Abstract: A control system for a cardiac assist device includes a sensor implantable in the body at the heart or at an implanted pump of the cardiac assist device, the sensor being for detecting motion of the pump within the body and hence being for monitoring movement of the pump, where the control system is arranged to, in use: receive signals from the sensor, the signals providing information on the movement of the pump; and to process the signals to monitor the pump speed and/or to identify pump malfunction and/or cardiac assist treatment complications.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a sensor at the heart is formed based on a modified, branched, pacemaker lead to provide a heart anchor lead where two anchors are coupled to a single main lead rather than there being just a single anchor. Thus, the proposed heart anchor lead comprises a single main lead, a sensor included within the main lead, in which the sensor has a distal end and a proximal end, a first anchor coupled to the distal end of the sensor and extending outward from the distal end of the sensor, and a second anchor coupled to the proximal end of the sensor and extending outward from the proximal end of the sensor in a direction that forms an angle with the first anchor. The heart anchor lead can optionally also have a pacemaking function.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a crystalline silicone layer such as a crystalline silicon wafer or chip, cleaning a surface of the crystalline silicon layer by removing an oxide layer at least from a portion of one side of the crystalline silicon layer, depositing, on at least a part of the cleaned surface, a layer of silicon oxynitride, and depositing a capping layer comprising a hydrogenated dielectric material on top of the layer of silicon oxynitride, wherein the layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C., and the step of depositing the layer of silicon oxynitride includes using N2O and SiH4 as precursor gasses in an N2 ambient atmosphere and depositing silicon oxynitride with a gas flow ratio of N2O to SiH4 below 2.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a crystalline silicone layer such as a crystalline silicon wafer or chip, cleaning a surface of the crystalline silicon layer by removing an oxide layer at least from a portion of one side of the crystalline silicon layer, depositing, on at least a part of the cleaned surface, a layer of silicon oxynitride, and depositing a capping layer comprising a hydrogenated dielectric material on top of the layer of silicon oxynitride, wherein the layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C., and the step of depositing the layer of silicon oxynitride includes using N2O and SiH4 as precursor gasses in an N2 ambient atmosphere and depositing silicon oxynitride with a gas flow ratio of N2O to SiH4 below 2.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a crystalline silicone layer such as a crystalline silicon wafer or chip, cleaning a surface of the crystalline silicon layer by removing an oxide layer at least from a portion of one side of the crystalline silicon layer, depositing, on at least a part of the cleaned surface, a layer of silicon oxynitride, and depositing a capping layer comprising a hydrogenated dielectric material on top of the layer of silicon oxynitride, wherein the layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C., and the step of depositing the layer of silicon oxynitride includes using N2O and SiH4 as precursor gasses in an N2 ambient atmosphere and depositing silicon oxynitride with a gas flow ratio of N2O to SiH4 below 2.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a crystalline silicone layer such as a crystalline silicon wafer or chip, cleaning a surface of the crystalline silicon layer by removing an oxide layer at least from a portion of one side of the crystalline silicon layer, depositing, on at least a part of the cleaned surface, a layer of silicon oxynitride, and depositing a capping layer comprising a hydrogenated dielectric material on top of the layer of silicon oxynitride, wherein the layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C., and the step of depositing the layer of silicon oxynitride includes using N20 and SiH4 as precursor gasses in an N2 ambient atmosphere and depositing silicon oxynitride with a gas flow ratio of N20 to SiH4 below 2.

Abstract: A device including a surface layer of a selected material in a predetermined pattern on a substrate surface. A groove or ridge arranged in the substrate surface includes a bottom or top face, respectively, and at least one side face sloping relative to the bottom or top face. The surface layer is deposited on a part of the substrate including the groove or ridge by vacuum chamber sputtering the selected material from a sputtering source while moving the substrate past the sputtering source in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sputtering main lobe direction and with a normal to the substrate surface substantially in a predefined angle with the main lobe direction. By uniformly etching away surface layer material deposited on the substrate by the sputtering until freeing a substantial part of the side face, the predetermined pattern becomes defined substantially by the bottom face or the top face.

Abstract: An implant for percutaneous implantation through the abdominal wall for encircling and engaging an externalized length of a body duct of a human or animal patient. The implant has an exterior tubular section defined by an circumferential exterior wall at least a part of which is adapted to protrude outwardly from the abdominal wall with a free end for mounting of a detachable device, an interior section defined by an circumferential interior wall adapted to extend through the abdominal wall and inside the patient for internal fixation of the implant, wherein the exterior tubular section and the interior section have a common axis A.

Abstract: An implant for percutaneous implantation through the abdominal wall for encircling and engaging an externalized length of a body duct of a human or animal patient. The implant has an exterior ring section protruding outwardly from the abdominal wall with a free end which serves for mounting of a detachable device, and an interior section extending through the abdominal wall and inside the patient for internal fixation of the implant. The exterior ring section and interior section have a common axis. The internal circumference of at least a part of the exterior ring section above the interior section is arranged with a biocompatible, integrated ingrowth means for the exterior surface of the body duct wall.

Abstract: A device including a surface layer of a selected material in a predetermined pattern on a substrate surface. A groove or ridge arranged in the substrate surface includes a bottom or top face, respectively, and at least one side face sloping relative to the bottom or top face. The surface layer is deposited on a part of the substrate including the groove or ridge by vacuum chamber sputtering the selected material from a sputtering source whilst moving the substrate past the sputtering source in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sputtering main lobe direction and with a normal to the substrate surface substantially in a predefined angle with the main lobe direction. By uniformly etching away surface layer material deposited on the substrate by the sputtering until freeing a substantial part of the side face, the predetermined pattern becomes defined substantially by the bottom face or the top face.

Abstract: A method for forming a solar cell and a solar cell having a top electrode with a finger pattern. The finger pattern is formed of a structure of aligned particles that is formed by applying a thin film comprising a fluid matrix with conductive particles on to the solar cell surface, aligning the conductive particles into electrically conductive wires by applying an electric field over the thin film and curing the matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to sweat activity measurement, e.g. for determining a physiological state of a subject, embodied by a method as well as a kit with an immittance measuring circuit and electrodes with contact electrolyte. Sweat activity is considered a transport phenomenon and can be defined as a flux, e.g. gram water per skin area per second. Prior art methods determining water absorbed per gram dry stratum corneum measures skin moisture and do not truly reflect sweat activity. A periodic signal with frequency of 60 Hz or lower is applied to reduce contribution from complex admittance of the skin, and skin conductance is measured as a degree of sweat activity. The contact electrolyte allows filling of sweat ducts with sweat from sweat glands, this may be characterized in that it does not substantially fill the sweat ducts when being positioned on the skin and/or in that it has a re-absorption time constant from the sweat ducts into the Epidermis of less than 15 min.

Abstract: A method for interconnection of two tubular organs via an opening at one end of an end portion of a first organ and an aperture in a side wall of a second organ. The end portion is initially passed through a first passage of a first element until the end portion projects past an end edge of the element, whereupon the end portion is everted round the end edge. Gripping parts of a second element with a second passage are then inserted in the second organ via the aperture. Finally, the first element with the everted portion of the first organ is inserted in the second passage, whereby the gripping parts are influenced in such a manner that they come into engagement with the inside of an edge portion of the aperture. A device for implementation of the method.

Abstract: A method of providing a stoma with a removable connection for a receptacle includes securing an implant onto the stoma of a patient, wherein the implant has an axial interior section for fixation inside the body and an axial exterior section extending outwards from the body, a free end of the exterior section accommodates mounting of a detachable device, and a distal portion of the interior section includes an anchoring section, extending radially from the distal portion of the interior section. The anchoring section has an inner anchoring ring, an outer anchoring ring and at least one connection member configured and dimensioned for resiliently connecting the inner and outer anchoring rings in a manner to provide axial resilience and anchorage to the anchoring section such that the anchoring section is able to respond to movements and absorb the shear of the implant in relation to adjacent organs.

Abstract: A system and a method for estimating changes in cardiac pumping capacity in response to an intervention from data recorded by an accelerometer positioned on an outer surface of the heart. Interventions such as intravenous administration of nitroprusside, betablocker, epinephrine (adrenaline), or changes in the intravascular volume such as by fluid filling, are considered. It is shown that it is possible to directly correlate changes in cardiac pumping capacity to changes in parameters or graphical representation derived from signals characteristic to the acceleration an outer surface of the heart. In particular, it is shown how the effect of the interventions can be directly read from these parameters or graphical representations, and can thereby assist in decisions regarding the treatment of a cardiac surgery patient. The invention is preferably used in a post-surgery monitoring unit for surveillance of cardiac surgery patients.

Abstract: A silicon crystal wafer or chip, and a method for processing a substantially pure or semiconductor level doped silicon crystal wafer or chip for adapting the wafer or chip for laser beam ablation of an electrically insulating surface layer carried on the wafer or chip. A layer of amorphous silicon of a thickness substantially larger than the thickness of the naturally obtained oxide layer, the amorphous silicon being a substantially pure or semiconductor level doped grade amorphous silicon, is produced on top of a substantially clean surface of the silicon crystal wafer or chip. A layer of the electrically insulating surface layer being substantially transparent to an optical wavelength of a laser beam that is extensively absorbed in the layer of amorphous silicon, is produced on the layer of amorphous silicon.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant serves for implantation into an animal or a human body. The implant is of the kind that has an axial interior section for fixation inside the body, an axial exterior section in communication with the interior section and extending outwards from the body with a free end. The free end of the exterior section serves for mounting of a detachable device. A distal end of the interior section opposite the exterior section is provided with an anchoring section, extending radially from the distal end of the interior section. The anchoring section includes an inner anchoring ring extending from or integral with the interior section, an outer anchoring ring, and at least one connection member configured and dimensioned for resiliently connecting the inner anchoring ring with the outer anchoring ring in a manner to provide axial resilience and anchorage to the anchoring section.

Abstract: An implant for percutaneous implantation through the abdominal wall for encircling and engaging an externalized length of a body duct of a human or animal patient. The implant has an exterior tubular section defined by an circumferential exterior wall at least a part of which is adapted to protrude outwardly from the abdominal wall with a free end for mounting of a detachable device, an interior section defined by an circumferential interior wall adapted to extend through the abdominal wall and inside the patient for internal fixation of the implant, wherein the exterior tubular section and the interior section have a common axis A.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant serves for implantation into an animal or a human body. The implant is of the kind that has an anchoring section, extending radially from a distal end of an interior section. The anchoring section comprises an inner anchoring ring extending from or integral with the interior section, an outer anchoring ring, and at least one connection member for connecting the inner anchoring ring with the outer anchoring ring. Since a first connection point between a first end of the at least one connection member and the inner anchoring ring is angularly offset from a second connection point between a second end of the connection member and the outer anchoring ring, the anchoring section constitutes a resilient spring means, which adapts to the movements of the body. The implant is especially designed for use without externalization of the vessel to be brought into communication with the exterior.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a post-operative care unit for analysing and quantifying an ultrasound tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) signal from a transducer fastened on the myocardium to obtain a parameter indicating regional cardiac ischaemia or correlates with global hypokinetic heart function. This has the advantage over manually operated probes that it can be automated and used continuously over long time. According to the method, a TDI signal trace corresponding to at least one of tissue velocity, strain or strain rate is extracted and correlated with an electrocardiogram to define subsections within a cardiac cycle in the extracted trace corresponding to the early systolic phase and the post-systolic phase. Then, a velocity, strain or strain rate is read in at least the post-systolic phase of the extracted trace, and a parameter which is a function of one of these readings and which indicates ischaemia or global hypokinetic function is generated.