Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a first region in an active region of a semiconductor body and including first trenches each having a first trench electrode electrically connected to a gate terminal and a first trench insulator. A second region includes second trenches each having a second trench electrode electrically connected to the gate terminal and a second trench insulator. At least one of the following applies: a minimal thickness of each second trench insulator amounts to at least 120% of a corresponding minimal thickness of each first trench insulator; an average thickness of the second trench insulators amounts to at least 120% of an average thickness of the first trench insulators; a trench bottom thickness of each second trench insulator amounts to at least 120% of a corresponding trench bottom thickness of each first trench insulator; a minimal breakdown voltage of each second trench insulator amounts to at least 120% of a minimal breakdown voltage of each first trench insulator.

Abstract: A breathing gas humidifier includes a water chamber, which has a first area for receiving water and a second area for receiving breathing gas. An inlet supplies breathing gas to the breathing gas humidifier, an outlet discharges conditioned breathing gas from the breathing gas humidifier, and a bubbler, including a bubbler element, has outlet ports. The breathing gas humidifier is configured to provide, in a first configuration, a fluidic connection between the inlet and the first area via the bubbler element to pass the breathing gas through the water to obtain the conditioned breathing gas. The breathing gas humidifier is further configured, in a second configuration, to provide a fluidic connection between the inlet and the second area to direct the breathing gas along a water surface to obtain the conditioned breathing gas. The breathing gas humidifier is selectively switchable between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body coupled to first and second load terminals. The body includes: at least a diode structure configured to conduct a load current between the terminals and including an anode port electrically connected to the first load terminal and a cathode port electrically connected to the second load terminal; and drift and field stop regions of the same conductivity type. The cathode port includes first port sections and second port sections with dopants of the opposite conductivity type. A transition between each of the second port sections and the field stop region forms a respective pn-junction that extends along a first lateral direction. A lateral separation distance between immediately adjacent ones of second port sections in a second group is smaller than in a first group.

Abstract: Networks and methods include receiving healthcare information and with a computer identifying when a patient is readmitted to a healthcare provider. A readmission notification is generated for identified readmissions. The notification may identify the patient being readmitted, the readmitting event, prior event(s) and provider(s), substantive healthcare and clinical status for the patient, treatment dates, and/or any other desired information. Readmission alerts can be formatted and provided in accordance with their consumers' parameters. Example methods and embodiments may receive, process, store, compare, and otherwise use any of HL7 messages, CCDA information, clinical feeds, or any other type of electronic healthcare record. This information may be received from any number of different healthcare information sources and providers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region having charge carriers of a first conductivity type; a transistor cell in the semiconductor region; a semiconductor channel region in the transistor cell and having a first doping concentration of charge carriers of a second conductivity type, wherein a transition between the semiconductor channel region and the semiconductor region forms a first pn-junction; a semiconductor auxiliary region in the semiconductor region and having a second doping concentration of charge carriers of the second conductivity type. A transition between the semiconductor auxiliary region and semiconductor region forms a second pn-junction positioned deeper in the semiconductor region as compared to the first pn-junction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region having charge carriers of a first conductivity type; a transistor cell in the semiconductor region; a semiconductor channel region in the transistor cell and having a first doping concentration of charge carriers of a second conductivity type, wherein a transition between the semiconductor channel region and the semiconductor region forms a first pn-junction; a semiconductor auxiliary region in the semiconductor region and having a second doping concentration of charge carriers of the second conductivity type. A transition between the semiconductor auxiliary region and semiconductor region forms a second pn-junction positioned deeper in the semiconductor region as compared to the first pn-junction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is operable a forward current mode and a reverse current mode and comprises a semiconductor region, and a controllable charge carrier injector, and a gate. A method includes detecting, in the reverse current mode, if the present load current in the reversed direction does not exceed a threshold value, providing a gate signal such that the gate electrode causes the charge carrier injector to induce a first charge carrier density within the semiconductor region so as to conduct a nominal load current in the reverse direction; if the present load current in the reverse direction does exceed the threshold value, operating the semiconductor device in an overload state by providing the gate signal with a voltage that causes the semiconductor region to conduct an overload current in the reverse direction, wherein the second charge carrier density is higher than the first charge carrier density.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a drift region of a first conductivity type inside an active region. An edge termination region includes: a guard region of a second conductivity type at a front side of the semiconductor body and surrounding the active region; and a field plate trench structure extending vertically into the body from the front side and at least partially filled with a conductive material that is electrically connected with the guard region and insulated from the body external of the guard region. A first portion of the field plate trench structure at least partially extends into the guard region and is at least partially arranged below a metal layer arranged at the front side. A second portion of the field plate trench structure extends outside of the guard region and surrounds the active area, the metal layer not extending above the second portion.

Abstract: Networks and methods include receiving healthcare information and with a computer identifying when a patient is readmitted to a healthcare provider. A readmission notification is generated for identified readmissions. The notification may identify the patient being readmitted, the readmitting event, prior event(s) and provider(s), substantive healthcare and clinical status for the patient, treatment dates, and/or any other desired information. Readmission alerts can be formatted and provided in accordance with their consumers' parameters. Example methods and embodiments may receive, process, store, compare, and otherwise use any of HL7 messages, CCDA information, clinical feeds, or any other type of electronic healthcare record. This information may be received from any number of different healthcare information sources and providers.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body coupled to first and second load terminals. The body includes: at least a diode structure configured to conduct a load current between the terminals and including an anode port electrically connected to the first load terminal and a cathode port electrically connected to the second load terminal; and drift and field stop regions of the same conductivity type. The cathode port includes first port sections and second port sections with dopants of the opposite conductivity type. A transition between each of the second port sections and the field stop region forms a respective pn-junction that extends along a first lateral direction. A lateral separation distance between immediately adjacent ones of second port sections in a second group is smaller than in a first group.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body coupled to first and second load terminals. The body includes: at least a diode structure configured to conduct a load current between the terminals and including an anode port electrically connected to the first load terminal and a cathode port electrically connected to the second load terminal; and drift and field stop regions of the same conductivity type. The cathode port includes first port sections and second port sections with dopants of the opposite conductivity type. A transition between each of the second port sections and the field stop region forms a respective pn-junction that extends along a first lateral direction. A diffusion voltage of a respective one of the pn-junctions in an extension direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction is greater than a lateral voltage drop laterally overlapping with the lateral extension of the respective pn-junction.

Abstract: Networks and methods include receiving healthcare information and with a computer identifying when a patient is readmitted to a healthcare provider. A readmission notification is generated for identified readmissions. The notification may identify the patient being readmitted, the readmitting event, prior event(s) and provider(s), substantive healthcare and clinical status for the patient, treatment dates, and/or any other desired information. Readmission alerts can be formatted and provided in accordance with their consumers' parameters. Example methods and embodiments may receive, process, store, compare, and otherwise use any of HL7 messages, CCDA information, clinical feeds, or any other type of electronic healthcare record. This information may be received from any number of different healthcare information sources and providers.

Abstract: An edge delimits a semiconductor body in a direction parallel to a first side of the semiconductor body. A peripheral area is arranged between the active area and edge. A first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type extends from the active area into the peripheral area. A second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type forms a pn-junction with the first semiconductor region. A first edge termination region of the second conductivity type arranged at the first side adjoins the first semiconductor region, between the second semiconductor region and edge. A second edge termination region of the first conductivity type arranged at the first side and between the first edge termination region and edge has a varying concentration of dopants of the first conductivity type which increases at least next to the first edge termination region substantially linearly with an increasing distance from the first edge termination region.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with an edge termination region between an active region and a lateral rim. Non-metallic electrodes extend in the edge termination region on a front side of the substrate, and include at least three spaced apart non-metallic electrodes. One non-metallic electrode is an inner non-metallic electrode having an inner edge. Another non-metallic electrode is an outer non-metallic electrode having an outer edge. The shortest distance between the inner edge of the inner non-metallic electrode and the outer edge of the most non-metallic electrode is defined as distance p. Each non-metallic electrode is electrically connected to a respective doping region of the substrate by at least two respective metallic plugs each extending through a respective first opening formed in an electrically insulating bottom layer. The shortest distance d between any two metallic plugs of different non-metallic electrodes is larger than the distance p.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a drift region of a first conductivity type inside an active region. An edge termination region includes: a guard region of a second conductivity type at a front side of the semiconductor body and surrounding the active region; and a field plate trench structure extending vertically into the body from the front side and at least partially filled with a conductive material that is electrically connected with the guard region and insulated from the body external of the guard region. A first portion of the field plate trench structure at least partially extends into the guard region and is at least partially arranged below a metal layer arranged at the front side. A second portion of the field plate trench structure extends outside of the guard region and surrounds the active area, the metal layer not extending above the second portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is operable a forward current mode and a reverse current mode and comprises a semiconductor region, and a controllable charge carrier injector, and a gate. A method includes detecting, in the reverse current mode, if the present load current in the reversed direction does not exceed a threshold value, providing a gate signal such that the gate electrode causes the charge carrier injector to induce a first charge carrier density within the semiconductor region so as to conduct a nominal load current in the reverse direction; if the present load current in the reverse direction does exceed the threshold value, operating the semiconductor device in an overload state by providing the gate signal with a voltage that causes the semiconductor region to conduct an overload current in the reverse direction, wherein the second charge carrier density is higher than the first charge carrier density.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region having charge carriers of a first conductivity type, a transistor cell in the semiconductor region, and a semiconductor channel region in the transistor cell and having a first doping concentration of charge carriers of a second conductivity type. A semiconductor auxiliary region in the semiconductor region has a second doping concentration of charge carriers of the second conductivity type, which is at least 30% higher than the first doping concentration. A pn-junction between the semiconductor auxiliary region and the semiconductor region is positioned as deep or deeper in the semiconductor region as a pn-junction between the semiconductor channel region and the semiconductor region. The semiconductor auxiliary region is positioned closer to the semiconductor channel region than any other semiconductor region having charge carriers of the second conductivity type and that forms a further pn-junction with the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A power semiconductor transistor includes an electrically conductive contact structure including a plurality of contacts. A first one of the contacts is electrically connected to both a first load terminal and a first zone of a doped semiconductor structure. A second one of the contacts is electrically coupled to one of the first load terminal and a control electrode. The second contact laterally overlaps with both a second zone of the doped semiconductor structure, and a gap is formed between two adjacent field plates. The second zone of the doped semiconductor structure terminates in a section laterally overlapping with the gap.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with an edge termination region between an active region and a lateral rim. Non-metallic electrodes extend in the edge termination region on a front side of the substrate, and include at least three spaced apart non-metallic electrodes. One non-metallic electrode is an inner non-metallic electrode having an inner edge. Another non-metallic electrode is an outer non-metallic electrode having an outer edge. The shortest distance between the inner edge of the inner non-metallic electrode and the outer edge of the most non-metallic electrode is defined as distance p. Each non-metallic electrode is electrically connected to a respective doping region of the substrate by at least two respective metallic plugs each extending through a respective first opening formed in an electrically insulating bottom layer. The shortest distance d between any two metallic plugs of different non-metallic electrodes is larger than the distance p.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device that includes a body region of a field effect transistor structure formed in a semiconductor substrate between a drift region of the field effect transistor structure and a source region of the field effect transistor structure. The semiconductor substrate includes chalcogen atoms at an atom concentration of less than 1×1013 cm?3 at a p-n junction between the body region and the drift region, and at least part of the source region includes chalcogen atoms at an atom concentration of greater than 1×1014 cm?3. Additional semiconductor device embodiments and corresponding methods of manufacture are described.