Abstract: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use handle, cannula and an imaging module at a distal tip. A multiple-use display unit is removably mounted on and supported by the handle and includes a touch-sensitive display screen configured to respond to touch commands to control taking of images with the imaging module and further configured to display the images. The display unit and the handle include respective mechanical connectors that engage each other to removably mount the display unit on the handle by sliding motion relative to each other, and the display unit is removable tool-free from said handle for disposal of the handle and cannula after a medical procedure therewith.

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 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use handle, cannula and an imaging module at a distal tip. A multiple-use display unit is removably mounted on and supported by the handle and includes a touch-sensitive display screen configured to respond to touch commands to control taking of images with the imaging module and further configured to display the images. The display unit and the handle include respective mechanical connectors that engage each other to removably mount the display unit on the handle by sliding motion relative to each other, and the display unit is removable tool-free from said handle for disposal of the handle and cannula after a medical procedure therewith.

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: 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. The contact can be avoided by cladding the switching layer in a material such as silicon or using electrodes that may contain metal but have regions that are adjacent the switching layer and lack free metal ions except for possible trace amounts.

Abstract: Installments and methods are described for performing endoscopically guided operative procedures. According to some embodiments, a re-usable portion of the instrument includes a handle, electronics and an integrated display screen while a fluid hub and a cannula which includes a CMOS imaging module and LED lighting, form a single use portion of the instrument. The cannula includes a working channel configured to accept an operative device for performing the operative procedures.

Abstract: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a 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. The imaging module includes a lens system of no more than two lenses and provides the imaging module with a field of view greater than 120 degrees, preferably 130 degrees or more, and most preferably 140 degrees or more. LED illumination is provided by plural LED arranged symmetrically around an optical axis to provide a field of illumination that substantially coincides with the field of view of an imaging module. An image brightness balance arrangement selectively varies the illumination provided by different LEDs to reduce brightness differences between different areas of the displayed images.