Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a devices and methods to control suction during medical procedures, and more particularly to medical suction devices, systems, and methods for controlling suction using the portable suction devices/systems during endoscopic procedures. For example, the present disclosure includes a portable suction device in fluid communication with an endoscope system, the portable suction device including: a suction regulator device releasably coupled to and in communication with at least one suction tube of the endoscope system, the at least one suction tube in fluid communication with an endoscope of the endoscope system and a suction source of the endoscope system, wherein the suction regulator device is actuatable to at least one of increase or decrease a suction force within the at least one suction tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of performing ureteroscopy, a ureteroscope for insertion into a ureter or an access sheath, and systems related thereto. In embodiments, the present disclosure includes an endoscope, for insertion into a ureter or an access sheath, the endoscope including: a shaft including: a first end, a second end positioned axial opposite of the first end, a working channel extending axially through the shaft, between the first end and the second end, and at least one protrusion extending at least one of: from an exterior surface of the shaft, or into the working channel; and a handpiece releasably coupled to the shaft adjacent the first end.

Abstract: An atom probe includes a detector which registers the time of flight of ions evaporated from a specimen, as well as the positions on the detector at which the ions impact and the kinetic energies of the ions. The detected position allows the original locations of the ions on the specimen to be mapped, and the times of flight and kinetic energies can be spectrally analyzed (e.g., binned into sets of like values) to determine the elemental identities of the ions. The use of kinetic energy data as well as time of flight data can allow more accurate identification of composition than where time of flight data are used alone, as in traditional atom probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to atom probes, atom probe specimens, and associated methods. For example, certain aspects are directed toward methods for analyzing a portion of a specimen that includes selecting a region of interest and moving a portion of material in a border region proximate to the region of interest so that at least a portion of the region of interest protrudes relative to at least a portion of the border region. The method further includes analyzing a portion of the region of interest. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for applying photonic energy in an atom probe process by passing photonic energy through a lens system separated from a photonic device and spaced apart from the photonic device. Yet other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for reflecting photonic energy off an outer surface of an electrode onto a specimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to atom probe data and associated systems and methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward a computing system configured to predict a characteristic associated with an atom probe specimen that includes a data set receiving component configured to receive a three-dimensional data set associated with a portion of the specimen. The system further includes a predicting/calculating component configured to predict the characteristic associated with the specimen based on the data set. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for evaluating a manufacturing process using atom probe data that includes receiving a three-dimensional data set associated with a portion of a microelectronic assembly produced by a manufacturing process. The method further includes determining a variation between the data set and a configuration expected to result from the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to atom probe data processes and associated systems. Aspects of the invention are directed toward a computing system configured to process atom probe data that includes a data set receiving component configured to receive a first three-dimensional data set. The first three-dimensional data set has a first data element structure and is based on data collected from performing an atom probe process on a portion of an atom probe specimen. The system further includes a data set constructing component configured to create a second three-dimensional data set having a second data element structure different than the first data element structure. In selected embodiments, the system can further include a Fourier Transform component configured to perform a Fourier Transform on a portion of the second three-dimensional data set.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatments for atom probe components. For example, certain aspects are directed toward processes for treating an atom probe component that includes removing material from a surface of the atom probe component (e.g., using an ion beam, a plasma, a chemical etching process, and/or photonic energy). Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for treating an atom probe specimen that includes using a computing device to automatically control a voltage used in an ion sputtering process. Still other aspects of the invention are directed toward methods for treating an atom probe component that includes introducing photonic energy proximate to a surface of the atom probe component, annealing at least a portion of a surface of the atom probe component, coating at least a portion of a surface of the atom probe component, and/or cooling at least a portion of the atom probe component.

Abstract: A method for treating an atom probe electrode (120), which comprises the steps of providing an atom electrode (120) having a surface (123) and an aperture (122); and removing material (604) from the surface (123) to reduce a potential of the atom probe electrode creating a non-uniformity in an electric field (502) when the atom probe electrode is used in a atom probe device during specimen analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to atom probes, atom probe specimens, and associated methods. For example, certain aspects are directed toward methods for analyzing a portion of a specimen that includes selecting a region of interest and moving a portion of material in a border region proximate to the region of interest so that at least a portion of the region of interest protrudes relative to at least a portion of the border region. The method further includes analyzing a portion of the region of interest. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for applying photonic energy in an atom probe process by passing photonic energy through a lens system separated from a photonic device and spaced apart from the photonic device. Yet other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for reflecting photonic energy off an outer surface of an electrode onto a specimen.

Abstract: An improved electrical pulse generator incorporating MOSFET components, a programmable high voltage power supply, and a shaping network for generating short duration signals having narrow pulse widths and short rise times.

Abstract: A scanning ultrasonic apparatus provides measurements of a bone at a number of spatially separated locations. These measurements may produce an image or may be used to automatically identify a measurement region of interest or to align a series of measurements with each other despite possible shifting in the bony member in between measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.

Abstract: An ultrasonometer having opposed ultrasonic transducers with bladders containing a coupling fluid, controls the geometry of the bladder so as to provide immobilization of the patient as well as coupling of the ultrasound to the patient member. The coupling fluid may be hermetically enclosed in sealed chambers slideable toward the patient member or may be fixed in position and use a collar distending the membrane outward by compressing other portions of the membrane inward. A rolling diaphragm-type pump allows inflation of the membranes in an alternative embodiment without exposure of the acoustic coupling liquid to outside contamination. Temperature sensors and heaters communicating with the acoustic coupling fluid to reduce error caused by changes in the fluid's temperature.

Abstract: A computer graphical user interface (GUI) for multi-dimensional analysis of objects by manipulating discovered semantic properties. A computer system robotically builds a semantic model of information contained on an information retrieval system such as the Internet. The semantic model is stored as metadata in an intermediate format on the computer system. The computer system performs a semantic analysis on the metadata and generates search results in response to user queries. The GUI allows a user to select resource metadata and accumulate the metadata into a query definition. The GUI dynamically extracts metadata from user-selected query results and displays the results grouped by types or categories of metadata. The query results may be also displayed on screen in a sidebar. A user may pin metadata items and display changes to the query results based upon the pinned items.

Abstract: A scanning ultrasonic apparatus provides measurements of a bone at a number of spatially separated locations. These measurements may produce an image or may be used to automatically identify a measurement region of interest or to align a series of measurements with each other despite possible shifting in the bony member in between measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. Attenuation and time of flight of an ultrasonic pulse are determined and combined to reduce the effect of heel width on the measurement without physically measuring the heel width. Bladders with selected coupling gels may be used to adjust the region at which the heel width effects are most reduced. A C-brace used to hold the transducers independent of the water bath permits their removal for servicing without upsetting their alignment and separation when reinstalled.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the consistency of the result. The delay of preheating is reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the consistency of the result. The delay of preheating is reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.