Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body includes immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device, positioning an insertion tool (e.g., a needle, a needle and marker wire, a needle gun, etc.) to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue, and inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue. An immobilization device for performing methods includes a frame assembly, a tissue immobilization assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the tissue immobilization assembly including a structure adapted to immobilize tissue, and a needle assembly releasably connectable to the frame assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle capable of being inserted into the immobilized tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor diode capable of performing the dual functions of emission and detection of optical signals. The diode can be used in a bidirectional optical communication link alternating between transmitting and receiving optical signals. In particular, the structure is of a light emitting diode for emission and a photodiode for detection. The invention is a semiconductor p-n junction single heterostructure diode which can operate efficiently as a light emitting diode (LED) when a forward bias voltage is applied and as a light detecting photodiode when a zero or a small reverse bias voltage is applied.