1. A TSV structure comprising:
a wafer comprising a first side and a second side;
a through via connecting said first side and said second side;
a conductive layer filling up said through via;
a through via dielectric ring surrounding and directly contacting said conductive layer;
a first conductive ring surrounding and directly contacting said through via dielectric ring, wherein said first conductive ring and said wafer are of the same material; and
a first dielectric ring surrounding and directly contacting said first conductive ring, and surrounded by said wafer.
2. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer is electrically connected to a core voltage and said first conductive ring is electrically connected to a first voltage and said core voltage and said first voltage are substantially the same.
3. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer is electrically connected to a core voltage and said first conductive ring is electrically connected to a first voltage and said core voltage is different from said first voltage.
4. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said first conductive ring is for use in shielding the interaction between said conductive layer and said wafer.
5. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer has a core conductive material and said first conductive ring has a first conductive material and said core conductive material and said first conductive material are substantially the same.
6. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer has a core conductive material and said first conductive ring has a first conductive material and said core conductive material is different from said first conductive material.
7. The TSV structure of claim 1, further comprising:
a second conductive ring surrounding and directly contacting said first dielectric ring; and
a second dielectric ring surrounding and directly contacting said second conductive ring, and surrounded by said wafer.
8. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer has a column structure with a diameter of 5 \u03bcm-20 \u03bcm.
9. The TSV structure of claim 1, further comprising:
a multi-layer metal structure disposed on said first side and comprising a first layer, a second layer and a third layer;
a first conductive ring first extension part composed of said first layer;
a first conductive ring third extension part composed of said third layer; and
a conductive layer second extension part composed of said second layer, wherein said first conductive ring first extension part and said first conductive ring third extension part together sandwich said conductive layer second extension part to shield said conductive layer extension part.
10. The TSV structure of claim 1, wherein said conductive layer second extension part has a serpent-like structure.
11. A method for forming a through-silicon via structure, comprising:
providing a wafer comprising a substrate, a first side and a second side;
forming an composite annular structure in said wafer, wherein said composite annular structure comprises:
a core substrate column;
a through via dielectric ring comprising a dielectric material and surrounding and directly contacting said core substrate column;
a first substrate ring surrounding and directly contacting said through via dielectric ring; and
a first dielectric ring surrounding and directly contacting said first substrate ring, and surrounded by said wafer;
thinning said wafer from the second side to expose said composite annular structure;
forming a second dielectric layer to cover the second side and to expose said composite annular structure;
completely removing said substrate in said core substrate column to form a through via which connects said first side and said second side; and
filling up said through via with a core conductive layer to obtain said through-silicon via structure.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising
performing a semiconductor procedure after said through-silicon via structure is obtained.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising
performing a semiconductor procedure before said through-silicon via structure is obtained.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising
completely removing said first substrate ring to form a first hollow ring; and
filling up said first hollow ring with a first conductive material.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said core conductive material and said first conductive material are substantially the same.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said core conductive material is different from said first conductive material.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
forming a second conductive ring surrounding and directly contacting said first dielectric ring; and
forming a second dielectric ring surrounding and directly contacting said second conductive ring, and surrounded by said wafer.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein said conductive layer has a column structure with a diameter of 5 \u03bcm-20 \u03bcm.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
forming a multi-layer metal structure disposed on said first side and comprising a first layer, a second layer and an third layer;
forming a first conductive ring first extension part composed of said first layer;
forming a first conductive ring third extension part composed of said third layer; and
forming a conductive layer second extension part composed of said second layer.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first conductive ring first extension part and said first conductive ring third extension part together sandwich said conductive layer second extension part to shield said conductive layer second extension part.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said conductive layer second extension part has a zigzag structure.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1.-63. (canceled)
64. A medication dispensing system including:
a filling apparatus;
a dispensing apparatus;
a refillable canister having a plurality of dosage compartments, the canister being releasably mountable on the filling apparatus and the dispensing apparatus and wherein the canister further includes a tamper-prevention apparatus adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the canister; and
a control apparatus;
wherein the control apparatus is configured to control filling of medication into and egress of medication out of the dosage compartments.
65. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the canister further includes a tamper-detection apparatus configured to detect tamper attempts, and a tamper-detection status storage component configured for storing information relating to a tamper attempt.
66. A medication dispensing system according to claim 65, wherein the canister further includes a tamper log adapted to maintain a record of changes in the tamper-detection status.
67. A medication dispensing system according to claim 65, wherein the canister is configured to communicate detection of a tamper attempt to a central administrator or other authorized entity.
68. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the canister includes one or more canister-identification devices which permit identification and storage of canister-related information selected from the group consisting of one or more of: the canister itself, a number of outer rim sections, a number of dosage compartments, a medication or plurality of medications contained within the dosage compartments, quantities andor combinations thereof, a time at which a dosage was dispensed or is due to be dispensed from a compartment, and the identity of a patient to whom the canister belongs.
69. A medication dispensing system according to claim 68, wherein the identification device is selected from a group consisting of one or more of:
a radio frequency identification device (RFID);
a microchip;
a barcode; and
a magnetic strip.
70. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the filling apparatus and the dispensing apparatus are incorporated into a single unit.
71. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the canister further includes:
a canister shell; and
a dispensing wheel rotatably attached to the canister shell, and including a plurality of dosage compartments;
wherein rotation of the dispensing wheel relative to the canister shell is controlled by the control apparatus such that filling of medication into and egress of medication out of the dosage compartments through an opening in the canister shell is facilitated.
72. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the dispensing apparatus includes:
at least one dispensing zone which is independently operable under control of the control apparatus such that filling of medication into or egress of medication out of the dosage compartments is facilitated.
73. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein at least one of the filling and dispensing apparatus further includes an identification device reader configured to read a canister-identification device storing canister-related information.
74. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein at least one of the filling apparatus and the dispensing apparatus is in communication with a remotely located server via a wireless connection, telephone, internet or other computer network.
75. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes a data storage apparatus configured to receive and store dosage information for use by the control apparatus such that dispensing of medication in accordance with the dosage information is facilitated.
76. A medication dispensing system according to claim 74, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes a communication component configured to transfer information relating to dispensed medication to the remotely located server.
77. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the filling apparatus is configured to fill the dosage compartments automatically with medication in accordance with a patient’s prescription communicated to the filling apparatus from an entity selected from a group consisting of one or more of:
a central database;
a remotely located physician;
a pharmacist;
a hospital; and
another entity authorized to dispense andor prescribe medication.
78. A medication dispensing system according to claim 77, wherein the filling apparatus further includes a filling meter configured to measure a quantity of drugs being filled into a dosage compartment of a canister.
79. A medication dispensing system according to claim 78, wherein the filling meter is in communication with the control apparatus and the control apparatus controls automated filling of the drug into the dosage compartment.
80. A medication dispensing system according to claim 78, wherein the filling meter includes an apparatus configured to quantify drugs being filled into the dosage compartment, the apparatus selected from the group consisting of one or more of:
a counter;
a scale;
electronic eye;
optical recognition device; and
a camera.
81. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, further including an automated billing interface to bill automatically a billable entity selected from the group consisting of one or more of: a patient, employer, healthcare provider, insurance company or other billable entity for medication dispensed from the system.
82. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the filling apparatus further includes a printer configured to print a label affixable to the canister, the label displaying information relevant to a patient’s dosage regimen.
83. A medication dispensing system according to claim 82, wherein the printer is configured to print automatically a new label containing new information when the patient’s dosage regimen changes.
84. A medication dispensing system including:
a dispensing apparatus;
a refillable canister having a plurality of dosage compartments, the canister being releasably mountable on the dispensing apparatus and wherein the canister further includes a tamper-prevention apparatus configured to prevent unauthorized access to the canister; and
a control apparatus;
wherein the control apparatus is configured to control the dispensing apparatus such that egress of medication from a dosage compartment is facilitated.
85. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the canister further includes a tamper-detection apparatus configured to detect tamper attempts, and a tamper-detection status storage component configured to store information relating to a tamper attempt.
86. A medication dispensing system according to claim 85, wherein the canister further includes a tamper log configured to maintain a record of changes in the tamper-detection status.
87. A medication dispensing system according to claim 85, wherein the canister is configured to communicate detection of a tamper attempt to a central administrator or other authorized entity.
88. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the canister includes:
a canister shell; and
a dispensing wheel rotatably attached to the canister shell and including a plurality of dosage compartments;
wherein rotation of the dispensing wheel relative to the canister shell is controlled by the control apparatus such that egress of medication from a dosage compartment is facilitated.
89. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the dispensing apparatus includes:
at least one dispensing zone which is independently operable under control of the control means such that egress of medication from the dosage compartments is facilitated.
90. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the canister includes at least one identification device which permits identification and storage of canister-related information selected from the group consisting of one or more of: the canister itself, a number of outer rim sections, a number of dosage compartments, a medication or plurality of medications contained within the dosage compartments, quantities andor combinations thereof, a time at which a dosage was dispensed or is due to be dispensed from a compartment, and the identity of a patient to whom the canister belongs and any combination thereof.
91. A medication dispensing system according to claim 90, wherein the identification device selected from the group consisting of one or more of:
a radio frequency identification device (RFID);
a microchip;
a barcode; and
a magnetic strip.
92. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes an identification device reader configured to read a canister-identification device storing canister-related information.
93. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes a data storage apparatus configured to obtain dosage information from a canister andor a dosage compartment thereof when medication is dispensed and storing information therefrom and subsequent communication to the control apparatus.
94. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes a communication component configured to transfer information relating to dispensed medication between the dispensing apparatus and a remote server.
95. A medication dispensing system according to claim 84, further including an automated billing interface configured to bill automatically a billable entity selected from the group consisting of one or more of: a patient, employer, healthcare provider, insurance company or other billable entity for medication dispensed from the system.
96. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes a display means configured to visually indicate information selected from the group consisting of one or more of: time of day, time next medication is to be dispensed, identity of patient, identity of medication, contact details in case of emergency, and dosage information.
97. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, further including a movable member configured to move dispensed medication so that individual medication units can be separately identified by an optical detection device.
98. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes an alarm system.
99. A medication dispensing system according to claim 98, wherein the alarm system alerts a patient that a dosage of medication is due to be dispensed.
100. A medication dispensing system according to claim 98, wherein the alarm system raises an alert when a patient has not dispensed a prescribed medication in a pre-determined time frame.
101. A medication dispensing system according to claim 100, further including a plurality of predetermined time frames and corresponding alert levels, and wherein elapsing of a longer time frame escalates the alert level to a higher alert level.
102. A medication dispensing system according to claim 101, wherein the alarm system automatically executes an alert procedure according to an alert level.
103. A medication dispensing system according to claim 102, wherein the alert procedure is selected from the group consisting of one or more of:
sounding a warning sound;
transmitting a message to a communication device of the patient;
transmitting a message to a carer of the patient;
transmitting a message to the patient’s healthcare facility;
transmitting a message to the patient’s physician and transmitting an alert to an emergency organization.
104. A medication dispensing system according to claim 98, wherein the alarm system can be used by the patient to send a distress alert to a group consisting of one or more of:
the control apparatus;
a carer of the patient;
a healthcare facility; and
a physician.
105. A medication dispensing system according to claim 98, wherein the alarm system transmits alerts by way of a group consisting of one or more of: a telephone, internet, pager, mobile telephone and SMS.
106. A medication dispensing system according to claim 105, wherein the alarm system can be used to remind a patient to take a dose of medication already dispensed by the apparatus.
107. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the control means controls egress of medication to a patient in accordance with one or more pre-determined dispensing rules, the rules selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following:
has the patient been correctly identified?
has the canister been correctly identified?
is the medication to be dispensed correct?
is the time for dispensing medication correct? and
is the medication absent of contraindication with other prescribed medication?
108. A medication dispensing system according to claim 64, wherein the control apparatus automatically updates dosage information stored by the dispensing apparatus andor canister.
109. A canister for use with a medication dispensing system including:
a canister shell;
a dispensing wheel rotatably attached to the canister shell, and including a plurality of dosage compartments; and
a tamper-prevention apparatus adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the canister;
wherein rotation of the dispensing wheel relative to the canister shell is controlled by a control apparatus configured to facilitate filling of medication into and egress of medication out of the dosage compartments in accordance with one or more filling or dispensing rules.
110. A canister according to claim 109, wherein the canister further includes a tamper-detection apparatus adapted to detect tamper attempts, and a tamper-detection status storage component configured to store information relating to a tamper attempt.
111. A canister according to claim 110, further including a tamper log configured to maintain a record of changes in the tamper-detection status.
112. A canister according to claim 110, wherein the canister is configured to communicate detection of a tamper attempt to a central administrator or other authorized entity.
113. A canister according to claim 109, wherein the control apparatus is associated with a filling apparatus andor a dispensing apparatus of the dispensing system.
114. A canister according to claim 109, further including one or more identification devices which permit identification and storage of canister-related information selected from the group consisting of one or more of: the canister itself, a number of outer rim sections, a number of dosage compartments, a medication or plurality of medications contained within the dosage compartments, quantities andor combinations thereof, a time at which a dosage was dispensed or is due to be dispensed from a compartment, and the identity of a patient to whom the canister belongs.
115. A canister according to claim 114, wherein the identification device is selected from the group consisting of one or more of:
a radio frequency identification device (RFID);
a microchip;
a barcode; and
a magnetic strip.
116. A canister according to claim 109, wherein the dispensing wheel includes one or more interchangeable rim portions each defining a plurality of dosage compartments.
117. A method of dispensing medication to a patient using a medication dispensing system according to claim 64.
118. A method of dispensing medication to a patient according to claim 117, wherein medication is dispensed according to a set of predefined conditions relating to information selected from the group consisting of one or more of:
identity of a patient;
identity of a drug to be dispensed;
time of day; and
the patient’s dosage regimen.
119. A method of dispensing medication to a patient according to claim 117, wherein the predefined conditions are communicated to the dispensing apparatus from a remotely located server.
120. A method of dispensing medication to a patient according to claim 117, wherein one or more predefined conditions are communicated to the dispensing apparatus by the canister, the canister being programmed with the predefined conditions by the control apparatus.
121. A method of dispensing medication to a patient including the steps of:
automatically filling a canister with medication according to a patient’s prescription;
determining that the patient’s identity is correct;
determining that a dosage of medication is to be dispensed;
dispensing the dosage of medication.
122. A medication dispensing system, incorporating a medication filling and dispensing device and interchangeable, refillable tamper-proof canisters each having a plurality of dosage compartments and incorporated intelligence which enables the canisters to carry information relating to medication doses andor a medication regimen, including time for medication and patient information, wherein the information carried on the canister can be relayed from one fillingdispensing apparatus to another to facilitate dispensing or filling of medication in accordance with a pre-determined dosage regimen.