Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide for high-performing inductor structures utilizing multi-layer organic stackups. In particular, these high-performing inductor structures may be formed of one or more stitched metal layer building blocks, which are each formed of at least two inductor sections that are vertically or horizontally aligned, and then stitched or connected together. This stitching process significantly reduces the DC/RF losses while reducing the inductance value by a substantially lower factor, thereby significant increasing the Q-factor of the resulting inductor structure. Each stitched metal layer building block may be formed on an organic dielectric layer (e.g., liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)) having a first conductive layer on a first surface and perhaps a second conductive layer on a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for making liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) interconnect structures using a high temperature and low temperature single sided LCP, where both the high and low temperature LCP are provided with a z-axis connection. The single sided conductive layer is a bus layer to form z-axis conductive stud within the high and low temperature LCP. High and low temperature LCP layers are etched or built up to form circuit patterns and subsequently bonded together to form final multilayer circuit pattern where the low temperature LCP melts to form both dielectric to dielectric bond to high temperature LCP circuit layer, and dielectric to conductive bond.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a spacecraft (1) orbiting about a celestial body such as the Earth to reacquire operational three-axis orientation with respect to that body.

Abstract: A suture-loading system, method and apparatus for loading a suture onto a bone anchor, the system comprising: a bone anchor comprising a suture leg-anchoring structure and a plurality of body holes on the anchor; a suture comprising a standing end portion and a working end portion; a standing end trackway to guide the standing end portion of the suture through the suture leg-anchoring structure; and a working end trackway to guide the working end portion of the suture through the body holes in the anchor.

Abstract: The present invention provides all organic fully-packaged miniature bandpass filters, baluns, diplexers, multiplexers, couplers and a combination of the above manufactured using liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and other multilayer polymer based substrates. These devices are manufactured using one or more LCP layers having integrated passive components formed thereon to provide the density and performance necessary for multi-band wireless devices. In the designs involving multiple LCP layers, the LCP layers arc separated by prepeg layers. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, coplanar waveguide, hybrid stripline/coplanar waveguide and/or microstrip topologies are utilized to form the integrated passive components, and the devices can be mass produced on large area panels at least 18 inches by 12 inches with line widths smaller than 10 um.

Abstract: A distributed voice user interface system includes a local device which receives speech input issued from a user. Such speech input may specify a command or a request by the user. The local device performs preliminary processing of the speech input and determines whether it is able to respond to the command or request by itself. If not, the local device initiates communication with a remote system for further processing of the speech input.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for securing soft tissue to bone, and particularly for axially anchoring suture which attaches the soft tissue to adjacent bone structure.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for securing soft tissue to bone, and particularly for axially anchoring suture which attaches the soft tissue to adjacent bone structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed in which contact can be safely distributed and protected in a manner that is viable in terms of bandwidth economy and ensures that clients can be identified by the content received. Copies of encrypted content can be provided such that unique watermarks can be added to the copies. Content can also be both watermarked uniquely for multiple clients and multicasted to the clients. As such, content can be distributed using the bandwidth efficiency of multicasting while providing reliable content protection and watermarking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: Organic laminate stack ups are disclosed for a variety of applications, including high frequency RF applications. One or more inner core layers may be disposed between outer layers along with bondply or prepreg layers as needed. Discrete devices, including surface mount components and flip chips, may be embedded within the organic laminate stack up structures. The embedding of the discrete devices, which may be active or passive devices, may be in the form of a layer of bondply or prepreg encapsulating the discrete devices. In addition or in the alternative, cavities may be formed in at least the outer layers for housing discrete devices, which include surface mount components, flip chips, and wire bonded integrated circuits. A variety of caps may be utilized to seal the cavities. Further, shielding may be provided for the organic laminate stack up structure, including through a wall of vias or a plated trench cut along at least one side of the stack up structure.

Abstract: A tissue sampling apparatus comprises a tubular body having a primary lumen for receiving a tissue sample. The tubular body includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The tissue sampling apparatus further comprises a cutting cylinder having a distal cutting edge, which is movable both distally and proximally relative to the tubular body. A band having an eyelet disposed therein extends across a distal end of the tissue sampling apparatus, wherein the eyelet is advantageously movable relative to the distal cutting edge in order to sever a distal end of the tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention allows for the use of chip-package co-design of RF transceivers and their components by using discrete active devices in conjunction with passive components. Two particular components are described, including voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) and low noise amplifiers (LNAs). The high quality passive components for use in the VCOs and LNAs may be obtained by the use of embedded passives in organic substrates. Further, the embedded passives may have multi-band characteristics, thereby allowing multi-band VCOs and LNAs to be implemented with fewer components. In situations where size is a concern, the active devices and passive components utilized in an RF transceiver may be implemented in a low form factor module of less than 1.1 mm thick according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes an organic device that can be integrated in a multilayer board made of organic material. The passive devices can be integrally fabricated on a circuit board in either surface mount device (SMD) or ball grid array (BGA) form. Alternatively, the passive device can be constructed in a stand alone SMD or BGA/chip scale package (CSP) form to make it mountable on a multilayer board, ceramic carrier or silicon platform in the form of an integrated passive device. The passive device includes side shielding on two sides in the SMD form and four sides in the BGA/CSP form. The side shielding can be external or in-built.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method is includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for securing soft tissue to bone, and particularly for axially anchoring suture which attaches the soft tissue to adjacent bone structure.

Abstract: Multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of emitting light at different optical wavelengths are provided in a hand held device with switches for activating the LEDs separately or jointly. A matrix of radiant energy detectors are arrayed across a presentation screen at the display pixel locations of a screen. These radiant energy detectors are capable of distinguishing between the two radiant energy sources. A position location matrix is provided on the screen for detection where radiant energy is received from one or more of the radiant energy sources. Detection signal logic provides Boolean signals representative of which of the radiant energy signals is detected by the radiant energy detectors and control function logic responds to the position information and the Boolean signals to generate a cursor on a display screen and to manipulate display objects on the screen intercepted by the cursor.

Abstract: A suturing instrument and method for placing mattress stitches in soft tissues is described. An elongate shaft with a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw disposed at the distal end is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions. The jaws are configured to allow for atraumatic grasping of soft tissues. The stationary jaw is comprised of a serrated face incorporating apertures through which needles attached to opposite ends of a single strand of suture material may be driven out into and through grasped tissue. The serrated upper jaw is configured with needle catch adapted to accept and capture the needles and suture. The handle is released to open the moveable jaw, the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.