Abstract: A method to form a LDMOS transistor includes forming a gate/source/body opening and a drain opening in a field oxide on a substrate structure, forming a gate oxide in the gate/source/body opening, and forming a polysilicon layer over the substrate structure. The polysilicon layer is anisotropically etched to form polysilicon spacer gates separated by a space in the gate/source/body opening and a polysilicon drain contact in the drain opening. A body region is formed self-aligned about outer edges of the polysilicon spacer gates, a source region is formed self-aligned about inner edges of the polysilicon spacer gates, and a drain region is formed under the polysilicon drain contact and self-aligned with respect to the polysilicon spacer gates. A drift region forms in the substrate structure between the body region and the drain region, and a channel region forms in the body region between the source region and the drift region.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming a lateral DMOS transistor includes performing a low energy implantation using a first dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the low energy implantation are blocked by the conductive gate. The method further includes performing a high energy implantation using a third dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the high energy implantation penetrate the conductive gate and is introduced into the entire device active area including underneath the conductive gate. After annealing, a double-diffused lightly doped drain (DLDD) region is formed from the high and low energy implantations and is used as a drift region of the lateral DMOS transistor. The DLDD region overlaps with the body region at a channel region and interacts with the dopants of the body region to adjust a threshold voltage of the lateral DMOS transistor.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises an operator control station having a master input device, a catheter instrument, and an instrument driver in communication with the operator control station. The catheter instrument includes an elongate flexible catheter member, a flexible control element extending within the catheter member, and a proximal drivable assembly configured to axially move the control element relative to the catheter member to perform a kinematic function at a distal end of the catheter member. The instrument driver is configured to operate the drivable assembly to axially move the control element in response to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. The drivable assembly is mounted to the instrument driver, thereby providing mechanically close relationship between the drivable assembly and the instrument driver.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a body region of a first conductivity type, a conductive gate and a first dielectric layer, a source region of a second conductivity type formed in the body region, a heavily doped source contact diffusion region formed in the source region, a lightly doped drain region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region where the lightly doped drain region is a drift region of the MOS transistor, a heavily doped drain contact diffusion region of the second conductivity type formed in the lightly doped drain region; and an insulating trench formed in the lightly doped drain region adjacent the drain contact diffusion region. The insulating trench blocks a surface current path in the drift region thereby forming vertical current paths in the drift region around the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device, and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver configured for independently controlling each of number of desired motions of a flexible, elongate guide instrument in a body of a patient in response to control signals generated by the controller, the desired motions selected from the group comprising axial advancement, axial retraction, axial rotation, and radial bending. Integrated haptics capability may be provided, in which one or more motors provide tactile feedback to an operator through the master input device.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a body region of a first conductivity type, a conductive gate and a first dielectric layer, a source region of a second conductivity type formed in the body region, a heavily doped source contact diffusion region formed in the source region, a lightly doped drain region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region where the lightly doped drain region is a drift region of the MOS transistor, a heavily doped drain contact diffusion region of the second conductivity type formed in the lightly doped drain region; and an insulating trench formed in the lightly doped drain region adjacent the drain contact diffusion region. The insulating trench blocks a surface current path in the drift region thereby forming vertical current paths in the drift region around the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a lateral DMOS transistor includes performing a low energy implantation using a first dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the low energy implantation are blocked by the conductive gate. The method further includes performing a high energy implantation using a third dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the high energy implantation penetrate the conductive gate and is introduced into the entire device active area including underneath the conductive gate. After annealing, a double-diffused lightly doped drain (DLDD) region is formed from the high and low energy implantations and is used as a drift region of the lateral DMOS transistor. The DLDD region overlaps with the body region at a channel region and interacts with the dopants of the body region to adjust a threshold voltage of the lateral DMOS transistor.

Abstract: A methods using a robotic catheter system to perform a procedure on a patient includes generating a control signal corresponding to movement of a master input device, and moving a plurality of drive elements of an instrument driver in response to the control signal, the drive elements operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of control elements of an elongate guide instrument, the control elements secured to a distal end of the guide instrument and moveable axially relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the drive elements causes a corresponding movement of the guide instrument distal end.

Abstract: There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods comprising a novel mammalian gene, designated MORC, that is expressed in male germ cells. Also disclosed are polynucleotide compositions comprising a MORC gene from human and murine sources, and polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid sequences. Methods for preparing MORC polypeptides, transformed host cells, and antibodies reactive with MORC polypeptides are also provided. In certain embodiments, the invention describes methods for diagnosing and treating infertility or testicular cancer, as well as methods for identifying MORC-related polynucleotide and polypeptide compositions.