ZnO thin film transistor and method of forming the same

A zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film transistor (TFT) and method of forming the same are provided. The ZnO may include a ZnO semiconductor channel, a conductive ZnO gate forming an electric field around the ZnO semiconductor channel, an ZnO gate insulator interposed between the conductive ZnO gate and the ZnO semiconductor channel and an insulating ZnO passivation layer on the ZnO semiconductor channel, the conductive ZnO gate and the ZnO gate insulator to protect the ZnO semiconductor channel, the conductive ZnO gate, and the ZnO gate insulator. A thin film transistor (TFT) may be formed by forming a semiconductor channel, forming a conductive gate having an electric field around the semiconductor channel, forming a gate insulator between the conductive gate and the semiconductor channel, and forming an insulating passivation layer on the semiconductor channel, the conductive gate and the gate insulator.

Surgical instrument

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member is supported from the control handle and has locked and unlocked states; in the unlocked state enabling control of the distal work member from the proximal control handle via the bendable members; and in the locked state, holding the bendable members in a pre-selected relative fixed position.

Integrated handle assembly for anchor delivery system

Intergrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical application for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor device for such purposes.

ENDOSCOPIC GASTRIC RESTRICTION METHODS AND DEVICES

Endoscopic devices methods and devices are provided for attaching opposed walls of tissue. The methods and devices can be used to deliver a plurality of fasteners to opposed tissues, and suture extending through the fasteners can be used to pull the tissues together. The suture can be pre-woven through the fasteners, thus allowing for a quick and simply deployment. While the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in a variety of procedures, in certain exemplary embodiments the methods and devices are used to pull together opposed walls of the stomach to form a stomach pouch within the stomach which reduces the rate of gastric emptying.

Minimally Invasive Medical Implant Devices for Controlled Drug Delivery

Implantable medical devices and methods of use are provided for controlled drug delivery. The devices may include an elongated body dimensioned to facilitate minimally invasive and complete implantation into a patient, wherein the elongated body portion comprises a first, closed end portion, a second closed end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between and connected to the first closed end portion and the second closed end portion; two or more discrete reservoirs disposed in the elongated body portion, each reservoir having one or more openings; a drug formulation, which comprises at least one drug, disposed in the two more discrete reservoirs; and reservoir caps closing off the one or more openings of each reservoir, wherein release of the drug in vivo is controlled at least in part by the in vivo disintegration or permeabilization of the discrete reservoir caps.

Complete discharge device

An apparatus and method for completely discharging a battery by use of a tab that initiates activation of a discharging circuit when the tab is pulled out of the battery case. The tab is operatively coupled with the actuator of a switch which in turn is coupled to a discharging circuit. The tab extends from the battery case and may be covered by a protective cover, or may also be attached to the protective cover. The tab is attached to an actuator of a switch and detaches from the actuator after actuation, thereby indicating actuation and preventing the switch from subsequently being moved. The switch completes the circuit, initiating the discharging process, when a movable contact engages a stationary contact and completes the discharge circuit.

Device and process for calibrating geometrical measurements of surgical tools and orienting the same in space

A device (1) for calibrating geometrical measurements of surgical tools (10) as well as for orienting the same in space, including: A) a docking station (2) having two jaws (3) and a surface (21); and B) at least three marking indicators (9) firmly attached to the docking station (2) and capable of being measured, in reference to their position in space, electromagnetically or acoustically through a position detecting device (14), where C) the jaws (3) each have a lateral wall (40) so that the surface (21) and the lateral walls (21) of the two jaws (3) enclose a U-shaped passage (18), where D) the two jaws are conformed in a cylindrical or double conical manner; and E) the two lateral walls (40) or the surface (21) present a form comprising at least two additional contact points for a surgical tool (10) inserted between the jaws (3) across its longitudinal axis (11).

Minimally invasive tooling for delivery of interspinous spacer

A plurality of individual tools is provided where each tool is uniquely configured to perform a step or a portion of a step in a novel procedure associated with the implantation of a stabilizing device (e.g., an interspinous spacer) for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment. The tools are usable individually, or more preferably as a tooling system in which the tools are collectively employed to implant an interspinous spacer, generally in a minimally invasive manner. For example, each of the tools is arranged with coordinated markings and/or other features to ensure consistent depths of insertion, proper orientation of the tools with respect to each other or an anatomical feature of the patient, and precise delivery of the spacer to maintain safe positioning throughout the implantation procedure.

Mesh network stroke monitoring appliance

A health care monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless mesh network; a wearable appliance having a sound transducer coupled to the wireless transceiver; and a heart attack or stroke attack sensor coupled to the wireless mesh network to communicate patient data over the wireless mesh network to detect a heart attack or a stroke attack.

Rectal expander

There is disclosed medical apparatus of the type for use in surgery such as transanal endoscopic microsurgery, as well as methods of providing access to, inspecting and enabling surgery within a body passage. In one embodiment of the invention, medical apparatus in the form of a rectal expander (10) is disclosed, the expander (10) being adapted for location at least partly within a body passage such as the rectum (12) of a patient (14), the expander (10) having a leading end (18) and an access area in the form of an opening (20) for access from the expander (10) into the rectum (12), at least part of the opening (20) being spaced from the leading end (18), and the expander (10) being controllably movable between collapse and expansion positions, for expanding the rectum (12).