Author: claimsbot

1. A method of manufacturing a plasmon generator, the plasmon generator including a propagation part for propagating a surface plasmon that is excited based on light, the propagation part having a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other and connect the top and bottom surfaces to each other, and a front end face that connects the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface to each other, the front end face including a near-field light generating part that generates near-field light based on the surface plasmon, the method comprising the steps of:
forming a base part that is made of a dielectric material and has a base surface and a protruding part, the protruding part protruding from the base surface and having a top surface and a first sidewall, the top surface of the protruding part being different from the base surface in level, the first sidewall connecting the top surface of the protruding part and the base surface to each other;
forming a metal film after the step of forming the base part, the metal film being intended to later become the plasmon generator and including an adhesion part adhering to the first sidewall; and
forming a filler layer after the step of forming the metal film, the filler layer being made of a dielectric material and having a second sidewall disposed such that the adhesion part is interposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall,
wherein the adhesion part includes a first contact surface that is in contact with the first sidewall, and a second contact surface that is in contact with the second sidewall, the first contact surface being intended to become the first side surface of the propagation part, the second contact surface being intended to become the second side surface of the propagation part.
2. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, wherein the metal film is formed by physical vapor deposition.
3. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, wherein the metal film further includes a first deposition part formed on the base surface such that the adhesion part is interposed between the first sidewall and the first deposition part,
the method further comprising the step of removing the first deposition part between the step of forming the metal film and the step of forming the filler layer.
4. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, further comprising the step of removing respective portions of the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film that are located away from the base surface, the step of removing being performed after the step of forming the filler layer.
5. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 4, wherein the step of removing includes a step of polishing the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film.
6. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 5, wherein the step of removing further includes a step of partially etching the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the step of polishing.
7. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 4, wherein:
the metal film further includes a second deposition part formed at a position farther from the base surface than a position at which the adhesion part is formed; and
the step of removing includes:
a first etching step of etching at least a portion of the second deposition part;
a step of polishing the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the first etching step; and
a second etching step of partially etching the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the step of polishing.
8. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, wherein:
the plasmon generator includes a width changing portion that is located on a side of the propagation part farther from the front end face and is connected to the propagation part; and
the width changing portion has a width in a direction parallel to the bottom surface and the front end face of the propagation part, the width of the width changing portion decreasing with increasing proximity to the front end face.
9. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the base part includes:
a step of forming an etching stopper layer having the base surface;
a step of forming a layer to be etched on the etching stopper layer, the layer to be etched being made of a material different from a material of the etching stopper layer; and
a step of forming the protruding part by etching a portion of the layer to be etched, with the etching stopper layer used as an etching stopper.
10. The method of manufacturing the plasmon generator according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the propagation part includes an inclined portion, and a distance from the bottom surface of the propagation part to an arbitrary point on the inclined portion decreases with decreasing distance from the arbitrary point to the front end face,
the method further comprising the step of forming the inclined portion by etching a portion of the metal film, after the step of forming the filler layer.
11. A method of manufacturing a near-field light generator, the near-field light generator including a waveguide and a plasmon generator, wherein:
the waveguide includes a core through which light propagates, and a cladding surrounding the core;
the core has a top surface;
the cladding includes a gap layer made of a dielectric material and having a top surface, the gap layer being disposed on the top surface of the core;
the plasmon generator is disposed on the top surface of the gap layer; and
the plasmon generator includes a propagation part for propagating a surface plasmon that is excited based on the light propagating through the core, the propagation part having a bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other and connect the top and bottom surfaces to each other, and a front end face that connects the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface to each other, the front end face including a near-field light generating part that generates near-field light based on the surface plasmon,
the method comprising the steps of:
forming the waveguide;
forming a protruding part on the top surface of the gap layer, the protruding part being made of a dielectric material and having a top surface and a first sidewall, the top surface of the protruding part being different from the top surface of the gap layer in level, the first sidewall connecting the top surface of the protruding part and the top surface of the gap layer to each other;
forming a metal film after the step of forming the protruding part, the metal film being intended to later become the plasmon generator and including an adhesion part adhering to the first sidewall; and
forming a filler layer after the step of forming the metal film, the filler layer being made of a dielectric material and having a second sidewall disposed such that the adhesion part is interposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall,
wherein the adhesion part includes a first contact surface that is in contact with the first sidewall, and a second contact surface that is in contact with the second sidewall, the first contact surface being intended to become the first side surface of the propagation part, the second contact surface being intended to become the second side surface of the propagation part.
12. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, wherein the metal film is formed by physical vapor deposition.
13. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, wherein the metal film further includes a first deposition part formed on the top surface of the gap layer such that the adhesion part is interposed between the first sidewall and the first deposition part,
the method further comprising the step of removing the first deposition part between the step of forming the metal film and the step of forming the filler layer.
14. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, further comprising the step of removing respective portions of the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film that are located away from the top surface of the gap layer, the step of removing being performed after the step of forming the filler layer.
15. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 14, wherein the step of removing includes a step of polishing the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film.
16. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 15, wherein the step of removing further includes a step of partially etching the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the step of polishing.
17. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 14, wherein:
the metal film further includes a second deposition part formed at a position farther from the top surface of the gap layer than a position at which the adhesion part is formed; and
the step of removing includes:
a first etching step of etching at least a portion of the second deposition part;
a step of polishing the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the first etching step; and
a second etching step of partially etching the protruding part, the filler layer and the metal film after the step of polishing.
18. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, wherein:
the plasmon generator includes a width changing portion that is located on a side of the propagation part farther from the front end face and is connected to the propagation part; and
the width changing portion has a width in a direction parallel to the bottom surface and the front end face of the propagation part, the width of the width changing portion decreasing with increasing proximity to the front end face.
19. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming the protruding part includes:
a step of forming a layer to be etched on the top surface of the gap layer, the layer to be etched being made of a material different from a material of the gap layer; and
a step of forming the protruding part by etching a portion of the layer to be etched, with the gap layer used as an etching stopper.
20. The method of manufacturing the near-field light generator according to claim 11, wherein the top surface of the propagation part includes an inclined portion, and a distance from the bottom surface of the propagation part to an arbitrary point on the inclined portion decreases with decreasing distance from the arbitrary point to the front end face,
the method further comprising the step of forming the inclined portion by etching a portion of the metal film, after the step of forming the filler layer.

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. A power source system for a portable device comprising:
a charging system including:
an energy harvester, and
a set of vibrational energy sources connected to the energy harvester; and

a power source operatively connected with the charging system.
2. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vibrational energy sources are piezoelectric elements.
3. The power source system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the set of piezoelectric elements comprise at least three piezoelectric elements wherein:
at least one piezoelectric element has its bending plane facing a first direction;
at least one piezoelectric element has its bending plane facing a second direction; and
at least one piezoelectric element has its bending plane facing a third direction;
the first, second and third directions being orthogonal to each other.
4. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vibrational energy sources including at least one cantilever.
5. The power source system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cantilever comprises piezoelectric material.
6. The power source system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cantilever comprises substrate and piezoelectric material.
7. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power source is a hybrid battery.
8. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the charging system further comprises a power converter.
9. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the charging system further comprises a diverter.
10. The power source system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system is integrated within the portable device.
11. The power source system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the portable device is connected with a vibration based accessory.
12. A power source system for a portable device comprising:
a self-charging system including an energy harvester operatively connected to a set of piezoelectric elements wherein:
at least one piezoelectric element has its bending plane facing a first direction, at least another of the piezoelectric elements has its bending plane facing a second direction, and at least one of the piezoelectric elements has its bending plane facing a third direction;
whereby the first, second and third directions are non-parallel; and

a power source operatively connected with the self-charging system.
13. The power source system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first, second and third directions are orthogonal to each other.
14. The power source system as claimed in claim 12 wherein at least one piezoelectric element in the set of piezoelectric elements includes a cantilever.
15. The power source system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cantilever is made from piezoelectric material.
16. The power source system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cantilever is made from substrate and piezoelectric material.
17. The power source system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the self-charging system further comprises:
a power converter; and
a diverter.

1. A robotic surgical system for performing surgery, the system comprising:
a robotic arm with an end effector comprising a surgical instrument guide configured to hold andor restrict movement of a surgical instrument there through; and
a manipulator configured to allow robotically-assisted or unassisted positioning andor movement of the surgical instrument guide by a user with at least four degrees of freedom to align an axis defined by the instrument guide at a desired trajectory in relation to a patient situation,
wherein the surgical instrument guide comprises a rigid hollow tubular structure having a first open end and a second open end, said structure defining the axis along which movement of a surgical instrument (fitted with a tool support) sliding through the structure is restricted,
wherein the tubular structure has an interior surface shaped and sized to accommodate the tool support sliding through the guide such that movement of the tool support is constrained in all directions except along the axis defined by the guide,
wherein the tubular structure has an exterior surface comprising at least one flange that is configured for secure coupling of the guide to the end effector of the robotic surgical system,
and wherein the tubular structure comprises a longitudinal notch along its length, wherein the longitudinal notch is sized in relation to a peg to (i) permit a navigation marker attached to the tool support via the peg to be viewable by a navigation camera along an entire range of movement of the tool support through the guide, (ii) constrain movement of the marker in a fixed orientation along the axis defined by the guide, and (ii) permit the tool support to slide along the axis defined by the guide while the guide is held in a fixed position by the robotic surgical system.
2. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is a member selected from the group consisting of: a drill bit, tap, screw driver, and awl.
3. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is a drill bit and the surgical instrument guide is a drill guide.
4. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the rigid hollow tubular structure is a cylindrical structure.
5. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal notch is a slot.
6. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the navigation marker is used by navigation camera to track the surgical instrument.
7. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal notch is sized in relation to a peg to permit the surgical instrument to slide along the axis of insertion in reference to the tool support.
8. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument guide is configured to be used to guide a screw implant and a tissue protector.
9. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the axis can be aligned with the desired trajectory in relation to the patient situation via the manipulator.
10. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument guide comprises one or more input devices.
11. The robotic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument guide comprises an activation switch.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:
a first tube including a proximal end and a distal end;
a passageway for the inflow and outflow of coolant comprising:
a second tube extending over at least a portion of said first tube, said second tube including a proximal end and a distal end, and providing for coolant inflow in said passageway; and
a third tube extending over at least a portion of said second tube and including a proximal and a distal end, said distal end including at least one outwardly extending portion forming an expansion chamber for said coolant inside said third tube and for transferring cooling from said expansion chamber to outside of said third tube, and providing coolant outflow in said passageway;
said second tube including a bore at said distal end for coolant flow into said expansion chamber;
a fourth tube extending over at least a portion of said third tube, said fourth tube including a proximal end and a distal end and configured for communication with an electrical power source so as to heat when power from said power source is supplied to said fourth tube, said fourth tube positioned to extend over at least a portion of said third tube to limit conduction of said cooling toward at least said proximal end of said third tube;
said distal end of said first tube extending beyond said distal ends of said second and third tubes; and
said distal ends of said second and third tubes extending beyond said distal end of said fourth tube.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a drill member, said drill member including a shaft having a distal end and a drill bit at said distal end, said drill member housed at least in partially in said first tube.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising a motor, said motor coupled with said drill member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a carrier tube intermediate said first tube and said second tube, said carrier tube including a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end extending to a point intermediate said distal ends of said second and third tubes and said distal end of said third tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said carrier tube is configured for transport of irrigation fluid from an irrigation fluid source.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second and third tubes are closed at said respective distal ends, closing said passageway to the ambient environment.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said closed distal ends of said second tube and said third tube define a shoulder, extending outward from said carrier tube.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said distal end of said first tube extends a distance beyond said shoulder, said distance corresponding to a maximum penetration depth for said first tube.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first tube is configured for accommodating suction from a suction unit in communication with said first tube.
10. A method for surgery of tissue within a capsule comprising:
providing an apparatus comprising:
a conduit including a proximal end and a distal end, said conduit configured for coolant transport and including a portion configured for concentrating cooling at said distal end;
a drill member extending longitudinally through said conduit, said drill member including a distal end and a drill bit at said distal end;
a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said tube extending over said conduit in an arrangement with the distal end of said conduit extending beyond the distal end of said tube, said tube configured for heating upon activation, to limit conduction of said cooling toward at least said proximal end of said conduit;

creating an opening in said capsule;
contacting said opening with said portion of said conduit configured for concentrating cooling at said distal end and cooling said conduit portion such that sufficient cooling transfers to said capsule allowing for gripping of said capsule by said apparatus;
activating said tube for heating, to limit conduction of said cooling toward at least said proximal end of said conduit;
inserting at least a portion of said drill bit through said opening into said capsule; and
rotating said drill bit so as to emulsify at least a portion of said tissue in said capsule.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein heating includes providing heat to maintain temperatures within a biocompatible range in at least said portion of said conduit that said tube extends over.
12. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising, removing emulsified tissue by suction.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein said encapsulated tissue includes a cataract and said capsule is a lens capsule.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said creating an opening in said capsule includes creating an opening in said lens capsule proximate said cataract.
15. A method for cataract surgery comprising:
accessing a lens capsule having a cataract therein, at a surgical site;
creating an opening in said lens capsule;
placing a thermal probe having at least a portion dimensioned to accommodate said opening proximate the periphery of said opening;
cooling said dimensioned portion of said thermal probe to a temperature such that said dimensioned portion temporarily adheres to said capsule, for providing said thermal probe with a controllable grip on said capsule;
maintaining said cooling to an area proximate said opening by providing heat to said surgical site proximate to said opening; and
emulsifying at least a portion of said cataract.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said creating an opening in said lens capsule includes:
providing a thermal cutting tool having at least one cutting end configured for concentrating heat, said thermal cutting tool being heated to concentrate heat at said at least one cutting end; and
placing said at least one cutting end into contact with said lens capsule.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said placing a thermal probe having at least a portion dimensioned to accommodate said opening proximate said periphery of said opening includes positioning said portion dimensioned to accommodate said opening to surround at least a substantial portion of said opening proximate said periphery.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said positioning includes surrounding all of said opening proximate said periphery.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein cooling includes cooling said portion dimensioned to accommodate said opening to a temperature sufficient to seal said opening.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein said providing heat includes providing heat for maintaining said surgical site outside of said area proximate said opening at temperatures in a biocompatible range.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein said emulsifying at least a portion of said cataract includes inserting a drilling device through said opening and at least partially into said lend capsule and rotating said drilling device at speeds sufficient to break said cataract apart.
22. The method of claim 15, additionally comprising, removing said emulsified cataract material by suction.
23. The method of claim 15, additionally comprising irrigating said surgical site.
24. The method of claim 15, additionally comprising pressurizing said surgical site.