All The Claims

1. A method of preparing an active pixel cell on a substrate, comprising:
exerting a first stress on the substrate by forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in the substrate;
testing the stressed substrate using Raman spectroscopy at a plurality of locations on the stress substrate; and
depositing a stress layer having a second stress on the substrate, wherein the stress layer covers devices of the active pixel cell that are on the substrate and the devices include a photodiode next to the STI and a transistor, and the deposition of the stress layer results in the second stress being exerted on the substrate, the second stress countering the first stress.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a silicon oxynitride anti-reflection coating on the substrate prior to forming the STI structure.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising removing the silicon oxynitride anti-reflective coating following etching a trench in the substrate and prior to forming the STI structure.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the STI structure comprises growing a liner layer along sidewalls and a bottom surface of a trench in the substrate.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein growing the liner layer comprises growing the liner layer at a temperature ranging from 900\xb0 C. to 1100\xb0 C. using an oxygen-containing gas.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein growing the linear layer comprises growing the liner layer to a thickness ranging from 25 Angstroms to 250 Angstroms.
7. The method of claim 4, further comprising performing an anneal process following growing the liner layer, wherein the anneal process is performed at a temperature ranging from 900\xb0 C. to 1100\xb0 C. in an inert environment.
8. The method of claim 4, further comprising filling the trench with an oxide material using a high density plasma process.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein testing the stressed substrate comprises using a Raman spectroscopy having a scanning width of each location of the plurality of locations is about 1 micron.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein testing the stressed substrate comprises using a Raman spectroscopy at a central point of the substrate and a plurality of points on a periphery of the substrate, and each point of the plurality of points is spaced an equal distance from an adjacent point of the plurality of points.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an interconnect structure over the substrate, wherein the interconnect structure is connected to the active pixel cell.
12. A method of preparing an active pixel cell on a substrate, comprising:
forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in the substrate, the STI structure exerting a first stress on the substrate, wherein forming the STI structure comprises:
forming a protective layer over the substrate,
forming a trench in the substrate through an opening in the protective layer,
removing the protective layer, and
growing a liner layer in the trench;

testing the stressed substrate using Raman spectroscopy at a plurality of locations on the stress substrate; and
depositing a stress layer having a second stress on the substrate, wherein the stress layer covers devices of the active pixel cell that are on the substrate and the devices include a photodiode next to the STI and a transistor, and the deposition of the stress layer results in the second stress being exerted on the substrate, the second stress countering the first stress.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein growing the liner layer comprises growing the liner layer at a temperature ranging from 900\xb0 C. to 1100\xb0 C. using an oxygen-containing gas.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein growing the linear layer comprises growing the liner layer to a thickness ranging from 25 Angstroms to 250 Angstroms.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the STI structure further comprising performing an anneal process following growing the liner layer, wherein the anneal process is performed at a temperature ranging from 900\xb0 C. to 1100\xb0 C. in an inert environment.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein filling the STI structure further comprising filling the trench with an oxide material using a high density plasma process following the anneal process.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein testing the stressed substrate comprises using a Raman spectroscopy having a scanning width of each location of the plurality of locations is about 1 micron.
18. A method of preparing an active pixel cell on a substrate, comprising:
exerting a first stress on the substrate by forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in the substrate;
determining a magnitude or direction of the first stress by collecting Raman peak shift data at a plurality of locations on the substrate;
selecting a stress layer based on the determined magnitude and direction of the first stress; and
depositing the selected stress layer, wherein the selected stress layer exerts a second stress on the substrate counter the first stress, and the deposited stress layer covers a photodiode next to the STI and a transistor.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the stress layer comprises creating a recipe for the stress layer based on the collected Raman peak shift data.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the stress layer comprises retrieving a recipe for the stress layer based on the collected Raman peak shift data.

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 method comprising:
requesting verification for a transaction;
receiving at a portable device requests for data input, including biometric data of a user, a geospatial position of said device, a query posed to said user using said device, and an identification data from a memory associated with said device;
obtaining responses to said requests for data input; and
transmitting responses to said requests for data input.
2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising generating an electronic key using parameters from said responses to said requests for data inputs, wherein said transmitting responses comprises transmitting said key over a wireless transmitter.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein said biometric data of a user is selected from the group consisting of a fingerprint of said user, a voice print of said user, an eye scan of said user, and a vein scan of said user.
4. The method as in claim 1, wherein said data inputs are transmitted wirelessly.
5. The method as in claim 1, comprising measuring a time between the step of receiving said query and said step of obtaining the response to said query.
6. The method as in claim 5, further comprising receiving notification of rejection of said transaction if said measured time is above a predetermined limit.
7. The method as in claim 1, comprising receiving a notification of an acceptance or rejection of said transaction.
8. A method for verifying a contemplated transaction between a first party and a second party comprising:
receiving at a central device a request for transaction verification;
receiving from a portable device biometric data of a user, a geospatial position of said portable device, and at least one identification data;
processing said biometric data, said geospatial position, said at least identification data to determine whether transaction verification should be provided; and
transmitting a result of said processing to a merchant device.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:
transmitting to said portable device at least one query for personalized information pertaining to said user;
receiving at least one response to said at least one query; and
comparing said at least one response to at least one predetermined response to said at least one query, wherein said processing step further includes processing a result of said comparing step.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein said biometric data includes voice data, and further comprising processing said voice data to determine whether said user is under duress.
11. A mobile device comprising:
a location sensor to detect location data of said device;
a biometric sensor to detect a biometric property of a user of said device;
a display to prompt said user for personalized manual input;
a memory to store identification data;
a user input interface to receive said personalized manual input from said user;
a transmitter to wirelessly transmit said location data, said biometric data, said personalized input and said identification data; and
a mobile power source to power said device.
12. The device as in claim 11, further comprising a processor to encrypt at least one data selected from the group consisting of said location data, said identification data, said biometric data and said personalized manual input, wherein said transmitter is to transmit said encrypted data.
13. The device as in claim 11, wherein said a biometric sensor comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a fingerprint sensor, a microphone, a voice scanner, an eye scanner, and a blood vessel scanner.
14. The device as in claim 11, comprising a receiver to receive wireless signals from another biometric sensor.
15. The device as in claim 11, wherein said device has height dimension of less than 3.6 inches, width dimension of less than 2.6 inches and thickness of less than 0.50 inches.
16. A system for verifying a contemplated transaction between a first party and a second party comprising:
a first device including a user input interface, a biometric sensor, a location sensor, a memory, a display and a transmitter to transmit data from said interface, said biometric sensor, said location sensor and said memory; and
a second device including a receiver to receive data from said first device, a processor to process said received data and further to determine whether the contemplated transaction should be verified, and a transmitter to transmit said determination; and
a third device including a transmitter to transmit to said second device a request for verification and a receiver to receive from said second device said determination.
17. The system of claim 16,
wherein said transmitter of said second device is further to transmit a query for personalized information to said first device,
wherein said display of said first device is farther to display said query for personalized information, said input interface of said first device is to receive responsive input from said first party responsive to said query and said transmitter is to transmit to said second device said responsive input, and
wherein said processor of said second device is further to process said responsive input in said determination whether the contemplated transaction should be verified.
18. The system as in claim 16, wherein said first device further comprises a portable power source.
19. The system as in claim 16, wherein said first device further comprises a processor to encrypt data from said interface, said biometric sensor, said location sensor and said memory, and wherein said transmitter of said first device is further to transmit said encrypted data.

1-18. (canceled)
19. A dual lumen cannula comprising:
a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough, the first infusion tube having a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a second drainage tube aligned with the first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen, the second drainage tube having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a plurality of infusion apertures extending through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube; and
a plurality of drainage apertures extending through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube,
wherein a total cross-sectional area of the plurality of infusion apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first lumen, and
wherein the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of drainage apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the second lumen.
20. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the second drainage tube is coaxially aligned with the first infusion tube.
21. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures is provided at the first distal end of the first infusion tube.
22. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures is provided at the second distal end of the second drainage tube.
23. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures extends through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube.
24. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures extends through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second drainage tube.
25. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures extends through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube.
26. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures extends through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the second drainage tube.
27. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, further comprising a reinforcing coil that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of one or both of the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube.
28. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the dual lumen cannula is adapted for inserting into an internal jugular vein of a patient.
29. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the dual lumen cannula is adapted for maneuvering through the patient’s vasculature such that the first distal end of the first infusion tube is substantially within the patient’s pulmonary artery and such that the second distal end of the second drainage tube is substantially within the patient’s right atrium.
30. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of infusion apertures and the plurality of drainage apertures extends in a circular pattern.
31. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures is separated from the plurality of drainage apertures by a predetermined distance along a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube, and wherein the predetermined distance is selected based on at least one of patient age, patient size, and desired flow rate.
32. The dual lumen cannula of claim 19, wherein a tapered portion of an internal portion of the first infusion tube extends distally beyond a circumferentially-disposed infusion aperture that is positioned closest to the first distal end of the first infusion tube.
33. A dual lumen cannula comprising:
a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough, the first infusion tube having a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a second drainage tube aligned with the first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen, the second drainage tube having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a plurality of infusion apertures extending through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube;
a plurality of drainage apertures extending through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube;
a connector;
a first connector portion provided at the first proximal end of the first infusion tube for coupling the first infusion tube to the connector;
a second connector portion provided at the second proximal end of the second drainage tube for coupling the second drainage tube to the connector,
wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion are removably connected to the connector for coupling the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube to an extracorporeal blood circuit,
wherein a total cross-sectional area of the plurality of infusion apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first lumen, and
wherein the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of drainage apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the second lumen.
34. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the second drainage tube is coaxially aligned with the first infusion tube.
35. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures is provided at the first distal end of the first infusion tube.
36. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures is provided at the second distal end of the second drainage tube.
37. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures extends through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube.
38. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures extends through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second drainage tube.
39. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures extends through the first sidewall of the first infusion tube at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube.
40. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of drainage apertures extends through the second sidewall of the second drainage tube at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the second drainage tube.
41. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, further comprising a reinforcing coil that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of one or both of the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube.
42. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the dual lumen cannula is adapted for inserting into an internal jugular vein of a patient.
43. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the dual lumen cannula is adapted for maneuvering through the patient’s vasculature such that the first distal end of the first infusion tube is substantially within the patient’s pulmonary artery and such that the second distal end of the second drainage tube is substantially within the patient’s right atrium.
44. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein at least one of the plurality of infusion apertures and the plurality of drainage apertures extends in a circular pattern.
45. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the plurality of infusion apertures is separated from the plurality of drainage apertures by a predetermined distance along a longitudinal axis of the first infusion tube, and wherein the predetermined distance is selected based on at least one of patient age, patient size, and desired flow rate.
46. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein a tapered portion of an internal portion of the first infusion tube extends distally beyond a circumferentially-disposed infusion aperture that is positioned closest to the first distal end of the first infusion tube.
47. The dual lumen cannula of claim 33, wherein the connector further comprises a distal aperture in fluid communication with an inlet portion and an outlet portion, and a barbed fitting on the inlet portion and the outlet portion for connecting an infusion line and a drainage line to the connector.
48. A method of assisting a patient’s heart, comprising the steps of:
providing a dual lumen cannula comprising:
a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough, the first infusion tube having a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a second drainage tube aligned with the first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen, the second drainage tube having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween;
a plurality of infusion apertures in the first sidewall of the first infusion tube;
a plurality of drainage apertures in the second sidewall of the second drainage tube;
a connector;
a first connector portion provided at the proximal end of the first infusion tube for coupling the first infusion tube to the connector;
a second connector portion provided at the proximal end of the second drainage tube for coupling the second drainage tube to the connector,
wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion are removably connected to the connector for coupling the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube to an extracorporeal blood circuit,
wherein a total cross-sectional area of the plurality of infusion apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first lumen, and
wherein the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of drainage apertures is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the second lumen;

inserting the dual lumen cannula into an internal jugular vein of the patient, the dual lumen cannula having a length to extend from the patient’s neck area to the patient’s heart;
maneuvering the dual lumen cannula through the patient’s vasculature such that the first distal end of the first infusion tube is substantially within the patient’s pulmonary artery and such that the second distal end of the second drainage tube is substantially within the patient’s right atrium; and
connecting the connector to a blood pump for establishing right ventricular support.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein blood from the blood pump is delivered to the patient’s pulmonary artery through the plurality of infusion apertures in the first infusion tube.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein blood is withdrawn from the patient’s right atrium through the plurality of drainage apertures in the second drainage tube.

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 battery charging system for a vehicle comprising:
electric motor configured to draw current to operate as a drive motor for a vehicle and to supply current for regenerative braking;
a first battery connected to the electric motor;
a second battery;
a battery charger connected to the second battery; and
a current limiting buffer connecting the first battery in parallel with second battery, the current limiting buffer comprising:
a connecting transistor having a current path connecting the first battery in parallel with the second battery and having a control terminal; and
a control circuit connected between the first battery and the second battery, and to the control terminal of the connecting transistor, the control circuit for determining a voltage difference between the first and the second batteries, and applying a voltage to the control terminal to control the amount of current flow between the first battery and the second battery.
2. The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises:
a sensing resistor having a first terminal connected to the first battery and having a second terminal connected by a current path of the connecting transistor to the second battery;
a control transistor having a current path connected from the second terminal of the sensing resistor to the control terminal of the connecting transistor, and having a control terminal connected to the first terminal of the sensing resistor.
3. The battery charging system of claim 2,
wherein the connecting transistor comprises a CMOS transistor having a source-drain path forming the current path, and a gate forming the control terminal, and
wherein the control transistor comprises a CMOS transistor having a source-drain path forming the current path, and a gate forming the control terminal.
4. The battery charging system of claim 2,
wherein the connecting transistor comprises a BJT transistor having a collector-emitter path forming the current path, and a base forming the control terminal, and
wherein the control transistor comprises a BJT transistor having a collector-emitter path forming the current path, and a base forming the control terminal.
5. The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises:
a sensing resistor having a first terminal connected to the first battery and having a second terminal connected by a current path of the connecting transistor to the second battery; and
a differential amplifier having a first input connected to the first terminal of the sensing resistor, a second input connected to the second terminal of the sensing resistor, and an output connected to the control terminal of the connecting transistor.
6. The battery charging system of claim 1, further comprising a diode buffer connecting the first battery and the second battery.
7. The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the current limiting buffer comprises a bi-directional buffer.
8. The battery charging system of claim 7,
wherein the connecting transistor comprises a first connecting transistor, the battery charging system further comprising a second connecting transistor having a current path and a control terminal, and
wherein the control circuit comprises:
a sensing resistor having a first terminal connected by a current path of the first connecting transistor to the first battery and having a second terminal connected by a current path of the second connecting transistor to the second battery;
a first control transistor having a current path connected from the second terminal of the sensing resistor to the control terminal of the first connecting transistor, and having a control terminal connected to the first terminal of the sensing resistor; and
a second control transistor having a current path connected from the first terminal of the sensing resistor to the control terminal of the second connecting transistor, and having a control terminal connected to the second terminal of the sensing resistor.
9. The battery charging system of claim 8, wherein the first and second connecting transistors and the first and second control transistors each comprise at least one of a BJT transistor and a CMOS transistor.
10. The battery charging system of claim 7,
wherein the connecting transistor comprises a first connecting transistor, the battery charging system further comprising a second connecting transistor having a current path and a control terminal, and
wherein the control circuit comprises:
a sensing resistor having a first terminal connected by a current path of the first connecting transistor to the first battery and having a second terminal connected by a current path of the second connecting transistor to the second battery; and
a differential amplifier having a first input connected to the first terminal of the sensing resistor, a second input connected to the second terminal of the sensing resistor, a first output connected to the control terminal of the first connecting transistor and a second output complementary to the first output connected to the control terminal of the second connecting transistor.
11. A method for charging a battery charging for a vehicle comprising:
providing an electric motor configured to draw current to operate as a drive motor for a vehicle and to supply current for regenerative braking;
providing a first battery connected to the electric motor;
providing a second battery;
providing a battery charger connected to the second battery; and
providing a transistor with a current path connecting the first battery in parallel with the second battery, the transistor having a current control terminal; and
controlling voltage on the control terminal of the transistor to limit the amount of current flow between the first battery and the second battery.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control voltage is applied to the control terminal of the transistor to limit current in both directions between the first battery and the second battery.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
measuring current flow through a resistor connected between the first battery and the second battery and controlling the voltage on the control terminal based on the measured current flow.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of controlling voltage limits current flow by clamping the current flow to a maximum value.