Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate, a spacer adjacent to the MTJ, a liner adjacent to the spacer, and a first metal interconnection on the MTJ. Preferably, the first metal interconnection includes protrusions adjacent to two sides of the MTJ and a bottom surface of the protrusions contact the liner directly.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate, a first spacer on one side of the of the MTJ, a second spacer on another side of the MTJ, a first metal interconnection on the MTJ, and a liner adjacent to the first spacer, the second spacer, and the first metal interconnection. Preferably, each of a top surface of the MTJ and a bottom surface of the first metal interconnection includes a planar surface and two sidewalls of the first metal interconnection are aligned with two sidewalls of the MTJ.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate, a first spacer on one side of the of the MTJ, a second spacer on another side of the MTJ, a first metal interconnection on the MTJ, and a liner adjacent to the first spacer, the second spacer, and the first metal interconnection. Preferably, each of a top surface of the MTJ and a bottom surface of the first metal interconnection includes a planar surface and two sidewalls of the first metal interconnection are aligned with two sidewalls of the MTJ.

Abstract: A knot delivery device for securing a suture comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pre-configured knot disposed at the distal end of the elongated body, a suture snare having a snare configured to capture suture material, wherein the snare extends through the pre-configured knot and a suture locker secured to one end of material forming the pre-configured knot, wherein tension applied to the suture locker tightens the pre-configured knot.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for determining prostatic urethral length. A balloon catheter subassembly is in fluid communication between an inner cavity of a syringe body and an expandable balloon is positioned at a distal end of the balloon catheter subassembly. An adapter secured to the syringe body having a syringe plunger includes a lock that engages the syringe plunger at a predefined position with respect to the syringe body corresponding to a desired inflation state of the expandable balloon. Prostatic urethral length can then be determined using markings indicating distance from the expandable balloon.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for managing and/or treating body tissues obstructing a hollow body lumen, including the prostatic lobe tissues obstructing the urethra, for example conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). A prostatic implant deployment and delivery system may have a controlled release mechanism, a handle mechanism and an irrigation system. The controlled release mechanism includes a disengageable connection between a pusher member and the prostatic implant with a control member. The handle mechanism includes a plunger for advancing the pusher member and an actuator for withdrawing the control member. The irrigation system may define two fluid paths.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for determining prostatic urethral length. A measuring device having an elongated shaft member with associated markings may be advanced through a working channel of the cystoscope so that a positioning aid disposed on the elongated shaft member is located at a bladder neck of the patient. A first position of the elongated shaft member is determined using the markings. The elongated shaft member is then withdrawn to a second position at which the positioning aid is located at the patient's verumontanum. The prostatic urethral length is determined based at least in part on relative translational movement of the elongated shaft member between the first position and the second position using the markings.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for determining prostatic urethral length. A measuring device having an elongated shaft member with associated markings may be advanced through a working channel of the cystoscope so that a positioning aid disposed on the elongated shaft member is located at a bladder neck of the patient. A first position of the elongated shaft member is determined using the markings. The elongated shaft member is then withdrawn to a second position at which the positioning aid is located at the patient's verumontanum. The prostatic urethral length is determined based at least in part on relative translational movement of the elongated shaft member between the first position and the second position using the markings.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for determining prostatic urethral length. A measuring device having an elongated shaft member with associated markings may be advanced through a working channel of the cystoscope so that a positioning aid disposed on the elongated shaft member is located at a bladder neck of the patient. A first position of the elongated shaft member is determined using the markings. The elongated shaft member is then withdrawn to a second position at which the positioning aid is located at the patient's verumontanum. The prostatic urethral length is determined based at least in part on relative translational movement of the elongated shaft member between the first position and the second position using the markings.

Abstract: An elongated deployment shaft carrying a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying sutures and a stabilizer. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher assembly at a distal end may retain a portion of the needles when passed through the tissue into engagement with catcher assembly. The catcher and needle deployment assemblies are configured to asynchronously engage the plurality of needles when moved distally beyond the catcher assembly. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich the tissue against the stabilizer when expanded. A first actuator may move catcher tube distally to decrease distance between proximal and distal ends of the stabilizer expand it and may move the sheath distally to sandwich the tissue. A second actuator may deflect the needles outward to move proximally through the tissue and engage the catcher and return a portion of each not retained by the catcher to a distal position.

Abstract: A knot may be formed in suture material using a device having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis and a holder. A rail portion of the suture material is secured with a first grasper on the elongated body and a non-rail portion of the suture material is secured with a second grasper on the holder. A plurality of helical windings may be created with the non-rail portion. Detaching the holder from the elongated body in a motion away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated body completes the knot. The holder may be wrapped around the elongated body in a knot-forming pattern.

Abstract: A knot delivery device for securing a suture comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pre-configured knot disposed at the distal end of the elongated body, a suture snare having a snare configured to capture suture material, wherein the snare extends through the pre-configured knot and a suture locker secured to one end of material forming the pre-configured knot, wherein tension applied to the suture locker tightens the pre-configured knot.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.

Abstract: An elongated deployment shaft carrying a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying sutures and a stabilizer. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher assembly at a distal end may retain a portion of the needles when passed through the tissue into engagement with catcher assembly. The catcher and needle deployment assemblies are configured to asynchronously engage the plurality of needles when moved distally beyond the catcher assembly. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich the tissue against the stabilizer when expanded. A first actuator may move catcher tube distally to decrease distance between proximal and distal ends of the stabilizer expand it and may move the sheath distally to sandwich the tissue. A second actuator may deflect the needles outward to move proximally through the tissue and engage the catcher and return a portion of each not retained by the catcher to a distal position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material. A needle catcher is disposed over the shaft and configured to engage and retain at least a portion of each of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured to a proximal position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material and a stabilizer that is reconfigurable between an unexpanded insertion profile and an expanded profile. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher at a distal end may retain at least a portion of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured into engagement with the catcher. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich tissue to be sutured against the stabilizer when expanded under control of first actuator. A second actuator may control the needles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.

Abstract: A knot may be formed in suture material using a device having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis and a holder. A rail portion of the suture material is secured with a first grasper on the elongated body and a non-rail portion of the suture material is secured with a second grasper on the holder. A plurality of helical windings may be created with the non-rail portion. Detaching the holder from the elongated body in a motion away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated body completes the knot. The holder may be wrapped around the elongated body in a knot-forming pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material and a stabilizer that is reconfigurable between an unexpanded insertion profile and an expanded profile. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher at a distal end may retain at least a portion of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured into engagement with the catcher. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich tissue to be sutured against the stabilizer when expanded. A first actuator may move the catcher tube distally relative to the shaft to decrease a distance between the proximal end of the stabilizer and the distal end of the stabilizer to expand the stabilizer and may move the sheath distally relative to the shaft to sandwich the tissue.