Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes forming a mini chamber over a test region, the mini chamber comprising an inlet, an outlet and an electrode, introducing an electrolyte solution into the mini chamber through the inlet, applying an electro-etching potential difference between the electrode and at least one contact region and reducing the thickness of a semiconductor film portion at the test region forming a thinned down semiconductor film portion, replacing the electrolyte solution in the mini chamber with a fluid that is substantially insulating, and determining the electrical property of the thinned down semiconductor film portion while the fluid is in the mini chamber.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having an inflow end and an outflow end, and a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells, the stent being formed of a first material, a plurality of commissure attachment features formed of a second material that is different than the first material of the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure attachment features.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or in ore sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. A system for deploying an expandable docking station can include a catheter having a sleeve for retaining the docking station.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes delivering the prosthetic heart valve to a native valve annulus while the prosthetic heart valve is crimped over a deflated balloon of a delivery device. The method may include advancing fluid through the delivery device and into the balloon to inflate the balloon and to expand the prosthetic heart valve into the native valve annulus. The method may include monitoring a pressure within the delivery device while advancing fluid through the delivery device. The method may also include displaying the monitored pressure on a display device in real time during monitoring the pressure.

Abstract: An expandable docking station frame includes a waist portion, a sealing portion connected to the waist portion, and a retaining portion connected to the sealing portion. The sealing portion is expandable radially outward of the waist portion to provide a seal against a first location of an inner surface of a circulatory system at a deployed position over a range of sizes of expansion. The retaining portion is expandable radially outward to engage a second location of the inner surface of the circulatory system at the deployed position, to retain the docking station at the deployed position in the circulatory system. When the expandable docking station frame is in an expanded and unconstrained state, the sealing portion and the retaining portion are joined by a concave profile portion radially inward of each of a first outermost diameter of the sealing portion and a second outermost diameter of the retaining portion.

Abstract: In a method of installing an expandable stent in a right ventricular outflow tract, a frame of the expandable stent is positioned at a deployed position in the right ventricular outflow tract, the frame including a waist portion, and first and second opposed sealing portions extending from the waist portion. The frame is expanded such that the waist portion expands to a first diameter, the first sealing portion expands to a second diameter larger than the first diameter and into contact with a first portion of an inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract, and the second sealing portion expands to a third diameter larger than the first diameter and into contact with a second portion of the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract, wherein the waist portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implantation in a right ventricular outflow tract includes a frame having a waist portion that expands to a deployed size having a first diameter, first and second sealing portions extending in opposite directions from the waist portion and expanding radially outward of the waist portion. The first and second sealing portions are sized to seal against first and second portions of the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position over a range of sizes of expansion larger than the first diameter. A band is secured to the waist portion of the frame, restricting expansion of the waist portion substantially beyond the first diameter, such that the waist portion is configured to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position.

Abstract: A method for electrically characterizing a layer disposed on a substrate and electrically insulated from the substrate is disclosed. The method can include forming a test pattern, contacting the test pattern with electrical contact elements at contact regions, and measuring an electrical parameter of the layer by passing a first set of test currents between contact regions. The test pattern can be formed by pushing a pattern forming head against a top surface of the layer, introducing a first fluid into the cavity, and converting the sacrificial portion of the layer into an insulator using the first fluid and forming the test pattern under the test-pattern-shaped inner seal.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implantation in a right ventricular outflow tract includes a frame having a plurality of struts that define a repeating pattern of cells. The repeating pattern of cells comprises a column of exactly three generally diamond shaped cells positioned in end-to-end alignment, and a column of exactly two generally diamond shaped cells positioned in end-to-end alignment. The frame has a substantially hourglass shape with a narrow portion in between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion and the distal end portion are configured to expand radially outward to contact a right ventricular outflow tract.

Abstract: A method for electrically characterizing a layer disposed on a substrate and electrically insulated from the substrate is disclosed. The method can include forming a test pattern, contacting the test pattern with electrical contact elements at contact regions, and measuring an electrical parameter of the layer by passing a first set of test currents between contact regions. The test pattern can be formed by pushing a pattern forming head against a top surface of the layer, introducing a first fluid into the cavity, and converting the sacrificial portion of the layer into an insulator using the first fluid and forming the test pattern under the test-pattern-shaped inner seal.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implantation in a right ventricular outflow tract includes a frame having a plurality of struts that define a repeating pattern of cells. The repeating pattern of cells comprises a column of exactly three generally diamond shaped cells positioned in end-to-end alignment, and a column of exactly two generally diamond shaped cells positioned in end-to-end alignment. The frame has a substantially hourglass shape with a narrow portion in between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion and the distal end portion are configured to expand radially outward to contact a right ventricular outflow tract.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implantation in a right ventricular outflow tract includes a frame having a waist portion that expands to a deployed size having a first diameter, first and second sealing portions extending in opposite directions from the waist portion and expanding radially outward of the waist portion. The first and second sealing portions are sized to seal against first and second portions of the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position over a range of sizes of expansion larger than the first diameter. A band is secured to the waist portion of the frame, restricting expansion of the waist portion substantially beyond the first diameter, such that the waist portion is configured to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position.

Abstract: In a method of installing an expandable stent in a right ventricular outflow tract, a frame of the expandable stent is positioned at a deployed position in the right ventricular outflow tract, the frame including a waist portion, and first and second opposed sealing portions extending from the waist portion. The frame is expanded such that the waist portion expands to a first diameter, the first sealing portion expands to a second diameter larger than the first diameter and into contact with a first portion of an inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract, and the second sealing portion expands to a third diameter larger than the first diameter and into contact with a second portion of the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract, wherein the waist portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the right ventricular outflow tract at the deployed position.

Abstract: A method for electrically characterizing a layer disposed on a substrate and electrically insulated from the substrate is disclosed. The method can include forming a test pattern, contacting the test pattern with electrical contact elements at contact regions, and measuring an electrical parameter of the layer by passing a first set of test currents between contact regions. The test pattern can be formed by pushing a pattern forming head against a top surface of the layer, introducing a first fluid into the cavity, and converting the sacrificial portion of the layer into an insulator using the first fluid and forming the test pattern under the test-pattern-shaped inner seal.

Abstract: An expandable docking station frame includes a waist portion, a sealing portion connected to the waist portion, and a retaining portion connected to the sealing portion. The sealing portion is expandable radially outward of the waist portion to provide a seal against a first location of an inner surface of a circulatory system at a deployed position over a range of sizes of expansion. The retaining portion is expandable radially outward to engage a second location of the inner surface of the circulatory system at the deployed position, to retain the docking station at the deployed position in the circulatory system. When the expandable docking station frame is in an expanded and unconstrained state, the sealing portion and the retaining portion are joined by a concave profile portion radially inward of each of a first outermost diameter of the sealing portion and a second outermost diameter of the retaining portion.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.

Abstract: Methods, tools and systems for full characterization of thin and ultra-thin layers employed in advanced semiconductor device structures are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electrically characterizing a layer disposed on a substrate and electrically insulated from the substrate is disclosed. The method can include forming a test pattern, contacting the test pattern with electrical contact elements at contact regions, and measuring an electrical parameter of the layer by passing a first set of test currents between contact regions. The test pattern can be formed by pushing a pattern forming head against a top surface of the layer, introducing a first fluid into the cavity, and converting the sacrificial portion of the layer into an insulator using the first fluid and forming the test pattern under the test-pattern-shaped inner seal.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.