Patents by Inventor Richard Hammond

Richard Hammond has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8353825
    Abstract: A surgical access portal includes a seal housing and a sleeve mounted to the sleeve housing having an internal longitudinal passage adapted to provide access to underlying tissue. A seal is in mechanical cooperation with an inner wall of the seal housing and has an opening for reception and passage of a surgical instrument in a substantially sealed relation. A sponge is disposed distally of the seal and absorbs fluids that enter the seal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Richard Hammond, Sally Carter
  • Patent number: 8344355
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Currie, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20120299120
    Abstract: Circuits for processing radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave signals are fabricated using field effect transistors (“FETs”) that have one or more strained channel layers disposed on one or more planarized substrate layers. FETs having such a configuration exhibit improved values for, for example, transconductance and noise figure. RF circuits such as, for example, voltage controlled oscillators (“VCOs”), low noise amplifiers (“LNAs”), and phase locked loops (“PLLs”) built using these FETs also exhibit enhanced performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Glyn Braithwaite, Richard Hammond, Matthew Currie
  • Patent number: 8247798
    Abstract: Circuits for processing radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave signals are fabricated using field effect transistors (“FETs”) that have one or more strained channel layers disposed on one or more planarized substrate layers. FETs having such a configuration exhibit improved values for, for example, transconductance and noise figure. RF circuits such as, for example, voltage controlled oscillators (“VCOs”), low noise amplifiers (“LNAs”), and phase locked loops (“PLLs”) built using these FETs also exhibit enhanced performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glyn Braithwaite, Richard Hammond, Matthew T. Currie
  • Publication number: 20120098054
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device involve a semiconductor layer that includes a first material and a second material. The first and second materials can be silicon and germanium. A contact of the device has a portion proximal to the semiconductor layer and a portion distal to the semiconductor layer. The distal portion includes the first material and the second material. A metal layer formed adjacent to the relaxed semiconductor layer and adjacent to the distal portion of the contact is simultaneously reacted with the relaxed semiconductor layer and with the distal portion of the contact to provide metallic contact material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Currie, Richard Hammond
  • Publication number: 20120086047
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Currie, Anthony Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8129821
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device involve a semiconductor layer that includes a first material and a second material. The first and second materials can be silicon and germanium. A contact of the device has a portion proximal to the semiconductor layer and a portion distal to the semiconductor layer. The distal portion includes the first material and the second material. A metal layer formed adjacent to the relaxed semiconductor layer and adjacent to the distal portion of the contact is simultaneously reacted with the relaxed semiconductor layer and with the distal portion of the contact to provide metallic contact material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Currie, Richard Hammond
  • Patent number: 8106380
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Currie, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20110318893
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Thomas A. Langdo, Richard Hammond, Matthew T. Currie, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8026534
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Langdo, Matthew T. Currie, Richard Hammond, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20110196206
    Abstract: A surgical portal device for use in an endoscopic procedure includes an elongated body portion dimensioned for insertion through tissue. The body portion includes an outer wall defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal lumen configured to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough. A plurality of threaded fixation segments is disposed on an exterior surface of the outer wall of the body portion. The threaded fixation segments are dimensioned and configured to engage tissue surrounding an opening to secure the elongated body at a predefined location within the tissue. The threaded fixation segments include a proximal threaded fixation segment having an average first thread diameter and a distal threaded fixation segment having an average second thread diameter less than the average first thread diameter. In one embodiment, each of the threaded fixation segments have different average thread diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Hammond
  • Publication number: 20110121362
    Abstract: Circuits for processing radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave signals are fabricated using field effect transistors (“FETs”) that have one or more strained channel layers disposed on one or more planarized substrate layers. FETs having such a configuration exhibit improved values for, for example, transconductance and noise figure. RF circuits such as, for example, voltage controlled oscillators (“VCOs”), low noise amplifiers (“LNAs”), and phase locked loops (“PLLs”) built using these FETs also exhibit enhanced performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glyn Braithwaite, Richard Hammond, Matthew Currie
  • Publication number: 20110095363
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Currie, Anthony Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20110077584
    Abstract: A surgical access device includes a housing; an access member extending distally from the housing and being dimensioned for positioning within tissue, and defining a longitudinal axis; and a seal assembly disposed within the housing. The seal assembly includes first and second seal components respectively having first and second seal members. Each of the first and second seal members defines a passage for passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. The first and second seal components are capable of relative rotation about the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which passages of the first and second seal members are in substantial alignment, and a second position where the passages of the first and second seal members are offset to inhibit the communication of fluid through the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Hammond
  • Publication number: 20110073908
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Thomas A. Langdo, Richard Hammond, Matthew T. Currie, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7906776
    Abstract: Circuits for processing radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave signals are fabricated using field effect transistors (“FETs”) that have one or more strained channel layers disposed on one or more planarized substrate layers. FETs having such a configuration exhibit improved values for, for example, transconductance and noise figure. RF circuits such as, for example, voltage controlled oscillators (“VCOs”), low noise amplifiers (“LNAs”), and phase locked loops (“PLLs”) built using these FETs also exhibit enhanced performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glyn Braithwaite, Richard Hammond, Matthew Currie
  • Patent number: 7884353
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Currie, Anthony Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7850653
    Abstract: A surgical access device includes a housing; an access member extending distally from the housing and being dimensioned for positioning within tissue, and defining a longitudinal axis; and a seal assembly disposed within the housing. The seal assembly includes first and second seal components respectively having first and second seal members. Each of the first and second seal members defines a passage for passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. The first and second seal components are capable of relative rotation about the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which passages of the first and second seal members are in substantial alignment, and a second position where the passages of the first and second seal members are offset to inhibit the communication of fluid through the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Richard Hammond
  • Patent number: 7846802
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Currie, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Richard Hammond, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7838392
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Langdo, Matthew T. Currie, Richard Hammond, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Eugene A. Fitzgerald