A method and apparatus for formation of a preformed bonded pull tab over a reseal liner is disclosed. The pull tab seal layer of material is bonded together with a reseal liner layer of material for insertion into a closure. The pull tab on the pull tab liner seal is formed prior to combination of the two layers and is folded backwards between the two layers of material. Thus, after combining the two layers, punching out the closure liner and insertion into the closure, the reseal liner is separated from the pull tab seal and the pull tab seal is adhered to the rim of the container. Only one punch press step is required for forming the closure and container seals and insertion of the members into the closure. By forming the pull tab prior to combining the two layers, an assembly of the pull tab and reseal liner is made more efficient and less time consuming.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to manufacturing reseal and pull tab liners which are combined in a closure and which have a pull tab for removing, upon first use, a liner adhered to the container. These types of reseal liners are manufactured and placed in the interior of a closure which is either threadably attached to a container or is snap fitted on the container neck. The pull tab liner is adhered to the rim of the container mouth and is removed by the user upon first use of the container contents. There is also a gasket or reseal liner placed in the interior of the closure to properly seal the container after removal of the pull tab liner.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Pull tab reseal liners are fairly well known in the container and closure arts. Historically, these reseal liners are cut out of a web of material and inserted into the closure. A pull tab seal is then prepared, cut out and inserted into the closure which is then threadably screwed onto the container neck. There are many drawbacks however to the prior art manufacturing methods for generating reseal liners and pull tab liners which are adhered to the mouth or rim of a container. First and foremost, since the combined inserted liner is made of multiple layers of varying materials, multiple steps have historically been required for assembly and insertion of the pull tab liner and closure reseal liner into the closure. Additionally, these manufacturing problems have resulted in the layers of the sealing liner material being mis-aligned within the closure and possibly causing the pull tab to be improperly placed along the threads of the container lessening the accessibility of the pull tab for the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,890 to Ullman et al teaches a tamper evident safety seal which is formed from a sealing liner having an integral tab portion and having a tab being double folded for release of the pull tab liner. The sealing liner for the Ullman reference combines a layer of foil and foam causing the foil to be folded over one edge and then mated with the foam before punching out the liner into the closure. However, one drawback in the tamper evident safety seal taught therein is that the fold over portion of the liner results in a large section of wasted material as opposed to utilizing only a small pull tab, as is used in most removable pull tab and reseal liner combinations. Additionally, the large section of fold over liner material can prevent the closure from sealing properly on the neck of the container before the fold over seal liner is removed thereby impeding the closure from threading onto the container completely or preventing an adequate seal of the container.
There are additional methods of forming a pull tab reseal liner comprised of a first section of wax paperboard overlaid by a separate section of aluminum foil and plastic or seal material, the paperboard acting as the liner in the closure and the aluminum foil and other seal material acting as the pull tab seal liner on the container. These systems, however, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,990 require the wax paperboard to be punched into the die containing the closure, and in a separate process the pull tab and liner material is separately formed and stamped into the closure for later bonding to the container rim after attachment of the closure on the container. The first layer of paperboard is glued into position against the top wall in the closure above the threads. The pull tab and liner material is then forcibly inserted and frictionally held into place by the threads until later bonding to the container. However, in this embodiment, accurate positioning of the liner material within the cap and of the pull tab is difficult because the separate layers are not combined and pressed into the closure concurrently causing positioning problems with the layers and other assembly difficulties.

Method and apparatus for creating preformed bonded pull tabs over a reseal liner


A step-by-step variable transmission has a housing, a drive input shaft device, a drive output shaft and a countershaft. A plurality of gearwheel sets are mounted on the drive input shaft and on the countershaft. The gearwheel sets can be shifted so as to establish different gear stages by means of respective shift clutches. The countershaft is connected to the drive output shaft by means of a drive output constant wheel set. The drive output shaft is rotatably mounted in the region of its opposite ends on the housing by means of two bearings. At least one of the gearwheel sets is mounted in the region in the axial direction between the two bearings of the drive output shaft.

The present invention relates to a step-by-step variable transmission, in particular for motor vehicles, having a housing, having a drive input shaft device, having a drive output shaft and having a countershaft, with a plurality of gearwheel sets being mounted on the drive input shaft and on the countershaft, with it being possible for the gearwheel sets to be shifted so as to establish different gear stages by means of respective shift clutches, with the countershaft being connected to the drive output shaft by means of a drive output constant gearwheel set, and with the drive output shaft being rotatably mounted in the region of its opposite ends on the housing by means of two bearings.
A step-by-step variable transmission of said type is known from EP 1 031 765 A2. Said known transmission is a so-called in-line transmission, that is to say a transmission for longitudinal installation in the motor vehicle.
Conventional in-line transmissions of said type generally have a drive input constant gearwheel set. A drive input constant gearwheel set of said type usually comprises, at the input of the transmission, a fixed gearwheel which is fixedly connected to the drive input shaft and a fixed gearwheel which is fixedly connected to the countershaft. In the case of dual clutch transmissions, a separate drive input constant gearwheel set is usually provided for each drive input shaft.
A drive input constant gearwheel set of said type establishes a ratio for the transmission-input-side torque (generally the torque of an engine of the motor vehicle such as an internal combustion engine) directly to the transmission input. This leads to a comparatively high torque loading at the countershaft.
This has the result that the toothings of the gearwheel sets for the different gear stages must be designed to be relatively wide in order to withstand the high torques. The shift clutches must also be designed for the comparatively high torques, in particular when the shift clutches are, as is conventional, so-called synchronous clutches.
In contrast, EP 1 031 765 A2 as cited in the introduction relates to an in-line transmission with a drive output constant gearwheel set. In such a transmission type, a constant gearwheel set is seated in the region of the transmission output or in the region of the drive output shaft. As a result of this measure, the torque loading at the countershaft is reduced. However, the rotational speed level in the region of the countershaft is increased in relation to solutions with a drive input constant.
As a result of the relatively low torque loadings, it is possible for the toothings of the gearwheel sets to be of narrower design than in the case of solutions with a drive input constant. The transmission can therefore generally be of shorter design in the axial direction. Only the drive output constant gearwheel set must be of considerably wider design than in the case of step-by-step variable transmissions with a drive input constant gearwheel set. The loading of the shift clutches (synchronizations) is also reduced. It is hereby also possible to obtain shorter shift times.
One problem of step-by-step variable transmissions with a drive output constant gearwheel set is that it is comparatively difficult to mount the drive output constant gearwheel set in such a stiff manner that it still has an acceptable contact pattern despite its comparatively large width. Although the drive output shaft can generally be of short design from conception, for said reason, it is nevertheless usually mounted so as to project far back, as is described for example in EP 1 031 765 A2.
The conceptually obtainable installation length advantage of the transmission type is therefore relinquished again.
DE 39 32 264 C2 discloses a further step-by-step variable transmission with a drive output constant. The transmission is embodied as a 5-gear transmission, with the fourth gear being designed as a direct gear in which the drive input shaft is connected directly to the drive output shaft. In addition, the drive input shaft is mounted in the drive output shaft. Here, too, the drive output shaft projects relatively far out in the axial direction.
A further transmission concept with a drive output constant is known from EP 0 798 491 B1. This is a 6-gear transmission in which the fourth gear stage is embodied as a direct gear stage. The drive input shaft is again mounted in the drive output shaft. A complex mounting of the drive output shaft is provided in this embodiment also.

Getrag Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG


A method of performing radiation therapy on a patient, involving exposing a target, usually a tumor, to a therapeutic dose of high energy electromagnetic radiation, preferably X-ray radiation, in the form of at least two non-overlapping microbeams of radiation, each microbeam having a width of less than about 1 millimeter. Target tissue exposed to the microbeams receives a radiation dose during the exposure that exceeds the maximum dose that such tissue can survive. Non-target tissue between the microbeams receives a dose of radiation below the threshold amount of radiation that can be survived by the tissue, and thereby permits the non-target tissue to regenerate. The microbeams may be directed at the target from one direction, or from more than one direction in which case the microbeams overlap within the target tissue enhancing the lethal effect of the irradiation while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to methods for performing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of using arrays of small radiation beams to irradiate tumors.
2. Background of the Related Art
Cancer continues to be one of the foremost health problems. Conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy have been extremely successful in certain cases; in other instances, much less so. Radiation therapy has also exhibited favorable results in many cases, while failing to be completely satisfactory and effective in all instances. A much less familiar alternative form of radiation therapy, known as microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), is being investigated to treat certain tumors for which the conventional methods have been ineffective.
MRT differs from conventional radiation therapy by employing beams of radiation that are one order of magnitude smaller in diameter than the smallest radiation beams currently in clinical use. The diameter of the microbeams is dependent upon the capacity of tissue surrounding a beam path to support the recovery of the tissue injured by the beam. It has been found that certain types of cells, notably endothelial cells lining blood vessels, have the capacity to migrate over microscopic distances, infiltrating tissue damaged by radiation and reducing tissue necrosis in the beam path. In MRT, sufficient unirradiated or minimally irradiated microscopic zones remain in the normal tissue, through which the microbeams pass, to allow efficient repair of irradiation-damaged tissue. As a result, MRT is fundamentally different from other forms of radiation therapy.
In conventional forms of radiation therapy, including the radiosurgical techniques employing multiple convergent beams of gamma radiation described by Larsson "Potentialities of Synchrotron Radiation in Experimental and Clinical Radiation Surgery, " Acta Radiol Ther. Ph. Biol. Suppl., 365, 58-64 (1983), each beam is at least several millimeters in diameter, so that the biological advantage of rapid repair by migrating or proliferating endothelial cells is minimal or nonexistent. As described in greater detail below, our observations of the regeneration of blood vessels following MRT indicate that endothelial cells cannot efficiently regenerate damaged blood vessels over distances on the order of thousands of micrometers (.mu.m). Thus, in view of this knowledge concerning radiation pathology of normal blood vessels, the skilled artisan would optimally select microbeams as small as 50 .mu.m to 200 .mu.m in diameter.
The division of a radiation beam into microbeams, and the use of a patient exposure plan that provides non-overlapping beams in the tissue surrounding the target tumor. This allows the non-target tissue to recover from the radiation injury by migration of regenerating endothelial cells of the small blood vessels to the areas in which the endothelial cells have been injured beyond recovery. Therefore, the probability of radiation-induced coagulative necrosis in normal, non-targeted tissue is lowered, which should improve the effectiveness of clinical radiation therapy for deep-seated tumors. The use of microbeams should be of special benefit for deep pulmonary, bronchial, and esophageal tumors, for example, where the effectiveness of orthodox radiation therapy is limited by the risk of radiation pneumonitis.
Effects on the mouse brain of 22 MeV deuterons delivered in a beam having either a circular cross-section (herein designated a "cylindrical" beam) 25 .mu.m in diameter or an elongated rectangular cross-section (herein designated a "planar" beam) 25 .mu.m in width were investigated 3 decades ago. Representative investigations are described by Ordy et al., "Long-Term Pathologic and Behavioral Changes in Mice After Focal Deuteron Irradiation of the Brain", Radiation Research 20, 30-42 (1963). The Ordy et al. publication describes the effects of exposure to high energy deuteron microbeams having a 9 mm .times.0.025 mm planar configuration. These beams of heavy charged particles were used in experiments to model the neurological effects of extraterrestrial heavy ions on humans. Ordy et al. do not discuss the treatment of tumors by X-ray microbeam irradiation.
Damage to the cerebrum and cerebellum caused by the deuteron microbeam, was not evident unless a very high radiation dose was given. A macroscopic (1 mm diameter) 22 MeV deuteron beam that delivered about 150-300 Gray (Gy) to the mouse cerebrum caused tissue necrosis in its path. On the other hand, energies of at least 3000 Gy to the cerebral cortex or 720 Gy to the cerebellar cortex were required to leave any persistent brain damage in the path of a 22 MeV, 25- to 40-.mu.m-wide cylindrical or planar deuteron microbeam, as observed by light microscopy up to 9 months after irradiation. Furthermore, damage was limited to cellular necrosis. Tissue necrosis in the microbeam-damaged zone of the mouse brain was apparently averted by regeneration of blood vessels, even after an absorbed dose of 10,000 Gy or more in the path of the microbeam. Any vascular or parenchymal cell in the microbeam that had been so intensely irradiated was probably destroyed. Cellular necrosis caused by the deuteron microbeam depended mainly on the absorbed dose rather than on the absorbed dose rate, which was varied from 2 to 9,000 Gy s.sup.-1.
These unprecedented dose-effect relationships in the brain were attributed to the narrowness of the beams and to the regeneration of blood vessels in tissues within the path of the microbeam from the microscopically contiguous, minimally irradiated vasculature adjacent to that path. Presumably, minimally irradiated blood vessels contained reservoirs of endothelium from which regenerating endothelial cells grew into the nearby, maximally irradiated blood vessel segments as the endothelial cells of the latter segments died and disintegrated.
A microbeam tissue-sparing effect was also observed for X-ray microbeams by Straile and Chase, in "The Use of Elongate Microbeams of X-Rays for Simulating the Effects of Cosmic Rays on Tissues: A Study of Wound Healing and Hair Follicle Regeneration", Radiation Research, 18, 65-75 (1963). This publication describes the irradiation of mouse skin using a 200 kVp, 0.5 mm Cu+1.0 mm Al-filtered X-ray source. Absorbed doses of about 60 Gy produced a variety of skin lesions when delivered in a seamless (i.e., not spatially interrupted) 5 mm diameter beam. However, much less severe damage occurred when similar doses were delivered to the skin via a 150 .mu.m wide microbeam. These investigators were primarily concerned with modelling the effects of cosmic rays, and did not describe or suggest the use of microbeams for any therapeutic purposes.
A publication by L. Leksell, "The Sterotaxic Method and Radiosurgery of the Brain, " Acta Chirugica Scandinavia, 102, 316-319 (1951), describes a stereotaxic instrument suitable for cross-firing radiation treatment of brain tumors. The Leksell publication does not describe the use of microbeams or of multiple simultaneous beams. A related publication by B. Larsson entitled "Potentialities of Synchrotron Radiation in Experimental and Clinical Radiation Surgery," Acta Radiol. Ther. Ph. Bios. Suppl., 365, 58-64 (1983), which further describes the stereotaxic method of Leksell. In addition, Larsson describes a hemispherical helmet-like apparatus for gamma radiation of intracranial targets by multiple converging channels. Larsson does not, however, discuss microbeams or any method of producing microbeams.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,554 to Bartow et al. describes various collimators for X-rays which produce a conically converging array of very small beams. One of the collimators described by Bartow et al. is a truncated cone of X-ray-impermeable material cast around a removable array of wires. Once the wires are removed, an array of apertures remains in the collimator which, when inserted into a beam of X-rays, will produce a convergent array of very small beams. The apertures are described as being in the range of 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) to 0.001 inches (25.6 .mu.m). Another lens described by Bartow et al. is an arcuate lens assembled from planar segments into which grooves have been cut so that when assembled each of the isofocused grooves defines an X-ray transmissive aperture. Neither of the Bartow et al. collimators produces planar beams.
The Bartow et al. patent describes avoidance of excessive concentration of X-rays at any particular spot on the subject skin or tissues by virtue of the discretely spaced small beams. The Bartow et al. patent also describes the rotational or translational movement of the emitting device to produce a cross-firing effect. The Bartow et al. patent does not, however, present any description of a tissue sparing effect at a microscopic level that might be attributable to the specific use of microbeams, positioned to produce just such an effect. Neither do Bartow et al. describe the use of parallel microbeams or the efficacy of the treatment of tumors using parallel microbeams without any converging or cross-firing effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,491 to Barish also describes accelerator beam collimators having at least one radiation transmission channel. The beams produced by the Barish collimator are generally convergent toward a predetermined target, and range in diameter from about 3 mm to about 4 mm. The Barish collimators are described as useful for the radiation treatment of intra-cranial tumors, but may be applied to treatment of other portions of the body. The Barish patent does not describe microbeams or their utility.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,624,013 to Marks describes a radiation barrier or collimator producing a plurality of relatively large, parallel, rectangular beams. The beams range in size from 0.25 inch to 1 inch on each side. The Marks patent describes the protection of skin by limiting the irradiation of the skin to areas between the beams, thereby helping to retain the skin's integrity. The internal efficacy of the radiation beams produced by the Marks invention is described as relying on recoil electrons to destroy internal tumors. The Marks patent does not describe converging beams or the use of microbeams.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,046 to Nunan describes a method and apparatus for generating a relatively small (0.5 mm .times.0.5 mm) radiation beam. The Nunan method employs a plan for producing an array of radiation exposures by sequentially scanning over a prescribed area and intermittently delivering radiation beams, but does not describe microbeams.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,139,966 to Loebell describes an X-ray apparatus designed to emit a plurality of convergent X-rays for the treatment of internal disorders. The Loebell apparatus employs several independently movable, X-ray emitting cathode/anode pairs, preferably arranged radially arranged to produce a converging array of beams. The Loebell apparatus is described as capable of eliminating the burning of skin area by the use of converging beams. The Loebell patent does not describe the use of microbeams.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,083 to O'Brien describes a rotating shutter for radiation beams. The high speed actuator for controlling the shutter eliminates transition time during which the X-ray dose is wasted. Also describing a beam shutter is U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,935 to Donnadille. This shutter is described as useful for limiting the entry of radiation beams from particle accelerators into irradiation rooms. Neither of these patents describes the use of either single or arrayed microbeams for radiation treatment of tumors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,926 to Rudko et al. describes a system for synchronizing the pulsation of a surgical laser with the heartbeat of a patient undergoing laser heart surgery. The Rudko et al. patent does not describe the synchronization of radiation beams for cancer therapy. Rudko et al. also do not describe the use of the synchronization method with tissues other than heart tissue. Furthermore, Rudko et al. do not disclose the synchronization of radiation impulses with other physiomechanical rhythms.
Although other methods and processes are known for radiation therapy, none provides a method for performing radiation therapy while avoiding significant radiation-induced damage to tissues surrounding the target.
Accordingly, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a method for treating cancerous tumors by using extremely small radiation microbeams increasing the precision and accuracy of radiation therapy.
It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a method of using extremely small microbeams of radiation to unexpectedly produce effective radiation therapy.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide an improved method of radiation therapy unexpectedly capable of avoiding significant radiation-induced damage to non-target tissues.
Other purposes and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A housing is provided which includes an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, an aluminum layer and a corrosion resistant layer formed on the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate in that order. The corrosion resistant layer is an Al—C—N layer. Then, Ce ions are implanted in the Al—C—N layer by ion implantation process. The atomic percentages of N and C in the Al—C—N gradient layer gradually increase from the side of Al—C—N gradient layer near the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to the other side of Al—C—N gradient layer, away from aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. Therefore the housing has a high corrosion resistance. A method for making the housing is also provided.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a housing and a method for making the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Due to properties such as light weight and quick heat dissipation, aluminum and aluminum alloy are widely used in manufacturing components (such as housings) of electronic devices. Aluminum and aluminum alloy are usually anodized to form an oxide coating thereon to achieve a decorative and wear-resistant surface. However, the anodizing process is complicated and not very effective.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A display device, system, and method are provided. The display device has a communication interface adapted to communicate with an archival storage device, a content source adapted to acquire content in an acquisition form, a presentation system for presenting content in a form that is different from the acquisition form and a memory for storing content. A controller is provided and is adapted to receive acquired content from the content source, to form presentation content that corresponds to the acquired content said presentation content adapted for presentation using the presentation system and to cause the acquired image content and the corresponding presentation content to be stored in the memory. The controller is further adapted to cause the communication interface to transfer acquired content to the archival storage device and to delete the transferred acquired content from the memory.

Portable display systems are frequently used to display digital image content such as still images, image sequences, streams of image content and/or text and graphics. Often, such systems are also capable of generating audible signals based upon audio content such as audio content that is associated with the image content. For example, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) players are known that are capable of reading data from an optical disc containing image content and associated audio and converting this image content and audio data into human viewable and audible form. These systems are typically used in conjunction with commercially produced optical disks such as feature length motion pictures and audio disks. Advanced computer users and the owners of currently expensive home electronic optical disk recorders also can create optical disks having personally selected image content and audio collections. However, such optical discs are often time consuming for home users to produce and edit, for example, to include new content. Accordingly, even when home users produce optical disks having personal content stored thereon, the personal content often quickly becomes outdated. What is needed therefore is a portable video player that is capable of receiving personal image and audio content and updating this content in a simple and efficient manner.
Thus, portable systems having rewritable semi-conductor memory, and so-called hard disks, are therefore preferred for use in portable digital display devices. However, the high cost of such types of rewriteable memory has traditionally prohibited the use of such memory in a portable display device. Recently however, there has been a rapid increase in storage sizes and a concomitant reduction in the cost of various forms of rewritable memory. Accordingly, an increasing number of portable display systems have been developed that are capable of carrying very large collections of image and/or audio content. A user typically exchanges image content and/or audio content with the rewriteable memory in such portable display systems using a computer system such as a personal computer. In this way, the personal computer can be used to provide user interface capabilities, processing power, customized automatic data transfer software, archival storage and communication capabilities to facilitate the process of exchanging image content and/or audio content with the rewritable memory in the digital display device. This makes the use of such devices significantly more attractive to consumers and a variety of products of this type are currently known.
Examples of commercially available portable display systems include the Archos AV320 handheld entertainment center sold by Archos, Inc., Irvine, Calif., USA, the eFilm PicturePAD™ sold by Delkin Devices, Inc. Poway, Calif., USA and the ViewSonic Personal Video Player, sold by ViewSonic Corporation, Walnut, Calif., USA and the Sharp-AV 300 sold by Sharp Electronics Corporation Romeoville, Ill. U.S.A. Each of these players contain rewriteable memories that are large enough to store collections of image and audio content. These devices obtain content that has been captured and converted into digital form and selected units can obtain content by way of capture. For example, the AV300 has a docking station that enables audio and video signals to be input into the AV300 which records these signals.
Further, such high capacity rewriteable memories are being incorporated into products such as personal digital assistants, digital cameras, and portable telephones and other devices that have video displays, enabling such devices to be used to store and present collections of image content. Examples of portable video players of this type include a personal digital assistant, the Palm Zire 71 sold by Palm Inc., Milpitas, Calif., USA which is capable of presenting video content using, for example, software known as FireViewer™ sold by Firepad Inc, Costa Mesa, Calif., USA. Other personal digital assistants use programs such as Windows media player, provided by Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., USA, Shockwave, QuickTime media player provided by Apple Computer, Cupertino, Calif., USA, FlashPlayer provided by Macromedia Inc., San Francisco, Calif., USA and/or players compatible with the standards set forth by the Moving Pictures Export Group such as such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or later versions of the MPEG standard to present image content and/or audio content stored therein.
High capacity rewriteable memories that are capable of storing and sharing image content and/or audio content but that do not incorporate displays. Examples of this type of device include the Digital Wallet sold by Minds@work LLC, Irvine, Calif. USA, the EZ Digimagic DM220 portable CD-RW drive sold by and the Buslink Photo Bank sold by Buslink Inc. These devices typically function to provide a large portable memory that can store data captured by digital cameras and the like without using a personal computer.
Despite the recent increase in the memory capacity of rewritable memories, the demands placed upon such rewritable memories continues to outstrip the available capacity. In particular, the use of image sequences and streaming image information rather than still images greatly increases the capacity requirements for rewritable memory in display and/or storage device. Further, the desire of many users to store significant collections of audio content also greatly increases the requirements for rewritable memory capacity. Thus, while the rewritable memory capacity available in a portable display device has increased greatly, consumers can find that they cannot always store as much content in such memory as they would like. Moreover many consumers are concerned that portable display and/or storage devices that incorporate such rewritable memory are too vulnerable to loss or destruction to serve as a consumer's only storage means for personal imagery. Thus, consumers often use devices such as the portable video display devices to store a limited collection of image and audio content and also use a personal computer to store an archival collection containing a complete collection of their content.
While the personal computer provides a uniquely valuable way to store the image and audio content, such an arrangement requires a meaningful amount of oversight and active data management. For the personal computer to act as an archive for the image and audio content stored on the rewritable memory of a portable display device it is necessary to maintain both a collection of image content and/or audio content on the portable display device and the collection of image content and/or audio content on the personal computer.
The management of file transfers between rewritable memory in a portable display device can be controlled manually as is described in Publication No. US 2003/0063196 A1 entitled "Handheld Portable Interactive Data Storage Device" filed on May 8, 2000. The '196 publication describes a portable interactive data storage device that includes a disk drive, a microprocessor, a USB port, and a data storage card slot. The device also includes a small liquid crystal matrix display and a small number of user controls. The device of the '196 publication is configured for data storage, rather than as a small general purpose computer, and preferably does not include a keyboard. This device is capable of receiving digital image content and/or audio content not only from a personal computer but also from other sources of data such as memory cards provided by other devices. In this regard, the data storage card slot is configured to accept small data storage cards, such as flash memory PC cards or CompactFlash cards through a PC card adapter. The disk drive has a substantially larger capacity than the data storage cards. For example, using the storage a user loads data onto a data storage card using a portable electronic device, such as a digital camera. The user then inserts the card into the storage device and uploads the data to the disk drive. The card can then be repeatedly reused in the digital camera by uploading the data to the storage device after each use.
Eventually, the user returns to a computer and connects the storage device to the computer through the USB port and uploads the accumulated data such as digital image content and/or digital audio in MP3 form to the computer. The device acts as a conventional disk drive and is managed by the user of the computer in this manner with data being transferred between the device and the computer as the user would transfer the data between two drives on the personal computer. This method of transfer, however, requires user involvement at all stages in the data transfer which can be tedious and challenging for some users.
Typically this challenge has been addressed in the art using synchronization software located on the personal computer. The synchronization software builds a database on the personal computer that is a virtual copy of the database in the memory of the portable device. That is, a generally exact copy of the data stored in the display device is also stored on the personal computer. Thus, to alter what is stored on the display device it is necessary to manually make changes to the database in the personal computer. What is needed is a more automated way to manage such databases.
This need is particularly acute when a user wishes to effectively extend the amount of content that can be stored on the portable device by modifying image and/or audio content so that content is stored on the rewritable memory of the portable display device in a manner that reduces the amount of memory that is required to store this content. Typically, such modifications are made in a manner that is intended to reduce the amount of storage capacity used to store the information without reducing the apparent quality of the content as presented by the portable display device. For example, when a user of the FireViewer software wishes to store image content on a Palm Zire 71 for presentation using the FireVewer software, the user will process the content using software known as Fire Converter also provided by FirePad, Inc. This software converts images and image content into a form that is adapted for presentation using the display system incorporated in the Palm Zire 71. Because this Palm Zire 71 has a display having an imaging resolution that is significantly smaller than the imaging resolution typically found in digital images and/or sequences of images and/or streams of image information, the FireConverter software can process image content to form a lower resolution version of this content that can be stored on the Palm Zire 71 in rewritable memory. This lower resolution version uses less rewritable memory than would be used had the original image content been directly downloaded to the Palm Zire 71. In this way, the data storage requirements associated with image content can be effectively reduced when such content is stored in the portable device.
However, when using existing software, the archival image content must be manually converted, manually identified for download to the portable display device, and manually organized for viewing on the hand held device. Further, to the extent that the archival image content converted by the FireConverter was conveyed to the computer using the Palm Zire 71, it is likely that the user of the Palm Zire 71 will want to replace the archival image content data with the converted image content. The removal of the archival image content is also performed manually.
Thus what is needed is a more automated method for accessing, exchanging and processing image content and audio content data that permits a user to use a portable display device to store a large collection of image content and/or audio content on a portable display device in a manner that conserves available memory in the display device. A further need is for independent data archiving and a more automated method for extracting acquired image content from a display device, processing this acquired content for use by the display device and conveying the acquired content to the display device in a useful manner. What is also needed is a method for managing acquired content that more fully automates the storage, presentation, organization and format of acquired content stored on the display device.


It is inter alia disclosed a method comprising: determining a divergence measure between a statistical distribution of audio features of a first audio track and a statistical distribution of audio features of at least one further audio track; determining a divergence measure threshold value from at least the divergence measure between the statistical distribution of audio features of a first audio track and the statistical distribution of audio features of the at least one further audio track; and comparing the divergence measure with the divergence measure threshold value.

Music can include many different audio characteristics such as beats, downbeats, chords, melodies and timbre. There can be a number of practical applications for which it is desirable to identify at least some of the above audio characteristics from a musical signal. Such applications can include music recommendation and electronic music distribution (EMD) applications in which music similar to a reference track is searched from a music catalogue or music database. These applications typically use music similarity measures to characterize the music track, which facilitates the searching of large music catalogues for potentially similar music.
In particular the character of music may be expressed in terms of the timbre of the music signal. Features describing the timbre or other characteristics of the music signal may be used to form a pairwise comparison between each music track within the music catalogue and the reference music track. However for large music catalogues this process can be computationally demanding for the host computational device which can result in unacceptable delay when processing a request for a set of musically similar audio tracks or songs.
The use of efficient content management techniques can enable large music catalogues of the order of tens of millions of tracks to be searched efficiently and effectively for musically similar audio tracks or songs.


An image capture module is disclosed, which includes a holder and a lens unit. A plurality of through holes are disposed on the holder, wherein at least one light blocking portion is disposed between the two adjacent through holes. The lens unit is disposed in the holder and has a plurality of light gathering regions and at least one non-light gathering region, wherein the light gathering regions respectively align with each of the through holes, and the non-light gathering region aligns with the light blocking portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical element, and in particular, relates to an image capture module in which a lens unit has two or more than two light gathering regions to capture images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Miniaturized cameras are widely used in many electronic products, such as mobile phones. Recently, wafer level camera modules (WLCM) that include a wafer-level lens module therein have been implemented in miniaturized cameras. The wafer level lens module is manufactured by arranging and stacking a plurality of transparent wafers, wherein each transparent wafers has polymer lenses formed in an array using a replica method, before being cut. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the conventional miniaturized camera module 100 has an image sensor device 110, a spacer 120 and a lens device 130. The spacer 120 has a through hole 122 such that light emitted to the lens device 130 may be emitted to the image sensor device 110 through the through hole 122.
In order to meet high imaging quality requirements, the image sensor device 110 should have a resolution of over 1000 pixels or higher. However, this leads to an increase in the cost of the camera module 100. In addition, during processes or transportation, when the image capture module 100 sustains an impact, the image sensor device 110 and the spacer 120 (or the spacer 120 and the lens unit device 130) are easily displaced or even separated such that the imaging quality of the image capture module 100 is lowered or the image capture module 100 is damaged.
Moreover, since the conventional spacer 120 is usually made of transparent material, such as glass or plastic, light may inevitably enter the image capture module 100 via the spacer 120 and be project into the image sensor device 110 which may cause noise and affect the imaging quality of the image capture module 100.


Lymphocytosis promoting factor (LPF) and filamentous hemaglutinin (FHA) are isolated from the growth medium of the Bordatella pertussis organism and purified by selecting adsorbing the LPF and FHA on a selective adsorbing medium, such as filter aids or gel filtration media, at low ionic strength and subsequently removing the adsorbed LPF and FHA at using an aqueous medium of high ionic strength, either simultaneously or sequentially. Prior to desorbtion of the LPF and FHA, the adsorbing medium may be contacted with an aqueous solution of a non-ionic detergent, which enables the LPF and FHA subsequently desorbed to be substantially free from contamination by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The LPF and FHA may be further purified on hydroxyapatite. The LPF and FHA may be detoxified separately or together by contacting with a cross-linking agent, such as glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde, in the presence of an anti-aggregation agent. The resulting purified and detoxified LPF and FHA may be used to formulate a vaccine against pertussis.

For infants below the age of 24 months, the disease caused by Bordatella pertussis, pertussis or whooping cough, can be very severe and has a mortality rate of approximately 1%. Over the last fifty years, three types of vaccine have been available for immunization against the disease. The most widely used vaccine, that has been available for the protection of infants against pertussis infection, in combination with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, is the so-called "whole cell" vaccine, which is available in all developed countries, and many of the Third World countries.
This whole cell pertussis vaccine is prepared by growing known strains of the B.pertussis organism in a defined medium for several hours in a fermentor, until the mixture reaches certain defined parameters. The mixture then is treated with a chemical agent, such as formaldehyde, which kills the organism and detoxifies proteins present in the supernatant and in the organism itself. After allowing the mixture to stand for a specified time to ensure that this detoxification procedure is complete, the cells are separated from the supernatant by passing the mixture through a continuous centrifuge, to provide a packed mass of cells and the supernatant, which is discarded. The cells then are resuspended in a solution of sodium chloride to provide a suspension, that, when diluted to a known strength, usually determined by the opacity of the suspension, and injected subcutaneously, elicits antibodies that are protective against the disease. This "whole cell" vaccine is known for giving minor local reactions at the injection site with occasionally more severe overall reactions, such as elevated temperature and general fretfulness. There has been speculation that the vaccine is responsible for some neurological reactions in infants.
In a second vaccine type, the B.pertussis was grown and detoxified with formaldehyde as before, and then the isolated cells extracted with a concentrated solution of urea. After filtration and dialysis to remove the urea, a mixture of soluble cell wall components is obtained, which, after dilution to a known strength, was in use as a vaccine from 1969 to 1974, but has now been withdrawn because of poor efficacy. More recently, a third vaccine type, commonly called an acellular vaccine, that is in use in Japan and is in clinical trials in a number of other developed countries, is prepared by isolation and purification of constituents of the culture supernatants of B.pertussis after detoxification. Specifically, the constituents called lymphocytosis promoting factor (LPF) also known as pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemaglutinin (FHA) and agglutinogens have been isolated and identified. However, because of variations in growth of the organism and the method of isolation, which is non-specific, the composition of the isolated mixture of proteins can vary. At present there is no vaccine in general use and licensed that is completely non-toxic and still gives good protection.
With the growth of the science of immunology over the years, it has been recognized that protective antibodies against a specific disease can be elicited by the administration of specific cellular components of the organism that causes the disease, rather than the whole organism that has been inactivated or has been attenuated to give a non-pathogenic strain. It has been recognized that use of detoxified or attenuated organisms as a vaccine can introduce components that may be damaging to the recipient. With this in mind, a number of efforts have been made to isolate components of the pertussis organism, either from the cell or that have been excreted into the medium, that could have antigenic capabilities, be completely non-toxic and thus could act as vaccines.
As yet there has been no convincing proof that any one particular cell component, by itself, can act as a protective antigen. However, in a number of publications and Patent applications (see, for instance, European Patent Application Nos. 0231083 and 0175841) it has been suggested that a mixture of the purified and detoxified proteins, lymphocytosis promoting factor (LPF) and filamentous hemaglutinin (FHA), can act as a combined antigen and, when administered to a mammal, generate antibodies that confer protection against the disease. In the aforesaid publications various methods have been disclosed for obtaining these proteins in a purified form, and once purified using them in varying proportions as a vaccine.
Although existing technology produces highly purified LPF and FHA, the processes have inherent drawbacks. The affinity chromatographic methods that have been used are effective but conditions of absorption and elution often use materials which are toxic, expensive and/or denature the required proteins. In addition, some of the materials used on affinity columns can be leached into the product under the harsh elution conditions required and, since some of the leached materials are blood derived, may introduce the possibility of blood born diseases or autosensitization. The use of gel filtration materials and hydroxyapatite are acceptable when used by themselves, but give only low purification factors.
The LPF and FHA, which are produced by B.pertussis, also represent a major challenge in the removal of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as a contaminant. LPS even in nanogram quantities can produce fever and are an undesirable component of any vaccine. The initial concentration of LPS in the fermentation supernatant can be as high as one milligram per milliliter. A number of methods have been used to remove pyrogens from vaccines (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,000,257 and 4,380,511). Many of these methods are too harsh and result in denaturation of the required proteins. Other methods are ineffective, cumbersome to use and expensive.
Before using the LPF and FHA in a vaccine, these proteins must be detoxified since the LPF in its natural state is highly toxic and small amounts are still present in the purified FHA. This process previously has been achieved by treating the proteins with a chemical agent which induces cross-linking. Traditionally, the agents used have been formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. The use of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde can lead to heavy losses due to aggregation and precipitation.


A radio-frequency tunable atomic magnetometer for detection of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) from room temperature solids, including detection of nitrogen-containing explosives placed external to a sensor unit. A potassium radio-frequency magnetometer with sensitivity of 0.24 fT/Hz1/2 operating at 423 kHz is provided. The magnetometer detected a 14N NQR signal from room temperature ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) in the zero-applied field limit. Results demonstrate first time detection of NQR with an atomic magnetometer, providing that a cryogen-free atomic magnetometer, with intrinsically frequency-independent sensitivity and easy tuning capabilities, can be an attractive new tool for detecting magnetic resonance signals in the kHz to MHz range. Low intensity magnetic fields are measured using an alkali metal vapor, by increasing magnetic polarization of the vapor to increase its sensitivity, then probing the magnetic polarization of the vapor to receive an output, and determining characteristics of the low intensity magnetic field from the output.

Over the past several decades ultra-sensitive magnetometers have found a wide range of applications, from condensed matter experiments (Tsuei, C. C. et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 182-185 (2000)) and gravitational wave detection (Harry, G. M. et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 76, 1446-1448 (2000)), to detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals (Greenberg, Ya. S., Rev. Mod. Phys. 70, 175-222 (1998); McDermott, R. et al., Science 295, 2247-2249 (2002)), studies of paleomagnetism (Kirschvink, J. L. et al., Science 275, 1629-1633 (1997)), non-destructive testing (Tralshawala, N. et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 71, 1573-1575 (1997)), and ordinance detection (Clem, T. R., Nav. Eng. J. 110, 139-149 (1998)). For the last 30 years superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) operating at 4K have been unchallenged as ultra-high-sensitivity magnetic field detectors (SQUID Sensors: Fundamentals, Fabrication and Applications, Ed. Weinstock, H., Kluwer Academic (1996)) with a sensitivity reaching down to 1 fT/Hz1/2 (where fT designates femtotesla, or 10−15 tesla).
Detection of radio-frequency (RF) fields in the kilohertz to gigahertz frequency range finds numerous applications, from radio communication to detection of NMR and NQR signals to fundamental physics measurements, such as axion searches (Bradley, R. et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 75, 777 (2003)). These applications involve the detection of extremely small fields and thus require the highest attainable sensitivity. While RF fields are usually detected with inductive pick-up coils, several other methods, such as SQUID magnetometers (Black, R. C. et al., Appl. Phys, Lett. 66, 1267 (1995); Seton, H. C. et al., IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 7, 3213 (1997)) and Rydberg atoms (Ogawa, I. et al., Ploys. Rev. D 53, R1740 (1996)) have been used for this purpose. Alkali-metal atomic magnetometers, which measure the response of optically-pumped, polarized atoms to a magnetic field, have achieved very high magnetic field sensitivity at frequencies below 100 Hz (Kominjs, K. et al., Nature 422, 596 (2003)), and provide an important alternative to SQUID instruments.
Atomic magnetometers are based on detection of Larmor spin precession of optically pumped atoms. Alkali metal magnetometers have approached sensitivity levels similar to SQUID instruments when using large measurement volumes (Aleksandrov, E. B. et al., Optics and Spectr. 78, 292-298 (1995); Budker, D. et al., Phys. Rev. A 62, 043403 (2000)), but have much lower sensitivity in more compact designs suitable for magnetic imaging applications (Affolderbach, C. et al., Appl Phys B 75, 605-612 (2002)).
Spin exchange in alkali metal vapors has been discussed. Happer W. et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 31, 273 (1973) and Happer W. et al. Phys. Rev. A 16 1877 (1977) report experimental and theoretical aspects of observing magnetic resonance in high density alkali metal vapors in the presence of a buffer gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,355 to Happer et al. discloses a high-density alkali vapor optically pumped to produce a narrow magnetic resonance line with a frequency proportional to a magnetic field.
Bison et al. (a) (Appl. Phys. B. 76, 325 (2003) and Bison et al. (b) (Opt. Expr. 11, 908 (2003)) disclose an optically pumped cesium atom magnetometer for use in dynamic cardiac magnetic imaging. Observed magnetic noise levels in Bison et al. (b) appear to be on the order of 1000 fT/Hz1/2.
Upschulte et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,869) discloses a diode laser-pumped alkali magnetometer. In Upschulte et al., response radiation includes photons that indicate one unit of angular momentum indicative of the torque due to the magnetic field, and a photodiode and scope that act as a means for measuring the response radiation. Upschulte et al. disclose a projected sensitivity of less than 6 pT/Hz1/2 (pT=picotesla or 10−12 tesla).
In view of the disadvantages of relatively poor sensitivity, and drawbacks such as large bulk and use of cryogenic systems summarized above, there remains a need for a magnetometer that can operate in the absence of expensive liquid helium dewars needed to maintain superconducting conditions, and also to avoid the need for other liquefied gas dewars used with higher temperature superconducting devices. In addition there remains a need for the development of advantageous atomic magnetometers with high sensitivity. There further is a need for a compact magnetometer that is relatively inexpensive to assemble and operate.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Subfemtotesla radio-frequency atomic magnetometer for nuclear quadrupole resonance detection


This invention is an antacid composition capable of forming a floating gelatinous mass when contacted with aqueous acid and consisting essentially of, as active ingredients, xanthan gum; an effective acid neutralizing amount of hexitol stabilized aluminum hydroxide and a gas producing material capable of producing a non-toxic gas when contacted with aqueous acid which may be formulated as a solid, powder, tablet or suspension.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and particularly to compositions for use in treating gastroesophageal and gastrointestinal irritations.
Esophageal pain, commonly referred to as heartburn, is symptomatic of gastric reflux. Gastric reflux occurs when small amounts of gastric juice and/or bile acids pass into the lower part of the esophagus and cause esophageal irritation. Typically, gastric reflux, which occurs after meals, especially large meals, is aggravated by bending over or lying down, and is a common occurrence in patients having a hiatal hernia, or a weakening of the esophageal sphincter. Severe episodes of gastric reflux may inflame the esophageal mucosa and lead to the more serious condition of reflux esophagitis in which severe damage or loss of squamous epithelium of the lower part of the esophagus may occur.
The invention relates to raft-forming preparations which are employed for the treatment and alleviation of painful conditions resulting from the reflux of gastric acid and bile into the esophagus, comprising aluminum hydroxide, xanthan gum and bicarbonate or carbonate, as the antacid and raft forming components.
b) Information Disclosure Statement
Basic metal salts and their use in antacid formulations are known in the art. Examples of metals known to form basic salts are alkali or alkaline earth metals and aluminum. The most commonly employed aluminum salts are the hydroxide, carbonate or phosphate. Examples of alkaline earth metals such as calcium are known, the use of calcium carbonate as an antacid either alone or in combination with other metal salts, such as magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide is known. The use alkali metals, such as sodium as sodium bicarbonate is known in antacid formulations.
An approach to the problem of gastric reflux comprises the administration of a preparation which forms a gelatinous foam or raft which floats on the stomach contents. The foam-containing antacid precedes the stomach contents into the esophagus when reflux occurs and helps to protect the mucosa from further irritation. The gelatinous foam is formed by the combination of an acid insoluble gelatinous material entrapping CO.sub.2 gas. The present invention relates to improvements in formulation of preparations which are capable of forming such foams.
Antacid compositions which contain a gel-forming agent and an acid neutralizing agent are known (cf.N. Washington et al. Int. J. Pharm. 27, 1985, pp. 279-286 and N. Washington et al., Int. J. Pharm. 28, 1986, pp.139-143). The gel-forming agent in these known compositions is alginic acid, and they further contain sodium bicarbonate and usually at least one other acid neutralizing agent as well.
Typically when alginate-based calcium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate containing rafting antacids come into contact with the acid contents of the stomach the water insoluble calcium carbonate dissolves, liberating calcium ions which then react with alginate to form a gelatinous mass of calcium alginate. Much of the carbon dioxide liberated from the calcium carbonate and from the sodium bicarbonate becomes trapped in the mass causing it to rise as a `raft` of neutral gel which effectively impedes reflux. In severe cases this neutral gel itself may be refluxed into the esophagus, where it is said to protect the inflamed mucosa, allowing healing to take place and preventing further inflammation.
Several formulations have been developed in order to produce an antacid suspension with rafting properties, combining antacid placement in the upper stomach/lower esophagus with prolonged buffering ability to ensure that refluxed material is close to neutral pH. Heretofore known preparations used to create the aforementioned "rafts" comprise sodium bicarbonate and either solid compositions or liquid suspensions of alginic acid or its sodium salt. Exemplary of such prior art preparations include the product sold under the trade name GAVISCON (Marion Laboratories) and compositions described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,760.
GAVISCON is a pink, viscous, aniseed-flavored suspension. 10 ml of GAVISCON contains 500 mg sodium alginate, 267 mg sodium bicarbonate and 160 mg calcium carbonate. The recommended dose is 10-20 ml four times a day, after meals and at bedtime, or as needed.
In addition certain compositions for raft forming antacids are disclosed in the following U.S. patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,813 issued to Rhone-Poulenc Rorer on May 12, 1992 describes a process for producing a viscosity-stable rafting antacid composition using potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium alginate and xanthan gum as a stabilizer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,109 issued to Farina Foods on Nov. 26, 1991 describes an antacid composition with floating properties containing potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and pectin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,057 issued to University of Melbourne on Jul. 30, 1991 describes a method of treating gastroesophageal reflux using a composition with rafting properties containing calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium carbonate and sodium alginate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,902 issued to Rorer Pharmaceutical Corporation on Sep. 26, 1989 describes a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of reflux using a composition with rafting properties containing calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium carbonate and sodium alginate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,986 issued to Rorer Pharmaceutical Corporation May 17, 1988 describes a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of reflux esophagitis with rafting properties containing potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, stabilizer and magnesium alginate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,497 issued to Health Products Development, Inc. on Sep. 23, 1986 describes a dry, water-foamable pharmaceutical composition for a gastric antacid material producing rafting containing carrageenan, sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,667 issued to Aktielbolaget Hassle on Aug. 14, 1984 describes a processing for preparing gastric acid neutralizing agents having rafting properties containing magnesium carbonate, hexitol stabilized aluminum hydroxide, and hydrogenated glucose polymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,333 issued to Hercules Incorporated on Mar. 15, 1977 describes preparation of gels of beta-1,3-glucan-type polysaccharide by exposure to CO.sub.2 gas.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,760 issued to Reckitt & Colman Products Limited on Feb. 20, 1979 describes a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of reflux esophagitis with rafting properties containing potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, and sodium alginate.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,710 issued to Kenneth Thomson on Dec. 18, 1956 describes an antacid preparation combining known antacids and a composition producing a protective layer containing a guar gum.


The present invention relates to a pathology treatment apparatus comprising:                an ultrasound generator device (1),        a remote control unit (2) for delivering electricity to the device (1) during at least an activation cycle and determining and controlling the operating parameters thereof, each activation cycle (50) being preceded by a standby cycle,        means (31, 32) of electrical connection between the device (1) and the control unit (2), notable in that the control unit (2) is programmed to detect a fault with the electrical connection between the device (1) and the said control unit (2) during at least a standby cycle.

An apparatus for treating brain disorders is known from Document EP 2 539 021. With reference to FIG. 1, such an apparatus is composed of:                an ultrasonic device 1 made of non-ferromagnetic material,        a control unit 2 remote from the ultrasonic device 1, and        means for connecting the ultrasonic device 1 and the control unit 2.
The ultrasonic device 1 is intended to be positioned in a burr hole made in the skull of a patient. It is advantageously compatible with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique, and comprises:                a casing 11 composed of walls made of an electrically insulating material,        at least one transducer 12 positioned in the casing to generate ultrasonic waves for treating a brain disorder,        fixing means 13 for fixing the casing 11 in the patient's skull,        one (or more) electrical connection terminal(s) 14 intended to cooperate with connection means.
The control unit 2 is intended to supply the intracorporeal device 1 with electrical energy, and to set its operating parameters.
The connection means are intended to electrically link the ultrasonic device 1 to the control unit 2. They generally comprise:                one (or more) electrical connection cable(s) 31, one end of which is linked to the control unit, and        one (or more) transdermal needle(s) 32 joined to the other end of the cable 31.
The operating principle of this apparatus is as follows. Once the ultrasonic device 1 is implanted in the patient's skull, a succession of treatment sessions is provided to said patient for treating the pathology that affects him. At each new treatment session, the intracorporeal device 1 is linked to the control unit 2 via the connection means.
The practitioner links the cable 31 to the control unit 2 and then inserts the needle 32 through the skin of the patient up to the terminal 14 of the ultrasonic device.
Once the end of the needle 32 is connected to the terminal 14, the control unit 2 can be activated to supply the ultrasonic device 1 with electrical energy.
Even if the apparatus described in EP 2 539 021 enables effective treatment of brain disorders, there is currently no technique for informing the practitioner of a possible defect in the electrical junction between the intracorporeal device and the control unit 2. Such an electrical junction defect can cause:                safety issues for the patient (burns, electric shock, etc.), and/or        issues in the efficiency of the ultrasonic device concerning the diagnosis and/or the treatment of a pathology.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a method and a system allowing the practitioner to detect a possible defect in the electrical junction between:                an intracorporeal device 1 implanted in a patient, and        an external control unit 2.

Method and system for detecting a fault in an electrical connection between an ultrasound device and a remote control unit


A clean in place or sterilize in place valve includes both over pressure and vacuum protection. The apparatus can be remotely operated and monitored to assure that the valve did or will function correctly. The valve housing has a bore that communicates with a vessel. The bore is valved with separately movable pressure valving and vacuum valving members, each separately adjustably set at desired positive/negative pressure valve settings. The vacuum release can be operated independently of the pressure release.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved pressure/vacuum relief valve apparatus and more particularly relates to a valve apparatus which can relieve a vessel to which it is affixed of either pressure or vacuum therewithin. Even more particularly the present invention relates to an improved adjustable relief valve apparatus (pressure or vacuum relief) that can be cleaned in place using remote instrumentation.
2. General Background
In the industry of beverage, bio-engineering, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food processing, control of bacteria is one of the most important features of any equipment used. The equipment must function to the maximum design capabilities and also be easily cleaned to eliminate and prevent the accumulation and build-up of food, dried liquid or the like that can function as a medium for growth of harmful bacteria and other such microorganisms.
In the processing of some food and beverage products (e.g. beer), pressure is produced as a by-product of the process. Containing and controlling gaseous by-products is very important to producing the quality and maintaining the desirable characteristics of the final product. For example, in the fermentation process of beer, carbon dioxide is produced and must be contained for further use in the aging process of the beer.
A very important piece of equipment used in food/beverage processing is an over-pressure relief device known as a safety relief valve. Certain conditions can also exist that result in a vacuum being present in the system. In these applications a combination pressure and vacuum relief valve is used to satisfy both conditions. The problem that exists with such valve devices in use today for over-pressure and vacuum relief, is that these prior art devices do not clean themselves i.e., permit in-place cleaning or sterilization, or remote operations. The food uses sugar and other ingredients in the processing to the final product. During some food processing ingredients can collect in crevices and corners As aforementioned, these ingredients can solidify and become a breeding place for harmful bacteria. However, the solidification of ingredients can create another significant problem that can render the over-pressure/vacuum relief equipment inoperable when the liquids solidify, adhering the working parts together. This potentially creates a very dangerous and unreliable condition that may result in a damage or loss of very expensive equipment and product. Even worse is the possible injury or loss of life for personnel working in the area of such vessels.
Several patents have been granted for valves which operate to relieve pressure and/or vacuum. Even some of these valves relieve both pressure and vacuum in the same apparatus. Examples of relief valve can be seen in the following patents.
__________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. TITLE INVENTOR __________________________________________________________________________ 4,091,837 FREEZERPROOF BREATHER VALVE EDMUNDS 4,016,903 PILOT OPERATED PRESSURE AKASHI AND VACUUM RELIEF VALVE 3,100,503 PILOT OPERATED PRESSURE TENNIS AND VACUUM RELIEF VALVE 4,323,096 COMBINATION VACUUM RELIEF DUGGE VALVE AND PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WHICH ARE PROTECTED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE 2,989,072 RELIEF VALVE FOR HIGH PRESSURES BANKER 3,441,050 PRESSURE EQUALIZING VALVE SANCHEZ 1,990,371 COMBINED VACUUM AND RELIEF VALVE CHADWICK 725,782 DOUBLE ACTING VALVE FOR BEER VATS SCHMAHL & ZIMMERMAN __________________________________________________________________________
An early patent showing a double acting valve for a beer vat is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 725,782 entitled "Double Acting Valve For Beer Vats". In column 1, line 16 and following, the '782 patent discusses the problem of allowing air to be drawn into the vat when beer is drawn from the lower end thereof and in order to vent gas pressure discharged through the valve when that pressure exceeds a certain value.
The Chadwick U.S. Pat. No. 1,990,371 discloses another early version of a combined vacuum and relief valve apparatus. Other examples of early pressure equalizing valves can be seen in the Banker U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,989,072 and in the Sanchez 3,441,050.
The concept of using a pilot to operate pressure and relief valves can be seen in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,100,503 to Tennis and 4,016,903 to Akashi also discloses the concept of double acting relief valves.
The Crosby valve division of Moorco of Wrenthamas, Massachusetts manufactures a pressure vacuum relief valve known by its designation "Crosby PVR". The valve includes a body having a pressure relief disc and a vacuum disc. Springs are provided for biasing the pressure relief disc and the vacuum disc with certain load values.

Clean-in-place pressure and vacuum relief valve


The invention relates to a method of providing a structure by depositing a layer on a substrate in a reactor. The method comprising:                introducing a silicon halide precursor in the reactor;        introducing a reactant gas comprising oxygen in the reactor; and,        providing an energy source to create a plasma from the reactant gas so that the oxygen reacts with the first precursor in a layer comprising silicon dioxide.

As the trend has pushed structures in semiconductor devices to smaller and smaller sizes, different patterning techniques have arisen to produce these structures. These techniques include spacer defined double or quadruple patterning, (immersion) lithography (193i), extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), and directed self-assembly (DSA) lithography. Lithography may be combined with spacer defined double or quadruple patterning.
In these techniques it may be advantageous to transfer the pattern of the polymer resist to a hardmask. A hardmask is a material used in semiconductor processing as an etch mask with a good etching resistance and etching selectivity to produce small structures. The hardmask may be made from a silicon dioxide layer.
Spacers may also be used in semiconductor manufacturing to protect against subsequent processing steps and may be made from silicon dioxide.
Further silicon dioxide can be used to fill gaps in the structures of semiconductor devices.
It is therefore advantageous to produce a silicon dioxide layer.

Method of forming a structure on a substrate


Disclosed is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including: sequentially forming a first insulating film and a first barrier layer on a first surface of a substrate; etching the first barrier layer to form a first barrier layer pattern; etching the first insulating film to form a first insulating film pattern; removing the first barrier layer pattern and forming a first type epitaxial layer on an exposed first portion of the substrate; forming a second insulating film and a second barrier layer on the first type epitaxial layer and the first insulating film pattern; etching the second barrier layer to form a second barrier layer pattern; etching the second insulating film to form a second insulating film pattern, and etching the first insulating film pattern; and forming a second type epitaxial layer on an exposed second portion of the first surface of the n substrate.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device.
(b) Description of the Related Art
With the recent trend toward large-sized and large-capacity application apparatuses, a power semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage, a high current capacity, and high-speed switching characteristics has become necessary.
The doping concentration and thickness of an epitaxial or drift region of a raw material used in the fabrication of a power semiconductor device is determined based on the rated voltage of the semiconductor device.
To achieve a high breakdown voltage, the doping concentration of the epitaxial or drift region needs to be sufficiently low, or the thickness thereof needs to be sufficiently large. This may result in an increase in the on-resistance of the power semiconductor. Thus, a variety of structures are being proposed to overcome this drawback by structural improvement of the device. For example, a super junction structure is a representative structure which shows improvement in breakdown voltage and on-resistance.
A super junction structure is a structure in which PN junctions are vertically arranged in an epitaxial or drift region. In a power semiconductor having a super junction structure, where a maximum electric field (i.e., threshold electric field) is observed when the power semiconductor is in the off state, a PN junction is formed vertically with respect to a substrate. This causes a depletion layer to extend horizontally, as well as vertically, to the substrate. As such, the threshold electric field is reached in a wide PN junction and its magnitude is constant in a direction vertical to the substrate.
As such, a power semiconductor using a super junction structure has low on-resistance because an epitaxial or drift region for maintaining a breakdown voltage equivalent to that of a typical power semiconductor is thin and has a high doping concentration.
In general, a super junction structure is formed by epitaxially growing an N type (or P type) semiconductor or performing trench etching, i.e., anisotropic etching, on the N type (or P type) semiconductor and either (a) depositing a P type (or N type) semiconductor or (b) ion-implanting impurities to form a P type (or N type) semiconductor.
Also, an epitaxial or drift region of desired thickness is formed by repeating the process of epitaxially growing a thin N type (or P type) semiconductor and ion-implanting impurities to form a P type (or N type) semiconductor.
In this method, however, it is difficult to perform high aspect-ratio anisotropic etching. As a result, it is difficult to form an epitaxial or drift region of a desired thickness, and PN junctions may be curved rather than smooth.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Method for fabricating semiconductor device


A systems and method of measuring fluid flow within a pipe is disclosed. One embodiment includes a flow measuring device configured to be placed within a pipe. Another embodiment includes a method of calculating fluid flow based on measured fluid velocities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to measuring fluid flow. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to measuring fluid flow in pipes.
2. Description of the Related Technology
There are many environments where information regarding the mass and/or volume flow rate of a fluid through a conduit is valuable. These include irrigation, residential water distribution, sewage treatment, and many others. Measuring fluid flow speed in pipes may be performed using a variety of sensing techniques. Although various types of mechanical flow meters have been used, acoustic methods are often preferable because of their ease of installation, lack of interference with the flow, and long term reliability. One type of acoustic flow measurement device utilizes the Doppler effect to measure flow speed. With these devices, sound energy is reflected off of particles moving with the flowing fluid and is received by a receiving transducer. Sound energy received by the receiving transducer is frequency shifted due to the relative motion between the particles and the receiving transducer. The frequency shift is related to the flow rate of the fluid.
Typically, these techniques involve a sensor installed within the pipe which measures the actual fluid speed at some point(s), along with the level of the fluid above the sensor and applies a numerical model to estimate total flow or Q. A limitation of many of the current pipe flow measurement techniques is that the sensor and its interconnect cable disturb the flow is being measured. Thus, a need exists for improved systems and methods of measuring fluid flow in pipes.

System and method of measuring fluid flow


The present invention relates to toiletry products and more particularly to shower products that are manufactured in shaped forms and/or comprise shaped gels. Certain embodiments relate to formulations for shower products comprising gelatin, water and surfactant wherein the shower product is in shaped gel form and/or comprises a shaped gel form. Other embodiments relate to shower products per se for example in shaped gel form and/or comprising shaped gel form. Further embodiments relate to a process for the manufacture of such formulations and shower products.

In the field of personal care and toiletry products, shower products come in many forms such as shower creams, exfoliates, body shampoos, mousses etc. but are almost always in the form of liquid gels, i.e. shower gels, that are dispensed from a container as required and applied to the body by hand or via a cleaning implement, for example a cloth, sponge, loofah etc., to generate a lather on the body.
Liquid shower gels often contain one or more surfactants and a lather is generated when the liquid shower gel is applied to a surface, such as the surface of a body, with agitation, in the presence of water. It is the surfactant that generates the lather and it is known that the degree of lather increases as the amount of surfactant in the product is increased. The amount and quality of the lather generated also depends on the type of surfactant used. However, many surfactants are known to have a drying effect on the skin which can lead to skin irritation and, in some cases, dermatitis. As shower gels are applied directly to the body it is important to use as little surfactant as possible to minimise the risk of dryness and/or irritation to the skin caused by the surfactant. There is thus a balance between safety and functionality that determines the amount of surfactant that can be used in a shower gel. Too much surfactant might result in a good lather but skin dryness and/or irritation for the user whilst too little surfactant may be safer for the user's skin but may result in a poor lather and poor cleaning performance.
Market research has shown that shower products dominated the shower and bath product market in 2014 with a market share of approximately 70% and that liquid shower gels accounted for a large proportion of this percentage. Shower gels are thus very popular toiletry products. However, there are disadvantages associated with liquid shower gels. As liquid gels, they must be kept in a container and the container can only be disposed of when all of the shower gel has been used. There is also a risk of spillage or leakage from the container.
Soap can also be used as a shower product to generate a lather on the body and is often in the form of a solid product, for example a bar of soap. Once removed from the initial packaging, this packaging can be disposed of and the solid soap kept in the vicinity of the shower without packaging and without risk of spillage or leakage. However because soap has a rigid solid structure, it is hard to the touch and does not conform to the contours of the body when in contact with the body which is disadvantageous with regard to cleaning performance and user comfort.
The inventors have therefore identified the need for a shower product which combines the advantages of a liquid shower gel with the solid form of a soap and which can be used like a solid soap. It would be advantageous if a shower product could be developed that combined the advantageous of a liquid shower gel with the solid form of a soap, for example for use like a solid soap.
Bubble bath products in shaped gel forms are known. For example WO 03/066018 discloses a shaped bath gel comprising gelatin and surfactant which rapidly dissipates in a quantity of warm water to create an abundance of foam. However, such products cannot be used as shower products. Firstly, bubble bath products often contain high levels of surfactant which are not safe for direct skin contact and consequently such products should not be applied directly to the body. Secondly, such products are suitable for a single use only as they rapidly dissipate in warm water to release their surfactant load. The shaped gel form does not maintain its structural integrity over an extended use period and/or for multiple uses with controlled and gradual surfactant release.
The inventors have thus identified the need for and provide herein a shower product in a shaped gel form. The shower product of the invention can also be described as having a semi-solid gel form. The invention provides a formulation for and a shower product in shaped gel form that is sufficiently solid to maintain its structural integrity over an extended period of use and/or that can be used multiple times whilst being sufficiently pliant to conform to the contours of the body on application.
Surprisingly, it has been found that a formulation for a shower product comprising gelatin, water and surfactant yields a shower product in a shaped gel form. No such products are believed to exist in the prior art.
Whilst not wishing to be bound by theoretical considerations, it is believed that by selecting gelatin with an appropriate gel structure, it is possible to obtain a shaped gel product that has a degree of structural integrity that is maintained over an extended use period for example for multiple uses, whilst being sufficiently pliant to conform to the contours of the body on application and which releases surfactant in a safe, controlled and gradual manner to produce a lather.
An important characteristic of shower products in shaped gel forms, is that they melt or dissolve in use in a controlled and gradual manner when in contact with water to release surfactant in a quantity to provide the desired lather for the user. The melt characteristics and surfactant release profile of such products are thus critical to the ability of the product to be used as a shower product.
As well as the balance between structural integrity (for prolonged and/or multiple uses) and pliability (for cleaning performance and user comfort), the inventors have also considered the type of surfactant and surfactant release profile (for safety) as well as addition product performance requirements that must be considered in order to provide a commercially viable product.
For example, the product must melt in a steady and consistent way to produce a good quality lather at an appropriate water temperature. For example, it is important that the lather comprises bubbles of the correct size and quantity for cleaning performance and as well as a favourable user experience.
It is also important that such products have a pleasing appearance and tactility. The appearance and tacitility of the produce should be maintainable for an appropriate period of time once it has been removed from its packaging. In this regard it is useful if the product retains moisture content and does not 'dry-out' when exposed to air so as to prevent or minimise product distortion or shrivelling. It is also advantageous if such products have an appropriate shelf life i.e. that they remain effective, useful and suitable for use for a specific period of time.
Safety is a very important consideration. As discussed above, it is important to determine the appropriate quantity of surfactant in a shower product that provides a lather sufficient for a good cleaning performance whilst not having a harmful effect on the skin of the user. In this regard, it would be advantageous if a surfactant known to be mild to skin could be incorporated into a shower product of the invention so that it can be incorporated in a quantity sufficient to provide a plentiful and good quality lather in use. Such considerations are particular important for products intended for use by children or users with sensitive skin or skin conditions.
These various different performance requirements can and do give rise to conflict in terms of arriving at a product formulation which is satisfactory. Fortunately, a shower formulation and product in shaped gel form is disclosed herein which satisfies one or more of these product performance requirements.
It is an aim of aspects of the present invention to at least partially mitigate the problems associated with the prior art and/or as discussed above.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a formulation for a shower product in shaped gel form.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a shower product in shaped gel form and/or which comprises a shaped gel.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a formulation for use in a shower product in shaped gel form which product has a pleasing appearance and tactility.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a shower product in or comprising a shaped gel form having a pleasing appearance and tactility.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a formulation for use in a shower product in shaped gel form which product retains moisture content when exposed to air.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a shower product in shaped gel form which product retains moisture content when exposed to air.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a formulation for use in a shower product in shaped gel form which product has an appropriate shelf life.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a shower product in shaped gel form having an appropriate shelf life.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a formulation for a shower product in shaped gel form which product provides a lather for good cleaning performance and/or for a favourable user experience.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a shower product in shaped gel form that provides a lather for good cleaning performance and/or for a favourable user experience.


A recording medium in the form of a disc in which locations on said disc other than a predetermined location set as a zero-address are represented by (+) side addresses and (-) side addresses with respect to the zero address, and in which the information concerning these addresses are at least recorded as address data constituted by N bits. With the disc-shaped recording medium the fact that the number of addresses necessary for the radially inner region of the disc is smaller than the number of addresses necessary for the radially outer region of the disc is utilized in such a manner that the upper four bits of 16 bits are used in the manner of sign bits for representing the addresses on the radially inner side of the disc, with the remaining bits being used for representing the addresses, with the 16 bits inclusive of the upper four bits being used for representing the addresses for the radially outer region of the disc. In this manner, the totality of the tracks may be represented while maintaining interchangeability with the conventional discs even although the track pitch is smaller than in the case of conventional discs. Besides, the address discrimination may also be facilitated.

This invention relates to a disc-shaped recording medium, such as an optical disc, and an address data discriminating circuit for discriminating addresses, such as track addresses, on the disc-shaped recording medium.
Such a disc-shaped recording medium includes an optical disc and a magneto-optical disc. An example of the disc-shaped recording medium is a magneto-optical disc having a format as proposed in ISO/IEC 10089:1991(E).
On the above optical disc, there are formed concentric tracks, or there is formed a spiral track. With the optical disc of the above format, a track at a radial distance of 30 mm from the disc center bears a zero track address, and tracks at a radially outer side of the zero track address or within a range of from 30 mm to 60 mm in terms of a disc radius are indicated by (+) side track addresses, while those at a radially inner side of the zero track address are indicated by (-) side track addresses. The radially outer side region of the disc, having the plus (+) side tracks, is a user area, while the tracks on the radially inner side of the zero track address at the radius of 30 mm are used as test tracks or control data tracks. The above-mentioned track addresses are recorded by embossed bits on the optical disc by 2 bytes or 16 bits.
With the disc format listed above, the current track pitch is 1.6 .mu.m. It has recently been envisaged to narrow the track pitch for increasing the disc capacity. For example, it is contemplated to use a track pitch of 4.4 .mu.m.
However, if the track pitch of, for example, 1.4 .mu.m is used in place of the currently employed track pitch of 1.6 .mu.m the number of tracks and that of sectors is increased progressively towards the outer periphery of the disc if the disc is to be rotated with modified constant angular velocity (MCAV) , such that, if the above-mentioned format is to be maintained, it becomes impossible to represent all of the tracks at the radially outer side or (+) side of the disc. Meanwhile, the radially inner side or (-) side tracks need to be formatted at least to a radius of 29.52 mm. This can be done without any inconvenience because there are about 300 tracks in this region for the track pitch of 1.6 .mu.m.
With the above format, tracks of the (+) side up to the +32767th track and tracks of the (-) side up to the -32768th track are represented by 2's complement representation of 2 bytes or 16 bits, so that for a track pitch of 1.6 .mu.m the totality , of the tracks can be represented by the 2's complement representation of the 16 bits. However, if the track pitch of 1.4 .mu.m is used, there is a possibility that the number of tracks on one side of the zero address track exceed 32768, such that it becomes impossible to indicate the totality of tracks by 2's complement representation of 16 bits.

Disc shaped recording medium having a zero track address and multibit opposite polarity track addresses and an address discrimination circuit for reading such recording medium