An energy storage system for a motor vehicle including an electric energy storage device and a housing-like carrier element for the energy storage device. A liquid heat-conducting medium is arranged in an intermediate space between the carrier element and the energy storage device by which the energy storage device is thermally coupled to the carrier element. A sealing element is provided extending between the carrier element and the energy storage device, which prevents the heat-conducting medium from flowing out from the intermediate space.

Motor vehicles are typically provided with an electrical energy storage systems by means of which electrical users are supplied. Such a user can be for example an electrical engine of a partially or fully electrically driven motor vehicle. In order to construct such an energy storage device, one or several energy storage devices or energy storage modules are mounted on a housing-like carrier element. In order to improve the heat dissipation during the energy storage and/or energy output, it was already proposed to provide a thermal coupling between the energy storage device and the carrier element, wherein a liquid heat-conducting medium is arranged between the carrier element and the energy storage device.
Such a heat-conducting medium enables uniform heat conduction between the carrier element and the energy storage device and at it same time it fills the cavities that are created if the energy storage device were placed directly on the carrier element and that would be typically based on the manufacturer's tolerances. In this case, the heat-conducting mediums, which remain after the assembly of the energy storage device fluid or capable of flowing, have enormous advantages with respect to their processing within the context of the assembly over hardening heat-conducting means.
DE 10 2009 006 426 A1 discloses a battery comprising at least one battery cell which is arranged in a battery housing, wherein the battery housing is partially filled with a cooling liquid.
A disadvantage in this case is the flowing conduct of the heat-conducting medium. If for example the energy storage device is tilted, such a heat-conducting medium can flow away from the intermediate space, as a result of which a thermally poorly conductive air bridge will be created between the energy storage device and the carrier element.

Energy storage system for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for producing an energy storage system


Provided is a method of preparing a pure M1 phase MoVTeNb-oxide catalyst with a high specific surface area, including S1) mixing and dissolving a molybdenum-containing compound, a vanadium-containing compound, a tellurium-containing compound, a niobium-containing compound and a protective agent to obtain a precursor-protective agent mixed solution, in which the protective agent is a surfactant or a small molecule organic acid and a salt thereof; S2) subjecting the precursor-protective agent mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction to separate out a solid; S3) calcining the solid in an air atmosphere, followed by calcining the same in an inert gas, and then performing a hydrogen peroxide purification treatment to obtain a pure M1 phase MoVTeNb-oxide catalyst. This catalyst exhibits an excellent conversion rate, selectivity, space time yield and stability in the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of ethane for preparing ethylene.

Ethylene (C2H4), one of the chemicals with the largest output in the world. It is an important chemical basic raw material, primarily used in synthesis of chemicals such as fibers, rubber, plastics, acrylic fibers and adhesives. Currently, ethylene products account for more than 40% of organic chemicals, and about 75% of petrochemical products are produced by ethylene, thus they plays an important role in national economy. In the world, the scale, technology and output of the ethylene production have been taken as one of the important criterions for assessing the development level of the petrochemical industry of a country.
Currently, ethylene is produced mainly by steam cracking and catalytic cracking of naphtha and ethane. Such cracking processes are strong endothermic reactions, and generally needs the reaction temperature greater than 900° C., which causes high energy consumption and limited by the thermodynamic balance. The combustion of by-products is also accompanied by emission of a large amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gas. In contrast, the technology of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) to produce ethylene, using ethane (C2H6) and oxygen (O2) as raw materials, has more advantages. It is an approach to produce ethylene with low energy consumption and has a great application prospect. However, due to the limitations of the catalyst performance and preparation process, the method of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) to produce ethylene has not yet been industrialized. F. Cavani, et al. proposed in the literature (Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane and Propane: How Far from Commercial Implementation? Catal. Today 127 (2007) 113-131.) that to realize the commercialization of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane, the catalyst has to satisfy several requirements at the same time: high ethylene selectivity, high stability and high space time yield of ethylene (greater than 1.0 kg C2H4/kgcat/h). Particularly, the high standard space time yield of ethylene is considered as the main obstacle to the commercialization of the ODHE process.
Among the molybdenum-vanadium-tellurium-niobium composite multi-metal oxides, phase-pure M1 catalyst is a catalyst system having a relatively broad application prospect, which can achieve high ethane conversion and ethylene selectivity at low temperatures. However, the space time yield and the catalyst productivity of the phase-pure M1 MoVTeNb-oxide catalysts currently reported in patents or literatures are still far from the requirements of industrialization. In addition, the phase-pure M1 catalysts are commonly prepared by hydrothermal or precipitation methods in combination with suitable purification processes, but the produced catalysts usually have a low specific surface area, which restricts its catalytic activity.

Method for preparing pure M1 phase MoVTeNb-oxide catalyst with high specific surface area

University of Science and Technology of China


A data transfer system of the type including a disk drive for selective use with flexible magnetic disk cartridges of first and second storage capacities (e.g. 1 MB and 4 MB), the first storage capacity being less than the second storage capacity, a host computer, and a controller for controlling the operation of the disk drive under the direction of the host computer. The controller is factory preprogrammed to discriminate between unformatted disk cartridges of the two different storage capacities as either of the two types of disk cartridges is loaded in the disk drive. The program is such that, in response to the first of a series of formatting commands at the first storage capacity from the host computer, the controller causes the disk drive to write track format for the second storage capacity on a preassigned track (e.g. inmost track) on the disk and then immediately to read the track format. If the retrieved track format contains errors, it follows that the loaded disk cartridge is of the first storage capacity. Accordingly, the controller proceeds to format the disk cartridge at the first storage capacity. If the retrieved track format does not contain errors, on the other hand, then the loaded disk cartridge is of the second storage capacity. Thereupon the controller signals the host computer to that effect.

Our invention relates to a method of discriminating between flexible magnetic disk cartridges or assemblies of two different storage capacities (e.g. one-megabyte and 4-megabyte (MB)) preparatory to formatting as either of the two types of unformatted disk assemblies is loaded in an associated data transfer apparatus. Our invention also concerns the data transfer apparatus having provisions for such discrimination.
Flexible magnetic disk cartridges have for years been commercially available in capacities of 1 MB and 2 or 1.6 MB, the latter being known as the high density type. The disk cartridge of the 2-MB capacity has a notch in its housing so that on being loaded in a disk drive, the 2-MB disk cartridge is automatically identified as such. The user has had no trouble in discrimination between the 1- and 2-MB disk cartridges.
More recently, however, a 4-MB disk cartridge has been developed, offering the user a choice among three different storage capacities. A careful user can, of course, make proper use of the three different types of disk cartridges. Not all users can possibly be expected to be so careful.
It is therefore essential that data transfer systems for use with such different types of disk cartridges be equipped to automatically discriminate between them as such cartridges are loaded therein. For example, an unformatted 4-MB disk cartridge may be inadvertently inserted in the disk drive when the data transfer system comprising the disk drive is conditioned for formatting 1-MB disk cartridges. Then the 4-MB disk will be initialized with the format for 1-MB disks.
An obvious measure to prevent the noted inconvenience might be to form a notch or the like in the housing of the 4-MB disk cartridge and to provide the disk drive with means for optically or mechanically detecting the notch as the 4-MB disk cartridge is loaded therein. The disk drive would then be capable of distinguishing the 4-MB disk cartridge from the 1-MB one. We object to this solution because it would make the disk drive unnecessarily complex in construction, adding substantially to its manufacturing cost.

Method and apparatus for discriminating between unformatted magnetic disk assemblies of two different storage capacities


A state switched acoustic has a stiffness element having a zero potential energy state and a plurality of controllable stiffness states. A mass is coupled to the stiffness element so that the stiffness element and the mass are capable of resonating at a resonant frequency. A system changes the stiffness state of the stiffness element from a first stiffness state to a second stiffness state while the mass is in motion and stiffness element is in a zero potential energy state so as to change the resonant frequency of the transducer. In a method of changing resonant frequency of a mechanical system, a parameter of the system is dynamically changed while the system is in an energy state that will allow changing the resonance parameter without disrupting the resonance of the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to transducers and, more specifically, to transducers having variable resonance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to produce high amplitude low frequency signals, underwater transducers must generate a relatively large volume displacement. Since water exerts a large reaction force back on the transducer, conventional wisdom dictates that such a transducer would have to be a high Q resonant device and thus not be broad band. However, a transducer does not have to be broad band in the conventional sense to meet the requirements of communication and SONAR systems. A transducer that is capable of switching between two discrete frequencies is adequate for many communication applications and one that is capable of switching among several frequencies could produce the chirp signals and codes commonly used in active sonars and oceanographic and geophysical research. Ordinarily, a broad band transducer is needed to accomplish the frequency switching rapidly.
No device or method exists which switches frequency in a transducer without having to add substantial amounts of energy to the system.


Hyperlinks within an application program interface enable selective, non-intrusive, recall of help functions, such as definitions of critical terms located within a textual or graphical interface panel. Elements of a user interface for an application program are predefined as help functions by the programmer or developer. These predefined help functions are then hyperlinked to the specified predefined element. When a user traverses the interface, highlighted elements corresponding to the predefined help functions may be selected by a mouse or mouse-type function. Upon selection of a highlighted hyperlinked element, a help window appears providing definitions, functional instructions, etc.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of embedded help functions within computer applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method using hyperlinked help functions within non-Internet and non-help programs.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Throughout the prior art various methods have been developed attempting to provide a help function within a computerized program to assist the user in understanding the functions of the program. A standard menu located within Windows.RTM.-based application interfaces is Help. The user, upon facing uncertainty about a function within the Windows.RTM.-based program, selects the Help menu. Within this Help window, alphabetic or contextual help screens may be selected. Selected help sections produce informational details regarding the selected topic.
Upgrades to the above help system have been made to include help functions such as bubble, contextual or intelligent word association text strings. Bubble help displays help sequences directly on the screen as various preselected sections are traversed. Contextual help displays help for a known function within the framework the user is working, at the time help is requested. The contextual help opens a separate GUI system opened to the appropriate location to provide help relative to the control that had focus when help was requested. Intelligent word association uses free-form textual input by the user to derive the closest estimate of the problem to be solved or the specific help actually being requested.
Each of the above help systems provides the user with a limited amount of information. The prior art help systems, however, fail to provide the user with a help function which is part of the primary user interface for the application program itself, which is non-intrusive, provides an immediate help function and where the user knows, in advance of selection, that the information provided will specifically correlate with the help information needed. In addition, while bubble-type help does provide instant help functions and is typically very brief (<=3 words), it fails to enable the user to selectively disregard using such help, i.e. the help bubbles are either on or off, but not selectively activated. Bubble help typically automatically appears over other displayed information or within a status bar. Such continuous help functions may be regarded as distractive by the user. What is needed is a help function which is immediate, requires no alphanumeric typing or searching input, and is selectively disregarded by the user.
Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above cited references, none of them achieves or fulfills the purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a primary interface built-in help function.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for a hypertext-linked help function.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for a non-intrusive help function.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide for a help function not requiring additional keyed input by the user.
These and other objects are achieved by the detailed description that follows.

Pop-up definitions with hyperlinked terms within a non-internet and non-specifically-designed-for-help program

International Business Machines Corporation


High sensitivity, high contrast, heat-stable resist compositions for use in deep UV, i-line e-beam and x-ray lithography. These compositions comprise a film-forming polymer having aromatic rings activated for electrophilic substitution, an acid catalyzable crosslinking agent which forms a hydroxy-stabilized carbonium ion, and a photoacid generator. The compositions are aqueous base developable.

There has been a continuing desire in the electronics industry to obtain higher circuit density in microelectronic devices. To achieve the higher degree of integration necessary to meet the ground rules for such devices, the microelectronic industry has sought to develop improved lithographic tools and techniques which in turn have increased the demand for new photoresists which enhance the resolution of lithographic patterns in such photoresist films.
Aqueous base developable photoresist compositions which crosslink through electrophilic aromatic substitution have been disclosed in Reck et al., SPIE Regional Technical Conference on Photopolymers, Ellenville, N.Y., 63 (1988). Such formulations are characterized by having 3 structural components which include (a) an aromatic moiety, such as poly(4-hydroxystyrene) or novolak, which is susceptible to electrophilic aromatic substitution (b) a stable substance which is capable upon reaction with acid, of generating an electrophile, viz., a carbocationic species whose precursor is the acetate of an aryl methylol, and (c) a photo-acid generator which is an onium salt such as triphenylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate. Upon exposure latent images are formed due to the chemical changes caused by the photoacid generation which include acetate hydrolysis, benzylic carbonium ion formation, and partial crosslinking of the aromatic resin. When the film is baked briefly after exposure, the acid cleaves the acetate group of the latent electrophile to produce a benzylic carbocationic species which reacts immediately with the surrounding phenolic resin to form new carbon-carbon bonds. Such formation of new carbon-carbon bonds results in an increase in molecular weight of the resin or its crosslinking, thereby drastically altering its solubility properties. Subsequent development in dilute base affords a negative-tone image of the mask. (Systems which included novolak resins were said to exhibit an unacceptable high optical density in deep UV).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,601 to Allen et al. is concerned with the formation of negative tone patterns by crosslinking an aromatic compound with a monomeric or polymeric source of polyfunctional carbonium ions. Diacetoxymethylbenzene and trisacetoxymesitylene were used with triphenylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate to crosslink a poly(p-hydroxystyrene) matrix resin. The imaged resist was aqueous base developable. Poly(vinylbenzylacetate) was used as a polymeric polyfunctional carbonium ion generator to crosslink Bisphenol A. The resist patterns formed with these systems were briefly baked and then developed with an organic solvent such as acetone.
European Patent Application No. EP 0 361 907 is directed to photoresist compositions which are useful for deep UV image reversal processes which comprise an organic film-forming material, an oxime sulfonate photoacid generator, and an additive which can crosslink the film-forming material and increase the positive photospeed of the composition. The additives have the general formula RO--CH.sub.2 --A--CH.sub.2 ---OR where A is a monomeric aromatic hydrocarbon having one or more fused or unfused, separated or unseparated rings and each R unit is independently H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)cycloalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl. The additives have the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 are independently H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6) cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl or OR.sub.2 ; and R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are independently H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,272 to Stalhofen is concerned with aqueous developable light sensitive compositions comprising novolak resins having brominated phenol units. These compositions may includehot curable hydroxymethylphenol deritives to enhance adhesion of the compostion to the substrate. The derivitives include ##STR2## where R is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower acyl group, preferable a hydrogen atom, R' is an alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, acyl or aralkyl group or a halogen atom, X is a single bond or one of the groups S, O, CO or CR'R.sup.2, preferably a prop-2,2-ylene group, and Y is a hydrogen atom or, preferably, a CH.sub.2 OH group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being identical or different and representing hydrogen atoms or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups which can be linked to one another to form a ring, and not more than two of the substituents Y being hydrogen atoms. These results depend upon the cleaveage of an acetate or an orthocarboxylic compound to give positive images.

Crosslinkable aqueous developable photoresist compositions and method for use thereof


A method for drilling a borehole includes; providing a drill string of drill pipe including a center bore, a distal end, a bit assembly at the distal end; hanging a liner from the drill string, thereby forming an annular space between the drill string and the liner and with the bit assembly extending from a lower end of the liner; positioning the drill string with the liner attached thereto in a borehole such that a second annular space is formed between the liner and the borehole wall; operating the bit assembly to proceed with drilling the borehole; and circulating drilling fluid down through the center bore of the drill string out through the bit assembly and down through the second annular space between the liner and the borehole wall, the drilling fluid returning up through the annular space between the drill string and the liner.

A drilling liner can be carried along behind the pilot bit to line a borehole while it is being drilled. Previously drilling fluid has been circulated down through a drill pipe, through the pilot bit and up the outer annulus between the drilling liner and the borehole wall. In these previous methods, drilling with a liner was often difficult. Pressure exerted on the formation due to a combination of the fluid density and the frictional pressure losses in the small annulus between the liner and the borehole/casing wall may induce fractures in the formation and cause lost circulation.
Alternately, in other methods, the drilling fluid is circulated down through the drill pipe and forced up through the liner by sealing between the liner shoe and the borehole wall. This requires the use of an open hole packer, which may not be desirable.

Method and apparatus for drilling a borehole with a borehole liner


The various embodiments herein provide a gold coated SPIONs with jagged surface. The gold coated SPIONs have a core and a shell. The core is a SPION molecule and the shell is a jagged gold layer. A non-uniform polymeric gap exists between the core and the shell. The embodiments also provide a method of producing the jagged gold coated SPIONs by mixing a colloidal dispersion of SPIONs with pH sensitive polymers. Adding a gold salt to the above mixture and reducing the gold salt to form jagged gold coated SPIONs.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of molecular imaging and particularly to multimodal molecular imaging. The embodiments herein more particularly relate to gold coated super paramagnetic iron oxide nano-particles. The embodiments herein also relate to a method of synthesizing the gold coated super paramagnetic iron oxide nano-particles with a jagged surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the entry of nanoscience in the medical field, one can hope for early diagnosis together with the prompt treatment of catastrophic diseases like (e.g. cancer). The treatment of these catastrophic diseases has been dramatically increased with the entrance of nanoscience. Development of multifunctional engineered nanoparticles (NPs) with desired physiochemical properties, as nano-probes, has enabled new imaging modalities which have great capability in molecular imaging and medical theragnosis and which are essential for early detection and rapid treatment of diseases. It is noteworthy to mention that these multimodalities of engineered NPs are beyond the observed intrinsic properties of individual NPs comprising materials. In the recent few decades, nanoparticles (NPs) have been recognized as promising candidates for the creation of new revolution in science and technology due to their unusual properties which have attracted the attention of physicists, chemists, biologists and engineers. The appearance of NPs in medical sciences either introduced new opportunities or caused significant enhancements in the conventional biomedical methods (e.g. imaging purposes). The creation of novel engineered multimodal NPs is a key focus in bio-nanotechnology and can lead to advancement in the deep understanding of the biological processes at the biomolecular level thereby causing the great impact on molecular diagnostics, imaging and therapeutic applications.
Ever since the medical diagnosis era was initiated by Wilhelm Roentgen, who captured the first X-ray image of his wife's hand in 1896, X-rays have been extensively employed in the medical imaging of anatomical details. However, cellular and molecular imaging still remained as dreams in medical field. With the development of nano science, this dream is coming true. The advantage of using multimodal NPs, in comparison with individual NPs (e.g. semiconductor quantum dots, magnetic and metallic NPs), for cellular or biomolecular tracking, is the capability of multimodal NPs to provide a high spatial resolution with high anatomic background contrast, together with the lack of exposure to ionizing radiation and the ability to follow the cells for months.
During the last decade, various approaches using different imaging techniques as well as various contrast agents have been employed to enhance the efficacy of biomolecular imaging. Among the various NPs employed in the biomolecular imaging methods, the super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles (SPIONs) have been recognized as one of the most important nano-probes because of their multi-modality and multi-tasking property. Various methods have been employed for producing these SPIONs. One of the methods involves employing a polyol route. Briefly, 5 mL of an aqueous solution of FeCl2.4H2O (0.045 mol) and FeCl3 (0.0375 mol) were added to 250 mL of diethylene glycol. The mixture was heated to 170° C. and maintained at this temperature for 15 min before addition of the base (i.e. solid NaOH (0.375 mol)). Afterward, the temperature was maintained at 170° C. for a period of 1 h before cooling at 60° C. The synthesized SPIONs were collected with neodymium magnet and washed with 100 mL of a HNO3 1N solution. The SPIONs have excellent biocompatibility.
Individual NPs, as nanoprobes, present their distinct advantages and limitations. In this case, super paramagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs) are recognized as suitable contrast agent in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, SPIONs are not sensitive in optical imaging or positron emission tomography. In order to make them sensible to other imaging modes (e.g. optical imaging), their surfaces or structures should be modified. For examples, radioactive-doped SPIONs could be traced with positron emission tomography and gamma spectroscopy imaging methods.
Gold NPs with their unique optical and melting properties were introduced in 1996 by an aggregation of gold NPs (at a diameter of 13 nm) and oligonucleotides. The above mentioned aggregate scattering properties together with the interaction between particle surface plasmons as the distance between NPs resulted in a variation in the color of gold NPs. This distance-dependent optical property has led to the use of gold NPs in a plethora of biomolecular detection methods, starting with colorimetric systems. More specifically, the gold NP bioconjugates were employed for the detection of polynucleotide using the change in optical properties resulting from plasmon-plasmon interactions between locally adjacent gold NPs. Due to their colorimetric contrast which is induced by surface plasmon resonance, the gold NPs can be used as contrast agents in biomolecular imaging. The main problem with individual gold NPs for in vivo imaging applications is their low tissue penetration depth which is limited to millimeters. Therefore, a major challenge is how to engineer or enhance molecular probes with integrated functionalities while still maintaining the compact sizes. In addition, it is highly attractive to have multi-task-nano probes with several functionalities which enable new imaging modes, not available from each individual component for enhanced contrast specificity. Several reports disclose the works on the creation of multimodal coupled NPs to achieve better molecular imaging, for instance Loo et al. employed a novel class of contrast agents based on nanoshell (i.e. composition of a dielectric silica core covered by a thin gold shell) bioconjugates for biomolecular imaging. The authors claimed that nanoshells have a great potential to offer advantages over conventional imaging probes, such as continuous and broad wavelength tunability, far greater scattering and absorption coefficients, increased chemical stability, and improved biocompatibility. According to their results, the prepared nanoshell bioconjugates could be used for targeting and imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (i.e. HER2) in live human breast carcinoma cells. The same group employed these nanoshells for dual imaging or therapy to detect and destroy breast carcinoma cells that over-express HER2. It has been shown that gold high-density lipoprotein NPs, as contrast agents, can significantly improve CT imaging for characterization of macrophage burden, calcification, and stenosis of atherosclerotic plaques.
The combination of gold and magnetic NPs (i.e. gold coating on the surface of magnetic NPs) with controllable shell thickness and smooth surface can be used for multi-task applications including contrast enhancing in MRI, magnetic attraction, near-infrared absorption (NIR), and photon scattering applications. Lyon et al. reported a formation of stable magnetic core-shell NPs in aqueous media through rapid and effective route. The several reports are dedicated to the creation of direct gold coating on the surface of SPIONs. None of the approach simultaneously produces NPs with NIR response and also the obtained materials are critical for in vivo imaging and therapy, and maintains compact particle size, which affects tissue penetration and plasma circulation. Jin et al. reported a new generation of compact, uniform, NIR responsive gold coated SPIONs by creating a gap between the core and the shell. The smooth gold-shell SPIONs were prepared according to the previous report. Briefly, the prepared SPIONs were mixed with PL-PEG-COOH (ratio of 1:1.5 W/W) in chloroform and remained, till the solvent were evaporated slowly. The residual coated SPIONs were heated to 80° C. for 5 min and re-dispersed in DI water with sonication. The obtained materials were collected with strong magnet and washed several times with DI water. PLH was added to the solution of SPIONs and the pH was adjusted among 5-6, using 0.1 N HCl. After incubation for 60 min, the magnetic NPs were collected with magnet and washed several times with DI water. The obtained solution was mixed with HAuCl4 (w/w 1%), for 20 min where the pH was adjusted among 9-10 with NaOH. Afterward, NH2OH. HCL was added to the solution and mixed well till the colour of colloidal suspension turned to dark blue. It is noteworthy that the observed colour was cleared in a few minutes. The achieved solution was washed several times, re-dispersed in DI water using sonicator, and kept between 2-8° C. In this case, a magnetically sensitive NP with strong NIR and MRI responses together with magnetomotive photoacoustic (mmPA) imaging capability were obtained. But the responses obtained were not of the desired expectations and also there was no effect on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).
Hence there is a need to engineer a new generation of compact and uniform gold coated SPIONs by creating a non-uniform gap between the core and the shell with enhanced imaging properties and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic (SERS) properties.
The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

Gold coated super paramagnetic iron oxide nano-particles (SPIONs) and a method of synthesizing the same


This invention relates to osteoclast-specific genes and proteins. Specifically, the invention relates to OCL-2A3 or Atp6v0d2, the gene encoding it and uses thereof in methods and treatment of bone disorders.

Bone is dynamic tissue that is remodeled constantly throughout life. Living bone tissue is replenished by the processes of resorption and deposition of bone matrix and minerals. This temporally and spatially coupled process, termed bone remodeling, is accomplished largely by two cell populations, the osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The remodeling process is initiated when osteoclasts are recruited from the bone marrow or the circulation to the bone surface. The matrix and minerals of the bone are subsequently replaced by osteoblasts recruited to the resorbed bone surface from the bone marrow. Resorption of bone is carried out mainly by osteoclasts, which are multinucleated cells that are formed by fusion of hematopoietic stem cells related to the mononuclear phagocyte series. Resorption of bone takes place in scalloped spaces where the osteoclasts are attached to components of the bone matrix. Osteoclasts have been linked to many diseases, including: marble disease, osteoporosis, fracture or trauma, bone metastasis, cancer, osteosarcoma, hypercalcemia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Increased osteoclast numbers and bone resorption are found in breast cancer metastasis (Hunt, et al. (2001) Br. J. Cancer (Scotland), 85(1):78-84). Methods for identifying a compound useful for the treatment of bone disorders caused by osteoclast differentiation are described in EP 1087230. Osteoclast differentiation inhibitors, such as notch ligand polypeptides, useful to treat bone disorders are disclosed in JP2001122798. TGF-beta has also been shown to stimulate proliferation and matrix synthesis of osteoblastic cells (Centrella, et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262:2869-2874), to inhibit the formation and activity of osteoclastic cells (Chenu, et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85:683-5687; Kiebzak, et al. (1988) J. Bone Min. Res. 3:439-446), and to stimulate local bone formation in vivo (Joyce, et al. (1990) J. Cell. Biol. 110:2195-2207; Noda and Camilliere (1989) Endocrinology 124:2991-2294). Other factors reported to stimulate bone growth include bone morphogenetic proteins (WO 88/00205), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) (Isgaard, et al. (1986) Am. J. Physiol. 250:E367-72), and parathyroid hormone (Slovik, et al. (1986) J. Bone & Min. Res. 1:377-381).
Methods for diagnosing skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis using a specific marker comprising IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and its receptor are described in WO 00/13024.
Since it is highly desirable to be able to establish a predictive assay whereby the predisposition of individuals to a skeletal disorder such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis; and can give an indication of the probability of an individual progressing to a severe case, which could enable individuals to take steps to delay onset of disease and/or targeting of individuals for treatment, it is desirable to identify Osteoclast-specific genes and proteins that are useful in detecting and isolating osteoclasts including agents which modulate osteoclast function, which can then be used in the assays and treatment of skeletal disorders.

The Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania


Gas phase polymerization processes are disclosed which utilize unsupported soluble transition metal coordination catalysts. The catalysts are introduced into the reactor as a solution.

Gas phase reactions for the production of olefin polymers are well known in the art. Such gas phase reactions are typically carried out by fluidized bed, stirred or paddle-type reaction systems, and the like, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,588,790, 3,256,263, 3,625,932, British Patent Nos. 1,248,951, 1,248,952, 1,248,953, and the like. As used herein, a "polyolefin" is meant to include homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of alpha-olefins and may optionally contain dienes, aromatic compounds with vinyl unsaturation and/or carbon monoxide.
Generally, the alpha-olefin monomers have from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and typically include, but are not limited to, ethylene, propylene, butene-1, pentene-1, 4-methylpentene-1, hexene-1, styrene, and the like. Preferred dienes which may optionally be polymerized with the alpha-olefins are those which are non-conjugated. These non-conjugated diene monomers may be straight chain, branched chain or cyclic hydrocarbon dienes having from about 5 to about 15 carbon atoms. Dienes which are especially preferred include 1,4-hexadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene.
Preferred aromatic compounds having vinyl unsaturation which also may be optionally polymerized with the alpha-olefins include styrene and substituted styrene.
So too, Group VIII transition metal compounds may be utilized to copolymerize carbon monoxide and alpha-olefins to form alternating co-polymer.
A catalyst is usually required to cause polymerization of the one or more alpha-olefin monomers, and the optional dienes, to take place. Such catalysts may include, but are not limited to, coordinated anionic catalysts; cationic catalysts; free-radical catalysts; anionic catalysts, and the like.
As more fully described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,779,712; 3,876,602; and 3,023,203, such catalysts are generally introduced into the reaction zone as solid particulates in which the catalytically active material is impregnated onto an inert support typically made of alumina or silica, and the like, to form the useable catalyst. As used herein, the term "inert" modifying a particular material, be it a catalyst support or a solvent, etc., means that the material being referred to is non-deactivating in the reaction zone under the conditions of the gas phase polymerization reaction and is non-deactivating with the catalyst in or out of the reaction zone.
Those skilled in the art have long believed that for polymerization reactions, particularly gas phase polymerization reactions, it is necessary to provide the catalyst impregnated on an inert support so as to facilitate control of polymer particle size and thereby control of the product bulk density. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,475. In particular, those skilled in the art believe that the size of the supported particulate catalyst is determinative of the polymer particles that are produced during the reaction, i.e., the polymer particles are about 10 to 15 times greater than the size of the supported particulate catalyst. Consequently, those skilled in the art would expect that the use of a catalyst which was unsupported would produce undesirable results. Indeed, in published European Patent Application No. 0 232 595 B1, in discussing slurry polymerization reactions utilizing a homogeneous catalyst system, i.e., an unsupported catalyst, it is taught that a disadvantage of such a catalyst system is that the polymer product produced manifests a small particle size and low bulk density. Moreover, impregnating the catalytically active material on a support is believed by those skilled in the art to desirably dilute the active centers of the catalyst. This is believed to provide greater isolation of such active centers and expose more of such sites to the monomer so as to facilitate polymerization.
One of the disadvantages associated with supported catalysts which are conventionally used in gas phase polymerization reactions, however, is that the support material, such as the alumina, silica, and the like, remains behind in the polymer product as inorganic residual ash thereby increasing the overall impurity level of the polymer depending upon the amount of such impurity, some of the properties of the polymers may possibly be affected, such as film appearance rating, impact resistance, tear strength, and the like.
So too, by being impregnated on a support, the activity of the catalyst is generally influenced by the available exposed catalyst surface area that comes into contact with the reactants. This is typically a function, among other things, of the porosity and volume of the support that is being utilized. When a support fails to provide an adequate surface area to volume ratio, then the catalyst will not exhibit high activity.

Gas phase polymerization reactions utilizing soluble unsupported catalysts

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation


Cyclopentyl compounds of Formula (I) are modulators of chemokine receptor activity:

The references cited throughout the present application are not admitted to be prior art to the claimed invention. Information presented in this section of the application is not admitted to be prior art to the claimed invention.
Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that are released by a wide variety of cells to attract macrophages, T cells, eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils to sites of inflammation (reviewed in Schall, Cytokine, 3, 165–183 (1991) and Murphy, Rev. Immun., 12, 593–633 (1994)). There are two classes of chemokines, C-X-C (α) and C—C (β), depending on whether the first two cysteines are separated by a single amino acid (C-X-C) or are adjacent (C—C). The α-chemokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2) and melanoma growth stimulatory activity protein (MGSA) are chemotactic primarily for neutrophils, whereas β-chemokines, such as RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), MCP-2, MCP-3 and eotaxin are chemotactic for macrophages, T-cells, eosinophils and basophils (Deng et al., Nature, 381, 661–666 (1996)).
The chemokines bind specific cell-surface receptors belonging to the family of G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane-domain proteins (reviewed in Horuk, Trends Pharm. Sci., 15, 159–165 (1994)) which are termed "chemokine receptors." On binding their cognate ligands, chemokine receptors transduce an intracellular signal through the associated trimeric G protein, resulting in a rapid increase in intracellular calcium concentration. There are at least sixteen human chemokine receptors that bind or respond to β-chemokines with the following characteristic pattern: CCR1 (or "CKR-1" or "CC-CKR-1") [MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-3, RANTES] (Ben-Barruch et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 22123–22128 (1995); Beote, et al, Cell, 72, 415–425 (1993)); CCR2A and CCR2B (or "CKR-2A"/"CKR-2B" or "CC-CKR-2A"/"CC-CKR-2B") [MCP-1, MCP-3, MCP4]; CCR3 (or "CKR-3" or "CC-CKR-3") [eotaxin, RANTES, MCP-3] (Combadiere et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 16491–16494 (1995); CCR4 (or "CKR-4" or "CC-CKR-4") [MIP-1α, RANTES, MCP-1] (Power et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 19495–19500 (1995)); CCR5 (or "CKR-5" or "CC-CKR-5") [MIP-1α, RANTES, MIP-1β] (Sanson et al., Biochemistry, 35, 3362–3367 (1996)); and the Duffy blood-group antigen [RANTES, MCP-1] (Chaudhun et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269, 7835–7838 (1994)). The β-chemokines include eotaxin, MIP ("macrophage inflammatory protein"), MCP ("monocyte chemoattractant protein") and RANTES ("regulation-upon-activation, normal T expressed and secreted").
Chemokine receptors, such as CCR1, CCR2, CCR2A, CCR2B, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CXCR-3, CXCR-4, have been implicated as being important mediators of inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases, including asthma, rhinitis and allergic diseases, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. A review of the role of chemokines in allergic inflammation is provided by Kita et al., J. Exp. Med. 183, 2421–2426 (1996). Accordingly, agents which modulate chemokine receptors would be useful in such disorders and diseases. Compounds which modulate chemokine receptors would be especially useful in the treatment and prevention of atopic conditions including allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and particularly bronchial asthma.
A retrovirus designated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is the etiological agent of the complex disease that includes progressive destruction of the immune system (acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS) and degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous system. This virus was previously known as LAV, HTLV-III, or ARV. Certain compounds have been demonstrated to inhibit the replication of HIV, including soluble CD4 protein and synthetic derivatives (Smith et al., Science, 238, 1704–1707 (1987)), dextran sulfate, the dyes Direct Yellow 50, Evans Blue, and certain azo dyes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,469). Some of these antiviral agents have been shown to act by blocking the binding of gp120, the coat protein of HIV, to its target, the CD4 glycoprotein of the cell.
Entry of HIV-1 into a target cell requires cell-surface CD4 and additional host cell cofactors. Fusin has been identified as a cofactor required for infection with virus adapted for growth in transformed T-cells; however, fusin does not promote entry of macrophagetropic viruses which are believed to be the key pathogenic strains of HIV in vivo. It has been recognized that for efficient entry into target cells, human immunodeficiency viruses require a chemokine receptor, most probably CCR5 or CXCR-4, as well as the primary receptor CD4 (Levy, N. Engl. J. Med., 335(20), 1528–1530 (Nov. 14 1996). The principal cofactor for entry mediated by the envelope glycoproteins of primary macrophage-trophic strains of HIV-1 is CCR5, a receptor for the β-chemokines RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β (Deng et al., Nature, 381, 661–666 (1996)). HIV attaches to the CD4 molecule on cells through a region of its envelope protein, gp120. It is believed that the CD-4 binding site on the gp120 of HIV interacts with the CD4 molecule on the cell surface, and undergoes conformational changes which allow it to bind to another cell-surface receptor, such as CCR5 and/or CXCR-4. This brings the viral envelope closer to the cell surface and allows interaction between gp41 on the viral envelope and a fusion domain on the cell surface, fusion with the cell membrane, and entry of the viral core into the cell. It has been shown that β-chemokine ligands prevent HIV-1 from fusing with the cell (Dragic et al., Nature, 381, 667–673 (1996)). It has further been demonstrated that a complex of gp120 and soluble CD4 interacts specifically with CCR5 and inhibits the binding of the natural CCR5 ligands MIP-1α and MIP-1β (Wu et al., Nature, 384, 179–183 (1996); Trkola et al., Nature, 384, 184–187 (1996)).
Humans who are homozygous for mutant CCR5 receptors which are not expressed on the cell surface appear to be unusually resistant to HIV-1 infection and are not immuno-compromised by the presence of this genetic variant (Nature, 382, 722–725 (1996)). Absence of CCR5 appears to confer substantial protection from HIV-1 infection (Nature, 382, 668–669 (1996)). Other chemokine receptors may be used by some strains of HIV-1 or may be favored by non-sexual routes of transmission. Although most HIV-1 isolates studied to date utilize CCR5 or fusin, some can use both as well as the related CCR2B and CCR3 as co-receptors (Nature Medicine, 2(11), 1240–1243 (1996)). Nevertheless, drugs targeting chemokine receptors may not be unduly compromised by the genetic diversity of HIV-1 (Zhang et al., Nature, 383, 768 (1996)). Accordingly, an agent which could block chemokine receptors in humans who possess normal chemokine receptors should prevent infection in healthy individuals and slow or halt viral progression in infected patients. By focusing on the host's cellular immune response to HIV infection, better therapies towards all subtypes of HIV may be provided. These results indicate that inhibition of chemokine receptors presents a viable method for the prevention or treatment of infection by HIV and the prevention or treatment of AIDS.
The peptides eotaxin, RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and MCP-3 are known to bind to chemokine receptors. As noted above, the inhibitors of HIV-1 replication present in supernatants of CD8+ T cells have been characterized as the β-chemokines RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β.
The present invention is directed to certain 3-(aryl or heteroaryl)-4-((spiropiperidin-1-yl)alkyl)cyclopentyl compounds that are modulators of chemokine receptor activity and the uses of these compounds for preventing or treating conditions or diseases in which chemokine receptors are involved. References of interest with respect to the present invention include the following:
WO 94/17045, WO 94/29309, and WO 96/10568 disclose certain spiro-substituted azacycles as tachykinin antagonists.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,962,462 and 6,013,644 disclose certain spiro-substituted azacycles which are modulators of chemokine receptor activity.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,500,844, 6,538,002, 6,472,410, 6,358,979, 6,506,777 and 6,432,981 disclose certain cyclopentyl compounds which are modulators of chemokine receptor activity.
WO 01/78707 discloses a method for inhibiting the rejection of transplanted grafts by administration of an antagonist of CCR5 function to the graft recipient.

Cyclopentyl modulators of chemokine receptor activity

Abstract: wherein D, G, R2, R3 and R8 in Formula (I) are defined herein. The compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and individual diastereomers thereof, are useful in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection, in delaying the onset of AIDS, and in the treatment of AIDS. The compounds are also useful for treating other diseases and conditions mediated by chemokine receptors.


A system for positioning a conduit within an ophthalmic surgical field comprises a conduit (12), a first fixation point (14) and a second fixation point (15). The first fixation point (14) comprises base structure (16) arranged to be secured in a fixed location, and a grip arrangement (18) configured to hold the conduit (12). The grip arrangement (18) is mounted on the base structure (16) by way of a ball joint structure (20, 22), with the ball joint structure (20, 22) being arranged to allow pivoting and rotational movement of the grip arrangement (18) with respect to the base structure (16). The second fixation point (15) is positioned remote from the first fixation point (14) at a predefined distance therefrom. A method for positioning a conduit with an ophthalmic surgical field is also described.

Systems for use in ophthalmic surgery often comprise conduits for delivering light or fluids into the eye. For example, an apparatus for illuminating the surgical field may comprise a lumen through which an optical fibre coupled to a light source extends. In addition to light for illuminating the surgeon's field of view, optical fibres may also deliver radiation for treatment to a site within the eye. In some applications, fluid transport lumens may also be provided, which deliver fluid (e.g. irrigation and/or aspiration fluid) to the eye. For example, the fluid conduit may be connected to a fluid source (e.g. an infusion bottle) and configured to deliver irrigation fluid to the surgical site. Alternatively, the fluid conduit may be connected to a vacuum source and configured to aspirate fluid and surgical debris from the eye. In many applications, it may be useful to be able to steer the tip of the conduit within the eye to direct illumination and/or fluid flow to a precise location within the eye.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,264 A describes an illumination device for ophthalmic surgery. The device comprises an optical fibre with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector disposed at the proximal end of the optical fibre and a hand-piece disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fibre. To orient the illumination to the desire location within the eye, the user manipulates the hand-piece to move the field of illumination within the eye.
PCT Publication No. WO 93/16668 A1 describes a flexible and steerable aspiration tip for use during micro-surgery. The aspiration tip includes a flexible portion which includes a spring material therewith which may be configured in a relaxed and pre-curved state or, alternatively, a stressed and straight configuration. The aspiration tip may be combined with a hand-piece assembly which includes means to remotely alter the configuration of the aspiration tip.

System and method for directing a conduit within a surgical field


A salvage method for a turbocharger bearing housing includes the steps of removing the bearing housing from the turbocharger, setting up the bearing housing on a lathe and machining the worn or damaged surfaces at one end of the bearing housing where such damage has been caused by the turbocharger heat shield. Once the metal is removed from the worn or damaged portions of the bearing housing a salvage sleeve having a hollow, generally cylindrical shape is pressed down onto the prepared surfaces of the housing. Since the assembly of the salvage sleeve to the machine bearing housing will be an interference fit, the salvage sleeve is heated so that it can slide freely onto the machined outside diameter of the bearing housing. Once the sleeve cools and the interference fit is established, the salvage sleeve is machined so as to reestablish the original dimensions of the turbocharger bearing housing prior to becoming worn or damaged.

The present invention relates in general to salvage techniques for costly machine components whereby the damaged or worn portion of the component is replaced by a specially-made sleeve or insert. The present invention also relates in general to the final design of the reworked component as a result of performing the salvage technique.
More particularly the present invention relates to a salvage technique for a turbocharger bearing housing where a portion of the outside diameter of the housing has been damaged in the area contacted by the heat shield. Further, the present invention relates to the design of the turbocharger bearing housing which results from the salvage technique.
Salvage techniques to repair or recondition damaged or worn surfaces or portions of the component or device are known in the art. One technique which may be employed is the method of metal deposit or plating in order to build up a worn surface and bring it back to its near original dimensions. Another technique is to first machine down the worn area in order to prepare it for the receipt of a specially machined replacement or repair member. The repair member when used to build up an outside diameter surface includes an inside diameter surface or contour which is designed to match, often with an interference fit, the machined down surface or portion of the worn part. The repair member also includes an outer surface or outside surface portion which is contoured in order to simulate the original size and shape of the worn area.
In some applications and with some types of components it may not be possible or it may not be preferred to machine the completed assembly. Under such circumstances the sleeve or insert member used for repair of the worn or damaged part is precisely sized and shaped so that no post-assembly machining is required in order to restore the damaged part back to all of its original dimensions. In these situations there is a significant focus on the sizes, shapes and tolerances of the base component part while removing or preparing the worn area. There is also a significant focus on the sizes, shapes and tolerances of the repair member which is separately machined and designed to slip into or over the prepared portion of the component part. Consider for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,668 issued to Sheen on Jul. 3, 1956. The base part disclosed in this reference is a piston head portion 10 and the machined repair member is ring 16. The patent specification focuses on the critical selection of dimensions and tolerances so that "no machining was necessary after completion of the shrinkage" of the ring onto the piston head portion.
The concept of metal removal from the worn part and heat shrinking or pressing on a repair member is not limited to outside diameters and cylindrical shapes as disclosed in the Sheen patent. Consider U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,423 which issued to Willyard, Jr. on Sep. 8, 1987. The Willyard patent discloses a method for remanufacturing a compressor housing which involves machined removal of the inlet throat which has been damaged due to contact with the compressor wheel. A separately manufactured and carefully sized throat insert is provided and assembled into the compressor housing by heating the compressor housing to temporarily create a larger diameter. An alternative method of cooling the insert to reduce its size is also disclosed as a suitable method for assembly.
The general repair technique disclosed in Willyard, Jr. is not restricted to compressor housings. U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,236 which issued to Emery on Aug. 1, 1989 discloses the use of a insert to repair an inside diameter surface which has become worn or damaged. In Emery the salvage technique is applied to a worn wobbler housing for a constant-speed drive. While the new wear plate which is assembled into the housing is of a generally cylindrical nature, like the sleeve in Sheen, each specific application for a replacement or insert necessitates special consideration and design restrictions.
One consideration includes the size, shape and strength of the worn part relative to what surfaces can be machined down and how much can be taken off without adversely affecting the continued use of the assembly after repair or salvage. Another consideration is whether the insert or ring to be assembled to the main component part can be machined after assembly. In Sheen it was apparently preferred not to machine the remanufactured piston after assembly of the ring sleeve and thus the various dimensions and tolerances had to be more tightly controlled. In the patents issued to Willyard and Emery, some dimensions are more important than others and the salvage technique employed in each instance must be specifically and uniquely tailored for the environment and application of the completed part.
The concept of being uniquely tailored for the specific environment and application applies to the present invention. In the present invention the worn or damaged end of the turbocharger bearing housing is repaired by carefully and precisely machining selected surfaces and then installing a salvage sleeve to build back up the material thickness of the machine surfaces. After assembly of the sleeve to the bearing housing the outside diameter of the sleeve is turned down thereby both shaping it and bringing the dimensions back in line to those of the originally manufactured housing.
More specifically the environment for the present invention is a diesel engine turbocharger bearing housing. Due to vibration and thermal expansion the V-band clamp may become loose and if this occurs the heat shield will be allowed to move radially. This in turn causes damage to the area of the housing which contacts the heat shield. Left unrepaired this type of failure mode can lead to catastrophic failure of the turbocharger. The salvage technique described herein enables the user to repair the damaged portion and reestablish the original part dimensions and specifications.

Salvage method for turbocharger bearing housing


A sheet feeding apparatus for use in an image forming system includes a pivoting tray and a pivoting separating member which press against a feed roller. The movement of the tray and separating member is controlled by a cam having a first cam surface which controls the movement of the tray and a second cam surface which controls the movement of the separating member towards and away from a feed roller. The cam includes a gear having a segment without gear teeth. A spring pushes a third cam surface of the cam in order to rotate the cam so that the portion of the gear of the cam having teeth mesh with an idler gear which imposes a rotational force from a motor onto the cam.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding sheets one-by-one, for example to an image forming unit of a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine or the like. The invention is more particularly related to a sheet feeding apparatus in which both a paper tray and a separating member which is a frictional surface are separable from a feed roller.
2. Description of the Background
FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an example of a sheet feeding apparatus in a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A sheet feeding and separating roller 3 which separates and feeds an individual sheet 2 stacked on a paper tray 1 is in pressured contact with a sheet separating member 4 for preventing a double feeding of the sheet 2. A pair of registration rollers 5, a photoconductive drum 6, a transfer roller 7 and the like are disposed downstream in a feeding direction of the sheet 2 of the sheet feeding and separating roller 3.
When the sheet feeding and separating roller 3, the registration rollers 5 and the like are rotatably driven at the start of an image forming operation, the sheet 2 stacked on the tray 1 is fed from the top of the stack towards the sheet separating member 4 by a frictional force of the sheet feeding and separating roller 3 against the sheet 2. If the single sheet 2 is fed, the sheet 2 is fed between the sheet feeding and separating roller 3 and the sheet separating member 4 by the rotational force of the roller 3. However, if more than one sheet is fed from the tray 1, the sheet separating member 4 applies a larger friction force to the lower sheet 2 than the frictional force between the two sheets. Therefore, only one sheet at a side of the sheet feeding and separating roller 3 is fed towards the registration rollers 5 and any other sheets remain unfed.
The sheet 2 separated by the sheet separating member 4 is conveyed to a nip of the photoconductive drum 6 and the transfer roller 7, at a proper time by the registration rollers 5, and a toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 6 is transferred on the sheet 2.
Further, a sheet feeding apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model application No. 39841/1994 is explained based on FIG. 11. In this sheet feeding apparatus, a sheet feeding roller 10, made of a material such as rubber feeds a sheet 9 mounted on a tray 8. The sheet feeding roller 10 has a sector shape, and a driven sheet conveying roller 12 is mounted rotatably on a rotating drive shaft 11 of the sheet feeding roller 10. An independent rotating drive shaft 13 is disposed parallel to the rotating drive shaft 11, and a drive sheet conveying roller 14 which contacts the driven sheet conveying roller 12 with pressure is fixed to the shaft 13. Further, a separating member 15 is held rotatably around the rotating drive shaft 13, and the separating member 15 touches the outer peripheral surface of the driven sheet conveying roller 12 with pressure.
In FIG. 10, the feeding and separating roller 3 and the registration rollers 5 are made in independent unitized bodies, and a multiplicity of parts makes it difficult to design a compact size configuration as a result. Further, there is required to provide an independent drive transmission mechanism in each unitized body because the feeding amount and a conveying speed for the sheet have to be controlled in each unitized body. Therefore, construction and synchronization of the parts of the apparatus is complex as a result.
From a point of compact sizing, the sheet feeding apparatus which is shown in FIG. 11 is improved because the sheet feeding roller 10 and the driven sheet conveying roller 12 are mounted on the same shaft in the sheet feeding apparatus. However, a drive force transmission mechanism for the drive sheet conveying roller 14, independent from a drive force transmission mechanism of the sheet feeding roller 10 is needed, and a number of parts is not reduced because the sheet feeding roller 10 and the drive sheet conveying roller 14 are both required to be provided. Accordingly, reducing a number of parts is not realized.

Compactly assembled sheet feeding apparatus with a movable paper tray and separating member


A segmented balloon catheter for use in treating a condition of a blood vessel occurring near a bifurcation comprises a shaft which includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal passageway that extends therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. A first balloon portion is mounted on the shaft adjacent the distal end, and a second balloon portion is mounted on the shaft adjacent the first balloon portion. The shaft also comprises a transverse port which extends between the longitudinal passageway and the exterior of the segmented balloon catheter from between the first and second balloon portions. In this manner, a proximal end of a first guide wire which is pre-positioned in the main vessel may be inserted into the distal end of the shaft and threaded through the longitudinal passageway and out the proximal end of the shaft, and a proximal end of a second guide wire which is pre-positioned in the side branch vessel may be inserted into the transverse port and threaded through the longitudinal passageway and out the proximal end of the shaft.

The present invention relates to a balloon catheter which may be used to deliver and deploy a stent in a blood vessel. More particularly, the invention relates to a segmented balloon catheter which may be used to deploy one or more stents in a bifurcation of the blood vessel in order to treat an occlusion or lesion occurring in or near the bifurcation.
Balloon catheters are commonly used to treat certain conditions of a blood vessel, such as a partial or total occlusion or lesion of the vessel which may be caused by, for example, atherosclerotic plagues or thrombosis. In an angioplasty procedure, the balloon portion of the catheter is advanced over a guide wire to the site of the occlusion and inflated to compress the occlusion and thereby restore normal blood flow through the vessel. In some instances, a stent may be implanted in the blood vessel to prevent the occlusion from recurring. A balloon catheter is commonly used to deliver and deploy the stent in such a stenting or stent implantation procedure. The stent is typically mounted in its unexpanded state on the balloon portion of the catheter, delivered to the site of the occlusion and then deployed or implanted in the vessel by inflating the balloon portion.
Prior art stenting procedures often are unsuitable for treating a condition of a blood vessel occurring at or near a bifurcation of the blood vessel, that is, the intersection of a main vessel with a side branch vessel. One method for stenting an occlusion in a bifurcation involves implanting a first stent in the main vessel adjacent the bifurcation and then implanting a second stent in the side branch vessel adjacent the bifurcation (the so-called xe2x80x9cT-stentingxe2x80x9d procedure). However, this requires that the guide wire for the balloon catheter which is used to deliver the second stent be threaded through the struts of the first stent and into the side branch vessel. This process can be quite difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, the stenting of the main vessel may shift plagues and thereby close off the side branch vessel, making it extremely difficult to insert the guide wire into the side branch vessel.
Also, prior to stenting, the occlusion is commonly pre-dilated using a balloon angioplasty procedure. In preparation for a balloon angioplasty procedure in a bifurcation, a first guide wire is inserted into the main vessel and a second guide wire is inserted into the side branch vessel. Thus, even if shifting plagues should close off the side branch vessel during dilation of the main vessel, the side branch vessel can still be approached via the second guide wire. However, in prior art stenting procedures for occlusions in bifurcations, the second guide wire must usually be withdrawn from the side branch vessel prior to stenting the main vessel so that it will not interfere with the deployment of the stent in the main vessel. Consequently, difficulty may be experienced in inserting the second guide wire back into the side branch vessel prior to stenting or otherwise re-treating the side branch vessel.
In accordance with the present invention, these and other disadvantages in the prior art are addressed by providing a segmented balloon catheter for use in treating a condition of a vessel occurring near a bifurcation that is defined by the intersection of a main vessel with a side branch vessel. The segmented balloon catheter comprises a shaft which includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal passageway that extends therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end; a first balloon portion which is mounted on the shaft adjacent the distal end; and a second balloon portion which is mounted on the shaft adjacent the first balloon portion. The shaft also comprises a transverse port which extends between the longitudinal passageway and the exterior of the segmented balloon catheter from between the first and second balloon portions. A proximal end of a first guide wire which is pre-positioned in the main vessel may be inserted into the distal end of the shaft and threaded through the longitudinal passageway and out the proximal end of the shaft. In addition, a proximal end of a second guide wire which is pre-positioned in the side branch vessel may be inserted into the transverse port and threaded through the longitudinal passageway and out the proximal end of the shaft. In this manner, the first and second balloon portions may be guided to the bifurcation on the first and second guide wires.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the segmented balloon catheter also comprises a stent which is mounted on the first and second balloon portions. In addition, the stent may comprise a window which is aligned with the transverse port in the shaft and through which the second guide wire extends. In this manner, the segmented balloon catheter may be used to deliver and deploy the stent in the main vessel adjacent the bifurcation. Furthermore, a second balloon catheter may then be threaded onto the second guide wire and used to deliver a second stent through the window and into the side branch vessel adjacent the bifurcation.
Thus, the segmented balloon catheter of the present invention provides a simple and efficient means for treating a condition of a blood vessel occurring at or near a bifurcation of the blood vessel. Since the segmented balloon catheter requires the pre-positioning of the first and second guide wires in the main and side branch vessels, respectively, the second guide wire can remain in place in the side branch vessel after a pre-dilation procedure, thereby eliminating the need to withdraw the second guide wire prior to stenting the main vessel. Also, since the second guide wire is threaded through the lateral port between the first and second balloon portions, the second guide wire will guide the placement of the first and second balloon portions across the opening to the side branch vessel. In addition, because the second guide wire is threaded through the stent before the stent is introduced into the vessel, the second guide wire may remain in position while the stent is deployed in the main vessel, thereby eliminating the need to thread the second guide wire through the stent after the stent is deployed in the main vessel. Furthermore, since a second stent may be deployed in the side branch vessel on the second guide wire, the first guide wire may remain in the main vessel during the stenting of the side branch vessel in the event the main vessel requires a subsequent treatment.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used to denote similar elements in the various embodiments.

Segmented balloon catheter for stenting bifurcation lesions


An improved modular decking system, the system including decking in the form of a plurality of treads, the decking being carried by one or more bearer members and the bearer members in turn being supported at or above ground level by one or more stumps. The decking system is such that engagement between bearer members and stumps is via a bearer locating system which includes a pivotable locating member providing a free coupling between a bearer member and its supporting stump. The decking system may include a tread locating system for engagement of bearer members with treads, the tread locating system including a locating pin suitable to locate the tread on the bearer member in a predetermined position, The decking system may also include a tread interlocking system for engagement of adjacent treads, the tread interlocking system including respective male and female members on adjacent treads to mate the adjacent treads.

Most available decking systems require the use of heavy equipment for their in situ construction, and also require the preparation of substantial foundations or footings. In most situations, and certainly in environmentally sensitive situations, these requirements cause significant damage to the surrounding areas.
Additionally, many areas in which such decking systems are required are irregular in terms of terrain, and introduce planning difficulties where a flat surface is required over undulating features. In particular, laying paths, tracks or boardwalks through wetland areas requires careful planning and mapping to ensure the various components of the path are constructed correctly, whilst even a small margin of error can cause significant construction difficulties.
In general, traditional decking systems are subject to much error in such situations, with subsequent wastage of materials and delays in construction.
Furthermore, many of the environments in which such decking is required are quite harsh and will rapidly erode and damage traditional decking materials such as timber and steel. Concrete and cement, which thus become preferred materials, have typically been avoided for such decking systems due to a perception of them being difficult to use due to their weight and inflexibility in connection and securing techniques.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved modular decking system which overcomes, or at least partly alleviates, the abovementioned difficulties.


The invention is directed to a multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and four side surfaces that extend between the top and bottom surfaces, a main body formed from a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of internal electrode layers alternately arranged, and external terminals electrically connected to the internal electrode layers wherein a first external terminal is disposed along the top surface and a second external terminal is disposed along the bottom surface. The internal electrode layer includes a first electrode electrically connected to the first external terminal and a second counter electrode electrically connected to the second external terminal, wherein the first electrode includes a central portion extending from the first external terminal toward the second external terminal and wherein the central portion extends 40% to less than 100% a distance from the first external terminal to the second external terminal.

For some time, the design of various electronic components has been driven by a general industry trend toward miniaturization, as well as increased functionality. In such regard, a need exists for ever smaller electronic components having improved operating characteristics. For example, some applications would benefit from the ability to have improved operating characteristics even if existing size is maintained. One such characteristic could be CV ratings for capacitors, which generally reflect the product of the capacitance of a device and the level of voltage it can handle. Other desirable characteristics may involve stable performance over an ever-increasing broad range of frequencies.
As such rapid changes occur in the semiconductor industry requiring new performance criteria of their supporting components, one of such components is the decoupling capacitor used in almost every circuit design. As integrated circuits have become faster and denser, the application design considerations have created a need to redefine the capacitor parameters and its performance in high-speed environments. Faster edge rates, larger currents, denser boards and spiraling costs have all served to focus upon the need for better and more efficient decoupling techniques.
As well understood, a capacitor is an electrical device consisting of two metal conductors isolated by a nonconducting material capable of storing electrical charge for release at a controlled rate and at a specified time. Therefore, the functionality of its usefulness is determined by ability to store electrical energy. Capacitance measurements are in reality a combination of capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, and equivalent series resistance. Significantly, all three of such series impedances vary differently with frequency, which means in turn that capacitance calculated from resulting impedance comprises different components at different frequencies.
Increased inductance (increased lead length) actually increases measured capacitance value. One main purpose for decoupling relative to today's high-speed digital circuits is to eliminate high-speed transient noise which is above its resonance point. For such applications, it is desirable to maintain as low an inductance or total impedance as possible. This means that performance criteria of any capacitor is best defined for the circuit conditions of its intended use.
For example, decoupling requirements of dynamic RAMs involve large transients which are generated during the RAM's refresh cycle. Such large transients require careful design attention of decoupling techniques used to avoid "V bump" or "soft" error problems. Such problems comprise transient noise and reflect the supply transient induced by the chip itself on the decoupling capacitor when various clocks fire on-chip and drive on-chip capacitance associated with that event (such as address decoding). Since actual loads switched are small, size of the decoupling capacitor can be less important typically than its inductance.
When a capacitor is mounted on a board, lead lengths and board lines (device to capacitor to ground) are a major source of inductance. Minimizing such inductance contributes to good decoupling performance under high-speed transient conditions. Accordingly, efficiently accessible wire bonding features can contribute to reduced inductance which can contribute to improved broadband frequency performance of a decoupling capacitive device.
The use of bypass/decoupling methods per se to achieve signal integrity is generally known. Electrical noise can be caused in a number of different ways. In RF circuitry, oscillators and amplifier circuits generate such noise. In the digital environment, the switching integrated circuits, power supplies and regulators mainly generate such noise, often in the form of a voltage ripple. One approach to decoupling functionality, for example, in the context of a power distribution system, is to identify a target impedance to be met across a broad frequency range and specify components to meet that impedance. Such a targeted impedance ideally must be met not only at DC, but also at all frequencies where current transients exist. Thus, the broader range of frequencies to be addressed, the more problematic in providing effective decoupling solutions.
It would be advantageous, therefore, if capacitors could be provided that result in improved miniaturization, as well as increased functionality and/or operational characteristics. Additionally, a decoupling device is desired which is effective over a broad range of frequencies with minimized insertion loss while having efficient wire bonding capabilities.

Vertical electrode decoupling/bypass capacitor


A semiconductor apparatus that includes: a first high-voltage transistor having a gate and a first electrode, wherein the first electrode is connected to a first pad and a parasitic capacitance forms between the gate and the first electrode; and a clamping circuit that is connected to the gate of the first high-voltage transistor, wherein the clamping circuit detects a change in a level of a gate voltage of the first high-voltage transistor due to electrostatic discharge, and clamps the gate voltage of the first high-voltage transistor according to a result of the detection.

1. Technical Field
The inventive concept relates to a clamping circuit, and more particularly, to a clamping circuit, a semiconductor apparatus including the same, and a clamping method of the semiconductor apparatus.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A semiconductor apparatus includes a transistor such as a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) for inputting/outputting a signal through a pad or processing an internal signal, for example. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) may damage a sensitive component of the semiconductor apparatus, and thus the semiconductor apparatus may include a device for protecting the component from an ESD. For example, the semiconductor apparatus may include an ESD protection circuit for protecting sensitive electronics and may dissipate an electrostatic charge build up. However, various types of semiconductor apparatuses still suffer performance degradation and device damage due to an ESD.

Clamping circuit, a semiconductor apparatus including the same, and a clamping method of the semiconductor apparatus


A receiving container is filled with a predetermined target mass mz of a free-flowing substance from a reservoir with the help of a dosage-dispensing device that dispenses measured doses of the substance. The device has a valve for variably setting the mass flow {dot over (m)} from the reservoir into the receiving container. The device is also able to determine the time t that has elapsed since the beginning of the fill cycle, the mass m of the substance present in the receiving container, and a unit for controlling the valve. The controller unit includes estimating and correction modules. At least once during the fill cycle, the estimating module performs an estimate of the mass {tilde over (m)}(t, t2) that is expected to be present in the receiving container at the end of the fill cycle at the time t2. This estimate is based on the assumptions that from the time t onward the valve is being closed according to a predefined closing-down profile and the fill cycle is completed at the time t2. The correction module compares the mass {tilde over (m)}(t, t2) estimated at the time t to the target mass mz. If the estimated mass {tilde over (m)}(t, t2) is smaller than the target mass mz, the valve is controlled so that the aperture associated with the mass flow {dot over (m)} that exists at the time t will be maintained longer by a differential time segment Δt, and/or the mass flow {dot over (m)} at the time t is increased.

Filling devices of this kind are used in particular to dispense small dosage quantities which are needed for example in the pharmaceutical field. The receiving containers are often placed on a balance in order to weigh the mass of the substance delivered out of the dosage-dispensing device, so that the substance can subsequently be further processed in accordance with given specifications.
The substance of which a measured dose is to be dispensed is held for example in a source container or reservoir which is equipped with a dosage-dispensing head. The aim is now to deliver the dosage substance through an aperture of the dosage-dispensing device in such a way that at the end of the filling process a predetermined target mass of the substance is present in the receiving container. The important point is that the mass that is actually present in the receiving container should match the predetermined target mass as accurately as possible and that the target mass is exactly defined. It is further important that the filling process can be performed in the shortest time possible.
The known state of the art offers dosage-dispensing methods that are based on a volumetric measurement of the dispensed substance. For a substance of density ρ, a variable aperture cross-section A of the valve and a resultant delivery flow velocity u of the substance, one obtains the mass mz of the substance in the receiving container as:
                              m          z                =                                              ∫                          t              auf                                      t              zu                                                                                m                .                                                          (                t                )                                                                                ⅆ              t                                                              =                                              ∫                          t              auf                                      t              zu                                                      ρ                                                                                V                .                                                          (                t                )                                                                                ⅆ              t                                                              =                                              ∫                          t              auf                                      t              zu                                                                    ρ                                            (                Au                )                                                                (              t              )                                                                                ⅆ              t                                                              =                                              ∫                          t              auf                                      t              zu                                                      ρ                                                                                A                                            (                t                )                                                                u                                                                        (                              A                ,                h                ,                d                ,                …                                                                                )                                                  ⅆ              t
The delivery flow velocity u in particular is subject to many influence factors such as for example the aperture area A of the valve, the static pressure resulting from the fill level height h of the substance in the reservoir, and the rheological properties of the substance such as for example the powder grain size d. The rheological properties in particular are often very complex and subject to influence factors that are known only with limited accuracy. For example, the delayed flow which occurs in a Bingham substance at the beginning of the flow process is difficult to take into account. Particularly in the dosage-filling of pulverous substances, factors such as grain size, moisture content and surface properties of the individual grains are of major importance.
A method of optimizing the accuracy of the target mass delivered from a reservoir into a receiving container during a dosage-filling process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,495 B1. In the method according to this reference, a valve which is arranged between the reservoir and the receiving container is first held open for a certain time period at its maximum aperture and then abruptly closed. During the fill process, the weight of the substance in the receiving container is monitored with a balance. Inaccuracies occur in this case because a certain amount of time is needed for the closing of the valve and also because there is material in free fall between the valve and the receiving container during the filling process. As a result, the amount of mass indicated by the balance at the time of the abrupt closing of the valve is less than the final amount of mass which is present in the receiving container after the end of the filling process. This error is determined through a recursive method of least squares and corrected in a subsequent iteration of the fill cycle. A problem which presents itself here is the abrupt closing of the valve. During the abrupt closing, the substance being dispensed is exposed to additional forces. Especially when sensitive substances are being dispensed, such as for example fine chemicals or pharmaceutical substances, it is important that the substance is handled as gently as possible and exposed to as little stress as possible. Otherwise, there could be an undesirable change in the substance properties, i.e. the substance could get damaged. The abrupt closing could also lead to a compaction of the material. This compaction can change the material properties and thus the flow properties of the material, which would negatively affect the reproducibility of the filling process. A further problem lies in the fact that in the first fill cycle, there are no data available from preceding fill cycles. Accordingly, it is impossible to perform a correction for the first fill cycle, which may cause an error in the resultant fill quantity.
It is therefore an object to provide a method and a device to fill receiving containers with a predetermined target quantity of a free-flowing substance from a reservoir in a way that causes the least possible amount of stress on the substance to be delivered and provides the best possible accuracy.

Method and device to fill receiving containers


A wheel slip control system for the left and right wheels common to an axle of a vehicle establishes a desired turning radius by controlling the wheel slip limit so as to establish the outer to inner wheel speed ratio .omega..sub.o /.omega..sub.i to a desired value (R.sub.d +d)/(R.sub.d -d) where Rd is the desired turning radius and 2d is the distance between the wheels. The desired steering radius is based upon the operator steering input and a desired understeer value.

During anti-lock controlled braking and acceleration traction control operating modes of a vehicle, it is desirable to maintain a close correspondence between steering wheel angle and vehicle steering. However, depending upon the characteristics of the vehicle, the vehicle may tend to have an increased understeer, so the operator must turn the steering wheel more to get the vehicle to properly turn. The vehicle may also oversteer, requiring the operator to turn the steering wheel less for the vehicle to properly turn. When steering a vehicle, the speed of the driven or braked wheels of the vehicle can effect vehicle steering performance to deviate from its preset understeer characteristics.
When a vehicle turns, the wheels closest to the center of the turning radius are referred to as the inner wheels and the wheels farthest from the center of the turning radius are referred to as the outer wheels. Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 12 has four wheels 14, 16, 18, and 20, a wheel base L, and each wheel has a distance D from the centerline 21 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle is shown with the front wheels 16 and 20 turned so that the vehicle makes a right turn such that the center of gravity 22 of the vehicle 12 turns at a radius R around the center 24 of the turn. In this example, the wheels 18 and 20 are inside wheels and the wheels 14 and 16 are the outside wheels. When the vehicle turns left, wheels 14 and 16 are the inside wheels and the wheels 18 and 20 are the outside wheels.
An operator negotiates a turn which has a desired turning radius of R.sub.d by rotating the vehicle steering wheel. However, if vehicle understeer characteristics (note: "understeer characteristics" may infer both understeer and oversteer depending upon the sign) deviate from the vehicle's nominal setting, the actual turning radius of the vehicle, R, varies from the desired turning radius, R.sub.d. Vehicle understeer occurs when the steering wheel is turned a specific amount, indicating a desired steering radius R.sub.d, but the actual steering radius, R, is greater than R.sub.d. Vehicle understeer is characterized by an understeer coefficient K.sub.u, which is a function of the static normal load on the front and rear tires and the cornering stiffness of the tires. An understeer coefficient K.sub.u greater than zero occurs during vehicle understeer, and is considered stable, however, it is not desirable to have a very large understeer coefficient.
Vehicle oversteering occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a specific amount, indicating a desired steering radius R.sub.d, but the actual steering radius, R, is less than R.sub.d. This occurs when the understeer coefficient K.sub.u is less than zero.
Because the cornering stiffness of a given tire varies with a number of operational parameters including inflation pressure, normal load, braking effort, and lateral force, the understeer coefficient K.sub.u varies with the operating conditions of the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to maintain the effective understeer coefficient within a certain desired level, 0.ltoreq.K.sub.u .ltoreq.K.sub.d, to provide stable and consistent vehicle behavior, allowing the driver to direct the vehicle without excessive steering.
It is further known that while turning, the lateral force on a vehicle wheel can be increased to enhance directional control by decreasing wheel slip to levels below the slip resulting in a maximum longitudinal force.

Vehicle handling control for wheel slip control systems


In one implementation, a multilayered printed circuit board is configured to redirect current distribution. The current may be distributed by steering, blocking, or otherwise manipulating current flows. The multilayered printed circuit board includes at least one power plane layer. The power plane layer does not distribute current evenly. Instead, the power plane layer includes multiple patterns with different resistances. The patterns may include a hatching pattern, a grid pattern, a directional pattern, a slot, a void, or a continuous pattern. The pattern is a predetermined spatial variation such that current flows in a first area differently than current flows in a second area.

A printed circuit board (PCB) is used in nearly every consumer and industrial electronic device. The PCB structurally supports multiple electronic components. Traces on the PCB supply signals to the electronic components. A PCB may have a one-sided single layer, a double-sided single layer, or multiple layers. PCBs with multiple layers have one or more layers of "printed" circuits separated by one or more layers of insulation. The electronic components on the surface connect through plated holes drilled down to a specific layer of printed circuit.
The increasing high current can cause burnouts, open circuits, or brownouts because adequate area is not available on the PCB for power supply. Further, such current crowding leads to high resistance (IR) drop. The increased IR drops affects the power deliver to components based on length of the current path. The increased IR drops cause additional thermal heat, which may cause de-lamination of the PCB.
In addition, some high density PCBs have limited space for through hole vias that transfer currents to other layers. If fewer through hole vias fit on the PCB, more current travels through each via, creating currents above tolerable levels.

Current redistribution in a printed circuit board