject and detecting an artificially induced response of at least two muscles of the subject in response to the transmitted electrical stimulus, each response being detected by a respective sensor in mechanical communication with the muscle. A graphical user interface (GUI) is transitioned from a first state to a second state; the first state indicating to the transmission of a stimulus with no artificially induced response detected, and the second state indicating the detection of the artificially induced response of the at least two muscles, and further identifying one of the at least two muscles as a primary muscle response.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting an artificially induced neuromuscular response within a limb of a subject includes a carrier material and a plurality of mechanical sensors. The carrier material is operative to be secured around a portion of the limb, and each of the plurality of mechanical sensors are coupled with the carrier material. Each mechanical sensor is positioned on the carrier material such that it is operative to monitor a mechanical response of a different muscle group of the limb. Each mechanical sensor then generates a respective mechanomyography output signal corresponding to the monitored mechanical response of its adjacent muscle group.

Abstract: A neural monitoring system for detecting an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response to a stimulus provided within an intracorporeal treatment area includes a mechanical sensor, a stimulator, and a processor. The processor is configured to provide a periodic stimulus via the stimulator, and monitor the output from the mechanical sensor in an expected response window that follows one stimulus, yet concludes before the application of the next, subsequent stimulus to determine if the stimulus induced a response of the muscle.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting an artificially induced neuromuscular response within a limb of a subject includes a carrier material and a plurality of mechanical sensors. The carrier material is operative to be secured around a portion of the limb, and each of the plurality of mechanical sensors are coupled with the carrier material. Each mechanical sensor is positioned on the carrier material such that it is operative to monitor a mechanical response of a different muscle group of the limb. Each mechanical sensor then generates a respective mechanomyography output signal corresponding to the monitored mechanical response of its adjacent muscle group. These signals may then be communicated outbound from the device via communication circuitry provided on the device.

Abstract: A method of providing a z-axis force profile applied to a plurality of bonding locations during a wire bonding operation is provided. The method includes: (a) determining a z-axis force profile for each of a plurality of bonding locations on an unsupported portion of at least one reference semiconductor device; and (b) applying the z-axis force profile during subsequent bonding of a subject semiconductor device. Methods of: determining a maximum bond force applied to a bonding location during formation of a wire bond; and determining a z-axis constant velocity profile for formation of a wire bond, are also provided.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting an artificially induced neuromuscular response within a limb of a subject includes a carrier material and a plurality of mechanical sensors. The carrier material is operative to be secured around a portion of the limb, and each of the plurality of mechanical sensors are coupled with the carrier material. Each mechanical sensor is positioned on the carrier material such that it is operative to monitor a mechanical response of a different muscle group of the limb. Each mechanical sensor then generates a respective mechanomyography output signal corresponding to the monitored mechanical response of its adjacent muscle group. These signals may then be communicated outbound from the device via communication circuitry provided on the device.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting an artificially induced neuromuscular response within a limb of a subject includes a plurality of mechanical sensors, wireless communication circuitry, and a processor in electrical communication with each of the plurality of mechanical sensors and wireless communication circuitry. Each sensor is operative to monitor a mechanical response of a different muscle group of the limb and generate a mechanomyography (MMG) output signal corresponding to the monitored motion. The processor receives and buffers a portion of each MMG output signal, determines if the MMG output signal from any one or more of the plurality of mechanical sensors is representative of an artificially induced neuromuscular response, and transmits one or more of the buffered MMG output signals to a host system only if the output signal from one or more of the sensors is determined to be representative of an artificially induced neuromuscular response.

Abstract: A neural monitoring system for detecting an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response to a stimulus provided within an intracorporeal treatment area includes a mechanical sensor, a stimulator, and a processor. The processor is configured to provide a periodic stimulus via the stimulator, and monitor the output from the mechanical sensor in an expected response window that follows one stimulus, yet concludes before the application of the next, subsequent stimulus to determine if the stimulus induced a response of the muscle.

Abstract: A neural monitoring system for detecting an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response to an electrical stimulus at a stimulation frequency includes a mechanical sensor and a processor in communication with the mechanical sensor. The mechanical sensor is configured to be placed in mechanical communication with the muscle and to generate a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical movement of the muscle. The processor is configured to receive the mechanomyography output signal from the mechanical sensor and determine a frequency component of the mechanomyography output signal that has a peak magnitude and to detect the occurrence of an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response therefrom.

Abstract: A neural monitoring system for detecting an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response to a stimulus provided within an intracorporeal treatment area includes a mechanical sensor and a processor in communication with the mechanical sensor. The mechanical sensor is configured to be placed in mechanical communication with the muscle and to generate a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical movement of the muscle. The processor is configured to receive the mechanomyography output signal from the mechanical sensor and determine a frequency component of the mechanomyography output signal that has a peak magnitude and to detect the occurrence of an artificially-induced mechanical muscle response therefrom.

Abstract: A method of providing a z-axis force profile applied to a plurality of bonding locations during a wire bonding operation is provided. The method includes: (a) determining a z-axis force profile for each of a plurality of bonding locations on an unsupported portion of at least one reference semiconductor device; and (b) applying the z-axis force profile during subsequent bonding of a subject semiconductor device. Methods of: determining a maximum bond force applied to a bonding location during formation of a wire bond; and determining a z-axis constant velocity profile for formation of a wire bond, are also provided.