CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/957,382, filed December 2, 2015 under Attorney Docket No. B 1348.70019US00 and entitled "MULTI-LEVEL PULSER AND RELATED

APPARATUS AND METHODS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application is also a continuation claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/957,398, filed December 2, 2015 under Attorney Docket No. B 1348.70020US00 and entitled "LEVEL SHIFTER AND RELATED METHODS AND APPARATUS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0003] The present application relates to ultrasound devices having a multi-level pulser and/or a level shifter.

Related Art

[0004] Ultrasound devices may be used to perform diagnostic imaging and/or treatment. Ultrasound imaging may be used to see internal soft tissue body structures. Ultrasound imaging may be used to find a source of a disease or to exclude any pathology. Ultrasound devices use sound waves with frequencies which are higher than those audible to humans. Ultrasonic images are made by sending pulses of ultrasound into tissue using a probe. The sound waves are reflected off the tissue, with different tissues reflecting varying degrees of sound. These reflected sound waves may be recorded and displayed as an image to the operator. The strength (amplitude) of the sound signal and the time it takes for the wave to travel through the body provide information used to produce an image. [0005] Many different types of images can be formed using ultrasound devices. The images can be real-time images. For example, images can be generated that show two- dimensional cross-sections of tissue, blood flow, motion of tissue over time, the location of blood, the presence of specific molecules, the stiffness of tissue, or the anatomy of a three- dimensional region.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to aspects of the present application, there are provided apparatus and methods directed to an apparatus, including at least one ultrasonic transducer, a multi-level pulser coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; the multi-level pulser including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a first transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode.

[0007] According to aspects of the present application, there are provided apparatus and methods directed to a multi-level pulser, including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode.

[0008] According to aspects of the present application, an apparatus is provided, comprising an least one ultrasonic transducer on a substrate, and a level shifter on the substrate coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer. The level shifter includes an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage level- shifted from the input voltage, and a capacitor coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. The level shifter further includes a diode coupled in reverse-biased configuration between an input to an active high voltage element and a first voltage of a high voltage power supply. In some such embodiments, the input of the active high voltage element is coupled to an output of the capacitor.

[0009] According to aspects of the present application, a level shifter is provided, comprising an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage level- shifted from the input voltage, a capacitor coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal, and a diode coupled in reverse-biased configuration between an input to an active high voltage element and a first voltage of a high voltage power supply. In some embodiments, the input of the active high voltage element is coupled to an output of the capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various aspects and embodiments of the application will be described with reference to the following figures. It should be appreciated that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Items appearing in multiple figures are indicated by the same reference number in all the figures in which they appear.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound device including a multi-level pulser and/or a level shifter, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting circuit diagram of a multi-level pulser, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0013] FIG. 3A illustrates a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a level shifter, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0014] FIG. 3B illustrates a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of a level shifter, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 4A illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a first phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 4B illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a second phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0017] FIG. 4C illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a third phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0018] FIG. 4D illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a fourth phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application. [0019] FIG. 4E illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a fifth phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0020] FIG. 4F illustrates a non-limiting equivalent circuit of the circuit of FIG. 2, during a sixth phase of a multi-level pulse formation, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a non-limiting example of a time-dependent multilevel pulse and the control signals, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The inventors have recognized and appreciated that the power necessary to transmit high-intensity pulses may be greatly decreased by forming electric pulses having multiple levels.

[0023] Aspects of the present application relate to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedures that may be used to focus high-intensity ultrasound energy on targets to treat diseases or damaged tissues by selectively increasing the temperature of the target or the region surrounding the target. HIFU procedures may be used for therapeutic or ablative purposes. Pulsed signals may be used to generate HIFUs. According to aspects of the present application, the generation of such high-intensity pulses may require driving voltages of several tens to several hundreds of volts.

[0024] The power consumption associated with the generation of typical 2-level pulses having a "low" voltage and a "high" voltage is proportional to the square of the high voltage. For example, the generation of a 2-level pulse having a "low" voltage equal to 0 requires a power equal to: p ₍₂₎ = c*V ² *f where P^ ₎ is the power needed to generate the 2-level pulse, C is the capacitance of the load receiving the pulse, V is the "high" voltage and/is the repetition frequency of the 2-level pulse. [0025] According to aspects of the present application, the power consumption associated with the generation of pulses for HIFU procedures may exceed several tens to thousands of watts, thus causing the circuit to generate significant amounts of heat.

[0026] Aspects of the present application relate to multi-level pulsers designed to decrease power consumption and heat dissipation.

[0027] Furthermore, aspects of the present application relate to a level shifter circuit configured to drive the multi-level pulser. The level shifter disclosed herein may dissipate considerably less power compared to typical level shifters. Accordingly, power may be dissipated only when a level is switched, while static power consumption may be negligible.

[0028] The aspects and embodiments described above, as well as additional aspects and embodiments, are described further below. These aspects and/or embodiments may be used individually, all together, or in any combination of two or more, as the application is not limited in this respect.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit for processing received ultrasound signals, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present application. The circuit 100 includes N ultrasonic transducers 102a... 102n, wherein N is an integer. The ultrasonic transducers are sensors in some embodiments, producing electrical signals representing received ultrasound signals. The ultrasonic transducers may also transmit ultrasound signals in some embodiments. The ultrasonic transducers may be capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) in some embodiments. The ultrasonic transducers may be piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) in some embodiments. Further alternative types of ultrasonic transducers may be used in other embodiments.

[0030] The circuit 100 further comprises N circuitry channels 104a... 104n. The circuitry channels may correspond to a respective ultrasonic transducer 102a... 102n. For example, there may be eight ultrasonic transducers 102a... 102n and eight corresponding circuitry channels 104a... 104n. In some embodiments, the number of ultrasonic transducers 102a... 102n may be greater than the number of circuitry channels.

[0031] According to aspects of the present application, the circuitry channels

104a... 104n may include transmit circuitry. The transmit circuitry may include level shifters 106a... 106n coupled to respective multi-level pulsers 108a... 108n. The multi-level pulsers 108a... 108n may control the respective ultrasonic transducers 102a... 102n to emit ultrasound signals. [0032] Circuitry channels 104a...104n may also include receive circuitry. The receive circuitry of the circuitry channels 104a...104n may receive the electrical signals output from respective ultrasonic transducers 102a... 102n. In the illustrated example, each circuitry channel 104a...104n includes a respective receive switch 110a...110η and an amplifier 112a...112n. The receive switches 110a...110η may be controlled to activate/deactivate readout of an electrical signal from a given ultrasonic transducer 102a...102n. More generally, the receive switches 110a...110η may be receive circuits, since alternatives to a switch may be employed to perform the same function. The amplifiers 112a...112n may be trans-impedance amplifiers (TIAs).

[0033] The circuit 100 further comprises an averaging circuit 114, which is also referred to herein as a summer or a summing amplifier. In some embodiments, the averaging circuit 114 is a buffer or an amplifier. The averaging circuit 114 may receive output signals from one or more of the amplifiers 112a...112n and may provide an averaged output signal. The averaged output signal may be formed in part by adding or subtracting the signals from the various amplifiers 112a...112n. The averaging circuit 114 may include a variable feedback resistance. The value of the variable feedback resistance may be adjusted dynamically based upon the number of amplifiers 112a...112n from which the averaging circuit receives signals. The averaging circuit 114 is coupled to an auto-zero block 116.

[0034] The auto-zero block 116 is coupled to a time gain compensation circuit 118 which includes an attenuator 120 and a fixed gain amplifier 122. Time gain compensation circuit 118 is coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 126 via ADC drivers 124. In the illustrated example, the ADC drivers 124 include a first ADC driver 125a and a second ADC driver 125b. The ADC 126 digitizes the signal(s) from the averaging circuit 114.

[0035] While FIG. 1 illustrates a number of components as part of a circuit of an ultrasound device, it should be appreciated that the various aspects described herein are not limited to the exact components or configuration of components illustrated. For example, aspects of the present application relate to the multi-level pulsers 108a...108n and the level shifters 106a...106n.

[0036] The components of FIG. 1 may be located on a single substrate or on different substrates. For example, as illustrated, the ultrasonic transducers 102a...102n may be on a first substrate 128a and the remaining illustrated components may be on a second substrate 128b. The first and/or second substrates may be semiconductor substrates, such as silicon substrates. In an alternative embodiment, the components of FIG. 1 may be on a single substrate. For example, the ultrasonic transducers 102a...102n and the illustrated circuitry may be

monolithically integrated on the same semiconductor die. Such integration may be facilitated by using CMUTs as the ultrasonic transducers.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the components of FIG. 1 form part of an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe may be handheld. In some embodiments, the components of FIG. 1 form part of an ultrasound patch configured to be worn by a patient.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates the circuit diagram of a multi-level pulser, according to aspects to the present application. In some embodiments, multi-level pulser 200 may be configured to transmit a pulse to capacitor C. Capacitor C may represent the capacitance associated with an ultrasound transducer. For example, capacitor C may represent a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). However, multi-level pulser 200 may be configured to transmit a pulse to a resistor, a resistive network or a network exhibiting any suitable combination of resistive and reactive elements.

[0039] In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, multi-level pulser 200 is configured to provide an N-level pulse, where N may assume any value greater than 2. The power consumption P _(N) associated with the transmission of a N-level pulser to capacitor C is equal to:

P _M = C*V ² *f/ (N-l) where/is the repetition frequency of the pulsed waveform. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced by a factor N-1 compared to typical 2-level pulsers.

[0040] In some embodiments, N-level pulser 200 may comprise 2N-2 transistors and 2N-4 diodes. However, any suitable number of transistors may be used. Among the 2N-2 transistors, N-1 may exhibit one type of conductivity and N-1 may exhibit the opposite type of conductivity. However any other suitable combination of types of conductivity may be used. For example, N-1 transistors may be nMOS and N-1 transistors may be pMOS. However any other suitable type of transistor may be used.

[0041] N-level pulser 200 may comprise N circuit blocks 2011, 201 ₂ .. ·201 _Ν · The N circuit blocks may be connected to node 202. One terminal of capacitor C may also be connected to node 202. The second terminal of capacitor C may be connected to ground. Circuit block 2011 may comprise pMOS transistor Ti, having the source connected to a reference voltage VDD and the drain connected to node 202. Reference voltage VDD may be a voltage supply. The gate of transistor Ti may be driven by signal VGI-

[0042] Circuit block 20 I may comprise nMOS transistor T _2N _ ₂ , having the source connected to a reference voltage Vss and the drain connected to node 202. In some

embodiments, reference voltage Vss may be less than reference voltage VDD- However, pulser 200 is not limited in this respect. Furthermore, reference voltage Vss may positive, negative or equal to zero. The gate of transistor T _2N _ ₂ may be driven by signal VGIN-2-

[0043] In some embodiments, circuit blocks 201 ₂ may comprise two transistors T ₂ and T ₃ and two diodes D ₂ and D ₃ . Transistor T ₂ and diode D ₂ may be connected in series and transistor T ₃ and diode D ₃ may also be connected in series. The two series may be connected in parallel. In some embodiments, T ₂ may be a pMOS transistor, having the source connected to the reference voltage VMID2 and the drain connected to the anode of D ₂ and T ₃ may be an nMOS transistor, having the source connected to VMID2 and the drain connected to the cathode of D ₃ . In some embodiments, VMIDI may be greater than Vss and less than VDD. The cathode of D ₂ and the anode of D ₃ may be connected to node 202. Furthermore, the gate of T ₂ may be driven by signal VGI and the gate of T ₃ may be driven by signal VG3-

[0044] In some embodiments, circuit blocks 201i, where i may assume any value between 3 and N-l, may comprise two transistors T ₂ i_ ₂ and T ₂ i_i and two diodes D ₂ i_ ₂ and D ₂ i_i . Transistor T ₂ i_ ₂ and diode D ₂ i_ ₂ may be connected in series and transistor T ₂ i_i and diode D ₂ i_i may also be connected in series. The two series may be connected in parallel. In some embodiments, T ₂ i_ ₂ may be a pMOS transistor, having the source connected to the reference voltage VMIDI and the drain connected to the anode of D ₂ i_ ₂ and T ₂ i_i may be an nMOS transistor, having the source connected to VMIDI and the drain connected to the cathode of D ₂ i_i . In some embodiments, VMID _I may be greater than Vss and less than VMIDI- The cathode of D ₂ i_ ₂ and the anode of D ₂ i_i may be connected to node 202. Furthermore, the gate of T ₂ i_ ₂ may be driven by signal VGH-2 and the gate of T ₂ i_i may be driven by signal Vc2i-i-

[0045] VDD, VSS and VMIDU for any value of i, may have values between approximately - 300V and 300V, between approximately -200V and 200V, or any suitable value or range of values. Other values are also possible.

[0046] FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B illustrate two non-limiting embodiments of a level shifter circuit, according to aspects of the present application. In some embodiments, level shifter 301, shown in FIG. 3A, may be integrated on the same chip as pulser 200. In some embodiments, level shifter 301 may be used to drive any of the pMOS transistors of pulser 200. For example, level shifter 301 may be used to output signal VGH-I to drive the gate of transistor T ₂ i- ₂ . The input voltage Vmn-i to level shifter 301 may be a control signal having two possible voltage levels: Vss and Vss+^V, where SV may assume any suitable value or range of values. In some embodiments, control signal VINH-2 may be generated by a circuit integrated on the same chip as level shifter 301. However, control signal Vmn-i may also be generated by a circuit integrated on a separate chip. In some embodiments, level shifter 301 may comprise an inverter I _M1 , followed by capacitor CM- The power supply pins of inverter IMI may be connected to voltages Vss and Vss+SV. Capacitor CM may be followed by the series of a number of inverters. In some embodiments, capacitor CM is followed by three inverters I _M2 , IM3 and I _M4. The "-" and "+" power supply pins of inverter I _M2 , IM3 and I _M4 may be connected to voltages VMID _I respectively. In some non-limiting embodiments, level shifter 301 may comprise diode DM- The cathode or diode DM may be connected to the output of capacitor CM, while the anode may be connected to the While level shifter 301 comprises four inverters in the non- limiting embodiment of FIG. 3A, any suitable number of inverters may otherwise be used. Output voltage VGH-2 may assume two possible voltages: VMIDI-A V and VMIDI-

[0047] In some embodiments, level shifter 302, shown in FIG. 3B, may be integrated on the same chip as pulser 200. In some embodiments, level shifter 302 may be used to drive any of the nMOS transistors of pulser 200. For example, level shifter 302 may be used to output signal VGH-I to drive the gate of transistor T ₂ i-i . The input voltage V n-i to level shifter 302may be a control signal having two possible voltage levels: Vss and Vss+^V. In some embodiments, control signal Vimi-i may be generated by a circuit integrated on the same chip as level shifter 302. However, control signal Vi i may also be generated by a circuit integrated on a separate chip. In some embodiments, level shifter 302 may comprise an inverter I _P1 , followed by capacitor Cp. The power supply pins of inverter ¾>i may be connected to voltages Vss and Vss+dV. Capacitor Cp may be followed by the series of a number of inverters. In some embodiments, capacitor Cp is followed by two inverters I _P2 and I _P3 The power supply pins of inverter I _M2 and I _M3 may be connected to voltages VMIDI and VMID _I +^ V. In some non-limiting embodiments, level shifter 302 may comprise diode DP. The cathode or diode Dp may be connected to the output of capacitor Cp, while the anode may be connected to the VMIDI rail. While level shifter 302 comprises three inverters in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 3B, any suitable number of inverters may otherwise be used. Output voltage Vcn-i may assume two possible voltages: V _MIDI and V _MIDI +AV.

[0048] According to aspects of the present application, level shifters 301 and 302 may dissipate power only when a level is switched, while static power may be negligible. Capacitors C _M and Cp may be used to shift the voltage level by storing a constant voltage drop across them.. For example, the static power consumption may be less than lOOmW, less than ImW, less 1μ\Υ or less than any suitable value.

[0049] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, and FIG. 4F illustrate six snapshots of pulser 200 corresponding to the six phases associated with the formation of a 4- level pulse, according to aspects on the present application. In the figures, only the active blocks are shown. While in the non-limiting example N is equal to 4, any other suitable value of N, such that N is greater than 2, may otherwise be used. In the example, Vss is set to 0.

[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a non-limiting example of multi-level pulse 500 generated according to aspects of the present application. In the non-limiting example, pulse 500 exhibits 4 levels: 0, V _MID 3, V _MID I _, and V _DD - In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates the 6 control signals V _G I, V _G I, V _G 3, V _G 4, V _G 5, and ¼ _¾ used to respectively drive the gates of transistors Ti, T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ , T5 and T ₆ . The process associated with the pulse generation can be divided in 6 phases. Between ti and t _2i pulse 500 may be increased from 0 to V _MID 3 by providing a negative pulse 504 to transistor T ₄ through V _G 4 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4 A illustrates pulser 201 between ti and t ₂ During this period, the gate of transistor T ₄ may be driven by a voltage equal to V _MID 3~<4V. ζί V may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor T ₄ to drive a current between the source and the drain passing through diode D ₄ . Such current may charge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of V _MID 3 is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on T ₄ and D ₄ . Pulse 504 may be obtained through level shifter 301.

[0051] Between t ₂ and t ₃ pulse 500 may be increased from V _MID 3 to V _MID I by providing a negative pulse 502 to transistor T ₂ through V _G I as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4B illustrates pulser 201 between t ₂ and t _3. During this period, the gate of transistor T ₂ may be driven by a voltage equal to V _MID I-A V. AV may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor T ₂ to drive a current between the source and the drain passing through diode D ₂ . Such current may charge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of V _MID I is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on T ₂ and D ₂ . Pulse 502 may be obtained through level shifter 301. [0052] Between t ₃ and _, pulse 500 may be increased from VMID2 to VDD by providing a negative pulse 501 to transistor Ti through VGI as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4C illustrates pulser 201 between t ₃ and t ₄ During this period, the gate of transistor Ti may be driven by a voltage equal to V _DD -AV. AV may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor Ti to drive a current between the source and the drain. Such current may charge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of VDD is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on TV Pulse 501 may be obtained through level shifter 301.

[0053] Between t ₄ and ts pulse 500 may be decreased from VDD to VMIDI by providing a positive pulse 503 to transistor T ₃ through VG3 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4D illustrates pulser 201 between t ₄ and ts _. During this period, the gate of transistor T ₃ may be driven by a voltage equal to VMID2+AV. AV may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor T ₃ to drive a current between the drain and the source. Such current may discharge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of VMID2 is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on T ₃ and D ₃ .

Pulse 503 may be obtained through level shifter 302.

[0054] Between ts and t _6i pulse 500 may be decreased from VMID2 to VMID3 by providing a positive pulse 505 to transistor T5 through V _G5 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4E illustrates pulser 201 between ts and t _6. During this period, the gate of transistor T5 may be driven by a voltage equal to VMID3+AV. AV may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor T5 to drive a current between the drain and the source. Such current may discharge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of VMID3 is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on T5 and D5.

Pulse 505 may be obtained through level shifter 302.

[0055] After t _6, pulse 500 may be decreased from VMID3 to 0 by providing a positive pulse 506 to transistor T ₆ through V<j6 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4F illustrates pulser 201 after t _6. During this period, the gate of transistor T ₆ may be driven by a voltage equal to AV. AV may be chosen so as to create a conductive channel and cause transistor T ₆ to drive a current between the drain and the source. Such current may discharge capacitor C, such that an output voltage of 0 is obtained, neglecting any voltage drop on T ₆ . Pulse 506 may be obtained through level shifter 302.

[0056] In the non-limiting example in connection to FIG. 5, pulse 500 is unipolar.

However, multi-level pulser 200 in not limited in this respect. Multi-level pulser 200 may alternatively be configured to transmit bipolar pulses exhibiting levels having positive and negative voltages. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, the multi-level pulser 200 may be considered a multi-level charge recycling waveform generator in that charge recycling occurs on the decrementing step as charge is transferred from the output capacitance back into the power supply. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, although the multi-level pulser has been described as being used to drive a capacitive output, it may also be used to drive a resistive output.

[0057] The amount of power saving when using a level shifter of the types described herein may be significant. In some embodiments, utilizing a level shifter of the types described herein may provide substantial power saving by setting the static power consumption to approximately zero. Accordingly, power may be dissipated only during switching states.

[0058] Having thus described several aspects and embodiments of the technology of this application, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the technology described in the application. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0059] As described, some aspects may be embodied as one or more methods. The acts performed as part of the method(s) may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0060] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0061] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

[0062] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. [0063] As used herein, the term "between" used in a numerical context is to be inclusive unless indicated otherwise. For example, "between A and B" includes A and B unless indicated otherwise.

[0064] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding,"

"composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of and "consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.