Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional parts, such as orthotics and prosthetics, having sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures first and second boundary walls. Also disclosed are printers or systems configured to manufacture such parts, as well as methods of manufacturing such parts. The sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures are formed between, and normal to, the first and second boundary walls and are configured to provide locally tunable structural properties in different regions of the part.

Abstract: Methods and systems for taking electronic communication actions in response to detecting a market condition. A market condition related to an entity listed on an exchange can be defined. An electronic communication action to be taken in response to detecting the market condition can be defined. Market data comprising exchange trade data and/or exchange quote data can be received. The market data can be interpreted. An object from the interpreted market data can be created. The object can be placed in a message queue. The market condition can be detected within the message queue. The electronic communication action defined to be taken in response to detecting the market condition can respond to the detecting.

Abstract: A dynamic balloon angioplasty system for applying a dynamic pressure to fracture hardened materials embedded within an elastic conduit. The system having a pressure source system outputting at least a first predetermined pressure from a pressure source outlet, and an angioplasty unit fluidly coupled to the pressure source outlet receiving at least the first predetermined pressure. The angioplasty unit having an angioplasty inflation device, an angioplasty balloon connector, and an oscillating mechanism selectively actuated to output a plurality of pressure pulses to the angioplasty balloon via a fluid communication path. A control system is configured to determine an optimal hydraulic pressure oscillation frequency and amplitude for a given procedure and output a control signal to the oscillating mechanism, and monitor a pressure signal to detect fracture of the hardened material within the elastic conduit or system failure or leakage.

Abstract: A method of two-phase atherectomy for removal of plaque within an artery forming a stenosis including a first phase of rotational drilling by exerting a rotational force on a cutter to form a channel within the plaque having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the cutter—the cutter being rotated at a first rotational speed sufficient to maintain rotation of the cutter about a stationary rotational axis—and a second phase of orbital impact by exerting a rotational force on the cutter to result in radial orbital motion of the cutter within the channel resulting in periodic impact of the cutter upon the plaque to form micro-fractures within the plaque and enlarge the diameter of the channel to a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the cutter—the cutter being rotated at a second rotational speed to result in the radial orbital motion of the cutter.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to rotational atherectomy systems and methods generally. More specifically, a method for methodically softening and disrupting calcification within the wall of a biological conduit or lumen. This result is achieved by use of at least one eccentric head that, during high-speed rotation within the exemplary lumen, produces a combination of a low-frequency orbital motion comprising a force that is exerted against the lumen wall, with concomitant deflection of same, and a high-frequency pulsatile frequency, also with concomitant exertion of force against the lumen wall and deflection of same. These force-driven deflections produce shockwaves within the layers of the exemplary artery's wall layers, resulting in systematic disruptions of any calcification within the intimal and/or medial layers of the subject artery. In addition, any calcification within the occlusion is also softened and disrupted, increasing compliance of the vessel and/or lesion.

Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional parts, such as orthotics and prosthetics, having sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures first and second boundary walls. Also disclosed are printers or systems configured to manufacture such parts, as well as methods of manufacturing such parts. The sinusoidal wave pattern infill structures are formed between, and normal to, the first and second boundary walls and are configured to provide locally tunable structural properties in different regions of the part.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanically-actuated tool for cutting a tissue graft having a hollow core and methods for use thereof. A portion of a biological structure, such as a nerve, is attached to the hollow core to form an implantable neural graft assembly. The tool has a cutter mechanism and a grasper mechanism. The grasper mechanism has one or more component(s) that open and close via an actuation mechanism, like a handle, and rotate via a controller component, like a rotatable wheel. The cutter mechanism may be a cutting tube component that harvests the tissue graft. The tool may also have an ejector mechanism to remove the tissue graft as part of the implantable neural graft assembly. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for treating neuromas and other neural regeneration procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the state-of-charge of a battery. In response to detecting that the battery is in a rest state, a pre-conditioning current is drawn from the battery to affect a correlation between the state-of-charge of the battery and an open-circuit voltage of the battery. Thereafter, the open-circuit voltage of the battery is measured, and used to determine the state-of-charge.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a non-conductive gate feature over a substrate, and a metal gate electrode over the substrate. The metal gate electrode comprises a portion over an active region of the substrate, and a portion over an isolation feature of the substrate ending at an end cap. A vertical profile of the metal gate electrode at the end cap matches a vertical profile of the metal gate electrode in the portion over the active region.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to rotational atherectomy systems and methods generally. More specifically, a method for methodically softening and otherwise disrupting calcification located within atherosclerotic plaque, lesion or occlusion and/or within the wall of a biological conduit or lumen. For example, calcification within the occlusion and/or intimal and/or medial layer walls of a blood vessel, e.g., an artery, may be methodically softened or otherwise disrupted with various embodiments of the present invention. The softening and/or disruption of the calcification in the walls of the exemplary artery is accomplished in conjunction with abrading removal of any occlusion located on the interior surface of the exemplary artery and, therefore, located within the artery's lumen.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a non-conductive gate feature over a substrate, and a metal gate electrode over the substrate. The metal gate electrode comprises a portion over an active region of the substrate, and a portion over an isolation feature of the substrate ending at an end cap. A vertical profile of the metal gate electrode at the end cap matches a vertical profile of the metal gate electrode in the portion over the active region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first metal gate electrode over a substrate, forming a second metal gate electrode over the substrate, removing at least a part of the first metal gate electrode to form a first opening, and filling the first opening with a non-conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a non-conductive gate feature over a substrate and a spacer adjoining each sidewall of the non-conductive gate feature.

Abstract: A method for estimating the state-of-charge of a battery. The method includes collecting a plurality of voltage measurements during operation of the system containing the battery and determining a time-constant of relaxation and an open-circuit voltage corresponding to the battery based, at least in part, on the voltage measurements. The method further includes estimating the state-of-charge of the battery based, at least in part, on the open-circuit voltage.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first metal gate electrode over a substrate, forming a second metal gate electrode over the substrate, removing at least a part of the first metal gate electrode to form a first opening, and filling the first opening with a non-conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a non-conductive gate feature over a substrate and a spacer adjoining each sidewall of the non-conductive gate feature.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A dummy gate feature is formed between two active gate features over a substrate. An isolation structure is in the substrate and the dummy gate feature is over the isolation structure. In at least one embodiment, a non-conductive material is used for forming the dummy gate feature to replace a sacrificial gate electrode.

Abstract: A direct-metal deposition (DMD) processing stage and a 5DOF (degree of freedom) dry micro-EDM (mEDM) stage are integrated to provide the submicron scale resolution necessary for the ultra-precision processing of work pieces. The DMD processing stage includes optical feedback for dimensional control utilizing a high-power, fiber-coupled diode laser with fast response time and small beam parameter product. The electrical discharge machining (EDM) stage is a dry EDM stage using an inert gas with appropriate dielectric properties to perform the surface finishing operations. The system further includes one or more surface treatment operations to obtain a desired level of surface hardness or wear resistance and/or to minimize the distortion induced in treating the surface.

Abstract: A battery pack management system adjusts the relative state-of-charge of respective battery blocks in a battery pack to equalize (i.e., align, balance or otherwise make similar) the peak battery block voltages (i.e., maximum or “upper peak” battery block voltages when the battery pack is being charged and/or minimum or “lower peak” battery block voltages when the battery is being discharged). Upon detecting an anomalous battery block that exhibits outlier upper and lower peak voltages, the battery pack management system adjusts the relative state of charge of respective battery blocks to center their respective upper and lower peak voltages between operating limits, thus maximizing the operating margin of the battery pack as a whole.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A dummy gate feature is formed between two active gate features over a substrate. An isolation structure is in the substrate and the dummy gate feature is over the isolation structure. In at least one embodiment, a non-conductive material is used for forming the dummy gate feature to replace a sacrificial gate electrode.