The present invention relates to a method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel with improved magnetic properties and improved resistance to ridging, brittleness, nozzle clogging and magnetic aging. The chromium bearing steel is produced from a steel melt which is cast as a thin slab or conventional slab, cooled, hot rolled and/or cold rolled into a finished strip. The finished strip is further subjected to at least one annealing treatment wherein the magnetic properties are developed, making the steel sheet of the present invention suitable for use in electrical machinery such as motors or transformers.

Non-oriented electrical steels are widely used as the magnetic core material in a variety of electrical machinery and devices, particularly in motors where low core loss and high magnetic permeability in all directions of the sheet are desired. The present invention relates to a method for producing a non-oriented electrical steel with low core loss and high magnetic permeability whereby a steel melt is solidified as an ingot or continuously slab and subjected to hot rolling and cold rolling to provide a finished strip. The finished strip is provided with at least one annealing treatment wherein the magnetic properties develop, making the steel sheet of the present invention suitable for use in electrical machinery such as motors or transformers.
Commercially available non-oriented electrical steels are typically broken into two classifications: cold rolled motor lamination steels ("CRML") and cold rolled non-oriented electrical steels ("CRNO"). CRML is generally used in applications where the requirement for very low core losses is difficult to justify economically. Such applications typically require that the non-oriented electrical steel have a maximum core loss of about 4 watts/pound (about 9 w/kg) and a minimum magnetic permeability of about a 1500 G/Oe (Gauss/Oersted) measured at 1.5 T and 60 Hz. In such applications, the steel sheet is typically processed at a nominal thickness of about 0.018 inch (about 0.45 mm) to about a 0.030 inch (about 0.76 mm). CRNO is generally used in more demanding applications where better magnetic properties are required. Such applications typically require that the non-oriented electrical steel have a maximum core loss of about 2 watts/pound (about 4.4 W/kg) and a minimum magnetic permeability of about 2000 G/Oe measured at 1.5 T and 60 Hz. In such applications, the steel sheet is typically processed to a nominal thickness of about 0.006 inch (about 0.15 mm) to about 0.025 inch (about 0.63 mm).
Non-oriented electrical steels are generally provided in two forms, commonly referred to as "semi-processed" or "fully-processed" steels. "Semi-processed" infers that the product must be annealed before use to develop the proper grain size and texture, relieve fabrication stresses and, if needed, provide appropriately low carbon levels to avoid aging. "Fully-processed" infers that the magnetic properties have been fully developed prior to the fabrication of the sheet into laminations, that is, the grain size and texture have been established and the carbon content has been reduced to about 0.03 weight % or less to prevent magnetic aging. These grades do not require annealing after fabrication into laminations unless so desired to relieve fabrication stresses. Non-oriented electrical steels are predominantly used in rotating devices, such as motors or generators, where uniform magnetic properties are desired in all directions with respect to the sheet rolling direction.
The magnetic properties of non-oriented electrical steels can be affected by thickness, volume resistivity, grain size, chemical purity and crystallographic texture of the finished sheet. The core loss caused by eddy currents can be made lower by reducing the thickness of the finished steel sheet, increasing the alloy content of the steel sheet to increase the volume resistivity or both in combination.
In the established methods used to manufacture non-oriented electrical steels, typical but non-limiting alloy additions of silicon, aluminum, manganese and phosphorus are employed. Non-oriented electrical steels may contain up to about 6.5 weight % silicon, up to about 3 weight % aluminum, carbon up to about 0.05 weight % (which must be reduced to below about 0.003 weight % during processing to prevent magnetic aging), up to about 0.01 weight % nitrogen, up to 0.01 weight % sulfur and balance iron with other impurities incidental to the method of steelmaking.
Achieving a suitably large grain size after finish annealing is desired for optimum magnetic properties. The purity of the finish annealed sheet can have a significant effect on the magnetic properties since presence of a dispersed phase, inclusions and/or precipitates may inhibit normal grain growth and prevent achieving the desired grain size and texture and, thereby, the desired core loss and magnetic permeability, in the final product form. Also, inclusions and/or precipitates during finish annealing hinder domain wall motion during AC magnetization, further degrading the magnetic properties in the final product form. As noted above, the crystallographic texture of the finished sheet, that is, the distribution of the orientations of the crystal grains comprising the electrical steel sheet, is very important in determining the core loss and magnetic permeability in the final product form. The <100> and <110> texture components as defined by Millers indices have higher magnetic permeability; conversely, the <111> type texture components have lower magnetic permeability.
Non-oriented electrical steels are differentiated by proportions of additions such as silicon, aluminum and like elements. Such alloying additions serve to increase volume resistivity, providing suppression of eddy currents during AC magnetization, and thereby lowering core loss. These additions also improve the punching characteristics of the steel by increasing the hardness. The effect of alloying additions on volume resistivity of iron is shown in Equation I:p=13+6.25(% Mn)+10.52(% Si)+11.82(% Al)+6.5(% Cr)+14(% P)  (I)where p is the volume resistivity, in μΩ-cm, of the steel and % Mn, % Si, % Al, % Cr and % P are, respectively, the weight percentages of manganese, silicon, aluminum, chromium and phosphorus in the steel.
Steels containing less than about 0.5 weight % silicon and other additions to provide a volume resistivity of up to about 20 μΩ-cm can be generally classified as motor lamination steels; steels containing about 0.5 to 1.5 weight % silicon or other additions to provide a volume resistivity of from about 20 μΩ-cm to about 30 μΩ-cm can be generally classified low-silicon steels; steels containing about 1.5 to 3.0 weight % silicon or other additions to provide a volume resistivity of from about 30 μΩ-cm to about 45 μΩ-cm can be generally classified as intermediate-silicon steels; and, lastly, steels containing more than about 3.0 weight % silicon or other additions to provide a volume resistivity greater than about 45 μΩ-cm can be generally classified as high-silicon steels.
Silicon and aluminum additions have detrimental effects on steels. Large silicon additions are well known to make steel more brittle, particularly at silicon levels greater than about 2.5%, and more temperature sensitive, that is, the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature may increase. Silicon may also react with nitrogen to form silicon nitride inclusions that may degrade the physical properties and cause magnetic "aging" of the non-oriented electrical steel. Properly employed, aluminum additions may minimize the effect of nitrogen on the physical and magnetic quality of the non-oriented electrical steel as aluminum reacts with nitrogen to form aluminum nitride inclusions during the cooling after casting and/or heating prior to hot rolling. However, aluminum additions can impact steel melting and casting from more aggressive wear of refractory materials and, in particular, clogging of refractory components used to feed the liquid steel during slab casting. Aluminum can also affect surface quality of the hot rolled strip by making removal of the oxide scale prior to cold rolling more difficult.
Alloying additions to iron such as silicon, aluminum and the like also affect the amount of austenite as shown in Equation II:γ1150° C.=64.8−23*Si−61*Al+9.9*(Mn+Ni)+5.1*(Cu+Cr)−14*P+694*C+347*N  (II)
where γ1150° C. is volume percentage of austenite formed at 1150° C. (2100° F.) and % Si, % Al, % Cr, % Mn, % P, % Cr, % Ni, % C and % N are, respectively, the weight percentages of silicon, aluminum, manganese, phosphorus, chromium, nickel, copper, carbon and nitrogen in the steel. Typically, alloys containing in excess of about 2.5% Si are fully ferritic, that is, no phase transformation from the body-center-cubic ferrite phase to the face-centered-cubic austenite phase occurs during heating or cooling. It is commonly known that the manufacture of fully ferritic electrical steels using thin or thick slab casting is complicated because of tendency for "ridging". Ridging is a defect resulting from localized non-uniformities in the metallurgical structure of the hot rolled steel sheet.
The methods for the production of non-oriented electrical steels discussed above are well established. These methods typically involve preparing a steel melt having the desired composition; casting the steel melt into an ingot or slab having a thickness from about 2 inches (about 50 mm) to about 20 inches (about 500 mm); heating the ingot or slab to a temperature typically greater than about 1900° F. (about 1040° C.); and, hot rolling to a sheet thickness of about 0.040 inch (about 1 mm) or more. The hot rolled sheet is subsequently processed by a variety of routings which may include pickling or, optionally, hot band annealing prior to or after pickling; cold rolling in one or more steps to the desired product thickness; and, finish annealing, sometimes followed by a temper rolling, to develop the desired magnetic properties.
In the most common exemplary method for the production of a non-oriented electrical steel, a slab having a thickness of more than about 4 inches (about 100 mm) and less than about 15 inches (about 370 mm) is continuously cast; reheated to an elevated temperature prior to a hot roughing step wherein the slab is converted into a transfer bar having a thickness of more than about 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) and less than about 3 inches (about 75 mm); and hot rolled to produce a strip having a thickness of more than about 0.04 inch (about 1 mm) and less than about 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) suitable for further processing. As noted above, thick slab casting methods afford the opportunity for multiple hot reduction steps that, if properly employed, can be used to provide a uniform hot rolled metallurgical microstructure needed to avoid the occurrence of a defect commonly known in the art as "ridging". However, the necessary practices are often incompatible with or undesirable for operation of the mill equipment.
In recent years, technological advances in thin slab casting have been made. In an example of this method, a non-oriented electrical steel is produced from a cast slab having a thickness of more than about 1 inch (about 25 mm) and less than about 4 inches (about 100 mm) which is immediately heated prior to hot rolling to produce a strip having a thickness of more than about 0.04 inch (about 1 mm) and less than about 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) suitable for further processing. However, while production of motor lamination grades of non-oriented electrical steels has been realized, the production of fully ferritic non-oriented electrical steels having the very highest magnetic and physical quality has met with only limited success because of "ridging" problems. In part, thin slab casting is more constrained because of the amount of and flexibility in hot reduction from the as-cast slab to finished hot rolled strip is more limited than when thick slab casting methods are employed.
For the above mentioned reason, there has been a long felt need to develop a means to produce even the very highest grades of non-oriented electrical steels using which are more compatible with the capabilities afforded by thick and thin slab casting and which are less costly to manufacture.

Method for production of non-oriented electrical steel strip


A method and system for producing ketones, suitable for manufacture of base oil or diesel fuel components, from a feedstock of biological origin containing fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives, and being at least partly in liquid form, by subjecting the feedstock to a catalytic ketonisation reaction, wherein the ketonisation reaction is carried out in a system having one or more ketonisation reactor(s) (A′, B′) each with at least one ketonisation catalyst bed (G′). The method and system for producing ketones use a gas containing CO2 produced in the ketonisation reactors as a carrier gas.

Base oils find use for modern engine lubrication technologies. High-quality base oil should enable engines to deliver high-level performance and power without compromising fuel economy or environmental standards, and there is a need for renewable sources in the production of base oils and lubricants. Oils from biomass contain free fatty acids and/or triglycerides, however, the hydrocarbons' chain lengths in the fatty acids are too short for base oils with the qualities wished for.
Ketonisation by combining two fatty acids to form a long-chain ketone is an appropriate reaction route for formation of suitable long-chain hydrocarbons applicable also as base oil or diesel fuel components. The long chain ketones can readily be hydrogenated to yield straight chain hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons in turn can be further isomerized to produce various base oil or diesel fuel components. The route is based on the following reaction scheme:Fatty acid+Fatty acid=>Ketone+CO2+H2O  (ketonisation reaction)Ketone+2H2=>n-Parafin+H2O  (hydrodeoxygenation reaction)n-Parafin=>i-Parafin  (isomerisation reaction)
Thus, ketonisation may be the first step in e.g. base oil production technology, and it is conducted over a suitable catalyst for the ketonisation process. Base oil production technology including the use of a ketonisation reaction is disclosed e.g. in WO 2007/068795, which is incorporated herein for reference.
The ketonisation step is a critical step in the overall process both for the material and energy efficiency of the process, since the ketone product is subject to further catalytic conversions, such as hydrodeoxygenation and isomerisation, prior to appliance in e.g. base oil. The ketonisation step is sensitive to the reactor temperature and it is an endothermic reaction (viz. consumes energy), and vaporisation of certain components, in particular H2O and CO2, further decreases the reactor temperature leading to an adverse effect on the ketonisation process. A full scale plant is typically operated at slightly lower temperatures compared to optimal temperature for practical reasons. However, operation at a lower temperature than the optimum requires as compensation a larger amount of catalyst which on its side increases the production of unwanted, heavy by-products, such as trimers.
Furthermore, the water produced during the ketonisation reaction inhibits the ketonisation process.
Finally, the ketonisation reaction requires the use of a catalyst bed. Gas evolution/generation from the ketonisation reaction may cause problems at the catalyst bed due to uneven liquid flows through the catalyst beds, whereby the reaction is further negatively influenced.
Therefore, there is a need for enhancing the ketonisation step in the base oil production with the aim of reducing the disadvantageous effects of the endothermic reaction and the water production.
US 2013/0310608 discloses a process for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds that are produced during the ketonisation of acetic acid to acetone. The ketonisation produces a gaseous by-product stream containing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. This gaseous by-product stream can be fed to a direct-fired furnace used to heat the ketonisation reaction feed streams where the volatile organic compounds are destroyed by combustion in the furnace. The carbon dioxide stream further acts as a diluent for the fuel to the furnace.
US 2017/324449 discloses a process for producing ketones or hydrocarbons base oil from fatty acids, preferably derived from a biological origin. The ketonisation reaction is performed in vapour phase in a decarboxylation-coupling zone wherein the temperature is between 20 and 100° C. above the condensation point of the fatty acid at the partial pressure of the fatty acid in the decarboxylation-coupling zone
U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,106 discloses a catalytic process for preparing lower unsaturated ketones by reacting the corresponding alpha-beta-unsaturated alcohols with alkyl acetoacetate, and a suitable reactor system for the reaction.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for producing ketones suitable for manufacture of base oil or diesel components from a feedstock of biological origin.
Another object is to provide a method for producing ketones suitable for manufacture of base oil or diesel components wherein the adverse effects on the ketonisation reaction of the endothermic temperature drop are handled so as to maintain the reactor temperature within acceptable ranges and to maintain low water concentration in the liquid phase in the reactor.
Yet another object is to provide a method enabling a high yield of ketone with high fatty acids utilisation without compromising the quality of the base oil or diesel fuel component.
These objects are fulfilled with the method of the present invention.

Method for producing ketones for fuel and oil applications


A beater for a bass drum includes a head having an adjustment hole, a shaft rotatably mounted in the head above the adjustment hole, and a stem fixedly connected to the shaft and extended out of the adjustment hole for connection to the pedal drive of a bass drum, wherein the stem can be turned in the adjustment hole within a limited angle to change the contained angle between the head and the stem so that the face of the head can positively fit the head of the bass drum.

The present invention relates to a beater for a bass drum, and more particularly to such a beater in which the poll of the head of the beater is replaceable.
A regular bass drum is generally comprised of a pedal drive, and a beater coupled to the pedal drive and driven by it to beat the head of the bass drum (see FIG. 1). Because the head of the beater directly hits the head surface of the bass drum, it wears quickly with use. When the head of the beater starts to wear, the quality of the tone of the bass drum is affected. However, because the head is fixedly connected to the stem of the beater and not replaceable, the beater must be replaced wholly when the head starts to wear.

Bass drum beater having a movable and replaceable poll


A low cost bypass pressure regulator preferably for a returnless fuel system supplying liquid fuel to a fuel injector of the combustion engine. The pressure regulator preferably has a valve head disposed at least in part in a valve chamber defined by a circumferentially continuous inner surface carried by a valve body and which transitions radially outward with respect to a center axis and in a downstream direction. The valve head preferably tapers radially inward from a downstream peripheral outer edge of the head. In a closed position, the valve head engages a seat carried by the body with the peripheral outer edge downstream of the seat and radially spaced from and fitted closely to the valve chamber continuous inner surface thus defining a close fit region therebetween. As the valve head opens, the flow cross-section enlarges which reduces or eliminates oscillation of the valve head.

In many liquid supply systems, and particularly fuel injection systems for combustion engines, it is desirable to supply liquid fuel to the fuel injectors from a fuel pump which continuously delivers a quantity of liquid fuel sufficient to supply the maximum fuel demand of the engine. Consequently, when the engine is operating under conditions which require less fuel, there is an excess of fuel being delivered from the fuel pump. This is especially true when the engine is idling and has an extremely low fuel demand while the fuel pump is still delivering a large quantity.
In such systems, a bypass pressure regulator is utilized to divert or bypass the excess fuel from the needed supply of fuel consumed by the engine. Preferably, the bypass liquid fuel is diverted back to the liquid supply source such as a fuel tank. In fuel system applications, the fuel pump is typically located inside the fuel tank. The bypass pressure regulator can be located in the tank and immediately downstream of the fuel pump thus diverting bypass fuel directly back into the fuel tank, or it can be located further downstream of the fuel pump and downstream of an injector fuel rail utilized as a manifold which communicates with the injectors. If the bypass pressure regulator is mounted downstream of the fuel injectors, a bypass fuel return line is needed to return the excess fuel back into the fuel tank. Whether the bypass pressure regulator is internal or external to the fuel tank, when utilizing a regulator, the fuel pump can operate continuously maintaining a high rate of fuel output to accommodate a rapidly changing demand for fuel at the engine.
Some previous bypass pressure regulators, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,529, use a flexible diaphragm in a can which is spring biased to close a bypass passage. The diaphragm is responsive to an increase in fuel pressure acting thereon and when displaced, permits the fuel to flow through the bypass passage to be returned to the fuel tank. Although generally satisfactory in performance, and beneficial for the ability to accommodate thermally expanding or excess fuel, these bypass pressure regulators are expensive to manufacture because of the diaphragm and numerous parts. Furthermore, the diaphragm regulators are relatively large, and have a relatively slow response time causing undesirable fuel pressure pulsations which can affect the performance of the engine and can generate undesirable levels of noise in the fuel system or other liquid systems.
Other bypass pressure regulators, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,061 and incorporated herein by reference, do not utilize a diaphragm. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, marked prior art, the bypass pressure regulator 20 typically has a valve body 22 defining a bypass passage 24 having an inlet 26 in communication with a fuel pump (not shown) and an outlet 28 in communication with a fuel tank (not shown). A valve assembly 30 is received in and controls the flow of fuel through the bypass passage 24. The valve assembly 30 is composed of many difficult to manufacture and assemble parts including an enlarged, disc-like valve head 32 attached concentrically to a valve shank 34 at one end and attached to a disc 36 at an opposite end. A spring 38 biases the regulator closed, and is compressed axially between the disc 36 and a radially inward projecting shoulder 40 of the valve body 22 through which the shank 34 projects in an upstream direction. A valve seat 42 carried by the body 22 faces generally downstream with respect to the bypass fuel flow (identified by arrow 44) and a resilient annular ring 46 attached to the enlarged head 32 releasably seals to the seat 42 when the regulator 20 is closed. So as not to obstruct bypass fuel flow 44 through the passage 24 and to expose the valve head 32 to the acting fuel pressure, numerous orifices 48 are formed in the disc 36 and shoulder 40 of the valve body 22 lending toward additional manufacturing costs and complexities.
Furthermore and unfortunately, known bypass pressure regulators like regulator 20 do not maintain a constant pressure drop through the valve under varying flow rates. In operation, the spring force and generally the area of the exposed head 32 determine the fuel pressure at which the valve will "crack" or begin to open. When the valve assembly 30 first starts to open, flow through the annulus between the valve head 32 and seat 42 develops at high velocities relative to the surrounding fuel. This high velocity produces a low pressure region 50 exerting a force on the valve assembly 30 which is additive to the spring force and thus tends to close the valve assembly 30. In known bypass pressure regulators this low pressure region can lead to unstable oscillations of the valve assembly 30, fuel pressure flow rate fluctuations and noise of the valve assembly. In extreme cases, the regulator can be damaged by the hammering effect of the components. Yet further, known bypass pressure regulators are not easily integrated into other components of a typical fuel system or pump module of a combustion engine, are relatively complex, and relatively expensive to manufacture.


Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.

Disposal of hazardous materials presents a significant environmental challenge. For some types of hazardous materials, commercially acceptable processes have been developed to render the materials less hazardous. Other hazardous materials still present a meaningful challenge. One such hazardous material is chemical warfare materiel, such as explosively configured chemical munitions, binary weapons, and the like. Chemical warfare materiel is typically deemed unsafe for transport, long-term storage, or simple disposal, e.g., in a landfill. The limitations on transporting chemical warfare materiel call for a transportable system that can be used safely to destroy chemical warfare materials.
An existing transportable Explosive Destruction System (EDS) has been developed with the support of U.S. DOE Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000. The EDS uses shaped charges to access the chemical agent and destroy the burster and then treats the residue in the chamber with large volumes of aqueous solutions. After two hours or more of reaction time, the resulting liquid is collected through a drain in the chamber by tilting the chamber at an angle. Though the wet chemical treatment method employed by the EDS reduces handling and transportation restrictions associated with the highly toxic starting materials, the method requires the use of liquid chemical solutions that are toxic, such as monoethanolamine, or corrosive, such as sodium hydroxide. The product of the EDS process is a hazardous liquid waste.
Some chemical warfare munitions have been decommissioned using large rotary kilns or the like operating at very high temperatures (e.g., 1,500-2,000° F. or higher) for an extended period. Such systems are large, essentially immobile installations. As a result, such an installation must be built on-site wherever chemical warfare materiel is located or the materiel must be transported to the facility. Neither of these options is desirable. In addition, such kilns generally require that munitions be deactivated before being introduced. Although they may be designed to withstand blasts from an occasional unexploded munition, they are not built to withstand the rigors of repeated explosions resulting from treating large numbers of unexploded munitions.

System and method for treatment of hazardous materials, e.g., unexploded chemical warfare ordinance


A method of manufacturing a CMOS. A substrate is provided, wherein the substrate has a first conductive-type well, a second conductive-type well, an isolation structure formed therein, a first gate electrode on the second conductive-type well and a second gate electrode on the first conductive-type well. The first conductive-type well and the second conductive-type well are partly isolated from each other by the isolation structure. A first offset spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first and the second gate electrodes and a second offset spacer on a sidewall of the first offset spacer, wherein a portion of the first offset spacer extends on a surface of the substrate and the second offset spacer is on the portion of the first offset spacer. A first LDD region having the first conductive type is formed in a portion of the second conductive-type well exposed by the first gate electrode, the first offset spacer and the second offset spacer. The second offset spacer is removed to expose a portion of the first offset spacer extending on a portion of a surface of the substrate. A second LDD region having the second conductive type is formed in a portion of the first conductive-type well and exposed by the second gate electrode and the first offset spacer under the portion of the first offset spacer extending on a portion of a surface of the substrate. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first and the second gate electrodes. A first doped region having the first conductive type is formed in a portion of the second conductive-type well exposed by the first gate electrode, the first offset spacer and the spacer. A second doped region having the second conductive type is formed in a portion of the first conductive-type well exposed by the second gate electrode, the first offset spacer and the spacer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a CMOS having an offset spacer structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, the offset spacer in the MOS manufacturing process is used to lower the overlap capacitance between a gate electrode and a source/drain region, which in turn increases the operation rate of the MOS. A structure called an overlap capacitor is a capacitor constructed by the overlap between the gate electrode of a transistor and the source/drain region. The source/drain region of the transistor is adjacent to and under the gate electrode.
Commonly, the punch-through margins of the channels of the NMOS and the PMOS are reduced as the size of the semiconductor is reduced. Typically, the source/drain region of the PMOS is formed by implanting boron ions into the substrate and the source/drain region of the NMOS is formed by implanting phosphorus ions or arsenic ions into the substrate. Since the radius of the boron ion is relatively small, the thermal diffusion rate of the boron ion in the substrate is relatively fast when an annealing process is performed. The margin of the source/drain region of the PMOS expands more seriously than that of the NMOS after the CMOS is annealed, so that the channel of the PMOS is shorter than that of the NMOS. Therefore, the punch-through problem of the PMOS easily happens and the off current is increased.
Conventionally, the width of the offset spacer of the CMOS is modified to adjust the length of the channels of the PMOS and the NMOS. The punch-through of the PMOS can be greatly improved, however, the saturated current of the drain of the NMOS is decreased, simultaneously. Therefore, the adjustment of the width of the offset spacer has no benefit for the operation rate of the CMOS. Since the channel of the PMOS and the channel of the NMOS cannot be respectively and effectively adjusted, the process window is very narrow. Hence, it is difficult to overcome the off current problem of the PMOS and the problem of the saturated current of the drain of the NMOS, spontaneously.


The present invention relates to a camptothecin derivative having a structure as represented by Formula (II), in which Xn+ is selected from H+, K+, Na+, Li+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and ammonium ion, while R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently represent a hydrogen, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a halogen, a carboxyl group, an optionally substituted amino group, a silicon-containing group, a monocyclic aryloxy group, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkoxy group, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl group, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, or an optionally substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl group; alternatively, R1 and R2 are connected via one to three other atoms to form a heterocyclic ring; and in another embodiment, R3 and R4 are oxygen atoms and connected via —O—(CH2)n—O—, forming a ring, in which n=I or 2. The compound has great water-solubility, chemical stability, and great efficacy in treatment on cancer.

The native Camptothecin ("CPT") has a pentacyclic structure of a fused ring system consisting of quinoline rings (Ring A and Ring B), a pyrrolidine ring (Ring C), an alpha-pyridone ring (Ring D), and a six-membered lactone ring (Ring E). CPT has only one asymmetric center at 20-position and displays dextro-rotation due to the S-configuration of a tertiary hydroxyl group. CPT is a cytotoxic alkaloid which was first isolated and characterized by Wall and his coworkers (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 88, 3888, 1966) from leaves and barks of Camptotheca accuminata (NYSSACEAE), a plant native to China. The primary cellular target for CPT is topoisomerase I (topo I), an enzyme involved in the relaxation of supercoiled chromosomal DNA during DNA replication by transient single-strand cleavage of duplex DNA, unwinding and religation. CPT binds at the interface of covalent binary topo I-DNA complex to form stable ternary complex, which prevents the religation of DNA after the unwinding, and consequently leads to replication-mediated double-strand breaks and DNA damage. Because CPT inhibition can lead to cell death during S-phase of the cell cycle, CPT has become the focus of extensive studies in anticancer drug development (Nature Review/Cancer, October 2006 Vol. 6, pp 789-802; Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604).
The native CPT is not soluble in water or in other aqueous vehicles that are suitable for parental administration. At pH 7 or above, the E-ring lactone structure of CPT can be hydrolyzed to form the ring-opened carboxylate derivative, which is water-soluble but lacks of the biological activity required and exhibits high clinical toxicity. At the physiological condition, the E-ring lactone hydrolysis reaction may be exacerbated due to the preferential binding (150-fold higher than CPT) of the carboxylate derivative to human serum album (J. Med. Chem. 1993, 36, 2580; Anal. Biochem. 1993, 212, 285; Biochemistry, 1994, 33, 10325; Biochemistry, 1994, 33, 10325; Pharm. Sci. 1995, 84. 518). The water-insolubility of CPT and the clinical toxicity of its carboxylate derivative are two limiting factors preventing CPT from being used as an antitumor chemotherapeutic agent in clinical applications (Nature Review/Cancer, October 2006 Vol. 6, pp 789-802). It thus would be desirable to find CPT derivatives with better in vivo lactone stability and water-solubility than native CPT (Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604; Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235).
In literature, the attempts to develop the bioactive CPT analogs with better water solubility have been focused on introducing hydrophilic groups to the A, B, or/and C ring(s) of CPT (Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604; Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235). Compared to the native CPT, attaching chemical modifying groups to the fused ring system would, to some extent, adversely affect CPT's binding to the surface of covalent binary topo I-DNA complex to form stable tertiary complex. As a result, the bioactivity of these CPT analogs (e.g. Topotecan, which is used as a standard anticancer drug to inhibit cancer cell growth) is generally less than that of CPT (Nature Review/Cancer, October 2006 Vol. 6, pp 789-802; Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604). On the other hand, chemical modification at the A, B, C rings of CPT cannot mitigate the hydrolysis of the E-ring lactone. It is generally believed that the E-ring lactone hydrolysis is facilitated by the hydrogen bonding interaction between the 20(S)-hydroxyl group and the neighboring carbonyl group (Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604; Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235). Previous literature has shown that, in order to increase CPT lactone ring stability, one approach is to disrupt the hydrogen bond interaction between the 20(S)-hydroxyl and the neighboring carbonyl, e.g. by reaction of the 20(S)-hydroxyl with alkyl or acyl to form ether or ester, thereby preventing acceleration of the E-ring lactone hydrolysis. However, the 20(S)-hydroxyl group is essential for the pharmacological activity of CPT. The CPT analogs without the 20(S)-hydroxyl group generally are proven to lack of antitumor efficacy (Organic Lett., 2004, 6(3), pp 321-324; Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2004, 12, pp 1585-1604; Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235).
From the above discussion, the strategy to attach a water-soluble prodrug group (e.g. ionized functional group) to the 20(S)-hydroxyl site would be a practical approach to increase the water-solubility of the resulting prodrug molecule (feasibility of drug administration) while improving the E-ring lactone stability of the CPT prodrug in blood during circulation (clinical safety of the drug). By doing so, this prodrug approach would convert the water-insoluble CPT molecule to the water-soluble CPT prodrug; because such a water-soluble CPT prodrug could quickly diffuse to the whole human body after entering the blood stream, the CPT prodrug would exist in very low concentration during the metabolism, thereby preventing precipitation of CPT in the blood vessels. In addition, by introducing a screening prodrug group at the 20(S)-hydroxyl site, the hydrogen bond interaction between the 20(S)-hydroxyl and the neighboring carbonyl, which would facilitate the E-ring lactone hydrolysis, could be prevented. As a result, the E-ring lactone stability of the CPT prodrug in blood stream during circulation could be enhanced, and the clinical drug safety concerns, e.g. hematotoxicity related to carboxylate derivative generated by CPT hydrolysis, could be mitigated. Obviously, the prodrug approach of protecting the 20(S) hydroxyl site with a water-soluble prodrug group is a medicinal chemistry method which can bring in lactone stability, water-solubility and bioactivity to facilitate CPT anticancer drug development.
The attempts to prepare the CPT prodrugs or CPT-based compounds by chemical modification of the 20(S)-hydroxyl site have been reported in literature. Among them, most efforts were to introduce various protecting functional groups (including lipophilic and charged functional groups) through esterification of the 20(S)-hydroxyl group (Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235). Conversion of the ester prodrug to the native CPT is mediated by a group of enzymes known as esterases, which exist widely in the blood of animals (including humans). The shortcoming of the ester prodrugs is the relatively poor stability of the ester linkage in human body at physiological condition, which is easy to break by esterases. The clinical benefit of the CPT ester prodrug approach was not promising (Chem. Rev., 2009, 109 (1), pp 213-235). In another attempt, the CPT 20(S)—O-phosphonate esters have been prepared (Organic Lett., 2004, 6(3), pp 321-324). The disclosed 20(S)—O-phosphonates could improve water-solubility and in vivo lactone stability of CPT, but as tested in experiments, the CPT derivatives of 20(S)—O-phosphonates lack of antitumor activities (Organic Lett., 2004, 6(3), pp 321-324). The 20(S)—O-phosphonate esters cannot be converted to CPT at the physiological conditions (Organic Lett., 2004, 6(3), pp 321-324).
It thus would be still desirable to develop CPT derivatives which have acceptable water-soluble and E-ring lactone stability, as well as good anticancer efficacy.

Camptothecin derivative, and preparation method thereof, and pharmaceutical composition and application


A card/chassis coupling system includes a chassis defining a chassis housing with a chassis wall defining a card entrance to the chassis housing. The chassis wall engages a securing element on a card to secure it in the chassis housing. A card/chassis release device adjacent the card entrance includes a base in the chassis housing, and a card mover member and securing element release member that are each moveably coupled to the base and to an actuator member extending through the chassis wall. Movement of the actuator member into the chassis housing causes the securing element release member to move relative to the base to engage the securing element on the card and disengage it from the chassis wall, and causes the card mover member to move relative to the base to engage the card and move it through the card entrance and out of the chassis housing.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to coupling cards to an information handling system chassis.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems such as, for example, server devices, storage devices, and/or other computing devices known in the art, sometimes utilize cards in order to expand the functionality of those computing devices. For example, the Open Compute Project (OCP) is an industry trade group created for the purposes of sharing designs of data center products, and has proposed a Network Interface Controller (NIC) 3.0 mezzanine card that is configured to secure to the computing device chassis via either a thumb screw that is included on the card and that is configured to engage and secures to an outer surface of the chassis, or a tool-less latch that engages both the outer surface of the chassis and the card. However, the thumb screw securing feature on such cards can be difficult to unscrew in many situations, as the thumb-screw is relatively small and can be difficult to access in dense computing device environments that introduce cables and/or other obstructions to the thumb screw. Furthermore, the tool-less latch securing feature on such cards occupies space in front of the card entrance to the chassis, which can make it difficult to provide the card in the chassis and/or remove the card from the chassis, particularly in the dense computing device environments discussed above.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a card/chassis coupling system that addresses the issues discussed above.


A sheet handling device for wide format sheets including a sheet support plate having a top surface containing suction holes which are connected to at least one suction chamber, the at least one suction chamber being divided into compartments that are connected, though an opening, to a suction device adapted to create a subatmospheric pressure in the compartments, wherein at least one internal wall between adjacent ones of the compartments defines a flow restriction orifice, and at least one of the compartments is directly connected to the suction device, and at least another one of the compartments is indirectly connected to the suction device through the orifice.

The present invention relates to a sheet handling device for wide format sheets including a sheet support plate, said plate having a top surface containing suction holes which are connected to at least one suction chamber, said at least one suction chamber being divided into compartments that are connected to a suction device adapted to create a subatmospheric pressure in the compartments.
In the copying and printing industry, a sheet support element with suction holes is frequently used for supporting an image receiving sheet and at the same time ensuring that the sheet lies perfectly flat on the support element. For example, in an ink jet printer, a sheet, e.g. a sheet of paper, is advanced over a sheet support plate while the image is being printed. The sheet is held on the sheet support plate due to the subatmospheric pressure in the suction chamber which is connected to suction holes facing the bottom side of the sheet. A certain subatmospheric pressure is required to hold the sheet sufficiently flat on the support plate.
When sheets of different width are to be printed, the smaller sheets do not cover the sheet support element completely. Therefore, some of the suction holes are not covered. When the suction chamber is made of one large compartment extending over the whole area of the sheet support element, an air flow through the uncovered suction holes leads to an increase of the pressure in the suction chamber. This results in the sheet not being held firmly on the support element. If, on the other hand, a suction device of higher power is used to compensate for the increased air flow into the suction chamber, the suction will be too strong when all suction holes are covered by a large sheet, and the advance of the sheet over the support element is impeded.
From the European patent application EP 0 997 308 A2 a media hold down unit is known that comprises two or more vacuum chambers, a first vacuum chamber being directly connected to a vacuum source, while the other vacuum chambers are each connected to the vacuum source via separate bypass channels. The sizes of the chambers correspond to different widths of sheets that are to be handled. If one of the chambers is not covered by a sheet, an air flow is generated from this chamber through the bypass channel. The air flow affects the uniformity of the pressure inside the first vacuum chamber. Since the bypass channel and the first vacuum chamber are connected at an entrance into a conduit leading to the vacuum source, the uniformity of the pressure provided at the first chamber is affected only to a reduced extent. However, only a limited number of different sheet widths can be handled. Furthermore, for each partition of the support plate an extra bypass channel is needed and requires extra space.

Sheet handling device for wide format sheets


A measurement chamber (18) having an upper and a lower region is at substantially the same elevation as a horizontal pipe (12) having a top region and a bottom region. An equalization line (14) fluidly connects the top region of the pipe (12) to the upper region of measurement chamber (18). A sample line (16) fluidly connects the bottom region of pipe (12) to the lower region of the measurement chamber (18). Heat junction thermocouples (22) generate a signal indicative of the level of fluid in the measurement chamber (12) which is equal to the level of fluid in the pipe (12). The signal is transmitted to a remote location by line (24).

FIG. 3 is a partial diagram of a nuclear power plant incorporating the present invention. In such a power plant, fluid is continuously transferred through a closed circulation loop between a nuclear reactor vessel 40 and a steam generator 45.
During power production, the pressurized fluid absorbs heat released by the thermonuclear reaction occurring in the reactor vessel 40. The heated fluid then flows through pipe 12 which is known appropriately as the hot leg of the fluid circulation loop. The hot leg pipe 12 delivers the hot fluid to the steam generator 45.
In the steam generator 45, the fluid circulates through a heat exchanger (not shown). The heat exchanger cools the fluid and uses the heat removed from the fluid to produce steam. This steam is eventually used to drive turbines and generate electricity.
After the circulating fluid is cooled by the heat exchanger, a circulation pump (not shown) removes the fluid from the steam generator 45 through line 44 and returns it to the reactor vessel 40 via inlet 46. The fluid is then reheated in the reactor vessel 40 and the cycle repeats.
This circulation of fluid is critical for the operation of the power plant in several respects. Not only does the circulating fluid deliver heat energy to the steam generator where the energy can be used to generate electricity, but the circulating fluid also acts as a coolant that prevents the reactor core in the reactor vessel 40 from over-heating.
Nuclear power plant systems, especially steam generators, require periodic maintenance. In particular, the fluid circulation system must be inspected for potential failures and nozzle dams must be installed and removed from the steam generator to allow inspection and mantenance to be performed in a dry environment.
In order to install and remove the nozzle dams, the fluid must be drained from the steam generator 45. This requires lowering the fluid level in the circulation loop, and consequently in the hot leg pipe. During such a maintenance period, the fluid continues to be heated by the reactor vessel 40, but is cooled by an alternate heat exchanger (not shown).
For safety reasons, it is important to know fairly accurately the level of fluid in the circulation loop during such a maintenance period. If the fluid level is not sufficiently lowered, workers performing the nozzle dam installation and removal in the steam generator 42 may be flooded. On the other hand, if the fluid level is reduced too much, the fluid will be unable to cool the reactor vessel 40 adequately.
Because the hot leg pipe is substantially in a horizontal plane and is directly connected to the reactor vessel 40, it is an ideal part of the circulation loop in which to monitor fluid level during system maintenance. Previous methods of monitoring the fluid level in nuclear power plants have proven inadequate. Such methods have either failed to provide a sufficiently accurate measurement of the fluid level or do not allow the fluid level to be monitored from a remote location, such as the power plant control room 48, where other safety equipment and parameters of the plant operation need to be monitored during maintenance periods.

Mid-loop fluid level measuring instrument for a nuclear power plant


The present invention relates to a vehicle brake and hub comprising a ring braking member having braking surfaces both to the interior and exterior of the member in combination with a cast hub which includes centrally disposed aligned bearing ports for receiving bearings. The cast hub includes an outwardly exposed securing surface which cooperates with the ring braking member to effect securement of the braking member to the casting and in a manner to accommodate heat transfer therebetween. The cast hub includes intermediate the securing surface and the align ports, fan blades which cause during rotation of the hub an axial flow of air to move across the bearing ports and to extract heat from the fan blades and the securing surface. The fan blades collectively interconnect and structurally secure the securing surface and the bearing ports.

There are a host of different braking arrangements for vehicles which have been proposed, with the most popular braking system being either the Drum Brake or more recently the Disk Brake. In addition to these two types of braking systems there is also what is referred to as a Ring Brake, as generally shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,542, where braking can occur on both sides of the ring brake member.
Common to all of these braking systems is the dissipation of energy by means of heat which is generated at or on the braking surface. This heat is dissipated to the surrounding air environment by means of convection, however, due to the placement of the brake, generally in a confined region under a vehicle, the circulation of air is relatively poor and the convection coefficient of heat transfer is relatively low. This problem of heat build-up is particularly acute where the brake must be operated frequently over a long period of time and thus, the braking system does not have an opportunity to dissipate the heat when the brake is not in use. Such circumstances commonly occur with truck braking systems, particularly in mountainess regions, and the possibility of brake failure is quite acute. For example, there are often run-off regions where vehicles that are out of control (i.e. where braking system is substantially lost) may exit into these regions which are designed to stop the vehicle.
Most conventional car braking systems operate satisfactorily, however, braking systems used to maximum, say eight times in a row, result in the effective braking power to be less than 50%. The principle reason for the reduction in braking power is heat build-up within the braking system.
Another problem associated with vehicle braking systems is in the transmission of the heat generated in the braking system to the wheel bearing of the vehicle. Wheel bearings have generally been protected from transfer of heat from the braking system, as the life of the wheel bearing would be substantially reduced if exposed to the heat generated in the braking system. Therefore, the prior practice has been to isolate the wheel bearing from a direct heat transfer path of the braking surface to the wheel bearing.
There remains a need for a simple effective braking system where heat can be efficiently removed from the braking surface to improve both the life and performance of the braking system.


A system and a method for processing data obtained from an input signal including physiological information representative of at least one at least partially periodic vital signal. The physiological information is derivable from visible radiation reflected by an object. The system includes a detector for detecting at least one vital signature in the input signal and a converter for creating an output signal by modifying the input signal depending on the detected vital signature. The output signal includes an artificial signature at least partially replacing a respective vital signature of the at least one vital signature of the input signal. The system may further include a sensor for detecting visible electromagnetic radiation within at least one particular wavelength range.

Recently, in the field of image processing enormous progress was made in that, besides the mere representation of recorded images, profound analyses of the recorded data were enabled. In particular, when recorded data comprises representations of living beings, such as animals or even, more particularly, human beings, conclusions regarding the personality or even the well-being of the individual can be enabled.
In this context, U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,399 A discloses a method and an apparatus for recording video data. The method comprises the steps of receiving unrecorded video data representative of a subject; detecting skin tone detail of said subject; manipulating said video data corresponding substantially only to said detected skin tone detail to obscure said video data corresponding to said detected skin tone detail; and recording said video data including said manipulated video data.
Hence, it is enabled to ensure the privacy of the identity of a recorded subject by masking respective parts of the subject in the recorded video data.
However, such a rigorous masking is inapplicable when it is required or desired to recognize the subject, such as a human being, at least to a certain extent. These needs can exist, by way of example, in the field of video conferencing, security monitoring, health monitoring etc.
A further challenge is related to the fact that meanwhile images and sequences thereof are digitally recorded, processed and reproduced, and can be duplicated without loss. As a result, an increased risk of a loss of control of personal information might arise.

System and method for converting an input signal into an output signal


A foldable mounting collar includes first and second collar segments. Each collar segment includes a planar annular segment that substantially subtends a semicircle, a collar flange that, when the planar annular segment is horizontal, extends vertically downward along an inner periphery of the planar annular segment, such that the collar flange forms a cylindrical portion, and two hinge flanges that, when the planar annular segment is horizontal, extend upwardly from each end of the semicircle formed by each planar annular segment. The mounting collar further includes pivot means that hingedly couple pairs of the hinge flanges of the collar segments. The second collar segment can rotate, relative to the first collar segment, through at least a polar angle range sufficient for the mounting collar to fit through an aperture having a diameter defined by the cylindrical portions of the collar flanges when both collar segments are horizontal.

Certain light fixtures provide light within an illuminated space by projecting the light through an aperture formed in a wall or ceiling. For example, recessed "can" type fixtures have long been in use. These fixtures typically use an incandescent bulb, are mounted within ceiling aperture in a cylindrical housing with an open end, to emit light downwardly through the open end and the aperture, into the illuminated space. Known issues connected with these fixtures include relatively low efficiency/high heat production, and relatively large size connected with the size of typical Edison base bulbs and their corresponding sockets. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can be used in these fixtures to improve efficiency, but the fixtures themselves are still sized according to the size of their Edison base, incandescent bulb predecessors.
Recent advances in light-emitting diode (LED) technology have opened up opportunities to retrofit existing installations, and provide new installations, with fixtures that are based on compact and energy efficient light engines. Advanced mechanical apparatus and methods such as those described below can be used to facilitate installation and minimize height of such fixtures.

Light fixture installation apparatus and methods


A method for orally administering medicaments to a plurality of animal drinking stations, and an apparatus for accomplishing the method. A medicament reservoir is separately connected to each of the drinking stations via tubes each of an identical predetermined diameter. Medicament is allowed to flow through each of the tubes to each drinking station. Substantially identical rate of medicament flow to each drinking station is insured by the identical predetermined diameter of each of the tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for the delivery of substantially identical dosages of medicament at substantially identical rates to each of a plurality of domestic animal drinking stations, wherein the inventive method has the attendant advantages of increased sterility and increased protection from adverse environmental conditions in the delivery of medicaments.
This invention further relates to an apparatus for accomplishing this method, which apparatus includes a common source medicament reservoir connected to a plurality of animal drinking stations in such a manner that the above-described conditions relating to dosage, dosage rate, sterility and environmental shielding are implemented.
2. Description of Related Art
Domestically raised poultry are subject to a variety of infectious diseases, many of which are controlled through vaccination using modified live or killed vaccines. It has been discovered that oral vaccination through the water supply provides a simple and inexpensive method to immunize poultry against infectious agents. For instance, it has been found that the oral administration of a modified live Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine administered in drinking water protects poultry against experimental challenge with virulent NDV isolates, as well as against natural exposure with this virus.
Vaccines for oral immunization are often administered in poultry houses by adding the vaccine to a common outlet such as a drinking water reservoir using "proportioner" apparatus. Proportioner apparatus are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,241 to Cloup and U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,351 to Cloup, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application. This type of field vaccination practice does not optimize vaccine delivery conditions with respect to vaccine titer or sterility and thus may result in poorly vaccinated or unvaccinated flocks.
Medicaments may also be administered non-orally by a variety of methods and with a variety of apparatus. One such apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,227 to Haskell, which describes a solenoid driven hypodermic needle which pierces the wing of a bird. A positive displacement pump delivers medicament to the needle for administration. The Haskell apparatus has the obvious disadvantage of requiring that each bird to be treated must be captured and handled prior to administration. Thus, Haskell discloses a relatively inefficient method of medicament administration. Moreover, due to its construction, the Haskell apparatus may be inoperative with respect to animals other than birds which may not possess anatomical features, such as a bird's wing, which are easily or effectively pierced.
Stowe, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,354, describes an apparatus for high volume vaccination in which a vaccine is atomized in close proximity to poultry cages. Vaccine is then ingested by the treated birds via inhalation. Although this apparatus accomplishes high volume vaccination, it too has several disadvantages. First, atomized vaccine may not be easily administered due to air currents, wind and the like. Further, atomized vaccine has only a limited effective airborne time, and vaccination would necessarily have to result shortly after atomization. When applied to medicaments such as antibiotics for which sustained dosing is preferred, the atomization apparatus would be either ineffective or would cause logistical problems due to its being cumbersome. Moreover, the Stowe apparatus employs a "shotgun" approach to medicament administration, where a large amount of medicament is atomized to insure that a small amount of medicament actually is ingested. As the majority of atomized vaccine will not be ingested, Stowe is wasteful of expensive medicaments.
It has therefore been found desirable to provide a system which would deliver vaccine at a specified flow rate and provide for a more sterile reservoir environment which would lead to better vaccination rates and more effective control of infectious diseases. Such a system would also be useful for oral administration of medicaments to any other type of domesticated animals.

Field bag boost vaccination delivery system


The present invention relates to improved ophthalmic solutions that employ select B vitamins; pyridoxine and its salts; and thiamine and its salts in order to more effectively preserve solutions and to reduce the degree to which cationic preservatives will deposit on contact lenses. Ophthalmic solutions are here understood to include contact lens treatment solutions, such as cleaners, soaking solutions, conditioning solutions and lens storage solutions, as well as wetting solutions and in-eye solutions for treatment of eye conditions.

The present invention relates to the field of ophthalmic solutions and their uses. In particular the invention relates to contact lens cleaning solutions, contact lens rinsing and storing solutions, solution to deliver active pharmaceutical agents to the eye, solutions for disinfecting ophthalmic devices and the like.
The present invention relates to the field of ophthalmic solutions and especially to the aspects of preservative efficacy and comfort after prolonged use. These ophthalmic solutions have been used for some period of time and are available as over the counter products. Solutions that are used in direct contact with corneal tissue such as the delivery of active pharmaceutical agent to the eye, or indirectly, such as the cleaning, conditioning or storage of devices that will come in contact with corneal tissue, such as contact lenses, there is a need to insure that these solution do not introduce sources of bacterial or other microbial infection. Thus preservatives are included to reduce the viability of microbes in the solution and to lessen the chance of contamination of the solution by the user since many of the solutions are bought, opened, used, sealed and then reused.
State of the art preservative agents include polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), POLYQUAD™, chlorhexidine, and benzalkonium chloride, and the like, all of which at some concentration irritate corneal tissue and lead to user discomfort. Therefore, a solution that employs a given amount of a preservative agent, but which is made more effective by addition of an agent that is not a preservative agent would be desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ophthalmic contact lens solutions containing forms of vitamin B


Device for the continuous casting of billets, blooms, slabs and round bars, the device being associated with a crystalliser (10) containing the cast metal, the crystalliser (10) having sidewalls (11) which cooperate with cooling channels (16-24) defined by outer walls (15), the device comprising a plurality of devices located outside the sidewalls (11) of the crystalliser, the electromagnetic devices (18a, 18b, 18c) cooperating directly with the sidewalls (11) and being spaced apart longitudinally along the direction of sliding of the cast product, and fed in an independent, separate and differentiated manner from each other, the feeding being a function of the generation of a pulsating electromagnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crystalliser (10) and migrating substantially along the whole longitudinal extent of the crystalliser (10), the current pulses achieving a value of up to 100 kA. In the method, the solidified skin of the cast metal inside the crystalliser (10) undergoes the action of a pulsating magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crystalliser (10) and migrating lengthwise substantially along the whole extent of the crystalliser (10), the magnetic field being generated by a plurality of electromagnetic devices (18a, 18b, 18c) spaced apart longitudinally along the extent of the crystalliser (10) and fed in an independent and differentiated manner from each other, with current pulses which achieve a value of up to 100 kA.

This invention concerns a continuous casting method with a magnetic field and the relative device.
The invention is applied to machines performing continuous casting of billets, blooms and slabs and, in particular, thin slabs in the field of the production of iron and steel.
The state of the art of the continuous casting field covers the use of electromagnetic devices associated externally with the sidewalls of a crystalliser and able to generate an electromagnetic field interacting with the molten metal being cast.
In the state of the art this electromagnetic field mainly has the purpose of improving the surface quality of the product and/or of increasing the casting speed by taking action on the parameters of formation of the layer of solid skin and by causing to happen earlier a separation of the skin from the sidewalls of the crystalliser; another purpose is to displace the surface of the molten metal in the zone of the joint between the refractory material and the crystalliser so that the solidification begins only in the crystalliser and there are no leakages of material.
The electromagnetic devices of the state of the art normally comprise a coil or one single inductor positioned in cooperation with the outside of the wall of the crystalliser and generally close to the zone of the beginning of solidification of the metal.
Embodiments have been disclosed in which the coil or inductor generates a stationary alternating magnetic field (see the article "Improvement of Surface Quality of Steel by Electromagnetic Mold" taken from the documents of the International Symposium on the "Electromagnetic Processing of Materials"--Nagoya 1994) or else generates an alternating magnetic field modulated in amplitude (see the article "Study of Meniscus Behavior and Surface Properties During Casting in a High-Frequencies Magnetic Field" taken from "Metallurgical and Materials Transaction"--Vol.26B, April 1995).
Other embodiments disclosed provide for the magnetic field generated to be periodically pulsating with waves defined by successions of pulses of a substantially constant amplitude (U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,249) or else for the magnetic field to be generated by electromagnetic waves of a development which is attenuated until it is eliminated within a half-period (SU-A-1021070 and SU-A-1185731).
To be more precise, the teaching disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,249 includes a helical coil wound around the crystalliser along its whole lengthwise extent.
This helical coil is fed by means of a pulsating direct current of from 10 to 100 Ms, an amplitude of between 5 and 20 kA, a frequency of repetition of around 1 KH.sub.Z. The current generates radial forces which act on the crystalliser in order to make it vibrate. The vibration serves to eliminate the mechanical oscillation and tends to improve the surface quality of the product.
The action of vibration induced on the crystalliser may cause, and indeed does cause, breakages due to fatigue; moreover, the vibration is not able to act on the product with actions of the migrating field type or multi-modal excitations, which are those that obtain an effective usable result.
WO-A-80/01999 and FR-A-2.632.549 include electromagnetic devices consisting of radially arranged poles on which the coils are wound; the devices are arranged at different levels and are made to function in a staggered manner.
The coils are fed with alternate current, low frequency mono-phase or multi-phase, and they generate forces which are mainly directed in an azimuthal direction and only by reflection in a lengthwise direction along the axis of the crystalliser.
These electromagnetic devices have the function of mixing in an azimuthal direction the liquid steel in the crystalliser in such a way as to produce a helical motion either upwards or downwards.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,005 includes permanent coils or magnets operating both in correspondence with the meniscus and in a desired zone of the crystalliser. The coils arranged along the crystalliser, and far from the meniscus, generate mainly azimuthal forces (azimuthal stirring) or helical forces (helical stirring) or longitudinal forces (longitudinal stirring); the coils arranged in correspondence with the meniscus generate forces which oppose the movement of the liquid part of the product.
The coils placed far from the meniscus serve to move the liquid part of the product so as to obtain the known metallurgical results deriving from electromagnetic stirring. The coils which cooperate with the meniscus serve as an electromagnetic brake in order to reduce the consequential distorsions caused to the meniscus by the electromagnetic stirring generated by the other coils, and also to reduce the turbulence caused by the introduction of material into the crystalliser.
EP-A-0.511.465 discloses a coil for electromagnetic stirring which can be displaced along the axis of the crystalliser, in such a way that it is possible to adapt the electromagnetic stirring effect in the liquid metal according to the different metallurgical requirements.
EP-A-0.489.202 provides for coils which cooperate with the crystalliser and fed with direct current; they generate a constant magnetic field with the appropriate direction. These coils serve to brake the liquid steel which leaves the submerged discharge nozzle so as to prevent the scouring of the already solidified skin and at the same time to reduce the trapping of the slag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,786 and JP-A-56.126.048 provide for coils which produce azimuthal flows so as to mix the liquid part of the metal with a stirring effect in an azimuthal direction, in order to obtain the desired stirring effects.
WO-A-94.15739 discloses two traditional coils for electromagnetic stirring, of which one is located on the meniscus.
Both coils are fed with low frequency, multi-phase alternating current, possibly with different intensities of current; the direction of the magnetic field migrating over the pole pieces may also be different.
The forces generated are applied on the liquid part of the product in an azimuthal direction.
The function of the underlying coil is to provide for the azimuthal stirring of maximum intensity; the function of the coil on the meniscus is to contrast the distorsion produced on the meniscus by the stirring effected by the first coil or, alternatively, to increase the effect on the meniscus according to the particular type of process or the type of casting (type of steel).
Experimental tests have shown that the configurations of the electromagnetic field acting in the crystalliser, in the state of the art as described above, are not suitable to achieve the results desired by the Proprietor of this invention, in view of the different conditions which take place within the solidifying metal.
These different conditions, which are due to the different physical state and different temperature of the solidifying metal, cause an interaction between the magnetic field and the metal, this interaction being different from one zone to another of the crystalliser and therefore not being the best along the whole length of the crystalliser. In particular, but not only, the state of the art does not allow to fulfil the following functions in a positive manner:
to reduce the friction between the cast product and the crystalliser by inducing pulsating forces directly onto the solid skin of the product, and also onto the liquid part where that is necessary, in order to increase the casting speed; PA1 not to use the traditional methods of mechanical oscillation of the ingot mold, with a consequent improvement of the surface quality of the product, as the oscillation marks are eliminated; PA1 to control the effect on the meniscus according to the requirements of processing, so as to improve both the lubrification of the area of contact between the skin and the sidewall of the crystalliser, and also the surface quality and the inner quality of the product; PA1 to use the capacity of resonance of the solidified skin and the skin-liquid system, so as to improve the heat exchange performed in the mushy zone in order to encourage a growth of the product with an equal axis, and a consequent improvement in the inner quality; PA1 to use the migrating field configuration in order to induce, in the liquid part, a vertical stirring (direction of the axis of the crystalliser) so as to obtain an optimum effect; PA1 to improve the heat exchange in the lower part of the crystalliser where the skin is separated from the crystalliser, thus increasing the total quantity of heat extracted by the crystalliser and making it possible to achieve higher casting speeds and improvements in the quality of the product. PA1 to reduce the friction between the cast product and the crystalliser by inducing pulsating forces directly onto the solid skin of the product, and onto the liquid part where that is necessary, in order to increase the casting speed; PA1 not to use the traditional systems of mechanical oscillation of the ingot mold, and therefore the crystalliser, with a consequent improvement in the surface quality of the product as the oscillation marks are eliminated; PA1 to control the effect on the meniscus according to the requirements of processing, so as to improve both the lubrification and the surface and inner quality of the product; PA1 to exploit the capacity of resonance of the solidified skin and the skin-liquid system, in order to improve the heat exchange in the mushy zone so as to encourage a growth of the product with an equal axis and a consequent improvement in the inner quality of the continuously cast product; PA1 to use the migrating field configuration in order to induce in the liquid part a vertical stirring (direction of the axis of the crystalliser) so as to obtain an optimum result in the cast product; PA1 to improve the heat exchange in the lower part of the crystalliser where the skin is separated from the crystalliser, thus increasing the total quantity of heat extracted by the crystalliser and making it possible to achieve greater casting speeds and at the same time to improve the quality of the product.

Continuous casting method and relative device


A method and apparatus are described to prevent the unwanted energizing of equipment not normally intended to be energized when delivering a fluid to an energized power cable. The method and apparatus relate to the installation of a fluid back-flow prevention device in the line or equipment carrying a fluid to the cable, and also providing a pressure relief device that may relieve excess pressure to prevent damaging equipment.

The insulation of high voltage power cables will degrade after a period of time. One remediation process for the insulation of medium and high voltage power cables requires the injection of a remediation fluid into the free spaces of a cable. In many instances, the injection process takes place while the cables are energized. When the remediation process is performed on energized cables, special injection terminations (injection "elbows") may be used. Injection terminations are similar to industry standard cable terminations except that they have a special access port designed to allow for the injection of fluid into the cable. The fluid is commonly injected into underground cables from a fluid feed line, which is connected to a fluid feed tank.
One remediation process for the insulation of medium and high voltage power cables requires the injection of a remediation fluid into the free spaces of a cable's conductor. In many instances, the injection process takes place while the cables are energized. When the remediation process is performed on energized cables, a class of special injection terminations may be used. Injection terminations are similar to industry standard cable terminations except that they are sealed to the environment and have special access ports designed to allow for the injection of fluid into the cable.
The fluid is commonly injected into underground cables from a fluid feed line, which is connected to a fluid feed tank, at the injection termination. When fluid is injected into the cables at the injection port of the injection terminations, it is assumed that the fluid flow is only in one direction, flowing from the feed tank to the cable. However, as the cable fills and the fluid system begins to stabilize, temperature changes that occur inside the cable or outside in the environment around the feed tank can cause the pressure of the system to fluctuate. The pressure fluctuations can lead to instances where the pressure inside of the injection elbow is greater than the pressure inside of the fluid feed tank. At this point, fluid flow would reverse, moving from the injection elbow back into the fluid feed tank.
The fluid that travels in the reverse direction, out of the injection elbow, carries contaminants from the cable to the feed tank. These contaminants can be conductive or semi-conductive, effectively reducing the insulating value of the remediation fluid in the fluid feed line that separates the energized cable from the feed tank and a conductive pathway can be formed.
Therefore, there exists a need to prevent back flow of contaminated fluid from the injection elbow to the fluid feed tank.


A gas injection system for injecting gases into a plasma reactor having a vacuum chamber with a sidewall, a pedestal for holding a semiconductor wafer to be processed, and a RF power applicator for applying RF power into the chamber. The gas injection system includes at least one gas supply containing gas, a gas distribution apparatus which has at least one slotted aperture facing the interior of the chamber, and one or more gas feed lines connecting the gas supply or supplies to the gas distribution apparatus. A preferred embodiment of a radial gas distribution apparatus in accordance with the present invention is disposed in the chamber sidewall and includes plural gas distribution nozzles each with a slotted aperture facing an interior of the chamber. Gas feed lines are employed to respectively connect each gas distribution nozzle to separate ones of the gas supplies.

1. Technical Field
The invention is related to plasma reactors for processing semiconductor integrated circuit wafers and specifically to improvements in the gas injection system employed in such reactors.
2. Background Art
A plasma reactor for processing semiconductor integrated circuit wafers typically includes a vacuum chamber, a pedestal for supporting the wafer in the chamber, a plasma RF power source and a gas injection system for supplying gases to the chamber. If the reactor is an inductively coupled reactor, then it can include a coil antenna around the chamber connected to the plasma RF power source. The wafer pedestal can also be connected to the same or another RF power source. In other types of plasma reactors (such as, for example, a reactive ion etch reactor), there is no coil antenna and the plasma RF power source is connected solely to the wafer pedestal. The gas injection system of the reactor has one or more gas distribution apparatuses. If multiple gas distribution apparatuses are employed, each is typically disposed in a separate part of the reactor so as to provide gas to a different area within the chamber. The gas distribution apparatus (or apparatuses) utilized depends on the particular requirements of the process being performed. For example, one type of gas distribution apparatus is used to inject gas radially into the chamber from the reactor's sidewall, typically near the level of the wafer, during various processing operations (e.g. plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). This radial gas distribution apparatus may be used alone, or in combination with other gas distribution apparatuses, such as the aforementioned overhead type.
One typical radial gas distribution apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1. This apparatus 10 is located around the periphery of the base or bottom of a source region 12 of the chamber. The apparatus 10 includes a gas distribution ring 14 having gas injection holes 16 spaced periodically around the inward facing surface of the ring 14. Processing gas, or the like, is fed into the ring from a single inlet 18. Although sufficient for its designed task, the prior art radial gas distribution apparatuses 10 do have the disadvantage of requiring a considerable portion of the chamber to be physically dedicated to the gas distribution ring structure 14. In current plasma reactor designs there is a desire to package the reactor's numerous systems in as compact a unit as possible. Thus, giving up the space necessary to incorporate a large, intrusive gas distribution ring 14 presents a problem. In addition, the interface 20 between the reactor sidewall 22 and the gas distribution ring structure 14 is typically sealed to prevent gases from leaking through the interface. To accomplished this task, a relatively large sealing element (not shown) must be employed due to the extensive sealing surface area associated with the interface 20. As is well known, sealing large surfaces presents some difficulty, and leakage is a concern. For example, the dimensional tolerances associated with the surface against which a sealing element, such as a sealing O-ring, is seated must be relatively precise to prevent leak paths from forming. The larger the sealing surface, the more difficult it is to produce the required tolerances over its entire area.
Another concern associated with the interface between the reactor chamber sidewalls 22 and the relatively large prior art gas distribution rings 14 is the discontinuity the interface 20 creates in the wall surface. These discontinuities create stress points and fractures in the layer of deposition residue which inevitably forms on the chamber sidewalls 22. In addition, temperature gradients tend to form between the sidewalls 22 and the ring 14, further increasing the occurrence of stress fractures in the residue layer. The fractured residue material tends to flake off the ring 14 and sidewalls 22, thereby creating a risk of contaminating a wafer undergoing processing. This flaking phenomenon is particularly prevalent near the gas injection holes 16 where the turbulence caused by the incoming processing gas tends to disperse the flaked residue material into the chamber.
Asymmetric gas flow from the distribution ring 14 is also a problem encountered with existing radial gas distribution apparatuses. Since the gas distribution ring 14 is typically fed from one location, the gas flow from the gas injection holes 16 near that input can be much larger than at the opposite side of the ring. Such an asymmetric flow pattern can cause nonuniform etching or deposition on the semiconductor wafer. Also, with only one feed, if the gas is a composite of different gases, it must be premixed before it reaches the ring 14. There is no possibility of providing different gases from the various holes 16 in the ring 14 so as to allow mixing within the chamber or varying the composition of the gas in different parts of the chamber.
Thus, there is a need for a plasma reactor gas injection system which requires less space and has a smaller sealing surface area than currently available units. In addition, there is a need for a gas injection system which has the ability to provide a symmetrical gas flow to the chamber, and which can simultaneously deliver different gases to the chamber for mixing therein or varying the composition of the gas in different parts of the chamber.

Gas injection slit nozzle for a plasma process reactor


The apparatus is used for installing a wire in a crimp, in particular a wire being provided on a wire spool mounted on a spool holder. The wire outputs the apparatus at a wire output guide. The apparatus comprises a crimp punch tool located in front of the wire output guide. A first actuator allows operating the crimp punch tool. The wire is cut using a wire cutter adjacent to the crimp punch tool. The cutter tool is operated by a second actuator. In use, the wire is installed by feeding the wire from the wire spool through the wire output guide and then into the crimp. The crimp is closed by punching it using the crimp punch tool. The wire is cut after the last crimp using the wire cutter tool. The apparatus and method can be used for installing very fragile and small wires.

In the past, very small wires were always very difficult to install properly using an automated process. The main challenge is to adequately position the wire, attach it properly and then cut it at the right location. A further challenge is to keep the tension in the wire within an appropriate range, especially in the case of wires achieving a mechanical function. Examples of such wires are the ones used as micro actuator mechanisms. These micro actuator mechanisms are useful in many applications, such as in very small mechanical relays, sensors, flow controllers, valves, etc. Micro actuator mechanisms used in these applications typically use heat-shrinkable wires to achieve movement of internal mechanical structures performing various functions. An example of heat-shrinkable material is a Nickel-Titanium alloy. In the case of a relay application, the heat shrinkable wire is used to open and close contacts of the relay. This wire replaces conventional actuators, such as electromagnetic actuators, electro-static actuators, bimetallic actuators, etc. The advantage of this new mate rial is that it enables significant size and cost reduction if an automated manufacturing process is available for mass production. The wire is attached to a mechanical structure that moves when the wire shrinks or expands back to its original size. This movement enables the closing and opening of the relay contacts. Such relays are opened or closed using a control voltage applied at both ends of the wire, thereby allowing a current to flow through the wire and heat it above its transition temperature. This property of the wire is what moves the electrical contacts in or out of engagement. These relays can have only a few millimeters in size. Consequently, large numbers of these relays can be provided on a single printed circuit board (PCB). A typical use for such hardware is for telecommunications.
The Nickel-Titanium alloy wire is a very difficult wire to handle. It is a very rigid and ductile wire that can not be bonded using traditional method like thermosonic, ultrasonic, weld, etc. Therefore, this wire needs to be mechanically attached using a mechanical attachment point hereby referred to as a "crimp". A further challenge is thus to be able to handle such difficult material when used in very small parts, especially when using very small lengths of wire with very small diameters. There is always a need for more compact designs that are less expensive, whether it is for a new relay or a micro pump to be used by the medical industry. In order to achieve this task, the manufacturing equipment need to be extremely precise and able to handle the wire very gently, so they do not alter its behavior, while being very fast to enable cost effectiveness. Such equipment did not exist.
Considering this background, it clearly appears that there was a need to develop a new apparatus for installing a length of wire between two crimps, in particular an apparatus capable of handling a delicate wire made of a material difficult to handle.

Apparatus for installing a length of wire


A method and composition for inhibiting restenosis. The composition includes an adhesive or polymeric material having a radioactive component dispersed therethrough. A biologically compatible adhesive including a radioactive material is applied to a vessel region where inhibition of restenosis is desired in a preferred method. In one composition, the radioactive material is admixed with the adhesive. In another composition, the radioactive material is chemically bonded to a polymeric adhesive. The adhesive is preferably cured in place. The radioactive material has a preferred half life of less than six months. In one method, the application of adhesive is followed by stent placement, leaving radioactive adhesive extending beyond both stent ends. The application can include forcing adhesive from a double walled balloon having a porous outer wall.

Coronary arteries provide blood and nutrients to the heart muscle. The arteries are subject to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Vascular regions have plaques formed within, resulting in stenosed regions having reduced cross-sectional area. The reduced area causes a reduction in transport of blood, oxygen, and nutrients which can result in angina, myocardial infarction and death.
A commonly used method for treating atherosclerosis is Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). PTCA includes insertion of a balloon catheter through an incision in the femoral artery near the groin, advancement of the balloon over the aortic arch, further advancement within the selected coronary artery, continuing until the balloon portion is placed across the stenosed region. The balloon is inflated, widening the narrowed vessel region.
After catheter withdrawal, significant vessel reclosure may develop. The reclosure may occur within hours or days of dilation, an "abrupt reclosure." When reclosure does occur, however, it more commonly occurs progressively, within six months of the angioplasty. The gradual reclosure is referred to as "restenosis", and largely negates the dilatation treatment. More highly stenosed vessel regions have a greater chance of becoming restenosed.
One approach to dealing with restenosis utilizes stents which are short tubular sections having a lumen therethrough, placed across the recently dilated vessel region. Stents can be either self-expanding or balloon-expandable. Stents are normally left in place indefinitely.
Stents, as any permanently implanted device, may possibly cause long term problems. As the stent is forever pushing radially outward against the vessel wall, the wall may be adversely affected over long time periods. Stent ends, which push radially outward, are adjacent to soft tissue which can be irritated by the stent end. Some believe the stent could promote restenosis in the region immediately beyond the stent ends. For this reason, the vessel may develop a new stenosed region adjacent either stent end. Stents commonly have wire mesh or spring structures, with openings in the stent walls. "Intimal hyperplasia", rapid tissue growth through stent openings has also been reported. While the exact mechanism of restenosis is not understood, it is believed that the vessel narrowing is due more to cellular growth mechanisms than to an elastic rebound mechanism.
Use of radiation to kill and inhibit growth of cancerous cells is well known. The use of radiation to inhibit restenosis has been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,166 (Fischell et al.) proposes using a radioactive stent. Radioactive stents are indefinitely placed devices, with the possible irritating effects of stents. Furthermore, as stents are commonly formed of open structures such as springs or meshes, portions of vessel walls are exposed to radiation while other vessel areas more remote to stent wires, are exposed to much less radiation, if any. Further, the vessel cross section in a stenosed area may not conform to the stent shape and thus, the dose of radiation may vary due to proximity of the radioactive source to the vessel wall at any point.
Use of a catheter having a radioactive source on the distal end has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,939 (Dake et al.). The catheter must be held in place during the entire therapy, which is considerably shorter than the months long period over which restenosis is believed to occur. Any radiation delivered must be delivered within the short period the catheter tip is in place. The radiation dosage may be greater than that required if the exposure were more closely matched to the restenosis period. Centering the radioactive source within the vessel may be difficult, providing a greater dosage at the closer vessel wall than the further. The radiation source must be capable of reaching from catheter center, through any fluid, to vessel interior walls and beyond. This may require a more energetic, further penetrating source compared to that required if the radiation could be held directly and evenly over the vessel walls.
Use of adhesives in place of sutures in surgery is known. See, for example, "Histotoxicity of Cyanoacrylate Tissue Adhesives", 116 Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 546 (May 1990). See also "A New Biological Glue from Gelatin and Poly(L-glutamic acid)", 31 J. Biomedical Materials Res 157 (1996).
What is desirable and has not heretofore been provided is a method for inhibiting restenosis using radiation applied evenly, over long periods, without requiring stent placement. What would also be desirable is a method allowing for stent placement while inhibiting restenosis through stent walls and beyond the ends of the stent.

Composition containing a radioactive component for treatment of vessel wall


Activated aromatic compounds are more economically ring brominated by reacting the compounds with a sulfoxide/HBr brominating agent while removing water from the reaction mixture. The water removal provides high conversions and yields when employing stoichiometric quantities of reactants.

This invention relates generally to the bromination of organic compounds and more particularly to an improved process for the ring bromination of activated aromatic compounds under mild conditions (no Br.sub.2) using a sulfoxide/HBr brominating agent such as dimethyl sulfoxide/HBr.
The one-step bromination of oxidatively unstable benzene derivatives, such as aniline and phenol, using a dimethyl sulfoxide/HBr brominating agent has been described in the literature. For example, see S. K. Srivastava et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 1996, 2679-2680 and Majetich et al., J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 4321-4326. A large excess of brominating agent is used and especially the dimethyl sulfoxide which is also employed as a solvent for the reaction. Although suitable for academic studies, the use of excess brominating agent would be uneconomical for commercial purposes as this would require expensive product purification processes to remove and recover the excess for re-use. However, when an attempt was made to modify the processes of the literature so as to employ stoichiometric quantities of brominating agent, the conversion and product yields were significantly reduced. It has now been found that by removing the water from the reaction, very high conversions and yields (>95%) can be achieved when using substantially stoichiometric quantities of reactants. The water is a by-product of the reaction and is also present when aqueous HBr is used.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a bromination process which comprises reacting an activated aromatic compound with HBr and a sulfoxide, while removing water from the reaction mixture, so as to ring brominate the activated aromatic compound.