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: 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 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: An endoscopic system includes an integrated grasper device passing through a device lumen in the cannula. The grasper device has distal end forming two jaw portions that are biased to remain in an open position if unconstrained. The grasper has arch shaped portions that push against the inner surface of the device lumen when the grasper is retracted. To close the jaws of the grasper the grasper is retracted proximally until the arch shaped portions engage the opening of the device lumen. Further retraction causes the grasper jaws to close through engagement with the device lumen inner surface. The endoscopy system can include a single-use, removable cannula having a camera module on its distal tip. A re-usable portion can include the hand piece and display screen.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a single-use portion and a multiple-use portion. The two portions can be mated and un-mated. The single-use portion includes an elongated cannula that has a bendable section near its distal end providing a “steerable” distal tip. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to a display screen forming which forms part of the multiple-use portion. Ergonomically designed steering control and significant portions of the steering structure reside in the multiple-use portion. The cannula is configured to rotate, which further expands the field of view when combined with steering deflection along a single axis. Some embodiments, include motorized distal tip deflection and/or omni-directional tip deflection.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a single-use portion and a multiple-use portion. The two portions can be mated and un-mated. The single-use portion includes an elongated cannula that has a bendable section near its distal end providing a “steerable” distal tip. The imaging system includes at least two separate cameras and two separate light sources. The camera and light sources are configured to simultaneously image a target object. By employing different illuminations, different filters and manipulating the spectral responses, different characteristics of the target object can be captured. According to some embodiments, a system processor can coordinate the cameras, the light sources and combine the resulting images to display to an operator an enhanced combined image the object.

Abstract: An endoscope in which a reusable part is inserted into a sheath of a single-use portion that includes a needle with an imaging module at its tip and a part of the reusable portion that is not covered by the sheath is covered with a flexible cap that initially was sterile and covered the open end of the sheath, whereby the entire reusable portion is covered and sealed from the environment by the cap and the sheath during a medical procedure.

Abstract: Microstructure enhanced photodector arrangements uses a CMOS image sensor (CIS) wafer of crystalline Si and a CMOS Logic Processor (CLP) wafer stacked on each other for electrical interaction. The wafers can be fabricated separately and stacked or can be regions of the same monolithic chip. The image can be a time-of-flight image. Bayer arrays are enhanced with microstructure holes. Avalanche photodiodes, single photon avalanche photodiodes and phototransistors can be laterally and/or vertically doped. Photodetectors/photosensors can have slanted sidewalls for improved optical confinement and reduced crosstalk.

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: 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: An endoscopic system includes a single-use portion and a multiple-use portion. The two portions can be mated and un-mated. The single-use portion includes an elongated cannula that has a bendable section near its distal end providing a “steerable” distal tip. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to a display screen forming which forms part of the multiple-use portion. Ergonomically designed steering control and significant portions of the steering structure reside in the multiple-use portion. The cannula is configured to rotate, which further expands the field of view when combined with steering deflection along a single axis. Some embodiments, include motorized distal tip deflection and/or omni-directional tip deflection.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a single-use portion and a multiple-use portion. The two portions can be mated and un-mated. The single-use portion includes an elongated cannula that has a bendable section near its distal end providing a “steerable” distal tip. The imaging system includes at least two separate cameras and two separate light sources. The camera and light sources are configured to simultaneously image a target object. By employing different illuminations, different filters and manipulating the spectral responses, different characteristics of the target object can be captured. According to some embodiments, a system processor can coordinate the cameras, the light sources and combine the resulting images to display to an operator an enhanced combined image the object.

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 multiple-use 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 multiple-use portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The component of the endoscope can be supplied to users in different combinations of pre-assembled configurations, some in a sterile package. The single use portion can include grasper device that can be actuated by an operator using an actuation tab.

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: A method and apparatus for acquisition of volumetric breast images for screening and/or diagnosing breast cancers using a rotary scanning template and transducer.

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: 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: A method and apparatus for acquisition of volumetric breast images for screening and/or diagnosing breast cancers using a rotary scanning template and transducer.

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 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.