Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for electrochemically fabricating multi-layer three-dimensional structures where selective patterning of at least one or more layers occurs via a mask which is formed using data representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional structure which has been modified to place it in a polygonal form which defines only regions of positive area. The regions of positive area are regions where structural material is to be located or regions where structural material is not to be located depending on whether the mask will be used, for example, in selectively depositing a structural material or a sacrificial material. The modified data may take the form of adjacent or slightly overlapped relative narrow rectangular structures where the width of the structures is related to a desired formation resolution. The spacing between centers of adjacent rectangles may be uniform or may be a variable. The data modification may also include the formation of duplicate copies of an original structure, scaled copies, mirrored copies, rotated copies, complementary copies, and the like.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for building up single layer or multi-layer structures on dielectric or partially dielectric substrates. Certain embodiments deposit seed layer material directly onto substrate materials while other embodiments use an intervening adhesion layer material. Some embodiments use different seed layer materials and/or adhesion layer materials for sacrificial and structural conductive building materials. Some embodiments apply seed layer and/or adhesion layer materials in what are effectively selective manners while other embodiments apply the materials in blanket fashion. Some embodiments remove extraneous depositions (e.g. depositions to regions unintended to form part of a layer) via planarization operations while other embodiments remove the extraneous material via etching operations. Other embodiments are directed to the electrochemical fabrication of multilayer mesoscale or microscale structures which are formed using at least one conductive structural material, at least one conductive sacrificial material, and at least one dielectric material. In some embodiments the dielectric material is a UV-curable photopolymer.
Abstract:
Methods of cloning and/or amplifying toxic genes in bacteria using a vector which amplifies the toxic gene in bacteria and also allows subsequent expression in mammalian systems is provided. A vector having an origin of replication, a first promoter, a polylinker, a second promoter in reverse orientation with respect to the first promoter, a poly adenylation signal, and a gene encoding a selectable marker, and optionally an enhancer operably connected to the first promoter, and/or a nucleotide sequence encoding a toxic protein is also provided.
Abstract:
The invention includes a forceps and collection assembly for acquiring and storing a plurality of tissue samples in a single pass, and accompanying mechanisms for use with the forceps and collection assembly. The accompanying mechanisms include an endoscope working channel cap assembly configured to minimize compression of a pouch of the forceps and collection assembly as it traverses a seal of the cap assembly, and a flush adapter configured to be coupled to the pouch so as to assist in removing tissue samples in the pouch by flowing fluid through the pouch.
Abstract:
Multi-layer microscale or mesoscale structures are fabricated with adhered layers (e.g. layers that are bonded together upon deposition of successive layers to previous layers) and are then subjected to a heat treatment operation that enhances the interlayer adhesion significantly. The heat treatment operation is believed to result in diffusion of material across the layer boundaries and associated enhancement in adhesion (i.e. diffusion bonding). Interlayer adhesion and maybe intra-layer cohesion may be enhanced by heat treating in the presence of a reducing atmosphere that may help remove weaker oxides from surfaces or even from internal portions of layers.
Abstract:
Multi-layer microscale or mesoscale structures are fabricated with adhered layers (e.g. layers that are bonded together upon deposition of successive layers to previous layers) and are then subjected to a heat treatment operation that enhances the interlayer adhesion significantly. The heat treatment operation is believed to result in diffusion of material across the layer boundaries and associated enhancement in adhesion (i.e. diffusion bonding). Interlayer adhesion and maybe intra-layer cohesion may be enhanced by heat treating in the presence of a reducing atmosphere that may help remove weaker oxides from surfaces or even from internal portions of layers.
Abstract:
The invention includes methods of fabrication and apparatuses. In at least some embodiments of the applicants' invention, the methods include processes of: maskless selective deposition of non-layered structures, selective etching and/or deposition without use of a separate mask and/or lithography techniques, retaining selected portions of sacrificial material during removal (e.g. etching) of other portions of sacrificial material, depositing materials other than the structural and sacrificial materials, including more than one type of structural and/or sacrificial material, and fabrication of interlacing elements. Embodiments of the methods of the invention provide increased capabilities, properties, flexibility and in the fabrication of three-dimensional structures by electro-deposition or other techniques. In certain embodiments, the apparatuses of the invention include structures having non-layered elements, retained sacrificial materials, three or more different deposited materials, and interlaced elements.
Abstract:
A pulse width modulated inductive load controller including a load switching circuit having a plurality of switches which are operative in pairs; each pair including first and second switch devices for controlling power to a load. Commutation logic enables various sequential combination of pairs of switch devices and a clock defines the operation period of each sequential combination of switch device pairs. Pulse width modulation circuitry controls the closed time interval of the switch devices during the operation period of each combination of switch device pairs. Transition control circuitry maintains closed at least one of the switch devices in each sequential combination of switch device pairs after the other switch device is opened, thereby assuring that any regenerated current from the previously energized load coils is provided a path to recirculate through the load.
Abstract:
A computer readable medium and a method for bandwidth management, the method may include receiving or generating (a) video entity quality information for multiple sets of video entities, each set of video entities comprises video entities that belong to different versions of a same video stream, (b) user device screen size information for each user device out of multiple users devices, (c) user device profile information for each user out of multiple users, and (d) bandwidth constraints relating to bandwidth available for transmission of selected video entities to the user devices; wherein each user of the multiple users is associated with a user device of the multiple users devices; selecting for each user device a selected video entity based on at least (a) the video entity quality information, (b) the user device screen size information, (c) the requested video profile information, and (d) the bandwidth constraints; and, streaming to the multiple user devices from multiple selected video entities.
Abstract:
A media processing unit, the media processing unit including: (i) an input interface, configured to receive a second media stream, wherein the second media stream includes first access units and second access units; wherein each second access unit lacks decoding parameters sufficient for full decoding of the second access unit; wherein each first access unit includes decoding parameters required for full decoding of at least one first access unit and of at least one second access unit; (ii) a media-processor, configured to select a selected access unit of the second media stream, and to process the second media stream to provide a processed second media stream by writing into the selected access unit decoding parameters that are responsive to decoding parameters of a previous first access unit; and (iii) a transmitter, configured to transmit the processed second media stream to a splicer.