University of Galway

Medtronic Ave, Inc.

Gerard O'Connor

Gerry Clarke

Pinaki Das Gupta

Cathal McNamara

Richard Sherlock

Alan O'Driscoll

Nazar Farid

Adam Collins

Hubert McDonagh

Methods of processing a target material are disclosed. In one arrangement, a multilayer structure is irradiated with a radiation beam. The multilayer structure comprises at least a target layer comprising the target material and an additional layer not comprising the target material. The additional layer is metallic. The target layer is irradiated through the additional layer during the irradiation of the multilayer structure. A transfer of energy from the radiation beam to the target layer and to the additional layer is such as to cause a thermally-induced change in the target layer. The thermally-induced change comprising one or more of: crystal growth in the target material, increased carrier mobility in the target material, increased chemical stability in the target material, and increased uniformity of electrical properties in the target material.

Method of processing a target material

Methods and apparatus for cutting a substrate are disclosed. In one arrangement, a plurality of recesses are formed in the surface of the substrate. The recesses as such that a stress can be applied to the substrate that is concentrated by the recesses. The concentrated stress causes the substrate to be cut along a cutting line that passes through the recesses. The cutting occurs via propagation of a crack through the recesses.

Methods and apparatus for cutting a substrate

A process for forming a heat weld between a catheter shaft and a surrounding balloon comprises selecting an elongate catheter shaft formed of thermoplastic polymeric material that is opaque to red and near-infrared light, and selecting a balloon formed of thermoplastic polymeric material that is transparent or translucent to red and near-infrared light. While a neck of the balloon is fitted in close contact around a distal portion of the catheter shaft, a laser beam of red and near-infrared light is applied through the balloon neck to impinge on the underlying opaque distal shaft, which is heated thereby. Heat from the shaft is conducted into the surrounding balloon neck so that adjacent annular portions of both components melt and mix. The molten materials are allowed to cool, forming a secure weld joint between the neck and the shaft. The process yields strong, flexible bonds between balloons and catheter shafts that may be selected from a wide variety of materials.

Through-transmission welding of catheter components

Growing community of inventors

Galway, Ireland

Gerard O'Connor