Abstract: A packaged array (10) having a temporary substrate (20) is used to test a plurality of semiconductor devices (14). In one embodiment, the temporary substrate (20) is an adhesive substrate, such as tape. A support structure (18) may lie over the temporary substrate (20) or be within the temporary substrate (20). The plurality of semiconductor devices (14) lie within an array (16, 6, or 8) and may be tested in parallel. One array or a multiple number of arrays may lie on the packaged array (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable fusion cage which facilitates the fusion of adjacent bony surfaces, preferably those in the spine. In a preferred embodiment, the fusion cage. The surfaces of the cage which are intended to contact the vertebral endplates have multiple portions cut out of the metal to form sharp barbs. As the cage is expanded to come into apposition with endplates above and below, the sharp barbs protrude into the subcortical bone of the vertebral body thus securing the cage in place. Multiple holes or fenestrations are present on the superior and inferior surfaces of the cage to permit contact of morselized autologous bone and/or an artificial bone matrix material with the prepared endplate surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for performing integrated circuit testing and an apparatus therefore including a data analyzer, a test program server, a data storage unit, and testers. One embodiment includes providing a plurality of software switchable test programs and a first plurality of integrated circuits and running the software switchable test programs on the first plurality of integrated circuits. The method further includes collecting and storing data resulting from the test programs and providing a second plurality of integrated circuits where an analyzer program uses the collected and stored data to determine which of the software switchable tests are bypassable tests. In response to running the analyzer program, the test programs are automatically run without the bypassable tests on a first portion of the second plurality of integrated circuits.

Abstract: A subcutaneously formed in place orthopedic fixation device is provided, such as for fixation of the spine or other bone or bones. The device comprises an inflatable member, such as a tubular balloon. A heat source is provided in thermal communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is positioned at a treatment site while in a flexible, low crossing profile configuration. The balloon is thereafter inflated with a hardenable media, and heated to accelerate hardening of the media. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming connections within a multi-layer electronic circuit board 10. In one non-limiting embodiment, the method includes selectively forming air bridges over portions of the circuit board 10 and selectively collapsing the air bridges with a metallurgical bonding tool, effective to interconnect layers of the circuit board 10.

Abstract: Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.

Abstract: An implantable inflatable orthopedic device is provided. The device comprises a flexible wall, defining an interior cavity, a reinforcing element exposed to the cavity, an inflation pathway in communication with the cavity, and a valve, for closing the pathway. A delivery catheter is also provided for removably carrying the orthopedic device to the treatment site.

Abstract: A subcutaneously assembled in place orthopedic construct is provided, such as for fixation of the spine. The construct includes a first bar and a second bar for attachment to the spine. A crossbar connects the first and second bar, to provide additional structural support. Each of the first bar, the second bar, and the crossbar may be inserted in a minimally invasive procedure, and constructed in place to form the orthopedic device. Each of the first bar, second bar, and crossbar may comprise an inflatable container, adapted for inflation with a hardenable media and cured in place. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.

Abstract: A read channel is described for use in a storage device including a storage medium for storing data, an interactive element for reading information from and writing information on the storage medium and a processor for performing control functions in the storage device. The read channel comprises a set of electronic components for receiving and processing information read by the interactive element from the storage medium. Each component of the set of electronic components includes an output and is coupled in a predetermined arrangement to other components of the set of electronic components. A data capture circuit includes an input circuit and an output circuit with the input circuit being coupled to the output of each component of the set of electronic components, and the output circuit being coupled to the input circuit to capture a signal from a preselected one of the outputs coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is adoptable to transfer the acquired signal to the processor.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for measuring the relative reflectance spectra of an observed sample (3) and method and apparatus for autofocussing the sample (3). A broadband visible and ultraviolet beam (42) is split into a sample beam (46) and a reference beam (48). The sample beam (46) is reflected off the surface of the sample (3), and the spectrum of the reflected sample beam (46) is compared to the spectrum of the reference beam (48) to determine the relative reflectance spectrum of the sample (3). A video camera (96) is provided for viewing the sample (3). The autofocus system has a course-focus mode and a fine-focus mode. In the course-focus mode, the sample (3) is focused when the centroid of the sample image is centered on a position sensitive detector (99). In the fine-focus mode, the sample is focused when the intensity of light reaching the detector (99) is minimized.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wirebonder has a horn and a transducer for vibrating the horn at a predetermined frequency. A magnet affixed to the horn generates a magnetic field. A coil coupled to the magnet has an output signal induced from the magnetic field moving relative to said coil. A filtering means filters the output signal from the coil to determine the reliably of the ultrasonic bond. An output device is used to monitor the output signal and determine whether the bond is reliable.

Abstract: A process for bonding a flip chip (20), of the type having an active face provided with conductive bumps, to a substrate (22) so that its active face is oriented toward the substrate (22). The flip chip (20) is coupled through a vacuum to the distended end (32) of an ultrasonic horn (30) and then lowered onto the substrate (22) so that the bumps (20b) align with a bonding pattern on the substrate (22). A bias force is applied through the ultrasonic horn (30) to the backside of the flip chip (20), in a direction normal to the substrate (22) so that minimal lateral displacement of the flip chip (20) and the substrate (22) results. The ultrasonic horn (30) is then activated while the bias force is applied such that the ultrasonic energy is isothermally transferred in a direction normal to and across the flip chip (20) to the substrate (22) for creating a diffusion bond therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for the adaptive cancellation of at least a first pole frequency in a magnetoresistive (MR) head device includes a preamplifier coupled to first and second terminals of the MR head. A signal at a pole frequency produced by the preamplifier is cancelled by a zero boost frequency signal generated as a result of a signal across the MR head read by a differential amplifier. The zero boost frequency signal is passed to the read channel coming from the MR head to cancel the pole.

Abstract: A high performance serial bus operating at multiple transmission rates is disclosed. The serial bus is able to automatically generate data response packets for return to a requesting node. The automatic packet generation uses the source and destination information to generate a return destination packet for directing the requested data to the request source destination. Since the bus network is capable of operating at several different transmission rates, the speed at which the data request packet was transmitted is used for retransmitting the data requested back to the source node requesting the data.

Abstract: A computer system allows for a hardware structure to participate in the transmission of P1394 packets, which are comprised of command or data blocks from linked list structures in a system memory, is disclosed. The system is able to provide dynamic appending of these command or data blocks to the link list while they are being operated upon. This provides an efficient transaction layer operation, which minimizes signalling between the link list operator or control code, and other hardware features.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an integrated circuit includes a bond substrate having a location for an integrated circuit. The location on the bond substrate has a plurality of traces around each location. A first fixture holds the bond substrate in a fixed relation to first fixture and holds the integrated circuit in a fixed relation to the first fixture and the bond substrate. A wirebonder forms wirebonds between the traces and the bond pads. An electrical tester provides electrical signals from the traces to the bond pads to verifying the operation of the integrated circuit. A second fixture lifts the bond substrate while the integrated circuit remains held to the first fixture. A vibrator vibrates the first fixture in relation to the second fixture so that the wirebonds are broken at a predetermined location near the bond pad.

Abstract: A digital servo control system for controlling a disk file head includes a main control loop at least one head for reading servo information; a voice coil motor (VCM) attached to the head for positioning the head relative to the target track centerline of a track in response to a VCM control signal; means for deriving from the servo information a digital head position error signal (PES); and a processor employing an estimator model for estimating parameters of the VCM and for generating from the estimated parameters and the digital VCM control signal. A secondary control loop receives the PES and provides a compensation signal for repeatable runout (RRO) by providing high open-loop gain near the spindle rotation frequency of said disk. The compensation signal for repeatable runout (RRO) is added to VCM control signal. The secondary control loop includes two states x.sub.a and x.sub.b with state equations x.sub.a (k)=x.sub.b (k-1)-k.sub.1r e(k) and x.sub.b (k)=2 cos .omega.Tx.sub.a (k)-x.sub.a (k-1)-k.sub.

Abstract: Method for fabricating an undercoated chip electrically interconnected to a substrate. The method includes the initial step of depositing a predetermined quantity of a liquid undercoat material onto the chip or the substrate. The method continues with the step of interconnecting the chip to the substrate so as to form an electrical interconnection bond therebetween. Finally, the method concludes with the step of heating, reflowing and curing the undercoat material during or after the step of electrically interconnecting the chip to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling track seeking and track following of a head in a disk file having servo information recorded thereon to provide a track number and a position error signal (PES). The physical parameters of the disk file are modeled by at least three sets of constants associated with selected numbers of tracks. An actuator is connected to the head by a support arm assembly and is responsive to a control signal for positioning the head. The method comprises, for each servo information sample, the steps of predicting a relative position, velocity, and bias of a data head. It is determined whether the predicted relative data head position corresponds to the selected number of tracks, if not, at least the predicted relative data head position is rescaled to form the predicted relative data head position to correspond to the selected number of tracks of the predicted data head position prior to rescaling.