An electrosurgical instrument having a movement sensing device for controlling the electrosurgical output thereof, is disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated housing, an electrically conductive element supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrically conductive element connectable to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical connection with the electrosurgical generator. The sensor detects movement of the electrically conductive element and communicates a signal to the electrosurgical generator relating to the movement of the electrically conductive element. The source of electrosurgical energy supplies electrosurgical energy in response to the signal from the sensor.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to an electrosurgical instrument and, more particularly, to an electrosurgical pencil having a motion detector for controlling the electrosurgical output thereof.
2. Background of Related Art
Electrosurgical instruments have become widely used by surgeons in recent years. Accordingly, a need has developed for equipment that is easy to handle, is easy to operate, and is reliable and safe. By and large, most surgical instruments typically include a variety of hand-held pencils, e.g., electrosurgical pencils, forceps, scissors and the like, and electrosurgical pencils, which transfer energy to a tissue site. The electrosurgical energy is initially transmitted from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode which, in turn, transmits the electrosurgical energy to the tissue. In a monopolar system, a return electrode pad is positioned under the patient to complete the electrical path to the electrosurgical generator. A smaller return electrode is positioned in bodily contact with or immediately adjacent to the surgical site in a bipolar system configuration.
For the purposes herein, the term electrosurgical fulguration includes the application of an electric spark to biological tissue, for example, human flesh or the tissue of internal organs, without significant cutting. The spark is produced by bursts of radio-frequency electrical energy generated from an appropriate electrosurgical generator. Generally, electrosurgical fulguration is used to dehydrate, shrink, necrose or char tissue. As a result, electrosurgical fulguration instruments are primarily used to stop bleeding and oozing of various surgical fluids. These operations are generally embraced by the term "coagulation." Meanwhile, electrosurgical "cutting" includes the use of the applied electric spark to tissue which produces a cutting effect. By contrast, electrosurgical "sealing" includes utilizing a unique combination of electrosurgical energy, pressure and gap distance between electrodes to melt the tissue collagen into a fused mass.
It is known that certain electrosurgical waveforms are preferred for different surgical effects. For example, a continuous (i.e., steady) sinusoidal waveform is preferred to enhance the cutting effect of the electrosurgical blade in an electrosurgical pencil or enhance the cooperative effect of the two opposing jaw members. A series of discontinuous, high energy electrosurgical pulses are preferred to enhance the coagulation of biological tissue. Other types of electrosurgical waveforms are preferred for electrosurgical "blending", "shorting" or fusing tissue. As can be appreciated, these waveforms are typically regulated by the generator and are generally dependent upon the desired mode of operation manually selected by the surgeon at the onset (or during) the operation.
As used herein, the term "electrosurgical pencil" is intended to include instruments which have a handpiece which is attached to an active electrode and are used to coagulate, cut, and seal tissue. The pencil may be operated by a hand-switch (in the form of a depressible button provided on the handpiece itself) or a foot-switch (in the form of a depressible pedal operatively connected to the handpiece). The active electrode is an electrically conducting element which is usually elongated and may be in the form of a thin flat blade with a pointed or rounded distal end. Typically, electrodes of this sort are known in the art as "blade" type. Alternatively, the active electrode may include an elongated narrow cylindrical needle which is solid or hollow with a flat, rounded, pointed or slanted distal end. Typically, electrodes of this sort are known in the art as "loop" or "snare", "needle" or "ball" type.
As mentioned above, the handpiece of the pencil is connected to a suitable electrosurgical source (e.g., generator) which supplies the electrosurgical energy necessary to the conductive element of the electrosurgical pencil. In general, when an operation is performed on a patient with an electrosurgical pencil, energy from the electrosurgical generator is conducted through the active electrode to the tissue at the site of the operation and then through the patient to a return electrode. The return electrode is typically placed at a convenient place on the patient's body and is attached to the generator by a return cable.
During the operation, the surgeon depresses the hand-switch or foot-switch to activate the electrosurgical pencil. Then, depending on the level of radio-frequency electrosurgical energy desired for the particular surgical effect, the surgeon manually adjusts the power level on the electrosurgical generator by, for example, rotating a dial on the electrosurgical instrument. Recently, electrosurgical pencils have been developed which vary the level of electrosurgical energy delivered depending on the amount of drag sensed by the active electrode or by the degree the hand-switch has been depressed by the surgeon. Examples of some of these instruments are described in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/398,620 filed Jul. 25, 2002 and 60/424,352 filed Nov. 5, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Accordingly, a need exists for an electrosurgical pencil which is activated without the use of hand-switches or foot-switches and which can automatically control the electrosurgical output from the electrosurgical generator without manual intervention by the surgeon.

Motion detector for controlling electrosurgical output


An electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer having a watchdog timer circuit, and a runaway monitoring circuit which monitors the arithmetic device for an operational failure by receiving a pulse output from the arithmetic device, in which the watchdog timer circuit or the runaway monitoring circuit detects occurrence of a failure of the arithmetic device according to the state (high level or low level) of an indication signal (wakeup signal) which shows the operational state of the arithmetic device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic control device including an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer having a watchdog timer circuit, and more specifically relates to technology for monitoring a microcomputer for failures.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microcomputers have been designed to have a mode (high-speed mode) in which they operate at high-speed clock during normal operation, and a mode (power-saving mode) in which they operate at a speed lower than the high-speed clock or terminate the operation, in order to reduce power consumption. An example of technology for monitoring such microcomputers for failures is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-326629. The failure monitoring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-326629 includes a watchdog timer monitoring section which detects a failure during normal operation of the microcomputer, and a stand-by monitoring section which detects a failure during stand-by operation of the microcomputer, both of which are provided external to the microcomputer. Both monitoring sections monitor watchdog pulses output from the microcomputer. During normal operation of the microcomputer, the watchdog pulses are output with a certain periodicity. During a failure, the periodicity is lost. During stand-by operation of the microcomputer, the watchdog pulses are normally not output. However, there may be cases where the watchdog pulses are output during failure. Thus, a failure during normal operation and stand-by operation can be detected by monitoring the watchdog pulses.
However, since the failure monitoring device has a configuration in which two different monitoring sections are provided external to the microcomputer, the size of the device becomes large, resulting in high cost.


A laser light energy powered device for providing directed emission of laser light energy has a blunt, i.e., non-sharp, laser light emitting tip element. The tip element is preferably formed as a slab defined by two pairs of parallel sides, a proximal end face for receiving laser light energy conveyed thereto through an optic fiber, and a laser light energy emitting curved-sided distal end surface. The curved side surface is contiguous at one end with one of the elongate parallel sides defining the tip element. All surfaces are smooth and polished in one embodiment and laser light energy is emitted therefrom in a first portion focused generally forwardly of the distal end of the tip element and in a second portion emitted laterally of the end portion of the tip element. In other aspects of the invention, the distal end surface portions of the tip element are provided with a smooth thin layer of a high temperature melting point material ballistically bonded to the tip element material by an ion beam mixing process or an ion beam enhanced deposition process with sufficient energy to form a secure metallic-ceramic bond with the material of the tip element. This securely bonded layer totally absorbs all laser light energy reaching it through the tip element material and converts it into heat applicable by contact with tissue for surgical purposes.

Known laser surgical devices, many of which are applied by direct contact with tissue to be affected thereby, often utilize emitted laser light energy for ablation or vaporization of tissue. Laser light energy is also sometimes used as a supplement with an otherwise traditional scalpel-type sharp-edged cutting implement. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,136, to Auth et al. This photocoagulating scalpel system includes a scalpel having a physically sharp transparent blade for forming 20 an incision, with a laser energy source optically coupled to the blade through a low-loss fiber optic wave guide. Laser light is emitted through the sharp edge of the blade for coagulating blood adjacent the incision. The material used for such a sharp scalpel blade is quite hard, but the required sharpness may be difficult to maintain.
Another recently-proposed device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,435, to Noskin, in which a surgical knife includes a handle supporting a diamond blade coupled to a Nd/YAG laser. See FIG. 1 hereof. The surgical diamond knife 1 has a handle 3 supporting a diamond blade 4 connected to the Nd/YAG laser 5 by optical fibers 6. FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the same invention, wherein a relatively long slim handle 13 houses an optical fiber bundle (not shown) coupled at one end to a wedge-shaped diamond blade 14. The cylindrical body portion 13 of this knife is connected at a proximal end to a sheath 16 which protects the bulk of the length of the optical fiber. See FIGS. 3 and 4 for Hoskin's shapes for laser energy delivering diamond tips 14 and 24. In each case, the laser energy-delivering diamond tip element has a sharp edge. Laser light provided to such tip elements is internally reflected through the body of the tip element from the optic fiber to the cutting edge to enable the surgeon to more readily make his incisions.
In yet another example of the art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,244, to Daikuzono, teaches a medical and surgical laser probe in which laser energy from an optical fiber is conveyed by internal reflection within tapered tip elements 11 (in FIG. 5), or 13 (in FIG. 6) to specifically formed energy-delivery zones at their frontal pointed ends. When certain geometric parameters are satisfied, laser energy can leak out from the tapered side faces of rod member 11 to reach tissue 12, as depicted in FIG. 5, so that the flow of laser energy density emitted from the narrow tip end face is lowered. This would make incision of the tissue 12 difficult. Also, the laser energy which leaks from the tapered face irradiates tissue at a distance and this may be undesirable. However, when the refractive index of the tip element and its geometry both satisfy conditions specified in this reference, a much higher energy density is attainable at the tip end which is shaped and treated to deliver thermal energy generated by partial absorption of the laser light energy in a thin coating, with another portion of the available laser light energy emitted through the tip end.
In devices of the type discussed hereinabove, there are various inherent structural and operational limitations encountered by a user, e.g., that the laser energy delivery end must be maintained physically sharp. Furthermore, since the energy is delivered through a very small volume of the tip element at the sharp edge or pointed tip, the surgeon/user must exercise extreme care in controlling the rate at which laser energy is being delivered as he or she performs a variety of interrelated functions, i.e., makes incisions, cauterizes cut blood vessels, and coagulates leaked-out blood so that it does not interfere with accurate viewing of or access to the surgical site.
There is, accordingly, a need for a sturdy, blunt, i.e., physically non-sharpened, tip element by which laser light energy can be utilized precisely to selectively perform incisions, to cauterize blood vessels, and to coagulate blood.

Laser surgical device with blunt flat-sided energy-delivery element


A polypeptide exhibiting the antigenicity of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, a fused polypeptide comprising the above polypeptide and, connected to the N-terminus thereof, a signal membrane anchor of a type II outer-membrane polypeptide of a virus that infects birds, or a polypeptide capable of reacting with a mycoplasma-immune serum or a mycoplasma-infected serum and exhibiting a substantially pure antigenecity, respectively having amino acid sequences of about 32 kDa, about 40 kDa, or about 70 kDa. The expression with a recombinant virus of a polypeptide modified to such an extent as to exhibit an antigenicity equivalent to that of any of the above polypeptides. The use of a recombinant virus as a live vaccine.

It is expected that a polypeptide showing antigenicity to Mycoplasma gallisepticum can be utilized as an effective ingredient of a vaccine for Mycoplasma gallisepticum infections, since an egg-laying rate and a hatching rate of eggs produced by infected chickens are markedly reduced when infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. At present, the system using Escherichia coli or yeast is known to prepare the antigenic protein of Mycoplasma gallisepticum by genetic engineering (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-111795). In general, it is pointed out that the production of a polypeptide in the system using bacteria involves problems that firstly an antigen is expressed in a less amount and secondly, a pyrogen originating in a host cannot be removed. It is thus the actual situation that such a system has not been practically applied yet. For this reason, studies have been made on the preparation of a polypeptide expressing an antigenicity or a recombinant live vaccine, using a recombinant virus. However, as far as Mycoplasma gallisepticum is concerned, any recombinant virus inserted with DNA encoding said protein has not been prepared.
In a virus protein where the virus infects cells, one type of a protein expressed is transported to the cell surface and the protein is expressed on the surface of a cell membrane (hereinafter such a state is sometimes merely referred to as being expressed on the cell surface) and another type of a protein that is not expressed on the cell surface. A representative example of the former protein is a glycoprotein contained in the coat of a virus. A recombinant virus that expresses such a protein efficiently exhibits the protein on the cell surface. It is thus considered that a high antibody titer can be induced in poultry infected with this recombinant virus (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-157381). On the other hand, an example of the latter type of protein includes a protein originating in bacteria, such as an antigenic protein of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
It is not expectable to induce a high antibody titer from such recombinant viruses that express these proteins, since they are expressed on the cell membrane surface merely in an extremely small quantity. However, if such a protein can be expressed on the cell membrane surface in a large quantity by genetic engineering, a high antibody titer will be induced. Thus, investigations have been made to express on the membrane surface such a protein that is not principally expressed on the membrane surface. For example, there is a report that DNA encoding a signal protein having the function of secreting a protein on the cell membrane surface and DNA encoding a membrane anchor protein having the function of retaining the secreted protein so as not to leave out of the cell membrane surface are ligated with the 5' end and the 3' end of DNA encoding an antigenic protein, respectively, and a recombinant vaccinia virus inserted with the resulting hybrid DNA expresses the antigenic protein on the cell membrane surface of a host (J. Viol., 64, 4776-4783 (1990) or Mol. Cell. Biol., 6, 3191-3199 (1986)). However, DNA encoding a signal and DNA encoding a membrane anchor are independently ligated with DNA encoding an antigenic protein in these examples so that it is hardly applicable practically due to complicated preparation of a recombinant virus.

Recombinant Avipox virus encoding polypeptide of mycoplasma gallisepticum, and utilized a live vaccine


A seismic surveying method and system are disclosed. The method provides a remote display representative of the quality of the coverage of a seismic survey. The method includes progressively building up at the site of the survey a first data base of data required for said display and relating to the area being covered by the survey, concurrently transmitting the data being used to build up the first data base via satellite link to a first remote location, to build up a duplicate of the first data base at said first remote location, providing access to said first remote location for the receipt of display requests from further remote locations, and in response to such requests, processing the data of said duplicate data base to provide processed data for producing said display, and compressing said processed data and transmitting it to such a further remote location for reconstitution and display thereat.

This invention relates to seismic surveying, and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with methods and systems for providing a remote display representative of the coverage of a marine seismic survey while the survey is being carried out.
In order to perform a 3D marine seismic survey, a plurality of seismic streamers, each typically several thousand metres long and containing arrays of hydrophones and associated electronic equipment distributed along its length, are towed at about 5 knots behind a seismic survey vessel, which also tows one or more seismic sources, typically air guns. Acoustic signals produced by the seismic sources are directed down through the water into the earth beneath, where they are reflected from the various strata. The reflected signals are received by the hydrophones in the streamers, digitised and then transmitted to the seismic survey vessel, where they are recorded and at least partially processed with the ultimate aim of building up a representation of the earth strata in the area being surveyed.
One form of processing normally carried out on board the seismic survey vessel is processing to determine the coverage of the survey.
Thus the area of the survey is divided into cells, typically on a rectangular grid, each associated with a respective xe2x80x9cbinxe2x80x9d in which data relating to the cell is accumulated. As the survey processes, the seismic survey vessel tows the streamers to and fro along a number of spaced parallel lines that effectively form part of the rectangular grid, and that define continuous, or even slightly overlapping, parts of the area covered by the grid. At the same time, a dedicated processing system on board the vessel continuously calculates, from GPS-based positional information defining the respective positions of the source and hydrophone arrays at the time of each activation of the source, in which the respective reflection point (also known as the xe2x80x9ccommon mid-pointxe2x80x9d or CMP) giving rise to each trace produced by each hydrophone array lies, so that each trace can be assigned to the correct bin.
This on-board processing system builds up, substantially in real time, a data base containing the number of CMPs in each bin, along with their offset distribution (offsets being the respective distances between the source and the respective hydrophone arrays having CMPs in the bin). From this data base, several extremely informative displays are produced on the vessel, again substantially in real time, for example displays which show in contrasting colours those bins which contain less than a desired minimum number of CMPs and/or a high proportion of CMPs with large (or selected) offsets. Such displays are extremely useful for determining the coverage of the survey, and in particular, those parts of the area of the survey which may need to be xe2x80x9cfilled inxe2x80x9d, ie surveyed again.
Although this dedicated on-board processing system provides extremely useful information, in real time, to the survey crew on the vessel, it would be advantageous if the same information could be made available remotely, also substantially in real time, eg to the client who commissioned the survey.
It is an object of the present invention to provide such remote availability, and in a manner which is capable of being made highly secure.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a remote display representative of the quality of the coverage of a seismic survey, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) progressively building up at the site of the survey a first data base of data required for said display and relating to the area being covered by the survey;
(b) concurrently transmitting the data being used to build up the first data base via satellite link to a first remote location, to build up a duplicate of the first data base at said first remote location;
(c) providing access to said first remote location for the receipt of display requests from further remote locations; and
(d) in response to such a request, processing the data of said duplicate data base to provide processed data for producing said display, and compressing said processed data and transmitting it to such a further remote location for reconstitution and display thereat.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing a remote display representative of the quality of the coverage of a seismic survey, the system comprising:
(a) means for progressively building up at the site of the survey a first data base of data required for said display and relating to the area being covered by the survey;
(b) means for concurrently transmitting the data being used to build up the first data base via satellite link to a first remote location;
(c) means for receiving the transmitted data and building up a duplicate of the first data base at the first remote location; and
(d) processing means at the first remote location for processing the data of said duplicate data base to provide processed data for producing said display, said processing means including means responsive to requests from further remote locations to provide and compress such processed data and transmit it to such further remote locations for reconstitution and display thereat.
In preferred implementations of either aspect of the invention, the data required for said display includes data related to the number of CMPs, and/or data related to offset distribution, per unit area of the area being surveyed.
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart 200 illustrating a method of one embodiment of the present invention. The method involves progressively building up at the site of the survey a first data base of data required for the display and relating to the area being covered by the survey (at 210). The data being used to build up the first data base is concurrently transferred via satellite link to a first remote location, to build up a duplicate of the first data base at the first remote location (at 220). The method also provides access to the first remote location for the receipt of display requests from further remote locations (at 230), and in response to such requests, processes the data of the duplicate data base to provide processed data for producing the display and compresses the processed data for transmission to such a further remote location for reconstitution and display thereat (at 240).
Advantageously, at least part of a program used for said processing is transmitted to said further remote location along with said compressed data, to permit further processing at said remote location.
Conveniently, said processing is performed using a Java application program.
Preferably, access to said first remote location is protected, eg by requiring the use of a user-name and password, or a digital client certificate, or a smart card or other physical security device (or xe2x80x9cdonglexe2x80x9d), while communication between said first remote location and said further remote location is preferably encrypted.


A display apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect the apparatus includes an encoder configured to encode a Nth first image data, where N is an integer of 2 or greater and a (N−1)th second image data at different rates. The display further includes a memory configured to store the encoded Nth first image data and the encoded (N−1)th second image data, a decoder configured to decode the encoded Nth first image data and the encoded (N−1)th second image data received from the memory and, an image processor configured to perform color processing on the decoded Nth first image data. It also includes an image converter configured to convert the Nth first image data received from the image processor into Nth second image data and an image quality enhancer configured to enhance image quality of the Nth second image data based on the decoded (N−1)th second image data.

1. Field
The disclosed technology relates to a display apparatus and a driving method thereof, and more particularly, to a display apparatus for driving image quality compensation without functional damages and a driving method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Technology
There are various methods for enhancing image quality of motion pictures in a display apparatus. Specifically, when overdriving technology is employed, image data for a present frame and image data for a previous frame are required. Therefore, in order to enhance image quality, memory is used to store image data from the present frame and image data from the previous frame.
However, if an initially input image data size and an image data size displayed on an actual display panel are different from one another, it is not possible to employ the same compression method on the image data from the present frame and the image data from the previous frame.

Display apparatus and driving method thereof for enhancing image quality using an encoder and a decoder


A head mounted display in a video/audio system includes a display device, a head mount, noise reduction devices, and a speaker. The display device is coupled to the head mount and produces visual images based on received video signals. The head mount is mounted on the user's head and is coupled to the noise reduction devices, which cover the user's ears such that external noise is reduced. The noise reduction devices are coupled together via a strap that fits around the user head. The noise reduction devices are coupled to and house speakers that produce sound signals based on received audio signals. As a result, the user may see the video images produced by the display device and clearly hear the sounds produced by the speaker, and the external noise heard by the user is reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to video and audio signal processing techniques and, in particular, to a system and method for receiving video and audio signals from a plurality of sources and for providing a user with multiple combinations of these signals to select from.
2. Related Art
Audio and video signals are generated from a plurality of sources during many events. For example, at an auto race, television crews usually position cameras at various locations within view of a race track. These cameras generate video signals defining views of the race track from various perspectives. In addition, microphones positioned at various locations generate audio signals defining different sounds at the auto race. For example, microphones may be located close to the race track to receive sounds produced by the vehicles participating in the race, and microphones may be located close to television commentators to receive the comments of the commentators as they observe and comment on the race.
One of the video signals and one or more of the audio signals are usually selected and combined together at a television station to form a combined video/audio signal. This signal is then modulated and transmitted so that users having a television can receive the combined signal via the television. The television demodulates the combined signal and displays an image defined by the video signal on a display screen and reproduces the sounds defined by the audio signals via speakers. Therefore, the sights and sounds of the race can be viewed and heard via the television.
In addition, one or more of the audio signals, such as audio signals defining the comments of radio commentators, are usually selected and modulated at a radio station to form a radio signal. This radio signal is then transmitted as a wireless signal so that users having radios can receive the signal via a radio. The radio demodulates the signal and reproduces the sounds defined by the radio signal via speakers.
However, users viewing and/or hearing the sights and sounds of the race via televisions and/or radios are not usually given the opportunity to select which video and/or audio signals are modulated and transmitted to the television and/or radio. Therefore, the user is only able to receive the signals modulated and transmitted to the television and/or radio, even though the user may prefer to receive the other audio and/or video signals that are generated at the auto race.
Spectators who actually attend the auto race are usually given more options to view and/or hear the sights and/or sounds of the race from different perspectives. In this regard, a plurality of monitors are usually located at particular locations in the stadium. As used herein, "stadium" shall be defined to mean any non-movable structure having a large number (i.e., thousands) of seats, wherein an event occurs at (i.e., within a close proximity of) the seats such that spectators sitting in the seats can view the event. An "event" is any occurrence viewed by a spectator.
Each monitor within the stadium receives one of the aforementioned video signals and displays an image defined by the received video signal to many of the spectators. However, the monitor does not always display a desirable perspective with respect to each spectator in the stadium, and the monitor is often not located in an inconvenient location for many of the spectators. In this regard, many of the spectators often must leave their seats (or other locations) in the stadium and go to a location where the spectators, along with other spectators, can view the monitor displaying the desired perspective. The spectators viewing the monitor often do not have control over which image is displayed by the monitor.
Thus a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for providing a system and method that enables a spectator to conveniently view an event from different perspectives.

Audio/video system and method utilizing a head mounted apparatus with noise attenuation


This invention relates to tissue specific acoustically reflective oligolamellar liposomes containing internally separated bilayers and methods to make and to use the same, alone as a perfusion ultrasonic contrast agent or conjugated to a ligand for tissue-specific ultrasonic image enhancement.

1. Field of this Invention
This invention relates to acoustically reflective oligolamellar liposomes containing internally separated bilayers and methods to make same for ultrasonic image enhancement.
2. Description of the Prior Work in the Field
Ultrasonic assessment of internal body organs or tissue is a well known technique. This assessment can be made by sending a signal with a waveform in the high frequency sound spectrum (10.sup.6 cycles/second) and detecting the reflected ultrasound properties. In current ultrasound procedures, the inherent reflective properties of the tissue are studied.
In one recent patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,540 ("the '540 patent") a method for producing liposomes having an encapsulated gas is described. Liposomes are phospholipid bilayers discretely encapsulating an aqueous compartment. The composition and form of these lipid vesicles are analogous to that of cell membranes with hydrophilic polar groups directed inward and outward toward the aqueous media and hydrophobic fatty acids intercalated within the bilayer. Liposomes form spontaneously from a dry lipid film exposed to an aqueous medium and may be unilamellar and/or multilamellar. Unilamellar vesicles are typically classified as small (20 to 200 nm diameter) or large (approximately 1 micron). Multilamellar liposomes are classically described as having concentric bilayers, an "onion morphology". A type of multilamellar liposome termed oligolamellar liposomes are typically described as multilamellar liposomes with increased aqueous space between bilayers or which have liposomes nested within bilayers in a nonconcentric fashion. Liposomes have many uses but are considered to be highly desirable for drug delivery and diagnostic applications.
As previously discussed, the '540 patent discloses a method for producing liposomes having an encapsulated gas. It is said that these liposomes can be injected for in vivo enhancement of organ imaging with ultrasound. A gas charged particle in vivo, however, may not be stable. Thus, it is desirable to develop a stable acoustically reflective liposome by controlling composition, structure and size alone.

Acoustically reflective liposomes and methods to make and use the same


A method and kit of diagnosing endometriosis in a female patient suspected of having endometriosis. The method includes obtaining a sample from the patient. The sample is analyzed to detect the presence of a purified and isolated endometriotic haptoglobin designated ENDO-I and functional analogs thereof. A therapeutic for treating endometriosis by modulating the expression of a purified and isolated endometriotic haptoglobin designated ENDO-I and functional analogs thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of fertility and more particularly, to means and methods for determining and diagnosing endometriosis in women.
2. Description of Related Art
Endometriosis is defined as the ectopic presence of endometrial glands and stroma. Endometriotic tissue is comprised of tissue that is histologically similar yet biochemically and functionally different or out of phase from that of the uterine endometrium.
For example, endometriosis differs from its uterine counterpart in steroid responsiveness and receptor content [Vierikko, et al., 1985; Lessey et al., 1989; Melega et al., 1991] and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor [Melega et al., 1991; Haining et a., 1991]. These altered characteristics, combined with an ectopic location, affect the physiological activity of the endometriotic tissue and thereby alter protein synthesis and secretion by the endometriotic tissue. Deviations in protein synthesis and secretion might be useful in developing unique markers for the nonsurgical diagnosis and management of endometriosis. Unfortunately, limited information is available concerning protein synthesis, secretion, regulation and expression in endometriotic tissue.
Applicant has found dissimilarities in protein synthesis and secretory patterns between eutopic and ectopic uterine tissues (endometriotic implants) using a rat model for endometriosis [Sharpe et al., 1991; Sharpe and Vernon, 1993]. Three endometriosis-associated proteins, synthesized and released in an alternate fashion from uterine proteins, were identified. Two endometriotic proteins named ENDO-I and ENDO-II by applicant (Mr 40,000 to 55,000; pl 4.0 to 5.2 and Mr 30,000 to 32,000; pl 7.0 to 9.0, respectively) were produced by endometriotic implants and not the uteri. The third protein (Mr 70,000; pl 5.7), previously identified in uterine explant cultures as progesterone-induced uterine protein-1 (PUP-1) [Sharpe et al., 1991], appeared in endometriotic implant cultures 24–48 hours later than in uterine cultures [Sharpe and Vernon, 1993]. The identities, functions, mechanisms of altered protein synthesis and secretion by the ectopic uterine tissues and their correlation to the human endometriosis condition were not known at that time.
Little information in the literature addresses human endometriotic secretory proteins. Isaacson and coworkers [Isaacson et al., 1989] showed that human endometriotic tissues produce and secrete complement component 3 (C3) in an alternate fashion to that of the uterine endometrium. Secretion of C3 into the peritoneal cavity may elicit some of the immunological phenomena observed in patients with endometriosis and be related to the pathophysiology of the disease. However, while C3 may play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, C3 is also produced by other tissues in the body and therefore is not useful in the development of an endometriosis-specific marker for the disease.
Further identification of biochemical dissimilarities between the uterine endometrium and endometriosis in vitro may enhance understanding of the mechanism(s) of the pathogenicity of the endometriotic tissue in vivo, potentially leading to the development of improved diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis. Therefore, Applicant desired to identify unique proteins synthesized and secreted by human endometriosis and endometrium in vitro and in vivo for the development of endometriosis-specific markers for diagnosis of the disease. Aberrant production or secretion of proteins by ectopic endometrium in the peritoneal cavity may contribute to the processes of endometriosis, infertility, pelvic adhesive disease and pelvic pain. A specific endometriosis-induced protein could be useful in diagnosis and nonsurgical management of the disease.

The Curators of the University of Missouri


A base-station apparatus configures a terminal apparatus with information related to mapping between a first channel-state information reference signal and a second channel-state information reference signal and codebook subset restriction information that restricts selection of a codebook subset as feedback information by the terminal apparatus, the codebook subset indicating precoding a weight to perform a first communication and a second communication. Using the information related to the mapping and the codebook subset restriction information, the terminal apparatus selects a codebook to perform the first communication and a codebook to perform the second communication. The terminal apparatus configures the base-station apparatus with information indicating the codebook to perform the first communication and information indicating the codebook to perform the second communication.

Radio communication systems perform high-speed data transmission using MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output). Such systems include WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and LTE-A (LTE Advanced), by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), and wireless LAN and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) by IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics engineers). The radio communication system includes a plurality of transmit and receive antennas in each of base stations (cells, transmit stations, transmitters, and eNodeB) and terminals (mobile terminals, receive stations, mobile stations, receivers, UE (User Equipment)).
The radio communication system measures channel state information between a base station and a terminal using channel-state information reference signal including known signals between the base station and the terminal (CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference signal), a pilot signal, and known signals)), and then adaptively controls modulation system and coding rate (MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme)), spatial multiplexing numbers (number of layers, and rank), and precoding weight (a precoding matrix, and a precoder) in accordance with measurement results. The radio communication system thus performs data transmission more efficiently. For example, a method described in Non-patent Literature 1 may be used.
FIG. 20 schematically illustrates an example of adaptive control that is performed to transmit data in a downlink in a single-cell communication. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a base station 2001 transmits to a terminal 2002 (configures the terminal 2002 with) a channel state information-reference signal via a downlink (downlink line) 2003. A terminal 2002 measures channel state of the downlink 2003 in accordance with the received channel state information-reference signal of the base station 2001. The terminal 2002 transmits (feeds back) to the base station 2001 information for adaptive control (feedback information and report) via an uplink (uplink line) 2004.
The radio communication system may be arranged in a cellular structure in which a coverage area of the base station includes a plurality of cells, and a communication area is thus expanded. With frequencies different depending on adjacent cells (sectors), a terminal in a cell edge portion of the cell can communicate without interference, but a problem of frequency use efficiency still remains. For this reason, repeated use of the same frequency in each cell (sector) dramatically increases the frequency use efficiency, but a remedial step to interference on a terminal in the cell edge (cell end) area becomes necessary.
Under these circumstances, methods have been studied to reduce or suppress interference on the terminal at the cell edge area using an inter-cell cooperative communication as a multi-cell communication (cooperative communication). In the cell cooperative communication, adjacent cells cooperate with each other. For example, CoMP (Cooperative Multipoint) transmission scheme has been studied as described in Non Patent Literature 2.

Base-station apparatus, terminal apparatus, communication system, and communication method


There is provided a display unit capable of reducing deterioration in the 3D characteristics. A phase difference device is bonded to a surface on a light outgoing side of a liquid crystal display panel. In the phase difference device, two kinds of phase difference regions with slow-axis directions different from each other are arranged in correspondence with each pixel. Each of the phase difference regions is arranged in contact with the phase difference region of a different kind, and a side section, of each of the phase difference region, that is in contact with the phase difference region of the different kind has waviness with an amplitude a that satisfies following expressions:0<a<amax(φ)amax(φ)=−0.7/(φ−1.2)+0.35φ=arctan(P/(4d))    P: a pixel pitch    d: a distance between the pixel and the phase difference device.

The present technology relates to a display unit that includes a phase difference device for varying a polarization state of light.
As a stereoscopic image display unit of a type using polarizing glasses, a display unit has been available that emits light in different polarization states between left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels. In such a display unit, a viewer puts on the polarizing glasses, and light outgoing from the left-eye pixels is allowed to enter only a left eye, while light outgoing from the right-eye pixels is allowed to enter only a right eye. Thus, observation of stereoscopic images is achieved.
For example, in PTL 1 and PTL 2, for the purpose of emitting light in different polarization states for between the left-eye pixels and the right-eye pixels, it has been proposed to provide a phase difference device where a liquid crystal cell is partially formed, or a phase difference device where a plurality of kinds of phase difference materials with different slow axes from one another are arranged. Further, for example, in PTL 3, it has been proposed to provide a phase difference device that is formed by applying and polymerizing liquid crystal on a patterned photo-alignment film.


A method of reducing the effect of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of a knee. A force is applied to the knee on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis as the knee moves to extension. Preferably, the force is applied at a point about 10.degree. to 15.degree. posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee.

The knee joins the femur to the tibia and is controlled by ligaments and cartilage. Contact between the femur and the tibia occurs across the cartilage and there are so called compartments or spaces at each side of the knee. The medial compartment is on the inside of the knee, the lateral compartment is on the outside of the knee.
Unicompartmental osteoarthritis, which may occur in the medial compartment or in the lateral compartment, is a mechanical malfunction of the knee whereby uneven distribution of pressure occurs across the knee causing excessive wear on the inside of the knee joint in medial compartment osteoarthritis and on the outside of the knee joint in lateral osteoarthritis.
Unicompartmental medial osteoarthritis is most common in men. The male pelvis is somewhat narrower than the female pelvis and a male's legs tend to be varus, that is males have a greater tendency to bow-leggedness. Unicompartmental lateral osteoarthritis is most prevalent in females due to the wider pelvis of the female and the fact that the legs are more often in valgus (that is females tend to be knocked-kneed).
A healthy knee joint has an even distribution of pressure medially and laterally and the space between the femur and tibia is approximately one quarter inch.
Unicompartmental osteoarthritis can be induced by injury or by aging. With the advancement of the disease, the space between the femur and tibia decreases. The problem may progress to the extent that the space is eliminated and the femur contacts the tibia. In those circumstances, erosion of the tibia may result.
With the disease there is a change in the normal angle between the femur and tibia. For example, if the patient normally stands in 2.degree. of varus, that is bowleggedness, then with the advancement of the disease, the angle will increase to, for example, about 5.degree. of varus.
Lateral thrust upon heel strike often accompanies the increase in the mis-alignment of the femur and the tibia. This tends to stretch the ligaments on the opposite side as well as having an adverse effect on the knee joint, tending to emphasize the erosion of the tibia.
A further complication is that rotational slackness develops as the space between the compartment is reduced. This is caused by slackening of the ligaments as the attachment points of the ligaments move closer together with bone deterioration.


An arm for supporting a monitor comprises a telescoping arm assembly, a support member and a cord storage device. The telescoping arm assembly has at least first and second telescoping members telescopingly movable relative to each other, a distal end configured to support a monitor and a hollow interior through which at least one cord from the monitor can be routed. The support member is connected to the telescoping arm assembly proximally of the distal end to suspend the telescoping arm assembly. The support member is configured to extend transverse to the telescoping arm assembly and to be attached to a support surface. The cord storage device is positioned at least partially within at least one of the telescoping arm assembly or the support member. The cord storage device winds and unwinds the cord from the monitor as the first and second telescoping members are moved toward and away from each other, respectively.

This application relates to extension arms for supporting equipment, and specifically to an arm for supporting a monitor in a dental or medical setting.
In today's dental practices, there is increasing demand for display of information on computer monitors or other similar display devices. Some information, such as a patient's digital radiographs and proposed treatment plans for the patient, may be shared with the patient on a monitor visible to the patient to facilitate explaining what treatment is recommended and how it will be administered. The monitor visible to the patient may also be used to show video entertainment to the patient. More important, a separate monitor, primarily configured for use by the dentist, surgeon or dental assistant for use in treatment, is also provided. This treatment monitor can be used to display digital radiographs, other test results, reference information and live video feed from an intraoral camera or other device, as just several examples, to assist the caregivers.
Conventional monitor mounts do not allow the monitor to be positioned in as wide of a range of positions as is desired. The positioning of the treatment monitor needs to be flexible to allow for effective viewing in different situations, such as by one care giver or by two care givers simultaneously. The monitor must be quickly repositionable to allow for its use in different treatments, as well as to allow it to be moved to allow access by personnel to other equipment and nearby areas.

Telescoping extension arm for supporting a monitor


A disconnector for a hybrid vehicle, which can accurately control interruption or transmission of rotary power by accurately measuring and monitoring a transfer distance of a shift fork using a linear sensor while interrupting or transmitting the rotary power of an engine or a motor using the shift fork.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a disconnector for a hybrid vehicle, and more particularly, to a disconnector for a hybrid vehicle, which can accurately control interruption or transmission of rotary power by accurately measuring and monitoring a transfer distance of a shift fork using a linear sensor while interrupting or transmitting the rotary power of an engine or a motor using the shift fork.
2. Description of the Related Art
As fossil fuels are running out, development of hybrid vehicles using a combination of fossil fuel and electricity, instead of vehicles using fossil fuel such as gasoline or diesel, is underway.
The hybrid vehicle includes an engine generating rotary power by fossil fuel and a driving motor generating rotary power by electricity and is configured to interrupt or transmit the rotary power of the engine according to the necessity.
A technique of using an engine clutch to interrupt the rotary power of the engine is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0024915 (Mar. 10, 2009), entitled "Power transmission apparatus for a hybrid vehicle."However, since the conventional hybrid vehicle uses a clutch to interrupt or transmit the rotary power of the engine, the efficiency of the engine may be lowered.


The invention relates to a thermoforming device (10), in particular for cups (1) that can be filled with a foodstuff, having a mold (11) comprising an upper part (12) and a deep-drawing mold (13) arranged underneath the upper part (12) for molding at least one cup (1) in a heated sheet of film (2), wherein the deep-drawing mold (13) forms a side wall (4) and a bottom area (5) of the at least one cup (1).

The invention relates to a thermoforming device, in particular for cups that can be filled with a foodstuff having a molding tool, comprising an upper part and a deep-drawing mold underneath the upper part for molding at least one cup into a heated sheet of film, the deep-drawing mold forming a side wall and a bottom region on the at least one cup, the molding of the cup into the deep-drawing mold taking place by producing a positive pressure on the sheet of film in the direction of the deep-drawing mold, the deep-drawing mold comprising at least one first part-element, with a through-opening for molding the side wall, and a second part-element, formed as a component that is separate from the at least one first part-element, for molding the bottom region, the two part-elements being arranged such that they are movable in relation to one another in such a way that the second part-element can in certain regions be introduced into the end face of the through-opening of the first part-element that is facing the second part-element, and a base area of the second part-element that forms the bottom region of the cup being adapted to the cross section of the through-opening in the first part-element in such a way that, to form different container heights, the base area can be positioned to different heights of the through-opening in such a way that the base area of the second part-element is arranged circumferentially at a small distance from the circumferential wall of the through-opening of the first part-element.
By means of such a thermoforming device known from practice, multiple cups arranged next to one another are molded simultaneously into a heated sheet of film and subsequently filled with a foodstuff, such as yoghurt or the like. The filled cups are then sealed with a foil lid (consisting for example of aluminum) and, lastly, individual cups or multiple cups connected to one another are punched out from the sheet of film.
For molding the cups into the sheet of film, the known thermoforming device has a molding tool with a deep-drawing mold, which has for each cup an opening with an inner circumferential wall and a bottom region adjoining the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall and the bottom region thereby form the shape of the cup molded into the sheet of film. Furthermore, the deep-drawing mold consists of a first part-element, which is fixed with respect to an upper part of the thermoforming device and interacts with a height-adjustable, punch-like second element (for each opening). The height-adjustable second element allows different cup heights to be realized. An important aspect of this is that the first element is always arranged in congruence with the upper part of the thermoforming device or with the sheet of film, and so the accessibility to the openings of the first device is made more difficult. In addition, there are applications in which labels are to be attached to the outer sides of the cups, it being intended for this to take place already before the molding of the cups, that is to say in the region of the thermoforming device ("in-mold labeling"). The feeding device required for this needs a relatively big installation space in the region of the first part-element, and so, because of the described arrangement of the two part-elements on the thermoforming device, this is often difficult to realize in practice. It is also disadvantageous that, because of the work sequences, in which the labels first have to be introduced into the openings of the first part-element and only then can the molding of the containers take place, the known thermoforming device has a relatively low output.


A digital wipe device is provided for lenses and similar articles which consists of a pair of sheaths in which the first sheath fits on a thumb of a hand and the second sheath fits on a finger of the hand. An interconnecting flexible member is connected to and extends between one side of each of the sheaths. A plurality of wiping sheets are connected in a stacked manner to an underside of the interconnecting flexible member and the sheaths, so that the outermost wiping sheet can be used to clean the lenses and similar articles between the thumb and finger and than torn away when soiled to expose a fresh clean wiping sheet for further use.

The instant invention is the subject matter of Disclosure Document No.: 295118, filed in the PTO on Nov. 14, 1991, and it is respectfully requested that this document be retained beyond the two-year period so that it may be relied upon as evidence of conception of the invention during the prosecution phase of this application, should the need arise.
The instant invention relates generally to finger engagement apparatuses and more specifically it relates to a digital wipe device for lenses and similar articles.
Numerous finger engagement apparatuses have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to perform various tasks when the apparatuses are engaged by the fingers. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. numbered Des. 251,539 to Kupperman et al.; 4,796,302 to David et al. and 4,938,515 to Fazio all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, the would not be as suitable for the purpose of the present invention as hereafter described.

Digital wipe device for lenses and similar articles


A system is disclosed for reducing an internal diameter of a hole in a metal substrate. The system includes an electrospark device having an electrospark torch and an electrode holder rotatable about an axis. An electrode is removably supported in the electrode holder. The electrospark device configured to apply a coating of a material of which the electrode is formed, to the substrate on an inner wall of the hole when the electrode is rotated within the hole.

The application generally relates to sizing of cooling holes on turbine components. The application relates more specifically to an electrospark deposition (ESD) process for reducing oversized holes in gas turbine engine components.
Electrospark deposition (ESD) is a pulsed-arc, micro-welding process that uses short-duration, high-current electrical pulses to deposit a consumable electrode material on a conductive workpiece. ESD processes generally involve very high spark frequencies with the spark duration lasting only a few microseconds. ESD generally requires manual control or preprogramming of the process parameters. Significantly, depositions result in very little heat input because heat is generated during less than 1% of a weld cycle and dissipated during 99% of the cycle. ESD coatings are extremely dense and metallurgically bonded to the workpiece. Conventional electrospark deposition devices employ an electrode rod, which is required to have a sharp tip for generating electrical discharges or sparks. When using conventional ESD devices it is difficult to repair or build up confined surfaces such as an inner diameter of a hole in a metal part.
Many component parts of a gas turbine engine include cooling holes for active cooling of engine sections located downstream of the turbine section. The rising combustor exit temperatures in gas turbine engines necessitate active cooling to avoid thermal failure. In some parts of the gas turbine engine, hole dimensions are not as important, but cooling hole configurations may be critical on such parts as buckets, vanes, shrouds and nozzles, for example.
In manufacturing gas turbine component parts, drilling and machining operations may on occasions result in cooling holes being larger than specified, e.g., when an incorrect hole diameter is used when setting up the tooling, or when an operator error occurs during manufacturing. When a hole drilled in an engine component is too large, the component may not pass inspection, and will be returned for quality control reasons for correction. Currently, repair of oversized holes may be a costly and time consuming project, and may not be possible at all, resulting in the loss of valuable engine parts. Oversizing of holes can occur during turbine operation due to erosion, oxidation, and other operational conditions.
Currently, one solution for dealing with oversized cooling holes in engine components is to weld the oversized holes until they are closed, and machine new cooling holes in the engine component using electrode discharge machining (EDM) process. EDM is a process whereby material is removed from the workpiece by a series of rapidly recurring current discharges between an electrode and the workpiece, separated by a dielectric liquid and subject to an electric voltage.
Intended advantages of the disclosed systems and/or methods satisfy one or more of these needs or provide other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.

Method and system for reducing oversized holes on turbine components


Systems and methods for delivering specific contents to specific recipients using broadcast networks. The methods include receiving an AV signal of a broadcast program and supplementary content which contains a tag identifying a specific recipient and specific contents. The specific contents are encrypted with a public key associated with the specific recipient. The supplementary content is combined with the AV signal to form a data-augmented signal which is subsequently encoded and modulated with a carrier signal to form a transmit signal for broadcasting to receivers. Each receiver includes a supplementary decoder for extracting the supplementary content, decrypting the specific contents with a private key corresponding to the public key, and providing the decrypted specific contents to the intended recipient.

Television and radio broadcasting technologies are well suited for providing contents to audience (i.e. viewers and listeners) on a mass scale. In developing countries, televisions and radios provide the largest audience base among all the entertainment media. Businesses are also heavily using radio and television networks to advertise their products in the most cost effective way to reach the masses in developing countries where TV/radio broadcast networks have wider reach compared to the traditional print media or the Internet. Government entities also use radio and television broadcasts to reach as many people as possible in conveying information or warning of an impending dangerous condition.
While TV/radio broadcast networks have wide reach and are a cost effective way for providing program contents to the general public, they are not able to deliver specific contents to specific audience. In real-life, there are many scenarios, which require specific contents to be delivered to specific users using broadcast media like TV/radio. For example, currently in India and several other countries, there are TV programs where a TV host calls up a person on the phone and asks the person some questions. If the person answers the questions correctly, he/she is declared a winner and is promised to be given gift-vouchers, which are delivered to the person by post. This method has numerous disadvantages but one major disadvantage is that of delay. Therefore, it is desirable to provide systems and methods using broadcast networks which can deliver specific contents an intended recipient substantially instantaneously and in a cost effective manner.

Delivering specific contents to specific recipients using broadcast networks

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A fluorinated polymerizable compound useful for fabricating planar optical devices includes at least one fluorinated alkylene or alkylene ether moiety and at least two terminal acrylate moieties, each terminal acrylate moiety being connected to one of the fluorinated alkylene or fluorinated alklene ether moieties by an ester linking group. The fluorinated polymerizable compounds, or macromers, of this invention are useful for forming optical components exhibiting a refractive index comparable to that of glass fiber waveguides, while also exhibiting very low absorption losses. Polymerizable compositions suitable for preparing optical components can be prepared by combining the macromers of the invention with a photoinitiator. Conventional optical monomers may also be employed, if desired.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fluorinated compounds that may be polymerized to form materials exhibiting low light loss, and to planar waveguide devices fabricated from polymerizable fluorinated compounds.
2. Technical Background
It is known to fabricate planar waveguide devices such as optical switches, variable attenuators, and tunable gratings of polymeric materials. Polymeric waveguide devices generally comprise a lower cladding layer having a low refractive index, a core layer having a high refractive index and an upper cladding layer having a low refractive index.
A typical method of fabricating waveguide components of polymeric materials involves depositing a liquid polymerizable composition onto the surface of a substrate, such as by spin-coating, and subsequently polymerizing the deposited coating. Fluorinated acrylate liquid monomers have the advantages of being solvent-free and provide low loss waveguide structures with very low birefringence. Conventional polymerizable coating compositions of this type, however, generally have several disadvantages. A significant disadvantage with typical compositions is that the polymerized material usually has a refractive index that is substantially lower than silica. This results in a mismatch between the refractive index of the polymer waveguide of the planar optical device and the silica waveguide of an optical fiber connected to the polymer waveguide. This mismatch of the refractive indexes increases coupling losses at the interface between the waveguides, and can also lead to unwanted reflection of a guiding optical signal at the interfaces of waveguide and fiber. The relatively low refractive index of typical polymers used in planar optical components is caused by the use of fluorinated monomers. The fluorinated monomers can be used to reduce the volume density of carbon-hydrogen bonds in polymeric optical materials and thereby reduce absorption losses associated with the vibration modes of these carbon-hydrogen bonds. Thus, although coupling losses between silica optical fibers and polymer waveguides can be reduced by lowering the concentration of fluorinated monomers, this would cause an undesirable increase in absorption losses. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide polymeric coating compositions that can be polymerized to form optical components having a refractive index more closely matched to the refractive index of silica, without increasing absorption losses.
Another disadvantage with conventional coating compositions used to form polymeric optical components is that the viscosity of such compositions is undesirably low, typically less than 100 centipoise. This low viscosity imposes constraints on the thickness of a single layer that can be applied by spin-coating. In addition, very low viscosity materials will sometimes flow along and/or from the surface of a substrate or previously spin-coated layer resulting in uneven coating thickness. This is undesirable because planar waveguides comprised of layers having a non-uniform thickness exhibit increased loss of light and other undesirable optical behavior. Therefore, polymerizable compositions having a relatively higher viscosity would be desirable for fabrication of planar waveguide devices.
Another problem with conventional polymerizable compositions used to fabricate planar waveguide devices is that the lower molecular weight monomers typically used in such compositions exhibit significant volatility, especially when the composition is exposed to a high vacuum. Typical polymerizable compositions used for fabricating planar waveguide devices include a monomer blend in which the various monomer components in the blend have different relative volatilities. As a result, the concentration of the various monomer components can change during processing steps, such as spin coating and polymerization. Because relatively thin layers (e.g., typically from about 2 microns to about 10 microns) are deposited during fabrication of a planar waveguide device, the compositional changes caused by the different relative volatilities of the monomer components can be relatively severe, profoundly degrading the ability to control the refractive index of the polymerized material. It is often desirable to polymerize the coating compositions under a vacuum or under a nitrogen blanket to eliminate the presence of oxygen during polymerization. In such cases, even a relatively low volatility makes it especially difficult to control the processes necessary to ensure that the coating has the composition required to achieve a desired refractive index. Volatile monomers also adversely affect the ability to use proximity printing processes (photolithographic processes in which a mask is spaced from the substrate during the radiation exposure step), since the volatile monomers can fog the mask during the printing process.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide polymerizable compositions for fabricating planar waveguide devices that exhibit a more favorable range of viscosities, with a lower volatility, and which can be polymerized to form a waveguide material that exhibits low light absorption losses and which has a refractive index that is closer to the refractive index of a silica optical fiber. More specifically, it would be desirable to provide fluorinated polymerizable compounds that exhibit a selected range of viscosities, low volatility, and that can be polymerized to form a material having a refractive index that more closely matches the refractive index of optical fibers.
The invention provides fluorinated compounds that overcome problems associated with conventional compositions used for fabricating polymeric waveguides. More specifically, the invention provides fluorinated compounds that may be polymerized to form materials exhibiting a higher refractive index that is more closely matched to that of a silica waveguide, while also achieving low absorption losses. The fluorinated compounds may also be used in coating compositions that have higher viscosities that are favorable for fabricating relatively thick layers of uniform thickness. The fluorinated compounds of this invention may also be used for preparing coating compositions having a relatively low volatility, whereby the fabrication of devices having a desired refractive index is more easily controllable, and which facilitates proximity printing.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the fluorinated compound comprises at least one fluorinated alkylene or alkylene ether moiety, and at least two terminal acrylate moieties. Each of the terminal acrylate moieties is connected to the fluorinated alkylene or fluorinated ether moiety or moieties by an ester (xe2x80x94CO2xe2x80x94) linking group.
The invention also pertains to polymerizable compositions containing the fluorinated compounds, and to planar waveguide devices fabricated from such compositions.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the invention as described in the description which follows together with the claims and appended drawings.
It is to be understood that the foregoing description is exemplary of the invention only and is intended to provide an overview for the understanding of the nature and character of the invention as it is defined by the claims. The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated and constitutes part of this specification. The drawing illustrates various features and embodiments of the invention, which, together with their description serve to explain the principals and operation of the invention.


Techniques are described for designing and manufacturing a surface that produces a desired image when illuminated by a light source. As described, the desired image may be decomposed into a collection of Gaussian kernels (referred to as Gaussians). A shape of a micropatch lens corresponding to each Gaussian may be determined, and the resulting micropatch lenses may be assembled to form a highly continuous surface that will cast an approximation of the desired image formed form the sum of a plurality of Gaussian caustics. The disclosed techniques may be used to create a design for a light-redirecting surface amenable to milling (or other manufacturing process).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a translucent surface (such as a milled acrylic plate) that projects a desired image when light passes through it, as well as to techniques for designing such a surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to techniques for determining a surface pattern that will cast caustics which generate a recognizable image on a projection surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
In optics, a caustic refers to an envelope of light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface, as well as to the projection of such light rays onto another surface. More specially, a caustic is the curve or surface tangent to each light ray, defining a boundary of an envelope of rays as a curve of concentrated light. For example, light passing through the curved surface of a wine glass creates a cusp-like pattern on a table which the wine glass is resting. Note, caustics are different from projecting light through a slide, as light is redirected (whether reflected or refracted) rather than absorbed, maintaining higher light levels and contrast.
One known application of reflective caustic design is luminaire design—the creation of lamp reflectors that create a desired radiance distribution for a given light source position. Other applications include e.g., in architecture (pattern glass that casts attractive caustics into a room) or designing security features which create hard-to-forge artifacts that can be "read out" under normal light.

Reflective and refractive surfaces configured to project desired caustic pattern


A method of determining stress based on renal blood flow. The method includes receiving data indicating renal blood flow of a subject. The method also includes calculating a power spectrum of a signal derived from the data. The power spectrum indicates a stress level of the subject.

Mental stress has been defined as "a real or perceived challenge, either endogenous or exogenous, that perturbs body equilibrium or 'homeostasis.' . . . . Whether the person can adapt to or cope with the stress will depend on the nature and severity of the stressor and the person's physical and mental state, which in turn depends on genetic, experiential, social, and environmental factors." See Welch, W. J., Kidney Function in Encyclopedia of Stress, 2007, Vol. 2.
Currently there is no reliable method to measure a person's mental stress. One common method that attempts to measure a person's stress is a psychological questionnaire. Some psychological questionnaires are relatively lengthy, requiring a half hour or more to complete. Thus, it is difficult to obtain real-time stress measurements based on questionnaires. Additionally, the filling out of the questionnaire by the person may create stress for the person. Given the time involved in completing the questionnaire and the potential to induce stress in the person, the results obtained by the questionnaire method may be delayed and/or may differ from actual stress which the person normally experiences.
Another method for measuring stress measures stress hormone levels in the blood, urine, or saliva of a person. Such stress hormone levels may become elevated when the person interprets a situation as being stressful. However, the measurement of stress hormones is invasive as it may require a blood, urine, or saliva sample of the person and additionally may be difficult or impossible to use for continuous monitoring.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Frequency domain analysis transform of renal blood flow doppler signal to determine stress levels


A collapsible ski includes a front part and a rear part that, when arranged in their linearly aligned position, are fixed in that position by a connecting platform which is rotatable around an axis, which extends throughout a fold between the front part and rear part, and which is rectangular. Benefits of such a collapsible ski may include, to a consumer, practical storage and transporting benefits, while to the manufacturer, may include simplification of technology for manufacturing of each component, when compared with manufacturing of classic single-part skis. The collapsible ski can be assembled in place simply without using any tools. The collapsible ski is assembled of several mutually connectable yet detachable parts. The collapsible ski also provides the possibility of combining separately manufactured and preferably standardized parts in view of providing semi-products and finalizing each collapsible ski.

The present disclosure is related to sports, specifically to skis, and in particular to a collapsible ski.
A collapsible ski is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,150. Such a ski, in its functionally assembled state, and when ready for use, like any other ski, comprises a front area with a tip, which is bent away from the ground, a rear area with a so-called tail, which is either planar or slightly bent away from the ground, as well as a central region, which is located between the front area and the rear area and is adapted for mounting each desired ski binding. A surface, which is during use is faced towards the ground, is furnished with a sliding layer, and both longitudinal edges thereof are appropriately reinforced in order to enable guidance of the skis by turning along a hard ground. Such a ski essentially consists of at least three parts, which are connectable to each other in a detachable manner: a front part and a rear part, which are pivotally connected with each other in the central region of the ski, as well as a covering part or top plate, which is pivotally connected with the rear part and can be placed over at least a portion of the front part and rear part of the ski and which is also fixed in such position when covering the front part and rear part. The covering part is designed as a U-profile and is adapted to engage with two ribs, which are present on the surface of the front part and the rear part at least in the central region of the ski, specifically, in the area of engagement with the covering part. Those skilled in the art will understand that, by bending such a ski due to bending deformation, the covering part and in particular a free end portion thereof is exposed to forces which can cause removal of the covering part from the surface of the ski. Thus, the covering part must be firmly fixed onto the surface of the ski, wherein the location of its attachment is exposed to high stresses.
A collapsible ski is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,821. Such a concept actually enables relative movements of the covering part relative to the front part and rear part, which are pivotally connected with each other. The front part and rear part are, in the area of cooperation or engagement with the covering part, essentially thickened, by which the rigidity thereof is essentially increased. Such local increasing of rigidity changes bending characteristics of the ski as a whole, since its deflecting capability in the front portion and the rear portion is essentially higher than in the central region.
In addition, due to such a concept, the so-called standing height is also essentially changed or increased. Specifically, a distance between the sliding surface and the bottom surface of a ski boot is changed. Such a distance might be beneficial for skilled users, e.g. in ski competitions, but is in contradiction with the concept of the ski as such, since it appears to be totally inappropriate for such purposes.
Moreover, the concept of such a U-shaped covering part does not enable mounting of rails suitable for quickly mounting ski bindings. Modifying the covering part to such purposes would lead to still further increasing of the standing height and also of the weight and rigidity of the ski.
Thus, what is needed is a collapsible ski which addresses the above issues.


Medium for chromatographic separations. The medium includes a support with a surface on which interwoven polymers are coated to form a polymer surface. The polymers are covalently linked to the support surface. The polymers are each formed from one or more monomer types and at least one monomer type has an amine functional group. The medium also includes an active molecule immobilized on the polymer surface that is selected to separate reagent materials by chemical structure.

The interaction of ink printed by thermal ink-jet printing and a printed substrate preferably exhibits both short term and long term stability. Ink-jet receiving layers, e.g., plain paper or a coating on coated media, need to absorb the printed ink vehicle to control the spread of color drops and prevent cooling or coalescence of the ink. In addition, the surface of the printed media need to prevent excess horizontal migration of an ink spot over the surface. Long term durability includes smearfastness, smudgefastness, waterfastness, and lightfastness. Smearfastness and a smudgefastness are measures of a printed ink's resistance to physico-chemical and physical abrasion, respectively. Waterfastness is a measure of the insolubility of the ink after printing. For example, the printed media should prevent migration of the ink after drying of an image upon exposure to moisture, for example, perspiration, rain or spilled drops of water. Lightfastness is a measure of the capacity of the printed media to retain images thereon in a stable fashion without substantial fading, blurring, distortion, and the like over time in the presence of natural or made-made light.


A method and system for measuring the thickness of a patterned film. In one embodiment, a first patterned film is impinged with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength which varies within a given wavelength range. The electromagnetic radiation reflected from the first patterned film is measured. The thickness of the first patterned film is then measured using thickness measuring equipment. The determined thickness of the first patterned film is then correlated with the measured reflectance of the electromagnetic radiation from the first patterned film. A second patterned film is then impinged with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength which varies within the given wavelength range. The electromagnetic radiation reflected from the second patterned film is measured. The present invention uses the previously determined correlation to determine the thickness of the second patterned film.

Semiconductor manufacturing requires precisely measuring various features and parameters. Features which must be precisely measured include, for example, thin films. A thin film of photoresist which is too thick or too thin can dramatically affect the semiconductor manufacturing process. Similarly, a parameter such as the focal length of a lithographic semiconductor manufacturing apparatus dramatically affects the condition and reliability of elements created using the lithographic semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.
Some prior art thin film thickness measuring techniques are based upon UV reflectance spectroscopy. Prior Art FIG. 1 shows a reflection of light, typically shown as rays 10, incident to a homogenous, substantially semitransparent layer 12. Using prior art thin film measuring techniques, once the refractive index, n.sub.1, of substantially semitransparent layer 12, and he refractive index, n.sub.2, of substrate 14 are known, the film thickness t.sub.1 of layer 12 can be determined. The thickness of semitransparent layer 12 is related to measured reflectivity as a function of wavelength, .lambda., via application of the Fresnel reflection formula: ##EQU1##
Thus, prior art thin film thickness measuring methods require knowledge of the refractive index of the thin film being measured and the refractive index of the underlying substrate. The user must also know or calculate the real and imaginary components of indices of refraction. The refractive indices of the thin film and the underlying substrate are commonly determined using a given Cauchy coefficient. Therefore, if the refractive indices are not known, prior art thin film thickness measuring techniques require the user to have known the refractive indices of the thin film and an underlying layer before the thickness of thin film can be calculated. Furthermore, prior art thin film thickness measuring techniques employing reflectance spectroscopy require that the film being measured is not entirely absorptive.
Prior Art techniques such as the "pin-bars" technique also exist for measuring parameters such as the focal length of a lithographic semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. However, prior art focus measuring techniques are subjective. As a result, user error can cause a lithographic semiconductor manufacturing apparatus to be set at a focus which is not the optimal focus. Likewise, differences in perception between different users can cause variances between different lithographic semiconductor manufacturing apparati.
Thus, the need has arisen for a thin film thickness measuring system which does not require the user to know or calculate the refractive indices of the thin film or an underlying layer; and a focal length measuring system which allows for objectively and consistently selecting an optimal focal length.

Thin film thickness and optimal focus measuring using reflectivity


A single system image is provided for a parallel data warehouse system by exposing a shell database within a database management system comprising metadata and statistics regarding externally stored data. Further, functionality of the database management system can be exploited to perform pre-execution tasks. In one instance, one or more execution plans can be generated by the database management system for an input command and subsequently employed to generate a distributed execution plan.

Massively parallel processing (MPP) systems have been widely adopted in recent years. MPP systems are distributed systems including multiple, network connected, independent nodes (e.g., compute nodes). Each node is self-sufficient in that it includes its own processor, memory, and operating system, among other things. Employment of a plurality of such nodes enables high-scale parallel processing. MPP system are also referred to as "loosely-coupled" or "shared nothing" systems based on node independence, use of network communication, as well as unshared processors, memory, and storage.
Although not limited thereto, MPP systems are typically used as data warehouses. That is, MPP systems are employed to manage and query vast amounts of data. For contrast, consider a single machine, or node, data warehouse. In this scenario, scaling problems can exist in view of massive quantities of data that can be available in certain circumstances. A parallel data warehouse, or in other words a data warehouse embodied as an MPP system, solves this problem by enabling scale out across many machines, or nodes, while still providing an illusion of a single database to a user. The illusion is called a single system image. This image allows a user to pretend that a giant database exists that includes all data when in fact data is distributed over numerous databases.


A vehicle positioning apparatus (10) includes a sensor (34), light source (32) and adjustment mechanism (30). The light source (32) projects a light beam (192) toward a vehicle (196) when the sensor senses the operation of a garage door opener (16). When the vehicle (196) is in a desired parking location, the light beam (192) can be adjusted to hit a reference point on the vehicle. Thereafter, when pulling into the garage, the driver is signaled to stop when the light beam (192) reaches the predetermined reference point.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of motor vehicle accessories. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an apparatus for assisting a driver to properly position a vehicle during parking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is a common problem to park or otherwise position a vehicle accurately within the limited confines of a typical garage. Accurate positioning is necessary to prevent the front of the vehicle from hitting the end wall or objects placed on or along the end wall. It is also necessary to have adequate clearance at the rear of the vehicle to allow a garage door to close without hitting the vehicle.
Devices which assist drivers in parking or positioning vehicles are known, but generally are of a simple mechanical type. These devices require the vehicle to contact a mechanical element such as an arm, lever, switch, or ball. Although these devices are effective in their assistance of positioning a vehicle, they occupy floor and walking space in the garage. Other devices include complex circuitry that must be electrically connected to a garage door opener. These types of devices are expensive and typically more difficult to install.
A further problem with prior art vehicle positioning devices is that their positioning indicators either cannot be adjusted or such adjustment is time consuming and requires movement of a substantial portion of the device. There is therefore a need for a simple, economical, easy to install and easy to adjust positioning apparatus that does not require electrical connection to a garage door opener.


Medicaments for the treatment or prophylaxis of ischemia-reperfusion injury in myocardial ischemia and cerebral ischemia, characterized in that the medicament contains batroxobin as an effective component.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a general term for an injury which occurs after blood circulation is restarted in an organic tissue fallen into ischemia when an excision operation or ablation of various organs is conducted. Such injury also occurs when blood circulation is restarted after being stopped for the transplantation of an organ. Thus, such an injury frequently occurs in many tissues, such as kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas and intestines as well as heart and brain.
So far, it has been believed that ischemia-reperfusion injury is caused by a rise in an energy metabolism or an increase in an active oxygen species by rapid reoxygenation, or a lipid peroxide and the like. However, the details of the mechanism still remain unknown. Under such circumstances, it is expected that if the active oxygen species is eliminated and the production of the lipid peroxide is inhibited, it will be possible to prevent the reduction of tissue function and the necrosis of the tissue to thereby make the treatment and prophylaxis for various diseases possible.
Various agents for eliminating the active oxygen species or antioxidants have been proposed. However, these agents are not very effective for the treatment and prophylaxis of ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Hence, there is strong and urgent need for the development of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of the ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Method for the treatment or prophylaxis of ischemia-reperfusion injury


A head assembly includes a suspension, a head slider having a magnetoresistive element mounted on a tip end of the suspension, and a pair of lead lines disposed on the suspension and having ends connected to the magnetoresistive element. The head assembly also has an easily breakable short circuit pattern disposed on the suspension and connecting said lead lines to each other. When the head assembly is handled by itself, because the lead lines are short-circuited by the short circuit pattern, a current produced due to an electrostatic charge buildup flows through the short circuit pattern and is prevented from flowing through the magnetoresistive element. After the head assembly is installed on an actuator arm, the short circuit pattern is broken, electrically disconnecting the lead lines from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a head assembly and a magnetic disk drive having the head assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
As magnetic disk drives have become smaller in size and greater in data storage density in recent years, the distance that a head slider floats off the magnetic disk is so reduced that there has been a demand for a magnetic disk drive in which a head slider floats off the magnetic disk a very small distance or is held in contact with the magnetic disk for contact recording/reproduction. Conventional magnetic induction heads suffer a degraded reproduction output capability if the peripheral speed, i.e., the relative speed between the head and the magnetic disk, is lowered due to a reduced magnetic disk diameter. It has been desired in the art to develop a magnetoresistive head (hereinafter referred to as an MR head) whose reproduction output capability does not depend on the peripheral speed and which is capable of producing a high reproduced output at low peripheral speeds.
The MR head operates by supplying a constant sense current to a magnetoresistive element (MR element), converting a change in the magnitude of a signal magnetic field leaking from a recording track on a recording medium into a change in the resistance of the MR head, and reproducing information recorded on the recording medium as a voltage change. The MR head generally has the MR element formed integrally with a head slider according to a thin-film fabrication process. The slider has a data-writing coil and is mounted by bonding or the like on the tip end of a suspension which is made of stainless steel.
Leads which connect the MR element and the data-writing coil to a recording/reproducing circuit of the magnetic disk drive are constructed as a copper pattern printed on the suspension. When the suspension is mounted on the tip end of an actuator arm, the MR element and the data-writing coil are electrically connected to the recording/reproducing circuit through a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or the like.
With a suspension which supports a conventional MR head slider, a pair of leads connected to terminals of the MR element or these leads and a ground line connected to a magnetic shield of the MR element are electrically disconnected from each other. Therefore, when the worker who is electrostatically charged handles the suspension with the MR head slider supported thereon or carries the suspension in an easily electrostatically chargeable casing made of synthetic resin or the like, an excessive current due to an electrostatic charge tends to flow into the MR element, damaging the MR element, or an electrostatic charge between the MR element and the magnetic shield is liable to be discharged, burning out the MR element.

Head assembly having short circuit pattern short-circuiting a pair of lead lines