Abstract: A sample chamber is configured to accommodate a target such that a portion of the target is removable as a sample. A carrier gas injection system is configured to introduce a carrier gas into the sample region from a first position and a second position within the sample chamber such that at least a portion of the sample is entrainable by the carrier gas within the sample region. A portion of the sample region is located between the first position and the second position. A sample transport conduit is configured to transport at least a portion of the sample entrained by the carrier gas to a location outside the sample chamber.

Abstract: A touch screen user interface for an optical device wherein the touch screen user interface is connected to a controller which controls motion stages permitting the motion stages to re-position, re-size, re-orient or focus the field of view of the optical device in response to commands input from the touch screen user interface.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an object includes determining a depth-wise composition of the object at a measurement site within the object. A property of the object within a region adjacent to the measurement site can, optionally, be estimated based on the determining. Another method of characterizing an object includes disposing at least a portion of an object within a measurement region of a metrology tool, aligning a feature of the object and a location of a designated measurement site within the measurement region relative to each other, and performing a performing a compositional analysis of a portion of the object occupying the measurement site. Various apparatus for performing these methods are also disclosed, as are methods of monitoring manufacturing processes based on these methods.

Abstract: A sample chamber is configured to accommodate a target such that a portion of the target is removable as a sample. A carrier gas injection system is configured to introduce a carrier gas into the sample region from a first position and a second position within the sample chamber such that at least a portion of the sample is entrainable by the carrier gas within the sample region. A portion of the sample region is located between the first position and the second position. A sample transport conduit is configured to transport at least a portion of the sample entrained by the carrier gas to a location outside the sample chamber.

Abstract: An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.

Abstract: An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an object includes determining a depth-wise composition of the object at a measurement site within the object. A property of the object within a region adjacent to the measurement site can, optionally, be estimated based on the determining. Another method of characterizing an object includes disposing at least a portion of an object within a measurement region of a metrology tool, aligning a feature of the object and a location of a designated measurement site within the measurement region relative to each other, and performing a performing a compositional analysis of a portion of the object occupying the measurement site. Various apparatus for performing these methods are also disclosed, as are methods of monitoring manufacturing processes based on these methods.

Abstract: An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.

Abstract: A touch screen user interface for an optical device wherein the touch screen user interface is connected to a controller which controls motion stages permitting the motion stages to re-position, re-size, re-orient or focus the field of view of the optical device in response to commands input from the touch screen user interface.

Abstract: An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A device for modifying the shape of a mitral valve annulus. In one embodiment, the device includes a connector disposed between first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each adapted to be deployed in a coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus to anchor the device in the coronary sinus; and an actuation element adapted to receive a proximally or distally directed actuation force from an actuator and to transmit the actuation force to the first and second anchors simultaneously.

Abstract: A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and, in particular, a sleeve to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A z-stop enhances accurate insertion, prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, etc.

Abstract: A device for modifying the shape of a mitral valve annulus. In one embodiment, the device includes a connector disposed between first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each adapted to be deployed in a coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus to anchor the device in the coronary sinus; and an actuation element adapted to receive a proximally or distally directed actuation force from an actuator and to transmit the actuation force to the first and second anchors simultaneously.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can be moved laterally from one side of the ultrasound system to the other, enabling an operator to more comfortably operate the ultrasound system while scanning a patient located to the side of the ultrasound system. The control panel locks in its central home position and can be moved linearly to either side of the home position. Detents serve to retain the control panel at different lateral locations. Preferably the control panel can swivel independently of its lateral articulation.

Abstract: A cart-borne ultrasound system is described which includes a portable cart holding the electronic circuitry of the ultrasound system, a control panel for controlling the ultrasound system, and a display. The control panel is supported by an articulating mechanism which enables the control panel to be raised and lowered to accommodate operators of different height, and enables the control panel to move toward and away from the user to accommodate users in the sitting or standing positions. In a preferred embodiment the articulating mechanism comprises a parallelogram-shaped linkage which also maintains a constant angle of inclination of the control panel as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can be moved laterally from one side of the ultrasound system to the other, enabling an operator to more comfortably operate the ultrasound system while scanning a patient located to the side of the ultrasound system. The control panel locks in its central home position and can be moved linearly to either side of the home position. Detents serve to retain the control panel at different lateral locations. Preferably the control panel can swivel independently of its lateral articulation.