An input stream of graphics primitives may be converted into to a predetermined output stream of graphics primitives by a processor in a graphics pipeline. The processor recognizes a predetermined sequence pattern in the input stream of graphics primitives to the processor. The processor determines whether the recognized sequence pattern can be converted into the one of the plurality of predetermined output streams of graphics primitives. If so, the processor identifies a number of vertices in the recognized sequence pattern and reorders the vertices into a predetermined output pattern. Thereafter, the processor outputs the predetermined output pattern corresponding to one or more graphics processing components.

Current computer applications are generally more graphically intense and involve a higher degree of graphics processing power than predecessors. Applications, such as games, typically involve complex and highly detailed graphics renderings that involve a substantial amount of ongoing computations. To match the demands made by consumers for increased graphics capabilities in computing applications, like games, computer configurations have also changed.
As computers, particularly personal computers, have been programmed to handle programmers' ever increasingly demanding entertainment and multimedia applications, such as high definition video and the latest 3D games, higher demands have likewise been placed on system bandwidth. Thus, methods have arisen to deliver the bandwidth for such bandwidth hungry applications, as well as providing additional bandwidth headroom for future generations of applications.
For these reasons, current computer systems oftentimes include multiple processors. For example, a graphics processing unit (GPU) is an example of a coprocessor in addition to a primary processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), that performs specialized processing tasks for which it is designed. In performing these tasks, the GPU may free the CPU to perform other tasks. In some cases, coprocessors, such as a GPU, may actually reside on the computer system's motherboard along with the CPU, which may be a microprocessor. However, in other applications, as one of ordinary skill in the art would know, a GPU and/or other coprocessing devices may reside on a separate but electrically coupled card, such as a graphics card in the case of the GPU.
A coprocessor such as a GPU may often access supplemental memory, such as video memory, for performing its processing tasks. Coprocessors may be generally configured and optimized for performing specialized tasks. In the case of the GPU, such devices may be optimized for execution of three dimensional graphics calculations to support applications with intensive graphics. While conventional computer systems and coprocessors may adequately perform when running a single graphically intensive application, such computer systems and coprocessors may nevertheless encounter problems when attempting to execute multiple graphically intensive applications at once.
In general, a GPU input may be represented as a stream of primitives, which are basic elements that may represent graphic elements, such as a point, line, circle, triangle, etc., which are two-dimensional primitives. In a solid modeling system, three dimensional primitives include a cylinder, cube and sphere among others, such as, in some instances, a triangle and/or a line as well. The primitives may also constitute predefined patterns with certain rules that are applied by the GPU.
Graphically intense applications can oftentimes include a variety of primitives to be processed by the GPU. A set of primitives may be defined by graphics application programming interface (API) standards, such as OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) and/or D3D (Direct 3D). OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. D3D is a Microsoft® standard used in conjunction with various Windows® systems for rendering 2D and 3D computer graphics.
The GPU may be called upon to process many different kinds of primitives including primitives that are legacy primitives. At the beginning of the GPU pipeline, processing components may communicate the different primitives to the various processing components in a predetermined fashion.
Yet, due to the variety and corresponding complexity of such primitives, GPU pipelines are generally configured with a large number of processing gates so as to handle the multiple types of primitives that may need processing. As some of these types of primitives are complex, the various processing components of the GPU pipeline may include, as a nonlimiting example, 200,000 additional gates so as to be able to process more complex primitives, such as a triangle fan or quad list.
By increasing the number of gates in each of the processing components of the GPU pipeline, the costs of manufacturing such GPU pipelines is expensive, but is otherwise needed in the GPU if certain types of primitives are to be processed in the GPU pipeline. But if the processing components of the GPU pipeline can be configured with a less number of gates while still somehow handling the variety of primitives that may come via the input stream to the GPU, then the associated cost of the processing components is less.
Thus, there is a heretofore-unaddressed need to overcome these deficiencies and shortcomings described above.

Geometry primitive type conversion in a GPU pipeline


A hair holding device comprises an upper holding body (1) having an upper holding portion (1a) and an upper grip portion (1b) which are connected to form a single body, and a lower holding body (2) having a lower holding portion (2a) and a lower grip portion (2b) which are connected to form a single body, wherein either one of the upper and lower grip portions (1b) and (2b) is provided with a protrudent spring (4) which comes into contact with the other one. The upper and lower holding portion (1a) and (2a) are forced to move toward each other by a simple structure of the device, whereby the assembly takes a short time and the manufacturing cost is low.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for holding hair, such as a barrette or a hair clip, which is used when or after setting hair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional hair clip comprises, for example, a linear-type coil spring 20 supported by an axis between an upper holding body 1 and a lower holding body 2, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. The upper holding body 1 consists of an upper holding portion 1a and an upper grip portion 1b which are connected to form a single body. At the connected portion of the upper holding portion 1a and the upper grip portion 1b, a pair of fixing parts 1c are formed on both lateral sides of the upper holding body 1. The lower holding body 2 consists of a lower holding portion 2a and a lower grip portion 2b which are connected to form a single body. At the connected portion of the lower holding portion 2a and the lower grip portion 2b, a pair of fixing parts 2c are formed on both lateral sides of the lower holding body 2. The fixing parts 1c of the upper holding body 1 and the fixing parts 2c of the lower holding body 2 are placed to overlap each other so that a pin 9 is inserted into holes 7 formed on the fixing parts 1c and holes 8 formed on the fixing parts 2c. A coil part 20a of the coil spring 20 is supported by the pin 9 while both ends 20b of the coil spring 20 press against the upper grip portion 1b of the upper holding body 1 and the lower grip portion 2b of the lower holding body 2 respectively. In this arrangement, the upper holding portion 1a and the lower holding portion 2a are forced to move toward each other due to the elasticity of the coil spring 20.
In the assembly process, both ends 20b of the coil spring 20 are placed to press against the upper and lower grip portions 1b and 2b while the pin 9 is inserted through the holes 7 and 8 and the coil part 20a, as illustrated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 27. Therefore, the conventional hair clip is disadvantaged in that it is difficult to insert the coil spring 20 between the upper grip portion 1b and the lower grip portion 2b and thus the assembly takes a long time.
Furthermore, when hair is placed between the upper holding portion 1a and the lower holding portion 2a, the free end of the upper holding portion 1a does not contact the free end of the lower holding portion 2a. Therefore, the conventional hair clip does not hold hair steadily and thus placed hair easily falls out of the free end of the hair clip.
A conventional barrette as shown in FIG. 29 comprises an upper holding body 1 made of synthetic resin or other substances and an oblong lower holding body 2 made of elastic metal. One end of the lower holding body 2 is connected rotatably to one end of the upper holding body 1. An oblong press plate 21 made of elastic metal is provided on the bottom surface of the upper holding body 1 to face the lower holding body 2. A catch part 22 is provided on the other end of the upper holding body 1 and a snap part 23 is provided on the other end of the lower holding body 2 so as to form a snap mechanism 24. The snap mechanism 24 provides the releasable engagement of the end of the upper holding body 1 and the end of the lower holding body 2.
When the engaged ends of the upper and lower holding bodies 1 and 2 are released, the lower holding body 2 moves far away from the upper holding body 1 to hang and waver. Therefore, the conventional barrette requires the lower holding body 2 to be supported by hand in order to make the space required before hair is placed, resulting in an inconvenience for the user.


A hub for a wind turbine is longitudinally extended along a longitudinal axis between a front tip and a rear shaft flange is provided. The hub comprises: at least one blade flange for connecting a respective blade to the hub, at least one top edge on an external surface of the hub, the top edge being positioned with respect to a vertical direction over the front tip, when the hub is positioned in a service position, a plurality of service steps, each step) being oriented for permitting an individual to move between the front tip and the top edge or between the rear shaft flange and the top edge when the hub is positioned around the longitudinal axis in the service position.

In the technical field of wind turbines, components are getting larger and larger. In particular, this is true for the main shaft of the wind turbine and consequently for the hub attached thereto.
Service tasks have to be performed in the area between the hub and the spinner, such as blade bearing connection, hub connection or exchange of the blade bearing outer sealing. For this, service technicians have to be situated in the area between spinner and machined hub. Due to the large size of some hubs technicians have difficulties in reaching areas of the hub or of the spinner involved with the above defined service task.
Therefore, there is a need, in wind turbines, to provide an improved design for an hub and for an assembly of hub and spinner, which provide easy accessibility for an individual to all the parts of the hub and spinner of interest, in particular for executing service tasks.


A current switching pulse servo including a motor, an output gear, a pulse pattern plate, and a first conductor. The motor is configured to drive a gear train of the servo. The output gear is configured to be driven by the gear train. The pulse pattern plate includes conductive portions and nonconductive portions. The pulse pattern plate is configured to rotate with the output gear. The first conductor connects the motor to the pulse pattern plate to conduct current from the motor to the pulse pattern plate.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems often employ one or more servos to control vent door positions. Each servo includes a motor that drives a gear train, which in turn moves a door to a desired position. A controller connected to the servo determines and controls the position of the door based on feedback from the servo. The feedback can be in the form of a pulse pattern generated at a pulse pattern plate mounted on an output gear of the servo.
Current for the battery and the servo motor is supplied by two different sources. For example, the motor receives current from a motor driving circuit of the controller and the pulse pattern plate receives current from a battery that is external to the servo. This arrangement requires two wire lines and harnesses between the motor and the driving circuit to conduct current to and from the motor, and at least one wire line or harness to connect the battery to the pulse pattern plate. The plurality of wire lines and harnesses contributes to manufacturing complexity and production costs.


A sample dispatcher is disclosed and is configured for individually introducing a plurality of portions of one or more sample fluids into a flow of a mobile phase of a liquid separation system. The liquid separation system is configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids and comprises a mobile phase drive configured for driving the mobile phase through a separation unit configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids in the mobile phase. The sample dispatcher comprises one or more sample reservoirs, each configured for receiving and temporarily storing a respective sample fluid portion or at least a part thereof, and a bypass channel.

The present invention relates to sample introduction and management, in particular in a high performance liquid chromatography application such as one-dimensional or two-dimensional HPLC.
In high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a liquid has to be provided usually at a very controlled flow rate (e.g. in the range of microliters to milliliters per minute) and at high pressure (typically 20-100 MPa, 200-1000 bar, and beyond up to currently 200 MPa, 2000 bar) at which compressibility of the liquid becomes noticeable. For liquid separation in an HPLC system, a mobile phase comprising a sample fluid (e.g. a chemical or biological mixture) with compounds to be separated is driven through a stationary phase (such as a chromatographic column packing), thus separating different compounds of the sample fluid which may then be identified. The term compound, as used herein, shall cover compounds which might comprise one or more different components.
The mobile phase, for example a solvent, is pumped under high pressure typically through a chromatographic column containing packing medium (also referred to as packing material or stationary phase). As the sample is carried through the column by the liquid flow, the different compounds, each one having a different affinity to the packing medium, move through the column at different speeds. Those compounds having greater affinity for the stationary phase move more slowly through the column than those having less affinity, and this speed differential results in the compounds being separated from one another as they pass through the column. The stationary phase is subject to a mechanical force generated in particular by a hydraulic pump that pumps the mobile phase usually from an upstream connection of the column to a downstream connection of the column. As a result of flow, depending on the physical properties of the stationary phase and the mobile phase, a relatively high pressure drop is generated across the column.
The mobile phase with the separated compounds exits the column and passes through a detector, which registers and/or identifies the molecules, for example by spectrophotometric absorbance measurements. A two-dimensional plot of the detector measurements against elution time or volume, known as a chromatogram, may be made, and from the chromatogram the compounds may be identified. For each compound, the chromatogram displays a separate curve feature also designated as a "peak". Efficient separation of the compounds by the column is advantageous because it provides for measurements yielding well defined peaks having sharp maxima inflection points and narrow base widths, allowing excellent resolution and reliable identification and quantitation of the mixture constituents. Broad peaks, caused by poor column performance, so called "Internal Band Broadening" or poor system performance, so called "External Band Broadening" are undesirable as they may allow minor components of the mixture to be masked by major components and go unidentified.
Two-dimensional separation of a fluidic sample denotes a separation technique in which a first separation procedure in a first separation unit is performed to separate a fluidic sample into a plurality of fractions, and in which a subsequent second separation procedure in a second separation unit is performed to further separate the plurality of fractions into sub-fractions. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D LC) may combine two liquid chromatography separation techniques. When performing a 2D LC measurement, operation of two pumps needs to be coordinated in itself and with the action of further system components managing the sample and fraction transport, for instance with correspondingly switching fluidic valves. The sample and fraction pathway switching may result in pressure ripples or dips acting on separation units and other components of the liquid separation system, thereby deteriorating the chromatographic performance, reliability of the system and longevity of its components.
In so-called Comprehensive 2D LC, all eluate coming from the first dimension (e.g. the entire solvent flow containing the sample components past separation in the first chromatographic column) is coupled into the second dimension and further separated there. This significantly increases the requirements for processing speed in the second dimension. Typically, the solvent flow (containing the sample components) is fed into the second dimension in portions (also referred to as "sniplets"). Cycle times for processing of a single sniplet can be as fast as 15 seconds or lower. In such case with 4 cycles per minute, 24 hours of continued work means 5760 modulations or sample injections, which may come close to the lifetime of a column under usual operation conditions. In a number of arrangements the first dimension, or generally a sniplet source, provides sample contained in a solvent which may be too strong for the downstream dimension (e.g. for the second dimension). This can occur, e.g., when using HILIC (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography) in first dimension and RP (reversed phase) chromatography in second dimension, so it may be of advantage to dilute the sample plug (sniplet) coming from the collection loop before it hits the column.
Columns can be sensitive to flow disruptions and e.g. to reconnections with sample loops which hold lower pressure than the column itself (flow reversal due to backwards de-compression of the column content). Also the column may be sensitive to abrupt (re)connection to high pressure sources, resulting in pressure shocks on the column and packing material deterioration. These can be substantial factors of column aging, wear and deterioration.

HPLC sample introduction with bypass channel


A method of reconstructing an original image from a printed and scanned image includes determining a plurality of transformation parameters including a rotation a of the scanning grid relative to the printing grid and a plurality of translation parameters which give a position of a node on the printing grid in a coordinate system of the scanning grid, generating a system of non-linear equations which represent the printed and scanned image as a function of: (i) the original image, (ii) a print/scan resolution ratio, and (iii) the transformation parameters, computing coefficients for the system using the resolution ratio, the transformation parameters and the given print model, generating a linear approximation of the system of non-linear equations, solving the linear approximation for an approximation of the original image, and creating a reconstructed original image from the approximation of the original image.

A number of applications exist in which an original digital image is printed with a printer at a given resolution and scanned with a scanner at a different (e.g., slightly finer) resolution and in a position that might be slightly rotated. For example, postal indicia typically begin as digital images that are printed onto a mailpiece by, for example, a mailer and that are later scanned with a scanner by, for example, a postal service such as the USPS. In addition, with the enactment of The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, which removed the legal requirement that an original paper check had to be presented to obtain payment, checks are more frequently being generated as digital images that are printed and then subsequently scanned and deposited as scanned images. The print-scan process that is performed in these and other similar circumstances transforms the original digital image into another digital image that typically has the same content as the original image as observed by human eyes. However, the print-scan process also introduces various distortions into the newly generated (scanned) image, such as geometric transformations (in particular rotation, scaling and translation) and pixel value changes due to, for example, blurring of adjacent pixels, gamma correction, etc., that cause it to differ from the original digital image. In many situations, such as reading small sized barcodes, it is advantageous to be able to reconstruct the original image from the distorted scanned image (resulting from a print-scan process) as accurately as possible. Reconstruction of the original digital image in this manner would greatly assist with a number of applications, including, without limitation, forensic analysis, copy and fraud detection, and increasing the readable density of printed information, among other things.
Current image reconstruction algorithms, while functional, are lacking as they do not take into account the position of the scanning grid used to scan the printed original image with respect to the printing grid used to print the original digital image. Such algorithms, while functional, thus lack a certain degree of accuracy. Furthermore, for black and white images scanned with a grey scale scanner, most current image reconstruction algorithms use a simple thresholding method and as a result do not yield satisfying results. Thus, there is a need for an improved method of reconstructing images in a situation where an original black and white image is printed with a grid printer (e.g., a dot matrix impact printer, an inkjet printer, or a thermal printer as opposed to an offset printer) and where the printed image is then scanned with a grey scale scanner having a resolution that may differ from the printer resolution.


A particle-containment shield is provided. The particles-containment shield includes a containment structure that defines an air inlet to receive air heated by a projection lamp from the outlet of the projection-lamp module and defines an air outlet to vent air heated by the projection lamp away from the projection lamp. The containment structure is sealed intermediate the air inlet and the air outlet such that air heated by the projection lamp that enters through the air inlet exits the containment structure through the air outlet. The containment structure defines a length, a width, and a height of the particle-containment shield. The particle-containment shield includes one or more deflection members is arranged in the containment structure to collectively block all straight line paths from the air inlet to the air outlet so as to inhibit projection lamp particles from exiting the air outlet upon projection lamp rupture.

During projection device operation, a projection lamp may generate a substantial amount of heat that potentially may interfere with operation of the projection device and may be hazardous to the projection device. Accordingly, a projection device may include cooling channels that are directed from the projection lamp to the exterior of the projection device. Further, the projection device may include a cooling fan or blower to drive heat away from the projection lamp, directed through the cooling channels, and out of the projection device in order to lower the temperature of the projection device and more particularly to cool the projection lamp.
For any number of reasons, the projection lamp may fail during operation of the projection device. In some cases, the projection lamp may rupture causing particles of the projection lamp to be propelled into the cooling channels and out of the projection device. Various attempts have been made to reduce the amount of particles exiting the projection device in the event of such a rupture. In one example, the cooling channels of the projection device may be fitted with a mesh screen to catch the projection lamp particles.
However, some mesh screen configurations may include gaps between the connected material of the screen that may only retain larger particles and may not inhibit smaller particles from exiting the projection device. Moreover, if the mesh screen is configured with smaller gaps between the connected material of the screen air flow may be impeded which may raise the interior temperature of the projection device and may create a backpressure to the projection lamp that may negatively affect the operating conditions of the projection device.

Projection device particle-containment shield


A radio frequency (RF) power limiter includes an input direct current (DC) block, an output DC block, a limiter diode, a RF choke, and a test diode. A first terminal of the limiter diode is coupled to a node between the input DC block and the output DC block, and a second terminal of the limiter diode is coupled to an electrical ground. A first terminal of the RF choke is coupled to the node between the input DC block and the output DC block so that the first terminal of the RF choke is coupled to the first terminal of the limiter diode. A first terminal of the test diode is coupled to the second terminal of the RF choke, and a second terminal of the test diode is coupled to the electrical ground.

A radio frequency (RF) communication system may employ a RF power limiter to control (limit) power of RF signals propagated through the system. RF power limiters are difficult to test because of their DC characteristics. Existing built-in test (BIT) techniques require complex circuitry including one or more switches, which may occupy more space than the RF power limiter itself. Consequently, there is a need for RF power limiters with more robust/compact BIT circuitry.

Radio frequency power limiter with reflected power detection


A bookholder apparatus adapted to support a plurality of pages of reading material and to be slidable across a support surface includes a front cover, a back cover, and a spine operable coupled to the front cover and the back cover. The bookholder allows the container to be moved between an open position and a closed position, wherein the plurality of pages are supported within the container. A plurality of roller elements are mounted to an outer surface and within a perimeter of at least one of the front cover, the back cover, or the spine to allow the bookholder to slide and/or roll across a support surface.

Books and/or other reading articles, such as for example wholesale, retail and/or industry ordering catalogs, user manuals, etc., are oftentimes heavily used by customers and customer service representatives alike. As such articles may be limited in their production frequency, over time such articles may become easily damaged and worn, especially if the books are large and/or voluminous. Moreover, large books are often unwieldy, difficult to manipulate, and/or difficult to share with others. For example, to share a particular passage of a book with a second user standing in a different position the first user must manually lift, slide, and/or rotate the book. While sliding and/or rolling a large item may be well intended, a typical book cover and/or book support system will likely cause damage to the support surface.
There have been various attempts in the prior art to improve book and/or catalog readability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,728,431 describes a book support that includes a detachable book-supporting device. The supporting device includes relatively foldable elements capable of lying in compact relation against the back of the book cover when not in use as a support for the book.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,623 generally describes a telephone book holder having replaceable covers for book of varying thickness. Specifically, a telephone book holder is described which consists of a spine with two groups of parallel channels in its rear surface. Edges of front and rear covers are dimensioned to be slid into respective channels of each group, the edges being connected to the covers by living hinges. Book retaining wires are pivotally connected at the top end of the spine and can be press fitted to the other end to retain a telephone book in position. Top and bottom caps are securable to the ends of the spine to retain the covers and the wires on the spine. The covers can be replaced without requiring removal of the book or complete detachment of the end caps and the thickness of the book to be held is adjustable by sliding the covers into appropriate channels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,806 generally describes a book cover for reliably holding a book in an open position. The holder includes a back plate with tabs thereon for capturing the front and back covers of an open book. A pair of page holders are hingedly mounted on an upper region of the back plate, which are spring-biased into contact with the exposed left and right hand pages of the open book. The page holders are made of transparent material and have smooth surfaces in contact with the book pages so that the latter are easily slid beneath the holders.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,621 is directed to a book holder that may be used as a book carrier and may be positionable with an adjustable book holder. In particular, The described book holder essentially comprises a pair of spaced-apart planar book support elements joined by a hinged spine support element that accommodates the book spine. A pair of book holder slope support elements are each joined by a hinge to the top edge of a respective book support element. A closed cord loop element co-operates with the lower extremes of each book support element and each slope support element to vary the reclining slope of the planar book support elements during reading use.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,887 relates generally to a book holder that, when open, supports the book for reading and when closed, protects the book. Particularly, a book holder for supporting and protecting an article of reading material is provided. The book holder includes a spine, a pair of cover panels, each of the cover panels is hingedly coupled to the spine to permit the pair of cover panels to be rotated into an open position and to be rotated into a closed position. A page holder assembly is provided to hold the book open and for marking a page.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,147 describes a universal bookholder that allows a book to be carried and read in a number of locations. The universal bookholder includes a pair of cover members forming an inner space to receive a book therein. A supporting unit is combined between the pair of cover members so as to be folded with the cover members. A string installed in the supporting unit is configured to traverse papers of the book for fixing the received book, and at least one guide member is mounted in the pair of cover members. A clamp is movably combined to the guide member for fixing a paper of the received book.
Finally, U.S. Application Publication No. 2007/0252376 describes a toy book having a center chassis and wheels for displaying the book in an upright fashion. Specifically, the publication describes a vehicle-shaped book of foam-based pages includes a center chassis page and at least one body page, each page being constructed of a panel of a semi-flexible foam material. The center chassis page and the body pages are bound to adjacent pages thereof in a book format. Front and rear ground-engaging wheels are rotatably mounted on the center chassis page whereby the vehicle-shaped book is rollable on the front and rear ground-engaging wheels.
While the above identified references generally work for their intended purposes of covering and/or displaying a book, the present disclosure, among other things, provides a structure for protecting a reading article, allows for the display and use of the article, provides a carrying device, and allows for the opened article to be easily shared between readers. The disclosed structure may also protect the book, increasing its shelf-life and provide an attractive means of displaying a book in an open or closed position, which is suitable for decorative and/or promotional purposes.

Apparatus for holding and displaying pages of reading material


A method for controlling a ladle to pour molten metal into a sprue of a mold. The method includes obtaining a mathematical model describing a locus of positions where the molten metal flowing from the ladle drops on an upper surface of the sprue. The method further includes solving an inverse problem of the mathematical model, estimating a position where the molten metal drops using a result of the solving of the inverse problem, and determining target voltages to be supplied to servomotors controlling the ladle. At least the target voltage to be supplied to one of the servomotors is determined based on the estimated position. The method also includes controlling the servomotors based on respective target voltages.

Various conventional tilting-type automatic pouring methods are known, such as shown below:    1) the method that controls the vibrations of molten metal when it is transported to the pouring position (Patent Document 1)    2) the method that controls the vibrations of molten metal caused by the backward tilting of the ladle at the completion of pouring (Patent Document 2)    3) the method that controls the speed of the tilting of the ladle so as to maintain the constant flow of metal (Patent Document 3)    4) the method that completes the pouring of the predetermined weight of the molten metal in a short time (Patent Document 4)    5) the method that controls the speed of the tilting so as to achieve the desired pouring pattern    6) the method that increases the flow of molten metal that flows from the ladle at the early stage of pouring by elevating or lowering the outflow position of the ladle (Non-patent Document 1)    7) the tilting-type automatic pouring method that uses fuzzy controls (Non-patent Document 2)    8) the tilting-type automatic pouring method that uses a linear parameter deformation model (Non-patent Document 3)
For 1) and 2), the method is concerned with controlling the vibrations of the surface of the molten metal during the transport of the ladle or when the ladle is tilted. Neither of the methods refers to realizing the desired flow rate in the pouring. In 3) and 5) the method controls the weight of the molten metal that is poured per unit of time. In 4), 6), and 7) the method aims to precisely pour the predetermined weight of the molten metal. In 6) the method aims to minimize the time of pouring by lowering an outflow position of the ladle and thereby increase the flow of the molten metal that flows from the ladle. These methods are all concerned with precise control of the flow rate or the weight of the molten metal that is poured. None of them controls the position where the molten metal drops when the tilting-type automatic pouring method is used. Thus there still remains a problem in that the position of the molten metal poured from the ladle often drops outside a sprue, and that problem should be addressed.    Patent Document 1: Publication of a Japanese Patent Application, Publication No. H09-10924    Patent Document 2: Publication of a Japanese Patent Application, Publication No. H09-285860    Patent Document 3: Publication of a Japanese Patent Application, Publication No. H9-239525    Patent Document 4: Publication of a Japanese Patent Application, Publication No. H10-58120    Non-Patent Document 1: "A Proposal to Maximize an Initial Flow of the Molten Metal in a Lifting and Lowering Device with a Two-stage Tilting Axis of a Tilting-type Automatic Pouring Machine"; Creative Engineering, Vol. 71, No. 7, pp 445-448, 1999    Non-Patent Document 2: "Development of an Automatic Pouring Machine"; Automobile Technology, Vol. 46, No. 11, pp 79-86, 1992    Non-Patent Document 3: "Control of the Flow of Pouring by Betterment Process in Cylindrical Ladle-type Automatic Pouring Robot"; Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Papers C, Vol. 70, No. 69, pp 4,206-4,213, 2004

Tilting-type automatic pouring method and a medium that stores programs to control the tilting of a ladle

National University Corporation Toyohashi University of Technology


A connection structure for producing both an electrical and a mechanical connection between an electrode pad on a semiconductor device and a printed circuit pattern on a printed circuit board includes a metal bump or a plating layer formed on the printed circuit pattern on the printed circuit board and/or on the electrode pad on the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is connected to the printed circuit board using cold welding, compression bonding, or a combination of both in conjunction with sandwich materials. The semiconductor device can be separated from the printed circuit board without destroying the semiconductor device or the printed circuit board by releasing the pressure applied to the sandwich materials. Therefore, the semiconductor device can be removed from the printed circuit board to make necessary repairs and/or exchange parts, and then reconnected to the printed circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in a connection structure between an electrode pad on a semiconductor device and a printed circuit pattern on a printed circuit board. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in a connection structure between an electrode pad and a printed circuit pattern such that repairs can easily be made to the connection structure without damaging the electrode pads or the printed circuit pattern.
2. Discussion of the Background
Chip scale type packages (CSPs) are known in the art of semiconductor device (IC chip) packages. In a chip scale type package, a rear surface of a semiconductor device is covered with a thin insulation layer except at portions serving as electrode pads. Generally, one side of an electrode pad is exposed while the other side is connected with a semiconductor circuit of the semiconductor device.
FIG. 13 shows a mounted body consisting of a semiconductor device mounted on a printed circuit board, as shown in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 60-262430. This is an example of a mounted body of a chip scale type package. In FIG. 13, an electrode pad 5 on a semiconductor device 2 is arranged on a printed circuit pattern 3, and the printed circuit pattern 3 is electrically connected to the electrode pad 5 by way of a metal bump 29. The connection is mechanically fixed by resin 30 that is set with heat or light.
One drawback to using such a connection structure is the difficulty in repairing the mounted body once the electrode pad 5, printed circuit pattern 3, and metal bump 29 are mechanically fixed by the resin 30. That is, the mounted body is often destroyed at the electrode pad 5 and the printed circuit pattern 3 when the semiconductor device 2 is separated from the printed circuit board 1.
Similar difficulties arise when other methods are used for mounting a semiconductor device onto printed circuit patterns formed on a printed circuit board in a chip scale type package, such as in a reflow soldering method, as shown in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 3-245558, for example. In this method, it is impossible to remove the semiconductor device from the printed circuit board without destroying the connecting portions between the printed circuit pattern on the printed circuit board and the electrode pad on the semiconductor device. As a result, repairs cannot be made to such a connection structure.
Further, similar difficulties arise when wire bonding methods, as shown in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 3-296233, and tape automated bonding methods, as shown in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 3-255641, are used. In these methods, it is impossible to remove the semiconductor device from the printed circuit board without destroying the connecting portions between the printed circuit pattern on the printed circuit board and the electrode pad on the semiconductor device. Therefore, repair of these types of connection structures cannot be accomplished.

Connection structure between electrode pad on semiconductor device and printed pattern on printed circuit board


A device for illuminating fluorescent art includes a UV light source, a white light source, a UV sub-housing and a white light sub-housing. The UV light source is contained in the UV sub housing and the white light source is contained in the white light sub-housing so that the white light source is separated from the UV light source. This configuration prevents interference between the UV light source and the white light source within the device.

This invention relates generally to the field of art and more specifically to a machine for illuminating flourescent art and other objects.
Most of us are familiar with the "blacklight" (UV) posters available in the past few decades. Contemporary artists have now begun to incorporate long-life (museum quality) flourescent paints into fine art paintings and reproductions. Unfortunately, the display technology for this artwork has not kept pace. Since UV light is easily overpowered by stray white light in the area, the art is usually viewed in a dimly-lit area. However, this negates the normal viewing of the non-flourescent portions of the art. What is needed is a dual-light system wherein either UV light, or white light, or a combination of the two, can be conveniently and economically radiated onto the art subject.
No U.S. patents or patent applications specific to this invention are known. No commercially available similar lighting systems have been found on the market. In fact, this invention application is a direct result of that void. Of course, there are lighting systems which offer changing colored filters, or two identical light bulbs in one fixture, or different colored light bulbs in one fixture. But none of these serve the purpose. An attempt was made by the inventor (K Shotwell) to alter a commercially available picture light fixture to include two bulbs (UV and white light) and make them independently adjustable, but the only component of value in the commercially available system was the housing.
Typical artwork's flourescent highlights could of course be most easily viewed by simply holding a UV lamp near the art. However, this crude method offers no convenient or aesthetically pleasing mounting attachment. Neither does it offer any convenient manner to see the art under normal lighting (since the area must be dimly-lit to view the UV effects). Neither does it offer any variation in the combination of the UV and white lights. Nor is it practical in a museum or gallery environment.
IMPORTANT: One of the co-inventors listed here, Tsuneo Tatsumi, has a patent-pending version of a lighting system for art lighting in Japan. In fact, he was instrumental in initiating this U.S. patent, realizing the differences in the U.S. and Japanese marketplace for such a light system. Mr. Tatsumi realizes how different this new patent application is from his patent-pending version, and gives his support to this much more simple and economic U.S. version. Reference Japan Patent Office application #2000-364303 titled "Lighting Equipment".
Prior technology is not known to exist in a SIMPLE single system. Special consideration was paid at each step of the design process in this new patent application to insure simplicity and low cost for the consumer market. Previous similar inventions or products are too expensive, complex, heavy, difficult to manufacture, inconvenient to operate, prone to unreliability, unlikely to ever be portable (battery-operated), and generally unacceptable in the U.S. consumer marketplace.
Prior technology is also seen as too specific in scope. This new patent application describes a UV/white light system which is general in purpose, and has applications outside the realm of art display.

Machine for illuminating fluorescent art


The embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for wireless communication and a device, which may implement flexible transmission of a scheduling request situation for Scheduling Request (SR) information under multiple sets of SR configurations. The method includes that: a terminal determines K pieces of SR information, here, K is a positive integer; and the terminal sends a target channel, here, the target channel includes M-bit first information, the M-bit first information is used to indicate a scheduling request situation for at least part of the K pieces of SR information, M is a positive integer and a value of M is determined based on a relationship between K and at least one first numerical value.

In a 5th-Generation (5G) system, multiple sets of Scheduling Request (SR) configurations may be configured for a user, and each set of SR configuration corresponds to an independent cycle, offset and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource. Different SR configurations correspond to different service channel parameters.
At present, there is yet no solution for how a terminal performs scheduling request for multiple sets of SR configurations.

Wireless communication method, terminal and network device

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


The addition of simple merocyanine spectral sensitizing dyes to silver halide photothermographic emulsions improves the stability of the emulsion during storage before heat processing.

Silver halide thermally developable photographic elements, especially "dry silver" compositions, processed with heat and without liquid development have been known in the art for many years. Such elements generally are a mixture of light insensitive silver salt of an organic acid (e.g. silver behenate), a minor amount of catalytic light sensitive silver halide, and a reducing agent for the silver source.
The light sensitive silver halide is in catalytic proximity to the light insensitive silver salt such that the latent image (silver specks) formed by the irradiation of the silver halide serves as a catalyst nucleus for the oxidation-reduction reaction of the organic silver salt with the reducing agent when heated above 80.degree. C. Such media are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,457,075; 3,839,049 and 4,260,676. Toning agents can be incorporated to improve the color of the silver image of photothermographic emulsions as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,846,136; 3,994,732 and 4,021,249. Various methods for producing dye images and multicolor images with photographic color couplers and leuco dyes are well known in the art as represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,617; 3,531,286; 3,180,731; 3,761,270; 4,460,681; 4,883,747 and Research Disclosure 29963.
These thermally developable photographic elements in many cases lack desired sensitivity in the blue region of the spectrum, and, accordingly, it is desirable to increase the sensitivity of the emulsions to blue light. It is known that spectral sensitizing dyes can be employed in thermally developable photographic elements to increase spectral sensitivity. It is known, for example from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,457,075 and 3,761,729, that merocyanine dyes spectrally sensitize thermally developable photographic materials. Polymethine dyes, including merocyanine dyes, are described in GB patents 1,367,417 for spectrally sensitizing heat developable photographic materials free from light sensitive silver salts and containing substantially light insensitive silver salts. Quinoline dyes are described in GB patent 1,409,009 to spectrally sensitize heat developable light-insensitive materials. Merocyanine dyes having at most one sulfo group are described in GB patent 1,466,201 for spectrally sensitizing thermally developable photographic materials.
A common problem that exists with heat developable photographic systems when spectrally sensitized is the instability of the material in the time during storage. In many cases, spectral sensitizing dyes may provide reduced sensitivity and higher minimum density (fog) when stored for one or more months before processing.
Accordingly, there has been a continuing need for thermally developable light-sensitive elements which have increased sensitivity, especially in the blue region of the spectrum, and provide stability during storage before processing.

Thermally developable photographic elements

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


A sensor that is capable of accurately measuring glucose and other analytes in low oxygen environments is provided. The sensor employs an enzyme-containing membrane comprising a semi-interpenetrating polymer network which is infiltrated by an enzyme. The enzyme-containing membrane increases oxygen transport to the enzyme such that oxygen is not a limiting factor in the oxidation taking place at the enzyme.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to glucose sensors and, more particularly, to a membrane that is useful in a glucose sensor as well as other applications employing enzymes in which efficient oxygen transport to the site of the enzyme would be desirable.
2. Description of Related Art
There is currently a considerable need for a glucose sensor that can accurately measure glucose levels in low oxygen environments, and more particularly, a sensor that can be readily implanted into a human where it will function for a prolonged time period. The primary impetus for such a device is the disease known commonly as diabetes. It has been known for well over fifty years that this disease is primarily a result of inadequate secretion of the hormone insulin by the islet or Beta cells of the pancreas. When uncontrolled, this disease often leads to serious metabolic imbalances as the elevated glucose level leads to ketosis and damaging alterations in blood pH. However, life threatening swings in blood glucose are now largely controlled by diet and daily injections of insulin.
For decades it has been realized that control of diabetes by insulin injection usually results in much wider swings in blood glucose level than are common in a normal individual. However, the conventional wisdom was that only extremes in blood glucose level need be avoided. Nevertheless, occasional insulin injections (i.e., one to several per day) are unable to duplicate the strict control of blood glucose afforded by a properly functioning pancreas which continually meters out just enough insulin to maintain stable and relatively low blood glucose levels.
Despite avoiding extremes in blood glucose level insulin-dependent diabetics suffer a whole host of other maladies that decrease both the quality and quantity of life. Diabetics experience frequent vascular disease that often result in amputation of limbs as impaired circulation prevents adequate blood flow. Abnormal vascular growth within the eye may result in intraocular bleeding, and retinal damage with progressive loss of vision. Nerve degeneration may lead to loss of sensation and other related problems. As home glucose tests became common, more and more data became available demonstrating the relatively poor control of blood glucose afforded by periodic insulin injections. At the same time, a growing number of clinical studies demonstrated that strict control of blood glucose reduces many if not all of the diabetes-related diseases previously mentioned. Many scientists and physicians now believe that greatly improved blood glucose control can largely eliminate the mortality and morbidity associated with diabetes.
Scientists are working on automatic insulin injection systems that deliver exogenously supplied insulin as needed to maintain precise blood glucose control. A self-regulating artificial insulin source is needed to limit the damage caused by diabetes. Many types of regulated injection systems, both implantable and external, are already available. The key problem continues to be the need for an accurate glucose sensor to control these injection systems. The need to continually monitor glucose levels to permit constant metered dispensing of insulin generally eliminates methods relying on blood samples. It is clear that an implantable glucose sensor that measures in vivo glucose levels is needed.
Although there are a number of technologies that could potentially be used to create an implantable glucose sensor, the most favorable method seems to be some type of amperometric method. The chemical reaction most commonly used in enzyme coupled glucose sensors is the glucose oxidase mediated catalytic oxidation of glucose by atmospheric oxygen to produce gluconolactone and hydrogen peroxide (equation 1): EQU C.sub.6 H.sub.12 O.sub.6 +O.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.C.sub.6 H.sub.12 O.sub.7 +H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (1)
In the presence of excess oxygen, the quantity of hydrogen peroxide produced in this reaction will be a direct measure of the glucose concentration. The hydrogen peroxide is detected by being reoxidized by an electrode (anode) maintained at a sufficient positive potential (equation 2): EQU H.sub.2 O.sub.2 -2.sub.e.sup.- .fwdarw.O.sub.2 +2H.sup.+ (2)
The glucose detection process is dependent upon the measurement of electrons removed from hydrogen peroxide in equation (2). The electrode is normally formed from a noble metal such as gold or platinum, the usually preferred metal.
It is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that other specific hydrogen peroxide producing oxidase enzymes can be used to produce sensors for other substances such as cholesterol (cholesterol oxidase), amino acids (amino acid oxidase), alcohol (alcohol oxidase), lactic acid (lactic acid oxidase), and galactose (galactose oxidase) to name only a few. While this approach operates effectively to measure glucose under laboratory conditions, there are major impediments to using this approach in an implantable glucose sensor. In particular, glucose is extremely soluble in biological fluids whereas oxygen is poorly soluble in these same fluids and must be carried by specialized biomolecules such as hemoglobin. As a result, many tissues of the human body have an oxygen concentration equivalent to about 2-5% oxygen in nitrogen or lower. There may be a ratio of glucose to oxygen as high as 100 to 1 in subcutaneous and peritoneal fluids. This means these tissues may contain only 1% of the oxygen required for glucose oxidase to quantitatively oxidize glucose for measurement purposes.
Furthermore, the glucose oxidase of a glucose sensor must be protected from processes and other macromolecules which might destroy or inhibit the glucose oxidase, from enzymes such as catalase which destroy hydrogen peroxide, from microbes which would digest the enzymes, and from soluble compounds such as ascorbate which would interfere with the either the enzymatic or electrochemical reactions. This protection is achieved by separating the glucose oxidase from biological fluids by a semipermeable membrane, The best known membranes that are capable of selectively excluding proteins such as catalase while allowing the entry of glucose are so-called dialysis membranes. These membranes are generally hydrophilic membranes containing pores that readily admit neutral molecules with molecular weights below about 5,000 Daltons. Common examples of these membranes are membranes prepared from various regenerated celluloses such a spectrapore or cuprophane, polycarbonate, cellulose esters, and polysulfones.
Unfortunately, while semipermeable membranes do a good job of excluding undesirable proteins, they also exclude oxygen. Some membranes such as those of teflon (perfluorocarbon resins) or of silicone rubber are permeable to oxygen, but these membranes are virtually impermeable to glucose, and hence, cannot be used to protect a glucose sensor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,063 to Allen et al. reports a new type of polyurethane membrane said to allow some glucose permeability while favoring oxygen permeability. This might represent one solution to the unfavorable glucose to oxygen ratio of human tissues; however, these membranes have not been widely tested as yet.
Because of a superabundance of glucose and a shortage of oxygen, an implanted glucose sensor will tend to be oxygen limited and, thus, effectively measure oxygen instead of glucose. That is, under ideal conditions where the glucose concentration is low, oxygen would be adequate so that an increase in glucose concentration would result in a concomitant and proportional increase in hydrogen peroxide and, therefore, measured current at the electrode. However, as the concentration of glucose increases, oxygen will ultimately become insufficient causing the measured current to plateau and become independent of glucose concentration. Above this plateau, the measured current reflects changes in oxygen concentration rather than glucose concentration.
Many workers have failed to take into account the high glucose to oxygen ratio of human tissues. There are at least two ways to solve this problem: one can attempt to reduce the concentration of glucose that reaches the glucose sensor and/or one can attempt to increase the amount of oxygen available at the glucose sensor. The level of glucose can be reduced either by providing a permeability barrier to glucose or by providing additional enzyme systems, besides glucose oxidase, to consume glucose. The polyurethane membrane mentioned above is an example of this approach.
Accordingly, there is a need for a glucose sensor, in particular, an implantable glucose sensor that can accurately measure glucose levels in low oxygen environments.


Methods, systems and metering devices are provided for performing synchronous communication in a frequency hopping communication system without the use of expensive clock circuitry and/or significant amounts of data traffic on the communication system.

Many utilities have begun to implement frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) communications in a mesh network of metering devices. Some FHSS implementations operate in a synchronous mode in which receiving devices are substantially continuously synchronized with transmitting devices in time or frequency. Such synchronous implementations typically require the use of expensive clock circuitry and produce significant amounts of data traffic as a result of the overhead required to maintain time within the system. Other FHSS implementations operate in a self-synchronous mode in which receiving devices are not at all times synchronized with transmitting devices in time or frequency. In such self-synchronous implementations, a receiving device scans a number of frequencies in the hop sequence in order to detect a preamble signal on one of the frequencies. Once detected, the receiving device will attempt to lock onto that channel, and the two devices will then begin hopping in sequence. While such self-synchronous systems do not require expensive clock circuitry and avoid the overhead to require substantially constant synchronization, such systems do typically require a long preamble to be transmitted in order to provide sufficient opportunity for a receiver to scan and lock onto a channel. This itself may result in significant data overhead.

Synchronous frequency hopping spread spectrum communications


An image forming apparatus includes a reverse conveyance path, a straight conveyance path, a duplex conveyance path, and two branch boards. The reverse conveyance path is used to output a recording sheet face down. The straight conveyance path is used to straight output a recording sheet face up. The duplex conveyance path is used to output a recording sheet on both sides of which images are formed. The two branch boards sandwich the straight conveyance path. At least one of the two branch boards swings at a time to switch to any one of the reverse conveyance path, the straight conveyance path, and the duplex conveyance path.

As one of image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a facsimile, a copier, and a multifunction machine having printer, facsimile, and copier functions, an inkjet recording device is known. In the inkjet recording device, a recording head including a liquid drop discharging head for discharging a liquid drop (i.e., an ink drop) of recording liquid emits the liquid drop onto a conveyed recording sheet, so that the liquid drop is settled on the recording sheet to form (i.e., record or print) an image. The recording sheet is not restricted to paper, but also includes any medium on which the liquid drop can settle, such as a recorded medium, a recording medium, and a transfer material.
There are multiple types of the liquid drop discharging head, such as piezo, thermal, and electrostatic types. The piezo type uses an electromechanical sensing element such as a piezoelectric device. The thermal type uses an electric heat sensing element such as a heat generating resistance body provided in a discharging room to generate a bubble by boiling an ink film, so that pressure of the bubble discharges the ink drop. The electrostatic type uses a vibration board forming walls of the discharging room, so that the vibration board deformed by an electrostatic force discharges the ink drop.
In the image forming apparatus using the above inkjet recording method, however, ink on the recording sheet does not completely dry soon after an image is formed. To solve this problem, a straight output method is generally employed. According to the straight output method, the recording sheet is straight conveyed after an image is formed on the recording sheet, and then output face up.
A reverse output method is employed to correct curling generated in the recording sheet. According to the reverse output method, the recording sheet on which an image is formed is reversed, conveyed, and then output face down.
A sheet conveying apparatus for conveying the recording sheet is used in the image forming apparatus. In the sheet conveying apparatus, switching is performed among three conveyance paths, that is, a straight conveyance path, an upper conveyance path, and a lower conveyance path. The sheet conveying apparatus includes two path selectors and two drivers for independently operating the two path selectors. The two path selectors are rotatable about a single axis and positioned parallel to each other in such a manner as to sandwich a plane of sheet conveyance. One of the drivers drives one of the path selectors to close the straight conveyance path and to open the upper conveyance path. The other driver drives the other path selector to close the straight conveyance path and to open the lower conveyance path.


In a circuit device for analyzing analog signals from first and second circuits. The first and second circuits are designed to output analog signals which are opposite to each other in the positive and negative signs of phase. When short-circuit occurs, the output signals from the first and second circuits interfere with each other and thus these signals are offset by each other, so that malfunction caused by the short-circuit can be prevented, and also neither a device not a terminal is required to be added.

With respect to an SRS air bag used in a vehicle, a G sensor detects an acceleration of a vehicle at all times, and an acceleration waveform thus achieved is converted to a digital code by an A/D converter and then subjected to operation processing in a computer. When the operation result satisfies a predetermined condition, a power transistor is turned on to supply current to a squib of an air bag module, thereby developing an air bag.
Furthermore, a safe sensor for opening and closing an electrical contact point is provided to a module ignition circuit in series by a mechanical structure, and the contact point is opened at a normal time to interrupt power supply to the module. When suffering an impact exceeding a set level, the contact point is closed and the power supply to the module is turned on.
Furthermore, the power transistor and the safe sensor are disposed while being allocated to the power source side and earth side of the module, thereby forming a "double separating" switch for separating both the power source side and earth side of the module from ECU. Accordingly, even when one side of a vehicle wire to the module is short-circuited to a power supply line or the body, an erroneous development of the air bag can be prevented.
An SRS air bag used in a vehicle is designed so that a self-diagnosis circuit is operated at the start time to detect presence or absence of abnormality of circuits. Since it is desired to detect at least crash decelerations of a vehicle in front-and-rear direction and right-and-left direction, generally, two or more G sensors are provided as disclosed in JP-A-2000-145005, for example. When plural G sensors are provided, it is desirable to provide a self-diagnosis circuit to each G sensor and detect the presence or absence of abnormality of the G sensor by each self-diagnosis circuit.


A surgical fluid transfer apparatus for passage of fluids includes a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having an internal chamber, an elongated member extending from the hub and a closure valve disposed within the internal chamber. The closure valve is adapted for movement between a first position substantially sealing the internal chamber to prevent passage of fluids and a second position establishing a fluid passage within the hub to permit passage of fluids therethrough. The closure valve includes a valve housing and a seal member. The seal member has an open condition establishing an internal passage different than the fluid passage to permit passage of an access instrument through the closure valve and a closed condition in the absence of the access instrument. The inner wall portions of the valve housing cooperate with the seal member to permit the seal member to assume the closed condition thereof.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to the transfer of fluids in connection with a surgical procedure. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a fluid transfer apparatus having a fluid passage adapted for delivering fluids (e.g., intravenous, blood, etc) to a patient and having an improved valve mechanism permitting effective and automatic closure of the fluid passage.
2. Description of Related Art
Surgical fluid transfer instrumentation including medical catheters are widely used to withdraw or remove blood from a patient, or in combination with an intravenous system for delivering medication, plasma, etc. to the patient. In accordance with one exemplative intravenous procedure, an intravenous catheter having a needle is advanced to penetrate a vascular organ (e.g., a vein or artery). Once access to the organ is achieved, the needle is removed leaving the catheter within the organ site. A fluid distribution system (e.g., a syringe or intravenous (IV) kit) is connected to the hub of the intravenous catheter, and fluids are passed from the distribution system through the intravenous catheter to the organ site.
However, known methodologies and catheters for delivering or removing fluids are deficient for several reasons. With regard to intravenous catheters, the processes of insertion of the needle, connection of the catheter to the distribution system (e.g., syringe or IV kit) and/or disconnection of the catheter from the distribution system present difficulties for the clinician with respect to blood contamination and undesired blood transfer through the catheter hub. Such blood transfer is typically attributed to ineffective sealing about the needle during access or within the internal passageway of the catheter hub during connection or disconnection with the distribution system.


To provide an oxide semiconductor with a novel structure. Such an oxide semiconductor is composed of an aggregation of a plurality of InGaZnO4 crystals each of which is larger than or equal to 1 nm and smaller than or equal to 3 nm, and in the oxide semiconductor, the plurality of InGaZnO4 crystals have no orientation. Alternatively, such an oxide semiconductor is such that a diffraction pattern like a halo pattern is observed by electron diffraction measurement performed by using an electron beam with a probe diameter larger than or equal to 300 nm, and that a diffraction pattern having a plurality of spots arranged circularly is observed by electron diffraction measurement performed by using an electron beam with a probe diameter larger than or equal to 1 nm and smaller than or equal to 30 nm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oxide semiconductor.
2. Description of the Related Art
The research on a structure of In—Ga—Zn oxide started with the synthesis of the In—Ga—Zn oxide by Kimizuka, Nakamura, et al. from National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials. They reported that an In—Ga—Zn oxide had a homologous structure and was represented by a composition formula, InGaO3(ZnO)m (m is a natural number) (see Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 6, and Non-Patent Document 1 to Non-Patent Document 4).
After that, a report about a transistor including amorphous In—Ga—Zn oxide was released (see Non-Patent Document 5). Since then, various research institutions and companies have actively researched and developed applied technology of In—Ga—Zn oxide.
[Patent Documents]    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-210022    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-210023    [Patent Document 3] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-210024    [Patent Document 4] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-215519    [Patent Document 5] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-239117    [Patent Document 6] Japanese Published Patent Application No. S63-265818
[Non-Patent Documents]    [Non-Patent Document 1] N. Kimizuka, and T. Mohri, J. Solid State Chem., vol. 60, 1985, pp. 382-384    [Non-Patent Document 2] N. Kimizuka, et al., J. Solid State Chem., vol. 116, 1995, pp. 170-178    [Non-Patent Document 3] M. Nakamura, NIRIM NEWSLETTER, vol. 150, 1995, pp. 1-4    [Non-Patent Document 4] M. Nakamura, et al., J. Solid State Chem., vol. 93, 1991, pp. 298-315    [Non-Patent Document 5] K. Nomura, et al., Nature, vol. 432, 2004, pp. 488-492

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Voltage controlled oscillator 40 has an oscillation stoppage cancelling circuit 46 and a current/frequency converter circuit 44 which is a ring oscillator made by connecting inverters forming 3 stages like a ring. Oscillation stoppage canceling circuit 46 stops and releases oscillation of the ring oscillator by a control signal RS. One-shot circuit 3 has a pulse width adjusting circuit 60 which is made by cascade-connecting the inverters constituting the ring oscillator of current/frequency converter 44 and inverters having the same characteristics in 3 stages. When the PLL enters a synchronization field, a synchronization field detector 1 issues a detection signal C and an input switch signal SC; a selector circuit 2 selects read data; and oscillation control signal RS starts upon the rise of a pulse S.sub.IN. Oscillation stoppage cancelling circuit 46 thus stops oscillator 40 and keeps an output V.sub.OUT at H level. After a few bytes of the synchronization bit have passed, detection signal C rises and oscillation control timing circuit 50 starts control signal RS upon the rise of the read data. Oscillation restarts, but the time at which the output V.sub.OUT falls from H level to L level is delayed by half of the oscillation cycle T due to the delayed quantity of the ring oscillator. On the other NAND, the output SIN starts in synchronization with the rise of the read data RD but it is adjusted to a pulse width which is equal to the half of oscillation cycle T due to the presence of pulse width adjusting circuit 60. Thus, the time of fall of the read data and the time of the restart of oscillation substantially coincide. It is possible to bring the PLL into a synchronization-locked state at high speed without loop filter 30 of high gain.

The format of the input data (read data) of phase synchronization circuits of magnetic disk devices such as a floppy disk consists of a synchronization field (SYSC) having synchronization beats of equally spaced pulsed strings at a heading portion between adjacent juncture fields (GAP) and an information field (an index field (ID) and a data field (DATA)) having synchronization beats and data beats which follow the synchronization field. Therefore, whilst the PLL circuit is locked by operating the synchronization field preceding the information field so as to bring the PLL circuit into a synchronization-locked state, the PLL circuit operates so as to continue to keep the synchronization at the same repetition frequency in the information field. A PLL circuit in a floppy disk device, such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Number S 58-50827 is well known. In this phase synchronization circuit, when the read data (RD), reproduced by a floppy disk device, is in the synchronization field within that sector, in order to bring the PLL circuit itself into a synchronization-locked state, a frequency and phase comparator and a low pass filter (LPF) with a high gain are chosen such that synchronization beats are followed at high speed, and when the read data RD is in the data field, a phase comparator which compares phases only and a low pass filter with a low gain which does not follow the peak shift of the data beats, are chosen because the PLL circuit has already been in synchronization. In the method wherein the combination of the frequency and phase comparator and the low pass filter with a high gain and the combination of the phase comparator and the low pass filter with a low gain are controlled to be switched between the synchronization fields and the data fields, there is provision for avoiding erroneous locking and increasing the speed of lock-in operation or stabilizing the reading operation.
Problems with the PLL circuits according to the above configuration are described below.
Since a frequency and phase comparator are required, a low pass filter must be provided after each of them. In general, the low pass filter is a lag lead filter which is equivalent to a charge pump in front of it with regard to circuit correlation and is a series circuit comprising a resistor element and a capacitor element but if a plurality of low pass filters are used, they will consume a large part of the space for both packaging because the number of discrete parts will increase. When the phase synchronization circuit is implemented on a single semiconductor integrated circuit chip, the size of the chip will increase because a plurality of low pass filters must be formed.
When a two-seven RLL recording method wherein the frequency of synchronization beats and the oscillation frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator which is frequency-controlled by the output potential of a low pass filter are different, is employed, it is not possible to simply use a frequency and phase comparator as it is.


The present invention aims at providing a photodetector which can detect the incident light intensity with a high speed while having a wide dynamic range for incident light intensity detection. Each photodiode PDm,n generates electric charges Q by an amount corresponding to the intensity of light incident thereon. An electric charge amount level determining circuit 10m,n is provided so as to correspond to the photodiode PDm,n, determines the level of the amount of electric charges Q generated by the photodiode PDm,n, and outputs a level signal Level indicative of the result of level determination. The capacitance value of the integral capacitance part 21 in the integrating circuit 20m is set by the respective level signals Level sequentially fed from N electric charge amount level determining circuits 10m,1 to 10m,N. The integrating circuit 20m accumulates the electric charges Q fed to the input terminal sequentially from the N electric charge amount level determining circuits 10m,1 to 10m,N into the integral capacitance part 21, and outputs a voltage V20 corresponding to the amount of thus accumulated electric charges Q from the output terminal.

A photodetector is an apparatus comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, and an integrating circuit including an amplifier and an integral capacitance part, and may further comprise signal processing circuits subsequent thereto. In this photodetector, each photodiode outputs electric charges by an amount corresponding to the intensity of light incident thereon, these electric charges are accumulated in the integral capacitance part, and the integrating circuit outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of thus accumulated electric charges. According to the voltage outputted from the integrating circuit in response to the amount of respective electric charges generated by a plurality of photodiodes, the light incident on the photosensitive surface on which the plurality of photodiodes are arranged is detected. There is a case where the photodetector further comprises an A/D converter which converts voltages (analog values) outputted from the integrating circuit, into digital values. In this case, the incident light intensity is obtained as a digital value, which can further be processed by a computer or the like.
Such a photodetector can be manufactured by the CMOS technology, and can enlarge its dynamic range for detecting the incident light intensity by changing the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part included in the integrating circuit. A photodetector described in S. L. Garverick, et al., "A 32-Channel Charge Readout IC for Programmable, Nonlinear Quantization of Multichannel Detector Data", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 533-541 (1995), for example, includes an integrating circuit in which an integral capacitance part having a variable capacitance value is arranged between input and output terminals of an amplifier, so that electric charges outputted from photodiodes are accumulated in the integral capacitance part, and a voltage corresponding to the amount of thus accumulated electric charges is outputted. The photodetector described in the document mentioned above enlarges the dynamic range for incident light intensity detection by appropriately setting the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part under external control.
Namely, when the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part is made smaller, the detection sensitivity becomes higher even if the incident light intensity is low. When the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part is made greater, on the other hand, output signals are kept from being saturated even if the incident light intensity is high. Using this photodetector makes it possible to capture an object while keeping output signals from being saturated even when the object is very bright as in the daytime in the middle of summer, for example. Also, the object can be captured with a favorable sensitivity even when the object is very dark as in the nighttime, for example.
When the brightness greatly varies depending on the position on the object in the photodetector described in the above-mentioned document, however, output signals in a brighter part of the object may be saturated if darker parts of the object are to be captured with a favorable sensitivity. When captured so as to keep brighter parts of the object from being saturated, on the other hand, the imaging sensitivity may become worse in darker parts of the object. Thus, though enlarging the dynamic range for incident light detection by appropriately setting the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part for each capture, the above-mentioned photodetector does not enlarge the dynamic range for incident light detection part per pixel in one picture.
An invention aimed at solving such a problem is disclosed in International Publication No. 02/12845 pamphlet. The photodetector disclosed in this International Publication pamphlet comprises an integrating circuit including an integral capacitance part having a variable capacitance value, and an electric charge amount level determining circuit for determining the level of the amount of respective electric charges generated in photodiodes. One of a plurality of photodiodes is chosen, the level of the amount of electric charges generated in thus chosen photodiode is determined by the electric charge amount level determining circuit, the capacitance value of the integral capacitance part is set according to thus determined electric charge amount level, and then an operation of accumulating the electric charges generated in the chosen photodiode is started in the integrating circuit. Such a configuration allows the photodetector to enlarge the dynamic range for incident light intensity detection for each photodiode (i.e., per pixel in one picture).

Photodetector including a plurality of photodiodes


Methods and apparatus provide for pre-charging a bit line and a complementary bit line of an SRAM memory cell of the SRAM memory to a voltage level below a power supply level, Vdd, of the SRAM memory prior to writing data to the memory cell.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling static random access memory (SRAM).
SRAM memory cells store data in the form of complementary low voltage and high voltage at opposite sides of the cell. An SRAM, unlike dynamic random access memory (DRAM), maintains the data content of the memory calls as long as power is applied to the cell. DRAM memory cells, on the other hand, are periodically refreshed with the stored data content. An SRAM cell includes a "true" node associated with a bit line of the SRAM memory and a complementary node associated with a complementary bit line of the SRAM memory. When the true node is read as a high voltage, the value of the SRAM memory cell is digital one. If the true node is read as a low voltage, the value of the SRAM memory cell is a digital zero.
During write and read cycles, a conventional SRAM memory system will employ a pre-charge circuit to drive the bit line and the complementary bit line to a power supply voltage of the SRAM memory, Vdd, before data is written to the memory cell. During the time that the data is actually written to the SRAM memory cell, a write buffer drives the bit line and the complementary bit line. Depending on the data being written (logic high or low) the bit line and complementary bit line will experience a full voltage swing between the pre-charge level, Vdd, and a common potential level, usually ground, Vss.
Successive write cycles at a relatively high frequency clock will cause successive full voltage swing on the bit line and complementary bit line. This produces power dissipation in the SRAM memory system. The power dissipation problem becomes significantly worse as the frequency of the clock increases, which is an ongoing circumstance as higher and higher memory performance remains a design goal.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a new approach to controlling SRAM memory cells in order to counteract the increase in power dissipation resulting from higher and higher clock frequencies.

Methods and apparatus for low power SRAM


Reactors for vapor deposition of materials onto a microelectronic workpiece, systems that include such reactors, and methods for depositing materials onto microelectronic workpieces. In one embodiment, a reactor for vapor deposition of a material comprises a reaction chamber and a gas distributor. The reaction chamber can include an inlet and an outlet. The gas distributor is positioned in the reaction chamber. The gas distributor has a compartment coupled to the inlet to receive a gas flow and a distributor plate including a first surface facing the compartment, a second surface facing the reaction chamber, and a plurality of passageways. The passageways extend through the distributor plate from the first surface to the second surface. Additionally, at least one of the passageways has at least a partially occluded flow path through the plate. For example, the occluded passageway can be canted at an oblique angle relative to the first surface of the distributor plate so that gas flowing through the canted passageway changes direction as it passes through the distributor plate.

Thin film deposition techniques are widely used in the manufacturing of microelectronic devices to form a coating on a workpiece that closely conforms to the surface topography. The size of the individual components in the devices is constantly decreasing, and the number of layers in the devices is increasing. As a result, the density of components and the aspect ratios of depressions (e.g., the ratio of the depth to the size of the opening) is increasing. The size of workpieces is also increasing to provide more real estate for forming more dies (i.e., chips) on a single workpiece. Many fabricators, for example, are transitioning from 200 mm to 300 mm workpieces, and even larger workpieces will likely be used in the future. Thin film deposition techniques accordingly strive to produce highly uniform conformal layers that cover the sidewalls, bottoms and corners in deep depressions that have very small openings.
One widely used thin film deposition technique is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). In a CVD system, one or more precursors that are capable of reacting to form a solid thin film are mixed in a gas or vapor state, and then the precursor mixture is presented to the surface of the workpiece. The surface of the workpiece catalyzes the reaction between the precursors to form a thin solid film at the workpiece surface. The most common way to catalyze the reaction at the surface of the workpiece is to heat the workpiece to a temperature that causes the reaction.
Although CVD techniques are useful in many applications, they also have several drawbacks. For example, if the precursors are not highly reactive, then a high workpiece temperature is needed to achieve a reasonable deposition rate. Such high temperatures are not typically desirable because heating the workpiece can be detrimental to the structures and other materials that are already formed on the workpiece. Implanted or doped materials, for example, migrate in the silicon substrate when a workpiece is heated. On the other hand, if more reactive precursors are used so that the workpiece temperature can be lower, then reactions may occur prematurely in the gas phase before reaching the substrate. This is not desirable because the film quality and uniformity may suffer, and also because it limits the types of precursors that can be used. Thus, CVD techniques may not be appropriate for many thin film applications.
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is another thin film deposition technique that addresses several of the drawbacks associated with CVD techniques. FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate the basic operation of ALD processes. Referring to FIG. 1A, a layer of gas molecules Ax coats the surface of a workpiece W. The layer of Ax molecules is formed by exposing the workpiece W to a precursor gas containing Ax molecules, and then purging the chamber with a purge gas to remove excess Ax molecules. This process can form a monolayer of Ax molecules on the surface of the workpiece W because the Ax molecules at the surface are held in place during the purge cycle by physical adsorption forces at moderate temperatures or chemisorption forces at higher temperatures. The layer of Ax molecules is then exposed to another precursor gas containing By molecules. The Ax molecules react with the By molecules to form an extremely thin solid layer of material on the workpiece W. The chamber is then purged again with a purge gas to remove excess By molecules.
FIG. 2 illustrates the stages of one cycle for forming a thin solid layer using ALD techniques. A typical cycle includes (a) exposing the workpiece to the first precursor Ax, (b) purging excess Ax molecules, (c) exposing the workpiece to the second precursor By, and then (d) purging excess By molecules. In actual processing several cycles are repeated to build a thin film on a workpiece having the desired thickness. For example, each cycle may form a layer having a thickness of approximately 0.5-1.0 Å, and thus it takes approximately 60-120 cycles to form a solid layer having a thickness of approximately 60 Å.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an ALD reactor 10 having a chamber 20 coupled to a gas supply 30 and a vacuum 40. The reactor 10 also includes a heater 50 that supports the workpiece W and a gas dispenser 60 in the chamber 20. The gas dispenser 60 includes a plenum 62 operatively coupled to the gas supply 30 and a distributor plate 70 having a plurality of holes 72. In operation, the heater 50 heats the workpiece W to a desired temperature, and the gas supply 30 selectively injects the first precursor Ax, the purge gas, and the second precursor By as shown above in FIG. 2. The vacuum 40 maintains a negative pressure in the chamber to draw the gases from the gas dispenser 60 across the workpiece W and then through an outlet of the chamber 20.
One drawback of ALD processing is that it is difficult to avoid mixing between the first and second precursors in the chamber apart from the surface of the workpiece. For example, a precursor may remain on surfaces of the gas dispenser or on other surfaces of the chamber even after a purge cycle. This results in the unwanted deposition of the solid material on components of the reaction chamber. The first and second precursors may also mix together in a supply line or other area of a reaction chamber to prematurely form solid particles before reaching the surface of the workpiece. Thus, the components of the ALD reactor and the timing of the Ax/purge/By/purge pulses of a cycle should not entrap or otherwise cause mixing of the precursors in a manner that produces unwanted deposits or premature reactions.
Another drawback of ALD processing is that the film thickness may be different at the center of the workpiece than at the periphery. To overcome this problem, the center of some distributor plates do not have any holes 72. In practice, however, this may cause the film at the center of the workpiece to be thinner than the film at the periphery. Moreover, the center portion of such plates may become coated with the solid material because it is difficult to purge all of the precursors from this portion of the gas dispenser 60 during normal purge cycles. Therefore, there is a need to resolve the problem of having a different film thickness at the center of the workpiece than at the periphery.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for depositing materials onto microelectronic workpieces


A colonial style pressure-vent hurricane shutter having predetermined requisite strength of shutter framework (1) encompassing slatted-louver apertures (4) with slat-support guides (7) for protection against storm-borne objects, wind and rain and venting harmful buildups and bursts of pressure from vacuums created on building from hurricane forces. The shutter framework includes structural beams to which ends of slanted slats (5) are attached rigidly. Ends of slat-support guides (7) are affixed intermediate the ends of both the inward edges of the slanted slats (6) and the outward edges of the slanted slats (21). The shutter framework (1) have hold down tabs (22) to keep the shutter framework (1) from being blown open during a storm. The shutter framework (1) has ribbed hinges (25) to at least one side of a building aperture in accordance with desired shutter style and structure which include top-hinged Bahama Shutters (8) and sides-hinged Colonial Shutters (9).

This invention relates to hurricane shutters and more particularly to a hurricane shutter that protects requisitely against storm-borne objects, wind and rain while also venting buildups and bursts of pressure and vacuum that react on buildings from hurricanes and other severe storms.
Devastation from severe hurricanes has resulted in storm-area legal requirements and personal interest in adequate storm protection that also is attractive, convenient and, if possible, also low cost. Numerous storm-protective shutters have occurred as a result. None, however, vent buildups and bursts of pressure and vacuum that react on buildings from hurricanes in addition to providing requisite protection against storm-borne objects, wind and rain in a manner taught by this invention.
Examples of most-closely related known but different devices are described in the following patent documents:
NumberInventorFile DateIssue DateClassificationU.S. Pat. No. 6,536,174 BFoster et al.May 07, 2001Mar. 25, 2003 52/473U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,155IacovoniOct. 07, 1959Jun. 19, 1962 49/67U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,874Sipos et al.Dec. 15, 1994Apr. 14, 1998 49/67U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,929Poma et al.Nov. 21, 1997Jun. 01, 1999 49/62xU.S. Pat. No. 5,617,683NeyMar. 25, 1996Apr. 08, 1997 52/202U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,594Milam et al.Feb. 12, 1981Jan. 18, 1983 49/67U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,824EnsmingerSeptember, 1935160/77U.S. Pat. No. 1,646,522BergOctober, 1927 49/356U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,785SchoenOct. 21, 1953Sep. 06, 1955 49/67U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,161SassanoOct. 16, 1970Jun. 06, 1972 49/56U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,687EconomouAug. 06, 1971Sep. 19, 1972 49/74
The Foster et al., Iacovoni, and Sipos et al. shutters do not provide weld guides to keep shutters from turning in during hurricane forces as taught by this invention. The Poma et al. shutter requires a removable rigid support for requisite protection. Shutters described by Ney, Milan et al., Ensminger, Berg and Schoen do not have pressure venting as taught by this invention. The Sassano patent does not disclose shutters, but rather a shutter operating mechanism. The Economou shutter teaches slidable slats not requiring weld guides for support.

Colonial style pressure vent hurricane shutter


A lock unit includes a case, an operation unit and an electric control unit. A shackle is connected to the case, and the operation unit controls the first end of the shackle to be disengaged from the case. A touch screen is connected to the outside of the cover so as to control the electric control unit which controls the operation unit to easily and quickly unlock the lock unit by popping the first end of the shackle out from the case.

1. Fields of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lock unit, and more particularly, to a lock unit with a room for receiving goods, and a cover is provided to seal the room, the cover is operand by a touch screen.
2. Descriptions of Related Art
The conventional way to store important goods is to purpose a safety box or safety cabin, however, the safety box or safety cabin is costly so that some users may not affortable.
Another convenient way is to use a lock to lock the box for receiving the important goods, and the lock can be unlocked by using a key. Nevertheless, the key can be easily lost, and the lock has to be damaged to access the important goods in the box. An improved lock is developed and includes a conventional lock core and a combination lock unit, wherein the user uses a key to unlock the conventional lock core, and input correct numbers to unlock the combination lock. However, the combination lock requires the user to rotate the number disk one by one at correct position, once the one of the number is in correct, the lock cannot be unlocked. Therefore, the user needs a longer time to unlock the lock.
The present invention intends to provide a lock unit to improve the shortcomings mentioned above.


Fastening nail which is made of bioresorbable plastic material and is for the fixing of a covering membrane to an endogenous bone surrounding a bone void filled with bone replacement material, has a nail head of a larger diameter, enabling impact with a pressure and/or striking tool, and has, connected thereto, a nail shaft of a smaller diameter, which comprises an essentially cylindrical holder part and, connected thereto, a tip part with a jacket cone surface tapering in the direction towards the nail tip, the plastic material is at least partially non-crystalline (amorphous) and has a glass transition temperature in the region of body temperature, and the plastic material in the region of the nail shaft comprises a preferred molecular orientation that runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening nail.

The invention relates to a fastening nail made of bioresorbable plastic material for the fixing of a covering membrane to an endogenous bone surrounding a bone void filled with bone replacement material, having a nail head of larger diameter, enabling impact with a pressure and/or striking tool, and, connected thereto, a nail shaft of a smaller diameter, comprising an essentially cylindrical holder part and, connected thereto, a tip part having a jacket cone surface tapering in the direction towards the nail tip.
Known fastening nails of this type, whose structure is specified for example in DE-PS 43 00 039, are generally manufactured by the injection molding method, in such a way that the liquified thermoplastic plastic material is injected into the injection mold proceeding from the nail head.
Due to the unavoidable sprue, a burr thereby forms on the nail head, which must either be removed by means of expensive processing, or else, if it remains on the fastening nail for economic reasons, can lead to irritation of the soft tissue surrounding the nail head. In addition, the known fastening nails made of bioresorbable plastic material leave something to be desired with regard to their holding force in the bore made in the endogenous bone before their insertion.