Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a region with a tiered stack that includes insulative, conductive, and non-conductive structures arranged in tiers. The insulative structures vertically alternate with both the conductive and the non-conductive structures. Each of the conductive structures is vertically spaced from another of the conductive structures by at least one of the non-conductive structures and at least two of the insulative structures. A composition of the non-conductive structures differs from a composition of the insulative structures. In methods of fabrication, a precursor stack is formed to include the insulative structures vertically alternating with first and second non-conductive structures. In a region of the precursor stack, the first non-conductive structures are removed, forming voids between multi-structure tier groups. Conductive structures are formed in the voids. Electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crop residue monitoring system may include a harvester, a camera to capture an image of crop residue generated by the harvester, an analytical unit to derive a value for a crop residue parameter of the crop residue based upon an optical analysis of the image and a control unit to adjust a subsequent field operation based upon the value of the crop residue parameter.

Abstract: A crop residue monitoring system may include a harvester, a camera to capture an image of crop residue generated by the harvester, an analytical unit to derive a value for a crop residue parameter of the crop residue based upon an optical analysis of the image and a control unit to adjust a subsequent field operation based upon the value of the crop residue parameter.

Abstract: A crop residue monitoring system may include a harvester, a camera to capture an image of crop residue generated by the harvester, an analytical unit to derive a value for a crop residue parameter of the crop residue based upon an optical analysis of the image and a control unit to adjust a subsequent field operation based upon the value of the crop residue parameter.

Abstract: An artificial bone construct which approximates one or more components of a skeletal system, wherein the artificial construct is used in the testing and development of new surgical procedures, ballistics testing, implantable devices, etc., and wherein the artificial construct closely approximates the physical and mechanical properties of one or more components of a skeletal system. The artificial bone construct can be implanted in a human body.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a member authentication request is received at a security server from a client server. The member authentication request may be associated with, for example, a member attempting to access confidential information from the client server. A secure key associated with the member may be determined and data associated with that key may be transmitted to the member (e.g., via his or her wireless device or computer). Secure key information may be received from the member and validated. Based on the validated secure key information, it may be arranged for the member to receive the confidential information from the client server.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a member authentication request is received at a security server from a client server. The member authentication request may be associated with, for example, a member attempting to access confidential information from the client server. A secure key associated with the member may be determined and data associated with that key may be transmitted to the member (e.g., via his or her wireless device or computer). Secure key information may be received from the member and validated. Based on the validated secure key information, it may be arranged for the member to receive the confidential information from the client server.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include a solid state imaging device (SSID) including an imaging array, and a graduated refractive index (GRIN) lens optically coupled to the imaging array of the SSID.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a member authentication request is received at a security server from a client server. The member authentication request may be associated with, for example, a member attempting to access confidential information from the client server. A secure key associated with the member may be determined and data associated with that key may be transmitted to the member (e.g., via his or her wireless device or computer). Secure key information may be received from the member and validated. Based on the validated secure key information, it may be arranged for the member to receive the confidential information from the client server.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a member authentication request is received at a security server from a client server. The member authentication request may be associated with, for example, a member attempting to access confidential information from the client server. A secure key associated with the member may be determined and data associated with that key may be transmitted to the member (e.g., via his or her wireless device or computer). Secure key information may be received from the member and validated. Based on the validated secure key information, it may be arranged for the member to receive the confidential information from the client server.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include at least one solid state imaging device (SSID) including multiple imaging arrays respectively, and multiple graduated refractive index (GRIN) lenses optically coupled to the multiple imaging arrays.

Abstract: A surgical device for performing internal ligation of a fallopian tube or other tubular anatomical structure, by application of one or more ligating bands to a folded portion of the wall of the tubular structure. Also the invention includes a method of using the device. The inventive method and device may be used for sterilization to prevent undesired pregnancies, or for other medical applications. The device includes an elongated tubular element that is inserted into the fallopian tube; a grasper that extends out of the tubular element, grasps the interior of the fallopian tube and retracts into the tubular element drawing in a folded bundle of the fallopian tube tissue; and a pusher balloon for pushing a ligating band from the tip of the tubular element onto the tissue bundle.

Abstract: A guidewire system configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising a core wire having proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile, and a micromachined tube coupled to the core wire, and a joint where the micromachined tube is joined to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transferred by the core wire and the micromachined tubing are substantially the same.

Abstract: A micro-lithographic apparatus and method for selectively exposing/masking resist material on a non-planer workpiece or filamentary substrate includes a hollow, energy transparent tubular member with a hollow for containing the workpiece. The tubular member is selectively coated with a layer of energy-opaque material to form the desired pattern. The transparent tube and opaque coating selectively expose/mask the resist material on the workpiece. Alternatively, the apparatus and method include an energy opaque tubular member with apertures formed through the walls of the tubular member. The apertures form the desired pattern. The opaque tube with apertures selectively exposes/masks the resist material. The apparatus and method may also include an energy source and a rotating device for rotating the tubular member, with the workpiece disposed therein, to the energy source or rotating energy source around tubular member or have energy source surround tubular member.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing movement comprises a rod anchored at one end to a base and plurality of strain gauges circumferentially disposed about the rod. The free end of the rod may be subject to forces in various directions. The strain gauges produce signals whose magnitudes are an indication of the degree of strain occurring at the location of the strain gauges. The use of three or more strain gauges spaced circumferentially about the rod provide both direction and degree of bend of the rod.

Abstract: A guidewire system configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising a core wire having proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile, and a micromachined tube coupled to the core wire, and a joint where the micromachined tube is joined to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transferred by the core wire and the micromachined tubing are substantially the same.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a filament. In particular, the invention rotates a member (13) about a first axis (54), which will rotate a tubular member (16), which is rotatably coupled to the rotating member at an angle to the first axis, through a plane and about a longitudinal axis (56) of the tubular member that is co-planer to the plane. This is done to assist in the depositing of a uniform material onto the filament that extends through the tubular member and through a deposition area (40). It is important for the method to maintain the deposition area at an intersection of the first axis, longitudinal axis and plane, while the filament is being rotated in step. The method provides for adjusting the deposition area to expose a different length of the filament to the deposition of material thereon.

Abstract: A stent for disposition in a body passageway or duct to maintain the duct walls apart, for example, to allow the flow of fluid therethrough, includes an elongate flexible support wire formed into an annular lattice having a central void, for disposition at a target location in the duct. Also included is an elongate flexible connecting wire joined at a distal end to the annular lattice and having a discontinuity for severing when supplied with a perturbation signal, a balloon catheter having an expandable section disposable in the void of the annular lattice so that when the expandable section is expanded, it forces the annular lattice radially outwardly to contact and hold apart the duct walls, and a fluid supply for supplying fluid to the expandable section of the balloon catheter to cause it to expand. A perturbation signal source is provided for supplying the perturbation signal to the discontinuity of the connecting wire to cause severance thereof.

Abstract: A fixture apparatus for material deposition or processing on a long, flexible, nonplanar, filamentary substrate has a tubular member for holding the filamentary substrate rotatably disposed on a base. An opening is formed in the tubular member through which material is deposited on the surface of the filamentary substrate. Moveable tubes are each slidingly disposed in the tubular member on either side of the opening. The tubes and/or the tubular member hold the filamentary substrate on both sides of a deposition area on the substrate to maintain the straight configuration of the long, flexible, filamentary substrate. The tubes and/or tubular member also physically masks the filamentary substrate to prevent material deposition outside the deposition area on the substrate. The base has a circular path and a rotating member. A wheel is coupled to one side of the tubular member and is rotatably disposed on the circular path of the base.

Abstract: Controlled bending movement of a flexible elongate rod or filament in response to a bend signal indicative of a desired amount of bending is effected by a strip of shape-changing material disposed on a first side of an elongate rod element, the shape changing material changing shape in response to an actuation signal, thereby causing the filament element to bend, and a sensor including a strain gauge disposed on the rod element on a second side opposite the first side, said sensor sensing the amount of bend in the rod element from strain indicated, and a feedback control comparing the amount of bend of the filament sensed to a desired amount of bend defined by said bend signal and altering the actuation signal as required to make the amount of bend sensed the same as the amount of bend desired.