Abstract: A system employs an interventional tool (30), ultrasound imaging system and a multi-planar reformatting module (40). The interventional tool (30) has one or more image tracking points (31). The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe (20) operable for generating an ultrasound volume image (22) of a portion or an entirety of the interventional tool (30) within an anatomical region. The multi-planar reformatting imaging module (40) generates two or more multi- planar reformatting images (41) of the interventional tool (30) within the anatomical region. A generation of the two multi-planar reformatting images (41) includes an identification of each image tracking point (31) within the ultrasound volume image (22), and a utilization of each identified image tracking point (31) as an origin of the multi-planar reformatting images (41).

Abstract: A process for fabricating a tapered field plate dielectric for high-voltage semiconductor devices is disclosed. The process may include depositing a thin layer of oxide, depositing a polysilicon hard mask, depositing a resist layer and etching a trench area, performing deep silicon trench etch, and stripping the resist layer. The process may further include repeated steps of depositing a layer of oxide and anisotropic etching of the oxide to form a tapered wall within the trench. The process may further include depositing poly and performing further processing to form the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a tapered field plate dielectric for high-voltage semiconductor devices is disclosed. The process may include depositing a thin layer of oxide, depositing a polysilicon hard mask, depositing a resist layer and etching a trench area, performing deep silicon trench etch, and stripping the resist layer. The process may further include repeated steps of depositing a layer of oxide and anisotropic etching of the oxide to form a tapered wall within the trench. The process may further include depositing poly and performing further processing to form the semiconductor device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vertical HVFET includes a pillar of semiconductor material a pillar of semiconductor material arranged in a loop layout having at least two substantially parallel and substantially linear fillet sections each having a first width, and at least two rounded sections, the rounded sections having a second width narrower than the first width, a source region of a first conductivity type being disposed at or near a top surface of the pillar, and a body region of a second conductivity type being disposed in the pillar beneath the source region. First and second dielectric regions are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the pillar, the first dielectric region being laterally surrounded by the pillar, and the second dielectric region laterally surrounding the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pillar formed on a substrate of the same conductivity type. The pillar has a vertical thickness that extends from a top surface down to the substrate. The pillar extends in first and second lateral directions in a loop shape. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the pillar, respectively. First and second conductive field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. A metal layer is disposed on the top surface of the pillar, the metal layer forming a Schottky diode with respect to the pillar. When the substrate is raised to a high-voltage potential with respect to both the metal layer and the first and second field plates, the first and second field plates functioning capacitively to deplete the pillar of charge, thereby supporting the high-voltage potential along the vertical thickness of the pillar.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a main vertical field-effect transistor (FET) and a sensing FET. The main vertical FET and the sense FET are both formed on a pillar of semiconductor material. Both share an extended drain region formed in the pillar above the substrate, and first and second gate members formed in a dielectric on opposite sides of the pillar. The source regions of the main vertical FET and the sensing FET are separated and electrically isolated in a first lateral direction. In operation, the sensing FET samples a small portion of a current that flows in the main vertical FET. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged.

Abstract: Processes for forming a tapered field plate dielectric in a semiconductor substrate are provided. The process may be used to form a variety of types of devices, such as Schottky diodes, HVFETs, JFET, IGBT, bipolar transistors, and the like. The process may include etching a trench in a semiconductor wafer, depositing an insulating layer on the semiconductor wafer to form a gap within the trench, depositing a masking layer on the insulating layer, and alternatingly etching the masking layer and the insulating layer to form a tapered field plate dielectric region.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a tapered field plate dielectric for high-voltage semiconductor devices is disclosed. The process may include depositing a thin layer of oxide, depositing a polysilicon hard mask, depositing a resist layer and etching a trench area, performing deep silicon trench etch, and stripping the resist layer. The process may further include repeated steps of depositing a layer of oxide and anisotropic etching of the oxide to form a tapered wall within the trench. The process may further include depositing poly and performing further processing to form the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pillar formed on a substrate of the same conductivity type. The pillar has a vertical thickness that extends from a top surface down to the substrate. The pillar extends in first and second lateral directions in a loop shape. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the pillar, respectively. First and second conductive field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. A metal layer is disposed on the top surface of the pillar, the metal layer forming a Schottky diode with respect to the pillar. When the substrate is raised to a high-voltage potential with respect to both the metal layer and the first and second field plates, the first and second field plates functioning capacitively to deplete the pillar of charge, thereby supporting the high-voltage potential along the vertical thickness of the pillar.

Abstract: An image-guided system employs an X-ray imaging device (20) for generating one or more X-ray images (25, 26) illustrating a tool (41) within an anatomical region (40) and an ultrasound imaging device (30) for generating an ultrasound image (33) illustrating the tool (41) within the anatomical region (40). The image-guided system further employs a tool tracking device (50) for visually tracking the tool (41) within the anatomical region (40). In operation, the tool tracking device (50) localizes a portion of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33) responsive to an identification of the portion of the tool (41) as located within the X-ray image(s) (25, 26), and executes an image segmentation of an entirety of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33) relative to a localization of the portion of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die is arranged into sections of elongated transistor segments. The sections are arranged in rows and columns substantially across the semiconductor die. Adjacent sections in a row or a column are oriented such that the length of the transistor segments in a first one of the adjacent sections extends in a first direction, and the length of the transistor segments in a second one of the adjacent sections extends in a second direction, the first direction being substantially orthogonal to the second direction. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power integrated circuit device includes a main lateral high-voltage field-effect transistor (HVFET) and an adjacently-located lateral sense FET, both of which are formed on a high-resistivity substrate. A sense resistor is formed in a well region disposed in an area of the substrate between the HVFET and the sense FET. A parasitic substrate resistor is formed in parallel electrical connection with the sense resistor between the source regions of the HVFET and the sense FET. Both transistor devices share common drain and gate electrodes. When the main lateral HVFET and the sense FET are in an on-state, a voltage potential is produced at the second source metal layer that is proportional to a first current flowing through the lateral HVFET.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises forming an epitaxial layer over a substrate of an opposite conductivity type, the epitaxial layer being separated by a buffer layer having a doping concentration that is substantially constant in a vertical direction down to the buffer layer. A pair of spaced-apart trenches is formed in the epitaxial layer from a top surface of the epitaxial layer down at least into the buffer layer. A dielectric material is formed in the trenches over the first and second sidewall portions. Source/collector and body regions of are formed at the top of the epitaxial layer, the body region separating the source/collector region of the pillar from a drift region of the epitaxial layer that extends from the body region to the buffer layer. An insulated gate member is then formed in each of the trenches adjacent to and insulated from the body region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power transistor device comprises a substrate that forms a PN junction with an overlying buffer layer. The power transistor device further includes a first region, a drift region that adjoins a top surface of the buffer layer, and a body region. The body region separates the first region from the drift region. First and second dielectric regions respectively adjoin opposing lateral sidewall portions of the drift region. The dielectric regions extend in a vertical direction from at least just beneath the body region down at least into the buffer layer. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. A trench gate that controls forward conduction is disposed above the dielectric region adjacent to and insulated from the body region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vertical HVFET includes a pillar of semiconductor material a pillar of semiconductor material arranged in a loop layout having at least two substantially parallel and substantially linear fillet sections each having a first width, and at least two rounded sections, the rounded sections having a second width narrower than the first width, a source region of a first conductivity type being disposed at or near a top surface of the pillar, and a body region of a second conductivity type being disposed in the pillar beneath the source region. First and second dielectric regions are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the pillar, the first dielectric region being laterally surrounded by the pillar, and the second dielectric region laterally surrounding the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises forming an epitaxial layer over a substrate of an opposite conductivity type, the epitaxial layer being separated by a buffer layer having a doping concentration that is substantially constant in a vertical direction down to the buffer layer. A pair of spaced-apart trenches is formed in the epitaxial layer from a top surface of the epitaxial layer down at least into the buffer layer. A dielectric material is formed in the trenches over the first and second sidewall portions. Source/collector and body regions of are formed at the top of the epitaxial layer, the body region separating the source/collector region of the pillar from a drift region of the epitaxial layer that extends from the body region to the buffer layer. An insulated gate member is then formed in each of the trenches adjacent to and insulated from the body region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power integrated circuit device includes a main lateral high-voltage field-effect transistor (HVFET) and an adjacently-located lateral sense FET, both of which are formed on a high-resistivity substrate. A sense resistor is formed in a well region disposed in an area of the substrate between the HVFET and the sense FET. A parasitic substrate resistor is formed in parallel electrical connection with the sense resistor between the source regions of the HVFET and the sense FET. Both transistor devices share common drain and gate electrodes. When the main lateral HVFET and the sense FET are in an on-state, a voltage potential is produced at the second source metal layer that is proportional to a first current flowing through the lateral HVFET.