Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries.

Method and apparatus for hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy

Disclosed is an autonomous neighborhood vehicle controllable through a neighborhood social network. In one embodiment, an autonomous neighborhood vehicle can autonomously navigate to a destination specified by a user of the neighborhood social network. In one embodiment, a computer system of the autonomous neighborhood vehicle is communicatively coupled to the neighborhood social network through a wireless network to autonomously navigate to a destination specified by the user of the neighborhood social network. A navigation server provides a remote sensing capability to the autonomous neighborhood vehicle. A particular user of a third-party application is authenticated as being a verified user of the neighborhood social network having a verified residential address. An information of the particular user is communicated to the third-party application from the neighborhood social network based on a personal address privacy preference of the particular user.

Autonomous neighborhood vehicle commerce network and community

A surgical instrument including an integrated wireless camera includes a handle assembly housing control circuitry. An elongated shaft extends from the handle assembly and includes an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof. An image sensor assembly is disposed toward the distal end of the elongated shaft and is electrically coupled to the control circuitry. The image sensor assembly is configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal and communicate the electrical signal to the control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to process the signal and wirelessly transmit the processed signal to a wireless receiver positioned remote of the surgical instrument.

Surgical instrument with integrated wireless camera

A method, apparatus and system of map based neighborhood search and community contribution are disclosed. In one embodiment, a neighborhood communication system is described. This embodiment includes a privacy server to apply an address verification algorithm associated with each user of the online community to verify that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of an online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory. The privacy server automatically determines a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using an algorithm of the privacy server. The privacy server may constrain the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server.

Map based neighborhood search and community contribution

Provided are methods of forming sealed via structures. One method involves: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; (b) forming a layer on the first surface of the substrate; (c) etching a via hole through the substrate from the second surface to the layer, the via hole having a first perimeter at the first surface; (d) forming an aperture in the layer, wherein the aperture has a second perimeter within the first perimeter; and (e) providing a conductive structure for sealing the via structure. Also provided are sealed via structures, methods of detecting leakage in a sealed device package, sealed device packages, device packages having cooling structures, and methods of bonding a first component to a second component.

Device package and methods for the fabrication and testing thereof

Various embodiments for providing removable, pluggable and disposable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. The removable opto-electronic modules may be plugged onto the exterior surface of another medical device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.

Disposable endoscope and portable display

Various embodiments for providing removable and pluggable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. The removable opto-electronic modules may be plugged in on the exterior surface of a device, inside the device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.

Pluggable vision module and portable display for endoscopy

An integrated array for optoelectronic components in an optical communications system is disclosed. The integrated array incorporates a plurality of optoelectronic modules, such as optical transceivers, in a compact, integrated geometry for positioning within an optical device, such as an optical switch or router. In one embodiment, the integrated array includes a component structure comprised of a plurality of optical transceiver sub-modules, each having dual optical ports. The component structure is integrated as a single structure to minimize the spacing between each transceiver sub-module. This in turn increases the optical port density of the integrated array. The integrated array is received by a cage that is attached to a host board within the optical device. A latching mechanism is included to selectively secure the integrated array within the cage.

Integrated optical transceiver array

An optical module has port housing (338) comprised of a material that does not substantially shield EMI, such as an optical plastic. The port housings have a receiving ferrule disposed in an aperture of an electrically conductive shell (318). The ferrule is movably coupled to the shell to permit it to respond to loads imposed by an optical fiber connector and includes an electrically conductive cap (325) to shield a portion of the port housing proximate the ferrule.

Optical module with simplex port cap emi shield

Methods for assembly of optical transceivers In one example, the method is performed in connection with an optical transceiver that includes a transmitter optical subassembly and a receiver optical subassembly, as well as structure that defines a pair of ports with which the transmitter optical subassembly and receiver optical subassembly, respectively, are to be aligned This example of the method involves positioning the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly in a desired position relative to each other The transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly are then fixed in the desired position Next, the transmitter optical subassembly is aligned with one of the ports, and the receiver optical subassembly is aligned with the other port The alignment of both the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly with their respective ports is performed in a single operation

Gary Sasser

Papers

Disposable endoscope and portable display

Pluggable vision module and portable display for endoscopy

Integrated optical transceiver array

Optical module with simplex port cap emi shield

Methods for assembling an optical transceiver