A seal assembly adapted for use in conjunction with a trocar assembly includes a plurality of seal segments. Each seal segment includes a peripheral edge and a seam edge. At least a first seal segment and a second seal segment are connected along their respective peripheral edges to form a first seal layer having a seam defined by the seam edge of the first seal segment and the seam edge of the second seal segment. At least a third seal segment and a fourth seal segment are connected along their respective peripheral edges to form a second seal layer having a seam defined by the seam edge of the third seal segment and the seam edge of the fourth seal segment. The seam of the first seal layer has a first longitudinal axis and the seam of the second seal layer has a second longitudinal axis, and the first seal layer is oriented relative to the second seal layer such that the first longitudinal axis is angularly oriented relative to the second longitudinal axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to trocar assemblies. More particularly, the invention relates to a circumferential trocar sealing structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A trocar assembly is a surgical instrument that is used to gain access to a body cavity. A trocar assembly generally comprises two major components, a trocar sleeve, composed of a trocar housing and a trocar cannula, and a trocar obturator. The trocar cannula, having the trocar obturator inserted therethrough, is directed through the skin to access a body cavity. Once the body cavity is accessed, laparoscopic or arthroscopic surgery and endoscopic procedures may be performed. In order to penetrate the skin, the distal end of the trocar cannula is placed against the skin that has been previously cut with a scalpel and the trocar obturator is used to penetrate the skin and access the body cavity. By applying pressure against the proximal end of the obturator, the sharp point of the obturator is forced through the skin until it enters the body cavity. The trocar cannula is inserted through the perforation made by the trocar obturator and the trocar obturator is withdrawn, leaving the trocar cannula as an access way to the body cavity.
The proximal end portion of the trocar cannula is typically joined to a trocar housing that defines a chamber having an open distal end portion in communication with the interior lumen defined by the trocar cannula. An obturator, or other elongate surgical instruments or tools, axially extend into and are withdrawn from the trocar cannula through the proximal end portion of the chamber defined by the trocar housing.
Current trocar assemblies are commonly designed with a seal mechanism positioned within the chamber of the trocar housing. The sealing mechanisms are commonly a sealing grommet or gasket through which the obturator or other instruments extend. The sealing mechanism seals against the outer surface of the inserted instruments and thereby prevents fluids and insufflation gas from leaving or entering the body cavity through the trocar cannula. It is desired that such seals provide for good tear resistance, resistance to snagging and low friction with respect to insertion of a device such as a rod, shaft or cylinder.
Seal assemblies are designed to maintain a seal before the insertion of an instrument and after the removal of the instrument. As a result, many trocar assemblies provide double sealing systems. That is, a top, or proximal, seal is used to seal around the tool/instrument when present and a flapper door or duckbill seal is requited below the top seal for sealing the trocar cannula when the instrument is not present.
In contrast, other trocar assemblies employ a single sealing mechanism. Many of these trocar seal assemblies simply employ a silicone seal with a small hole slightly smaller than the smallest tool/instrument to be used in conjunction with the trocar assembly. This type of seal is often referred to as a lip seal. Surgical instruments of various diameters are passed through the lip seal. As such, these seals are often required to provide a seal for use with a full range of instruments. The opening diameter of the seals is, therefore, small relative the largest diameter instruments.
In fact, it is not uncommon for lip seals to be pushed to 400% strain. By forcing these large diameter instruments through a relatively small diameter lip seal, these large diameter instruments are subjected to a significant increase in the normal force upon the instrument shaft. The surgeon feels this increased force as increased drag or resistance to instrument insertion/movement. It is also required that the material properties of the seal be such that the seal does not rip or tear as the seal is stretched to its limit. As a result, a need currently exists for an improved trocar seal assembly overcoming the deficiencies of the prior art.
The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing a seal assembly which eliminates the hoop/high stress issues associated with prior art seals and provides a seal assembly which may be utilized either as a single sealing method (reducing the overall complexity of the trocar) or as a proximal seal assembly in a multiseal system.


Provided is a microporous separator for a lithium secondary battery having shutdown properties wherein the separator comprises a propylene random copolymer which has a melt index of 0.5-10 g/10 minutes and comprises one or more species of comonomers in the content of 0.1-8 wt %.

A separator for a lithium secondary battery is a porous thin film present between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, for facilitating the transmitting lithium cations during a charging/discharging process, and is generally produced with polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene and the like in view of cost, chemical resistance, tensile strength, ionconductivity and the like.
The microporous separator made of a polyolefin resin is produced by a dry process using uniaxial orientation of an extruded polyolefin film, or a wet process which comprises blend/extrusion of liquid paraffin/high density polyethylene(HDPE)/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE), biaxial orientation of the resulted product, and removal of liquid paraffin by using an organic solvent.
The wet process has some disadvantages such that it requires the use of liquid paraffin and an organic solvent, and the procedure is complex. In the dry process, particularly in the step of resin extrusion, the polymer chain is derived to be oriented to the machine direction(MD) so that crystallization can occur in the state that a lamellae layer is oriented to the transverse direction(TD), thereby directing the layered structure to be formed along MD. The dry process is simple and thus advantageous in terms of economy, as compared to the wet process, and eco-friendly as it does not employ an organic solvent.
As a safety function in a lithium secondary battery for preventing thermal runaway in the battery when it is overheated, a shutdown function is required in a separator. The term "shutdown function" refers to, when a battery is overheated, a function for preventing the battery from being further overheated by shutdown of the holes so as to block the migration of positive lithium ions before degradation of a positive electrode material occurs.
In the case of a monolayer film prepared via a dry process using a propylene homopolymer, an effective shutdown function cannot be exerted owing to the high melting point (about 160° C.) of the propylene homopolymer. On the contrary, in the case of a porous film prepared from a high density polyethylene, it is easy to ensure the shutdown properties since the high density polyethylene has a low melting point (about 130° C.). However, particularly in the case of a porous film prepared from a high density polyethylene via a dry process, mechanical properties such as tensile strength of thus obtained separator are inferior to a common polypropylene separator, and the battery can be excessively overheated, possibly leading to melt-down of the separator. For solving the problem, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,077 proposed a multilayer separator prepared by a dry process, which is formed of the layer of polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene. Such multilayer separator can advantageously have a shutdown function from polyethylene as well as high tensile strength/melt-down blocking function from polypropylene, however it can be obtained by far too complex manufacturing process which comprises preparing a polypropylene precursor film and a polyethylene precursor film respectively; and either carrying out lamination and elongation of the precursor films, or carrying out elongation of each precursor film, forming pores and laminating them. Therefore, owing to such complex process much higher manufacturing cost is needed and there is a risk of destruction of a pore structure during the lamination process.

Lithium ion battery separator with shutdown property


A video conference (VC) device for communicating with VC terminals includes a VC box and a set-top box (STB). The VC box includes a VC controller module, a media stream receiver module, and a decoder module. When a session is established between one of the VC terminals and the VC box, the VC controller detects if the decoder module is available. When the decoder module is available, the media stream receiver module receives a media stream sent from the VC terminal and transmits the media stream to the decoder module, and the decoder module processes the media stream to generate corresponding video and audio signals for the session. When the decoder module is unavailable, the media stream receiver module transmits the media stream to the STB, and the STB processes the media stream to generate corresponding video and audio signals for the session.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to network communication, and particularly to a video conference device and a method for using the video conference device.
2. Description of Related Art
In video conferences, video and audio data generated in communication between conference participants needs to be quickly processed by an electronic processor, such that the conference participants can easily communicate with each other. However, when a great number of participants participate in a video conference, a large quantity of video and audio data is generated in communication between these participants. The processor of the video conference, due to limitations of its hardware conditions, may not be able to satisfactorily process the large quantity of video and audio data.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Video conference device and method for using the same


A computerized trading system includes a master node and a plurality of regional nodes, the master and regional nodes each including a processor and memory, and where the master node is communicatively coupled to each of the regional nodes over a network. The master node and regional nodes are programmed to perform a method for updating limits for each of the regional nodes, where the master node maintains a global limit and a ratio representing a proportion of the global limit allocable to each of the regional nodes. The master node allocates to each regional node a local limit that is a proportion of the global limit in accordance with the ratio, and monitors the local limit utilization at each of the regional nodes. When the master node detects one or more events, the master node allocates a new local limit to one or more of the regional nodes.

Brokers often provide clients access to financial markets. Clients or traders enter orders into trading systems provided by brokers, and these orders are electronically sent to an exchange for execution. Orders can be entered in a variety of ways. For example, the client can call the broker over the phone, and the broker can enter the order himself into the trading system. The client can also send the order electronically to the broker. In either case, the broker takes responsibility for executing the order within the price limits specified by the client. This can be a single execution, or the order can be worked over a period of time and filled by a number of executions on the exchange. This is referred to as Care order flow.
Alternatively, the client can send an order to be worked by an algorithm provided by the broker. The algorithm is implemented within the trading system of the broker, and is referred to as an Algo, of which many types exist. An Algo takes in an order and determines how the order is to be executed on the exchange, by using predefined logic, input parameters, and live market data. The order can be entered electronically or manually by the broker into the Algo. This is referred to as Algo order flow.
The client or trader can also send an order directly to the exchange, without intervention by a broker or Algo. The order can be entered via a screen provided by a broker or electronically into the trading system, which in turn routes the order to the exchange. This is referred to as Direct Market Access ("DMA") order flow.
Global broker trading systems have been developed that provide clients and traders access to global markets such as those located in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Usually the global trading system comprises an architecture of regional nodes that are located close to exchanges for latency reasons. The regional nodes are separate systems (typically located in separate data centers) that act and operate independently. The global system accepts orders from clients and traders (electronically or via a screen) for any exchange, where the underlying architecture is transparent to the user. A client or trader can be located in London, and can enter orders for the CME exchange (in the US) or Eurex (in Germany); from the user's perspective the experience is the same and it would not be apparent to the user that orders have been sent to different regional nodes located in data centers thousands of miles apart. To a client or a trader there is a single access point to the global system, and the system routes orders to the relevant regional nodes where they are sent to the relevant exchanges for execution.
Brokers typically subject their clients to pre-trade risk controls. These controls aim to minimize errors, for example mistyping and repeated orders, but also aim to minimize credit risk for clients. The types of checks include: maximum order size; value and price limits; daily value and position limits for the client or trader; and daily margin limits for clients.
Margin is the amount of cash or collateral required by an exchange clearing house for clients or brokers to enter into a listed derivatives position. Margin limits involve brokers calculating the margin requirements for listed Futures and Options ("F&O") orders and positions, and ensuring a client has enough cash or collateral to cover the margin requirements for all new orders entered. Many trading systems will perform margin checks using the exchange clearing house methodology or some approximation thereof.
Daily value limits and margin limits are usually set per client or client account regardless of what financial instruments are traded by the client. For F&O trading systems, margin can be calculated for all instruments across all exchanges and aggregated to a single requirement, validated against a single limit.
It is desirable that global trading platforms comprising regional nodes be able to validate an order pre-trade and ensure its contribution to a client's position will not exceed the global limit specified for a particular client. Conventional techniques to achieve this end include (i) using a single entry point; or (ii) using a replication scheme.
Use of a single entry point includes validating all orders for a particular client against a single total and limit maintained in one location. After validation the order is routed to the relevant node for execution. However, in a multi-node system, it can be difficult to find a suitable location for the single entry point if clients are trading multiple markets. That is, for example, use of a single entry point can result in a significant latency cost as the system performing the risk checks may be located many thousands of miles from both the client and the destination exchange.
Use of a replication scheme includes replicating the limit and totals on each regional node, and validating orders at each node. However, this can result in so called "in-flight" risk, where two or more orders entered by a client in quick succession to markets located in different regions can result in the client breaching their limit, since each node has yet to be updated by the respective orders in the other nodes due to the latency of replication.
Accordingly, improved techniques for risk management in a geographically distributed trading system are desired.

Systems and methods for risk management in a geographically distributed trading system


An impact absorber for a motor vehicle comprises a pair of telescopingly interfitted tubes which receive the impact energy axially and in which either the inner or outer tube is plastically deformed as the tubes are telescopingly contacted by the impact force. The outer tube receives a smaller diameter portion of the inner tube at one end and the outer tube projects at this end to have a large diameter portion whose diameter is greater than the inner diameter of the outer tube and is connected to the small diameter portion by a conical transition region.

Known impact absorbers of the telescoping tube type generally function so that, in the case of a collision, the inner tube is forced into the outer tube or the outer tube is forced over the inner tube (or both) and an elastic material or the like within the tubes can be subjected to compression and is thus capable of generating a resistance to this telescoping shifting of the two tubes.
The elastic material, for example, can be received in the outer tube and can have the form of the inner tube or it can be received in partition between a partition or bulkhead and a wall of the tubes or in a sheath within the tubes.
An oil filling can also be provided for the tubes which may be displaced upon the telescoping contraction of the interfitted tubes.
A drawback of all of these earlier constructions is that, by and large, there is no constant resistance to the telescoping contraction of the tube assembly, but rather the resistance thereto progressively increases. In the case of an oil filling, where it is possible to provide a constant resistance, other problems arise, e.g. problems of sealing.
A constant resistance to the telescoping contraction of the tube assembly is desirable when the elastic spring stiffness of the vehicle chassis is to be fully utilized from the beginning of a collision process.


An optical recording medium includes a plane ring-shaped substrate in which a center hole is opened at the center thereof, a recording-retrieving function layer and a cover layer each having an outer diameter approximately equal to that of the substrate and an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the center hole, are stacked on the substrate, and as a separate entity from the cover layer, a clamp portion which is for holding and fixing the substrate and which has an outer diameter smaller than inner diameters of the recording-retrieving function layer and the cover layer, is provided around the center hole in a region where the cover layer is not formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical recording medium in which highly reliable recording and/or retrieving of optical information signals is performed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in order to cope with the trend toward higher recording density required for optical recording media (hereinafter also simply referred to as "disks" or "optical disks") technology for reducing the diameter of the spot of recording or retrieving light is being developed. Specifically, in the above-described technology, the diameter of the spot of recording or retrieving light is reduced by increasing the numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens of an optical pickup. The objective lens is used for irradiating recording or retrieving light.
Moreover, in addition to increasing the NA of the objective lens, a study to thin an optically transparent layer of the optical recording medium through which the above-described recording or retrieving light passes is also being developed. If the thickness of the optically transparent layer is reduced, influences of aberration and birefringence caused by decreased tolerance of the tilt angle of a disk plane relative to the optical axis of the optical pickup are reduced.
In terms of thinning the optically transparent layer, a further study is being developed. Specifically, the layer configuration of the optical recording medium is made to be a structure in which a reflecting layer and a thin cover layer allowing recording or retrieving light to pass therethrough are sequentially stacked on a disk substrate having concavo-convex for optical information formed thereon. Further, an optical recording medium has been proposed in which, by means of the cover layer as an optically transparent layer, optical information is retrieved by irradiating retrieving light from the cover layer side. Such an optical recording medium is called a surface incident-type optical recording medium.
As a method of forming an optically transparent layer in a surface incident-type optical recording medium, a method has been proposed in which an optically transparent sheet is fixed to the surface of a substrate by use of an adhesive layer to be used as an optically transparent layer (e.g., refer to Patent Literature 1). Moreover, as a method of forming an optically transparent layer, a method has also been reported in which photocurable resin applied to the surface of a substrate by spin coating and cured to form an optically transparent layer (e.g., refer to Patent Literature 2).
On the other hand, with the development of a study to increase the NA of an objective lens, the distance (working distance) between the surface of an optical recording medium and an objective lens is reduced. This newly causes a problem. Specifically, if the optical recording medium is rotated at high speed while being held and fixed in a rotating device, the axial runout of the optical recording medium occurs. Due to the occurrence of the axial runout, recording and retrieving are prone to fail. Furthermore, since the working distance is small, the objective lens may come into contact with the surface of the optical recording medium to scratch the surface of the optical recording medium or the objective lens in the case where the axial runout is large.
As a method of reducing the influence of axial runout in a surface incident-type optical recording medium, for example, a method has been reported in which a clamp reference plane used for holding and fixing the optical recording medium in an external mechanism is provided on an optically transparent layer of the optical recording medium (e.g., refer to Patent Literature 3).    (Patent Literature 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.  Hei 10(1998)-283683 (paragraph 0013, FIG. 6, and the like)    (Patent Literature 2) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 9(1997)-161333 (paragraphs 0015 to 0021, FIG. 7, and the like)    (Patent Literature 3) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-117584 (paragraph 0015, FIG. 1, and the like)
Incidentally, the recording and retrieving of the aforementioned optical recording medium provided with the optically transparent layer (cover layer) are generally performed by holding and fixing a clamp portion of the optical recording medium in a rotating device (external mechanism) of a read and write tester or the like and rotating the optical recording medium. At this time, in the case where the flatness of the clamp portion is poor, the axial runout of the optical recording medium is increased by rotating the optical recording medium at high speed in a state where the optical recording medium is fixed in the rotating device. For example, in a method in which a clamp reference plane is provided in the clamp portion on the surface of the optically transparent layer (cover layer), the axial runout of the disk is tend to be determined by the quality of the flatness of the optically transparent layer (cover layer) formed on the substrate, and further improvement is considered to be necessary.
Further, in the case where the optically transparent layer (cover layer) is formed by spin coating, there is a following problem: when a center cap used for obtaining the uniformity of the coating film thickness is removed after the completion of spin coating, uncured spin-coating layer near the edge of the center cap is prone to be made nonuniform, and therefore the flatness of the clamp portion is lowered.


An apparatus is provided. A substrate and a cover plate are provided. A sensor layer is formed on at least one of the substrate and the cover plate. The sensor layer includes a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes interleaved with the plurality of row electrodes, where each row electrode and each column electrode is formed of a plurality of stair-stepped diamonds. An insulator is also included so as to electrically isolate the plurality of row electrodes and the plurality of column electrodes, where the insulator is substantially transparent to visible spectrum light. The apparatus employs mirror symmetric row sensor routing placement. The routing placement provides reduction of row bonding pads by 50% to enhance manufacturing yield. Rearranging unit cells on the same layout results in a decrease of RC parasitics by 50%.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a conventional system 100 can be seen. System 100 generally comprises a touch panel 102 and touch panel controller 104. The touch panel 102 has an array of sensors formed by a set of column electrodes (e.g., electrode 103), where each electrode of each column is coupled together by a strip electrode (e.g., strip electrode 107), and a set of row electrodes (e.g., electrode 105), where each electrode of each row is coupled together by a strip electrode (e.g., strip electrode 109). Usually, the column and row electrodes (e.g., electrodes 103 and 105) are formed in two separate layers with a dielectric or insulating layer formed therebetween, and these conductive layers which form the electrodes (e.g., electrodes 105 and 109) are generally transparent to visible spectrum light (e.g., light having a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 750 nm). The strip electrodes for each column (e.g., strip electrode 107) are then coupled to the interface or I/F 106 of the touch panel controller 104 by terminals X-1 to X-N, while the strip electrodes for each row (e.g., strip electrode 109) are coupled to the interface 106 by terminals Y-1 to Y-M. The interface 106 is able to communicate with the control circuit 108. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, the interface 106 is generally comprised of a multiplexer or mux 202 and an exciter 204.
In operation, the interface 106 (which is usually controlled by the control circuit 108) selects and excites columns of electrodes (e.g., electrode 103) and "scans through" the rows of row electrodes (e.g., electrode 105) so that a touch position from a touch event can be resolved. As an example, interface 204 can excite two adjacent columns through terminals X-j and X-(j+1) with excitation signals EXCITE[j] and EXCITE[j+1], and interface 106 receives a measurement signal from a row associated with terminal Y-i. When an object (e.g., finger) is in proximity to the touch panel (which is generally considered to be a touch event), there is a change in capacitance due at least in part to the arrangement of electrodes (e.g., electrodes 103 and 105), and the controller 108 is able to resolve the position of the touch event.
Most conventional touch panels (e.g., touch panel 102) do, however, exhibit a non-uniform response characteristic, which is manifested as non-uniform signal strength across the panel. This non-uniformity is generally caused by natural variations in the patterns forming the column and row electrodes (e.g., electrodes 103 and 105). In other words, the electrodes are arranged to have gaps or non-overlapping regions between the electrodes so that, as an object (e.g., finger) traverses the panel (e.g., panel 102) and passes over these non-overlapping regions, the signal strength or measured capacitance changes. Therefore, there is a need for a touch panel having a more uniform response characteristic.
Some examples of other conventional systems are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,237,421; 6,188,391; U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,847; U.S.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,571; Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2006/0097991; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2009/0091551; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2010/0149108; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2010/0156810; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2010/0321326; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2011/0095996; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2011/0095997; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2011/0102361; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2011/0157079; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2012/0056664; PCT Publ. No. WO2009046363; and PCT Publ. No. WO2011018594.

Capacitive single layer multi-touch panel having improved response characteristics


A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Many types of devices have been developed over the years for the purpose of converting liquids into aerosols or fine droplets readily converted into a gas-phase. Many such devices have been developed, for example, to prepare fuel for use in internal combustion engines. To optimize fuel oxidation within an engine's combustion chamber, the fuel must be vaporized, homogenized with air, and in a chemically-stoichiometric gas-phase mixture. Ideal fuel atomization and vaporization enables more complete combustion and consequent lower engine out pollution.
More specifically, relative to internal combustion engines, stoichiometry is a condition where the amount of oxygen required to completely burn a given amount of fuel is supplied in a homogeneous mixture resulting in optimally correct combustion with no residues remaining from incomplete or inefficient oxidation. Ideally, the fuel should be completely vaporized, intermixed with air, and homogenized prior to ignition for proper oxidation. Non-vaporized fuel droplets do not ignite or combust completely in conventional internal and external combustion engines, which degrades fuel efficiency and increases engine out pollution.
Attempts to reduce or control emission byproducts by adjusting temperature and pressure typically affect the NOx byproduct. To meet emission standards, these residues must be dealt with, typically requiring after treatment in a catalytic converter or a scrubber. Such treatment of these residues results in additional fuel costs to operate the catalytic converter or scrubber and may require additional component costs as well as packaging and mass implications. Accordingly, any reduction in engine out residuals resulting from incomplete combustion would be economically and environmentally beneficial.
An engine running a closed loop in which λ=1 (e.g., when λ equals the ratio of air/fuel ratio (AFR) divided by the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio (AFRstoich) is targeted will typically be operating at or near stoichiometry. If the fuel is not completely vaporized, the engine management system (EMS) will add extra fuel to ensure that stoichiometry is reached as the oxygen sensor is monitoring excess oxygen in the exhaust. A reduction in efficiency caused by fuel not being completely vaporized results from extra fuel being added to ensure stoichiometry is achieved. Fuel energy is wasted and unnecessary pollution is created when the fuel is not completely vaporized. Thus, by further breaking down and more completely vaporizing the fuel-air mixture, better fuel efficiency may be available.
Many attempts have been made to alleviate the above-described problems with respect to fuel vaporization and incomplete fuel combustion. In automobile engines, for example, inlet port or direct fuel injection systems have almost universally replaced carburetion for fuel delivery. Fuel injectors spray fuel directly into the inlet port or cylinder of the engine and are controlled electronically. Injectors facilitate more precise metering and control of the amount of fuel delivered to each cylinder independently relative to carburetion. This reduces or eliminates charge transport time facilitating optimal transient operation. Nevertheless, the fuel droplet size of a fuel injector spray is not optimal and there is little time for the fuel to mix with air prior to ignition.
Other prior systems, such as heated injectors and heated fuel rails have also been developed in attempts to remedy the problems related to fuel vaporization and incomplete fuel combustion.
Most fuel delivery systems require a source of air as part of delivering and/or preparing the fuel for delivery to a combustion chamber. A number of challenges exist in providing the source of air under proper conditions.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System control strategy and methods for multi-physics fluid atomizing


A miniaturized drug pump can actively dispense fluid at a controlled (or controllable) flow rate emerging at or near the distal tip of a catheter.

Catheter surgery requires minimally invasive tools for small, remotely operated procedures inside the body. Examples of such surgeries and procedures include delivery of a drug (such as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPa) to an arterial blood clot in order to treat stroke or renal-artery stenosis patients, the release of bioactive agents into the myocardium, release of chemotoxic agents into a tumor, and administration of anti-inflammatory drugs after placing pacemaker or brain leads. Other procedures amenable to catheter surgery include repair of or implantation within the heart, stomach, kidney, pancreas, colon, bowel, brain and other tissues.
Many types of "diagnostic catheters" travel along a guidewire and deliver fluid injected from the catheter's proximal handpiece, which is controlled by the surgeon. The fluid-delivery system typically includes a through-lumen in fluid communication with a passageway integrated with an elongated coil component of the guidewire system for steering. Fluid passing through the lumen enters the guidewire through the handpiece's port outside the body while the fluid typically exits the guidewire fluid-delivery system at a selected delivery location, typically along the coil, which can include at the distal tip of the guidewire. Fluids such as drugs have been delivered through this lumen, but at the cost of wasted drug used to fill the dead space, which can be considerable. Also, it is difficult to deliver precise amounts of medication using conventional catheter controls, posing the risk of overdosing and underdosing. Moreover, some patients are allergic to the fluorescein or radiographically opaque contrast fluid injected into the circulation.
Improvements in imaging resolution and X-ray sensitivity may permit use of less drug or imaging-contrast dye without sacrificing clinical benefit. More patients could therefore potentially benefit (or experience fewer side effects) from percutaneous catheter procedures if less dye could be used. Furthermore, images of higher resolution in the area of interest might be obtained if the drug or dye could be better localized. Therefore, a more precise and localized way to deliver contrast fluids to the patient during catheter surgery would be helpful in conjunction with state-of-the-art imaging systems (such as MRI, CT, OCT, etc.).
Precise, local drug delivery to an internal anatomical site would be beneficial in numerous other applications as well. Drug delivery to an atherosclerotic region, for example, has traditionally been given systemically (e.g., an aspirin that can potentially reduce thrombus formation by inactivation of platelets, anti-cholesterol medication that can reduce lipids in the bloodstream and withdraw cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques, or chelation therapy that uses anticoagulant drugs and nutrients to dissolve plaques directly). Local drug delivery to the arterial wall has more recently been achieved with paclitaxel-eluting stent systems, for example, that are implanted directly along the arterial intima to prevent or delay re-stenosis. But more general or episodic drug delivery not involving device implantation would help prevent systemic side effects while maximizing dosage at the intended target, and in any case, implantation is not an option for many internal targets.


A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of a method providing sensor-based authentication of customers. The system may detect customer biometric data associated with an unknown customer present at a merchant location. The system may determine, based on a known customer identification profile and the detected customer biometric data, a confidence level that the unknown customer is the same individual as the known customer and authenticate the unknown customer based on a determination that the confidence level exceeds a predetermined threshold. The system may transmit identification information associated with the known customer to a financial service provider and receive payment credentials of one or more accounts associated with the known customer and authorization to utilize the one or more accounts to perform a financial transaction.

Authenticating customers and facilitating payment for everyday items at a store is currently a multi-step process for customers and storeowners. A customer must first select all the desired items before waiting in line to check out and authorize payment. Customers are tasked with carrying traditional payment methods (cash, credit card, debit card) and must deal with significant delay in the check-out process due to the current method of payment authorization. Merchants are tasked with authenticating customers who pay with financial accounts by requesting identification and security information such as a pin number or zip code associated with a card. Additionally, merchants must currently devote significant resources to staffing check-out lanes, as well as devoting a large physical space to the check-out process which could otherwise be used for the display and storage of products.
To expedite the payment authorization process and improve the customer experience, some merchants are experimenting with wireless check-out systems (e.g., check-out systems that use Near Field Communications "NFC," Bluetooth Low Energy "BLE," or Radio Frequency Identification "RFID" technologies). For example, some merchants are developing systems that allow the merchant to wirelessly identify products that a customer has placed in their shopping cart or are carrying on their person, to avoid the need to go through a check-out line. However, there is still a need to facilitate payment methods and authentication of users of these systems.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved devices, systems, and methods that expedite the process for customers to check-out and seamlessly authorize payment for items in order to reduce the dedication of significant space and manpower to the checkout process by merchants as well as streamlining the entire check-out process for the customers, and embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to this and other considerations.

Automated sensor-based customer identification and authorization systems within a physical environment


A mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometry method adapted for mass spectrometry of a hardly volatile minuscule organic foreign matter of several μm often causing a device defect are disclosed. A sample gasified by a sample heating probe is introduced into an ion source, and the sample thus ionized is detected by being separated in accordance with the mass-to-charge ratio. In this mass spectrometry technique, the sample heating probe is covered with a cylindrical gas guide mechanism, and the gasified sample is led efficiently to the ion source by the gas guide mechanism, thereby making possible the contribution by the sample components which otherwise might be dispersed and wasted in the prior art. As a result, the mass spectrometry with higher sensitivity and S/N than in the prior art is realized.

The minuscule foreign matter of about several μm generated in the process to manufacture a precision electronic device is a great problem which causes a defect of the resulting product. Especially in the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display using a great amount of organic materials, the minuscule foreign matter of a high-polymer organic material sometimes causes the yield reduction. The minuscule organic foreign matter is normally analyzed/identified using the spectrometry method such as the microscopic Raman spectrometry or the microscopic FT-IR. The use of these spectrometry methods makes it possible to obtain a great amount of information on the molecular structure of an organic material and provides a very useful tool to identify an unknown organic material. Nevertheless, the FT-IR method, which uses the infrared light and has the spatial resolution as large as about 10 μm, is inapplicable to the minuscule foreign matter of several μm in many cases. Also, the high-polymer organic foreign matter having the thermal history of not lower than 200° C. in the manufacturing process often emits the fluorescent light by laser radiation and cannot be identified even by the microscopic Raman spectrometry. In such a case, the mass spectrometry is effective to identify an unknown organic compound. According to the mass spectrometry, the sample is required to be ionized by gasification, and such a hardly volatile sample as a high-polymer organic material is normally required to be decomposed thermally by rapid heating. The thermal decomposition produces the mass spectrum of the fragment ions generated from the original molecules and the unknown sample can thus be identified.
In the case where the direct introduction probe of the commercially available gas chromatographic mass spectrometer is used, a minuscule sample is normally inserted in a quartz glass container of Φ1 mm and about several mm deep. The quartz glass container with the minuscule foreign matter therein is heated by a heater, so that the sample is thermally decomposed and gasified for spectrometry. Also, the sample of the minuscule foreign matter is required to be set in a special sample container or the like when introduced into a thermal decomposer arranged in the stage before the capillary column of the gas chromatograph. In the case where the Curie point pylorizer is used as a thermal decomposer, for example, the sample is wrapped in a thin piece (pyrofoil) of a ferromagnetic material of about several mm square. This sample, impressed with a high frequency, is thermally decomposed and gasified instantaneously by being heated to the Curie point of the pyrofoil. A device is also available which has such a mechanism that the sample is set in a Pt container and quickly heated by being dropped in a heated furnace. Further, JP-A-9-320512 and JP-A-2008-003016 disclose a method in which a sample holder is configured of a filament and electrically energized to heat and gasify the sample. According to the method described in JP-A-2008-304340, on the other hand, the sample is thermally heated and gasified by radiating a laser light on a metal probe. Especially, the methods of JP-A-2008-003016 and JP-A-2008-304340 are used only for spectrometry of a minuscule organic foreign matter by improving the local heatability.

Mass spectrometer and mass spectrometry method


The fuel cell assembly of the present invention comprises a first fuel cell, a second fuel cell disposed adjacent to the first fuel cell, and a current collector for electrically connecting the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell. The first fuel cell and the second fuel cell are respectively furnished with an electrical generating portion for generating electricity, each of the electrical generation portion having a first electrode through the interior of which a first gas flows, a second electrode of a polarity different from the first electrode, on the exterior of which a second gas flows, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The current collector distributes and sources the current generated in the first fuel cell generating portion from two different locations on the first electrode on the first fuel cell to the second electrode of the second fuel cell.

A solid oxide fuel cell device ("SOFC" below) is a fuel cell device for generating electricity by causing an electrical generating reaction to take place at a relatively high temperature by use of an oxide ion electrically conductive solid electrolyte as an electrolyte, with electrodes attached on both sides thereof, and with fuel gas supplied to one side thereof and air supplied to the other side thereof.
In fuel cell device of this type, the amount of electrical power obtained from a single fuel cell (single cell) is small, therefore the required electrical power is obtained by arraying multiple fuel cells in parallel and connecting these in an electrically serial form using a current collecting member, as shown in Patent Citations 1-3.
Patent Document 1 discloses, an air electrode (+ pole) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of an electrolyte formed in a cylindrical shape, and a fuel electrode (− pole) is formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof and the air electrode on the inner circumferential surface is extended cylindrically from solid electrode at its end. In the fuel cell of this Patent Document 1, multiple fuel cells (single cells) are arrayed in parallel inside a housing, and the open portion of the housing is hermetically sealed so that fuel gas supplied to the interior of the housing does not leak out. A current collector is attached to the outer circumferential surface of each single cell; the end portion of this current collector extends airtightly from the glass on one side of the air electrode and is connected to the air electrode in the adjacent single cell via a connecting current collecting member. In the fuel cell of Patent Citation 1, a solid oxide fuel cell is formed by thus serially connecting multiple single cells in a stack.
Patent Document 2 discloses a fuel cell (single cell) in which a fuel electrode (− pole) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of a solid electrolyte formed in a cylindrical shape and an air electrode (+ pole) is formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, whereby an inner electrode (− pole) connected to the fuel electrode is formed on one end, and an outer electrode (+ pole) connected to the air electrode is formed at the other end thereof. In the solid oxide fuel cell of Patent Document 2, all of the 20 single cells, consisting of 5×4 rows, are serially connected. Specifically, multiple single cells are oriented in alternately opposite directions, and both end portions of the multiple single cells are positioned by support plates at both end portions thereof, with the inside electrode (− pole) and the outside electrode (+ pole) respectively serially connected at the respective support plate sides.
Patent Document 3 also discloses approximately the same type of fuel cell as Patent Document 2.

Fuel cell assembly and fuel cell device with current collector between fuel cells


While mobile device location remains, private, user transaction controls are applied to a specific authorization request. The user transaction controls are pre-configured by the user of the mobile account holder device and identified by the enriched merchant data. Location algorithms predict transaction locations used to obtain enriched merchant data responsive to location privacy mode. Responsive to the user transaction controls, a fraud recommendation response is sent to the approval system, in real time with the transaction. The fraud recommendation response prevents a false negative by using an enriched merchant location rather than the raw merchant location.

A major chilling effect on conducting online transactions is the vulnerability of transaction fraud from rogue network components. Rogue devices and rogue users can attempt to conduct fraudulent transactions without an account holder's permission. One solution to preventing transaction fraud is to maintain user accounts in a disabled state and selectively enabling accounts for any transactions to be considered, whether legitimate or not, as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/527,544.
However, once a user account is enabled, the content of a particular transaction still must be scrutinized for legitimacy. Unfortunately, many legitimate transactions are declined when fraud prevention methods are overly aggressive in the prevention of illegitimate transactions, and this can also have a chilling effect on online transactions.
Furthermore, card users have privacy concerns when making transactions with merchants, and for other reasons. To this end, location services are often disabled on mobile devices. Location privacy can be asserted by turning off locationing hardware such as GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, cell tower triangulation, IP address locationing, or the like. Another location privacy mechanism blocks software apps from accessing location data on mobile devices from an operating system.
What is needed is a robust technique for maintaining location privacy while improving fraud prevention systems by reducing false declines in fraud prevention systems with real-time enrichment of raw merchant data from ISO transactions on a data communication network.

Enriching transaction request data for maintaining location privacy while improving fraud prevention systems on a data communication network with user controls injected to back-end transaction approval requests in real-time with transactions


More appropriate evaluation, design, and manufacture are made feasible by taking visual performances into consideration more appropriately. In order to achieve this object, in the present invention, spectacle lenses are evaluated using a visual acuity function including a factor representing physiological astigma. The physiological astigma herein means astigma in the phenomenon that an improved visual acuity is yielded when slight astigma is present in the region where the accommodation power is lower than the region indicating the range of positive relative accommodation power in which the accommodation power increases among the relative accommodation power as adaptable accommodation power in a state that convergence does not change.

In the past, in both of individualized spectacle lenses custom-made (also called "order-made") for respective individual spectacles wearers and ordinary (general-purpose) spectacle lenses as ready-made products, generally, optical performances thereof have been obtained as follows. That is, after assuming an optical system that is defined by the three-dimensional shape, spectacle wearing parameters, prescription dioptric power of a spectacle lens, the object surface having a prescription distance for distinct vision, etc., in the optical system, the locus of light rays or light fluxes emitted from the object surface and passing through the spectacle lens is traced by a well-known optical calculation method and so forth, and based on how close the obtained locus is to a desirable locus and so forth, the performances of the lens are obtained. In addition, designing of a spectacle lens has been such as to carry out designing to seek a lens having the performances that is close to target performance while performing performance evaluations (see Patent Document 1).
For example, Patent Document 2 describes that spectacle lens design using high-precision optical calculation is carried out based on wave surface optics, and the optical performances thereof are mentioned and monitoring results are described qualitatively. In addition, the progressive-power lens as a spectacle lens has addition power corresponding to individual accommodation power as the prescription dioptric power, and the design corresponding to the addition power is carried out, so that the progressive-power lens can be considered as a type of the individualized spectacle lens. Patent Document 3 describes that progressive-power lenses are evaluated by monitors test-wearing the progressive-power lenses, while changing the cylindrical dioptric power and astigmatism value, and that the design is carried out based on the evaluation results.    [Patent Document 1] Official gazette of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-186978    [Patent Document 2] Ibid. No. 2000-111846    [Patent Document 3] Ibid. No. 2001-209012

Spectacle lens evaluating method, spectacle lens designing method using same, spectacle lens manufacturing method, spectacle lens manufacturing system, and spectacle lens


A modular luggage system includes wheeled flight bag with an externally demountable releasably attachable computer carrying case for carrying a delicate instrument such as a portable computer. The wheeled flight bag has wheels on a bottom wall and a retractable handle incorporated in an integral frame running up a back wall. The front of the flight bag includes a projecting member or salient tongue spaced a selected distance from a releasable fastening member. A computer carrying case adapted to be externally demountable from the flight bag has a bottom wall and a back wall including a receiving slot or aperture for receiving the salient tongue mounted on the flight bag. The computer carrying case also includes a releasable fastening member spaced such that when the computer carrying bag is mounted upon the flight bag, the salient tongue is received in the receiving aperture and the computer carrying case fastening member locks, buckles or otherwise fastens with the cooperating fastening member mounted on the top surface of the flight bag. Preferably, the computer carrying case includes a carrying handle spaced apart from the back edge of the top wall. In use, one may grasp the computer carrying case handle with the right hand and, with the thumb, depress a button or otherwise actuate the releasable fastening member, thereby releasing the fastening members from one another, such that the computer carrying case may be lifted and withdrawn away from the flight bag. The computer carrying case preferably includes a shock absorbing suspension or impact absorbing cushions for providing protection to the delicate instrument enclosed within.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheeled luggage cases, and more particularly, to a carry-on luggage case of the type known as a flight bag having wheels on a bottom wall of the case and a retractable handle for pulling the case along on the wheels. The flight bag includes an externally mounted, removable carrying case for securely transporting a delicate instrument such as a laptop computer.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
"Flight bag" type luggage cases including wheels and a retractable handle for convenient storage in aircraft overhead storage bins are well known; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,739 on a wheeled flight bag with a retractable pull handle and U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,797 on a wheeled integrated flight bag and garment bag luggage case, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Flight bags have enhanced the convenience of travel but the wheels and handle are only useful for transporting the flight bag itself and not the other articles a traveler may need to carry. As a result, many flight bag users have resorted to attaching second bags or other articles of luggage to a flight bag using rope, elastic cords (e.g. `bungee` cords), tape and other temporary attachments which may not actually support and retain the second bag during the strenuous handling often encountered in commercial travel.
Luggage manufacturers have provided a more elegant solution to the problem faced by flight bag users wanting to carry a second bag by incorporating retractable luggage attaching straps, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,009. The retractable strap attachments can be attached to the second bag in any number of ways but do not securely bind the second bag to the flight bag; instead, the strap attachments merely provide a hook from which the second bag may hang, (e.g. by the second bag's handle). In addition, if a valuable article such as a portable computer is to be carried in the second bag, a retractable strap cannot be used to securely lock the second bag onto the flight bag.
Travelers often use "Laptop" and "Notebook" portable personal computers having reduced size and weight. Unfortunately, it is difficult to manufacture a compact portable computer which is rugged enough to withstand being dropped or otherwise subjected to shock loading. The small size of today's portable computers leaves little or no internal room for shock absorbing materials to protect the vulnerable operating parts of the computer such as the LCD screen, the hard drive, the mother board with its various electrical connectors or the plastic outer case.
The effect of being dropped or hit is measured in acceleration terms; one unit of gravitational acceleration (1 G) represents an acceleration (or deceleration) of 32 feet/sec.sup.2. Each computer manufacturers design is unique, so there is no universally safe level of shock for portable computers. Computer hard drive manufacturers claim hard drives will typically withstand shocks in the range of 75 to 200 g. Manufacturers of LCD screens, on the other hand, typically guarantee their screens to withstand shocks of only 50 g, a level reached by dropping a portable computer from a height of approximately six inches. Since carrying cases or luggage for portable computers are usually hand held, hung from shoulder straps or affixed to flight bags at heights substantially greater than six inches, cases designed to carry and protect computers must provide adequate protection against falls from these greater heights.
Most manufacturers of carrying cases for portable computers incorporate foam padding into their cases; the padding typically ranges in thickness from a half inch to three inches. Foam padding will protect a computer, unless the padding is compressed completely (e.g., compressed to half the original thickness). Thus, three inches of padding will protect the computer through a deceleration distance of only one and one-half inches. Tests have shown that in carrying cases provided with two inches of foam padding, the 50 G threshold (for LCD screens) is exceeded in drops from heights of as little as eight inches. Portable computer carrying cases offering superior protection against shocks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,119, to W. Dale Hollingsworth (applicant in the present application), U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,754, to W. Dale Hollingsworth and patent application Ser. No. 09/235,292, filed Jan. 22, 1999, also to W. Dale Hollingsworth; the entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,119, 5,524,754 and patent application Ser. No. 09/235,292 are incorporated herein, in their entireties, by reference.
If a traveler carrying a flight bag also has a portable computer carried in a second bag, bungee cords, retractable straps and tape cannot be relied on to securely attach the second bag to the flight bag since, as discussed above, the resulting combination is not well suited to rough handling, even if the second bag is the finest computer carrying case.
Others have offered a somewhat better solution to the problems confronting traveling computer users, at least insofar as attaching the computer carrying case is concerned. The Targus company offers a flight bag called the "Targus Shuttle" in which a computer case is carried entirely within a flight bag compartment and accessed by opening a zip-down flap opening into the flight bag compartment. A traveling computer user must open the flight bag zip-down flap and remove the computer carrying case from within the compartment in the flight bag, then close the flight bag zip-down flap for flight bag stowage; a sequence of steps requiring the traveler to set the computer carrying case aside somewhere while closing the flight bag zip-down flap.
Often, a computer user traveling with a portable computer on an airplane is confronted by conflicting needs. When boarding and before take-off, the computer user must quickly stow any carry-on luggage in an available overhead compartment, hanging closet or under-seat space. The airplanes aisles are often narrow, cramped and crowded with other impatient travelers who are struggling to fill the rapidly diminishing overhead compartments with their own carry-on luggage or hurrying to find and occupy their seats. Often, a computer user wants to use his or her portable computer during the flight. Problems arise if the computer user has packed the portable computer in a flight bag which must now be quickly stowed in the overhead compartment before all available space is depleted by others, or before other travelers trying to reach their seats lose patience. If the computer user stands in the aisle, opens the flight bag, removes the portable computer and then closes the flight bag, tempers may flare. The only other choice is to quickly stow the flight bag and later try to retrieve the flight bag from a packed overhead compartment to unpack the computer while en-route.
There is a need, then, for a luggage system that confers the benefits of a flight bag but does not penalize the computer user who needs a protective computer carrying case and ready, convenient access to the computer.

Modular luggage system including a wheeled flight bag and an externally demountable, releasably attachable computer carrying case


In this silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT, COP defects and dislocation clusters are eliminated from the entire region in the radial direction of the crystal, the interstitial oxygen concentration is 8.5×1017 atoms/cm3 or less, and variation in resistivity within the wafer surface is 5% or less. This method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT includes introducing a hydrogen atom-containing substance into an atmospheric gas at a hydrogen gas equivalent partial pressure of 40 to 400 Pa, and growing a single crystal having an interstitial oxygen concentration of 8.5×1017 atoms/cm3 or less at a silicon single crystal pulling speed enabling pulling of a silicon single crystal free of grown-in defects. The pulled silicon single crystal is irradiated with neutrons so as to dope with phosphorous; or an n-type dopant is added to the silicon melt; or phosphorous is added to the silicon melt so that the phosphorous concentration in the silicon single crystal is 2.9×1013 to 2.9×1015 atoms/cm3 and a p-type dopant having a segregation coefficient smaller than that of the phosphorous is added to the silicon melt so that the concentration in the silicon single crystals is 1×1013 to 1×1015 atoms/cm3 corresponding to the segregation coefficient thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT used in the production of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), and a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT.
The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-043572, filed on Feb. 21, 2006 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-034536, filed on Feb. 15, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Background Art
Insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) are gate voltage-driven switching devices suitable for controlling high levels of electrical power, and are used in applications such as the inverters of trains, hybrid vehicles, air-conditioning equipment and refrigerators. IGBT are provided with three electrodes consisting of an emitter, a collector and a gate, and as a result of applying a voltage to the gate formed on the front surface of the device through an insulating oxide film, current between the emitter on the front surface of the device and the collector on the rear surface is controlled.
As described above, since IGBT are devices for controlling current with a gate insulated with an oxide film, the integrity of the gate oxide film (referred to as gate oxide integrity and abbreviated as GOI) is important. If a defect is contained in a silicon single crystal wafer, that defect ends up being incorporated into the gate oxide film, thereby causing a dielectric breakdown of the oxide film.
In addition, since IGBT are not devices that use only the vicinity of the wafer surface in the horizontal direction in the manner of memory devices and other LSI, but rather devices that use the wafer in the vertical direction, the characteristics thereof are affected by the bulk quality of the wafer. Recombination lifetime and resistivity are particularly important qualities. Since recombination lifetime decreases due to the presence of crystal defects in a wafer, it is important to control the device process so that crystal defects do not occur at any point in the process. Uniformity and stability are required for resistivity, and it is important that resistivity does not change within a wafer surface or between wafers, namely that resistivity is uniform even in the direction of length of silicon ingots and does not change through the device heating process.
In addition, epitaxial wafers (referred to as epiwafers) are used as wafers for so-called punch through (PT) type IGBT in which a depletion layer contacts the collector side when current flow is off. However, PT-type IGBT have the problem of high cost due to the use of epiwafers. In addition, switching loss increases at high temperatures to control lifetime. Consequently, on-voltage decreases at high temperatures and current concentrates in a specific device during parallel use, thereby causing damage.
In order to overcome the shortcomings of PT-type wafers, non-punch-through (NPT) type IGBT have been developed in which the depletion layer does not contact the collector side when the current is off. More recently, field stop (FS) IGBT are being produced having lower on voltage and lower switching loss by employing a trench gate structure and forming an FS layer on the collector side. Wafers having a diameter of 150 mm or less cut out from silicon single crystals grown by the FZ method (referred to as FZ wafers) have conventionally been used as wafers for NPT-type and FS-type IGBT.
Although FZ wafers are less expensive than epiwafers, wafers are required to have a large diameter in order to further lower IGBT production costs. However, it is extremely difficult to grow single crystals having a diameter larger than 150 mm by the FZ method, and even if they were able to be produced, it would be difficult to provide them at a low price and in stable supply.
Therefore, we attempted to manufacture a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT by the Czochralski method (CZ method) capable of easily growing large-diameter crystals.
Each of the technologies described in the following Patent Documents 1 to 3 explained below are used for the purpose of reducing defects within wafers. Patent Document 1 discloses a silicon single crystal wafer doped with nitrogen in which the entire surface is composed of an N region and the interstitial oxygen concentration is 8 ppma or less, or doped with nitrogen in which at least void defects and dislocation clusters have been eliminated from the entire surface and the interstitial oxygen concentration is 8 ppma or less.
In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal which is pulled using the Czochralski method during doping with oxygen and nitrogen, wherein the single crystal is doped with oxygen at a concentration of less than 6.5×1017 atoms/cm3 and nitrogen at a concentration of more than 5×1013 atoms/cm3 during pulling.
Moreover, Patent Document 3 discloses a silicon semiconductor substrate grown from a melt containing nitrogen using the Czochralski method, containing nitrogen at a concentration of 2×1014 to 2×1016 atoms/cm3 and oxygen at a concentration of 7×1017 atoms/cm3 or less in which each type of surface defect density is such that FPD≦0.1 defect/cm2, SEPD≦0.1 defect/cm2 and OSF≦0.1 defect/cm2, the internal defect density is such that LSTD≦1×105 defects/cm2, and the gate oxide integrity characteristics are such that the TZDB high C mode pass rate≧90% and the TDDB pass rate≧90%.
However, although methods for manufacturing wafers free of crystal defects are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the wafer characteristics required by IGBT are not clearly indicated. In addition, since it was necessary to make considerable changes to the rotating speed of the quartz crucible and rotating speed of the crystal from the conditions of the prior art in order to grow crystals with defect-free CZ silicon in which the interstitial oxygen concentration was 7×1017 atoms/cm3 or less and the variation in the resistivity within a wafer surface was 5% or less, the margin of the pulling speed enabling growth of defect-free crystals became smaller, thereby resulting in the problem of decreased yield.
In consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT and a silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT that enables the margin of the pulling speed to be increased while also enabling the production of wafers having little variation in resistivity.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2001-146496
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2000-7486
Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2002-29891

Silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT and method for manufacturing silicon single crystal wafer for IGBT


A fishing lure that has high action includes a removable flexible material tail section with a removable rattle, the tail section having a rear end with a three-dimensional bulge (such as a spherical segment or truncated cone) having a socket that contains the rattle. The head section of the lure is connected by a multi-dimensional pivot connection to a middle section of the lure, to which the flexible tail section is readily removably attached by two or more removable spaced metal pins. The head section includes a scoop in the front end and top, for causing erratic action of the head section as the lure is pulled through the water, typically by a fishing line connected to a fishing line attachment device within the scoop. At least one hook-receiving connection is fixed to at least one of the head and middle sections, typically extending downwardly from each of the head and middle sections.

Fishermen are constantly in search of artificial fishing lures which will attract desired species of fish. In pursuit of highly desirable lures, a wide variety of different constructions of lures with body sections that are articulated with respect to each other, and sometimes with flexible material portions which "quiver" and trigger strikes, have been provided, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,545,683, 1,607,107, 1,692,935, 4,654,955, and 5,522,170. According to the invention a fishing lure is provided that has the advantages of the above mentioned lures as far as articulated body sections, including a flexible portion, are concerned, but also has other advantages.
The fishing lure according to the present invention has a readily replaceable flexible tail section, and the rear end of the tail section has a bulge with a socket for receiving a rattle. A noise making action of a rattle has been demonstrated (such as by the SWIM BAIT.RTM. and TUBE KRAW.RTM. lures sold by Kalin Farms of Brawley, California) to be very effective in attracting desired fish species. Also, the lure according to the invention has a particularly configured scoop in the front and top portions of the head section which causes erratic action of the head section as the lure is pulled through the water, thereby simulating the movement of a small fish or other aquatic animal that is particularly attractive to game fish.
According to one aspect of the present invention a fishing lure is provided comprising the following components: A substantially rigid head section having a bait simulating appearance, a front end and a rear end. A substantially rigid middle section having a front end and a rear end. A multi-dimensional pivot connection between the head section rear end and the middle section front end. A flexible material tail section having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the tail section fixed to the rear end of the middle section. At least one hook receiving connection fixed to at least one of the head and middle sections. At least one attachment for connecting at least one of the head and middle sections to a fishing line. A three-dimensional bulge formed at the rear end of the tail section. And, a rattle mounted by the bulge, the rattle making noise when the tail section is moved through water.
The head and the middle sections each have a top and a bottom, and the at least one hook receiving connection preferably includes a connection at the bottom of one of (or both of) the head and middle sections. The lure also comprises a substantially continuous scoop formed in the head section at the front end thereof and in the top of the head section, for causing erratic action of the head section as the lure is pulled through the water. Where the head section simulates a fish, including eyes spaced from the front end, the scoop extends from the front end of the head section past the eyes. The eyes preferably include recesses formed in the head section, and the scoop extends about 50% or more of the length of the head section and includes two different angled portions. For example the scoop has a proportional length of between about 21/4-21/2 inches, and a proportional maximum depth of between about 3/16-5/16 inch (e.g. about 1/4 inch), when the head section is between about 4 and 41/2 inches long. The fishing line attachment preferably comprises an attachment mounted to the head section front end, within the scoop.
The tail section preferably comprises an integral injection molded piece of soft plastic, of the same type used for "SWIM BAIT.RTM." lures sold by Kalin Farms, and has a socket receiving the rattle. The rattle may comprise, as is conventional per se with Kalin SWIM BAIT.RTM. lures, a substantially spherically shaped hollow hard element (e.g. clear plastic) with at least one hard rattling element within it (e.g. a metal sphere). The rattle is removable from the socket without destroying the socket or rattle, and replaceable in the socket.
The tail section is preferably removable, connected to the middle section by two (or more) removable metal pins extending from opposite sides of the middle section into an open channel in the rear of the middle section, and spaced along the length of the channel. To replace the tail, one merely tears out the existing tail (the pins are harder than the tail soft plastic so that the tail rips) and using a needle-nosed pliers one reaches into the tail channel and slides the metal pins outwardly to clear the channel. Replacement can be made with a tail section specifically for that purpose, or by using a conventional SWIM BAIT.RTM. lure rattler tail, and cutting off the head square to obtain the desired overall fit and length. Then the new tail is slipped into the channel in the middle section and the metal pins are pushed back into place.
That is, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a fishing lure having head and middle substantially rigid sections connected together by a multi-dimensional pivot at a front end of the middle section, a channel in a rear end of the middle section, and a flexible tail section held in the channel by at least two hard material readily removable pins extending into the channel from opposite sides, and spaced from each other along the length of the channel. The method comprises the steps of: (a) ripping the flexible tail section out of the channel by pulling on the flexible tail section so that it is torn by the hard pins; (b) using a needle nose pliers or the like, engaging the readily removable pins and sliding them out of the channel; (c) placing a new flexible material tail section into the channel; and (d) pushing the pins back into the channel so that they penetrate the flexible material tail section and hold the tail section in place in the channel. The method also preferably comprises the further step of making the new flexible material tail section used in the practice of steps (c) and (d) by taking a pre-existing soft flexible material lure having a head and tail, and cutting off the head of the pre-existing soft flexible material lure and squaring the pre-existing lure off so that it fits properly in the channel.
According to another aspect of the present invention a fishing lure is provided comprising the following components: A substantially head section having a bait simulating appearance, a front end and a rear end. A substantially rigid middle section having a front end and a rear end. A multi-dimensional pivot connection between the head section rear end and the middle section front end. A flexible material tail section having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the tail section fixed to the rear end of the middle section. At least one hook receiving connection fixed to at least one of the head and middle sections. At least one attachment for connecting at least one of the head and middle sections to a fishing line. The head and middle sections each have a top and a bottom; and the at least one hook-receiving connection includes a connection at the bottom of at least one of the head and middle sections. And, a substantially continuous scoop formed in the head section at the front end thereof and in the top of the head section, for causing erratic action of the head section as the lure is pulled through the water. The details of the lure according to this aspect of the invention are preferably as described in the preceding paragraphs.
It is the-primary object of the present invention to provide a highly effective and readily utilizable fishing lure. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.


The invention relates to a sprayable liquid solution for the transdermal delivery of testosterone comprising testosterone, a penetration enhancer, and a film forming excipient, and to methods of treatment using this composition.

Testosterone is a primary male sex hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues, and secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass. Testosterone levels gradually decrease as men age. In addition, some younger men suffer from primary hypogonadism, or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, conditions in which insufficient testosterone is produced by the body. Testosterone deficiency is usually associated with adverse effects on body composition, bone density, sexual function, and mood, and may also increase cardiovascular risk. Testosterone replacement therapy may be prescribed to counteract testosterone deficiency.
Currently, testosterone replacement therapy products include a transdermal gel (Androgel®, Testim®, Fortesta®), transdermal solution (Axiron®), transdermal patch (Androderm®), injection (Delatestryl®, Aveed®) and buccal tablet (Striant®). Most of these are transdermal dosage forms, one is an injection, and one is an oral transmucosal dosage form. In addition, orally ingested tablet and capsule forms of methyltestosterone are available.
The oral ingestion route requires administration of a high testosterone dose due to hepatic first-pass metabolism in the liver, while intramuscular administration is painful and can result in supra-physiological testosterone serum concentrations. Testosterone characteristics such as a relatively low molecular weight and moderate lipophilicity make the transdermal route the most suitable route for the administration of testosterone.
Existing, transdermal gel and transdermal solution formulations are inconvenient dosage forms as they must be applied over large surface areas to achieve target plasma levels.
A more significant disadvantage of these formulations is that topical application of testosterone, without a protective cover or barrier over the area, may leave unabsorbed drug exposed creating a risk of transfer of testosterone to other persons. Transfer of testosterone may cause serious side-effects in female partners and especially prepubertal children.
In fact, topical testosterone creams, gels and solutions are associated with a significant risk for secondary testosterone exposure (Lewis and Goldstein, 2009). Numerous case reports have demonstrated the occurrence of precocious puberty or virilization in infants and young children following contact with male parents treated with topical testosterone products (Brachet et al., 2005; Bhowmick et al., 2007; Cavender et al., 2011; Franklin, 2011; Kunz et al., 2004; Martinez-Pajares et al., 2012; Nelson et al., 2013; Stephen et al., 2008; Yu et al., 1999). Virilization of adult women has also occurred following secondary testosterone exposure from their male partners (de Ronde, 2009; Kathiresan et al., 2011; Merhi and Santoro, 2007).
Specific changes following secondary testosterone exposure in children include gynecomastia, rapid growth, pubic hair, enlarged penis and clitoris and facial acne (Brachet et al., 2005; Bhowmick et al., 2007; Cavender et al., 2011; Franklin, 2011; Kunz et al., 2004; Lewis and Goldstein, 2009; Nelson et al., 2013; Yu, 1999). Adult women have reported hirsutism, clitoral enlargement, scalp alopecia, irregular menses, deepening voice and increased muscle mass (Brachet et al., 2005; de Ronde, 2009; Kathiresan et al., 2011; Merhi and Santoro, 2007). Symptoms generally resolve after exposure to testosterone has ended, although in one case, enlarged penis persisted in a young boy (Yu, 1999).
As a result of the risk of secondary testosterone exposure, AndroGel® (topical gel) and Axiron® (topical solution) are required to display the following black box warning in the approved product label:
Warning: Secondary Exposure to Testosterone                Virilization has been reported in children who were secondarily exposed to [testosterone gel/topical testosterone products].        Children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in men using [testosterone gel/AXIRON®].        Healthcare providers should advise patients to strictly adhere to recommended instructions for use.
(See First page of Prescribing Information for AndroGel® (rev. October 2016) and Axiron® (rev. July 2017)).
While the case reports described above involve skin-to-skin contact, secondary testosterone exposure from contaminated clothing or bed linens may also be possible (Mazer et al., 2005). A recent study demonstrated the amount of residual testosterone present on the clothing of volunteer subjects using a topical testosterone solution (Axiron® [testosterone] topical solution, for topical use. Lilly USA, LLC Indianapolis, Ind.; Satonin et al., 2016). Healthy adult men (N=12) applied 1.5 mL of testosterone 2% solution to both axillae (total testosterone dose: 120 mg). After waiting>3 minutes, subjects dressed in long-sleeved cotton T-shirts. After being worn for 12 hours, the T-shirts were removed and a 10 cm2 sample of t-shirt was cut out from each armpit area for testosterone quantification before and after laundering with samples of unworn textiles. Mean testosterone in unwashed worn T-shirts was 7,603 μg representing 13% of the dose to one armpit with high between-subject variability (3,359 μg to 13,069 μg). Mean testosterone in worn, laundered T-shirts was 260 μg representing 3% of the dose to one armpit (range, 7.55 μg to 1,343 μg). Mean transferred testosterone to other textiles during laundering ranged from 69 μg on texturized Dacron 56T Double to 10,402 μg on 87/13 nylon/Lycra knit, representing 0.0382% to 5.78% of the dose to one armpit.
Another disadvantage of Axiron® topical solution is that the volume of solution applied is relatively large, and the solution can drip or run, so some of the solution may be spilled during application, resulting in an inaccurate dose. Axiron® topical solution is provided in a pump bottle and is intended for application to the axilla (the armpit area) using an applicator. Depressing the pump once dispenses 30 mg of testosterone. The following directions for use are provided to the patient in the Axiron® prescribing information:                To dispense the solution, position the nozzle over the applicator cup and carefully depress the pump fully once. Ensure that the liquid is directed into the cup. The cup should be filled with no more than 30 mg (1 pump actuation) of testosterone. Dosing that requires greater than one pump actuation must be applied in increments of 30 mg.        Keeping the applicator upright, patients should place it up into the axilla and wipe steadily down and up into the axilla. If the solution drips or runs, it can be wiped back up with the applicator cup. The solution should not be rubbed into the skin with fingers or hand. The process is then repeated with application of 30 mg of testosterone (1 pump actuation) to the other axilla to achieve a total of 60 mg of testosterone applied. When repeat application to the same axilla is required, the axilla should be allowed to dry completely before more AXIRON is applied.        After use, the applicator should be rinsed under room temperature, running water and then patted dry with a tissue. The applicator and cap are then replaced on the bottle for storage.
(See, Axiron® Prescribing Information, page 4 (rev. July 2017). These instructions are fairly lengthy and complicated.
Transdermal patches may avoid transference, but have other drawbacks that significantly reduce patient acceptance and compliance. One of these disadvantages is that the patch can cause skin irritation due to occlusion. Another disadvantage is that good adhesion of the patch requires shaving of the scrotal skin.
For the various reasons described above, there is a need for an improved transdermal formulation of testosterone.

Testosterone transdermal spray with film


Autonomic nervous system control via high frequency spinal cord modulation, and associated systems and methods. A method for treating a patient in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a neural modulation site to include a neural population of the patient's spinal cord, and selecting parameters of a neural modulation signal to at least reduce an autonomic system deficit in the patient.

Neurological stimulators have been developed to treat pain, movement disorders, functional disorders, spasticity, cancer, cardiac disorders, and various other medical conditions. Implantable neurological stimulation systems generally have an implantable pulse generator and one or more leads that deliver electrical pulses to neurological tissue or muscle tissue. For example, several neurological stimulation systems for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have cylindrical leads that include a lead body with a circular cross-sectional shape and one or more conductive rings spaced apart from each other at the distal end of the lead body. The conductive rings operate as individual electrodes and, in many cases, the SCS leads are implanted percutaneously through a large needle inserted into the epidural space, with or without the assistance of a stylet.
While the foregoing stimulators and techniques have proven beneficial in many instances, there remains a significant need in the medical community for improved devices and therapies that can address a broad range of patient indications.


A method for manufacture of an integrated circuit package system includes: providing an integrated circuit die having a contact pad; forming a protection cover over the contact pad; forming a passivation layer having a first opening over the protection cover with the first opening exposing the protection cover; developing a conductive layer over the passivation layer; forming a pad opening in the protection cover for exposing the contact pad having the conductive layer partially removed; and an interconnect directly on the contact pad and only adjacent to the protection cover and the passivation layer.

Modern consumer electronics, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, and location based services devices, as well as enterprise electronics, such as servers and storage arrays, are packing more integrated circuits into an ever shrinking physical space with expectations for decreasing cost. Every new generation of integrated circuits with increased operating frequency, performance and the higher level of large-scale integration have underscored the need for back-end integrated circuit manufacturing to provide more solutions involving the integrated circuit itself.
Numerous technologies have been developed to meet these requirements. Some of the research and development strategies focus on new package technologies while others focus on improving the existing and mature package technologies. Both approaches may include additional processing of the integrated circuits to better match the targeted package.
The continued emphasis in the integrated circuit technology is to create improved performance integrated circuit devices at competitive prices. This emphasis over the years has resulted in increasing miniaturization of integrated circuit devices, made possible by continued advances of integrated circuit processes and materials in combination with new and sophisticated device designs.
Numerous integrated circuit designs are aimed for mixed-signal designs by incorporating analog functions. One of the major challenges in the creation of analog processing circuitry (using digital processing procedures and equipment) is that a number of the components that are used for analog circuitry are large in size and are therefore not readily integrated into integrated circuits. The main components that offer a challenge in this respect are capacitors and inductors, since both these components are, for typical analog processing circuits, of considerable size. In response to the demands for improved package performance and analog circuitry integration, packaging manufacturers may prepare the integrated circuit for packaging as well as provide analog circuitry integration onto the integrated circuit.
Although analog circuitry integration and processing support the miniaturization trend, other problems arise from this integration. For example, semiconductor or integrated circuit devices have pads exposed for connecting, such as wire bonding, to the package terminals, such as leads. Typically, analog circuitry integration or any additional device processing after the pad development damages the pad resulting in poor electrical contact, contact reliability, reduced yield, and increased cost.
Still thinner, smaller, and lighter package designs and mounting/connecting configurations have been adopted in response to continuing requirements for further miniaturization. At the same time, users are demanding integrated circuit packages that are more reliable under increasingly severe operating conditions.
Thus, a need still remains for an integrated circuit package system providing low cost manufacturing and improved yield for the integrated circuits. In view of the ever-increasing need to save costs and improve efficiencies, it is more and more critical that answers be found to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Method for manufacture of integrated circuit package system with protected conductive layers for pads


A method for forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor device includes forming laterally adjacent first and second active regions in a semiconductor layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. A stress inducing layer is formed above the first active region to impart stress thereto. Trench isolation regions are formed bounding the first active region and adjacent portions of the stress inducing layer. The stress inducing layer is removed leaving the trench isolation regions to maintain stress imparted to the first active region.

Some semiconductor devices utilize semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) technology, in which a thin layer of a semiconductor, such as silicon, is separated from a semiconductor substrate by a relatively thick electrically insulating layer. This thick electrically insulating layer is also referred to as a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The semiconductor layer typically has a thickness of a few nanometers, whereas the semiconductor substrate typically has a thickness of a few tens of nanometers.
SOI technology offer certain advantages compared to traditional bulk technology for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices. CMOS devices include nMOSFET transistors and pMOSFET transistors both formed in the thin silicon layer which overlies the buried oxide (BOX) layer. SOI technology allows CMOS devices to operate at a lower power consumption while providing the same performance level.
One particular type of SOI technology that is helping to allow for continued CMOS scaling is fully depleted SOI (FDSOI). As opposed to a partially depleted SOI (PDSOI) device, in an FDSOI device a relatively thin semiconductor channel layer is provided over the buried oxide (BOX) layer, such that the depletion region of the device covers the whole layer. FDSOI devices may provide advantages such as higher switching speeds and a reduction in threshold voltage roll off, as compared to PDSOI devices, for example.
To improve CMOS device performance, stress may be introduced into the channels of the field effect transistors (FETs). When applied in a longitudinal direction (i.e., in the direction of current flow), tensile stress is known to enhance electron mobility (i.e., n-channel FET drive currents) while compressive stress is known to enhance hole mobility (i.e., p-channel FET drive currents).
Typical methods for enhancing channel stress in a semiconductor device involve the use of a blanket implantation across an entire semiconductor substrate. A more localized implantation approach is disclosed in U.S. published patent application no. 2013/0217198. A localized implant into a gate region prior to gate etch is performed for enhancing the channel stress of the semiconductor device.
Another approach for enhancing channel stress in a semiconductor device involves embedding source/drain stressor material in stress cavities in the source/drain regions of a MOSFET. Silicon germanium (SiGe) may be used in pMOSFETs to induce compressive strain in the channel region, and silicon carbide (SiC) may be used in nMOSFETs to induce tensile strain in the channel region. The source/drain stressor material may be heavily doped in-situ to avoid implant damage to the stressor that can degrade the channel stress.
Despite the existence of such configurations, further enhancements in SOI devices may be desirable in some applications.

Method of making a semiconductor device using trench isolation regions to maintain channel stress