Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a package structure are provided. The package structure includes a semiconductor die and a substrate. The package structure includes a pillar bump and an elongated solder bump bonded to the semiconductor die and the substrate. A height of the elongated solder bump is substantially equal to a height of the pillar bump. The elongated solder bump has a first width, at a first horizontal plane passing through an upper end of a sidewall surface of the elongated solder bump, and a second width, at a second horizontal plane passing through a midpoint of the sidewall surface. A ratio of the second width to the first width is in a range from about 0.5 to about 1.1.

Abstract: Resistive RAM (RRAM) devices having increased reliability and related manufacturing methods are described. Greater reliability of RRAM cells over time can be achieved by avoiding direct contact of metal electrodes with the device switching layer.

Abstract: A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a distal tip, cannula, housings, and a proximal port that is connected to a substantially straight working channel. The cannula is rotatable about the main longitudinal axis of the cannula. The endoscope also includes a re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physical side-mounting arrangement as well as separate electrical connectors. The handle can house imaging system electronics that support manual and auto imaging modes which can be selected via touch screen control on the display module. The re-useable portion is sealed with various o-rings and/or gaskets and can be highly fluid resistant to facilitate disinfecting and/or sterilization.

Abstract: Lateral and vertical microstructure enhanced photodetectors and avalanche photodetectors are monolithically integrated with CMOS/BiCMOS ASICs and can also be integrated with laser devices using fluidic assembly techniques. Photodetectors can be configured in a vertical PIN arrangement or lateral metal-semiconductor-metal arrangement where electrodes are in an inter-digitated pattern. Microstructures, such as holes and protrusions, can improve quantum efficiency in silicon, germanium and III-V materials and can also reduce avalanche voltages for avalanche photodiodes. Applications include optical communications within and between datacenters, telecommunications, LIDAR, and free space data communication.

Abstract: Techniques for enhancing the absorption of photons in semiconductors with the use of microstructures are described. The microstructures, such as pillars and/or holes, effectively increase the effective absorption length resulting in a greater absorption of the photons. Using microstructures for absorption enhancement for silicon photodiodes and silicon avalanche photodiodes can result in bandwidths in excess of 10 Gb/s at photons with wavelengths of 850 nm, and with quantum efficiencies of approximately 90% or more.

Abstract: A method and system acquiring, processing and displaying breast ultrasound images in a way that makes breast ultrasound screening more practical and thus more widely used, and reduces the occurrence of missing cancers in screening and diagnosis, using automated scanning of chestwardly compressed breasts with ultrasound. Enhanced, whole-breast navigator overview images are produced from scanning breasts with ultrasound that emphasize abnormalities in the breast while excluding obscuring influences of non-breast structures, particularly those external to the breast such as ribs and chest wall, and differentiating between likely malignant and likely benign abnormalities and otherwise enhancing the navigator overview image and other images, thereby reducing the time to read, screen, and/or diagnose to practical time limits and also reduce screening or diagnostic errors.

Abstract: A method of establishing a paid connection between multi-platforms, where a transmitting end application is installed in a transmitting end apparatus of a sharing source and a receiving end application is installed in a receiving end apparatus of a sharing target. When establishing a connection, the transmitting end application/receiving end application confirms whether a unique ID of the receiving end apparatus/transmitting end apparatus exists in an exception list, and confirms whether the receiving end application/transmitting end apparatus makes payment based on an operating system used by the transmitting end apparatus/receiving end application, in order to determine establishing a limited or an unlimited connection between the transmitting end apparatus and the receiving end apparatus.

Abstract: A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula, distal tip and is steerable by the operator though actuation of one or two levers. The endoscope also includes re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The single use portion can include grasper device that can be actuated by an operator using an actuation tab.

Abstract: A method and system acquiring, processing and displaying breast ultrasound images in a way that makes breast ultrasound screening more practical and thus more widely used, and reduces the occurrence of missing cancers in screening and diagnosis, using automated scanning of chestwardly compressed breasts with ultrasound. Enhanced, whole-breast navigator overview images are produced from scanning breasts with ultrasound that emphasize abnormalities in the breast while excluding obscuring influences of non-breast structures, particularly those external to the breast such as ribs and chest wall, and differentiating between likely malignant and likely benign abnormalities and otherwise enhancing the navigator overview image and other images, thereby reducing the time to read, screen, and/or diagnose to practical time limits and also reduce screening or diagnostic errors.

Abstract: A multi-view display device includes a display screen component and an optical structure component. The display screen component includes a plurality of pixels, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a left sub-pixel and a right sub-pixel. The optical structure component is disposed at the display screen component. When light beams from the left sub-pixel and light beams from the right sub-pixel of the each of the plurality of pixels pass through the optical structure component, the optical structure component separates the light beams from the left sub-pixel and the light beams from the right sub-pixel so as to generate correspondingly a left image and a right image to reach the first pilot position and the second pilot position, respectively. In addition, a manipulation simulation device is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample are described, the apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer and a membranous sheet, the membranous sheet compressing the tissue sample, the ultrasound transducer contacting the membranous sheet and ultrasonically scanning the tissue sample therethrough, wherein the membranous sheet has a generally arcuate shape and the ultrasound transducer is movable in a generally arcuate trajectory therealong during the ultrasonic scan. Also described is an apparatus for facilitating a medical procedure, comprising a membranous sheet compressing a tissue sample, an ultrasound transducer contacting the membranous sheet to ultrasonically scan the tissue sample therethrough, and a biopsy guide operably coupled to the ultrasound transducer for maintaining a biopsy instrument in a scan plane of the ultrasound transducer to facilitate a percutaneous biopsy of a lesion located in the scan plane.

Abstract: Lateral and vertical microstructure enhanced photodetectors and avalanche photodetectors are monolithically integrated with CMOS/BiCMOS ASICs and can also be integrated with laser devices using fluidic assembly techniques. Photodetectors can be configured in a vertical PIN arrangement or lateral metal-semiconductor-metal arrangement where electrodes are in an inter-digitated pattern. Microstructures, such as holes and protrusions, can improve quantum efficiency in silicon, germanium and III-V materials and can also reduce avalanche voltages for avalanche photodiodes. Applications include optical communications within and between datacenters, telecommunications, LIDAR, and free space data communication.

Abstract: An interposer may comprise a metal layer above a substrate. A dam or a plurality of dams may be formed above the metal layer. A dam surrounds an area of a size larger than a size of a die which may be connected to a contact pad above the metal layer within the area. A dam may comprise a conductive material, or a non-conductive material, or both. An underfill may be formed under the die, above the metal layer, and contained within the area surrounded by the dam, so that no underfill may overflow outside the area surrounded by the dam. Additional package may be placed above the die connected to the interposer to form a package-on-package structure.

Abstract: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula, distal tip and an integrated needle and a re-usable portion that includes a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The needle is actuatable to allow for both recessed and extended positions. The needle delivers liquid from a attached syringe that can be attached to the handle to move therewith or only connected to the endoscope by a flexible conduit. The surgical endoscope is configured for operation by a single clinician in many procedures.

Abstract: Resistive RAM (RRAM) devices having increased reliability and related manufacturing methods are described. Greater reliability of RRAM cells over time can be achieved by avoiding direct contact of metal electrodes with the device switching layer.

Abstract: An interposer may comprise a metal layer above a substrate. A dam or a plurality of dams may be formed above the metal layer. A dam surrounds an area of a size larger than a size of a die which may be connected to a contact pad above the metal layer within the area. A dam may comprise a conductive material, or a non-conductive material, or both. An underfill may be formed under the die, above the metal layer, and contained within the area surrounded by the dam, so that no underfill may overflow outside the area surrounded by the dam. Additional package may be placed above the die connected to the interposer to form a package-on-package structure.

Abstract: A voice control device includes a microphone module, a voice encoding module, a display and a processing unit. The voice encoding module is electrically connected to the microphone module. The processing unit is electrically connected to the voice encoding module and the display. The microphone module receives a voice signal and transmits the received voice signal to the voice encoding module. One of the voice encoding module and the processing unit analyzes and processes the voice signal to determine a sound source direction of the voice signal and obtains response information according to the voice signal. The processing unit controls the display to rotate to the sound source direction and transmits the response information to the display for displaying the response information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expression constructs and methods for producing a protein of interest. According to some examples, an expression construct includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein. To produce the protein of interest, the expression construct is transformed into a host cell, which is cultured under conditions that allow the expression of the fusion protein. The fusion protein has at least one expression unit; each expression unit has, sequentially, an affinity tag moiety, a spacer moiety, an enzymatic cleavage site, and a protein of interest moiety. The fusion protein is isolated from the host cell, solubilized, and refolded. The refolded fusion protein is cleaved to release the protein of interest.

Abstract: Microstructure enhanced photodiodes and avalanche photodiodes are monolithically integrated with CMOS/BiCMOS circuitry such as transimpedance amplifiers. Microstructures, such as holes, can improve quantum efficiency in silicon and III-V materials and can also reduce avalanche voltages for avalanche photodiodes. Applications include optical communications within and between datacenters, telecommunications, LIDAR, and free space data communication.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries.