Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feed stocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles and contain a sorbent. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels. In addition, one or more sorbents can be added to the feed stocks in order to reduce the amount of a variety of pollutants present in traditional fuel and feed stocks, including, but not limited, sulfur and chlorine. Further, these feed stocks with added sorbent can mitigate corrosion, improve fuel conversion, extend power generating plant lifetime, reduce ash slagging, and reduced operating temperature.

Sources of fossil fuels useful for heating, transportation, and the production of chemicals as well as petrochemicals are becoming increasingly more scarce and costly. Industries such as those producing energy and petrochemicals are actively searching for cost-effective engineered fuel feed stock alternatives for use in generating those products and many others. Additionally, due to the ever increasing costs of fossil fuels, transportation costs for moving engineered fuel feed stocks for production of energy and petrochemicals is rapidly escalating.
These energy and petrochemical producing industries, and others, have relied on the use of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil and natural gas, for use in combustion and gasification processes for the production of energy, for heating and electricity, and the generation of synthesis gas used for the downstream production of chemicals and liquid fuels, as well as an energy source for turbines.
Combustion and gasification are thermochemical processes that are used to release the energy stored within the fuel source. Combustion takes place in a reactor in the presence of excess air, or excess oxygen. Combustion is generally used for generating steam which is used to power turbines for producing electricity. However, the brute force nature of the combustion of fuel causes significant amounts of pollutants to be generated in the gas produced. For example, combustion in an oxidizing atmosphere of, for example, fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, releases nitrogen oxides, a precursor to ground level ozone which can stimulate asthma attacks. Combustion is also the largest source of sulfur dioxide, which in turn produces sulfates that are very fine particulates. Fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants cuts short the lives of over 30,000 people each year. Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from asthma attacks, cardiac problems and upper and lower respiratory problems associated with fine particles from power plants.
Gasification also takes place in a reactor, although in the absence of air, or in the presence of substoichiometric amounts of oxygen. The thermochemical reactions that take place in the absence of oxygen or under substoichiometric amounts of oxygen do not result in the formation of nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides. Therefore, gasification can eliminate much of the pollutants formed during the firing of fuel.
Gasification generates a gaseous, fuel rich product known as synthesis gas (syngas). During gasification, two processes take place that convert the fuel source into a useable fuel gas. In the first stage, pyrolysis releases the volatile components of the fuel at temperatures below 600° C. (1112° F.), a process known as devolatization. The pyrolysis also produces char that consists mainly of carbon or charcoal and ash. In the second gasification stage, the carbon remaining after pyrolysis is either reacted with steam, hydrogen, or pure oxygen. Gasification with pure oxygen or steam results in a high quality mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen due to no dilution of nitrogen from air.
One potential source for a large amount of feed stock for gasification is waste. Waste, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), is typically disposed of or used in combustion processes to generate heat and/or steam for use directly for heating or cooling, or in turbines for power generation. Fuels derived waste streams are often called refuse-derived fuels or RDF. The drawbacks accompanying combustion have been described above, including the production of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxide, particulates and products of chlorine that damage the environment.
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) (along with other acid gaseous pollutants) is currently emitted in significant quantities by utility and industrial coal-fired furnaces, as well as by municipal, medical and hazardous waste incinerators. Coal contains only traces of chlorine, but electric utility furnaces burn large amounts of coal. In the case of waste incinerators, chlorine is contained in large amounts in some plastic wastes, such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) (C2H3Cl) and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) (C2H2Cl2), as well as in some food and yard wastes. During pyrolysis of PVC and PVDC, chlorine evolves mostly as HCl, in the preliminary stages of combustion under 350° C. (Panagiotou, T., Levendis, Y. A., 1996. Combust. Sci. Technol. 112, 117, 1996). Capture of HCl is important because it is harmful, corrosive and an acid rain contributor and emissions of HCl are currently regulated (Fellows, K. T., Pilat, M. J., J. Air Waste Manag. Assoc. 40, 887, 1990). Moreover, HCl, either directly, or indirectly through the production of chlorine (Cl2 by the Deacon reaction), may contribute to subsequent formation of chlorinated unburned hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans in the furnace effluent, (Addink, R., Bakker, W. C. M., Olie, K., Environ. Sci. Technol. 2055, 1995). Thus, capture of HCl is imperative. To avoid the production of the highly toxic dioxins and furans, which form as the effluent cools, the capture of chlorinated species must take place at high temperatures, preferably above 500° C. Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) occurs in the fly ash, as the effluent stream cools down to moderate temperatures (≈300° C.) (Stieglitz, L., Zwick, G., Beck, J., Roth, W., Vogg, H., Chemosphere 18, 1219, 1989).
Sulfur dioxide emissions related to industrial operations primarily occur from combustion sources and thermal processes, such as power plants (coal or oil fired), incinerators, steam generation equipment, process heaters, chemical reactors, and other similar equipment. All these emission must follow Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") regulations set by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment. Recently, as the construction of new power generation facilities is emphasized and most of the facilities have plans to use coal, a renewed and more interest in economical methods of SO2 emissions will be needed. (Wu, C., Khang, S.-J., Keener, T. C., and Lee, S.-K., Adv. Environ. Research, 8, 655-666, 2004). It is reported that more than 250 techniques for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) have been proposed or developed on a worldwide basis (Oxley, J. H., Rosenberg, H. S., Barrett, R. E., Energy Eng. 88, 6, 1991). However, relatively few of those processes are currently in use because of low efficiency (Makansi, J., Power, 137, 23-56, 1993).
Normally fuels and waste containing significant amounts of sulfur or chlorine are not preferred for combustion and gasification reactions. Significant amounts are defined as an amount that when added to a final fuel feed stock causes the final feed stock to have more than 2% sulfur or more than 1% chlorine. For example, materials such as high sulfur containing coal, used tires, carpet, rubber, and certain plastics such as PVC, when combusted, release unacceptable amounts of harmful sulfur- and chlorine-based gases. For this reason, this material is usually avoided as a source of fuel.
Over years the literature has extensively reported that chloride induced corrosion of high temperature surfaces in boilers is one of the most costly problems in the industry. This problem can result in downtime and periodic total shutdowns of the plants, which accounts for a significant fraction of the operating and maintenance cost. It leads to replacement of super-heater pendants as often as annually in some units or the costly use of higher alloyed materials to either shield the metal surfaces or serve as replacement tube material.
The corrosion problem is more severe when biomass and waste derived fuels are used due to the fact that the ash of the biomass and waste fuels has a very different composition and different melting characteristics than the ash of coal. This difference in the ash results in corrosion and chloride salts deposits on the super heater tubes and other parts being comprised in the heat transferring devices of the plants. The corrosion from chlorine begins at steam temperatures in the super-heater of approx. 480° C. (900° F.), and increases along with the temperature up to approx. 500-600° C. (930-1100° F.). This in fact limits the super heated steam temperature in biomass to energy and waste to energy, and consequently limits the power generating efficiency plants as compared to coal fired plants.
Biomass and fossil fuels often contain multiple chemical elements in different proportions that could give rise to various environmental or technological problems during or after they are used as an energy source. Such chemical elements include other halogen gases (i.e., Cl, F, and Br), nitrogen (N), trace metals and mercury (Hg). A higher content of sulfur, chorine, or fluorine, causes serious corrosion of system equipment and creates the hazardous air pollutants as discussed above. Trace elements may also form a threat to the environment or to human health (e.g., Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Cr, Tl), they may cause additional corrosion problems (e.g., Na, K, V, Zn, Pb), and lead to fouling of the turbine blades (mainly Ca) or pollute or poison any catalysts used (mainly As) or sorbents downstream. To avoid or minimize these problems these elements, and/or products formed from these elements that may be liberated or produced during or after the conversion processes (e.g., gasification, combustion), one or more suitable technologies need to be in place to reduce their presence in fuels thereof or process products (gas, liquid or solid).
The systems that have previously been developed or implemented for gas cleaning in gasification and/or combustion processes focus on the control of these pollutants in the actual fuel itself (i.e., by limiting the use of highly polluted fuels) or by controlling the release into the atmosphere by post treatments on the flue gas stream, for example the addition of sorbents. Sorbents such as hydrated lime, calcium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium oxide have been injected into combustion exhaust stack gases in an effort to clean the exit gases of chlorine and sulfur containing pollutants (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,083, 6,595,494, 4,657,738, and 5,817,283). However, these dry sorbents optimally work at temperatures of 800° C. to about 2000° C. and thus have only been used in the exhaust stacks or combustion units. If sorbents such as limestone are used at temperatures below 800° C. then less than 20% conversion of the pollutants occur resulting sometimes in toxic products. Therefore, these sorbents are often made in slurry form and are used in semi-dry/wet and wet scrubbers, which requires more complicated systems and operate with waste water generation, leading to higher capital and operation costs. Gasification of biomass or MSW derived fuels is usually performed at temperatures at or below 850° C. Sorbents have not been heretofore mixed in solid fuel feed stocks comprising at least one component of processed municipal solid waste.
Thus, there is a need for methods that allow the use of various fuel feed stocks in combustion or gasification applications, which otherwise can not be used due to significant amounts of pollutants produced upon combustion and gasification.
It is an object of the present invention to provide engineered fuel feed stocks comprising sorbents which allow the use of waste materials that contain significant levels of sulfur or chlorine for combustion or gasification applications.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide engineered fuel feed stocks comprising one or more sorbents that can be used to control a specific pollutant, or preferably a number of pollutants at the same time. In order to achieve multiple pollutant control, a multi-functional sorbent is ideally required; alternatively, multiple sorbents could be utilized with each sorbent being selected to treat for a particular element. Selection of sorbents is dependent on a various considerations, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) fuel characteristics, essentially what type and amount of the pollutants need to be controlled by sorbent(s); (ii) operating conditions, such as reducing or oxidizing environment, temperature, pressure, and conversion technologies (e.g., fixed bed, dense fluidized bed, circulating fluidized bed, etc.); (iii) reactivity of the sorbent and characteristics of the by-products, e.g., stability, melting point, boiling point, and toxicity; and (iv) economic effectiveness.
A further object of the invention is to provide sorbent-integrated engineered fuel feed stocks with several distinct advantages, including, but not limited too, the following, improved reaction kinetics, improved sorbent reactivity, improved pollutant removal efficiency, improved fuel conversion, improved corrosion control, reduced ash slagging, reduced operating temperature, extend power generating facility lifetime, avoid expensive retrofit costs, reduced operating and maintenance costs.
With sorbents embedded within the feed stock, an intimate contact between sorbent and pollutant can be achieved where they are generated. Compared to furnace injection in which the pollutant has migrated from within fuel particles to the bulk fuel or flue gas stream, the concentration of the pollutant is higher within the particles when the sorbent is part of the fuel. This configuration improves the reaction kinetics, thus enhancing the reaction.
Further, due to the temperature gradient across the fuel particles, sintering of sorbent inside the fuel particles is reduced, and thus sorbent reactivity is higher.
Combining the sorbent with feed stock to form an integrated fuel particle also allows the use of fine sorbent particles (e.g., <1 μm) while still achieving long residence time in the reaction chamber, which could be on the order of minutes, compared to only 1-2 seconds in case of furnace injection. Together, fine sorbent particles and long residence time would significantly increase the pollutant removal efficiency.
In cases where incompletely reacted sorbents may separate from the fuel particle and get into the flue gas stream, continuous reaction with H2S (or SO2) in gas stream will continue. As a result, the sorbent utilization will be greatly improved.
Because the sorbent is part of the fuel feed stock, there is no need to have the sorbent handling systems that are normally required for dry sorbent injection systems (storage, delivery, atomizing, etc.).
Also, the products of the sorbent/pollutant reaction mostly remain in the bottom ash, therefore the particulate, or dust, load on downstream collectors (i.e., electrostatic precipitator, baghouse, particulate matter scrubber) would be reduced, resulting savings in capital, operation and maintenance costs otherwise required for these devices.
For gasification, sorbent material can also catalytically improve the fuel conversion, and thus the gasification rate and performance can be enhanced (J. Weldon, G. B. Haldipur, D. A. Lewandowski, K. J. Smith, "Advanced coal gasification and desulfurization with calcium-based sorbent", KRW Energy Systems Inc., Madison, Pa. 15663.)

Sorbent containing engineered fuel feed stock


One feature pertains to a method operational at a device. The method includes performing authentication and key agreement with a session key management entity (SKME) device. The method also includes generating an authentication session key based in part on a secret key shared with a home subscriber server, the authentication session key being known to the SKME device. The method further includes generating a mobility session key based in part on the authentication session key, the mobility session key being known to a mobility management entity serving the device. Data sent from the device to a wireless communication network is cryptographically secured using the mobility session key.

Field
The present disclosure relates generally to an improved key hierarchy for a cellular network.
Background
A current cellular network architecture 100, shown in FIG. 1, uses a mobility management entity (MME) 110 to implement procedures for controlling access to the cellular network by a user equipment (UE) 120. Typically, the MME 110 is owned and operated by a network service provider (system operator) as a core network 102 element, and is located in a secure location controlled by the network service provider. The core network 102 has a control plane including a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 130 and the MME 110, and a user plane including a Packet Data Network (P-DN) Gateway (PGW) 140 and a Serving Gateway (S-GW) 150. The MME 110 is connected to radio access node 160 (e.g., an evolved Node B (eNB)). The RAN 160 provides radio interfaces (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) 180 and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)/radio link control (RLC) 190) with the UE 120.
In future cellular network architectures it is envisioned that the MMEs 110 or network components that perform many of the functions of the MMEs 110 will be pushed out towards the network edge where they are less secure either because they are physically more accessible and/or are not isolated from other network operators. As network functions are moved to, for example, the cloud (e.g., internet), it may not be assumed that they are secure because they may have a lower level of physical isolation, or no physical isolation. Further, network equipment may not be owned by a single network service provider. As an example, multiple MME instances may be hosted within a single physical hardware device. As a result, the keys sent to the MMEs may need refreshing more frequently and hence it may not be advisable to forward the authentication vectors (AVs) to the MMEs.
There is a need for improved apparatuses and methods that provide additional security for the cellular network architectures of the future where MME functions are performed close to the network edge.

Apparatuses and methods for wireless communication


A collapsible safety barrier for protecting the rear window of the pickup truck and occupants in the cab, from any shifting cargo being transported in the bed.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a truck cab safety barrier, specifically, one that collapses so as to allow for the adaptation and use of such options as a truck cap, bed cover, and/or split or retractable rear windows.
2. Prior Art
The Department of Transportation periodically addresses new safety concerns and, consequently, establishes (or revises) mandates for automobile manufactures with the new requirements, such as various protection devises to mitigate the forces from outside intrusion. Head restraints and side impact airbags are examples of this. This trend should ultimately lend more credence to more basic and simple safety devises, like "Headache Racks," as they apply to pick-up trucks.
Present day pickup trucks offer options such as rear split or fully-retractable windows, which provide more diversity and are commonly preferred. Truck caps and other optional covers are further examples of functional pickup truck options.
Existing safety barriers, commonly referred to as "headache racks," mount on the tops of truck bed sidewalls, and remain fixed, disallowing the use of truck caps, truck bed covers or access through the rear cab window itself. A good example of such a conventional 'Headache Rack' is in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,585 to Leslie Cole (2005).
While Cole's Universal Cab Guard provides the fundamentals for maintaining truck cab safety, it is omni-present, stationary, heavy and clunky with lots of hardware to disassemble when not needed. These ubiquitous existing 'headache racks' permanently encumber the driver's visual acuity through the rear window. As a stationary device, the prior art conflicts with access through the rear window and, without its removal, prohibits installation of a truck bed cap or cover. These existing fixed, heavy barriers require strength and coordination to remove. Once removed, these existing devices are clunky and inflexible for storage options.

Abstract: A collapsible safety barrier attached to the inside front bed rail of a pickup truck beneath the exterior of the rear cab window. When erected in the upright position, above said barrier protects passengers in truck cab from shifting cargo in the bed of the truck. In addition, from the erected position, said barrier permits protecting the front window of any installed truck cap from shifting or loading cargo. When not in use, said barrier retracts up to 180 degrees to an inverted position within the confines of a truck bed. When collapsed, it allows use of a rear split window for accessing the cargo area from within the cab or installation of truck bed cover.


The present disclosure provides a method and system to operationalize driver eye movement data analysis based on moving objects of interest. Correlation and/or regression analyses between indirect (e.g., eye-tracking) and/or direct measures of driver awareness may identify variables that feature spatial and/or temporal aspects of driver eye glance behavior relative to objects of interest. The proposed systems and methods may be further combined with computer-vision techniques such as object recognition to (e.g., fully) automate eye movement data processing as well as machine learning approaches to improve the accuracy of driver awareness estimation.

For effective human-machine cooperation in (at least) partially automated driving, both the human driver and the vehicle may be attentive to each other's current states and/or future intentions. It may be important for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) to not only correctly analyze the environment they are operating in, but also correctly analyze the current state and/or intentions of a vehicle's operator/driver. For example, it may be beneficial for advanced driving systems to not only monitor and correctly analyze environmental changes of the vehicle, but also to correctly analyze the driver's awareness of these environmental changes (e.g., approaching pedestrians, road hazards, etc.) before providing appropriate assistance or intervention (e.g., collision warning or emergency braking). However, it may be challenging to objectively assess if the driver is aware of a specific road hazard.

Toward real-time estimation of driver situation awareness: an eye tracking approach based on moving objects of interest


Isolated monoclonal antibodies which bind to human CD38 and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.

CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein which is normally found on hemopoietic cells and in solid tissues. With regard to hemopoietic cells, the majority of medullary thymocytes are CD38+, resting and circulating T- and B-cells are CD38− and activated cells are CD38+. CD38 is also expressed on approximately 80% of resting NK cells and monocytes and on lymph node germinal center lymphoblasts, plasma B cells and some intrafollicular cells. CD38 can also be expressed by dendritic cells. A significant proportion of normal bone marrow cells, particular precursor cells, express CD38. In addition, 50-80% of umbilical cord blood cells is CD38+ and remains so in human blood for the first two to three years of life. In addition to lymphoid precursor cells, CD38 is also expressed on erythrocytes and on platelets. With regard to solid tissues, CD38 is expressed in the gut by intra-epithelial cells and lamina propria lymphocytes, by Purkinje cells and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, by epithelial cells in the prostate, β-cells in the pancreas, osteoclasts in the bone, retinal cells in the eye, and sarcolemma of smooth and striated muscle.
CD38 is also expressed in a variety of malignant hematological diseases, including multiple myeloma, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, primary systemic amyloidosis, mantle-cell lymphoma, pro-lymphocytic/myelocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, follicular lymphoma, NK-cell leukemia and plasma-cell leukemia. Expression of CD38 has been described on epithelial/endothelial cells of different origin, including glandular epithelium in prostate, islet cells in pancreas, ductal epithelium in glands, including parotid gland, bronchial epithelial cells, cells in testis and ovary and tumor epithelium in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Other diseases, where CD38 expression could be involved, include, e.g. broncho-epithelial carcinomas of the lung, breast cancer (evolving from malignant proliferation of epithelial lining in ducts and lobules of the breast), pancreatic tumors, evolving from the b-cells (insulinomas), tumors evolving from epithelium in the gut (e.g. adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), carcinoma in the prostate gland, seminomas in testis and ovarian cancers. In CNS, neuroblastomas express CD38.
Other disclosures also suggest the role of CD38 in autoimmunity such as Graves disease and thyroiditis (Antonelli A, et. al., Clin. Exp. Immunol. 126, 426-431, 2001), and type 1 and 2 Diabetes (Mallone R and Perin P C, Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2006; 22: 284-294) and inflammation of airway smooth muscle cells during asthma (Desphande et al. 2004 am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 31: 36-42)
CD38 is a multifunctional protein. Functions ascribed to CD38 include both receptor mediation in adhesion and signaling events and (ecto-) enzymatic activity. As an ectoenzyme, CD38 uses NAD+ as substrate for the formation of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and ADPR, but also of nicotinamide and nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). cADPR has been shown to act as second messenger for Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmatic reticulum. The CD38/cyclic ADP ribose system: 1) in lung, contributes to airway smooth muscle tone and responsiveness through its effects on agonist induced elevation of intra-cellular Ca2+ (Desphande et al. 2005 Am J physiol Lung cell Mal Physiol 288: L773-L788), 2) regulates migration of neutrophil chemotaxis to bacterial chemoattractants, migration of DC precursors from blood to peripheral sites and migration of mature DCs from sites of inflammation to lymph nodes (Partida-Sanchez et al. Nat Med 7: 1209-121, 2001; Morita et al. 2008 J Pharmacol Sci. 2008 March; 106(3):492-504; Partida-Sanchez et al. Immunity 20: 279-291, 2004), 3) is involved in astrocyte calcium signaling which has implications for neuroinflammation and HIV-1-associated dementia (Banerjee S. et. al., 3. Neurimmune Pharmacol., 3, 154-164 (2008)), 4) regulates FcγR-mediated phagocytosis in murine macrophages (Song E., et. al., Biochem. and Biophys. Res. Comm., 367, 156-161, (2008), 5) is linked to insulin secretion Okamoto, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 193, 115-118, 1999 and 6) has a key role in neuropeptide release and regulating maternal and social behaviors (Jin D et al. Nature 446: 41-45, 2007). In addition to signaling via Ca2+, CD38 signaling occurs via cross-talk with antigen-receptor complexes on T and B cells or other types of receptor complexes, e.g. MHC molecules, and is in this way involved in several cellular responses, but also in switching and secretion of IgG1.
Several anti-CD38 antibodies are described in the literature, for instance in Lande R, et al., Cell Immunol. 220(1), 30-8 (2002), Ausiello C M, et al., Tissue Antigens. 56(6), 539-47 (2000), and Cotner T, et al., Int J Immunopharmacol. 3(3), 255-68 (1981). Antibody binding to CD38 can have different effects on the functions of CD38. For instance, mouse anti-CD38 antibody IB4 has been shown to induce T cell activation as indicated by Ca2+ mobilization in Jurkat cells (Zubiaur M, et al., J Immunol. 159(1), 193-205 (1997), to induce significant proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), to induce release of significant IL-6 levels and to induce release of detectable IFN-γ levels (Lande, Zubiaur Morra, Ansiello supra). Hara-Yokoyama et al. Int Immunopharmacol 8, 59-70 (2008) described one anti-mouse CD38 antibody (CS/2) which inhibits the NAD+ glycohydrolase activity of CD38 and another anti-mouse CD38 antibody (clone 90) which stimulates the NAD+ glycohydrolase activity of an isolated extracellular domain of CD38, but has little effect on the NAD+ glycohydrolase activity of cell-surface CD38. As it can be seen from data presented below, the antibodies of the present invention provide activity on the surface of CD38 positive cells.
WO2006099875 (Genmab) describes several human anti-CD38 antibodies, including 003 and 005. Antibody 005 was shown to inhibit the production of cGDPR from NGD+ by CD38.
In view of the multiple functions of human CD38, there is a need for new therapeutic antibodies that more specifically modulate particular functions of CD38.


A system for building, training and productionizing machine learning models is disclosed. A model training specification is received, and a plurality of sets of hyper-parameters is obtained. Sets of training data and hyper parameter sets are distributed to distributed training systems. Models are trained in parallel using different sets of training data. Models are trained using multiple sets of hyper parameters. A candidate hyper-parameter set is selected, based on a measure of estimated effectiveness of the trained predictive models, and a production predictive model is generated by training a predictive model using the selected candidate hyper-parameter set and the complete set of training data.

It is becoming increasingly common for network sites to employ computer-based decision systems to customize content provided to users via web pages, web applications, and mobile device applications. For example, a decision system may employ a software system, referred to as a rules engine, that executes rules in a runtime production environment to approve/disapprove users for accounts, determine which products/services to offer to users and make other decisions that affect the content provided to users. The rules may be based on regulations, company policies and other rules sources.
Decision systems may utilize machine-learning predictive models in making decisions. Training machine learning models, however, can be a computationally intensive task. The computationally laborious task of developing a production model is further compounded by the requirement to train many ancillary models not used in production but for the purposes of performance validation and hyper parameter tuning. This process may demand significant amounts of computational and developer time to manage the workflow in a statistically sound manner.
Typically, computer systems for training, validating and tuning machine learning models implement a serial process in which a model is trained, its out-of-sample performance is measured, and parameters are tuned and the cycle repeats itself. This can be accomplished serially on local machines or cloud-based machines. However, this process is time intensive and may result in long lead times before a machine learning model can be deployed into a production environment.
In some cases, machine learning models are developed by data scientists and then turned over to engineers to productionize the model—that is implement the model in a production environment. Data scientists often develop machine learning models using data that is of a different format or from different sources than the data that will be used in the production environment. Consequently, productionizing a machine learning model often requires substantial reprogramming of the production environment.

Computer system for building, training and productionizing machine learning models


Process and apparatus are provided for depositing target materials onto the surface of a moving substrate which may be used in the preparation of composites, cigarette filters, cigarette wrapper, bandages, biomedical applications, cosmetic and cleaning materials, and the like. A moving substrate comprising a fibrous mat or paper passes through one or more reaction chambers each having hot and cold regions. At least one target material is positioned in the hot region, and a laser beam ablates the material thereby producing modified additive material. As the substrate moves through the cold region of the reaction chamber, the modified additive material adheres to the exposed surface of the substrate.

The present invention relates to a continuous process for the surface modification of materials used in a number of products such as cigarette filters, cigarette paper, plug wrap, paper filter plug, medical applications, bandages, cosmetic and cleaning material and the like, and more particularly to such surface modification through high energy ablation and surface modification of target precursors.
To improve filtration selectivity, additives are usually physically blended with fibers used in cigarette filters. This introduces an additional complication in the filter making process that requires additional process controls and can potentially have a negative impact on throughput. For efficient selective filtration, current practice may require the use of additives in large quantities since only the outer surface of the additives may be exposed to react with tobacco smoke components during the smoking process. If large quantities of additives are needed, then effective filter design and high cost may become issues difficult to resolve. Also uniform mixing or uniform modification of the filter surface is another problem commonly associated with large amounts of additive materials. While the prior art generally teaches how to ablate material it does not address processes for forming modified cigarette filters in one step.

Continuous process for surface modification of cigarette filter materials


A method includes designing a subsea equipment assembly having an insulation covering an outer surface of at least one equipment unit and a flow path formed through the at least one equipment unit. The designing includes modeling a temperature profile of the subsea equipment assembly having a fluid within the flow path, identifying at least one hot zone along an interface between the insulation and the outer surface, where the at least one hot zone is exposed to temperatures above a degradation temperature of the insulation, and designing at least one cold zone along the interface to border the at least one hot zone, the at least one cold zone exposed to maximum temperatures below the degradation temperature of the insulation.

Subsea facilities used for oil and gas production and operations may include numerous pipe designs and connectors to connect units of subsea equipment together. Depending on the size of facilities, hundreds of feet of pipe may be used for connecting units of the subsea equipment, and through which fluid from production or other operations may flow. For example, a fluid flowing through the subsea equipment may include water produced along with hydrocarbons, commonly referred to as water cut. Water cut may be from seawater that is injected into a well to maintain reservoir pressure and then produced back. When the right combination of high pressure and low temperature is present, such as in deep water subsea facilities with high pressure in the equipment in the bore and low temperature environments, the mixture of produced water and hydrocarbons has the potential to form hydrates, which may form blockages in the production system.
During production, the produced fluid may flow from the well and into subsea equipment along the sea floor at a temperature well above the hydrate formation temperature. As the fluid continues to flow to a surface facility, the fluid may not have time to cool, and thus hydrate formation may not occur. However, during periods of shutdown or fluid flow stoppage, the produced fluid that remains trapped in the production equipment located above the floor of the ocean may be cooled by the surrounding seawater, which may be at temperatures close to freezing. When the fluid is cooled below hydrate formation temperature, hydrates may form in the fluid, which solidify and may cause a blockage.
Insulation around the subsea equipment has been used to delay the cooling of the hydrocarbon fluid in order to allow time to remediate the well and prevent or reduce hydrate formation.

High temperature insulation system and method


The invention provides methods for treating methylated nucleic acids. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of (a) providing an alkali environment to a nucleic acid sample; (b) reacting the nucleic acid sample with a bisulphite reagent and incubating the reaction so as to form a treated nucleic acid sample where methylated nucleotides in the nucleic acid sample remain unchanged while unmethylated nucleotides are converted to another form; (c) diluting the treated nucleic acid sample so as to reduce salt concentration to a level which will not substantially interfere with a nucleic acid precipitating step; (d) precipitating the diluted treated nucleic acid to substantially remove any unwanted reagents or diluents from treated nucleic acid; and (e) carrying out de-sulphonation of the precipitated treated nucleic acid so as to remove sulphonate groups present on the treated nucleic acid so as to obtain a nucleic acid sample substantially free of sulphonate groups.

As a result of advances in automated sequencing technology, much work has been carried out on determining coding regions of DNA resulting in the full sequencing of many animal genomes including the human genome. It has been realised for many years that the majority of genomic DNA, however, is non-coding and this material was once considered as "junk" DNA. Analysis of the non-coding regions of DNA is now being considered as important in the study of gene expression and function. Methylation states or patterns in nucleic acid, particularly genomic DNA, is thought to have a functional or regulatory role in gene expression and control in animals.
It has been demonstrated that, in single stranded DNA, sodium bisulphite preferentially deaminates cytosine to uracil, compared to a very slow rate of deamination of 5-methylcytosine to thymine (Shapiro, R., DiFate, V., and Welcher, M, (1974) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 96: 906-912). This observation served as the basis for the development of the bisulphite genomic sequencing protocol of Frommer et al 1992 [Frommer M, McDonald L E, Millar D S, Collis C M, Watt F, Grigg G W, Molloy P L and Paul C L. PNAS 89: 1827-1831 (1992), which is incorporated herein by reference]. In summary, this method as presently practiced involves the following general steps: alkaline denaturation of DNA; deamination using sodium bisulphite; desulphonation by desalting followed by sodium hydroxide treatment; neutralization and desalting.
One of the major disadvantages of the bisulphite modification procedure and the established variation thereof is that it has been shown that the procedure results in the degradation of between 84-96% of the original input DNA (Grunau et al. Nucleic Acids Research 29 (13) e65;(2001). The high loss associated with the procedure means that practically it is very difficult to successfully analyse small numbers of cells for their methylation status, or successfully analyse ancient archival specimens in which the DNA is already in a partially degraded state. In addition, due to inherent degradation of the current methods, it is not possible to sequence and assemble the complete genome of an organism to determine its genome-wide methylation profile in the same manner as has been successfully applied by the public Human Genome Project (International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2001, Nature, 409, 860-921) or the private CELERA sequencing project (J Craig Venter et al., 2001, Science, 291, 1304-1351) as the DNA would be so fragmented as it would not be able to be cloned, sequenced, and assembled in any meaningful way owing to the huge number of "gaps" in the sequence.
A further disadvantage with the bisulphite method as presently practiced is that, in general, only small fragments of DNA can be amplified. Experience shows that generally less than about 500 base pairs (bp) can be successfully treated and amplified. The present technique is not applicable to new molecular biological methods such as Long Distance polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which has made it possible to amplify large regions of untreated genomic DNA, generally up to about 50 kb. At present, it is not even possible to analyse the methylation status of intact genes, as a large number of genes in mammalian genomes exceed 50 kb in length.
To look at the methylation status of even relatively small genes (<4 kb), PCR reactions have had to be staggered across the gene region of interest (D. S Millar, K. K Ow, C. L. Paul, P. J. Russell, P. L. Molloy, S. J. Clark, 1999, Oncogene, 18(6):1313-24; Millar D S, Paul C L, Molloy P L, Clark S J. (2000). J Biol Chem; 275(32):24893-9). The methods presently used for bisulphite DNA treatment have also been laborious and time consuming. Standard methods typically require multiple tube changes, column purifications, dialysis, embedding the DNA in agarose beads or the addition of additives to the reaction in an attempt to reduce problems such as non-conversion of certain regions of genomic DNA. Thus a more reliable method that does not lead to substantial DNA degradation, and which overcomes or at least reduces the multiple problems associated with present DNA treatment, is required.


Improved devices, systems, and methods use a Non-Liner Optic (NLO) to effect a conversion of an input laser energy to an output energy. The output energy will have a wavelength which is different than the input energy, and the conversion will vary in response to both an angle of the energy relative to the NLO and a temperature of the NLO. Passive control over the angle of the NLO based on thermal expansion of a member thermally coupled to the NLO can compensate for the temperature-induced change in the conversion so as to maintain a desired output frequency, conversion efficiency, phase matching, and/or the like.

The present invention is generally related to devices and methods for controlling and converting laser energy wavelengths, and in a particular embodiment, provides a passive temperature compensation system for a nonlinear optic.
Lasers have been used for several years to sculpt materials into very precise shapes, excimer lasers are now widely used to ablate tissue in a variety of surgical procedures, particularly for corneal ablation during refractive surgery. The exposure of the tissue is typically controlled to produce a desired change in corneal shape. The change in corneal shape may be intended to correct a refractive error of the eye so as to eliminate the need for corrective eye glasses, or may be intended to remove a pathology from the eye.
Known laser eye procedures generally employ ultraviolet or infrared lasers to remove a microscopic layer of stromal tissue from the cornea to alter its refractive characteristics. The laser often has a frequency selected to result in photodecomposition of the corneal tissue, preferably without causing significant thermal damage to adjacent and underlying tissues of the eye. These selected frequencies can break the radiated molecules into smaller volatile fragments photochemically by directly breaking the intermolecular bonds. These known refractive lasers often deliver laser energy as a series of discrete energy pulses, with each pulse having sufficient energy to ablate a thin volume from adjacent the corneal surface. The refractive surgical system generally control the distribution of the ablative laser energy across the cornea using, for example, ablatable masks, movable apertures, scanning systems that move the laser across the corneal surface, combinations of these techniques, and the like.
An exemplary system and method for sculpting a cornea by controlling a plurality of laser beams is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/274,499 as filed on Apr. 23, 1999, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
While known laser eye surgery systems have been found to be highly effective, as with all successes, still further improvements would be desirable. In particular, known laser eye surgery systems often rely on excimer lasers to produce laser energy in the deep ultraviolet wavelengths. To produce this laser energy, these excimer lasers often make use of gases such as argon-fluoride to produce a beam having a wavelength of about 193 nm. Although such excimer lasers are highly effective, there are significant maintenance costs associated with consumption of gases in the laser. Servicing costs and the lifetime of the laser chamber are less than ideal, while cleaning and replacement of the optical components is more often than would be desired.
Solid-state lasers have a number of desirable characteristics. For example, these lasers may allow higher repetition rates than excimer lasers. Solid-state lasers may also cost less and have a longer useful life than an excimer laser. Unfortunately, solid-state lasers generally do not provide highly coherent radiations in the deep ultraviolet wavelengths, which are desirable for ophthalmic surgery and for other applications including semiconductor processing, diagnostic applications, and the like.
It has previously been proposed to make use of solid-state lasers for refractive surgery and other applications by converting the laser output wavelength to a more desirable frequency using Non-Linear Optics (sometimes referred to as NLO""s). Non-Linear Optics generally produce energy which is significantly different than the radiation incident thereon. Non-Linear Optics include beta barium borate, lithium triborate, cesium lithium borate, periodic pooled lithium niobate (LiNbO3), and other materials such as RTA, RTP, GaAs, KTA, KTP, LiTaO3, lithium tantalate, and the like. These and other nonlinear crystals can be used to convert laser energy having an initial wavelength to an alternative laser energy having a wavelength which is a harmonic of the initial wavelength, for example, by doubling a frequency of the laser energy. These and other nonlinear crystal materials may also be used to combine two or more differing laser input energies to produce an output energy of a desired wavelength, for example, by mixing the input laser energy so as to sum frequencies for the output laser energy. An exemplary method and system for producing coherent deep ultraviolet output from a solid state laser is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,626 issued to Mead et al., the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
While the frequency multiplied and sum-mixed outputs of the proposed ultraviolet solid-state laser systems provide significant potential advantages for use in laser eye surgery, semiconductor fabrication, and other uses, these proposed solid-state systems have their own disadvantages. In general, the energy conversion provided by Non-Linear Optics can vary significantly with temperature. More specifically, the angle of incidence for efficient phase matching and optical frequency conversion in a NLO may be a function of the temperature of the NLO.
In known devices in which NLO""s are used to change the frequency of the laser beam, for example, second or third harmonic generation, the sum-difference mixing of two beams, or the like, the temperature of the crystal is often actively controlled so as to maintain the desired conversion characteristics. In other known systems using NLO""s, the angle of incidence is actively changed by providing a control signal to a motor coupled to the NLO so as to rotate the NLO in response to sensed temperature changes. Both of these known active NLO temperature compensation systems rely on monitoring of sensor data, feeding back the sensor data to a control system, and varying the control mechanism (either temperature or angle) of the NLO so as to maintain the desired energy output. These complex feedback systems increase the complexity of the cost of the previously proposed solid-state, deep ultraviolet systems, significantly mitigating their potential advantages over more common alternatives, such a excimer lasers.
In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide improved laser systems, methods and devices. It would be particularly beneficial to provide improved techniques and systems for maintaining and/or controlling the output of NLO""s, especially if these improved techniques avoided relying on active (and often expensive) feedback and control systems. The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention at least partially mitigate the disadvantages of known solid-state laser systems, and thereby realize some or all of these improvements.
The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for converting radiant energy. The systems of the present invention generally make use of a Non-Liner Optic (NLO) to effect a conversion of an input laser energy to an output energy. The output energy will often have a wavelength which is different than the input energy. The conversion provided by the NLO will often vary in response to both an angle of the energy relative to the NLO, and in response to a temperature of the NLO. The present invention generally provides passive control over the angle of the NLO based on thermal expansion of a member which is thermally coupled to the NLO. Advantageously, the thermal-expansion induced change in angle of the NLO can compensate for the temperature-induced change in the conversion so as to maintain a desired output frequency, conversion efficiency, phase matching, and/or the like.
In a first aspect, the invention provides a laser system comprising a laser generating a laser beam with a first frequency. A NLO is disposed in an optical path of the beam. The NLO effects a conversion of the first frequency to a second frequency. The conversion varies with an angle of the NLO relative to the optical path. A first member has a first thermal coefficient of expansion and is thermally coupled to the NLO so that a change in a dimension of the first member with a change in temperature of the NLO effects a change in the angle of the NLO.
Preferably, the change in dimension of the member effects a predetermined change in the angle of the NLO so as to effect a desired adjustment in the conversion. Typically, the angle-induced adjustment in conversion will compensate for temperature-induced changes in the conversion. The NLO will often pivot within the optical path in response to the passive expansion by the member so that the second frequency remains within a desired (often predetermined) range when a temperature of the NLO varies throughout a predetermined temperature range during operation of the laser system.
In the exemplary embodiment, first and second members having differing coefficients of thermal-expansion are attached together. Differing thermal expansion of the attached members alters a bend angle of the members, and the bend angle pivots the NLO within the optical path. Optionally, an angle adjustment mechanism may allow varying of the NLO angle independent of temperature for calibration and adjustment of the system. Suitable adjustment mechanisms may make use of structures similar to micrometer linear scale systems.
In another aspect, the invention provides a laser eye surgery system comprising a laser generating a laser beam with a first frequency. A NLO is disposed in an optical path of the beam so as to define an angle relative to the beam. The NLO effects a conversion of the first frequency to a second frequency. The conversion exhibits an angle-induced change with a change in the angle, and a temperature-induced change with a change in a temperature of the NLO. A compensator includes a first member having a thermal coefficient of expansion. The first member is thermally coupled to the NLO so that the change in temperature of the NLO effects a change in a dimension of the first member. The first member is mechanically coupled to the NLO. The change in dimension of the first member effects the change in angle of the NLO so that the angle-induced change in the conversion compensates for the temperature-induced change in the conversion. A beam directing system is disposed in the optical path from the NLO. The beam directing system selectively directs the beam toward portions of a cornea so as to effect a desired change in a refractive characteristic of the cornea.
In a method aspect, the invention provides a method comprising generating a laser beam at a first frequency with a laser. The laser beam is converted to a second frequency with a NLO. The converting step varies with a temperature of the NLO, and with an angle defined by the NLO and the laser beam. Temperature-induced variations in the NLO are passively compensated for by transferring heat to a member from the NLO. Thermal expansion of the member resulting from the transfer of heat adjusts the angle of the NLO.

Temperature actuated positioning device for non-linear optical elements


A compound archery bow with an adaptor device for carrying the bow. The adaptor device includes a cylindrical body portion, having a rear extension piece having holes to receive a carrier ring, connected to a harness, which is held or worn by an archer. The cylindrical body portion includes a longitudinal open portion, intended to receive a cable guard rod of the compound archery bow. Locking grooves are disposed on each side of the longitudinal open portion. A C-shaped locking device is provided, having a locking lip to engage with the locking grooves; the locking device movable from an open non-locked position to a closed locked position, to retain the cylindrical body portion on the cable guard rod.

1. Technical Field
The present application relates to a compound archery bow with an adaptor device for carrying a compound archery bow. More specifically, the present application relates to a carrying adaptor device for a compound bow which is removably attached to the compound bow and to a strap or harness worn by a user, in order to carry the compound bow without the use of the user's hands.
2. Background Information
The compound bow is a tool widely used by hunters and target or sport shooters of all types and of all experience levels. However, the compound bow can be cumbersome to carry, and can cause fatigue in the hands and arms of the user if carried for extended periods of time. If the user's hands or arms are fatigued, his aim and accuracy are more than likely to be negatively affected when the time comes to shoot at a target. Further, a user may need the use of both of his hands, for instance, to climb a tree, to navigate through the trees and shrubbery of the forest, or to catch himself from falling. If his hands are occupied by a compound bow and are therefore unavailable for use, the user may risk injury.
Therefore, a device for helping a user carry a compound bow without the use of the user's hands would help to make the user's hunting experience safer and more convenient. Such a device would further help the hunter maintain his accuracy and aim, since the device would prevent fatigue in the hands and arms caused by carrying such a cumbersome device for extended periods of time.
Therefore, a device for helping a user carry a compound bow without the use of the user's hands would help to make the user's hunting experience safer and more convenient. Such a device would further help the hunter maintain his accuracy and aim, since the device would prevent fatigue in the hands and arms caused by carrying the compound bow for extended periods of time.

Compound archery bow with an adaptor device for carrying a compound archery bow


The present invention provides a full body hosiery garment. The garment contains a panty portion and two tubular leg portions with adjoining foot portions. The panty, leg, and foot portions are formed of spun nylon or other pantyhose material. An upper camisole portion is connected to the panty portion to provide a smooth contour with the panty portion to define a non-binding waist area.

1. Field
The present invention is directed toward a hosiery garment, and particularly one which extends over the upper torso.
2. State of the Art
Before the introduction of currently available pantyhose, "nylon stockings" or "nylons" were a commonly worn hosiery garment. The standard material from which hosiery garments are made is spun nylon. A problem with nylon stockings is that some means is necessary to hold them up. In pantyhose, however, the stockings are formed integral with a panty, which keeps the stockings from falling down.
In order for the panty portion of pantyhose to perform its function of holding the pantyhose up, it must be fairly tight and typically include reinforced elastic material. In addition, they have an elasticized, and fairly tight waistband, designed to go over the hips and around the waist. Without this tight waistband, the panty portion of the pantyhose would likely not have sufficient strength to keep the stocking portions from falling down.
A problem with an elasticized waistband, however, is that it distorts the appearance of the wearer's figure. The waistband causes an indention in the tissue around the waist, which can be easily noticed, even under the wearer's clothing. In addition, the tight waistband can be uncomfortable, causing a binding sensation.
A type of garment that covers essentially the upper and lower torso is one known as a "body blouse." Body blouses are designed mainly for exercising. Body blouses include an upper body portion and leg portions that extend to approximately the ankle area. This type of garment is typically formed of a material commonly known as Lycra or Spandex, which has been widely used in swimsuits and cycling shorts. Lycra is relatively thick, insulative, and opaque compared to standard hosiery material.
There remains a need for a hosiery garment that provides for adequate support for the stocking portions of the garment, and yet which avoids a binding waistband.


A blood oxygenator includes an integral pneumatic pump disposed substantially within a housing thereof, an inlet blood flow redirector, and an outflow blood collector. An atrium provided at an inlet of the oxygenator promotes even delivery of blood to the oxygenator. In use, the oxygenator provides an even dispersion of blood therethrough, establishing even perfusion and reducing areas of stagnant blood flow.

Conventional artificial lung/gas exchanger/oxygenators include at least a body, often defining a cylinder, a blood inlet, one or more blood outlets, and a gas (oxygen) supply inlet and outlet. The interior of such devices includes a plurality of hollow membrane fibers whose porosity allows passage of gases such as oxygen and CO2, but not of liquid, blood cells, blood proteins, etc. Gas inflow/outflow ports are provided, typically in fluid communication with one another via the lumens of the hollow membrane fibers, Using one or more pumps or potentially the patient's own heart pumping action, blood flow is established whereby oxygen-depleted and CO2-enriched blood is removed from a patient's bloodstream, passes into the device via the blood inlet, passes over exterior surfaces of the hollow membrane fibers, and exits the device through the blood outlet. During this traversal, oxygen passes from the hollow fiber lumens into the blood, and CO2 is removed from the blood and passes into the hollow fiber lumens to be removed by a sweep gas. From there, the oxygenated blood is returned to the patients bloodstream. It is for that reason that such devices are often termed "artificial lungs," for their ability to replace or supplement the gas exchange function of the patient's own lungs.
Disadvantageously, conventional artificial lungs often provide uneven blood perfusion. This is because existing such devices typically include areas wherein blood flow becomes lessened or even stagnant. This causes thrombosis and in extreme cases device failure. In turn, a traditional artificial lung circuit consists of an oxygenator/artificial lung as described for gas exchange/oxygenation, a double lumen cannula or two separate cannulas for blood infusion/drainage into/from a patient, and a blood pump to drive the blood through the circuit. In a typical pneumatically driven pump, each pumping cycle includes a systolic phase (pushing blood from a pump blood chamber into a patient through an infusion cannula lumen) and a diastolic phrase (withdrawing blood from the patient into the pump blood chamber through a drainage cannula lumen). The systolic and diastolic phases of the pumping cycle are performed alternately, not simultaneously. Therefore, the infusion/drainage cannulae can only move blood during 50% of the pumping cycle. This requires twice the blood flow rate and twice the driven pressure/delta p to move the same amount of blood compared to a pump cycle where the systolic and diastolic phases could be performed simultaneously. For this reason, a relatively larger-sized cannula is needed to move the same amount of blood as would be possible if the cannulae could move blood for a greater percentage of the pumping cycle, which is disadvantageous in situations requiring peripheral cannulation, since the cannula size is strictly limited by the size of the blood vessel to be cannulated.
To solve this and other problems, the present disclosure provides a compact hollow fiber membrane blood oxygenator including an integral pneumatic pump and blood flow redirector structures, eliminating the need for a separate pump and so simplifying the artificial lung circuit. The present disclosure also provides such an oxygenator including an additional pneumatic pump serving as an atrium, to the oxygenator pump inlet, allowing withdrawal from and pumping blood to a patient to occur simultaneously, increasing efficiency of the artificial lung circuit and the infusion/drainage cannulae, and allowing use of cannulae having a reduced inner diameter compared to conventional cannulae. The device of the present disclosure provides an even blood flow pattern, preventing or reducing incidence of thrombosis. In turn, the presently disclosed design simplifies the blood circuit and also provides a pulsatile blood flow pattern, promoting active blood mixing and thereby improving gas exchange within the pump. The present device finds use at least in treatment of acute or chronic lung failure, as well as for combined right heart and lung (RVAD) failure.

Even perfusion pump-integrated blood oxygenator

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation


The utility model discloses a backlight module for a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device. The backlight module comprises an LED and a backplane, wherein the backlight module also comprises a heatsink plate arranged on the outer of the backplane; and the LED is linked with the heatsink plate in the mode of heat conduction. The utility model, by arranging the LED on an extra heatsink plate which is arranged on the outer of the backplane, dissipates outward the heat emitted by the LED through the heatsink plate, lowers the temperature of the backlight cavity, and protects the optical components. At the same time, because the backplane is not directly used to dissipate heat, the gradient of temperature distribution on the backplane is reduced, thus, the gradient of temperature distribution in the backlight cavity is reduced and stress of the backlight cavity induced by the temperature gradient is also reduced.

A backlight module is one of the crucial components of a liquid crystal display device. Because a liquid crystal display panel can not emit light, the function of the backlight module is to provide a light source of enough luminance and uniform distribution for the liquid crystal display device, so that the liquid crystal display device displays the image normally.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the current LED backlight, a PCB board 2 for installing a LED 3 is directly mounted on a backplane 5. The heat emitted by the LED 3 is dissipated into the air through the backplane 5; at the same time, because the backplane 5 directly contacts with some optical components, such as a light guide plate 4, etc, the quite number of heat is conducted to the inner of a backlight cavity. When the optical components are placed in a high-temperature field over a long period, the optical components will have many problems, such as aging, as well as stress, bending and accuracy control of tolerance caused by the thermal expansion and cold contraction, etc.

Backlight module for liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides a door assembly for a walk-in bathtub. The assembly includes a frame shaped to fit a door threshold in the side of the walk-in bathtub, wherein the frame includes a track dedicated to accommodating a gasket along the length of the frame. The frame also includes a track dedicated to accommodating door hinges. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame is made of a single extruded piece of aluminum that is powder coated to match the acrylic surface of the walk-in tub. The door is mounted onto the frame with hinges. A gasket is inserted into the track in the door frame and forms a water tight seal between the door and the frame. The door assembly can be installed in the bathtub as a separate, pre-assembled system, similar to a pre-hung door.

Walk-in bathtubs comprise high tub walls with a high built in seat and a side door, allowing the user to walk into the tub from the side and sit down without having to climb down into a low bath tub. FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a walk-in bathtub in accordance with the prior art. Walk-in tubs are particularly suited for individuals who have physical limitations that make it difficult or dangerous to climb into and out of a regular, low bathtub or to stand up in a shower for extended periods of time. Such limitations might include physical disabilities or simply the reduced strength, balance and range of motion that typically occur with advancing age. Walk-in tubs are not only easier to enter and exit than conventional bathtubs, they also reduce the chances of slips and falls compared to conventional tubs and showers.
In addition to safety, the ease of entering the tub via the side walk-in door also provides users with independence, allowing them to bathe without the assistance of another person when getting into and out of the tub.
Typically, the side doors used with walk-in tubs have two-part hinges that are screwed directly into the tub wall. This mounting configuration is analogous mounting a house door directly onto the wall instead of a frame. This design lacks the benefit of the additional structural integrity provided by a door frame, which can help keep the walls of the tub from flexing.
Because of their depth, walk-in bathtubs are typically made from gel-coated fiberglass, including the side doors. However, acrylic is the preferred material for conventional bathtub manufacturers because it is germ and stain resistant, has good heat retaining qualities, keeps its luster longer and is durable. Because acrylic is non-porous, it resists mold and mildew making it easier to clear. The reason for using fiberglass in manufacturing walk-in tubs lies in the technical difficulties in forming the deep basin of the tub with a single sheet of acrylic. Do to the depth of the tubs and seat heights approaching 17 inches above the tub floor, acrylic has a tendency to tear during the vacuum forming process or become excessively thin at the bottom, comprising its ability to hold the requisite water weight.
New manufacturing methods are now making it possible to vacuum form deep walk-in tubs using acrylic sheets. However, vacuum forming acrylic typically results in surface inconsistencies that are very difficult if not impossible to eliminate. Because the conventional door design for walk-in tubs relies upon direct contact between the door and tub wall to maintain the water seal, this design is ill suited for use with acrylic tubs due to the surface inconsistencies, especially if the door is also made of acrylic. Additionally, unlike gel-coated fiberglass walk-in bathtubs, with acrylic it is very difficult if not impossible to create a finished door threshold during the forming process, resulting in labor intensive production steps to create the finished surface.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved door design for walk-in bathtubs that includes the benefits of a pre-hung door assembly and is capable of maintaining the proper water seal and speed up the production process when implemented with acrylic tubs.


For fastening water level regulators on parts of washing machines, an adapter including a housing having first and second portions each for accommodating a water level regulator, a fastening device for fastening the adapter on parts of a washing machine, and two openings in the accommodating portions for accommodating a fastening device disposed on the respective water level regulator. The fastening device of the adapter is disposed in a central portion of the housing, the first accommodating portion is disposed in a first side portion, and the second accommodating portion is disposed in a second side portion, the central portion being bounded by the two side portions. The opening in the first accommodating portion is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the opening in the second accommodating portion.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an adapter for fastening water level regulators on parts of washing machines.
Water level regulators are used in household appliances, for example, washing machines, for regulating the filling level of the washing machine in an electronically controlled manner. Such an analog or digital water level regulator is accommodated and fixed on the washing machine here, for example, by virtue of a latching-in device that is disposed on the water level regulator being latched into a suitable opening on plastic or metal parts of the washing machine, for example, on cable ducts. Up until now, it has only been possible for in each case one water level regulator to be clamped firmly on the washing machine by a fastening device, with the result that, in the case of two or more water level regulators being used, it has been necessary to make a number of patterns of holes in the part that is envisaged for accommodating the fastening device for the water level regulators. The resulting alterations to parts lead to considerable development and tool costs and, in addition, the space available is often not sufficient for accommodating a plurality of individually inserted water level regulators.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an adapter for fastening water level regulators that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that is intended for fastening water level regulators on parts of washing machines and allows a plurality of water level regulators to be fastened on a part of the washing machine without the part having to be altered and that, at the same time, saves a considerable amount of space.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, the adapter has a housing, which has a first portion and a second portion, each for accommodating a water level regulator, a fastening device for fastening the adapter on parts of the washing machine, and two openings in the accommodating portions of the housing for accommodating a fastening device disposed on the respective water level regulator. The fastening device of the adapter is disposed on a central portion of the housing, the first accommodating portion is disposed in a first side portion and the second accommodating portion is disposed in a second side portion, the central portion being bounded by the two side portions. The opening in the first accommodating portion is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the opening in the second accommodating portion. Such a configuration ensures that a plurality of water level regulators can be fastened on parts of the washing machine through just one fastening device, the amount of space required for the water level regulator is being kept to a minimum and no additional machining costs being incurred.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the fastening device is, advantageously, disposed such that the movement direction for clamping the adapter firmly is substantially the same as the movement direction for clamping a water level regulator firmly in the first accommodating portion. As a result, the space taken up in the lateral direction is minimized.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, because at least the opening in the first accommodating portion extends more or less over the entire height of the latter, it being wider in the direction of the top end of the accommodating portion than in the direction of the bottom end, such a configuration advantageously results in a fastening mechanism that can be released again particularly easily and is, thus, extremely suitable for exchanging water level regulators.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, it is also advantageous for at least the first accommodating portion, at a small distance behind the opening, to have a resilient tongue that is fastened at a top end of the accommodating portion, this ensuring that the water level-regulator fastening device introduced is guided in a precise manner and the water level regulator, once inserted, is additionally secured in position with latching action.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, at least the second accommodating portion, on its outer borders, advantageously has guide webs by which the water level regulator, once introduced, is fixed in position.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the central housing portion, advantageously, has a cavity for accommodating the fastening device of a water level regulator that is introduced through the opening of the second accommodating portion. Such a configuration results in a considerable amount of space being saved in the lateral direction.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, it is advantageous for the housing to be formed in one piece because such a configuration reduces the assembly outlay.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an adapter for fastening water level regulators, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Adapter for fastening water level regulators


A multi-user telephone system composed of a plurality of user networks installed at the same general location. Each user network has a different telephone number and a plurality of VOIP extensions each having a different extension number. A server, upon confirming the address of an outgoing VOIP signal as an address of an intended recipient of the outgoing VOIP signal, permits the outgoing VOIP to be conducted to the internet. The VOIP extensions also can develop outgoing PSTN signals for transmission via a public switched telephone network. The server, upon detecting a PSTN outgoing signal, permits the outgoing PSTN signal to be conducted to a public switched telephone network. The server also confirms that the address of an incoming signal, from the internet or from a public switched telephone network, is an address of an extension in one of the user networks.

Telephone system installations in multi-occupant facilities, where each occupant of the facility has a different telephone number and a plurality of extensions, in the past have been arranged either: (a) as separate user systems set up by the occupants individually and separately connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) through a local telephone switch or router each dedicated to the individual user telephone system, or (b) as multi-exchange shared systems set up by, for example, the landlords of the facilities, with each individual user telephone exchange system in the overall shared system connected to a public switched is telephone network though a private branch exchange (PBX) used in common by the plurality of occupants of the facility, or (c) as separate user systems set up by the occupants individually and separately connected directly to a public switched telephone network.
Such prior art telephone installations in multi-occupant facilities suffer from one or more of the following shortcomings. One shortcoming is the expenses associated with the individual installation and maintenance of telephone systems installed and maintained by the users. Another is the high cost of the private branch exchange that is included in a shared multi-exchange system. A shortcoming common to both prior art arrangements is the large number of cable pairs that is required for conventional telephone voice transmissions. Yet another shortcoming of many such prior art multi-user telephone installations is that only voice transmission and reception are provided, so that another communications system, capable of transmitting and receiving data, is needed for those users that transmit and receive data. Still another shortcoming of many such prior art multi-user telephone installations is that they transmit and receive voice transmissions by conventional telephonic means at higher costs than voice transmissions by voice over Internet protocol (VOIP).


The present invention provides an aqueous composition and its use for dissolving blood clots in vivo or in clinical or research samples in vitro, said composition comprising at least one chaotropic agent, at least one chelating agent that complexes iron if the chaotropic agent does not complex iron and at least one surface-active emulsifier, the composition being buffered near pH 7.4. The process of dissolving the clot with the aqueous composition is advantageous because it is simple, inexpensive, rapid and can be applied in a variety of contexts, including basic research and clinical situations.

Many drugs have been developed to prevent blood clots from forming. Anti-coagulants, including aspirin, warfarin, and heparin, are widely used for the purpose. There are, however, very few therapies that can break down clots already formed. The process of dissolving a clot is called thrombolysis.
Thrombolytic agents work directly upon the fibrin strands within a clot. Examples include plasma activator agents, which increase plasma activator activity, and plasminogen activators, such as streptokinase, urokinase and tissue plasminogen. All these agents digest clots by increasing the amount of plasmin in the blood. Plasminogen is activated and converted into plasmin by enzymes called plasminogen activators, increasing the level of plasmin available to digest clots.
Streptokinase has been utilized in medicine since the 1960s. The least expensive plasminogen activator, streptokinase has caused negative side effects in some patients, such as immune responses. Urokinase is a naturally-occurring protein in humans, especially in the urine. There is therefore no negative immune response associated with its use. Urokinase therapy is usually administered in small doses in combination with other drugs, because it is difficult to purify and therefore rather expensive.
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an expensive drug for dissolving blood clots. It is unique because it activates only fibrin-bound plasminogen and thus targets clot sites. tPA in human blood is, however, produced in very small amounts by vascular endothelial cells. Recombinant DNA technology has therefore been utilized to make copies of the gene that encodes human tPA. These genes are then transfected into host cells for production of the corresponding proteins. Chinese hamster ovary cells are often utilized for protein production. Recombinant plasminogen must still be converted to plasmin to be effective. Because the overall process can be lengthy and require a large amount of tPA, which is costly, it is desirable to find alternative methods of dissolving blood clots.

Methods of dissolving blood clots and the like


An electronic ballast is connected with the AC power line voltage of an ordinary electric utility power line and powers a fluorescent lamp with a substantially sinusoidal current of frequency substantially higher than that or the AC power line voltage. Within the electronic ballast is a half-bridge inverter, whose output voltage exhibits a substantially trapezoidal waveshape. The inverter is powered from a substantially constant DC voltage whose absolute magnitude if substantially higher than the absolute peak magnitude of the AC power line voltage.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to power supplies suitable for ballasting gas discharge lamps.
2. Description of Prior Art
For a description of pertinent prior art, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,345 to Nilssen; which patent issued from a division of application Ser. No. 06/178,107 filed Aug. 14, 1980; which application is the original progenitor of instant application.
Otherwise, reference is made to the following U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,122 to Genuit; U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,510 to Locklair; U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,493 to Davenport et el.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,476 to Ghiringhelli; U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,327 to Kovacik et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,600 to Zansky; as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,932, 4,857,806, 5,047,690, 5,164,637, 5,166,578, 5,185,560, and 5,191,262 to Nilssen.

Electronic ballast with trapezoidal voltage waveform


An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus for implanting acrylic IOLs through smaller incisions. The insertion apparatus includes an insertion cartridge that receives the IOL and cooperates with a handpiece. The cartridge includes a longitudinal lumen from a loading chamber to an open distal mouth that gradually narrows in dimension so as to fold the acrylic IOL to a dimension of less than about 2.0 mm. The cartridge is made of a polymer, such as polypropylene, that includes a lubricity enhancing component concentrated at surfaces by a blooming process. A push rod in the handpiece enters the loading chamber of the cartridge and urges the IOL therethrough. A distal tip of the push rod has an irregular shape, such as a rounded trapezoidal, and has a maximum dimension slightly less than the inner diameter of the open distal mouth of the cartridge. The distal tip of the push rod may have a relief channel on one side that accommodates a trailing haptic of the IOL.

The present invention relates to apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into an eye. More particularly, the present invention relates to insertion apparatus having a hollow tube through which an acrylic IOL is pushed with a push rod into an eye.
The human eye is susceptible to numerous disorders and diseases, a number of which attack the crystalline lens. For example, cataracts mar vision through cloudy or opaque discoloration of the lens of the eye. Cataracts often result in partial or complete blindness. If this is the case, the crystalline lens can be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens, or IOL.
An intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye, for example, as a replacement for the natural crystalline lens after cataract surgery or to alter the optical properties of (provide vision correction to) an eye in which the natural lens remains. IOLs often include a disk-like optic, and preferably at least one flexible fixation member or haptic which extends radially outward from the optic and becomes affixed in the eye to secure the lens in position. The optic normally includes an optically clear lens. Implantation of such IOLs into the eye involves making an incision in the eye. It is advantageous, to reduce trauma and speed healing, to have an incision size as small as possible.
The optics may be constructed of rigid biocompatible materials such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or deformable materials such as silicone polymeric materials, acrylic polymeric materials, hydrogel polymeric materials, and the like. The deformable materials allow the IOL to be rolled or folded for insertion through a small incision into the eye. A substantial number of instruments have been proposed to aid in inserting such a foldable lens in the eye. In a popular apparatus, the optic begins in the shape of a taco and is pushed through an insertion cartridge, progressively rolling into a tubular shape to fit through the incision. Such an exemplary insertion system is disclosed in Makker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,277, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The two primary IOL materials are silicone and acrylic. Silicone IOLs are more pliable and can be folded into smaller tubes without unduly stressing the insertion cartridge, or requiring excessive push force which can violently expel the IOL from the cartridge. However, acrylic lenses are indicated for some patients and are inserted in much the same way as silicone IOLs, although using larger bore cartridges to mitigate the problems caused by the lower flexibility of the acrylic. Because the cartridge bore is larger, the incision is also necessarily larger.
In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial in the art to provide an IOL insertion apparatus that enables acrylic IOLs to be inserted through smaller incisions.
The present invention provides new and enhanced apparatuses for implanting acrylic IOLs into the eye. The apparatuses enable acrylic IOLs to be inserted through smaller incisions than previously was possible. In general, the invention provides an insertion apparatus wherein a cartridge having a relatively small open distal mouth receives an acrylic IOL, and a modified push rod is used to urge the IOL through the cartridge.
In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, an insertion apparatus for intraocular lenses includes an intraocular lens having an optic and at least one fixation member, an insertion cartridge, and a push rod. The insertion cartridge has a proximal loading chamber sized to receive the intraocular lens in an unfolded configuration, and a distal injection tube having an open distal mouth sized to fit through an incision in the eye. The insertion cartridge further includes a lumen connecting the loading chamber and the open distal mouth that reduces in size therebetween to cause the intraocular lens to fold into a smaller size than its unfolded configuration when pushed through the lumen. The push rod has a distal tip for pushing the intraocular lens through the insertion cartridge from the loading chamber through the connecting lumen and out the open distal mouth. The push rod defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the distal tip in transverse cross-section has a longitudinally extending runner on its lower surface and on one side thereof that creates an adjacent relief channel on the other side.
In accordance with a preferred aspect, the distal tip has a generally trapezoidal cross-section. Further, the distal tip in cross-section may have a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is non-symmetric across any plane that includes the longitudinal axis. In addition, the distal face of the distal tip they have a horizontal groove therein that creates a projection in the runner. The generally trapezoidal cross-section of the distal tip may have a rounded upper end that is larger than a lower end.
Desirably, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the distal tip is slightly less than the inner diameter of the open distal mouth of the insertion cartridge. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the open distal mouth of the insertion cartridge is less than about 2 mm.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, and insertion apparatus for intraocular lenses comprises an intraocular lens having an optic and at least one fixation member, an insertion cartridge, and a push rod. The insertion cartridge is as described above, and the push rod has a distal tip for pushing the intraocular lens through the insertion cartridge from the loading chamber through the connecting lumen and out the open distal mouth. The push rod defines a longitudinal axis, and the distal tip of the push rod has at least one relief channel extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and on a lower side thereof. The relief channel is positioned to receive the fixation member of the intraocular lens as the distal tip contacts and pushes on the optic.
The distal tip may have a generally rounded trapezoidal cross-section, and a longitudinally extending runner on its lower surface and on one side thereof that creates the relief channel on the other side. In one embodiment, the distal face of the distal tip has a horizontal groove therein that creates a projection in the runner. Two relief channels may be provided on either side of the distal tip.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an insertion apparatus for acrylic intraocular lenses comprises an intraocular lens having an acrylic optic and at least one fixation member. A polymer insertion cartridge having a proximal loading chamber is sized to receive the intraocular lens in an unfolded configuration. A distal injection tube on cartridge has an open distal mouth sized to fit through an incision in the eye. The insertion cartridge further includes a lumen connecting the loading chamber and the open distal mouth that reduces in size therebetween to less than about 2.0 mm at the open distal mouth to cause the intraocular lens to fold into a smaller size than its unfolded configuration when pushed through the lumen. At least a portion of the connecting lumen may have a lubrication enhancement incorporated into the polymer and concentrated near the surfaces of the cartridge.
Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent.
Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the following description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like reference numbers.


A probe for an ear thermometer has a mounting bracket, a light module, a temperature sensor and a probe tube. The light module and temperature sensor is mounted on the mounting bracket. The light module is capable of radiating different colored lights to respectively indicate normal or abnormal body temperature. The probe tube covers the light module and temperature sensor and is light-pervious. Because the probe of the ear thermometer indicates the body temperature by different colored lights and/or numerals, using the ear thermometer with the probe is easy, simple and instinctive when compared to conventional thermometers that use LCD display to show numerical values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a probe, and more particularly to a probe for an ear thermometer that indicates normal and abnormal body temperatures with different colored lights and/or numerical values.
2. Description of Related Art
Thermometers such as mouth thermometers, rectal thermometers and ear thermometers are used for measuring human body temperature, with the head of the thermometer being inserted either into the mouth, or into the rectum or into the ear canal.
A conventional ear thermometer has a body, a head, a temperature sensor and a display. The head is mounted on the body. The temperature sensor is mounted in the head. The display may be a LCD display, is connected to the sensor and is capable of indicating numerals of temperature.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a probe for an ear thermometer to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.


Socket structures that are configured to use area efficiently, and methods for providing socket regions that use area efficiently, are provided. The staircase type contact area or socket region includes dielectric layers between adjacent planar electrodes that partially cover a portion of a planar electrode that does directly underlie an adjacent planar electrode. The portion of a dielectric layer between adjacent planar electrodes can be sloped, such that it extends from an edge of an overlying planar electrode to a point between the edge of an underlying planar electrode and a point corresponding to an edge of the overlying planar electrode.

Memory devices are used in a wide range of fields. For example, solid-state memory can be used for long or short term storage of program instructions and data in connection with computing devices. Memory density, access speed, and reliability are all important considerations in designing solid-state memory. Recent solid-state memory designs have used three-dimensional architectures. Such designs can increase memory density. In addition, such designs are well suited for use in connection with resistive random access memory (ReRAM), and phase-change random access memory (PCRAM or PRAM).
In a three-dimensional (3D) memory structure, signal lines, including bit lines (BL) and word lines (WL), extend between socket regions on a periphery of the memory structure, and the memory array itself. More particularly, a first socket region on a first side of the memory array can include electrodes or contacts associated with the bit lines, and a second socket region on a second side of the memory array can include electrodes or contacts associated with the word lines. In other configurations, socket regions on first and second opposing sides of the memory array can be associated with bit lines, and socket regions on third and fourth opposing sides of the memory array can be associated with word lines. As the number of memory cells included in the memory array is increased, there is a corresponding increase in the number of signal lines (i.e. bit lines and/or word lines). In addition, due to physical constraints in the size of the bit lines and word lines, the area of the memory structure occupied by the socket regions becomes increasingly large as compared to an area of the memory array. This problem is exacerbated by decreases in the size of memory cells and in the size of memory cell pitch, and increases in the density of the memory array.
The area of the memory structure occupied by socket regions also increases relative to the area of the memory structure occupied by the memory array as the number of decks or layers within the memory structure increases. More particularly, in a conventional socket arrangement, different decks or layers, corresponding to different horizontal electrodes, are disposed in a staircase type arrangement. These different layers are accessed by vertical conductors. As a result, the size of the socket area must be increased in order to accommodate an increased number of horizontal electrodes. That is, the number of "stairs" in the "staircase" must be increased, which for a given electrode contact size results in a proportional increase in the length of the socket region in a direction extending away from the memory array. In addition, the size of a contact established between a horizontal electrode and a vertical conductor is constrained by various factors. For example, a minimum contact area needs to be maintained in order to provide a suitable electrical contact and thus a suitably low electrical resistance. In addition, the ability to align a vertical conductor with a desired contact area can be limited by manufacturing tolerances, thus requiring some minimum contact area margin. Therefore, the proportion of the total area occupied by connection or socket regions tends to become increasingly large as memory cell area density increases.
Because of such problems, decreases in the overall size of memory structures have not kept pace with decreases in the size of memory arrays themselves, and costs associated with providing three-dimensional memory structures have remained relatively high.

Socket structure for three-dimensional memory

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation