A suture loading assembly for threading suture material through a device comprises a body, an attaching member extending from the body for attaching the body to the device, and a flexible loop extending from a distal end of the body and threadable through a ferrule in the distal end of the device.

The present disclosure relates to an instrument and a method for closing a hole or puncture in a blood vessel. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a handle assembly for a surgical instrument.
When performing catheterization procedures, such an angiography or angioplasty, a catheter is generally introduced into the vascular system by first penetrating the skin, underlying muscle tissue and blood vessel with a sharpened hollow needle. Next, a guide wire is commonly inserted through the lumen of the hollow needle and is caused to enter the selected blood vessel. Subsequently, the needle is typically slid off the guide wire and a combination of a dilator and an introducer (or an introducer alone) are fed over the guide wire and pushed through the skin to enter the vessel. The guide wire can then be removed and the desired catheter to carry out the procedure is fed through the lumen of the introducer and advanced through the vascular system until the working end of the catheter is appropriately positioned. Following the conclusion of the catheterization procedure, the working catheter will be withdrawn and, subsequently, the dilator and/or introducer will also be removed from the wound.
At this point in the procedure, the vessel leakage must be controlled in order to stem the flow of blood through the puncture. Because it is common practice to administer a blood thinning agent to the patient prior to many of the catheterization procedures, stemming the blood flow can be troublesome. A common method of sealing the wound is to maintain external pressure over the vessel until the puncture naturally seals. This method of puncture closure typically takes about thirty minutes, with the length of time usually being greater if the patient is hypertensive or anti-coagulated. In some anti-coagulated patients, the introducer is left in place for hours to allow the anti-coagulant to wear off. When human hand pressure is utilized, it can be uncomfortable for the patient and can use costly professional time on the part of the hospital staff. Other pressure techniques, such as pressure bandages, sandbags or clamps, have been employed, but these devices also require the patient to remain motionless for an extended period of time and the patient must be closely monitored to ensure their effectiveness.
Suture securing instruments are being developed to assist in finalizing the suturing procedure, however some of these instruments leave behind crimped securing members with sharp edges, or require a separate step to be performed to cut the suture material after the securing member has been crimped.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An apparatus comprising an elongated structure, a first plate, and a second plate. The elongated structure has a channel. The elongated structure is configured to be associated with a primary structure on a first side of the primary structure. The first plate is configured to be connected to the primary structure at a joint and cover a portion of the elongated structure. The first plate is connected to the primary structure on the first side of the primary structure. The second plate is configured to be connected to the primary structure on a second side of the primary structure.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to joints and, in particular, to joints between structures. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for forming structural joints between composite structures to form sealed flow conduits.
2. Background
Aircraft are being designed and manufactured with ever increasing percentages of composite materials. Composite materials may be tough, light-weight materials created by combining two or more functional components. For example, a composite material may include reinforcing fibers bound in a polymer resin matrix. The fibers may be unidirectional or may take the form of a woven cloth or fabric. The fibers and resins may be arranged and cured to form a composite structure.
Aircraft contain fuel tanks to provide fuel to a number of engines. In some aircraft, a number of the fuel tanks may be located in the wings. The aircraft fuel tanks may include a fuel vent system, also referred to as a vent system. This vent system regulates pressure within the fuel tanks.
The vent system may comprise discrete conduits only present for fuel venting. The vent system may comprise other structures modified to function as conduits for fuel venting. These structures also provide a primary functionality other than venting.
These structures may be composite structures. Currently no apparatus or method provides structural joining of composite structures while also providing a secondary functionality of the composite structures to form a sealed flow conduit for venting.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues.

Joint assembly to form a sealed flow conduit


A supporting structure for an electronic device is provided to reduce the thickness or volume of device structures in conventional skills. The supporting structure includes a connecting arm having a first end and a second end which are substantially pivoted to a side region of a sliding and/or rotating module and an edge portion of a substrate module, respectively. With the connecting arm being rotated in response to the movement of the sliding and/or rotating module, the rotation or combination type can be provided between the first and second ends of the connecting arm and the side regions of the sliding and/or rotating module and the edge portion of the substrate module, thereby improving difficulties of the internal structure and design of the assembly of conventional supporting structure and electronic device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a supporting structure for an electronic device, and in particular relates to a connecting arm of a supporting structure to be disposed on side regions and edge portion of an electronic device to obtain excellent space utilization therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, personal digital assistants, digital cameras and E-books, are incorporated with sliding-cover and/or rotary-shaft systems which are reciprocally moved or freely rotated by external force, so that sliding-cover modules or sliding modules (e.g., monitors) of these conventional electronic devices can be generally slid and rotated for opening or closing.
Such sliding-cover modules or parts, which are often incorporated with a combination of a sliding rail, moving modules and a rotational assembly provided with a rotary ring and means for storing and releasing the energy in and from elastic ring, elastic fasteners or springs, are capable of being moved and overturned for opening, closing, rotating and operational angle adjustment. However, due to the shakiness problem and two-section sliding and rotation operation, it is difficult for such sliding-cover modules to be provided and positioned for a user to perform touch-controlling functions.
Conventional sliding-cover modules or monitors incorporated with three- or four-linkage mechanism for supporting are disclosed, capable of providing supports to the back of the sliding-cover module or monitor and performing touch-controlling functions by a user. However, the operational angle of such sliding-cover module or monitor incorporated with the linkage mechanism cannot be adjusted, and the monitor can be lifted to an operational position by applying large forces to pull the monitor and linkage mechanism.
In view of the above-described inconveniences, included of positioning the monitor to the operational position for performing touch-controlling functions in the two-section sliding and rotation operation, or of applying large forces on the monitor and linkage mechanism to lift the monitor to the operational position for the user to perform touch-controlling functions, a conventional method is therefore provided, capable of simultaneously lifting and rotating the sliding-cover module or the monitor to the operational position when the user pushes the sliding-cover module or the monitor. In such cited arts, a supporting member which is disposed between a sliding-cover module and a substrate module (or a fixed machine body) includes two ends respectively pivoted to the back zone of the sliding-cover module and the substrate module, and one end of the sliding-cover module is assembled to a sliding rail of the substrate module. When the sliding-cover module is moved along the sliding rail of the substrate module, the sliding-cover module also lifts the supporting member, so that the sliding-cover module supported by the supporting member can be obtained.
In the above-described conventional arts, the whole thickness or volume of the electronic device is often enlarged when the supporting member is disposed between the back zone of the sliding-cover module and the substrate module. For obtaining a light and slim electronic device, the whole thickness or volume of the electronic device must be reduced by providing concave compartments on the sliding-cover module and the substrate module to receive the supporting member and the pivotal structure. However, as known by those who skilled in this art, the internal structure and arrangement of the electronic device must be influenced or even difficult if the concave compartments are disposed on the sliding-cover module and the substrate module, especially for the components and parts taken large spaces and parts such as main boards or circuit boards, hard drives, battery components, memory units, trumpets, universal serial bus (USB) ports, parallel ports, video graphic array (VGA) cards, external power interfaces, etc.
Representatively speaking, these reference data reveal the utilizations and structural designs related to the sliding-cover modules or the incorporated components thereof. For altering the use pattern of the sliding-cover modules to be different from the conventional arts, the structures of the sliding-cover modules or the incorporated components and the above-described application shall be redesigned and reconsidered. For example, by disposing the supporting mechanism in between the back zone of the sliding-cover module and the substrate module and reducing the whole thickness or volume of the electronic device to achieve a light and slim electronic device, or by providing excellent internal structure arrangement to reduce the difficulties when the concave compartments are disposed on the sliding-cover module and the substrate module.
However, these topics are not physically taught or disclosed in the reference data above.

Supporting structure for electronic device


A processor controlled induction RF fluorescent lamp, where the control processor runs a load control algorithm at least for switching the electrical load for connection to an external dimming device, the lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with an ionizable gas mixture; a power coupler comprising at least one winding of an electrical conductor; and an electronic ballast providing appropriate voltage and current to the power coupler.

Field
The present invention generally relates to induction RF fluorescent light bulbs, and more specifically to reduction of electromagnetic interference from an induction RF fluorescent light bulb with a ferromagnetic core.
Description of Related Art
Discharge lamps create light by exciting an electrical discharge in a gas and using that discharge to create visible light in various ways. In the case of fluorescent lamps the gas is typically a mixture of argon, krypton and/or neon, plus a small amount of mercury. Other types of discharge lamps may use other gasses. The gas is contained in a partially evacuated envelope, typically transparent or translucent, typically called a bulb or arc tube depending upon the type of lamp.
In conventional discharge lamps electrically conductive electrodes mounted inside the bulb or arc tube along with the gas provide the electric field used to drive the discharge.
Use of electrodes can create certain problems. First, the discharge is typically designed to have a relatively high voltage in order to minimize losses at the electrodes. In the case of fluorescent lamps, this may lead to long, thin lamp structures, which function well for lighting office ceilings, but are not always a good fit for replacing conventional incandescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps designed to replace incandescent lamps, known as compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, are typically constructed by bending the long, thin tube, such as into multiple parallel tubes or into a spiral, which is now the most common form of CFLs. A plastic cover shaped like a conventional incandescent lamp is sometimes placed over the bent tubes to provide a more attractive shape, but these covers absorb light, making the lamp less efficient. Bent and spiral tube lamps also have wasted space between the tubes, making them larger than necessary. The use of a cover increases the size further.
The use of electrodes can create problems other than shape and size. Electrodes can wear out if the lamp is turned on and off many times, as is typical in a residential bathroom and many other applications. The life of the electrodes can also be reduced if the lamp is dimmed, because the electrodes are preferably operated in a specific temperature range and operation at different power levels can cause operation outside the preferred ranges, such as when operating at lower power, which can allow the electrodes to cool below the specified temperature range.
In addition, the long thin shape selected, because it is adapted to allow use of electrodes, tends to require time for mercury vapor to diffuse from one part of the tube to another, leading to the long warm-up times typically associated with many compact fluorescent lamps.
Finally, the electrodes are normally designed to be chemically compatible with the gas used in the lamp. While this is not usually a concern with typical fluorescent lamps, it can be a problem with other types of discharge lamps.
One way to avoid the problems caused by electrodes is to make a lamp that does not use electrodes, a so-called electrodeless lamp. In an electrodeless lamp, the discharge may be driven by, for example, 1) an electric field created by electrodes mounted outside the bulb or arc tube; 2) an electric field created by a very high frequency electromagnetic field, usually in combination with a resonant cavity, or 3) an electric field created by a high frequency magnetic field without the use of a resonant cavity. This latter lamp is called an induction-coupled electrodeless lamp, or just "induction lamp."
In an induction lamp, a high frequency magnetic field is typically used to create the electric field in the lamp, eliminating the need for electrodes. This electric field then powers the discharge.
Since induction lamps do not require use of electrodes, they do not need to be built into long thin tubes. In fact, a ball-shaped bulb, such as the bulb used for conventional incandescent lamps, is a preferred shape for an induction lamp. In addition, since induction lamps do not use electrodes, they can be turned on and off frequently without substantial adverse impact on loss of life. The absence of electrodes also means that induction lamps can be dimmed without reducing lamp life. Finally, the ball-shaped lamp envelope allows rapid diffusion of mercury vapor from one part of the lamp to another. This means that the warm-up time of induction lamps is typically much faster than the warm-up time of most conventional compact fluorescent lamps.
Induction lamps fall into two general categories, those that use a "closed" magnetic core, usually in the shape of a torus, and those that use an "open" magnetic core, usually in the shape of a rod. Air core induction lamps fall into this latter category. Closed core lamps are usually operated at frequencies generally above 50 kHz, while open core lamps usually require operating frequencies of 1 MHz and above for efficient operation. The lower operating frequency of closed core induction lamps makes them attractive; however, the bulb design required to accommodate the closed core makes them generally unsuitable for replacing standard in incandescent lamps. Open core induction lamps, while requiring higher operating frequencies, allow the design of lamps that have the same shape and size as common household incandescent lamps. This disclosure is primarily is addressed to the open core category of induction lamps.
In spite of their obvious advantages, there are very few open core induction lamps on the market today. One reason for the lack of commercially successful products is the cost of the high frequency ballast. Conventional fluorescent lamps, including CFLs, can be operated at frequencies from 25 kHz to 100 kHz, a frequency range where low cost ballast technology was developed in the 1990s, and closed core induction lamps can be operated at frequencies from 50 kHz to 250 kHz, for which the ballasts are only slightly more expensive. However, open core induction lamps typically require operating frequencies of 1 MHz or higher. The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a "lamp band" between 2.51 MHz and 3.0 MHz that has relaxed limits on the emission of radio frequency energy that may interfere with radio communication services. Cost effective open core induction lamps may preferably have an operating frequency of at least 2.51 MHz.
The lack of commercially successful open core induction lamps may be traced to the absence of a low cost ballast that can operate in the 2.51 MHz to 3.0 MHz band while meeting all the requirements of the FCC; that is small enough to fit into a lamp; that has a ballast housing that is the same size and shape as a conventional incandescent lamp; and that can be dimmed on conventional TRIAC dimmers found in homes in certain major markets, such as the U.S. The present disclosure addresses one or more of these issues. Therefore a need exists for improved induction lamps, especially in residential applications.

Induction RF fluorescent lamp with processor-based external dimmer load control


Methods and systems are provided for cooling an engine. In one example, a method for an engine, includes, after an engine shutdown request is received, adjusting an engine cooling fan based on an engine temperature and an elevation of a fuel tank relative to the engine. In this way, fuel vapor generation may be prevented during an engine hot soak.

Vehicle fuel systems may include a carbon canister to adsorb fuel vapors resulting from refueling, diurnal temperature swings, heat rejection following engine shutdown, and running loss. Once the canister is loaded with vapors, engine running manifold vacuum is used to clean out the canister in a process known as purging. When a vehicle is driven on a hot day, even after the engine is shutdown, heat from the hot engine persists or even increases and can transfer to the fuel tank and cause fuel vapor generation, a process referred to as hot soak. Vapor generation from an engine hot soak is undesirable since it loads the canister. Too much loading of the carbon canister can result in breakthrough of hydrocarbons (HC) to the atmosphere.
Other attempts to manage engine heat rejection in a vehicle include operating an engine cooling fan to cool the engine when the vehicle is stopped. One example approach is shown by MacKelvie in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,368. Therein, an engine cooling fan associated with a radiator is operated in a reverse direction when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stopped to draw outside air from beneath the vehicle and through the engine bay thereby cooling the engine surface, components in the engine bay, and the firewall of the vehicle's interior. However, the inventors herein have recognized potential issues with such systems. As one example, engine heat rejection may only lead to fuel vapor generation when the engine heat actually travels to the fuel tank, and operation of the engine cooling fan when engine cooling is not warranted wastes energy. For example, when a vehicle is parked on a grade, the engine may be positioned vertically above the fuel tank, and hence heat from the engine naturally rises away from the fuel tank. Operation of the engine cooling fan during these conditions may not reduce fuel vapor generation and thus may waste energy.
In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a method for an engine, including, after an engine shutdown request is received, adjusting an engine cooling fan based on an engine temperature and an elevation of a fuel tank relative to the engine. In this way, by taking into account the elevation of the fuel tank relative to the engine, the engine cooling fan may be operated in reverse with the engine at rest only when the fuel tank is vertically above the engine and stopped, and hence is positioned to receive heat rising above the engine.
As one example, the cooling fan may be adjusted to operate in a reverse direction such that air surrounding the engine is forced outside of the vehicle and away from the fuel tank. Then, during normal engine operation when engine cooling is indicated, the engine cooling fan may be operated in a forward direction to direct ambient air over the engine and fuel tank. By doing so, the engine cooling fan may be operated in a direction that provides optimal air movement away from the engine or fuel tank while taking into account the vehicle grade and hence the amount of heat actually transferred to the fuel tank to the engine, thus avoiding unnecessary operation of the engine cooling fan.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Engine cooling fan operation during hot soak


An encoder comprising an input for inputting video signal to be encoded to form an encoded video signal comprising pictures of at least a first coded video sequence and a second coded video sequence, a hypothetical decoder for hypothetically decoding encoded video signal, an encoded picture buffer, and a decoded picture buffer, and a definer for defining a parameter indicative of the temporal difference between the last picture of the first coded video sequence and the first picture of the second coded video sequence in output/display order.

There are numerous video coding standards including ITU-T H.261, ISO/IEC MPEG-1 Visual, ITU-T H.262 or ISO/IEC MPEG-2 Visual, ITU-T H.263, ISO/IEC MPEG-4 Visual and ITU-T H.264 or ISO/IEC MPEG-4 AVC. H.264/AVC is the work output of a Joint Video Team (JVT) of ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) and ISO/IEC MPEG
In addition, there are efforts working towards new video coding standards. One is the development of scalable video coding (SVC) standard in MPEG. This will become MPEG-21 Part 13. The second effort is the development of China video coding standards organized by the China Audio Visual coding Standard Work Group (AVS). AVS has finalized its first video coding specification, AVS 1.0 targeted for SDTV and HDTV applications. Since then the focus has moved to mobile video services. The resulting two standards AVS-M Stage 1 and AVS-M Stage 2 are under development.
Instantaneous Decoding Refresh (IDR) Picture
Instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) picture was first introduced into H.264, and later was introduced also into AVS-M. IDR pictures are naturally random access points. No subsequent picture can refer to pictures that are earlier than the IDR picture in decoding order. Any picture preceding an IDR picture in decoding order shall also be outputted/displayed earlier than the IDR picture. Each IDR picture leads a coded video sequence that consists of the IDR picture until the next IDR picture in decoding order.
In AVS-M committee draft (CD), there is an 8-bit syntax element picture_distance that indicates the temporal reference of each picture in one coded sequence. The value of picture_distance is equal to the picture_distance value of the previous picture in output/display order plus 1 and plus the number of skipped pictures between the current picture and the previous picture, and then modulo 256. For the first picture of a coded video sequence (IDR picture), the picture_distance value is 0.
Hypothetical Reference Decoder
In video coding standards, a compliant bit stream must be able to be decoded by a hypothetical reference decoder that is conceptually connected to the output of an encoder and consists of at least a pre-decoder buffer, a decoder, and an output/display unit. This virtual decoder is known as the hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) in H.263, H.264 and the video buffering verifier (VBV) in MPEG. PSS Annex G, the annex G of the 3GPP packet-switched streaming service standard (3GPP TS 26.234), specifies a server buffering verifier that can also be considered as an HRD, with the difference that it is conceptually connected to the output of a streaming server. The virtual decoder and buffering verifier are collectively called as hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) in this document. A stream is compliant if it can be decoded by the HRD without buffer overflow or underflow. Buffer overflow happens if more bits are to be placed into the buffer when it is full. Buffer underflow happens if some bits are not in the buffer when the bits are to be fetched from the buffer for decoding/playback.
HRD parameters can be used to impose constraints to the encoded sizes of pictures and to assist deciding the required buffer sizes and start-up delay.
In earlier HRD specifications than in PSS Annex G and H.264, only the operation of the pre-decoded buffer (also called as a coded picture buffer, CPB, in H.264) is specified. The HRD in PSS Annex G and H.264 HRD also specify the operation of the post-decoder buffer (also called as a decoded picture buffer, DBP, in H.264). Further, earlier HRD specifications enable only one HRD operation point, while the HRD in PSS Annex G and H.264 HRD allows for multiple HRD operation points. Each HRD operation point corresponds to a set of HRD parameter values.
The HRD in PSS Annex G is much simpler than H.264 HRD in terms of two factors, 1) specifications of CPB and DPB operations are much simpler, and 2) no timing information from the bitstream is required. Therefore, from this point of view, it is beneficial to use the HRD in PSS Annex G as the basis of the HRD of a video coding standard.
A shortcoming of the HRD design is that it relies on the presentation time (or capturing time) of each picture provided by external means other than the bitstream itself. However, it may be sometimes necessary or desirable that the bitstream itself could be verified. One solution is to utilize the relative presentation time indicated by the temporal reference information (e.g. picture_distance in AVS-M) provided that the time duration of the temporal reference difference of 1 is also signaled in the bitstream.
There is at least one problem associated with the above-described HRD design based on the HRD in PSS Annex G and the relative presentation time according to the temporal information. That is, if the bitstream consists of more than one coded video sequence, then the relative presentation time of a picture in a coded video sequence other than the first coded video sequence cannot be derived because the temporal reference value is reset to 0 at the beginning IDR picture of each coded video sequence. Therefore, the temporal gap between the last picture of a coded video sequence and the beginning IDR picture of the subsequent coded video sequence in output/display order is unclear. This can make the HRD un-optimal. This problem can become more cumbersome if the bitstream was spliced from different coded video sequences originated differently, for example, when a commercial video clip is inserted into another video bitstream.

Video coding, decoding and hypothetical reference decoder


A penis lengthening device comprises a traction chamber with tapered sidewalls configured to secure the penis within the chamber by forming a partial vacuum therein. A flexible air seal covers the upper portion of the traction chamber and extends over the penis. As the chamber is evacuated, the air seal tightens around the penis, creating an air seal to retain the vacuum within the chamber. Tensile force is transmitted through the chamber to the penis of the user. Alternative “light traction” embodiments utilize a condom-like device configured to attach to an elastic band, or to suspend weights therefrom. Larger tensile forces are applied for shorter periods of a few minutes up to an hour using the traction chamber embodiment, and smaller forces of 1-2 pounds are applied for longer periods of several hours using a light-traction embodiment. Alternate between the two methods throughout the day enhances its effectiveness.

At one time, plastic surgery was reserved for "reconstructive surgery" following some disfiguring trauma. Even slower to develop have been surgeries, prosthetics and devices for enhancing gender related features. The modern prosthetic breast implant was invented in 1961 by plastic surgeons Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow, and the first augmentation surgery was performed in 1962. By 2013, over a quarter-million American women a year were receiving breast implants.
In a similar manner, a man's identity, and sense of self-esteem and self-image, historically, have been connected to the size of his penis. This can be easily observed in the most ancient artistic pictures and sculptures. Male bravura, identifying themselves by their genitals in war time, is even found in the Bible I Samuel 25:22 & 34; I Kings 14:10, 16:11, etc. And in Ezekiel 23:20, the prophet Ezekiel uses graphic language to depict large male genitals as an object of amour for a lustful woman. From the beginning of our civilization, the human body has been an object of scientific, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic investigations. Ancient Egypt, both Pharaonic and Greco-Roman, has yielded much representational and artistic evidence for the nude human body. In Freud's psychosexual stages of human development, he centered on the sexual pleasure drive and immature (small) penis that he considered as the libidinal object of infantile sexuality in men. Many men are proud or ashamed of their penis-size, shape and performance. There is often anxiety about men's self-confidence due to the size of his penis and functionality. This directly relates to sexual performance, female satisfaction, intimacy and love.
Implants and Constrictive Rings for Erectile Dysfunction
FDA approved medications for erectile dysfunction are commonly known. Rings or constrictive devices to restrict blood flow are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,227 to Obson.
Surgical Implants for Erectile Dysfunction
U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,417 U.S. to Cowen appears to teach a surgical implant device for erectile dysfunction.
Vacuum Pumps for Erectile Dysfunction
The use of vacuum pumps for erectile dysfunction have been taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,417 to Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,869 to Strom, U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,774 to Landry, U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,720 to Dabal; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,458,073 and 7,083,570 to Bonthuys; U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,938 to Orlowski; U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,938 to Byon. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,720 to Dabal describes a device which is "useful for assisting in causing an erection in human males." Dabal, col. 1, lines 48-49. "The device is bulb-shaped when in its closed configuration by virtue of its being comprised of two semi-bulbular members. It is the closed configuration that is employed when the device is to be used for assisting in the achievement of an erection. The device has a semi-circular upper portion 30, a flat lower portion 32, and sidewall portions 34A and 34B that are angled inwardly from the semicircular upper portion and which terminate at the flat lower portion." Dabal, col. 2, lines 30-46. "The lip on the flat lower portion is shaped to fit up against the pubic bone." Dabal, col. 2, lines 56-57. "One particular advantage of a device according to the invention is that it is contoured to prevent any portion of the skin of the penis from contacting the walls of the device." (Dabal, col. 4, lines 54-59). Some such devices have achieved FDA approval for erectile dysfunction. However, these patents are directed only to enhancing male erection (and/or volumizing with blood), not actual lengthening of the penis (via traction/stretching).
Pump Enlargement
Vacuum pump applications for penis enlargement have been taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,233; 5,676,634; and 5,695,445 to Khouri. It is uncertain, however, that such devices are capable of producing a permanent change in the size of the male penis.
Anatomical Limitations to Penis Size
The suspensory and fundiform ligaments anchor the penis to the pelvic region. Although much of the penis is visible as extending outside the body, a portion of the penis is disposed seven to ten centimeters deep within the male's pubic region. This internal part is anatomically known as the crus of the penis (crus corporis cavernosi penis). It is largely the suspensory and fundiform ligaments that retain a large percent of the penis "inside" of the male body. Accordingly, these ligaments may be responsible for limiting the length of the penis by one to two inches, and sometimes even more.
Surgical Enlargement
In the 1970s, a group of doctors in Kent, England conducted a study on surgical lengthening of the penis using sixty two volunteers with the approval of their wives. Thirty-two underwent surgical lengthening of the penis and thirty-two were used as controls. The technique presumably involved severing of the suspensory and fundiform ligaments. The average increase in penis length was around 2.0-2.5 cm.
Before starting the experiment the wives were asked to give their opinion about the size of their husbands' penises. 87% said they did not understand why their husbands decided to enlarge their penis when its size seemed adequate for its purpose. The same question was asked after the experiment, and this time, 67% of women had changed their opinion. Now, the women attributed superior quality of sexual intercourse to the larger penis, incomparable to the previous performance. They claimed that now they were able to reach a level of pleasure never imagined. Going from −87% to +67% is an impressive statistical change.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,584,757 and 8,291,914 to Kravosky disclose a surgical technique for lengthening the penis, which includes cutting the fundiform and suspensory ligaments. Post-surgery activity requires wearing weights (stretching physiotherapy exercises).
Ligament Stretching
With regard to permanently lengthening the penis without surgery, anyone who has conducted stretching exercises such as "touching their toes" daily will appreciate that ligaments can be stretched over time without surgery. Various attempts have been made to apply this principle to stretching the suspensory and fundiform ligaments of the penis to achieve penal enlargement.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,086,998 and 7,448,989 to Dana teach a traction devices that attaches to the penis through mechanical devices configured to suspend weight from the penis.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,299 to Montgomery discloses a "penis enlargement device comprising an end ring 14 and a plurality of stealth rings 42." (Col. 5, lines 19-20). The end ring has a "curved tapered outer sidewall 18 [which] is advantageous in that allows the wearer of the end ring 14 to be discreet while undergoing a penis enlargement session. This is particularly advantageous if the enlargement session is to be carried out in public." (Col. 5, line 6-10.) A principle function of Montgomery, therefore, appears to be a traction device which can be concealed under the clothing.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,819 to Adams addresses limitations of vacuum traction devices. According to Adams, "Suction devices are also cumbersome and impractical to wear on a prolonged basis, have limited effectiveness, and pose a number of risks. Suction devices produce localized compressive forces that may cause localized ischemia. Vacuum seals with pressure over 20 mm Hg can obstruct capillary flow and inhibit tissue perfusion. Suction devices often come with warnings that the devices should not be used for periods exceeding 20-30 minutes, which may be insufficient to achieve the desired result. Use of suction devices can also result in the thickening of the skin and accumulation of fluid in the superficial layers of the skin and subdermis. The skin of the penis is hypermobile, and only very loosely connected to deeper connective tissues and structures that comprise the erectile tissues of the penis. The skin of the penis can readily separate from the fibrous connective tissue capsule, which encloses the erectile tissue of the penis when externally applied suction forces are applied to the penis. Also, any suction forces applied to the penis has a proportionately larger effect on the skin, and the forces on the deeper structures diminish dramatically. The increase in the surface area of the skin causes the suction forces to be applied mainly to the skin, not to the erectile tissue and the surrounding capsule of the cavernosal tissue. As a result, the skin can be thickened as fluid is extravasated and there is typically no, or only a limited enlargement, of the underlying erectile tissues of the penis. Use of suction devices may also cause the separation of the skin from the sub-dermis and the formation of seromas or blisters on the penis. The application of suction devices to the penis may also cause the extravasation of red blood cells out of the vascular spaces and into the extracellular compartments. If vacuum devices are applied for extended periods of time, this may lead to a significant pigmentation of the penis. Also applying a suction device repeatedly may cause the deposition of large amounts of iron and other hemoglobin degradation products in the tissue of the penis causing hemosiderosis, which ultimately results in fibrosis. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction may result from prolonged use of these devices." Adams, Col. 2, line 44-Col. 3, line 15. Adams proposes a non-vacuum device to avoid these limitations.
Other patent applications have attempted to regulate vacuum traction devices to reduce the possibility of ischemia, pain; pallor (color change due to lack of blood flow); pulselessness, paresthesia (tingling when a limb "falls asleep"), paralysis and poikilothermia (failure to maintain temperature). A pressure control for pump devices are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,621 to Harris in conjunction with vacuum devices for erectile dysfunction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,341 to Mathewuse discloses a cone shaped wrap to prevent swelling of the glans-penis in vacuum-type traction devices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,864 to Clark also addresses apparatus to limit swelling of the penis in vacuum traction devices. Notwithstanding the advances of these patents, limitations persist.

Method and apparatus for penis enlargement


A fuel cell (1) includes an anode (11), a cathode (14), an electrolyte layer (13) containing ceria and provided between the anode (11) and the cathode (14), and at least two intermediate layers containing zirconia and provided between the electrolyte layer (13) and the anode (11). The at least two intermediate layers include a first intermediate layer (18) that contains ceria and a second intermediate layer (19) that has a higher zirconia concentration than the first intermediate layer and is provided between the first intermediate layer and the anode.

In recent years, fuel cell stack have attracted attention due to efficient use of energy resources and environmental problems.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a fuel cell stack that includes a solid electrolyte layer, an anode, and a cathode which disposed opposite to the anode with the solid electrolyte layer in-between as a reference. The solid electrolyte layer of this fuel cell employs a material formed by a solid solution of a rare earth metal in cerium oxide.


The present invention provides a method of treatment of viral hemorrhagic fever with protein C. The claimed invention provides a needed therapy for a serious and debilitating disorder while avoiding complications such as bleeding tendency, toxicity and general side effects of currently available anti-coagulant agents.

This invention relates to medical science particularly the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fever with protein C.
Protein C is a vitamin K dependent serine protease and naturally occurring anticoagulant that plays a role in the regulation of hemostasis by inactivating Factors Va and VIIIa in the coagulation cascade. Human protein C circulates as a 2-chain zymogen, but functions at the endothelial and platelet surface following conversion to activated protein C (aPC) by limited proteolysis with thrombin in complex with the cell surface membrane protein, thrombomodulin.
In conjunction with other proteins, aPC functions as perhaps the most important down-regulator of blood coagulation resulting in protection against thrombosis. In addition to its anti-coagulation functions, aPC has anti-inflammatory effects through its inhibition of cytokine generation (e.g. TNF and IL-1) and also exerts profibrinolytic properties that facilitate clot lysis. Thus, the protein C enzyme system represents a major physiological mechanism of anti-coagulation, anti-inflammation, and fibrinolysis.
Viral hemorrhagic fever is a clinical syndrome associated with significant mortality. Without exception, hemorrhagic fever viruses are enveloped RNA viruses that belong to four viral families: Arenaviridae [Junin, Machupo, Lassa fever], Bunyaviridae [Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever, Hantaan and related viruses], Filoviridae [Ebola, Marburg] and Flaviviridae [Dengue, Yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur Forest disease], [Cosgriff, T. M., Reviews of Infectious Diseases 11(4): S672-S688, 1989]. These agents produce a wide spectrum of disease severity, but the most extreme manifestations include circulatory instability, increased vascular permeability, and diffuse hemorrhage [Lacy, et al. Advances in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 12:21-53, 1997].
The underlying mechanism of the bleeding in the hemorrhagic fevers is complex. Possible factors include thrombocytopenia alone, or thrombocytopenia associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Central to the mechanism may well be endothelial cell dysfunction, which has profound implications for both platelets and coagulation. Another possible factor is a decrease in levels of coagulation factors in plasma as the result of either increased consumption or impaired synthesis. Increased consumption occurs in DIC, while impaired synthesis is the likely consequence of liver injury. Liver involvement is a universal occurrence in viral hemorrhagic fever. For example, in Yellow fever, Rift Valley fever and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, the temporal association of hemorrhage with sever hepatic dysfunction is evident.
Viruses alter hemostasis in two general ways. The first is through direct effect on cellular functions, and the second is through activation of immune and inflammatory pathways. Both mechanisms may lead to variable degrees of cellular injury, including cell death. Activation of coagulation pathways is an important part of immune and inflammatory reactions and accounts for the fibrin deposition that sometimes is observed in these reactions.
Thrombocytopenia is a universal occurrence in viral hemorrhagic fevers. For example, in dengue hemorrhagic fever both changes suggestive of decreased thrombopoiesis and of increased platelet consumption has been determined. This is also the case in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan and related viruses. Other mechanisms for increased platelet destruction in viral infections include direct interaction of platelets with viruses, DIC, and endothelial injury.
In Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers, generalized hemorrhages are found in most organs. Focal necrosis without significant inflammation is also widely seen, especially in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and lymphoid organs. DIC is common.
Currently, there is no effective therapy to treat viral hemorrhagic fever. In the absence of viral-specific chemotherapy, management is primarily supportive. Therefore, a need exists for a safe, effective therapy of patients with viral hemorrhagic fever.
The present invention is the first to describe the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fever with protein C. Protein C, with its anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and profibrinolytic activities, is useful for the treatment of the hypercoagulable state or protein C deficiency that occurs in viral hemorrhagic fever patients.
The present invention provides a method of treating a patient suffering from viral hemorrhagic fever which comprises, administering to said patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of protein C.
The present invention further provides a method of treating viral hemorrhagic fever in a patient in need thereof, which comprises administering to said patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of activated protein C such that an activated protein C plasma level of about 2 ng/ml to about 300 ng/ml is achieved.

Method of treating viral hemorrhagic fever


An implantable endocardial lead includes a first elongated tubular component of flexible resilient material with a first face and a first longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the first face, a similar second elongated tubular component with a second face opposite the first face and a second longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the second face, the first and second tubular components being integrated by contiguously uniting the first and second faces with the first and second partial lumina being in mutually overlying relationship forming a full lumen within the elongated lead body. Elastic or inelastic rings received in longitudinally spaced annular grooves provided in the outer peripheral surface of the elongated lead body bias together the first and second elongated tubular components. An elongated electrical conductor is received in the full lumen and an overlying sheath is in contiguous engagement with the peripheral outer surface.

The present invention relates generally to medical electrical leads, and, more particularly, to implantable medical leads for connecting a stimulation device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator to a heart.
Present day cardiac stimulation leads are required to not only have multiple conductors to serve multiple electrodes but they also need to have various sections be of different stiffness or flexibility. However, current lead bodies employ one extruded tubing with one or more lumen to carry conductors. They do not meet the current requirements for the new types of leads such as combinations of pacing/defibrillation and combination left and right side leads.
Typically, implantable medical leads carry multiple conductors and, as such, have previously either employed lead bodies formed of extruded, multiple lumen tubing or have employed a coaxial structure, in which single lumen tubes are mounted coaxially around one another to define multiple lumens in which conductors may be located.
One instance of a recent improved design of lead body is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,159 to Cross, Jr. et al. In this instance, the lead body is formed of separate parts including an extruded core or strut member which is provided with longitudinally extending grooves in which conductors may be located and an outer tubing member, surrounding the core. The outer tubing and the core together define multiple lumens in which conductors may be located. This construction was said to simplify the manufacture of a lead, as it allows the conductor simply to be laid in the elongated grooves of the core, rather than requiring that they be pushed or pulled along the lengths of preformed lumens. In some embodiments of that earlier invention, the core is provided with a central, reinforcing strand, extending along the length of the lead, providing for structural integrity and high tensile strength. The core may be manufactured as a single extrusion, extending the entire length of the lead, or may take the form of sequentially aligned multiple extrusions of differing materials to provide for differential flexibility along the length of the lead.
It was in light of the foregoing that the present invention was conceived and has now been reduced to practice.
An implantable endocardial lead includes a first elongated tubular component of flexible resilient material with a first face and a first longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the first face, a similar second elongated tubular component with a second face opposite the first face and a second longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the second face, the first and second tubular components being integrated by contiguously uniting the first and second faces with the first and second partial lumina being in mutually overlying relationship forming a full lumen within the elongated lead body. Elastic rings received in longitudinally spaced annular grooves provided in the outer peripheral surface of the elongated lead body bias together the first and second elongated tubular components. An elongated electrical conductor is received in the full lumen and an overlying sheath is in contiguous engagement with the peripheral outer surface.
The invention presented in this disclosure is an improvement over the Cross, Jr. et al. lead design discussed above. The present invention allows two or more extrusions to be fitted together axially, after the conductors are placed in their respective lumina. Properties of stiffness or flexibility along the catheter/lead length can be altered in one of two ways:
1) lengths of such extrusions with different properties, for example shore hardness, can be added together to form an inner construction for a lead; and
2) the distance between the annular grooves can be altered; those regions at which the elastic rings engaged in the annular grooves are placed further apart will have greater flexibility than those regions at which the elastic rings engaged in the annular grooves are placed nearer together.
Subsequently, as above noted, an outer extruded tubing or a sheath can be fitted over the inner body construction to constitute a lead body.
According to the invention, then, assembly of the lead body could entail, but need not necessarily be restricted to the following operation steps:
1. The conductors, that is coated or uncoated cable or coil are placed into the appropriate lumen or lumina of half-tubing, made of a suitable medical grade implantable material, for example silicone, polyurethane, or a suitable combination thereof. The tubing may have a single lumen or a plurality of lumina at given cross-sections along the length of the catheter or lead.
2. The other half of the tubing is placed over the first half while ensuring that the grooves of the two halves of the tubing are aligned. A ring made of a suitable elastic material may be slid over the insulation material and into the grooves. Alternatively, a medical grade adhesive or other suitable bonding agent could be used to bond the two halves of the tubing together.
3. Additionally, an outer sheath, made of a suitable material such as silicone, polyurethane, or a combination thereof may be slid over the lead body sub-assembly to hold all its components in place. Numerous cross sections of a catheter or lead body can employ this method of assembly.
By increasing or decreasing the number of grooves and subsequently the number of rings a lead body can hold, the flexibility for different sections along the length of the catheter or lead body can be altered as desired.
A primary feature, then, of the present invention is the provision of an improved technique for manufacturing medical electrical leads, especially implantable medical leads for connecting a stimulation device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator to a heart.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique which facilitates the process of manufacture of an implantable medical catheter or lead.
Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which flexibility or stiffness can be desirably varied along the length of a catheter or lead body.
Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which an elongated lead body of flexible resilient material includes a first elongated tubular component having a first face and a first longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the first face, a second elongated tubular component having a second face opposite the first face and a second longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the second face, the first and second elongated tubular components being integrated by contiguously uniting the first and second faces with the first and second partial lumina being in overlying relationship resulting in a full lumen within the elongated lead body.
Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which the elongated lead body has a peripheral outer surface with a pair of longitudinally spaced annular grooves therein and an elastic ring is received in each of the annular grooves for biasing together the first and second faces of the first and second elongated tubular components.
Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which an elongated electrical conductor is received in the full lumen.
Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which the first and second faces are bonded together by adhesive.
Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which the elongated lead body has a peripheral outer surface and includes an overlying sheath in contiguous engagement with the peripheral outer surface.
Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a technique according to which an elongated lead body of flexible resilient material includes first and second elongated tubular components having mutually opposed faces with at least one of the tubular components having a longitudinally extending lumen, the tubular components being integrated by contiguously uniting the first and second faces.
Other and further features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate one of the embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.

Medical catheter/lead body design and means of manufacture thereof


A test station may include a test host, a tester, and a test chamber. Multiple devices under test (DUTs) may be placed in the test chamber during device characterization operations. Radio-frequency signals may be conveyed from the tester to the multiple DUTs using a radiated arrangement through an antenna in the test chamber. The tester may broadcast downlink test signals in parallel to the multiple DUTs. The DUTs may simultaneously synchronize with the downlink test signals and measure radio-frequency performance levels while receiving the downlink test signals. The test host may direct the tester to gradually lower its output power level. The DUTs may be used to determine downlink sensitivity by monitoring the measured radio-frequency performance levels as the output power level of the tester is lowered. Simultaneously downlink sensitivity testing may be performed for multiple modulation schemes and data rates for any communications protocol.

This relates generally to testing wireless electronic devices and, more particularly, to testing multiple wireless electronic devices placed in a test chamber.
Wireless electronic devices typically include transceiver circuitry, antenna circuitry, and other radio-frequency circuitry that provide wireless communications capabilities. During testing, wireless electronic devices under test (DUTs) can exhibit different performance levels. For example, each wireless DUT in a group of DUTs can exhibit its own output power level, gain, frequency response, efficiency, linearity, dynamic range, downlink sensitivity, etc.
The performance of a wireless DUT can be measured using a radio-frequency (RF) test station. A radio-frequency test station typically includes a test host, a tester (i.e., a signal generator), and a test chamber. The signal generator is connected to the test host. Connected in this way, the test host configures the signal generator to transmit downlink radio-frequency signals during test operations.
In conventional radio-frequency test arrangements, a single wireless DUT having, for example, a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver is placed into the test chamber. The DUT is connected to the test host using a radio-frequency cable or coupled through a wireless waveguide or antenna system. A protocol-compliant data link connection is established between the signal generator and the DUT (i.e., radio-frequency signals are conveyed between the signal generator and the WLAN transceiver over an authenticated data link).
The test host can, as an example, be used to direct the signal generator to wirelessly transmit eight different types of test packets, each of which is encoded using a respective modulation scheme. Each time the DUT successfully receives a test packet, the DUT responds by sending an acknowledgement signal back to the signal generator.
A power detector unit coupled to the signal generator may be used to keep track of the number of acknowledgment signals that the signal generator receives from the DUT. The power detector unit may rely on externally supplied information to separately calculate the packet error rate for each of the eight different modulation schemes under test.
Downlink sensitivity is performed by lowering the output power level at which the test packets are being transmitted and monitoring the corresponding packet error rates using the power detector unit. Downlink sensitivity testing performed using the power detector unit may be costly.
Once the downlink sensitivity value has been determined for each of the modulation schemes, the DUT is disconnected from the test host (i.e., by unplugging the radio-frequency cable from the DUT) and is removed from the test chamber. To test a new DUT, the new DUT is connected to the test host (i.e., by plugging the radio-frequency cable into a corresponding mating connector in the new DUT) and is placed into the test chamber.
Wireless testing using this conventional approach may be inefficient, because the process of connecting a DUT to the test host, placing the DUT in the test chamber, testing the DUT, removing the DUT from the test chamber, and disconnecting the DUT from the test host one DUT at a time is time-consuming. Moreover, protocol-based testing allows testing of only a single DUT and requires more tedious measurement processes. Protocol-compliant testing also has a tendency to drop connections between the DUT and tester when the output power falls below the DUT's downlink sensitivity. Re-establishing the protocol compliant connection in order to complete testing can add significant time and cost to the test process.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved ways of performing sensitivity testing across multiple modulation schemes.

Simultaneous downlink sensitivity testing for multiple modulation schemes in a wireless test system


A compressed stranded conductor includes an inner layer strand having conductive wires which are twisted together, and an outer layer strand having conductive wires which are arranged around an outer periphery of the inner layer strand and are twisted together. The inner layer strand and the outer layer strand are compressed. An inner layer area reduction rate of one conductive wire of the inner layer strand is 29% or more and 32% or less. An outer layer area reduction rate of one conductive wire of the outer layer strand is 6% or more and 11% or less. A difference between the inner layer area reduction rate and the outer layer area reduction rate is 19% or more and 25% or less.

In the related art, it has been proposed that a stranded conductor obtained by twisting a plurality of wires together is compressed for the purpose of reducing a diameter or the like to form a compressed stranded conductor (see, for example, WO 2019/163541, JP-A-2014-229358, and JP-A-2014-199817).
However, in the inventions disclosed in WO 2019/163541, JP-A-2014-229358, and JP-A-2014-199817, a strand is compressed according to a compression rate, but an area reduction rate indicating a compressed state of the wires forming the strand is not considered at all. Therefore, a part of the wires are excessively compressed (over-compressed), leading to wire breakage, or a part of the wires may be untwisted due to insufficient compression.

Compressed stranded conductor, insulated electric wire, and wire harness


A satellite communications system comprising a Hub station and a plurality of terminals, the system is configured to utilize a FWD link and a RTN link in accordance with adaptation techniques for relevant transmission properties (e.g. modulation, coding, transmission power, etc.) and to use adaptive margins to ensure proper reception of transmitted information under various link conditions. Methods are presented for determining said adaptive margins in real time or substantially in real time, and for setting relevant transmission properties in accordance with the determined margins. Adaptive margins may be determined either directly or following the determining of a link state for each of the FWD link and the RTN link.

Two way satellite communication systems may often include a forward (FWD) satellite link and a return (RTN) satellite link. These links may be utilized for transferring information (data) between a central station, for example a Gateway or a Hub, and one or more terminals, for example Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). Such systems may utilize adaptive waveforms, like or similar to those defined in ETSI' s DVB-S2 ACM (Digital Video Broadcasting—Satellite—Second Generation, Adaptive Coding and Modulation) and/or DVB-RCS (Digital Video Broadcasting—Return Channel via Satellite) standards, which may allow adaptive allocation of satellite resources on per terminal basis.
Adaptive techniques may often be used for mitigating the effects of satellite link fade, as may be experienced at terminals locations. In one such technique, feedback information regarding FWD link reception quality may be periodically transmitted by each terminal over the RTN link to a Hub, which may use the information for selecting modulation and FEC combinations (MODCODs) for transmission towards these terminals over the FWD link. Another technique often applied for counteracting fade may involve transmission power adaptation.
Practically all techniques used for mitigating the effects of satellite link fade include use of margins. However, a problem exists in higher frequency bands (for example the Ka-band), as conventional margins are inadequate. With changes in link conditions being more rapid and of higher magnitude, higher system margins compensate for such changes, which may occur in between estimations of the link conditions. On the other hand, system margins may be considered as overheads, i.e. they may reduce the total resources available for transferring information and/or result in requiring more expensive equipment (e.g. higher power transmitters, larger antennas, etc.). Hence a suitable solution is helpful to address these issues.
As previously described, ETSI's recommendations and standards may include disclosures of adaptive waveforms. The DVB-S2 recommendations (EN 302307) may disclose an Adaptive Coding and Modulation waveform for a FWD link. The DVB-RCS recommendations (EN 301790) may disclose a scheme for a return link supporting multiple channels of different symbol rates and multiple timeslot types with different modulation and coding properties. However, neither teaches how to determine appropriate parameters for each transmission, nor how to select system margins for countering changes in link conditions.
Methods for controlling transmission parameters, specifically transmission power, may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,360 to Fleming et al (titled Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Earth-Station Transmitted Power in a VSAT Network). However, the methods that may be disclosed by Fleming are inapplicable to adaptive waveforms, as they do not account for possible changes in other signal parameters (for example symbol rate and MODCOD). Moreover, Fleming may have no teaching regarding the setting of system margins.
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/337,330 to Ben-Laish et al (titled Multi-Dimensional Adaptive Transmission Techniques), which is assigned to the applicant, discloses embodiments which can have quasi-error-free communication at a highest efficiency level available under changing link conditions and network configurations without requiring reservation of substantial power margins.
Furthermore, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/027,887 to Martin et al (titled Combined Open and Closed Loop Power Control in a Communications Satellite) may disclose a method for controlling transmission power at a terminal. However, Martin does not disclose anything regarding a system margin, nor it discloses use of said estimations for determining a system margin, either for optimizing throughput or for any other purpose.


Systems and methods relating to improved security in cloud computing environments are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, a method for provisioning physical geographic location of a physical infrastructure device associated with a hypervisor host is provided. Further, the method may include performing processing to obtain initial geo location data of the device, determining verified geo location data of the device by performing validation, via an attestation service component, of the initial geo location data to provide verified geo location data, and writing the verified geo location data into HSM or TPM space of the hypervisor host.

Field
The present inventions relate generally to cloud computing and, more specifically, to systems and methods relating to improved security in cloud computing environments.
Description of Related Art
Cloud computing services may be offered at various layers of the software stack. At lower layers, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) systems allow users to have access to entire virtual machines (VMs) hosted by the provider, and the users are responsible for providing the entire software stack running inside a VM. At higher layers, Software as a Service (SaaS) systems offer online applications that can be directly executed by the users.
Despite its advantages, cloud computing raises security concerns as users have limited means to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and location of their data and computation resources. Users of cloud computing resources are particularly blind to the location of their data and computing resource location which in many cases must comply with laws that their data and computing resource must reside in a specific physical geographical location.
In order to increase the security and trust associated with communications to a given computer platform, Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) have been used to enable the construction of trusted platforms. An HSM is a coprocessor that is typically affixed to a computer's motherboard. It can create and store cryptographic keys and other sensitive data in its shielded memory and provides ways for platform software to use those services to achieve security goals. A popular HSM in use today is the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) as specified by the Trusted Computing Group.

Systems and methods for securely provisioning the geographic location of physical infrastructure elements in cloud computing environments


The concentration of molecular fluorine in a mixed gas such as an excimer laser gas can be determined easily, quickly and accurately by passing the mixed gas through a column packed with an alakli metal or alkaline earth metal compound which has no halogen atom and reacts with fluorine to form a solid fluoride together with molecular oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and measuring the concentration of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the fluorine-free gas flowed out of the packed column. If the mixed gas initially contains molecular oxygen or carbon dioxide, its concentration is measured separately after fixing fluorine in another column packed with an element which forms a fluoride. This analyzing method can be used in a feedback control system for controlling the concentration of fluorine in an excimer laser gas during operation of the laser to thereby stabilize the laser output power.

This invention relates to the analysis of gases containing molecular fluorine, and more particularly to a method for determining at least the concentration of fluorine in a fluorine containing mixed gas and an apparatus for same. The method and apparatus according to the invention are particularly suitable for analyzing excimer laser gases containing fluorine.
Known methods for determining the concentration of fluorine in a mixed gas include wet methods and dry methods.
A typical example of the wet methods is an electroanalysis method using a LiCl solution cell in which chlorine ion is oxidized by absorption of fluorine gas. (Anal. Chem., 40, 2217(1968).) In this method it is important to accomplish complete absorption of the sample gas in the LiCl solution, but in industrial applications it is troublesome to maintain optimum conditions of blowing the gas into the solution, and the analysis entails intricate instruments and operations.
An example of the dry methods has the steps of passing a fluorine containing gas through a column of NaCl to form chlorine gas, forcing the chlorine gas to be absorbed in NaOH solution and determining the hypochlorite formed in the solution by iodometric titration. (A. M. G. Macdonald et al, "Fluorine", Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemical Analysis, Vol. 13, New York-London-Sydney-Tronto, 1971). Since this method uses two sequential reactions the instruments become complicated, and it is difficult to enhance accuracy. Also it is known to directly analyze a fluorine containing gas by gas chromatography with corrosion preventing measures such as use of nickel or an alternative special material for the parts contacting the sample gas and covering the thermal conductivity cell with PTFE. However, such measures raise the cost of the apparatus and reduce the sensitivity.
Meanwhile, some excimer lasers are using a fluorine containing gas such as a mixture of Ar, F.sub.2 and He or Ne or a mixture of Kr, F.sub.2 and He or Ne. In such a laser gas the content of F.sub.2 is usually about 0.1-1 vol %. It is not seldom that during operation of an excimer laser of this category the laser output power gradually lowers mainly by reason of lowering of the concentration of fluorine in the laser gas and/or formation of impurity gases. Although impurity gases formed in an excimer laser gas can be removed periodically or continuously by an adsorption process or a cold-trap process, monitoring of fluorine concentration in the laser gas is presently almost impracticable because of intricateness of analyzing operations and difficulty of handling the sample gas.

Method for analyzing fluorine containing gases


A MOSFET with raised source/drains that can readily be silicidated and have shallow source/drain extensions. The invention uses chemical vapor epitaxy to create raised source/drains. The invention provides molecules containing silicon and molecules containing germanium, preferably GeH.sub.4, for the chemical vapor epitaxy. Initially, the concentration of GeH.sub.4 is between 5 to 10% of the concentration of molecules containing silicon. During the chemical vapor epitaxy, the concentration of GeH.sub.4 is reduced to zero. The raised source/drains and the gate are subjected to silicidation. The higher concentrations of GeH.sub.4 allow more selective epitaxy to silicon, thus preventing deposition on the polysilicon gate, nitride spacers and isolation trenches. It also allows for the use of lower epitaxy temperatures reducing movements of dopants in the source/drain extension. The slow reduction in concentration of GeH.sub.4 allows for the epitaxy temperature to be kept low. The reduced germanium concentration near the end of the epitaxy allows better silicidation of the raised source/drain.

In the prior art, deep source and drain (deep source/drain) contact junctions are desirable to allow silicidation of the source and drain. Silicidation is the process of combining silicon with a metal such as titanium forming titanium silicide TiSi.sub.2. Silicides provide the advantages of being stable during contact with polysilicon and having a lower RC time delay than silicon. A lower RC time delay is important in high speed circuits. In opposition, shallow source and drain (source/drain) extensions are desirable to provide immunity to the "short-channel effect". One cause for the short-channel effect is that as MOSFET devices are made with shorter gate lengths, the depletion layer widths of the source and drain junction become comparable to channel length, resulting in punch-through, where the gate loses control of the current. To obtain the benefits from deep source and drain contact junctions and shallow source/drain extensions the raised (or elevated) source/drain structure is used.
In the prior art, shallow source and drain extensions are first formed on a substrate. Pure Silicon (Si) selective epitaxy growth (SEG) is then used to form an elevated source and an elevated drain (elevated source/drain). The selective Si epitaxy process done in the prior art is a high temperature (>900.degree. C.) process. This high temperature process causes further diffusion of the source/drain extensions making the source/drain extensions deep, which degrades transistor short channel performance.
The prior art also teaches the use of Silicon Germanium (SiGe) selective epitaxy growth (SEG) to form raised source/drain, using a 5-10% Germanium (Ge) concentration. This process uses a temperature that is 100-200.degree. C. lower than the temperature used in the pure Si selective epitaxy growth, allowing for shallow source/drain extensions. In addition, SiGe provides improved epitaxy selectivity between Silicon and dielectric in the trench isolation and spacer region. A problem with the use of SiGe selective epitaxy growth is that a 5-10% concentration of Ge in the raised source/drain region makes the silicidation of the raised source/drain difficult.

Raised source/drain process by selective sige epitaxy


A hard composite cutting insert useful for cutting strata such as earth or rock that includes a body that is tough. The body contains a member that is harder than the body (i.e., has a harder region). The combination of the tough body with the harder member (or region) embedded therein provides a hard composite cutting insert with advantageous properties when used in conjunction with a bit body for impinging upon, and thereby disintegrating, the earth strata.

The present invention pertains to a hard composite cutting insert and a method of making the same. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a hard composite cutting insert that has at least two distinct regions of different material grades, as well as a method of making the cutting insert.
Hard composite cutting inserts, or hard cutting inserts, are used in conjunction with a bit body for impinging upon, and thereby disintegrating, the earth strata. Common applications that disintegrate earth strata via a cutting bit with one or more hard composite cutting inserts include road planning, coal mining and other underground mining activities, and drilling such as in the drilling of oil and gas wells.
In the case of drilling oil and gas wells, drill bits are installed at the lower end of a rotary drill string. The drill bits impinge upon the earth strata (e.g., rock and other hard formations) so as to accomplish the drilling of the bore hole for the well. These drill bits can include a tri-cone rotary drill bit such as is described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,081 to Crawford. These drill bits may also include a percussion style of drill bit such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,578 to Beyer. In either one of these types of drill bits, the drill bit head contains one or more apertures wherein each aperture receives its corresponding hard cutting insert. The hard cutting insert protrudes past the surface of the drill bit head to engage or impinge and disintegrate the earth strata.
Generally speaking, the hard cutting inserts are made out of cemented carbide, and more specifically, a cobalt cemented tungsten carbide. While there are a number of parameters that may vary between different grades of cobalt cemented tungsten carbide, two principle parameters are the cobalt (or binder) content and the grain size (or average grain size) of the tungsten carbide particles (i.e., hard particles). The composition of cobalt cemented tungsten carbides can also vary wherein the composition may include additives such as titanium, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, chromium and other Group IV, V or VI metals or the carbides of such metals. By varying the compositional aspects (e.g., cobalt (or binder)) content, hard carbide content, hard carbide particle size and/or the nature and extent of additives, the properties of the cemented carbide can vary. For example, the hard cemented carbide may possess a high hardness but a lower toughness or it may have a low hardness and a higher toughness.
Heretofore, some have used a dual grade hard composite cutting insert that includes two different grades of material (e.g., cobalt cemented tungsten carbide). One exemplary patent that shows a dual grade hard insert is U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,669 to Stroud. Based upon the cross-sectional views presented by FIGS. 3-6 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,669, it appears that one grade of material is encapsulated by another (or outer) grade of material. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,669, the outer grade of material is harder and the encapsulated grade of material is tougher.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,669 also mentions other patents that are supposed to be dual grade inserts. These patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,842,342 to Hagland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,888,247 to Hagland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,138 to Hagland, U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,124 to Abrahamson et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,405 to Langford et al.
As can be appreciated, it would be desirable to provide an improved hard composite cutting insert used in conjunction with a bit body for the purpose of impinging the earth strata wherein optimum properties for hardness and toughness can be achieved through the use of multiple grades of hard materials in one hard composite cutting insert.
It would also be desirable to provide an improved hard composite cutting insert used in conjunction with a bit body for the purpose of impinging the earth strata wherein various geometric configurations of different grades of material can be employed by the hard composite cutting insert.
Further, it would be desirable to provide an improved hard composite cutting insert used in conjunction with a bit body for the purpose of impinging the earth strata wherein different regions of different grades of material can be selectively positioned or located in the hard composite cutting insert.
In addition, it would be desirable to provide an improved method to make an improved hard composite cutting insert that achieves any one or more of the above-recited goals, and wherein the method is economical to perform.

Hard composite cutting insert and method of making the same


A mixer assembly comprises a motor, a motor shaft, a propeller connected to the motor shaft and in operation driven by the motor in a first direction of rotation about a propeller axis, the propeller fully submersed in liquid during operation and in rotation generating liquid flow from a suction side to a pressure side of the propeller. Flow control vanes are arranged on the suction side of the propeller, and oriented in an axial plane to deflect the liquid from substantially axial flow into a flow containing a circumferential component of direction which is opposed to the direction of rotation of the propeller. A method for providing axial liquid flow from a mixer propeller that is fully submerged in liquid during operation comprises the steps of applying flow control on the suction side of the mixer propeller through the arrangement of flow control vanes.

The mixers referred to are used mainly to generate and maintain a motion within a volume of liquid, in order to prevent sedimentation or agglomeration of solid matter that is dispersed in the liquid, or for de-stratification of liquids having different densities, for homogenization or for the mixing of substances in liquid, etc. Typical implementations, for example, include waste water treatment, water purification, PH-neutralization, chlorine treatment processes, cooling applications, de-icing applications, manure treatment processes.
The typical mixer comprises a propeller that is driven by an electric motor. The motor is contained in a motor enclosure which protects the motor and electrical components from the surrounding liquid. A motor shaft extends from an end of the motor enclosure to mount the propeller's hub in axial relation to the motor and motor enclosure. The opposite end of the motor enclosure may be arranged with mountings by which the mixer can be supported from a wall of a liquid-holding container, albeit other mountings are also conceivable.
The propeller usually has at least two propeller vanes supported from a propeller hub to reach radially with respect to a propeller axis. Alternatively, a singular propeller vane could be arranged to run helically about a propeller hub. In rotation, the propeller causes a drop in pressure on a suction side thereof, and a corresponding raise in pressure on the pressure side. The pressure difference results in a liquid flow through the propeller, from the suction side to the pressure side thereof. Since the pressure side is typically facing from the motor and motor enclosure, the main flow is usually directed axially away from the mixer.
The propeller thus generates in rotation an axial thrust, the size of which is determined by the design of the hydraulic components of the mixer, propeller design, rotational speed, and motor capacity. The stirring result which is related to the capacity of the mixer to generate a circulating flow in a bulk of liquid is largely depending on the efficiency of the mixer to create a jet flow downstream of the propeller. The significance of an extended jet flow is readily appreciated in connection with the stirring of waste water containing solid matter such as fibrous material and heavy organic particles that consume the energy introduced by the mixer.
In the submerged mixers, open to surrounding liquid, the volume/time flow through the propeller is high resulting in a mainly axial flow. The propeller however also generates a rotational motion in the liquid. As the liquid passes through the propeller, the total energy is increased in terms of static pressure and kinetic energy. The static pressure provides the axial thrust, whereas the kinetic energy, which is usually not advantageous in the subject mixer applications, is the result of a rotational component of motion induced in the liquid as it passes the propeller. In order to achieve maximum static pressure/axial thrust, it would thus be desired to suppress the rotation of the liquid that exits from the mixer's propeller.
Propeller vane design in general is a well documented art. It is known (by the Equation of  Momentum) that axial thrust is proportional to the increase in axial velocity through the mixer. The magnitude and direction of the flow generated by propeller blades and vanes can be demonstrated by applying velocity triangles to a section of the propeller, as taught by e.g. Stepanoff (1948, reprint 1993): "Centrifugal and Axial Flow Pumps" (Chap. 3.1 and 3.5).
The propeller section considered here for the analysis is a stream surface defined by the rotation RD around the axis A of the "streamline" SL showed in FIG. 1. The streamline SL starts upstream the propeller, passes the propeller blade leading edge LE and ends downstream the trailing edge TE.
FIG. 1a shows velocity triangles for a stream surface example, diagrammatically illustrated. The absolute velocity C of liquid, the velocity U of the propeller in rotation and the velocity W of liquid relative to the propeller are related as C=U+W. This way, the absolute velocities C at the leading and trailing edges of the propeller section may be determined for a number of stream surfaces. At the leading edge of the propeller (denoted by index 1), the flow and absolute velocity vector is void of any circumferential component and is therefore parallel to the propeller axis. At the trailing edge of the propeller blade (denoted by index 2), the flow has been brought in rotation by the propeller and a circumferential component (denoted as Cu2) is added to the absolute velocity vector, which is no longer parallel with the propeller axis.
It is previously known from practise to provide a mixer with a ring-shaped envelope about the propeller, known as a jet ring. The purpose and operation of the jet ring is to ensure that liquid is drawn mainly axially into the propeller on the suction side. The ring is typically supported by struts reaching towards the propeller from the motor enclosure. Albeit the ring to some extent contributes to establish a jet flow, the ring and struts are however not contemplated and effective for control or neutralization of a rotational motion in the flow that exits the propeller.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,801, Salzman discloses a submersible mixer comprising a propeller enveloped by a tubular section having baffles downstream of the propeller, and extending axially towards the propeller, i.e. contra the flow direction, from a cruciform arm base which is connectable to the exit end of the tubular envelope. These baffles are optionally used when prevention of a non-axial flow from the tube is occasionally asked for.
The mentioning herein of the Salzman structure is made also for purpose of illustration of another problem that needs to be addressed in the design of submersible mixers for some of the stated uses. Due to the straight leading edges of the cruciform arms and baffles crossing the flow at right angles, Salzman's mixer is susceptible of clogging from fibrous matter and is thus unsuitable for sewage and waste water applications, e.g.
Another problem related with the prior art mixers is air reaching the propeller in result of vortex formation caused as the circumferential flow component imparted by the propeller propagates towards the suction side of the propeller in rotation. The suction of air into the propeller results in a dramatically reduced thrust, i.e. a reduced flow in the axial direction.
Still another problem related with the prior art mixers is torsional stress and vibration resulting from the reactive forces acting on the mixer and its supporting structures.

Mixer assembly and method for flow control in a mixer assembly


Firearms or other projectile weapons include a GPS sensor, World Time RF sensor, orientation sensor for detecting the angle, acceleration (launch velocity), and direction in which the projectile will be launched along with a stored updatable list of times, GPS coordinates, distances from the GPS coordinates such that the weapon is disabled for use in these restricted areas if the projectile shall enter the restricted area. In addition, acceleration is used to detect a dropped or potentially damaged weapon such that the weapon is disabled and an emergency RF beacon is enabled (alternatively selected by the user).

The present invention relates in general to firearms and other projectile weapons (such as rail guns, gas weapons, air guns, Tasers or similar weapons, projected energy weapons, and the like), and more particularly to weapons incorporating sensors and logic that can constrain the circumstances under which the weapon can be fired.
From shotguns to rifles to handguns, firearms and other projectile or projectile-like weapons have proven to be a valuable tool for law enforcement and self-defense. Sadly, however, firearms have also proven to be a valuable tool for criminals, who use them to threaten, injure, or murder their victims. In addition, many people are injured or killed each year through accidental discharge of firearms, including children playing with a parent's gun.
Attempts to solve these problems include trigger locks and gun safes. While they are of some help, both solutions are imperfect. Trigger locks and gun safes, for example, keep unauthorized users (particularly children) from operating a firearm or other weapon, but they can also interfere with legitimate users' ability to respond quickly to a deadly threat. Further, because a criminal can steal a weapon or a gun safe and remove the lock at his or her leisure, trigger locks and gun safes do little to prevent stolen weapons from being used in further crimes.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide weapons with improved protection against unauthorized use.

User identification for weapons and site sensing fire control


A pressure transducer apparatus including: first and second pluralities of piezoresistors each coupled in Wheatstone bridge configurations, wherein the bridges are coupled together to provide a first output being indicative of a differential pressure; and, a third plurality of piezoresistors coupled in a Wheatstone bridge configuration and being suitable for providing a second output being indicative of an absolute line pressure. A compensator may be employed for adjusting the first output for line pressure variation responsively to the second output.

Piezoresistive sensor structures are widely used in pressure or force measuring. Generally, the prior art is replete with a number of patents that describe various configurations and methods of fabricating piezoresistive pressure sensing devices.
Generally, a piezoresistive device includes a bridge pattern of resistors, which are mounted or otherwise diffused on one side of a relatively thin diaphragm member. The diaphragm, which may be fabricated from silicon, and deflects upon application of a pressure thereto, causes the piezoresistors to vary their magnitude according to the deflection of the diaphragm. Differential pressure measurements can be accomplished using a differential transducer that provides an output indicative of the difference between two pressures.
In aircraft engines, and other applications, it is often desirable to measure relatively small differential pressures, which occur across a wide range of line pressures. For example—measuring 5 pounds per square inch differential (psid) with reference to 0 pounds per square inch absolute (psia), and subsequently with reference to 150 psia, may be desired.
This may conventionally be accomplished by porting the pressures to be measured to opposite sides of a single pressure-sensing element. However, this approach is largely insensitive to line pressure variation. More particularly, this single element approach can prove unreliable as porting requires using tubing and small cavities which are directly in contact with the media to be measured. The media is often a dirty, moist air, or other fluid, with particulate contamination. Accordingly, these tubes and cavities are largely incompatible for long term, reliable use with such media. Additionally, moisture can collect and subsequently freeze in the tubing or cavities causing damage to the device. Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate the need for both internal tubes and small cavities.

Line pressure compensated differential pressure transducer assembly


A retaining insert coupleable to a base assembly configured to operatively support a primary circuit breaker and a pair of opposing circuit breakers that define a recess is provided. The retaining insert includes a base portion configured to be disposed between the primary circuit breaker and the pair of opposing circuit breakers, the base portion configured to be operatively coupled to the base assembly. The retaining insert also includes retaining portion extending from the base portion into the recess, the retaining portion configured to retain the pair of opposing circuit breakers.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly to electrical circuit breaker panelboard assemblies.
Electrical circuit breaker panelboard assemblies often include a primary circuit breaker and a secondary circuit breaker for selectively switching an electrical supply to the panelboard between a primary source, such as a utility, and an auxiliary source, such as a generator. It is necessary that the primary circuit breaker and the secondary circuit breaker are prohibited from being simultaneously in a powered condition. A mechanical interlock assembly may be employed to interconnect a primary handle operated switch and a secondary handle operated switch to prevent both handles from being simultaneously disposed in a position that results in a powered condition for the primary circuit breaker and the secondary circuit breaker. The mechanical interlock is typically mounted to a cover for the front side electrical circuit breaker panelboard assembly, such that removal of the cover results in removal of the mechanical interlock, thereby leaving the primary handle and the secondary handle exposed to potential simultaneous positioning in a powered condition.
Another issue associated with existing electrical circuit breaker panelboard assemblies relates to adequate retaining of the secondary circuit breaker, which is typically merely a plug-in type. For such plug-in types, inadvertent removal of the secondary circuit breaker is undesirable. Additionally, a recess is often present between the secondary circuit breaker and a branch circuit breaker, thereby exposing live circuitry. Such exposure may pose various hazards to nearby individuals and environments.

Retaining insert for an electrical protection system and method