Abstract: A shape sensing device, system and method include an interventional instrument (102) having regions of articulation to be configured to change shape during an interventional procedure. An optical fiber (202) is disposed on or about the areas of articulation in a pattern to provide an optical signal indicating an instantaneous change or current position or orientation of the instrument. A signal interpretation module (115) is configured to receive the optical signals and interpret the instantaneous change or cur rent position or orientation of the instrument.

Abstract: A medical device calibration apparatus, system and method include a calibration template (202) configured to position an optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102). A set geometric configuration (206) is formed in or on the template to maintain the instrument in a set geometric configuration within an environment where the instrument is to be deployed. When the instrument is placed in the set geometric configuration, the instrument is calibrated for a medical procedure.

Abstract: An optical detection tool employs a surgical end-effector (30) and an optical fiber (20). In operation, the surgical end-effector (30) is navigated within an anatomical region relative to an object foreign to the anatomical region and the optical fiber (20) generates an encoded optical signal indicative of a strain measurement profile of the optical fiber (20) as the surgical end-effector (30) is navigated within the anatomical region. The optical fiber (20) has a detection segment in a defined spatial relationship with the surgical end-effector (30). The strain measurement profile represents a normal profile in the absence of any measurable contact of the foreign object with the detection segment of the optical fiber (20). Conversely, the strain measurement profile represents an abnormal profile in response to a measurable contact of the foreign object with the detection segment of the optical fiber (20).

Abstract: Some embodiments include a kit for increasing endurance of a battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by incorporating flexible solar cells or applying flexible solar cells on a surface of a UAV or on a surface of a component of a UAV. The kit further include a power conditioning system configured to operate the solar cells within a desired power range and configured to provide power having a voltage compatible with an electrical system of the UAV.

Abstract: A deployment device (30) for interfacing an implantable device (20) with an anatomical structure (10) employs a sheath (31), a shape sensor (32) and a detachment tool (33). The sheath (31) includes a deployment section (31a) for deploying the implantable device (20) to an interface position relative to the anatomical structure (10), and an implantable section (31b) for coupling the deployment section (31a) to the implantable device (20). The shape sensor (32) guides the implantable device (20) to the interface position and includes a deployment segment (32a) extending partially or completely through the deployment section (31a), and an implantable segment (32b) attached to the deployment segment (32a) and extending partially or completely through the implantable section (31b) of the sheath (31).

Abstract: The present solution provides a variety of delivery techniques for delivering contextualization services to augment content and advertisement to display within content being viewed on a page on a mobile device. The present solution is directed to using any one or more innovative delivery techniques to prompt the user to augmented content and/or advertisements at the point of a user viewing content on a mobile device, such as while a user is scrolling through textual content of a web page on their mobile device. These innovative delivery techniques provide triggering points on the limited screen of mobile devices to deliver contextualized content and/or advertisement on the display of the mobile device.

Abstract: A hand-worn device with programmable memory is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprising a display unit, an attachment strap attached to the display unit where the attachment strap is adapted to attach the apparatus to a user, and a processing unit electrically coupled to the display unit. The apparatus further comprises a programmable memory, the programmable memory having at least one operation algorithm installable therein. The processing unit runs one of the operation algorithms to operate the apparatus at a corresponding operation mode, where at least one parameter is displayed on the display unit. The device allows a user to choose the desired operation algorithms to be installed to the device for optimized usage of memory space.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: An optical motion sensing system (10) for use in imaging an anatomical structure employs an optical motion sensor (20) including a body contour conforming matrix (“BCCM”) (30) and an optical fiber (40). Upon BCCM (30) being adjoined to the anatomical structure, BCCM (30) structurally conforms at least partially to a surface contour of the anatomical structure for reciprocating any motion by the anatomical structure. Optical fiber (40) is at least partially embedded in the BCCM (30) for generating an encoded optical signal (42) indicative of a shape of the optical fiber (40) responsive to any SOS reciprocal motion by the BCCM (30) during an imaging of the anatomical structure. System (10) further employs a motion tracker (50) responsive to encoded optical signal (42) for periodically reconstructing the shape of optical fiber (40) with each change in the shape of optical fiber (40) representing motion by the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

Abstract: Improved dry stripper solutions for removing one, two or more photoresist layers from substrates are provided. The stripper solutions comprise dimethyl sulfoxide, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, and an alkanolamine, a secondary solvent, and less than about 3 wt. % water. Methods for the preparation and use of the improved dry stripping solutions are additionally provided.

Abstract: An optical guidewire system employs an optical guidewire (10), an optical guidewire controller (12), a guide interface (13) and an optical connector (15). The optical guidewire (10) is for advancing a catheter (20) to a target region relative to a distal end of the optical guidewire (10), wherein the optical guidewire (10) includes one or more guidewire fiber cores (11) for generating an encoded optical signal (16) indicative of a shape of the optical guidewire (10). The optical guidewire controller (12) is responsive to the encoded optical signal (16) for reconstructing the shape of the optical guidewire (10). The guidewire interface (13) includes one or more interface fiber core(s) (14) optically coupled to the optical guidewire controller (12). The optical connector (15) facilitates a connection, disconnection and reconnection of the optical guidewire (10) to the guidewire interface (13) that enables a backloading the catheter (20) on the optical guidewire (10).

Abstract: A method of cleaning semiconductor wafers using an acid cleaner followed by an alkaline cleaner to clean contaminants from the materials is provided. The acid cleaner removes substantially all of the metal contaminants while the alkaline cleaner removes substantially all of the non-metal contaminants, such as organics and particulate material.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.

Abstract: An assembly technique for assembling solar cell arrays is provided. During the fabrication of a solar cell, openings through the semiconductor layer are etched through to a top surface of the backmetal layer. The solar cells include an exposed top surface of the backmetal layer. A plurality of solar cells are assembled into a solar cell array where adjacent cells are interconnected in an electrically serial or parallel fashion solely from the top surface of the solar cells.

Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) stripping solutions which can be used in a stripping process that replaces etching resist ashing process are provided. The stripping solutions are useful for fabricating circuits and/or forming electrodes on semiconductor devices for semiconductor integrated circuits with good efficiency and with low and acceptable metal etch rates. Methods for their use are similarly provided. The preferred stripping agents contain a polar aprotic solvent, water, an amine and a quaternary hydroxide that is not tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Further provided are integrated circuit devices and electronic interconnect structures prepared according to these methods.

Abstract: A method for identifying a structure in a volume of interest is provided. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of points related to the structure in a continuous mode, and subsequently registering at least one of the points to a previously acquired imaging dataset of the structure. An apparatus, system and a computer-readable medium are also provided. The present invention provides faster acquisition of EAM points by modifying the mapping system so that catheter tip locations are automatically and continuously recorded without requiring explicit navigation to and annotation of fiducial landmarks on the endocardium.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method determining a position of an instrument (100) are provided. A sheath (104) is configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: An assembly technique for assembling solar cell arrays is provided. During the fabrication of a solar cell, openings through the semiconductor layer are etched through to a top surface of the backmetal layer. The solar cells include an exposed top surface of the backmetal layer. A plurality of solar cells are assembled into a solar cell array where adjacent cells are interconnected in an electrically serial or parallel fashion solely from the top surface of the solar cells.

Abstract: A wireless charger system comprising a wireless charger and a remote device wireless connected to the wireless charger is disclosed. The wireless charger emits a charging signal at a first frequency range. The remote device receives a radio-controlled clock signal at a second frequency range, and modulates the radio-controlled clock signal via a carrier frequency to a modulated radio-controlled clock signal at a third frequency range. The modulated radio-controlled clock signal does not interfere with the charging signal, allowing the remote device to send the modulated radio-controlled clock signal to the wireless charger for display. An alternate wireless charger system comprising a wireless charger and an indoor temperature sensor is also disclosed.