The present invention relates to a biocompatible ceramic material comprising Sr, Mg or Ba doped Hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7), and a method for its synthetic preparation. The present invention also relates to an implantable medical device comprising biocompatible doped Hardystonite, and a method for its production. The present invention further relates to a method for improving the long term stability of an implantable medical device and an implantable drug delivery device comprising doped Hardystonite. Further, the present invention relates to the use of comprising biocompatible doped Hardystonite in the regeneration or resurfacing of tissue.

The following discussion of the prior art is provided to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and enable the advantages of it to be more fully understood. It should be appreciated, however, that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should not be considered as an express or implied admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Bone, as a living tissue, has the ability to heal itself, however in some cases damage to the bone from whatever cause is too severe to allow natural healing to take place, and so a bone graft is required to stimulate regeneration. There are three main types of bone grafts: autografts, allografts and synthetic grafts. Significant research is being conducted in the field of synthetic grafts as bone substitutes since synthetic grafts can ameliorate many of the problems associated with autografts and allografts, such as limited supply, donor site pain, and immunogenicity issues.
In the case of advanced degenerative bone disease, joint replacement therapy remains the only treatment available for relieving the pain and suffering. However, the technologies available in this area of orthopaedics are far from satisfactory. For example, Australians require more than 60,000 hip and knee replacement operations annually, a rate that has been estimated to be increasing by some 10% per annum, and a staggering 25% of which are revisions of failed implants [Graves, S. E., et al., The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. Med. J Aust., 2004; 180 (5 Suppl): p. S31-4]. Further complications arise in situations where bone stock is compromised, or where initial implant stability is questionable (e.g. elderly patients, post-traumatic injuries or in revision operations), in which cases short- and long-terms clinical results are typically inferior. The increases in life expectancy, and in the number of younger patients requiring implants, highlights the need for greater implant longevity and has driven biomedical research to develop novel micro-engineered surfaces to anchor the cementless prosthesis directly to the living bone through osseo-integration, thereby attempting to provide a stable interface strong enough to support life-long functional loading. It is clear that there is a serious problem with the longevity of current orthopaedic devices; a problem that is anticipated to only increase with the increasing demand from the aging population requiring such treatments. It is clear that any improvement that could be made to increase the performance of these orthopaedics devices would be welcomed, not only by the orthopaedic community but also by the patients themselves.
3D scaffolds that promote the migration, proliferation and differentiation of bone and endothelial cells are becoming increasingly important in not only orthopaedic but also maxillofacial surgery. An ideal bone replacement material should support bone formation and vascularisation; show minimal fibrotic reaction and serve as a temporary biomaterial for bone remodelling; they must degrade in a controlled fashion into non-toxic products that the body can metabolize or excrete via normal physiological mechanisms (Yaszemski et al. 1996). Scaffolds need to be mechanically strong and matched with a similar modulus of elasticity to that of bone in order to prevent stress shielding as well as maintaining adequate toughness to prevent fatigue fracture under cyclic loading. At present there are no successful strategies available for bone tissue regeneration and resurfacing arthritic joints with articular cartilage. The lack or of cartilage reparative response creates a great demand for new modalities that promote tissue regeneration.
Over the last century, various ceramics have been investigated for the purpose of encouraging or stimulating bone growth and as scaffolds. For example, in the 1880's calcium sulphate (plaster of Paris) was utilised, however calcium sulphate displays a relatively low bioactivity and a relatively high rate of degradation (Tay et al., Orthop. Clin. North Am., 1999, 30:615-23). In the 1950's hydroxyapatite was utilised, however hydroxyapatite suffers from a relatively low degradation rate and poor mechanical properties (Wiltfang J., et al J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 2002; 63:115-21). In the 1970's Bioglass® was developed, however, this material is relatively hard to handle due to its inherent brittleness and has a relatively low bending strength (Cordioli G, Clin. Oral Implants Res. 2001, 13:655-65). In the 1990's calcium silicate ceramics began to be used for stimulating bone growth. They are regarded as potential bioactive materials and their degradation products do not incite an inflammatory reaction. However drawbacks exist with these materials that compromise their physical and biological properties including their a) inability to combine the required mechanical properties with open porosity b) poor mechanical strength making them unsuitable for load-bearing application; and c) poor chemical instability (high degradation rate) leading to a highly alkaline condition in the surrounding environment which is detrimental to cell viability and limits their long-term biological applications.
Whilst other more recent ceramics such as HAp, Bioverit®, Ceraverit® and other calcium silicates have been found to bond to living bone and meet wide clinical applications, i.e. good bioactivity, they cannot be used in highly loaded areas, such as the cortical bone found in, for example, legs, due to the relative brittleness of these materials. Thus the materials possess good bioactivity, but lack full biodegradability after implantation and their mechanical strength is compromised [Hench L L. J Am Ceram. Soc. 1998 81: 1705-28]. They are too brittle and fracture frequently. For at least this reason such materials typically find their use limited to coatings on metallic implants.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the above mentioned prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.


In the case of a method for detecting a tensile stress of a circumferential belt (5), this is deflected around a tension roller (4). In this way, the running length of the circumferential belt (5) is changed by adjusting the tension roller (4). A force measuring device (10) is provided, wherein the force measurement changes along with the adjustment path (6) of the tension roller (4). In order to make a reliable tensile stress detection possible, the sensitivities of the force measuring device (10) are determined with respect to the tensile stress for different points of the adjustment path. These sensitivities or calculated values are stored in a memory (32), which a controller (15) accesses. This calculates the tensile stress from the current adjustment path (6), the current bearing force and the stored sensitivities or values by means of interpolation.

A generic method is known from DE 10 2015 008 219 A1. In the case of the method, a circumferential belt is deflected by several rollers, wherein one of which is adjustable as a tension roller and is formed as a force measuring roller. Thus, the force measurement direction changes along with the adjustment movement, whereby the force measurement value measured by the force measuring device can no longer be exactly associated with a tensile stress. The said publication therefore proposes to at least partially compensate the effect of the different measuring direction by means of a suitable arrangement of the rollers with an effect due to a varying wrapping angle of the tension roller. However, this compensation does not work completely so that a systematic measurement error remains. This is perceived as being detrimental. In addition, there are installation situations in which the arrangement in accordance with the aforementioned publication is not feasible or only can only be implemented with quite a great deal of effort. Even for such applications, however, there is a desire to implement tensile stress detection on a reliable level.

Method for detecting a tensile stress of a circumferential belt


The present invention concerns a portable object (1). This portable object includes a case (2) to which a bracelet or strap (3) is fixed taking the form of two bracelet or strap strands. The portable object is characterized in that at least one of the bracelet or strap strands is moveably mounted to slide relative to the case so that the length of the bracelet or strap can be adjusted.

It is known in the prior art that wristwatches are fixed to the user's wrist via a leather or rubber strap or metal bracelet, said strap or bracelet being formed of two strands. The watch case thus includes two pairs of horns diametrically opposite each other. The two strands of the strap or bracelet are then fixed to the watch case via the two pairs of horns. The two strap or bracelet strands are secured to each other by a clasp enabling the wristwatch to be attached to the user's wrist.
One drawback of this type of strap or bracelet is the lack of freedom to adjust the length thereof. Indeed, metal bracelets are formed of links which are removed or added to adjust the length of said bracelet. Since the links have a fixed size, adjustment to the exact dimension of the wrist is not always possible. As regards leather or rubber straps, these are pierced with holes so that a tongue can slide therein. The number of holes is limited if one wishes to avoid making the strap fragile. Indeed, too many holes would mean a small space between each hole and thus greater fragility of the strap in this respect. If the space between two holes breaks, the holes become unusable. No means exist for finely adjusting the length of the bracelet or strap, which can be inconvenient for the user.
Another drawback of these bracelets and straps is that their length cannot be adjusted in accordance with the environment and particularly in accordance with the temperature. It has been shown that the physiognomy of a person's body can vary depending upon the environment in which the person is situated. One of the environmental elements that has an effect on the human physiognomy is temperature. Thus, a person's limbs tend to contract when the person feels cold and, conversely, said person's limbs tend to expand when he or she feels hot. Consequently, the wearer's wrist expands or contracts with temperature, which means that the diameter of the wrist varies with temperature. Although with a leather or rubber strap, it is possible to tighten or loosen the strap, this is not the case with a metal bracelet. The size of the bracelet cannot therefore be adjusted with temperature.
Thus, the user finds him or herself with a bracelet, which, at the ambient temperature fits the user's wrist, but which will be too long when the user is cold and too short when the user is hot, thus causing inconvenience.

System for adjusting the length of a bracelet or strap

The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd


An engine valve includes a stem, a head comprising an outer lip surface, a seating surface extending from the outer lip surface toward the stem, and a combustion surface extending from the outer lip surface on the opposite side of the head as compared to the seating surface. The combustion surface includes a first convex arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a raised ring, and a first concave arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a dimple.

Gas exchange valves are used in internal combustion engines to control fluid connections between the cylinder and a supply of intake air or intake air and other gases such as recirculated exhaust gas, or between the cylinder and an exhaust manifold for expelling combustion products during operation. Designs are known wherein a single intake valve and a single exhaust valve are associated with each cylinder in an engine, as well as designs where multiple gas exchange valves of each respective type are associated with each cylinder. A camshaft, typically rotated at half engine speed, is coupled with valve lifters, bridges, rocker arms, and/or other equipment for controlling the opening and closing of gas exchange valves at appropriate engine timings.
Gas exchange valves are moved out of contact with and into contact with the engine head or a valve seat insert within the engine head to affect their opening and closing actions. Gas exchange valves may be moved between their open and closed positions with significant mechanical forces. The in-cylinder environment is associated with combustion temperatures of several hundred degrees along with relatively high pressures. These and other factors contribute to gas exchange valve operating conditions being quite harsh.
More specifically, modern heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers are in a competitive market where low cost, power dense engine solutions are the norm. This has led to the down-sizing of engine displacement for existing output levels, or increased output levels for existing engine displacements. The decreased engine displacement or increased engine output results in higher pressures and temperatures inside the cylinder. These higher pressures and temperatures apply greater demands on the valves within the cylinder head. The valves have several failure modes, including high cycle fatigue, low cycle fatigue, and seat face wear (valve recession), etc.
These problems may necessitate maintenance of the engine and unwanted downtime for a machine or economic endeavor employing the engine.
Published PCT Patent Application No. WO2015/187034A1 discloses an inlet valve with an ellipsoidal flow separation surface running downstream from an end of the seating surface to an underside of the valve seat. However, this reference fails to disclose how to improve the longevity of an engine valve.


A microprogram transfer register designation system for a microprogram controlled microprocessor which has a plurality of internal data buses such that there are previously prepared some number of source register sets each designating one source register for each of the internal buses and some number of destination register sets each designating one destination register for each of the internal buses, wherein one of the source register sets and one of the destination register sets is selected when an interregister transfer is executed. A transfer register designation field of a microcode includes at least one transfer inhibit flag for the internal buses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microprogram transfer register designation system for use in a microprogram controlled microprocessor having a plurality of internal buses, and, the present invention relates more specifically to a microprogram transfer register designation system for designating, by one transfer register code, one set of source registers and destination registers which are respectively of the same number as that of the internal buses.
2. Description of Related Art
At present, the control for internal hardware resources in microprocessors are mainly of a so-called microprogram control system. This system includes a read only memory (ROM) provided internally in the microprocessor for storing a microprogram composed of a sequence of control codes (called "microcodes") and a microprogram sequencer for sequentially reading and decoding the microcodes from the ROM for each one word so as to control various hardware resources in the microprocessors. The internal hardware resources in the microprocessor includes various arithmetic logic units and registers, and each microprogram instructs various operations such as interregister data transfer, logic operations, condition decisions, branches, etc., similarly to machine languages for computers.
In the microprogram, execution speed is preferred over generality and descriptivity of programs, and therefore, each instruction has as many functions as possible which can be executed in parallel, such as a transfer instruction, an arithmetic operation instruction, a conditional branch and the like so that a parallel operation will be realized to the maximum extent, and therefore the hardware resources are efficiently utilized. In this aspect, the microprogram is different from the machine language for general computers. Accordingly, ordinary microcodes have a plurality of fields in one instruction so that different functions are described independently of one another.
In the case of microprocessors having only one internal data bus, the microcodes are not so long and therefore, the microprogram control is very effective. However, in the case of microprocessors having two or more internal data buses, the microcodes need a field of a long word length for designating the source registers and the destination registers for data transfers made by using the respective internal data buses.
Conventionally, in order to shorten the field for the interregister transfer, there has been proposed to previously prepare some number of source register sets each designating one source register for each of the internal buses and some number of destination register sets each designating one destination register for each of the internal buses. In this manner, all possible combinations of source registers and destination registers cannot be prepared because the preparation for all possible combinations needs a very long field for designating the source register set and the destination register set. Therefore, the data transfer between a set of registers which is not included in the previously prepared combinations must be executed by sequentially executing the data transfers between two or more sets of registers which are included in the previously prepared combinations. This is disadvantageous in that the content of an unintended register is destroyed. In order to avoid the destruction of the data, the microprogram inevitably becomes more complicated.

Microprogram controlled microprocessor having a plurality of internal buses and including transfer register designation system


A method of fabricating a bipolar transistor on a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes steps of implanting p-type dopants into diffusion compensation regions (23) where an intrinsic base region (18) intersects an isolation oxide (31). The implant step is carried out before depositing a poly layer (from which an emitter contact (27a) is formed). Thus, the diffusion compensation region (23) is also located below the emitter contact (27a). A diffused emitter (27b) is subsequent formed by diffusing dopant from the emitter contact (27a) into the underlying active area.

The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor devices and their manufacture. More specifically, in one embodiment the invention provides bipolar devices on a substrate and a process for their fabrication.
Bipolar semiconductor devices and their methods of manufacture are well known. Such devices are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,568 (Koh et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,480 (Vora), both assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Recently, the advantages of bipolar and CMOS devices have been beneficially incorporated into circuits using both types of devices on a single substrate. Circuits which incorporate both bipolar and CMOS devices have come to be known as "BiCMOS." BiCMOS devices offer the advantages of the high packing density and low power consumption of CMOS devices, as well as the high speed of bipolar devices. One BiCMOS device and process for fabrication thereof is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,480.
Isolation of bipolar junction transistors ("BJTs") is an important step in bipolar and BiCMOS fabrication. One well-known isolation method is the so called side-walled-masked-isolation (SWAMI) process. BJTs fabricated according to this and some related processes may have a "walled emitter" in which the emitter of the transistor intersects the isolation oxide. Walled emitter devices make effective use of the device active area, minimizing the parasitic collector-base capacitance for a given emitter area. Further, transistors with walled emitters generally require reduced amounts of layout area per transistor. For comparison, in a non-walled emitter BJT, the emitter is separated from the isolation oxide, and the resultant structure has a generally uniform emitter-base edge profile on all edges. This type of transistor usually requires more layout area for a given lithography technique than a walled emitter BJT.
Walled emitters can have certain problems, among which are excessive collector-emitter leakage currents ("I.sub.CEO ") and lower the collector-emitter breakdown voltage, BV.sub.CEO. I.sub.CEO is a current that flows between the collector and emitter when a voltage is placed between the collector and emitter while the base terminal is left open. Substantial leakage currents can reduce yield and/or cause improper circuit operation.
I.sub.CEO can be excessive due to a number of factors. Some of these are mediated by excessive isolation oxide encroachment at the corners of the active areas on the BJT. For example, the intrinsic base dopant can segregate into the field oxide adjacent the base, leading to locally lower based dopant concentrations. This can also allow the subsequently formed emitter region to penetrate further into the intrinsic base region, resulting in a reduced base width. Both effects (reduced base width and lower base dopant concentration) can lead to excessive leakage current between the emitter and the collector at the intersection of the intrinsic base and the isolation oxide. In addition, charges present in the field oxide as a result of dopant segregation can cause an inversion of the P-type intrinsic base region at the edge of the walled emitter, creating a leakage path between the collector and emitter.
One recently developed method for off-setting the above problems involves forming diffusion compensation regions in the areas where the base width narrowing occurs. The diffusion compensation regions contain elevated concentrations of the base dopant so that the dopant segregation or inversion of the intrinsic base region is avoided. Typically the diffusion compensation regions are formed by implanting and diffusing base dopant into the isolation oxide regions before the isolation oxide is grown. Devices formed according to this process are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/821,256 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Other methods for reducing or controlling I.sub.CEO leakage in walled emitters have generally tended to reduce the performance of the BJTs. For example, increasing the base width or increasing the dopant concentration throughout the base region reduce the performance of the BJT by increasing the transit time of charges in the base region and by increasing the parasitic capacitances of the BJTs.
From the above it is seen that an improved method for controlling I.sub.CEO currents in a BJT having a walled emitter (particularly for use in BiCMOS devices) is desired to provide devices with improved performance.

Method of fabricating a BiCMOS structure


The disclosure relates to an actuation unit (16) for a medical instrument (10) and to a medical instrument (10) with a shaft (12) which extends between a proximal end (20) and a distal end (22), wherein the instrument (10) is designed at the distal end (22) to receive an end effector (14), an actuation unit (16, 216) which is assigned to the proximal end of the shaft (12), and which has a plurality of drives (50, 52, 54, 56), and with at least two control trains (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114) which extend through the shaft (12), wherein the at least two control trains (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114) can be used for controlling at least one degree of freedom of the instrument, in particular for deflecting the end effector (14), wherein the at least two control trains (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114) comprise a first control train (100, 104, 108, 112) and a second control train (102, 106, 110, 114), and wherein the first control train (100, 104, 108, 112) is coupled to a first carrier (70, 74, 78, 82) and the second control train (102, 106, 110, 114) is coupled to a second carrier (72, 76, 80, 84), on which a drive (50, 52, 54, 56) acts for generating a pushing movement or pulling movement of the carrier (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84).

The present disclosure relates to a medical instrument with a shaft which extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the instrument is designed at the distal end to receive an end effector, an actuation unit which is assigned to the proximal end of the shaft, and with at least two control trains which extend through the shaft, wherein the at least two control trains can be used for controlling at least one degree of freedom of the instrument, in particular for deflecting the end effector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,827 A has disclosed a surgical instrument having a rigid shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, said rigid shaft extending between a handle and a jaw head, a deflectable portion being provided at the distal end of the rigid shaft and permitting a deflection of the jaw head relative to the rigid shaft in any desired directions, the deflectable portion having a plurality of pivot joints which are arranged in series and are pivotable relative to one another.
To control the deflection movement, U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,827 A proposes the use of four actuation wires which extend through the shaft and the deflectable portion and which can be manually operated via a control lever. The four actuation wires are coupled to a distal member of the deflectable portion, and to a control plate connected to the control lever, in such a way that, upon a deflection of the control lever, the actuation wires are in part pulled in the proximal direction or pushed in the distal direction. In this way, the jaw head can be deflected up or down or to the right or left, for example.
Medical instruments of a wide variety of types are known. For example, there are medical instruments with an end effector in the form of a jaw head which has two jaw parts that are movable relative to each other in order to open or close the jaw head. Instruments of this kind are designed, for example, as clamps, scissors, staplers, forceps, tweezers or similar. Relevant medical instruments are also known which are designed for electrosurgical treatment and have one or more electrodes in the region of the jaw head.
It will be appreciated that the end effector in some examples is not necessarily designed as a jaw head. For example, the end effector can comprise optical elements and/or an image recorder. For example, the end effector is designed to output electromagnetic radiation, for example in the context of photodynamic therapy. For example, the end effector is designed for removing samples and/or for delivering a therapeutic agent or other substances. The end effector can also be designed, for example, to provide an irrigation function and/or suction function. Mixed forms and combinations are conceivable.
Particularly in instruments with a rigid shaft, additional degrees of freedom are often desired, for example in order to permit a deflection of the end effector relative to the shaft. In this way, for example, the end effector (as viewed by the operator) can be deflected up or down or to the right or left. U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,827 A describes an embodiment in which a deflection of a jaw head in several directions is permitted using just one control lever.
The surgical instrument described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,827 A is guided by hand, and the deflectable portion is likewise controlled manually. The operator can steer the control lever in different directions, similarly to a joystick, and the jaw head is deflected in response to this.
Medical instruments with motorized and in some cases even robotic control have been known for some time. Some or all degrees of freedom (movements, functions, etc.) of the instrument can be actuated by motor and, if appropriate, controlled. This can afford advantages during operation of the instruments. Moreover, further developments such as remote medicine (remote surgery), surgical treatments with surgical robots and similar require almost complete motorized/robotic control of all or almost all the functions of the instrument.
The concept disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,827 A is suitable for manual actuation, assuming a suitable level of experience of the operator. However, a one-to-one conversion would lead to high outlay, because the control movement at the control lever includes various degrees of freedom of movement.
In medical instruments, particularly in surgical instruments or in instruments for minimally invasive surgery, strict limitations on the installation space often have to be taken into consideration. This often applies to a shaft diameter. For example, the diameter of a shaft of a medical instrument can be at most 15 mm, at most 12 mm, at most 10 mm, at most 8 mm, or even at most 6 mm. This is not to be understood as restrictive. Similarly, various functions and degrees of freedom are often desired for the end effector. Corresponding movements have to be regularly transmitted from the proximal end of the instrument to the distal end. Drives or other actuators cannot generally be realized directly at the end effector.
Against this background, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical instrument which has a plurality of degrees of freedom, in particular degrees of freedom of movement, for an end effector, wherein at least some of the degrees of freedom can be controlled by motor. This applies for example to a deflection movement of the end effector. The instrument preferably permits a small shaft diameter. The instrument preferably permits a deflection of the end effector in different directions. The deflection of the end effector can preferably be variably controlled. The deflection movement preferably entails no play or minimal play. In particular, the medical instrument should be suitable for use in remote medical (remote surgical) treatment and/or robotic or robot-assisted surgery, at least in exemplary embodiments.
Furthermore, the object of the present disclosure is to provide an actuation unit suitable for such an instrument.
According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a medical instrument with a shaft which extends between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the instrument is designed at the distal end to receive an end effector, an actuation unit which is assigned to the proximal end of the shaft, and which has a plurality of drives, and with at least two control trains which extend through the shaft, wherein the at least two control trains can be used for controlling at least one degree of freedom of the instrument, in particular for deflecting the end effector, wherein the at least two control trains comprise a first control train and a second control train, and wherein the first control train is coupled to a first carrier and the second control train is coupled to a second carrier, on which a drive acts for generating a pushing movement or pulling movement of the carrier.
The object is achieved in this way.
According to the invention, an actuation unit is in fact made available which if necessary is able to control quite complex movements (degrees of freedom of the instrument) but which, for this task, uses only simple elements that are suitably coupled to one another. In particular, simple movements (pulling movements or pushing movements) are used to control the desired degrees of freedom of movement of the instrument. Pulling movements or pushing movements are generally translational movements which, for example, can be generated precisely and reproducibly with threaded spindles. Complex movements can accordingly be divided into a plurality of simple partial movements, for which purpose established drives, in particular electromotive drives, are available.
In the context of the present disclosure, a distal end or element is directed toward a patient and directed away from an operator and/or a base of the instrument. In the context of the present disclosure, a proximal end or element is directed toward an operator or a base of the instrument and directed away from a patient. In other words, a distal end or element of a unit is generally arranged closer to the patient than a proximal element of the same unit. The term "distal" can therefore also be understood as "toward the patient". The term "proximal" can therefore also be understood as "away from the patient".
In the context of the present disclosure, a pulling movement of a carrier is a movement of the carrier in the proximal direction, for example away from the distal end. In the context of the present disclosure, a pushing movement of a carrier is a movement of the carrier in the distal direction, for example away from the proximal end.
For example, the deflection of the instrument is a deflection of the end effector in relation to the shaft and/or in relation to the proximal end of the instrument. A deflection of the end effector comprises, for example, a transition from an extended orientation (for example concentric to the longitudinal axis of the shaft) to an orientation at an angle to the longitudinal axis.
In an exemplary embodiment, an end effector is arranged at the distal end of the shaft of the instrument. The end effector is, for example, a jaw head with two jaw parts, of which at least one jaw part is movable relative to the other jaw part. Such a jaw head is designed, for example, in the form of forceps, tweezers, scissors, a coagulation instrument or similar. In exemplary embodiments, the end effector comprises a light source or radiation source. In exemplary embodiments, the end effector comprises structural parts of an optical assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the end effector comprises an image recorder.
An end effector can also be described as a distal endpiece of the instrument arranged at the distal end of the shaft. It will be appreciated that further structural parts can be formed between the shaft and the end effector, for example a deflectable portion. In some embodiments, the deflectable portion is a constituent part of the shaft.
When a pushing movement or pulling movement of the carrier is generated, the control train coupled thereto can be subjected to tension (pulled in the proximal direction) or to thrust (generally: compensating movement in the distal direction). This can be used to generate a movement at the distal end of the instrument. Moreover, the one or more control trains, in particular the two control trains of a pair, can be slightly pretensioned in order to minimize or even eliminate a movement play (for example reversal play) during the control of the degree of freedom of the instrument. This permits highly precise movements with a high degree of reproducibility.
In exemplary embodiments, the actuation unit is designed as a motorized actuation unit with motorized drives. In this way, the instrument can be used for remote medical applications, remote surgical applications, robot-assisted applications and the like.
In the context of the present disclosure, ordinal numbers (first, second, third element, etc.) are used primarily to distinguish between different elements. They do not entail a weighting or ranking. In other words, embodiments are conceivable in which only a second or third element of a list is provided, not the first element.
In exemplary embodiments, the medical instrument is designed for insertion into a body of a patient. This can take place via natural or artificial openings in the body. It will be appreciated that the medical instrument can also be designed for treatment of the body from outside of the body.
In particular, the medical instrument is a surgical instrument. For example, the medical instrument is an instrument for minimally invasive surgery. For example, the medical instrument is an instrument with a minimized shaft diameter.
The instrument preferably provides several degrees of freedom for the deflection movement. This comprises for example a variable deflection in several directions (for example downward and from right to left, for example from the point of view of an observer). With coordinated control, the end effector can be deflected in any or almost any desired manner in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, at least in exemplary embodiments. This is comparable to a clock hand, which can assume any positions (from 0.00 h to 12.00 h) on a dial with a 12-hour division. Moreover, in exemplary embodiments, a variation of the degree of the deflection (or kink angle) is also conceivable. With a deflection of 90°, the end effector is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.
In exemplary embodiments, a deflection of the end effector is characterized by an angle position (pointer), for example between 0° and 360°, and a degree of the deflection (kink angle), for example between 0° (concentric to the longitudinal axis) and 90° (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) or even more. Other embodiments are conceivable. In an exemplary embodiment, the deflection can be controlled incrementally or steplessly.
A degree of freedom is, for example, a degree of freedom of movement of the instrument or of its end effector. However, it can also be generally understood as a function, in particular a function that comprises a movement of at least one element of the instrument. For example, the opening and closing of the jaw part can also be interpreted as a degree of freedom of the instrument.
According to an exemplary embodiment, two or more of the drives are oriented parallel to one another, wherein preferably two or more of the drives are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and distributed about the longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, four drives are provided which are each arranged about the longitudinal axis, offset by 90° to one another in relation to the longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the drives are arranged at the same axial position along the longitudinal axis.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the control trains are designed as control wires, in particular as control wires that can be subjected to tensile loading. The control wires are made of nitinol, for example. It will be appreciated that control trains and control wires can also be subjected at least partially to a shear load, at least in exemplary embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the control trains can also be designed as control rods, in particular as flexible control rods or as sufficiently elastic control rods.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the end effector is deflectable relative to the shaft, wherein a deflectable portion is provided which comprises at least one ball element with spherical surfaces, which is arranged between a proximal ball guide and a distal ball guide, and wherein the at least two control trains are coupled to the distal ball guide in order to deflect the end effector. In an exemplary embodiment, the deflectable portion is arranged at the transition between the shaft and the end effector.
In an exemplary embodiment, the deflectable portion is constructed similarly to a vertebral column. In other words, two or more ball-shaped elements are arranged in series and are each designed between two guides in the form of sockets/socket discs. In this way, considerable degrees of deflection (kink angles) can be achieved.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, a first and a second control train form a pair which is assigned to one degree of freedom of the instrument. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the control trains of the pair are alternately subjected to tension by an associated drive. The two control trains of a pair are preferably alternately subjected to tension, i.e. alternately pulled in the distal direction, by a single drive. The respective other control train performs an oppositely directed compensating movement and, at least in exemplary embodiments, is slightly pretensioned in order to reduce play.
When a first control train of the pair is subjected to tension and as a result of this is pulled in the proximal direction, the other control train (depending on the design of the deflectable portion) is moved in the opposite direction (compensating movement), i.e. is pulled distally (on account of the deflection of the deflectable portion) and/or pushed distally (on account of the pushing movement of the carrier). By contrast, when a second control train of the pair is subjected to tension and as a result of this is pulled in the proximal direction, the other control train (depending on the design of the deflectable portion) is moved in the opposite direction (compensating movement). This applies at least for exemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the drives are designed as push and/or pull drives. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, a drive can push a carrier in the distal direction and/or pull it in the proximal direction, the movement being transmitted to the control train coupled to the carrier.
In this way, in exemplary embodiments, it is possible to ensure a movement that has no play or minimal play, in particular a deflection that has minimal play or no play. In other words, the end effector can be precisely positioned and oriented for example via a deflection movement. For this purpose, in an exemplary embodiment, the deflectable portion is provided between the shaft and the end effector. In exemplary embodiments, the deflectable portion is assigned to the shaft. In exemplary embodiments, the deflectable portion is assigned to the end effector. This is not to be understood as limiting the disclosure.
In an exemplary embodiment, an even number of control trains is provided, of which in each case two form a pair for controlling a degree of freedom of the instrument. This applies in particular to those control trains which are used for deflecting the end effector. For example, two, four, six or eight control trains are provided, which form one pair, two pairs, three pairs or four pairs.
However, this does not rule out an odd number of control trains being provided in total. In an exemplary embodiment, one control train is designed to open or close jaw parts of the end effector. This can take place for example counter to a restoring force, such that a single control train suffices, for example because restoring is provided by a spring.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, a single drive is assigned to the two control trains of a pair. If a single drive controls two control trains, this reduces the overall number of drives that are needed. Moreover, in this way, a state with minimal play or no play can be achieved if the drive tensions the control trains alternately and the respective other control train is slightly pretensioned. In a configuration with four control trains, there are therefore two drives, and in a configuration with eight control trains, there are four drives, at least in exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that additional drives can be provided, for example for opening/closing the jaw part.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the two control trains of a pair are arranged, at least at the distal end, offset by 180° to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In other words, the two control trains are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the shaft or of the longitudinal axis of the latter. In this way, a deflection movement and the associated reversal movement can be realized without a restoring spring or the like.
In an exemplary embodiment, the two control trains are arranged offset by 180° to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the shaft, for example at a distal coupling site or a distal ball guide of the deflectable portion. Accordingly, an alternating pulling movement in the proximal direction can cause a deflection movement from a neutral position and also a reversal movement into the neutral position, by one or the other control train being pulled in the proximal direction. The respectively opposite control train preferably performs a compensating movement.
In an exemplary embodiment, the drive is designed to be self-locking. This entails for example a sufficiently high friction between movable parts of the drive, which parts are coupled to the carriers of the two control trains of the pair. If the static friction is sufficiently high, the end effector remains in its deflected state. The static friction results, for example, from participating coupling elements, for example constituent parts of a threaded spindle drive. Alternatively or in addition, electric motors can be used which provide a correspondingly high static moment. This can also contribute to reducing play.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drive can be operated in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation, wherein in the first direction of rotation the first control train of the pair is pulled proximally and in the second direction of rotation the second control train of the pair is pulled proximally. Thus, a single motor (for example an electric motor) can be used to alternately pull the two control trains in the proximal direction via their carriers. To do this, it is simply necessary to operate the motor with alternating rotation (clockwise, anticlockwise).
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drive is designed as a thread drive and is provided with a spindle, the latter having two oppositely directed thread portions, wherein a first thread portion interacts with the carrier of the first control train, and wherein a second thread portion interacts with the carrier of the second control train.
In this way, an oppositely directed movement of the two carriers of the two control trains of the pair can be effected using just one drive and just one threaded spindle. In other words, the two carriers are moved towards each other or away from each other depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded spindle and on the pitch of the two oppositely directed thread portions, at least in exemplary embodiments. The oppositely directed thread portions comprise, for example, a right-hand thread and a left-hand thread. In an exemplary embodiment, the pitch of the right-hand thread and of the left-hand thread is identical. In this way, the movement of the two control trains of the pair can be mechanically synchronized, since sums of the pushing movement and of the pulling movement of the carriers are the same, at least in exemplary embodiments.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, several of the drives are designed as thread drives with two oppositely directed thread portions, wherein the drives each have a spindle, and wherein the spindles are preferably distributed in a circular shape about the longitudinal axis. In this way, the overall number of drives can be further reduced. For example, a single drive is provided in each case for the two control wires of one pair, such that a degree of freedom of the instrument can be controlled.
According to an alternative embodiment, the two control trains of a pair are each assigned a dedicated, separate drive, wherein the two drives can be operated in coordination (if appropriate in a synchronized manner), in order to alternately pull one of the two control trains in the proximal direction. In this way too, a deflection movement can be effected using the two control trains of one pair. In other words, in this embodiment the two drives of a pair are synchronized such that the second drive frees the second control train, i.e. permits a pushing movement of the carrier in the distal direction, when the first drive tensions the first control train, offset by 180°, i.e. pulls the carrier in the proximal direction.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one of the carriers has a rotary bearing, the latter having a first ring and a second ring which are rotatable relative to each other, and wherein the first ring is coupled to the control train and the second ring is coupled to the drive. The first ring is designed for example for coupling the control train. The second ring is designed for example for coupling to the drive. For example, the first ring is designed as inner ring and the second ring is designed as outer ring. For example, the outer ring has a radially outwardly protruding jib which has a hole with an inner thread which is coupled to a spindle of the drive. The first ring and the second ring are rotatable relative to each other. In this way, rotational decoupling between the control trains and the drives of the actuation unit can be realized.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the end effector is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the rotation of the end effector preferably takes place relative to the drives. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotational movement of the end effector takes place without any influence or other kind of feedback on the remaining degrees of freedom of the instrument, in particular on the current state of pivoting of the end effector. In an exemplary embodiment, the end effector can be rotated relative to a housing or relative to the drives of the actuation unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the end effector is rotatable, together with the shaft, relative to a housing of the actuation unit. In an exemplary embodiment, when the end effector rotates, the control trains for the deflection movement are also rotated, preferably with a decoupling of the rotational movement between the control trains and the drives, for example in the carriers.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, a rotary drive is provided for the rotation movement of the end effector, wherein the rotary drive has an output shaft which is provided with a pinion and which drives a wheel coupled to the shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotary drive is arranged inside the housing, flush with the drives of the carriers at the proximal end of the instrument.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, an effector control train is moreover provided for the end effector, wherein the effector control train can be subjected at least to tension or pressure in order to open or close jaw parts of the end effector. For example, the effector control train is designed as a control rod. For example, the effector control train extends concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Accordingly, the control trains for the deflection movement are distributed radially about the effector control train, at least in exemplary embodiments.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, several drives are provided, which are arranged at a common longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, this applies to all of the drives for the deflection movement.
In an exemplary embodiment, the motors of the drives are arranged at the same axial position with respect to the longitudinal axis, for example flush with one another, wherein the spindles at least in part have different lengths, in order to couple the motors to the carriers, which are arranged mutually offset along the longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the motors of the drives are each arranged concentrically to the respective spindle.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the carriers are arranged offset relative to one another along the longitudinal axis, wherein the carriers preferably have jibs oriented offset relative to one another about the longitudinal axis and having thread portions. In other words, the carriers are offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and in terms of angles about the longitudinal axis. In this way, a generally compact structure is obtained with low installation space requirements even in the region of the actuation unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the drives are distributed like a revolver magazine about the longitudinal axis.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least the relative orientation or the relative position of the jibs of the carriers is constant when the end effector rotates about the longitudinal axis. This is permitted, for example, by rotational decoupling between the control trains and the jib coupled to the spindle.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, the medical instrument comprises eight control trains, which form four pairs, wherein each pair has two control trains offset by 180° relative to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft at least at the distal end, wherein each of the eight control trains is coupled to a carrier, and wherein the two carriers of a pair of the control trains are coupled to a common drive. For example, the control trains are offset at 45° to each other in a circular shape about the longitudinal axis.
In a further exemplary embodiment, a control device is moreover provided which permits coordinated, synchronized control of the four drives, in order to control the eight control trains for the desired deflection of the end effector. In this way, fine gradations of the deflection movement can be obtained, in particular as regards the direction and the degree of the deflection.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the medical instrument comprises four control trains, which form two pairs, wherein each pair has two control trains offset by 180° relative to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft at least at the distal end, wherein each of the four control trains is coupled to a carrier, and wherein the two carriers of a pair of the control trains are coupled to a common drive. A desired deflection can be achieved in this way. For example, the control trains are each offset at 90° to each other in a circular shape about the longitudinal axis.
With coordinated, synchronized control of the drives, many kinds of movements can be generated reproducibly. In other words, it is possible to effect not only targeted deflections in predetermined directions (for example right-left-up-down from the point of view of a user at the proximal end of the instrument), but also intermediate stages (for example top right, bottom left and the like). In other words, superposed movements of the control trains of different pairs are conceivable, in order to precisely predefine the desired direction and the degree of the deflection.
According to a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to an actuation unit for a medical instrument, in particular a medical instrument with deflectable end effector, with a plurality of drives, at least two control trains for controlling at least one degree of freedom of the instrument, and with at least two carriers, comprising a first carrier and a second carrier, wherein the at least two control trains comprise a first control train and a second control train, and wherein the first control train is coupled to the first carrier and the second control train is coupled to the second carrier, on which a preferably common drive acts in each case in order to generate a pushing movement or pulling movement of the carrier.
The object is achieved in this way too.
In an exemplary embodiment, the two control trains work together to control a degree of freedom of the instrument, for example to deflect the end effector in a defined direction (for example up-down or right-left). In an exemplary embodiment, the common drive is designed in such a way that a (single) drive movement leads to an oppositely directed movement of the first carrier and of the second carrier. In this way, the two control trains can be operated jointly and in opposite directions.
It will be appreciated that the actuation unit can be further developed according to at least one of the herein described embodiments of the medical instrument, and vice versa.
It will be appreciated that the aforementioned features and the features still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively cited combination but also in other combinations or singly, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.


Methods, sample vessels, and instruments are provided for quantitative and semi-quantitative amplification.

In the United States, Canada, and Western Europe infectious disease accounts for approximately 7% of human mortality, while in developing regions infectious disease accounts for over 40% of human mortality. Infectious diseases lead to a variety of clinical manifestations. Among common overt manifestations are fever, pneumonia, meningitis, diarrhea, and diarrhea containing blood. While the physical manifestations suggest some pathogens and eliminate others as the etiological agent, a variety of potential causative agents remain, and clear diagnosis often requires a variety of assays to be performed. Traditional microbiology techniques for diagnosing pathogens can take days or weeks, often delaying a proper course of treatment.
In recent years, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a method of choice for rapid diagnosis of infectious agents. PCR can be a rapid, sensitive, and specific tool to diagnose infectious disease. A challenge to using PCR as a primary means of diagnosis is the variety of possible causative organisms and the low levels of organism present in some pathological specimens. It is often impractical to run large panels of PCR assays, one for each possible causative organism, most of which are expected to be negative. The problem is exacerbated when pathogen nucleic acid is at low concentration and requires a large volume of sample to gather adequate reaction templates. In some cases, there is inadequate sample to assay for all possible etiological agents. A solution is to run "multiplex PCR" wherein the sample is concurrently assayed for multiple targets in a single reaction. While multiplex PCR has proven to be valuable in some systems, shortcomings exist concerning robustness of high level multiplex reactions and difficulties for clear analysis of multiple products. To solve these problems, the assay may be subsequently divided into multiple secondary PCRs. Nesting secondary reactions within the primary product often increases robustness. However, this further handling can be expensive and may lead to contamination or other problems.
Fully integrated multiplex PCR systems integrating sample preparation, amplification, detection, and analysis are user friendly and are particularly well adapted for the diagnostic market and for syndromic approaches. The FilmArray® (BioFire Diagnostics, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah) is such a system, a user friendly, highly multiplexed PCR system developed for the diagnostic market. The single sample instrument accepts a disposable "pouch" that integrates sample preparation and nested multiplex PCR. Integrated sample preparation provides ease-of-use, while the highly multiplexed PCR provides both the sensitivity of PCR and the ability to test for up to 30 different organisms simultaneously. This system is well suited to pathogen identification where a number of different pathogens all manifest similar clinical symptoms. Current available diagnostic panels include a respiratory panel for upper respiratory infections, a blood culture panel for blood stream infections, a gastrointestinal panel for GI infections, and a meningitis panel for cerebrospinal fluid infections. Other panels are in development.
Many of the pathogens targeted by FilmArray panels, as well as other detection systems, can be found in the environment and as commensals at the site of sample collection. For example, in diseases such as pneumonia, the most frequently encountered bacterial pathogens may also exist as "normal flora" of the oropharyngeal passage which is often itself the site of sample collection (sputum and tracheal aspirates or nasopharyngeal swab (NPS)) or the route for collection of more invasive specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Frequent contamination by or co-collection of normal flora is unavoidable in such cases. Hence, the established practice in microbiological laboratories is to perform semi-quantitative or quantitative cultures to distinguish pathogenic loads of bacteria from non-clinically relevant commensal carriage. Different diagnostic titer guidelines exist for different types of specimens. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) can function as a rapid and objective molecular alternative to the time-consuming and often subjective microbiological methods.
Absolute quantification, including amplification by qPCR, frequently uses a standard curve approach. In this approach, a standard curve generated from plotting the crossing point (Cp) values obtained from real-time PCR against known quantities of a single reference template provides a regression line that can be used to extrapolate the quantities of the same target gene in samples of interest. Serial dilutions (illustratively 10-fold dilutions) of the reference template are set up alongside samples containing the specific gene target that needs to be quantified. Various separate reactions are run, usually one for each level of the reference target and one each for the samples of interest. Also, since assay-specific differences in PCR efficiencies often affect quantification, separate standard curves, with separate reference templates, are set up to quantify different gene targets.
However, using this approach to quantify targets in a multiplexed PCR scenario can be challenging. Although quantification of targets from multiplexed PCR has been performed, this approach requires setting up multiple individual PCR standard curves for each assay included in the multiplex (Phillips et al 2014). Also, this approach assumes or requires the assays to have the same PCR efficiency in singleplex and multiplex reactions. All standard curve-based quantification approaches published to date require the setting up of external standard curves where the different levels of reference templates are added to separate reaction chambers.
This approach is not readily available in a system such as the multiplexed FilmArray platform, where a single test is designed to provide a sample-to-answer solution. The FilmArray system employs a two-stage nested-multiplex PCR where only a single chamber is available for the first-stage multiplex reactions. Therefore, external standard curves for each PCR assay cannot be included. Also, in a single chamber reaction, one cannot easily keep the serial dilutions of reference templates separate in order to obtain Cp values for each level. Additionally, since nucleic acid purification from a patient sample is integrated into the FilmArray system, the effect of sample-driven variability in nucleic acid extraction, as well as the effect of any sample-derived inhibitors on PCR, and thus quantification, cannot be estimated easily by an external standard curve. This disclosure provides methods, systems, and kits for generating an internal standard curve in a multiplex reaction that can provide simultaneous quantification of multiple target species that also takes into account the effects of assay-specific and matrix-derived variances in PCR outcomes. This disclosure also teaches use of process controls or sample processing control(s) for quantification.


A convenient and hygienic skin therapy system comprising an encaser, one or more therapeutic compositions, a sealing means and optional accessories is disclosed. A method of using such a skin therapy system is also provided. The skin therapy system and the use thereof provides an effective, efficient and safe therapeutic approach.

Wax-based or liquid-based therapeutic compositions applied externally to the skin may be used as a means for conditioning skin, softening skin and relieving joint pain, among other uses. In such a treatment, the wax-based or liquid-based therapeutic compositions are often heated to a melting state or to a certain temperature and the body portion targeted for treatment, such as hands or feet, are brought into contact with the therapeutic composition. Current methods of melting bulk quantities of wax-based or liquid-based therapeutic compositions for dipping of hands or feet takes time (typically two-three hours), which is inconvenient for a commercial entity providing such therapy services. Further, repeated heating-cooling cycles of bulk wax-based or liquid-based therapeutic compositions for skin therapy reduces the effectiveness of the composition over time, creates a risk of biological cross-contamination, and poses potential health risks for the subjects under the therapy. Therefore, a need exists for improved methods and apparatuses associated with this type of therapy which provides fast, contamination-free, portable, user-friendly means for application of various skin therapeutic compositions.


A message processing component may include an execution unit configurable to execute a set of tasks associated with one or more communication network messages. The set of tasks may include at least one of a message evaluation task or a cryptography task. The execution unit may be configured to provide functional safety in association with executing the set of tasks. The execution unit includes a set of time-multiplexed partitions. Each partition in the set of time-multiplexed partitions may be configurable to execute only one task included in the set of tasks. The message processing component may include an interface to one or more hardware accelerators available for use in association with the execution of the set of tasks. Only one partition, of the set of time-multiplexed partitions, may have access to the one or more hardware accelerators at a time.

A conventional interconnection architecture for a vehicle may be based on, for example, a controller area network (CAN) bus or a local interconnect network (LIN) system bus. Vehicle and technological advancements over time have imparted a variety of requirements on in-vehicle communication. For example, these advancements have caused a number of electronic control units (ECUs) needed in a given vehicle to be increased, which increases cost, price, and complexity of an internal wiring harness associated with the in-vehicle communication system. To simplify the internal wiring harness, a high-speed communication backbone (e.g., Ethernet) has in some cases been introduced to replace multiple medium-speed communication wires with a single high-speed communication connection. This development resulted in a requirement of protocol routing (e.g., CAN over Ethernet), as vehicle manufacturers move toward implementing the high-speed backbone transparently for lower layer ECUs.

Safe and secure communication network message processing


A new a primocane raspberry cultivar named ‘Atena’ having good fruit colour and flavour, large and very firm berries is disclosed. The new cultivar has the advantages of producing fruits that are very easy to pick and produces two crops per year, where the fruits mainly ripen on current season's cane in autumn.

A new and distinct cultivar of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) hereinafter referred to by the cultivar denomination 'Atena' is disclosed. The new variety 'Atena' was obtained from the controlled cross between the varieties 'Dolomia Plus' (mother plant) (not patented) and 'Erika' (father plant) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,841).
The crossing for the new cultivar occurred in year 2007 in Altopiano della Vigolana (Trento—Italy) and it has been subject to selection in 2008, and successively tested until 2017. The characteristics of the new cultivar have been found stable and have been transmitted without change through succeeding (more than 9 years) asexual propagations by root cutting.
Plant breeder's rights were applied for with the European Union on Jan. 18, 2018. 'Atena' has not been made publicly available.

SANT'ORSOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA AGRICOLA


Catamenial tampons having particularly desired expansion force characteristics are shown. The tampons comprise a mass of absorbent material which is fluid expanding. The tampons exert an X Dimension Force of at least about 400 grams, and a Z Dimension Force of less than about 200 grams. Alternatively, the ratio of the X Dimension Force to the Z Dimension Force is from about 10 to about 50.

This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to a tampon having improved leakage protection and comfort through improved expansion characteristics.
A wide variety of absorbent catamenial tampons have long been known in the art. Most currently commercially available tampons are made from a tampon pledget which has been compressed into a substantially cylindrical form. Tampon pledgets of a variety of types and constructions have been described in the art. Prior to compression, the tampon may be rolled, spirally wound, folded, or assembled as a rectangular pad of absorbent material. Tampons made from a generally rectangular pledget of absorbent material have been popular and successful in the market.
The absorbent catamenial tampons now in use are typically formed from batts larger in size than the vaginal orifice, which are then compressed into a rigid cylindrical pledget in order to facilitate insertion. As fluid is absorbed, these compressed tampons are expected to re-expand toward their original pre-compressed size, and to eventually become large enough to effectively cover the vaginal cavity against fluid leakage or bypass. While it has been found that these compressed tampons perform their intended function tolerably well, even the best of them do not always re-expand sufficiently to provide good coverage against leakage while providing comfortable wear.
A compressed tampon, to perform well, should re-expand with enough force to provide the best possible anatomical fit. Nevertheless, these needs are not always consistent with the desire to provide a tampon which is comfortable to the wearer. It has been long recognized that the internal vaginal cavity in its normal collapsed state is wider in its transverse dimension than in its anterior/posterior dimension. Additionally, nerve sensitivity is higher in the anterior/posterior dimension than in the transverse dimension. Thus, it is desirable when considering a tampon for catamenial use, to provide a structure which expands enough (with sufficient force), particularly in the transverse dimension, to contact substantially all of surface of the vaginal walls from one side to the other in the vaginal cavity to prevent early bypass of the menstrual discharges from the cervix. It is also desirable to provide a comfortable tampon which provides the minimal necessary force in the anterior/posterior dimension to maintain acceptable comfort.
Prior art tampons, therefore, attempted to balance these design objectives as best as possible, often having to trade some performance with respect to one objective for improved performance with respect to another. Many currently marketed tampons, particularly rolled or spiral wound which are then compressed radially (i.e. compressed from the sides essentially uniformly in all dimensions) expand with the same transverse dimension force as anterior/posterior dimension force. These tampons do not advantageously leverage the anatomical differences of the vaginal cavity to provide maximum protection with maximum comfort since increasing the expansion forces in one dimension necessarily increases the expansion forces in the other dimension. Even those currently marketed tampons which exhibit transverse dimension forces which are greater than the anterior/posterior dimension forces may not always expand sufficiently, particularly in the transverse dimension, to provide superior coverage.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a tampon with an improved balance of expansion force characteristics. Such a tampon should not introduce new drawbacks, such as a decreased comfort while wearing the tampon or decreased ability to comfortably remove the tampon. Ideally, such a tampon should be able to be manufactured out of materials similar to those currently used for tampons. These materials have the advantages of a proven record of suitability for human use, acceptable cost, and the ability to be manufactured into tampons without undue modifications to current commercially available manufacturing equipment.
This invention relates to catamenial tampons, and more particularly, to tampons having particularly desired expansion force characteristics. The tampons of the present invention comprise a mass of absorbent material which is fluid expanding. The tampons exert an X Dimension Force of at least about 400 grams, and a Z Dimension Force of less than about 200 grams. Alternatively, the ratio of the X Dimension Force to the Z Dimension Force is from about 5 to about 50.


According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for establishing a relationship between Joule heating in a conductor and a current density in the conductor is implemented by performing wafer level measurements. According to this exemplary embodiment, wafer level measurements are performed to arrive at a temperature coefficient of resistance in the conductor. The method also includes determining a thermal resistance of the conductor. The thermal resistance is then utilized to establish a relationship between Joule heating in the conductor and the current density in the conductor. The relationship so obtained is then utilized to determine design rules, mean time to fail, and other information to aid in the design of reliable semiconductor devices. According to another exemplary embodiment, a wafer level measurement system is utilized to establish a relationship between Joule heating in a conductor and a current density in the conductor.

The present invention is generally related to the field of semiconductors. More particularly, the present invention is related to method and system for Joule heating characterization in semiconductors.
In an effort to achieve increased speed, copper and low dielectric constant (xe2x80x9clow-kxe2x80x9d) dielectrics are replacing aluminum and conventional dielectrics, such as silicon oxide, in state-of-the-art microprocessors and other semiconductor devices. By utilizing low-k dielectrics, semiconductor manufacturers advantageously achieve reduced inter-layer and intra-layer capacitance compared to the capacitance that results from the utilization of conventional dielectrics. However, low-k dielectrics are generally poor thermal conductors and result in increased xe2x80x9cJoule heatingxe2x80x9d in copper metal layer and especially in upper metal layers.
By way of background, xe2x80x9cJoule heatingxe2x80x9d is thermal energy that results from a current flow encountering resistance in a metal structure, such as an interconnect line in a semiconductor device. As temperature increases, resistance in the metal structure will increase as a result of an increased number of lattice collisions in the metal structure. Thus, Joule heating will further increase as the current increases because increased heat causes the resistance in the metal structure to increase. As a result of increased heat caused by Joule heating, the performance of the semiconductor device can be adversely affected.
Also, in the effort to achieve high speed, semiconductor manufacturers typically push the design of semiconductor devices to the limit by increasing current density to the maximum allowable amount. As a result, if the increase in heat caused by Joule heating is not taken into account in the design of the semiconductor device, the reliability of the semiconductor device can be detrimentally affected. Thus, semiconductor manufacturers are challenged to characterize Joule heating in semiconductor devices utilizing copper and low-k dielectrics and to allow for Joule heating in the design of those devices.
In a conventional approach, Joule heating is determined by performing a very large number of point by point measurements for a particular metal structure to obtain the amount of Joule heating corresponding to a certain quantity of current injected into the metal structure. Since a very large number of data points must be obtained by individual measurements, the process of determining the Joule heating corresponding to a very large number of injected currents for a particular structure is very time consuming. Furthermore, in a semiconductor device comprising a number of metal layers, the amount of Joule heating for each metal layer would have to be obtained individually utilizing the time consuming process described above for each metal layer.
Additionally, in the conventional approach, package level (also called oven level) measurements are utilized to obtain Joule heating data. To obtain package level measurements, a package containing a die must be cut for access and for Joule heating measurements. The package is then placed in an oven, current is injected into a test structure in the die within the package at a certain temperature, and a corresponding Joule heating, i.e. increase in temperature of the metal structure, is then determined at each data point corresponding to each current density. Package level measurements undesirably add additional time and expense to the process of obtaining Joule heating data, since the oven requires time to heat up and the dies containing the test structures must be cut and assembled into packages.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an efficient method and system for characterizing Joule heating in semiconductors.
The present invention addresses and resolves the need in the art for an efficient method and system for characterizing Joule heating in semiconductors.
According to one exemplary embodiment, as a part of the present invention, a method for establishing a relationship between Joule heating in a conductor and a current density in the conductor is implemented by performing wafer level measurements. According to this exemplary embodiment, wafer level measurements are performed to arrive at a temperature coefficient of resistance in the conductor. The method also includes determining a thermal resistance of the conductor. The thermal resistance is then utilized to establish a relationship between Joule heating in the conductor and the current density in the conductor. The relationship so obtained is then utilized to determine design rules, mean time to fail, and other information to aid in the design of reliable semiconductor devices.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a wafer level measurement system is utilized to establish a relationship between Joule heating in a conductor and a current density in the conductor. The wafer level measurement system includes, among other things, a measuring device and a heating device. The heating device is utilized to heat a wafer having the conductor thereon while the measuring device is utilized to determine a change in a resistance of the conductor to arrive at the temperature coefficient of resistance of the conductor. The system then determines the thermal resistance of the conductor based on the temperature coefficient of resistance where the thermal resistance is utilized to establish the relationship between Joule heating and the current density in the conductor, and where the relationship so established is utilized to determine, among other things, mean time to fail and various design rules. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Method and system for Joule heating characterization


An image driving device includes a determining unit, and image processing unit, and a memory. The determining unit determines whether an input image is a moving image or a still image, and may be synchronized with an internal clock different from an external clock. The image processing unit may image-process at least one frame but less than all frames of the input image when the input image is determined to be a still image. The image processing unit may output the at least one image-processed frame as first image data, and the memory may store the first image data.

1. Field
One or more embodiments described herein relate to image processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Attempts have been made to reduce the drive time and power consumption of image processing methods. These attempts have proven to be ineffective, and may even adversely affect the operation of host electronic devices.

Image driving device, electronic device including image driving device, and image driving method


The present invention may be used for debris collection and vegetation removal. An interior shaft may be slidably disposed in an exterior tubular shaft. The interior shaft may protrude out of a lower end of the exterior tubular shaft and a prong assembly may have a plurality of prongs oriented in a subtending direction may be attached at a lower end of the interior shaft. A tubular housing may be attached at the lower end of the exterior tubular shaft in a position to receive the plurality of prongs when the interior shaft may be pulled upwardly relative to the exterior tubular shaft.

This invention relates to apparatus for ground debris collection and vegetation removal. The new debris collection and vegetation removal apparatus may have a clamping mechanism that may include multiple gripping wires that may expand radially to encircle an object to be removed or gripped and then be closed to pick up the object.
Various types of weed pullers or debris collection devices may be known and may include apparatus having a head with multiple blades or pick up arms that extend downward to pick up objects. These devices may have a hollow stem or pole to which the head is attached at a bottom and a handle with an operating lever may be attached at the top. The blades or cutting elements may be positioned relative to a weed and the handle operated to close the cutting blades or pick up arms to extract the plant. The blades or pick up arms are generally rigid members for operation of the device. Other devices may include hollow poles with sharpened prongs or blades at the bottom to dig into the ground around a weed as part of the removal operation. The blades or rigid prongs may be forced into the ground to dig and cut to pull up a weed.

Debris collection and vegetation removal apparatus


A method for shaping an aerosol container (10) to a desired body contour. A container body (12) is formed into a cylindrical shape and installed into a mold (30) whose inner surface defines the desired body contour. A bladder (74) is fitted onto a tool (50) insertable into an open end (M) of the container body. Once the tool is inserted, the bladder is inflated with a hydraulic fluid. Pressurizing the bladder forces the bladder against a sidewall of the body forcing the body outwardly and deforming it against the inside of the mold. After the container body is shaped, the bladder is de-pressurized and the tool withdrawn leaving the container with a defined body contour. The hydraulic fluid with which the bladder is pressurized is, at all times, contained within the bladder and does not contact the container sidewall so no subsequent drying of the container is required after the shaping process is complete.

This invention relates to shaped metal containers and the like, and more particularly, to hydraulic shaping of such cans.
Aerosol containers are used to store a fluid or fluent material under pressure and to release the material, as a spray, foam, or gel when a valve is activated. The containers are formed from flat sheets of material which are first cut into rectangular shapes. The resulting blanks are then formed into a cylinder which is open at one end. The container is then filled with the material to be dispensed by the container. A valve assembly is attached to the upper, open end of the container. The contents of the container are subsequently released through a dispensing valve operable by the user of the container.
Current manufacturing processes for aerosol containers have certain drawbacks. A major one is that during fabrication, as the can is being shaped so to have a desired external contour, fluid used in the shaping process comes into contact with the inside of the can. This necessitates a subsequent drying step after can forming is complete so the fluid does not, over time, corrode the sidewall of the can and cause it to deteriorate or fail. The drying operation is performed by heating the container to a temperature sufficient to dry off any fluid adhering to the container after the shaping operation. While this is not a particularly complicated process, it does add manufacturing time and cost to the container.


Described herein is a context-free protocol (i.e., the COFFEE protocol) for stimulating cooperation among selfish nodes. Various embodiments have the ability to transmit a packet over the path successfully without the dependency on the information of other packets' transmissions. It is assumed that every node in the network is rational, and therefore during the packet forwarding stage, if the intermediate nodes can not clearly tell whether the packet is destined to them or not, they do not simply drop the packet. Thus, in the COFFEE protocol, by introducing several techniques, for a packet received by a node, the node thinks the packet could potentially be destined to itself and forwards the packet to find out the answer. Detailed analysis and performance evaluations have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the COFFEE protocol.

An ad hoc network is a group of wireless nodes that cooperatively form a network independent of fixed infrastructure or centralized administration. In the absence of a fixed infrastructure, nodes in ad hoc networks cooperate to provide routing services, relying on each other to forward packets to their destination. Since there is no centralized control to enforce cooperation, and devices in an ad hoc network may belong to different authorities such as different persons, wireless nodes may attempt to be selfish and unwilling to spend their own bandwidth and battery power in forwarding packets for other users. This is a fundamental problem for ad hoc networks and has been attracting researchers' interests since ad hoc network was first introduced.
Since the problem of selfish nodes is very fundamental to ad hoc networks, many research works have been conducted on stimulating cooperation among non-cooperative nodes for data forwarding. Those works basically can be divided into two categories: reputation based and credit-exchange based.
In reputation based solutions, network nodes monitor other nodes' behaviors and make a reputation for one another. If a node is selfish, for example, dropping other nodes' packets, it will get a bad reputation and be isolated by other nodes. These solutions usually require network nodes to propagate second-hand reputation information, so the secured reputation propagation incurs a new security problem in the existing systems. Another serious issue is that these systems generally cannot prevent colluding to cheat.
In credit-exchange based solutions, nodes are paid with credits each time when they forward a packet for others. If a selfish node doesn't forward packets for others, it has no credit to pay others for sending its own data. Such solution requires systems such as the virtual bank to manage the exchange of credits, which can be very complex. Some existing works even use tamper-proof hardware module to secure credit information. Moreover, after a node gains enough credits for transmitting its own data, it can start to drop others' packets.
Although the above two types of solutions appear quite different from each other, their basic ideas are similar: building a context for recording and tracking nodes' behaviors, evaluating whether a node is selfish in terms of the cumulated reputation or credit, and punishing the selfish nodes. These solutions are context-based solutions, which depend on continuously tracking the behaviors of all the network nodes for forwarding the packets among multiple traffic flows. In addition, context-based solutions rely on accurate identification of selfish behaviors, securely maintaining the context, and appropriately punishing the selfish nodes. Although many context-based systems have been proposed, none of them is able to completely meet all these requirements. Moreover, isolating selfish nodes after identifying them is an inefficient way for solving the selfish node problem, since a longer transmission path will likely have to be used in order to bypass the selfish nodes.
Unlike context-based protocols that rely on information collected from transmissions of other packets, the network nodes in context-free protocols are able to transmit a packet over a path without relying on the transmissions of other packets. Such a protocol has significant advantages over context-based ones. Firstly, context-free protocols only rely on a single packet to make transmission decision over multiple hops. They are not required to maintain and secure context information, and therefore avoid all the issues caused by the context maintenance. Secondly, context-free protocols are not required to track all the packets and check context information, and therefore operate immediately when a packet is transmitted. Thirdly, context-free protocols are not required to obtain the information of other traffic flows, and therefore function well with any traffic pattern.
Existing context-free protocols, however, are very vulnerable to colluding and flow analysis attacks. In addition, the designs of existing context-free protocols result in high latency and are likely to cause problems to latency-sensitive network transmissions such as TCP. Therefore, it is desired to design a context-free protocol for ad hoc network to stimulate and encourage data forwarding among a plurality of network nodes, wherein the protocol is robust and not subject to colluding and flow analysis attacks.

Context-free protocol for enforcing data forwarding in wireless ad hoc networks

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology


An encoding method includes: extracting core layer characteristic parameters and enhancement layer characteristic parameters of a background noise signal, encoding the core layer characteristic parameters and enhancement layer characteristic parameters to obtain a core layer codestream and an enhancement layer codestream. The disclosure also provides an encoding device, a decoding device and method, an encapsulating method, a reconstructing method, an encoding-decoding system and an encoding-decoding method. By describing the background noise signal with the enhancement layer characteristic parameters, the background noise signal can be processed by using more accurate encoding and decoding method, so as to improve the quality of encoding and decoding the background noise signal.

Signals transmitted in voice communications include a sound signal and a soundless signal. For the purpose of communication, voice signals generated by talking and uttering are defined as a sound signal. A signal generated in the gap between the generally discontinuous uttering is defined as a soundless signal. The soundless signal includes various background noise signals, such as white a noise signal, a background noisy signal and a silence signal and the like. The sound signal is a carrier of communication contents and is referred to as a useful signal. Thus, the voice signal may be divided into a useful signal and a background noise signal.
In the prior art, a Code-Excited Linear Prediction (CELP) model is used to extract core layer characteristic parameters of the background noise signal, and the characteristic parameters or the higher band background noise signal are not extracted. Thus, during the encoding and decoding, only the core layer characteristic parameters are used to encode/decode the background noise signal, while the higher band background noise signal is not encode/decoded. The core layer characteristic parameters include only a spectrum parameter and an energy parameter, which means the characteristic parameters used for encoding-decoding are not enough. As a result, a reconstructed background noise signal obtained via the encoding-decoding processing is not accurate enough, which makes the encoding and decoding of the background noise signal of bad quality.

Coding/decoding method, system and apparatus


A reflective surface behind an image to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. Preferably, the reflective surface has a reflectance less than 90% with a preferred reflectance range of 60% to 75%. This reflective surface is substantially integral with the scanner, copier or facsimile lid surface and substantially reduces image bleed-through while resulting in an acceptable level of color shift and an acceptable loss of dynamic range relative to a white surface. In a second embodiment, the reflective surface is interchangeable by the end user in order to optimize the reflectance of the reflective surface for any given document to be scanned, copied, or faxed.

This invention relates generally to scanners, copiers, facsimile machines and other devices used for transforming an optical image of a document into a electronic signal and more specifically to a reflective surface used behind a document to be imaged.
Electronic document scanners, copiers, and facsimile machines transform an optical image of a document into an electric signal suitable for storing, displaying, printing or electronic transmission. Documents to be scanned may generally be classified as either transparent or opaque. For opaque documents, light is reflected off an image on the surface of the document onto a photosensitive transducer, typically a photoconductive drum or an array of photosensitive sensor elements. However, documents are rarely completely opaque. In a typical device, some light passes through the document to a secondary reflective surface, for example a lid or automatic document feeder. Some light then reflects off the secondary reflective surface and passes back through the document a second time. The light that passes through the document twice may also be detected by the photosensitive transducer. If the document has an image on both sides, the image adjacent to the secondary reflective surface may be partially imaged onto the photosensitive transducer. For example, when copying double sided documents, sometimes an image on the back of the document partially appears in the resulting copy. This undesirable result is often called xe2x80x9cbleed-through.xe2x80x9d There is a need for reduction of bleed-through in copiers, scanners, facsimile machines and similar devices.
FIG. 1 shows prior art scanner cover with a reflective surface 103a on the scanner cover 103f. The reflecting surface 103a is formed by evaporating silver, chrome or aluminum onto one side of a transparent polyester film 103b. To the reflecting surface 103a, a hard plate 103d of a hard plastic material is bonded. Further, the plate 103d is supported by scanner cover 103f of a hard plastic material having reinforcing legs 103e. One possible alternative is that a metal is evaporated to the plate 103d, or that the plate 103d is made of a metal.
FIG. 2 shows another prior art scanner cover and reflective surface, wherein the original cover 103 includes a covering 103f of a resin, an elastic member 103g, such as sponge, a hard plate 103d of a plastic material which is not easily deformed and a transparent polyester film 103b having a reflecting metal surface at one side thereof, which are overlaid in the order named. Since a hard plate 103d is sandwiched by the reflecting surface 103a and the resilient member 103g, the surface 103a is not deformed and can softly press the original when a three-dimensional original is placed thereunder. One alternative is that a metal is evaporated to the plate 103d, or that the plate 103d is made of metal.
FIG. 3 shows another prior art scanner cover and reflective surface, wherein the layer 103b of FIG. 1 is supported by a resin sheet 103h which is of transparent and flexible synthetic resin. Because of this, the possible shock or uncomfortable closed relatively strongly. In FIG. 3, the reflecting surface 103a is shown as being formed between the sheet 103b and the sheet 103h, but it can be between the sheet 103b and the sheet 103d.
An improved document lid and secondary reflective surface is provided that minimizes bleed-through and other image parameters of interest, such as brightness, contrast and color shift. The document lid and secondary reflective surface also permits a cost and labor savings in the lid and permits the lid to be recycled.

Reflector for document scanner or copier

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.