Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes storing a plurality libraries, each library including a plurality of reference spectra, polishing a substrate, measuring a sequence of spectra of light from the substrate during polishing, and for each measured spectrum of the sequence of spectra, finding a best matching first reference spectrum from a first library from the plurality of libraries and finding a best matching second reference spectrum from a different second library from the plurality of libraries, determining a first value associated with the best matching first reference spectrum and determining a second value from the best matching second reference spectrum, and calculating a third value from the first value and the second value to generate a sequence of calculated third values. At least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate can be determined based on the sequence of calculated third values.

Abstract: A polishing system includes a polishing pad with an aperture that extends through all layers of the polishing pad and a light transmissive film positioned on top of a light-generating or light-guiding element of an optical monitoring system.

Abstract: Methods for applying heat to a region proximate a blood vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method can include generating an imaging ultrasound beam adapted to image a blood vessel target and receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasound beam. The method can also include producing an output signal in response to the reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel. Therapeutic energy can be applied to the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam can be moved to over-scan the treatment zone. Other methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for treatment includes a focused ultrasound energy source for placement outside a patient, wherein the focused ultrasound energy source is configured to deliver ultrasound energy towards a blood vessel with a surrounding nerve that is a part of an autonomic nervous system inside the patient, and wherein the focused ultrasound energy source is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy from outside the patient to the nerve located inside the patient to treat the nerve.

Abstract: A method to deliver focused ultrasound energy from a position outside a skin of a patient to a nerve surrounding a blood vessel, includes placing the patient on a table in a substantially flat position, moving a transducer into a position inferior to ribs, superior to an iliac crest, and lateral to a spine of the patient, maintaining the transducer at the position relative to the patient, and delivering focused ultrasound energy through the skin of the patient without traversing bone, wherein the direction of the focused ultrasound is directed from a lower torso to an upper torso of the patient.

Abstract: A targeting catheter is used to locate an arteriotomy, such as is formed during a femoral artery catheterization procedure. The targeting catheter includes one or more targeting aids, such as an inflatable balloon or sensor (e.g., Doppler or temperature sensor), to locate the arteriotomy. The targeting aid may be positioned at the arteriotomy. An ultrasonic beacon on the catheter may then be located relative to a therapeutic ultrasonic applicator (e.g., by using acoustic time-of-flight) so that the focus of ultrasonic energy from the applicator can be aligned with the arteriotomy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator unit (2) is used diagnostically to locate a puncture wound (316) in an artery and then therapeutically to seal the puncture wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). A control unit (6) coupled to the applicator unit includes a processor (74) that automates the procedure, controlling various parameters of the diagnostic and therapeutic modes, including the intensity and duration of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the applicator unit. A protective, sterile acoustic shell (4), which is intended to be used with a single patient and then discarded, is slipped over the applicator unit to protect against direct contact between the applicator unit and the patient and to maintain a sterile field at the site of the puncture.

Abstract: A difference between a first expected required polish time for a first substrate and a second expected required polish time for a second substrate is determined using a first pre-polish thickness and a second pre-polish thickness measured at an in-line metrology station. A duration of an initial period is determined based on the difference between the first expected required polish time and the second expected required polish time. For the initial period at a beginning of a polishing operation, no pressure is applied to whichever of the first substrate and the second substrate has a lesser expected required polish time while simultaneously pressure is applied to whichever of the first substrate and the second substrate has a greater expected required polish time. After the initial period, pressure is applied to both the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes storing a library having a plurality of reference spectra, polishing a substrate, measuring a sequence of spectra of light from the substrate during polishing, for each measured spectrum of the sequence of spectra, finding a best matching reference spectrum using a matching technique other than sum of squared differences to generate a sequence of best matching reference spectra, and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the sequence of best matching reference spectra. Finding a best matching reference spectrum may include performing a cross-correlation of the measured spectrum with each of two or more of the plurality of reference spectra from the library and selecting a reference spectrum with the greatest correlation to the measured spectrum as a best matching reference spectrum.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes storing a library having a plurality of reference spectra, each reference spectrum of the plurality of reference spectra having a stored associated index value, polishing a substrate having a second layer overlying a first layer, measuring a sequence of spectra of light from the substrate during polishing, for each measured spectrum of the sequence of spectra, finding a best matching reference spectrum to generate a sequence of best matching reference spectra, determining the associated index value for each best matching spectrum from the sequence of best matching reference spectra to generate a sequence of index values, detecting exposure of the first layer, fitting a function to a portion of the sequence of index values corresponding to spectra measured after detection of exposure of the first layer, and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the function.

Abstract: A method of polishing includes polishing a substrate having a second layer overlying a first layer, measuring a sequence of groups of spectra of light from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, each group of the groups of spectra including spectra from different locations on the substrate, for each group, calculating a value for a dispersion parameter of the spectra in the group to generate a sequence of dispersion values, and detecting exposure of the first layer based on the sequence of dispersion values.

Abstract: A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding an artery of a patient includes a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both, a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support at least a part of the patient, a programmable generator configured to generate output power for one or more of the piezoelectric elements, and a programmable processor configured to process a signal sensed by at least one of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A system for applying focused ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding an artery of a patient includes a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a controller configured to control at least a subset of the piezoelectric elements so that at least one of the piezoelectric elements in the subset is in a signal transmitting mode, in a signal sensing mode, or both, a first platform on which the piezoelectric elements are coupled and a second platform, wherein the second platform is configured to support at least a part of the patient, a programmable generator configured to generate output power for one or more of the piezoelectric elements, and a programmable processor configured to process a signal sensed by at least one of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A method of generating reference spectra includes polishing a first substrate in a polishing apparatus, measuring a sequence of spectra from the first substrate during polishing with an in-situ optical monitoring system, for each spectrum in the sequence of spectra, determining a best matching reference spectrum from a first plurality of first reference spectra to generate a sequence of reference spectra, calculating a value of a metric of fit of the sequence of spectra to the sequence of reference spectra, comparing the value of the metric of fit to a threshold value and determining whether to generate a second library based on the comparison, and if the second library is determined to be generated, storing the sequence of spectra as a second plurality of reference spectra.

Abstract: A polishing method includes simultaneously polishing two substrates, a first substrate and a second substrate, on the same polishing pad. A default overpolishing time is stored and an in-situ monitoring system monitors the two substrates. The in-situ monitoring system further determines a first polishing endpoint time and a second polishing endpoint time of the first and second substrates, respectively. The polishing method further includes calculating an overpolishing stop time where the overpolishing stop time is between the first polishing endpoint time plus the default overpolishing time and the second polishing endpoint time plus the default overpolishing time. Polishing of the first substrate is continued past the first polishing endpoint time and polishing of the second substrate is continued past the second polishing endpoint time. Polishing of both the first substrate and the second substrate is halted simultaneously at the overpolishing stop time.

Abstract: A plurality of substrates are polished simultaneously on the same polishing pad. A sequence of spectra is measured from each zone of each substrate, and for each measured spectrum in the sequence of spectra for each zone of each substrate, a best matching reference spectrum is determined from a library of reference spectra. For each zone of each substrate, a linear function is fit to a sequence of index values associated with the best matching reference spectra. For at least one zone, a projected time at which the zone will reach a target index value is determined based on the linear function, and the polishing parameter for at least one zone on at least one substrate is adjusted such that the at least one zone of the at least one substrate has closer to the target index at the projected time than without such adjustment.

Abstract: A system for treatment of an autonomic nervous system of a patient includes a focused ultrasound energy source for placement outside the patient, wherein the focused ultrasound energy source is configured to deliver ultrasound energy towards a blood vessel with a surrounding nerve that is a part of the autonomic nervous system inside the patient, and wherein the focused ultrasound energy source is configured to deliver the ultrasound energy based on a position of an indwelling vascular catheter.

Abstract: Ultrasound monitoring systems and components used in ultrasound monitoring systems, such as Transcranial Dopper (TCD) systems, are disclosed. Components include framework systems for mounting, locating and maintaining one or more ultrasound probes in contact with an anatomical surface, adjustable probe mounting systems, and probe interface components providing an acoustically transmissive interface between a probe mounting system and the emissive face of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A targeting catheter is used to locate an arteriotomy, such as is formed during a femoral artery catheterization procedure. The targeting catheter includes one or more targeting aids, such as an inflatable balloon or sensor (e.g., Doppler or temperature sensor), to locate the arteriotomy. The targeting aid may be positioned at the arteriotomy. An ultrasonic beacon on the catheter may then be located relative to a therapeutic ultrasonic applicator (e.g., by using acoustic time-of-flight) so that the focus of ultrasonic energy from the applicator can be aligned with the arteriotomy.

Abstract: A targeting catheter is used to locate an arteriotomy, such as is formed during a femoral artery catheterization procedure. The targeting catheter includes one or more targeting aids, such as an inflatable balloon or sensor (e.g., Doppler or temperature sensor), to locate the arteriotomy. The targeting aid may be positioned at the arteriotomy. An ultrasonic beacon on the catheter may then be located relative to a therapeutic ultrasonic applicator (e.g., by using acoustic time-of-flight) so that the focus of ultrasonic energy from the applicator can be aligned with the arteriotomy.