A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first circuit and a second circuit having a breakdown voltage higher than that of the first circuit. Operation voltages of the first and second circuits can be made equal to or different from each other. The second circuit has a level shift circuit for shifting the level of an output signal of the first circuit in accordance with an operation voltage of the second circuit, an external output buffer having an input that can receive, selectively, an output signal of the level shift circuit or an input signal that bypasses the level shift circuit. When the first and second circuits operate with a low voltage, bypass is selected. In high-voltage operation and burn-in, the level shift circuit is selected.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit technique for addressing increase in speed of external output operation synchronized with a clock signal. More particularly, the invention relates to, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit using, in an external interface portion, a MOS transistor having a breakdown voltage higher than that of an internal circuit and, further, to a technique effective to be applied to a burn-in method of such a semiconductor integrated circuit.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 9(1996)-8632 discloses a technique of stepping down an external power supply voltage within an LSI and making an external interface circuit operate with an external power supply voltage by using the stepped-down voltage as an operation power source of an internal circuit from a viewpoint of reduction in the size of a circuit device, reduction in power consumption, and the like. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2000-353947 discloses a technique in a semiconductor output circuit having a function of shifting the level of an internal signal to a signal level of a breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device or higher and outputting the resultant, and a function of outputting a signal at the internal signal level which is before the level shifting. In the semiconductor output circuit, for an output buffer in which a MOS transistor for protection used to increase a breakdown voltage between the gate and source of an output buffer transistor is provided on the power supply side, in order to prevent delay in speed of change in rising of a signal caused by on-state resistance of the MOS transistor for protection (the power supply voltage of the output buffer is the same as that in the internal circuit), the on-state resistance of the MOS transistor for protection is set to be varied by controlling a gate voltage.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and a burn-in method thereof

Northern Japan Semiconductor Technologies, Inc.


A method and apparatus for treating a body tissue in situ (e.g., an atrial tissue of a heart to treat atrial fibrillation) include a lesion formation tool is positioned against the heart surface. The apparatus includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. The guide member also has interior surfaces and a longitudinal axis. A guide carriage is sized to be received with the guide member and moveable therein along the longitudinal axis. An optical fiber is positioned within the guide carriage with the carriage retaining the fiber. The carriage receives the fiber with an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and bends the fiber to a distal tip with an axis of said fiber at said distal tip at least 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis and aligned for discharge of laser energy through the tissue opposing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgical instruments for laser cardiac ablation procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to an ablation apparatus with a guide member to guide the ablation apparatus in a desired pattern.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A. Atrial Fibrillation
It is known that at least some forms of cardiac arrhythmia are caused by electrical impulses traveling through the cardiac muscle tissue by abnormal routes. In a normal, non-arrhythmic heart, electrical nerve impulses travel in an orderly and well-defined fashion through the sinoatrial node and then through the atrioventricular node in order to create an orderly flow of electrical impulses that lead to contraction in the heart.
In cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac impulses travel along undesirable pathways through the cardiac tissue leading to a rapid heart beat (tachycardia), slow heart beat (bradycardia) or a disorderly heart beat (fibrillation). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a chaotic heart rhythm of the atrial chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation prevents the heart from pumping blood efficiently causing reduced physical activity, stroke, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy and death.
B. Maze Procedure—Generally
One technique for treating atrial fibrillation is to surgically create lines in the heart muscle tissue (myocardium) whereby electrical conduction of nerve impulses is blocked or rerouted. This technique for creating lines of electrical blockage is referred to as the Maze procedure.
Initial approaches to performing the Maze procedure involved invasive surgery in which a series of linear incisions are made in the cardiac tissue and then sutured together. The lines of scar tissue that form in the incisions do not conduct electrical impulses and are intended to prevent disorderly contraction of the atrial tissue.
In a typical Maze procedure, several non-conductive lines are required. Each of the non-conductive lines is typically several centimeters in length. Once these lines scar and heal, they disrupt electrical pathways that may cause atrial fibrillation. Examples of the Maze procedure and other surgical techniques for treating atrial fibrillation are described in Chiappini, et al., "Cox/Maze III Operation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: A Comparison Study", Ann. Thorac. Surg., No. 77, pp. 87-92 (2004) and Cox, "Atrial fibrillation II: Rationale for surgical treatment", J. Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surg., Vol. 126, No. 6, pp. 1693-1699 (2003).
C. Less Invasive Maze Procedure Technologies
Less invasive ablation techniques have also been utilized to perform the Maze procedure. In such techniques, the surgeon typically drags an a radiofrequency (RF) electrode in a linear fashion along the endocardial (internal) or epicardial (external) surface of the heart to produce a series of lesions using heat to desiccated and ultimately kill cardiac cells. The scaring created by the lesions is ideally contiguous and non-conductive of electrical impulses. For endocardial use, standard ablation catheters or catheters with extended distal electrodes are employed. Epicardially, specially designed handheld probes with a distal electrode for the application of ablating energy are often used.
For the greatest likelihood of success in a Maze procedure, it is particularly important that the lesions created be transmural. A transmural lesion extends through the full wall thickness of the cardiac muscle at the location of the lesion. One factor that limits transmurality of lesions from the epicardium is the cooling effect of blood in and around the heart particularly during 'off-pump' procedures during which the heart is beating. This is particularly difficult when radio frequency (RF) energy is employed because it relies exclusively on thermal diffusion to create transmural lesions i.e, flow of heat from higher to lower temperature. The cooling effect of blood on the endocardial surface within the atrium limits attainment of the temperature required to form thermal lesions.
The maximum temperature, at electrode/tissue interface, is also limited to something less than the boiling point of water. Higher temperatures cause boiling of interstitial water creating explosions and subsequent tissue perforations. Perforations of the atrial wall leads to a weakening of the heart structure as well as significant bleeding during surgery that must be controlled.
Additionally, high electrode/tissue temperatures can create burns and adhesion between the probe and the heart tissue. Such adhesions can insulate the probe from the heart tissue blocking the efficient application of energy. These procedures are also a problem for the surgeon and staff who often must stop to clean the tip of the probe.
The efficacy of creating transmural lesions with RF can be enhanced by using a second electrode at the endocardial surface. The endocardial electrode provides a more direct electrical path through cardiac tissue which 'focuses' the energy more directly at the target site and secondarily protects the endocardial surface from direct cooling by blood flow in the left atrium. This approach requires access into the left atrium which adds complexity and increases risk to the patient.
The same analysis can also be applied to cryogenic methods which freeze interstitial water causing cellular death. However in this application, the blood warms the tissue at the endocardial surface which again limits the attainment of temperatures required to cause cellular death and create transmural lesions.
A discussion of techniques and technologies for treating atrial fibrillation is set forth in Viola, et al., "The Technology in Use for the Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation", Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 198-205 (2002). Viola et al. describe numerous ablation technologies for treating atrial fibrillation with the Maze procedure. These include cryosurgery, microwave energy, radiofrequency energy, and laser ablation.
D. Laser Ablation and the Maze Procedure
The use of lasers in treating atrial fibrillation is desirable because laser energy is first and foremost light which is subsequently converted to heat. Thus, the principles for transmission of light can be used to 'diffuse' laser energy in cardiac tissue. At selected wavelengths, light diffusion can be significantly faster and penetrate more deeply than thermal diffusion. To achieve this effect, it is important to understand the spectral characteristics of atrial tissue and select a laser wavelength with high transmissivity, i.e., low absorption. Wavelengths in the near infrared region, 700-1200 nanometers are suitable for achieving such results. Ideally the wavelength would be 790 to 830 or 1020 to 1140 nanometers. As a result, laser ablation is fast and results in narrow lesions. Viola, et al., "The Technology in Use for the Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation", Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 201, 204 (2002). However, in the prior art, laser ablation for treating atrial fibrillation has been troublesome.
Viola et al. discuss problems associated with the use of laser energy to treat atrial fibrillation. These concerns are directed to safety and reliability and note that lasers are prone to overheating because of the absence of a self-limiting mechanism. The authors note that over-heating with lasers can lead to crater formation and eventually to perforation, especially when using pin-tip devices. Viola, et al., supra, at p. 203. The authors note that the high power of laser ablation (described as 30 to 80 Watts) results in the laser technique not being widely clinically applied. Id., at p. 201. The mechanical effects resulting from direct heating of the myocardial tissue with laser energy results in cellular explosions caused by shock waves. Viola, et al., supra, at p. 201.
The possibility for perforation of the myocardium with laser energy raises a particular concern for treating atrial fibrillation. The myocardial wall of the atria is quite thin (e.g., about 2 mm in thickness in some locations). A coring of the myocardium by a laser could result in a full wall thickness perforation and resulting leakage of blood.
Viola et al. note the development of a long probe laser that allows diffusion of the laser thermal energy over the long probe tip in a unidirectional fashion. Id., at p. 201. While not mentioning the source of this long probe tip, it is believed by the present inventors to be referring to the atrial fibrillation laser of CardioFocus, Inc., Norton, Mass. (USA) as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/6333A1 in the name of Arnold, et al. (published Jan. 8, 2004) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,285 issued to Sinosky. This technology as practiced differs in two ways to that of the present invention. First, and most importantly, it defocuses the coherent laser beam by using reflective particles to scatter the light longitudinally and radially before it enters the tissue. This reduces the longitudinal movement required to produce linear lesions but, by decreasing the coherency of the laser beam before entering cardiac tissue, and negates many of the advantages of light to more deeply penetrate cardiac tissue. Secondly, this technology uses laser light in the 910 to 980 nanometer wavelengths which has a significant water absorption peak compared to 810 and 1064. The higher absorption reduces the penetration of the laser light through cardiac tissue. Reducing energy penetration depths increases the risk (particularly on a beating heart) of creating a lesion that is less than transmural.
E. Conductivity Verification
A further difficulty with creating linear nonconductive lesions is the inability to verify that a truly nonconductive lesion has been produced. If a transmural lesion is not properly formed in accordance with the Maze procedure, the treatment for atrial fibrillation may not be successful. This could require a second surgical procedure. It would be helpful if the surgeon could promptly discern whether a particular linear lesion is truly non-conducting at the time of the original procedure to permit correction at that time. This would enable prompt re-treatment if necessary.
F. Placing and Guiding an Atrial Ablation Tool
The afore-mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/975,674 describes formation of a lesion pattern by a surgeon moving the tip of a wand over the heart surface. Use of a tool to guide or control an ablation tool has been suggested. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,285 (assigned to CardioFocus, Inc.) shows a diffused light fiber tip in a malleable housing. The housing is bent to form a desired shape and placed against the heart. The diffused light fiber tip is moved through the housing in a series of steps to form a lesion. The lesion is formed by stopping the fiber at a location, energizing the motionless fiber to create a lesion, and moving the fiber to a new location to form a subsequent lesion segment. A similar arrangement for an ablation tool is shown in U.S. patent publication No. 2002/0087151 published Jul. 4, 2002 (assigned to AFx, Inc.).
U.S. patent publication No. 2004/0102771 published May 27, 2004 (assigned to Estech, Inc.) describes a device to guide an ablation tool while maintaining contact between the heart and an ablation device. Other devices for either guiding an ablation element or for maintaining contact for between an ablation element and the heart are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,605 (assigned to Epicor, Inc.). The '605 patent describes using vacuum against an epicardium or an inflatable balloon against a pericardium to maintain ablation devices in a fixed position against the heart. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,514,250 and 6,558,382 (both assigned to Medtronic, Inc.) describe suction to hold ablation elements against a heart.


In an environment in which applications perform multi-tasking by using threads, the optimum number of threads to be provided to an application is determined based on historical data. Due to the use of the historical data, optimum number of threads can be accurately determined, leading to better response times for service requests, without creating unneeded overhead on system processing the service requests. In one embodiment, various status information (of potentially several prior weeks) such as number of tasks received and pending, system resources status (e.g. idle processor time and aggregate memory usage in the system), is maintained. In addition, a table may be maintained to indicate the optimum number of threads for a given combination of status information values. Thus, based on the expected status scenario, the optimum number of threads can be determined and provided at various points of time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to design and implementation of digital processing systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for providing optimal number of threads to applications performing multi-tasking using threads.
2. Related Art
Multi-tasking refers to execution of multiple tasks in parallel generally sharing the same resources (e.g., processing unit, memory). Multi-tasking provides several advantages such as enabling continuation of execution of other tasks when one task is blocked, for example, awaiting the occurrence of an external event.
Applications often perform multi-tasking using threads. As is well known, a thread generally refers to a sub-set of software instructions (of a program) which can be executed by a program (implementing the application). Threads are differentiated from processes in that each process generally independently executes a complete program. Threads generally offer advantages such as management (creation, destruction, etc.) with minimal overhead (compared to processes), and thus are widely used in several environments (e.g., Java).
Threads are often initiated (created) in anticipation of future requirement of execution of tasks (e.g., tasks that would support processing of a service request such as a sales order). Such prior initiation enables the tasks to be processed soon after arrival of service requests, thereby minimizing the response time to process the service requests.
It is generally desirable to provide an optimal number of threads to applications performing multi-tasking using threads. For example, providing fewer threads (than needed) could lead to degradation (high) response times since time would be consumed either to initiate additional threads, or to wait for a thread to be freed. On the other hand, initiating more threads would lead to unneeded overhead in creation and termination (destruction) of threads, as well as memory overhead.
In one prior embodiment, the number of threads provided to an application is determined based on static configuration according to a pre-specified convention (e.g., in a pre-specified file). Unfortunately, the application may need different number of threads at different points of time, and accordingly fewer or more threads (compared to an optimal number) may be provided, potentially leading to various undesirable results noted above.
Accordingly what is needed is a method and apparatus for providing optimal number of threads to applications performing multi-tasking using threads.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Providing optimal number of threads to applications performing multi-tasking using threads


A multilayer printed circuit board including a first printed circuit board portion, including a first inserting connector, including a plurality of contacts for creating a first removable bus connection; a second printed circuit board portion, including a second inserting connector, including a plurality of contacts for creating a second removable bus connection; a third printed circuit board portion, connected between the first printed circuit board portion and to the second printed circuit board portion, wherein a rigidity of the third printed circuit board portion is less than a rigidity of each of the first printed circuit board portion and the second printed circuit board portion; wherein the multilayer printed circuit board is foldable along the third printed circuit board portion and, if so folded, the first printed circuit board portion is arranged on top of the second printed circuit board portion.

A system-in-package (SiP) may include a plurality of integrated circuits in one or more chip carrier packages, which may be stacked upon one another. Because the multiple integrated circuits permit SiPs to perform a plurality of functions, they are widely used in a variety of electronic systems.
SiP dies may be stacked vertically and/or tiled horizontally. SiPs are typically connected to neighboring chips (also referred to herein as "daughter boards"), and these connections are conventionally achieved via either ball grid array (BGA) or standard wire-based board-to-board connections.
BGA connections may be favored in some implementations, as they permit a large quality of connections within a small area. That is, BGA connections are able to provide higher IO/mm2 connection with smaller ball pitch. This high density of connections may permit reduced size and/or high transmission speeds, which may be desirable. Nevertheless, BGA connections are rigid and difficult to alter. SiPs connected by BGAs may be difficult to remove or exchange, and they may be considered by the consumer as being permanent or unchangeable. In many devices, it may be desirable to exchange the SiP, such as by updating or upgrading the SiP within the device. This may be difficult or impossible to achieve when the SiP is connected via BGA connections.
Alternatively, it is known to connect SiPs via wire-based board-to-board connections. These standard wire-based board-to-board connections may include a plurality of wires or electrodes, each leading to a single connector. Typically, the connecter includes a row of pins or holes, which are fitted together with a row of complementary pins or holes. Consumers may prefer these connections, as they are easily removed and thus permit parts to be relatively easily exchanged or updated. For example an SiP connected to a neighboring chip (e.g. daughter board) via such a wire-based board-to-board connector could easily be separated from the neighboring chip by disconnecting the row of pins from the row of holes, or vice versa.
Due to their design, however, these wire-based board-to-board connectors tend to provide only a single row of connections, which may result in much reduced connection density than would be possible with a BGA connection. This reduced connection density typically results in large connection area, greater size, and/or reduced transmission speeds. As a result, these wire-based board-to-board connections may be disfavored or unsuitable for various implementations or applications.


Some embodiments provide methods of increasing a resolution of multimedia content. Some of those methods comprising: identifying an uprendering matrix, wherein the uprendering matrix is dependent on a resulting resolution of resulting multimedia content having the increased resolution; and for each source image of the multimedia content: defining a reference image of the source image from the multimedia content, wherein the reference image has a resolution that is the same as an original resolution of the source image; defining multiple shifted images of the source image, wherein each of the multiple shifted images corresponds with one of the elements of the uprendering matrix; and coalescing pixels from each of the reference image and the shifted images creating an uprendered image having a higher resolution than the reference image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to multimedia content, and more specifically to rendering multimedia content.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Large amounts of multimedia content were generated with display resolutions that are relatively low compared to current displays. Similarly, many multimedia sources are configured to generate content with resolutions that are relatively low compared to current displays.

Method and system for use in uprendering multimedia content


A pressure detecting sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first electrode layer including a plurality of signal electrodes arranged in a first region and a plurality of wiring electrodes arranged in a second region and connected to the plurality of signal electrodes, the first electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber; an elastic dielectric layer arranged in the first region; and a second electrode layer arranged in the elastic dielectric layer, the second electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber.

Recently, due to development of electronic technologies and information and communication technologies, the field of health care has been rapidly developed. That is, a health care system capable of measuring conditions of a human body by using biometric information has been required, and more particularly, a technology of obtaining biometric information by using a chair generally used in a daily life has been developed. For example, a technology of mounting a sensor, which detects a pressure, in a chair so as to check a weight, age group, posture, and the like of one who is seated has been required.
A general pressure detecting sensor may have a structure in which a lower electrode, an elastic dielectric layer, and an upper electrode are sequentially stacked. In such a pressure detecting sensor, a thickness of the elastic dielectric layer changes according to a variation of a pressure applied to the upper electrode, capacitance varies according to the variation in the thickness of the elastic dielectric layer, and the pressure applied to the upper electrode is calculated according to the variation of the capacitance.
However, while a human body touches the pressure detecting sensor, when the pressure detecting sensor shakes or an electromagnetic field is formed around the pressure detecting sensor, capacitance of the pressure detecting sensor changes even though a pressure is not substantially applied. As described above, shakes, electromagnetic waves, or touches of a human body may function as noise of the pressure detecting sensor.


An inductor component includes a drum core including a winding core portion extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of flange portions disposed on end portions of the winding core portion, a plate core bonded to the pair of flange portions, and a wire wound around the winding core portion. The drum core and the plate core are made of a magnetic material. An average distance between the plate core and the pair of flange portions is no less than about 20 μm and no more than about 50 μm. The wire includes aligned banked winding portions arranged along the longitudinal direction and more than half of a total number of turns of the wire belong to the aligned banked winding portions.

An inductor component including a drum core made of a magnetic material can achieve high inductance by bonding a plate core made of a magnetic material to the drum core such that the plate core spans a distance between a pair of flange portions in the drum core and thus forming a closed magnetic circuit.
However, this configuration is effective only for uses in low frequencies in ordinary cases because it utilizes the characteristic in which the relative permeability of ferrite is high.
It is known that generally an inductor component including a plate core made of a magnetic material possess degraded direct-current superimposition characteristics. Thus, the inductor component may have a gap between the drum core and the plate core with the aim of improving the direct-current superimposition characteristics, as described in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-363178 and the like. This closed magnetic circuit structure having the gap can suppress the magnetic saturation and improve the direct-current superimposition characteristics.


A switching contact, an electromagnetically operated electromagnet for driving the switching contact, and a drive power source device for driving the electromagnetically operated electromagnet. The electromagnetically operated electromagnet includes a movable core coupled to a movable contact of the switching contact, a fixed core located in a peripheral portion of the movable core, and coils wound around the movable core and the fixed core. Currents are supplied to the coils to drive the movable core. Capacitors store charges for supplying the current to the coils. Resistors are arranged in series with a path through which the capacitors are connected with the coils of the electromagnetically operated electromagnet and through which a current for closing operation flows. Capacitances of the capacitors and values of the resistors are controlled to adjust a supplied current characteristic to the electromagnetically operated electromagnet.

According to a conventional electromagnetically operated switch, in a case of capacitor driving, charges are discharged from a capacitor to an electromagnetically operated unit (electromagnetic coil) to thereby generate an electromagnetic force in the electromagnetically operated unit to be driven (see, for example, Patent Document 1).    Patent Document 1: JP 2005-44612 A (page 12, line 39 to page 13, line 14, and FIGS. 8 and 9)

Electromagnetically operated switching device


The present invention provides a heat ray (infrared) reflecting glass structure of the type composed of two sheets of transparent plate glass substrates with same size, wherein a metal or metallic oxide heat ray reflecting material coating layer with desired color is coated on the inner surface of the outdoor-facing plate glass substrate, and a black or gray printing ink coating layer having orderly intercrossing stripes or net configuration composed of circle or hexagon patterns is further coated or printed on said metal or metallic oxide coating layer; then said outdoor-facing plate glass substrate and the other plate glass substrate are laminated with an intermediate adhesive layer to become a laminate structure which renders most sunlight reflected and only a portion of it will pass through the crevices without reflecting material and printing ink coating into indoor and is characterized in high heat insulation, high luminosity, no duplicated virtual image or no distorted static image.

This invention relates to a novel improvement in the structure of conventional transparent heat ray (infrared) reflecting glass with high heat insulation, high luminosity and monodirectional reflection while eliminating the duplicated virtual images or distorted static image often seen on the inner surface of conventional heat ray reflecting glass. Conventional heat ray reflecting laminated safety glass, widely used for the curtain walls of buildings, are made by using strong adhesives to laminate together two sheets of plate glass substrate having a desired thickness into a laminate structure wherein on the inner surface of the first outward-facing transparent or colored plate glass substrate is reflective film-treated, plated or coated with a metal or metallic oxide heat ray reflecting layer by conventional methods such as vacuum deposition, electroless plating or thermal decomposition, oxidization and the other second plate may be polyester or polycarbonate plate depending upon the particular applications.
The reflecting rate of conventional metal or metallic oxide reflecting film coated on the inner surface of the aforesaid outer plate glass substrate is generally about 12% to 50%, and the polymeric resin laminating adhesive layer in-between the two substrates is about 0.01 to 3 m/m in thickness, so the glass of curtain walls become mirror-like when viewed from the outside of the building. However, since the glass sheet and resin adhesive layer possess different reflecting rates of 1.52 and 1.48 to 1.6 respectively, a daze or visual compression will usually arise from the duplicated virtual image or distorted static image brought out by the discrepancy of reflective indices among materials of different densities and the uneven surface of glass sheets when produced. This phenomenon will especially deteriorate further when outdoors is brighter than indoors or the intermediate adhesive layer is thicker. Such adverse on the human eye have in the past been relieved only by using dark-colored heat-absorbing glass for the inner plate glass substrate to reduce or cover indoor images on the reflecting film or the dazzling lights; another words, there is not yet another effective means for overcoming or solving such disadvantages as the above-mentioned duplicated virtual image on conventional heat ray reflecting laminated safety glass.
Currently the transparency rate is maintained within the range of 40% to 8% for interior lighting while the heat ray reflecting rate is within the range from 12% to 50%. Accordingly, in addition to aforementioned disadvantages, the transparency rate for luminosity decreases as the reflecting rate of the metal or metallic oxide layer is increased to more than 50% even though more energy for air conditioning is saved as a result of fewer solar rays passing through. It therefore, becomes a most critical issue for those skilled in the art to find a way to obtain a more satisfactory reflecting rate as well as a transparency rate that are indirectly proportional to each other.

Heat ray reflecting glass structure having high heat insulation, high luminosity and monodirectional reflectivity


The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for the same. In the magnetic recording medium there are provided a read/write region which permits modification of written data and a read-only region dedicated to the reading of data, which is used for reading only once writing is done. In recording servo information to a data format region of the magnetic recording medium, the time width of servo information in the read-only region is set shorter than that in the read/write region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium capable of writing and reading digital data, as well as a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a magnetic recording medium, for example in a floppy disk or a hard disk, digital information is written in a predetermined format using a head, then is read as necessary, and a corresponding processing is executed using a personal computer or the like. These types of magnetic recording mediums are constituted by applying a magnetic material onto the surface of a thin, disk-like, resinous sheet.
Standards have been established for this type of magnetic recording mediums. According to the standards, head tracing paths, called tracks, are prescribed concentrically from the outside toward the center, each track is divided in the circumferential direction, and each divided recording unit is designated a sector. For each sector is prescribed a format comprising an ID field, a gap, a data field and a gap successively in order of writing and reading. Data which has been written in a certain format cannot be read out unless the same format is followed.
In the case of such magnetic recording mediums as a floppy disk and a hard disk, unlike CD-ROM or the like, it is possible to select writing (W) and reading (R) arbitrarily.
In the above prior art, there is no distinction between reading (R) and writing (W), and the magnetic recording medium is employable for both reading and writing. Therefore, track density is set to the same density throughout the whole region thereof. Further, the time width of servo information in a data format is set to the same width for both reading and writing.
Consequently, in the case of reading only, it is not required to take a wide track margin between tracks, which however is set to the same degree as in writing (at the time of writing it is necessary to take the track pitch somewhat large in consideration of both variations in magnetic head characteristics between apparatuses and the follow-up characteristics of a tracking servo mechanism so as to prevent destruction of data caused by interference with data of the adjacent track). This has been an obstacle to the improvement of the memory capacity (track density).
Further, in recording servo information in the data format region, AGC (automatic gain control) is once reset and thereafter the writing of servo information is performed. Therefore, taking the time required for AGC circuit to rise into consideration, it is necessary to set the time width of a servo preamble portion of the servo information, to be relatively long thus resulting in that it is required to make the time width of the servo information long. Also from this point, a difficulty has been encountered in increasing the memory capacity.

Magnetic recording medium formed in a plurality of tracks and magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus for the same


There is provided a system and method for detecting excess flow in an engine fluid system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of a fluid flowing in a fluid line of the fluid system, the fluid line located downstream of a fluid flow restrictor configured to receive the fluid from a source upstream thereof and to flow the fluid from the source into the fluid line downstream thereof, comparing the temperature to a temperature threshold, and when the temperature is beyond the temperature threshold, detecting excess flow of the fluid in the fluid line and outputting an excess flow indication accordingly.

In an engine fluid system, excessive flow in a fluid line can be caused by a disconnected or loose fluid connection, which can result from a missed maintenance or assembly operation. Excessive fluid flow can also be caused by a fracture of the fluid line (e.g., a break in a tube in the engine's pneumatic system), which can be a critical failure mode. It is therefore desirable to detect these failures in an efficient manner. Existing methods of monitoring fluid flow in an engine fluid system can however prove complex. As such, there is room for improvement.

System and method for detection of excessive flow in a fluid system


An wave turbine composed of a omnidirectional turbine (or Double Wind Turbine) that is used with two tanks and a connecting tube between the two tanks. This omnidirectional turbine is placed in the middle of the connecting tube in a vertical axis position. The two tanks are placed a half wave length apart from the center to the center of each tank. Since the two tanks are a half water wave apart, than as water level of one of the tank rises the other water level on the other tank will go to lower and vise versa. This action will cause a back and forward motion of compressed air through the connecting tube. This compressed air will go through the omnidirectional turbine and cause a unidirectional rotation of the omnidirectional turbine. A axle connected to the omnidirectional turbine will transfer the energy to a generator to produce power output.

It is well known that most of the energy is produced from oil and natural gas or coal. The problem is that this sources will not last forever. Also since more nations are becoming industrialized, this sources are in great demand and in part make this sources more expensive. Therefor, the economy of not one nation but of the world is affected.
Also we have the contamination of our air, water, food and the warming of the planet. Therefor we need sources of energy that do not harm our planet and there for mankind. Some of these sources are wind, sun and sea power. Sea power from water waves is clean, renewable, free and can be produced almost on any part of the planet.
In the UK, on the Scottish island of Islay. The limpet (land Installed Marin Powered Energy) uses a similar system. Water waves causes water level in a collector to oscillate up and down and air is forced in and out of a tube connected to this collector. A Wells Turbine will rotate in one direction with the action of the bidirectional air pressure produced here.
This system (The Limpet) is not to effective because it uses the crest or the trough of the wave one at a time. Also since it is open to the atmosphere it very noisy. The present invention uses the trough and the crest of the wave at the same time, there for producing more power. Also it is a close system so it is much quieter.
It is therefore an object of the invention to extract energy from the water waves of any large body of water.
It is another object of the invention to produce clean, renewal energy.
It is another object of the invention to extract this energy in very quiet manner.
It is another object of the invention to produce a very powerful output because of the venturi effect.
It is another object of this invention to use few moving parts.


A method and apparatus for purifying air to deactivate toxic chemical and biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, Anthrax spores, E. coli bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Hepatitis virus, and Norwalk virus. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber coupled to a counterflow heat exchanger. Incoming contaminated air is directed through a heating side of a counterflow heat exchanger to preheat it. The air is further heated to a temperature of at least 200xc2x0 C., which is sufficient to deactivate common biological toxic species. Optionally, the reaction chamber may include a catalyst on a surface area over which the heated air is directed, which enables a thermocatalytic reaction that is particularly effective in deactivating biological and chemical warfare agents, such as anthrax and Sarin. Portable embodiments of the invention are useful in both military and civilian air purifying applications, while fixed installation of the apparatus are useful in deactivating toxic species from the air in areas where food is prepared or stored, or in purifying air in the environment of a living space.

The present invention generally concerns air purification, and more specifically, the purification of air that contains toxic species, using high-temperature processing.
In recent years, there has been considerable concern by the military that troops may enter war zones and be exposed to air contaminated with toxic chemical and/or biological agents. Examples of such toxic chemical agents include Sarin, mustard gas (bis(2-chloroethyl)thioether), phosgene, and cyanogen chloride; examples of biological agents include Anthrax, E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis, and Norwalk virus. Although outlawed by worldwide treaties, the use of such warfare agents in military conflicts is a strong possibility and poses a serious threat to both military and civilian personnel.
There are several known methods for removing or destroying chemical species from contaminated air, including adsorption by carbon, photo-catalytic oxidation and thermocatalytic oxidation. In addition, methods for removing or destroying airborne bacteria particulates include filtration, photo-catalytic oxidation, and thermocatalytic oxidation. Apparatus useful for employing these methods are also well known in the art.
While the foregoing methods (and their associated apparatus) are suitable in certain instances, they may not produce viable results in the field under warfare conditions. For example, a specific air filtration device may remove certain types of toxic biological species, such as bacteria, while not removing other toxic species, such as viruses, or may not be able to reduce the concentration level of a particular toxic species to an acceptable level. Furthermore, the devices used to implement the methods may require heavy or bulky equipment that is impractical for use by personnel in the field, who need to be provided with lightweight devices. It would therefore be desirable to provide a compact air purification device capable of removing and/or reducing toxic warfare agents to an acceptable level that can be worn or used by ground troops and others who may be exposed to these agents.
Another problem that is frequently encountered is the unknowing consumption of food containing toxic species such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Hepatitis. Each of these toxins can be harmful when ingested by humans, causing death in some circumstances. Food is sometimes contaminated with these toxins during food processing operations, or may be contaminated through contact with air containing such toxins, due to inadequate sealing of the food and/or inadequate refrigeration, or prolonged refrigeration. For instance, raw eggs commonly are infected with Salmonella, and E. coli is often found in animal waste and can contaminate meat processed in plants that apply inadequate or improper procedures. Additionally, unpasteurized fruit products such as fruit juices may be contaminated with E. coli if made with fruit that has come into contact with animal waste. Furthermore, ethylene oxide and other chemical contaminants increase the rate at which food spoils in confined spaces such as refrigerators. It would therefore be desirable to provide apparatus for purifying air in food processing plants, cold storage facilities, and refrigerators; the apparatus should be capable of removing or deactivating a substantial portion of any toxic species present in the air in such facilities. It would also be beneficial to provide a similar device for removing ammonia, amines, and other organic chemicals for the air in semiconductor processing plant environments.
The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing a process and associated apparatus for purifying air that is particularly useful in removing or deactivating toxic chemical and biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, ammonia, ethylene oxide, Anthrax spores, E. coli bacteria, salmonella bacteria, Hepatitis virus, listeria, legionella, and Norwalk virus. The apparatus can be configured in different embodiments, including those that employ a noble metal catalyst to facilitate a thermocatalytic deactivation of a vast majority of the toxic chemical and biological species present in the air. One or more embodiments is sufficiently portable for use on the battlefield, and other embodiments for removing toxic species from areas in which food is prepared or stored.
According to a first aspect of the invention, air purification apparatus include a thermocatalytic reactor coupled to a counterflow heat exchanger. The thermocatalytic reactor has an enclosed passage with a surface area comprising a noble metal catalyst over which heated air is directed to flow. The noble metal catalyst promotes a thermocatalytic reaction that deactivates at least 90% of any toxic chemical and biological species present in the air. The counterflow heat exchanger greatly increases the thermal efficiency of the process by substantially heating the contaminated air that enters the apparatus and cooling the air that leaves the thermocatalytic reactor so that the air is nearly at ambient temperature when it exits the apparatus. The noble metal catalyst preferably is platinum, or palladium, or a combination of the two. The air is preferably heated to at least 200xc2x0 C., and more preferably to at least 300xc2x0 C., using an electric resistance heater, or a light hydrocarbon combustor, or other heat source. The apparatus is especially well suited for removing and/or deactivating toxic species having a size less than 10 xcexcm and a concentration level less than 50,000 parts per million (ppm).
According to a second aspect of the invention is directed to portable air purification apparatus incorporating substantially the same components as the foregoing apparatus, but in a reduced size. Included is a reaction chamber in which the air is preferably heated to a sufficient temperature to deactivate toxic biological species commonly associated with food poisoning, such as salmonella bacteria and E. coli bacteria. The portable apparatus may optionally include a catalyst element that is suited for use in the thermocatalytic deactivation of toxic warfare agents, such as nerve gases and chemical agents. The counterflow heat exchanger preferably comprises a plurality of thin plates that are stacked in an alternating fashion such that heat is exchanged between an incoming stream of contaminated air and an exiting stream of purified air, in a counterflow heat exchanger configuration.
According to further aspects of the invention, various scavenger apparatus are disclosed for purifying larger quantities of air, such as in a food processing plant or clean room. The scavenger apparatus comprise various external configurations, including cylindrical and cubic shapes. Included is a counterflow heat exchanger in fluid communication with a reaction chamber in which contaminated air is thermally and/or thermocatalytically deactivated, in the manner discussed above.
According to another aspect of the invention, a process for purifying air contaminated with toxic biological and/or chemical species is defined. The process can be implemented with the foregoing apparatus, and begins by directing contaminated air, e.g., from the ambient, through a heating fluid path through a counterflow heat exchanger, wherein the air is heated to a temperature substantially above ambient. The air is preferably heated to at least 200xc2x0 C., and more preferably to at least 300xc2x0 C., whereupon it is passed over a surface comprising a noble metal catalyst. The catalyst purifies the air by creating a thermocatalytic reaction that deactivates a substantial portion of the toxic biological and chemical species present in the air. The purified air is then directed along a cooling path through the counterflow heat exchanger and cooled by heat transfer with the air eitering the apparatus. The temperature of the purified air exiting the heat exchanger is close to ambient.

Method and apparatus for air purification


A method for performing audio input/output through a telephone in a computer system, wherein a telephony driver and an audio driver and an audio task executing on a digital signal processing subsystem of the computer system perform sound sample data conversion to a standard data format and perform sample rate conversion and stereo to mono conversion for digital telephone compatibility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of personal computer systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a multifunction input/output subsystem for a personal computer that enables unrestricted sound file input and output through a telephone set.
2. Art Background
Non dedicated telephone lines are often employed in small office or home office environments to provide modem and fax communication lines for a personal computer. The personal computer typically employs a non dedicated telephone line for sharing modem and fax calls as well as voice calls. Such telephone line sharing enables modem and fax communication while avoiding the cost of providing separate modem telephone lines and fax telephone lines in the small business or home office.
In such small business or home office environments, a telephony subsystem of the personal computer typically performs the telephone line interface functions required for modem, fax and voice communication. The telephone line interface functions include line seizure and ring detect, as well as audio and digital signal processing functions.
Typically, application programs executing on the personal computer perform the higher level modem, fax and voice communication functions as well as user interface functions.
In a typical small business or home office telephone line topology, the telephony subsystem is coupled to an incoming telephone line or a private branch exchange (PBX) line. The telephony subsystem usually drives one or more serial telephones over a local line.
Typically in such systems, the telephony subsystem transfers incoming voice calls on the telephone line to the serial telephone over the local line to enable a user to receive the voice call. The telephony subsystem usually employs a switching device such as a relay to couple the telephone line to the local line and serial telephone.
Unfortunately is such prior systems, the telephony subsystem creates a physical connection through the relay between the telephone line and the local line to transfer incoming voice calls to the serial telephone. With such a physical connection, the originator of the incoming voice call hears a busy signal over the telephone line if the serial telephone is off-hook during the incoming call. As a consequence, the serial telephone must remain on-hook to receive incoming voice calls, thereby precluding the use of the serial telephone for other input/output functions.

Audio record and playback through a standard telephone in a computer system


This invention relates to a process for the production of a transdermal therapeutic system containing the active substance 17-.beta.-estradiol and optionally further active substances having a laminated structure positioned on a backing layer which is essentially impermeable to active substance and moisture, one or more matrix layers and optionally an adhesive layer, characterized in that at least one of the matrix layers or the adhesive layer contains anhydrous 17-.beta.-estradiol in crystalline form.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system for the release of 17-.beta.-estradiol and, optionally, further active substances through the skin to the human body.
2. The Prior Art
Transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) have already been introduced on the market for the pharmaceutical therapy of a series of deseases. Meanwhile, even TTS comprising the active substance 17-.beta.-estradiol have become available on the market as therapeutic agents for climacteric complaints, recently also for osteoporosis, and they are being successfully applied in therapy.
One disadvantage of the systems according to the prior art is the insufficient capacity of the active substance to permeate the skin, which despite numerous galenic measures aimed at the TTS design (the use of multilayered systems and control membranes, variation of the active substance concentration, modification of the base polymer, etc.) can-not be increased beyond a certain limit, the so-called "saturation flow". The conclusion that the transdermal flow of an active substance out of the solid, finely dispersed phase can in principal not be increased further, not even where more highly solvent vehicles are used, already appears in the works of Higuchi (e.g. T. Higuchi: Physical Chemical Analysis of percutaneous absorption process from creams and ointments. J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem. 11, pages 85-97 (1960), which have been pioneering books to this day.
The systems described in EP 0 421 454 contain 17-.beta.-estradiol in an acrylate polymer with the addition of crystallization inhibitors and tackifying resins. The systems contain swelling substances for protection against premature loss of adhesiveness.
However, with many active substances there is a possibility to add so-called enhancers (penetration enhancers) to the TTS during the production. These are additives, which are generally liquid and which enhance the resorption properties of the human skin and thus permit resorption from a sufficiently small TTS area. Particularly highly volatile enhancers, such as ethanol, which is used for example for the active substance 17-.beta.-estradiol, present problems of excessive softening of the adhesive layers of the TTS and, above all, make further space-consuming compartments necessary, which render the TTS unacceptably thick.
Furthermore, every additional non-polymeric additive involves a danger of intolerance to the skin, possibly also of sensitization.
However, when adding certain, less volatile enhancers (e.g. glycerol ester, cyclic amids, eucalyptol), which are, however, mostly less active, it is possible to produce matrix systems that contain the active substance and the resorption-enhancing component in one or more monolithic layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,738 is one of many examples claiming the application of active substances, e.g. 17-.beta.-estradiol together with a particular enhancer (in this case glyceryl mono-oleate) in any desired TTS matrix and in any desired concentration.
Unfortunately, according to the state of the art, with such TTS a satisfactory therapy cannot be achieved either, since either the selected enhancers are too poorly tolerated by the skin, or the systems have an unacceptable large area owing to the still insufficient flow through the skin.
Another (theoretic) possibility to increase the active substance flow through the skin is to dissolve greater amounts of the active substance in the TTS as a molecular dispersion than corresponds to the saturation solubility. As the degree of oversaturation of such systems increases, the speed of the permeation through the skin increases accordingly. As such physical conditions are, however, thermodynamically unstable, pharmaceutic products of this kind cannot be stored. Within months or at the latest years, a spontaneous, unpredictable precipitation of active substance particles occurs, so that the flow rate through the skin gradually falls down to the saturation flow level, and thus a great part of the initially present therapeutic activity is lost.

Process for the production of a transdermal therapeutic system comprising the active substance 17-.beta.-estradiol (anhydrous)

LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG


An accessory kit which allows the tree stand to be used as a game carrier without interfering with the normal functioning of the tree stand. The kit includes a pair of support members that are pivotally mounted to the tree stand frame. Each support member rotatably supports a wheel at its free-swinging end, thus allowing the wheel to move between retracted and deployed positions. A pair of locking braces extend between the tree stand frame and each support member to fix the wheels in the deployed position. The wheels are retracted by detaching one end of each locking brace from the respective support member and then folding the locking braces. The support members are folded over the locking braces. The support members can be releasably pinned to the brackets supporting the locking braces to fix the wheels in the retracted position. A pair of handle bars can be attached to the hinged ends of the support members to use the tree stand as a game carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an accessory which allows a tree stand to be used as a game carrier without affecting normal operation of the tree stand.
2. Description of Related Art
In heavily hunted woodland areas, hunting from tree stands is becoming one of the most productive and popular hunting methods. Tree stands usually fold into a more compact package allowing the tree stand to be carried on the hunter's back in the manner of a backpack. When the hunter travels to and from a hunting site, the hunter has to carry a considerable amount of equipment including a firearm or bow, ammunition or arrows, the tree stand, a flashlight, a survival kit, provisions, and game calls. Because the tree stand is carried on the back, the hunter is precluded from wearing a backpack and thus often times he or she will have both hands full with equipment when trekking to the hunting site.
Another piece of equipment that hunters often find useful is the game carrier, which is used to transport harvested game out of the hunting fields. This device somewhat resembles a wheelbarrow, having a frame which is supported on an axle or a single wheel.
Therefore, if the hunter plans to use a game carrier to haul his game out of the hunting area, he or she must usually make two trips, a first trip to carry the tree stand and other equipment to the hunting site and a second trip to carry the game carrier to the hunting site.
For the above reasons, combination tree stand/game carriers have been proposed in the related art. However, hunters who have already invested in a tree stand would prefer not to incur the substantial expense of a new combination tree stand/game carrier. Further, hunters who have become comfortable with the use and operation of their old tree stands would rather not give up their old tree stands. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an accessory kit that can be used to retrofit an existing tree stand for conversion of the existing tree stand into a combination tree stand/game carrier. The present invention provides exactly such an accessory kit which can be used to retrofit an existing tree stand for conversion of the existing tree stand into a combination tree stand/game carrier.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,379, issued to Harley B. Riggs on Nov. 14, 1967, shows a combination tree stand and game cart. Riggs does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,982, issued to Robert E. Strickland on Mar. 30, 1982, shows a combination tree stand and game cart. Strickland does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,291, issued to Richard F. Shoestock, Sr. Jul. 18, 1995, shows a combination tree stand and wheeled game carrier. Shoestock does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,137, issued to Thomas L. McNeill on Jan. 9, 1996, shows a combination tree stand and game carrier. McNeill does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand. Further, McNeill does not show the retractable wheel supporting members of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,196, issued to John L. Michno on Feb. 20, 1996, shows a combination tree stand and game cart. Michno does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand.
International (PCT) Patent Application Number WO 93/00967, by Joseph Skovajsa, published Jan. 21, 1993, shows a wheeled tree climbing device. Skovajsa does not show an accessory kit that can be retrofitted to an existing, conventional tree stand.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Accessory for allowing use of a tree stand as a game carrier


Provided is a cab isolation system for a locomotive is provided including a cab having a front and a rear. The cab isolation system further includes a pivot located generally near the rear of the cab and at least one spring generally located near the front of the cab. In another embodiment, dampers may further be provided and generally located near the front of the cab. In another embodiment, lateral links may further be provided and generally located near the front of the cab. This system may include any of the above elements, alone or in combination, to provide for a cab isolation system for isolating a locomotive cab from engine generated structure borne noise and vibration, while lower frequency track induced motions are not magnified.

The present invention generally relates to a locomotive cab and, more specifically to a cab isolation system for a locomotive.
Locomotives traditionally include cab isolation systems generally having four rubber mounts at each corner of the locomotive cab. These cab isolation systems generally work well for engine induced structure borne noise. However, these traditional systems are sensitive to engine induced vibration and to track induced low frequency motions.
Some traditional highway trucks include a cab isolation system that is dependent on a front rubber bushing pivot and rear spring and damper combination, rather than four rubber mounts as implemented in traditional locomotive cab isolation systems. These cab isolation systems for highway trucks may or may not use links to control other modes of vibration. Although this type of system is generally acceptable for highway trucks, a cab isolation system including a front pivot would not work in a locomotive because locomotives cabs are situated near the front end of the locomotive where the largest motions exist. This is especially true for the first bending natural frequency of the underframe structure and at lower frequencies. Therefore, if traditional highway truck cab isolation systems were implemented into locomotive cabs, a large portion of these motions would be passed directly into the cab, thereby causing the cab to be overly sensitive to track induced low frequency motions.
Accordingly, the use of a front pivot for cab isolation systems for locomotives have been traditionally rejected for the more traditional cab isolation system having four rubber mounts at each corner of the locomotive cab.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the locomotive cab's sensitivity to engine induced vibration and to track induced low frequency motions while still maintaining cab isolation to engine induced structure borne noise. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a cab isolation system for a locomotive cab including a pivot generally located at the rear of a locomotive cab.
This and other desired benefits of the preferred embodiments, including combinations of features thereof, of the invention will become apparent from the following description. It will be understood, however, that a process or arrangement could still appropriate the claimed invention without accomplishing each and every one of these desired benefits, including those gleaned from the following description. The appended claims, not these desired benefits, define the subject matter of the invention. Any and all benefits are derived from the multiple embodiments of the invention, not necessarily the invention in general.


The frictional heating of an NMR sample spinner supported on a cylindrical gas bearing inside a cylindrical bearing stator is negated by recirculating the turbine exhaust gas over the rotor surface inside the RF coil. The technique is more effective with microturbines of relatively high insentropic efficiency. Plugs extend axially into the sample container from each end so that the sample is confined to the central region beyond the gas bearing region so the thermal gradients are minimized and RF homogeneity is improved.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,882 I disclose a technique for NMR Sample Spinning using cylindrical, ceramic sample containers with press-fit plastic turbines on hydrostatic air bearings. A co-pending application, Ser. No. 07/607,521, discloses novel radial inflow microturbines and other improvements appropriate for high temperature applications. Another co-pending application, Ser. No. PCT/US91/01225 discloses an NMR Sample spinner capable to achieving supersonic surface speeds. Other NMR MAS spinners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,254,373, 4,275,350, 4,511,841, 4,899,111 and the references cited therein.
It is well known that considerable sample heating, sometimes in excess of 90.degree. C., results from frictional heating of the bearing gas in high-speed NMR sample spinners.
Cooling by insentropic expansion in turbines is well known and widely used in Brayton cycle refrigeration systems.


A hand-held rivet nut tool has a body having a base; two handles connected pivotally to the base; two pairs of links connected pivotally and respectively to the handles; a driven member connected pivotally to the pairs of the links; and a mandrel mounted rotatably through the driven member and the base. A push-and-pull mandrel-driving device or a rotational mandrel-driving device is mounted detachably and hence replaceably on the driven member, and is capable of driving the mandrel, the bushing and the threaded shaft. A user is allowed to choose either the push-and-pull mandrel-driving device or the rotational mandrel-driving device according to different working spaces or personal practices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rivet nut tool and, more particularly, to a hand-held rivet nut tool with a replaceable mandrel-driving device that allows replacing a mandrel-driving device on the hand-held rivet nut tool.
2. Description of Related Art
A rivet nut tool is used for mounting a rivet nut on a work piece. With reference to FIG. 12, Taiwan Patent No. 316504 discloses a rivet nut tool with a fixing hole that comprises a body 40 having a base 41 with two handles 42 mounted pivotally and respectively on two sides of the base 41. The handles 42 are mounted pivotally on a driven member 44 respectively through two links 43. A mandrel (not shown on FIG. 12) extends through the driven member 44 and has an external threaded shaft 45 mounted on a head end of the mandrel. A push-and-pull mandrel-driving device 50 is mounted on a tail end of the mandrel and has a mounting tube 51 and a spiral pushing rod 52 mounted in the mounting tube 51. When the rivet nut tool is used, the handles 42 are unfolded to drive the links 43, the driven member 44 and the mandrel, so that the external threaded shaft 45 of the mandrel extends out of a top of the base 41. Then, the spiral pushing rod 52 is firstly pulled and then pushed to rotate the mandrel to screw the external threaded shaft 45 on the head end of the mandrel into a rivet nut 46 that is to be riveted. Further, the handles 42 are folded to drive the mandrel to move along a direction away from the base 41. The moving mandrel drives the external threaded shaft 45 to squeeze and deform the rivet nut 46, so that the rivet nut 46 is riveted on the work piece. Finally, the spiral pushing rod 52 is pulled to remove the external threaded shaft 45 out of the fastened rivet nut 46.
Although the aforementioned push-and-pull mandrel-driving device 50 allows a user to easily and quickly rotate the spiral pushing rod 52 to screw the external threaded shaft 45 into or out of the rivet nut 46, the user can operate the push-and-pull mandrel-driving device 50 only in a sufficient large working space allowing the spiral pushing rod 52 to be pulled and extended to accomplish the riveting process of the rivet nut 46 on the work piece. If the riveting process is executed in a narrow working space, the spiral pushing rod 52 cannot completely extend out due to insufficient working space and therefore cannot accomplish the process for riveting the rivet nut 46 on the work piece. Furthermore, the push-and-pull mandrel-driving device 50 is mounted securely on the body 40 and is not adjustable according to different working spaces, so that using the rivet nut tool in a narrow working space requires a different type of rivet nut tool (for example, a rivet nut tool with a rotational mandrel-driving device).
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a hand-held rivet nut tool with a replaceable mandrel-driving device to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Hand-held rivet nut tool with a replaceable mandrel-driving device


A toner for developing an electrostatic image has toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a wax. The wax contains an ester compound represented by specific formula, or a mixture thereof at a content ranging from 50 to 100% by weight based on the weight of the wax.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner for developing an electrostatic image in an image-forming process such as electrophotography and electrostatic printing, and to an image-forming method employing the toner. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toner for developing an electrostatic image suitable for fixation of a developed image by heating and pressing onto a transfer medium, and to an image-forming method employing the toner.
2. Related Background Art
Many electrophotographic processes are known, for example, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691, and Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 42-23910 and 43-24748. Generally, in the electrophotographic process, an electrostatic image is formed by an appropriate method on a photosensitive member containing a photoconductive material, the electrostatic image is developed with a toner, the toner image is transferred onto a transfer medium like a paper sheet, and the transferred toner image is fixed by a suitable method such as heating, pressing, hot-pressing, and solvent-vapor treatment to obtain a copy or a print. In the electrostatic process, the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive member is cleaned by an appropriate method, and the above steps are repeated.
In a typical full-color or multi-color image formation system, color image formation is conducted as follows. A photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt is electrically uniformly charged. The charged drum or belt is exposed imagewise to laser light modulated for one color image signal, for example, magenta color image signal, to form an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum or belt. The electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum or belt is developed with a magenta-developing device to form a magenta toner image. The magenta toner image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer member. In the same manner, development and transfer of an image of a second color, a third color, and a fourth color are conducted. The superposed four-color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer medium. The four-color toner image is fixed on the recording member by a hot-pressing fixing means to form a full-color or multi-color image.
In another full-color or multi-color image formation employing four photosensitive drum and a transfer belt, color image formation is conducted as follows. A first color toner image is formed on a first photosensitive drum, a second color toner image is formed on a second photosensitive drum, a third color toner image is formed on a third photosensitive drum, and a fourth color toner image is formed on a fourth photosensitive drum. With movement of a transfer medium on a transfer belt, the first to fourth color toner images on the first to fourth photosensitive drums are successively transferred onto the transfer medium. The transferred first to fourth color toner images are fixed on the transfer medium by a hot-pressing fixing means to form a full-color or multi-color image.
In a still another full-color or multi-color image formation employing one photosensitive drum (or a photosensitive drum) and a transfer drum to hold a transfer medium, color image formation is conducted as follows. A first color toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum. The first color toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum onto a transfer medium held on a transfer drum. In the same manner, second to fourth toner images are successively transferred onto the transfer medium on the transfer drum. The transfer medium having the first to fourth color toner images is separated from the transfer drum, and is delivered to a hot-pressing fixing means to fix the images to form a full-color or multi-color image.
In the full-color or multi-color image formation, in which plural color toner images are superposed, and in which plural color toner images are superposed, and is fixed by heat and pressure, low-temperature offset or high-temperature offset is liable to be caused as compared with mono-color image formation.
For imparting high fixability and high offset-resistance to the toner itself, methods have been disclosed in which a low-molecular wax like polyolefin wax is incorporated into the particulate toner: for example, in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 52-3304, 52-3305, and 57-52574; Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 58-215659, 60-217366, 60-252361, 62-14166, 1-109359, 2-79860, and 3-50559.
A toner containing a montan type wax, a mineral wax, is disclosed as a wax component giving relatively high fixability. As the montan type wax, use of a wax of the formula below: ##STR1## (where R is a hydrocarbon group having 28 to 32 carbons, and n is an integer) having a molecular weight of about 800 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-185660 and 1-238672. However, this montan type wax, which has a straight molecular structure, has high plasticizing effect to soften the toner to deteriorate the high-temperature offset resistance, although low-temperature fixation can be improved in some extent. The plasticized toner is liable to cause disadvantages in development properties, durability, and anti-blocking property.
A toner containing partially esterified polyglycerin compound is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-184350. The polyglycerin is, for example, represented by the formula below: ##STR2## (where n is an integer of one or more). The partially esterified polyglycerin is an ester of the polyglycerin having remaining free OH groups, not containing substantially completely esterified polyglycerin having no free OH groups. The partially esterified polyglycerin compound, although it has higher affinity to paper sheets owing to the remaining OH groups, is liable to lower the triboelectric charging properties and to lower the resolution. Further, in the case where toner particles are directly formed from a polymerizable monomer composition in an aqueous medium, the remaining OH groups of the partially esterified polyglycerin contained in the monomer composition will retard the particle formation in the aqueous medium, and broaden the particle size distribution of the formed toner particles.
Formation of a toner particles by suspension polymerization is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication 36-10231. In this suspension method, a polymerizable monomer composition is prepared by dissolving or dispersing uniformly a polymerizable monomer, and a colorant (and, as necessary, a polymerization initiator, crosslinking agent, a charge-controlling agent, a wax, and other additives); the polymerizable monomer composition is dispersed as particles in an aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer by means of an appropriate stirrer; and the dispersed monomer composition is allowed to polymerize to form a toner particles.
In the suspension polymerization, liquid drops of a polymerizable monomer composition are formed in a highly polar dispersion medium like water, so that the polar groups in the polymerized monomer composition tends to locate at the surface layer portion of the particle at the interface, and the nonpolar components tend to be in interior of the particle, which gives a core/shell structure.
The particulate toner formed directly by polymerization encloses the wax component as a releasing agent in the interior. Therefore, the toner can satisfy simultaneously low-temperature fixability, and anti-blocking property and high-temperature offset resistance which are inherently incompatible, and can prevent high-temperature offset without applying a releasing agent like an oil on the fixing roller. For this purpose, even though toner particles are prepared by polymerization method, the ester wax capable of forming favorable toner particles is promising.

Electrostatic image-developing toner and image-forming method


An internal combustion engine (1) generates power by burning an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (3). The internal combustion engine (1) is provided with an in-cylinder pressure sensor (15) and an ECU (20). The ECU 20 calculates at two predetermined points control parameters each of which is a product of an in-cylinder pressure detected by the in-cylinder pressure sensor (15) and a value obtained by exponentiating an in-cylinder volume at the time of detecting the in-cylinder pressure by a predetermined index number, as well as determines a misfire condition in the combustion chamber (3) based on the difference component in the control parameters between the two predetermined points.

Conventionally, Patent Literature 1 has disclosed a firing condition-detecting device for an internal-combustion engine that overlaps in-cylinder pressure signals in respective combustion chambers detected by in-cylinder pressure detecting means to determine a misfire condition with a misfire determining index number calculated based on the overlapped in-cylinder pressure signals.
As stated above, when each of the in-cylinder pressures in a plurality of the combustion chambers is overlapped, a significant change is recognized in symmetry property of a signal waveform before and after a top dead center, in accordance with presence or absence of a misfire. Therefore, the misfire determination can be made in the whole region of combustion in the internal combustion engine.
In the conventional, firing condition-detecting device, however, the misfire determining index number is basically calculated by integrating an in-cylinder pressure detected by the in-cylinder pressure detecting means, per unit of a minute crank angle. Consequently, a load on calculation in the conventional firing condition-detecting device is substantial, so that it is not actually easy to apply the conventional device to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle and the like, for example.
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-82150

Control device for internal combustion engine and method for determining misfire in internal combustion engine


An image forming apparatus divides an original image into multiple areas depending on the magnification of copy and produces enlarged copies of the divided areas on sheets of copy paper sequentially, thereby obtaining a enlarged copy of the original larger than the paper size. For each divided area, copy paper of a smallest possible size necessary to copy the entirety of the divided area is selected. The original can be divided optimally based on the original size, copy paper size and magnification, or can be divided by excluding a specified region from the original.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of producing an enlarged (scale-up) copy of an original image by dividing the original into a number of areas depending on the magnification (scale factor) of copy and producing an enlarged cop of each divided area on a sheet of copy paper sequentially so that a copied image larger than the size of copy paper is obtained.
2. Description of the Related Art
Copy machines based on digital image processing have a function in which an original is divided into a number of areas depending on the magnification of copy and an enlarged copy of each divided area is produced on a sheet of copy paper sequentially so that a copied image larger than copy paper is produced. This copy process will be called "conjunct scale-up copy" hereinafter.
In the conjunct scale-up copy operation, an original image is partially copied by being enlarged onto a sheet of paper at a time, and sheets of copied paper are delivered sequentially. The operator lays out the sheets of copied paper properly to get an enlarged copy of the original in the form of a set of partial images.
Conventional copy machines with the conjunct scale-up copy function are designed to use one sheet of copy paper for each divided area of the original. For example, when an A3-sized original is copied with the magnification of 5.0 onto sheets of A3-sized paper, the original is divided by five horizontally and vertically into 25 areas, and 25 divided original images are copied onto 25 sheets of paper, i.e., copy paper equal in number to the divided areas is used.
Accordingly, when the original size and copy paper size are equal and the magnification is an integer (greater than one), the size of an enlarged copy is equal to the total size of sheets of paper used to make an enlarged copy. The number of sheets of paper is equal to the square of the magnification. However, if the original size and paper size are different even though the magnification is an integer, or if the magnification is a fractional number, part of at least one sheet of paper is left unused and therefore copy paper is often wasted.
For example, for making a copy with the magnification of 1.5 of an original image Gi on an original D by using copy paper of the original size, four sheets of paper P are needed as shown in FIG. 55 . In this case, although one sheet of paper is fully used to form a partial image Gh1, other two sheets of paper have their 50% area left unused and another sheet of paper has its 75% area left unused.
In making a copy with the magnification of 4.0 of an image Gi of an original D by using copy paper P of the original size as shown in FIG. 56 (a), the original D is divided by four horizontally and vertically into 16 areas e1-e16, as shown in FIG. 56 (b). These areas e1-e16 are copied from the leftmost area to the rightmost area on a row and from the top row row to the bottom row sequentially, i.e., in the order of e1.fwdarw.e2.fwdarw.e3.fwdarw.e4.fwdarw.e5.fwdarw.e6.fwdarw.e7.fwdarw.e8.f wdarw.e9.fwdarw.e10.fwdarw.e11.fwdarw.e12.fwdarw.e13.fwdarw.e14.fwdarw.e15. fwdarw.e16. As a result of the iterative copy operations, 16 sheets of copied paper P starting with the one having a formation of a partial copied image Gh1 and ending with the one having a formation of a partial copied image Gh16 are delivered sequentially as shown in FIG. 56(c).
The conjunct scale up copy operation takes a relatively long time to complete the entire original area when the number of divisions, which is determined from the magnification and paper size, increases.
On the other hand, at the operator's assessment of a copy work, attention is often paid to a specific portion of the original depending on the purpose. An example of such portion is the human skin where delicate hue adjustment is required in copying a color portrait. In the example of FIG. 56(b), when the operator pays attention to the original in the area ell, the operator may have to retry the conjunct scale-up copy operation by altering the conditions such as the magnification and hue adjustment if the copied partial image Gh11 for the area e11 is found unsatisfactory. In this case, the conventional copy machines do not allow the operator to examine the quality of the copied image Gh11, which is delivered by the 11th copy operation, at an early stage of operation.
In addition to the above-mentioned problem of operation ability, even if the operator makes a decision of retry at the delivery of the copy for the area ell, ten sheets of paper and time expended for them are wasted.
A further problem of the conventional copy machines is that during the conjunct scale-up copy operation, if all copy paper stacked in the supply cassette runs out, the copy operation is shut off abruptly. In this case, it is necessary for the operator to supply copy paper and start the copy operation from the beginning, resulting in the waste of paper and time expended before the machine was shut off.


A battery pack having a plurality of battery cells (10) connected in series and/or parallel. The battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery cells (10), each encased in a rectangular external case, and a plurality of separators (20) with electrical and heat insulating properties covering the outside of each battery cell external case excluding electrode terminals (12). Each separator (20) is disposed so as to intervene between adjacent battery cells (10) putting the external cases of those battery cells (10) in contact with both sides of the separator (20). With the external case of each battery cell (10) covered by separators (20) while exposing electrode terminals (12), the electrode terminals (12) are connected together. As a result, excluding required regions, the battery cells (10) can be enclosed and unintended events such as short circuits can be effectively prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a battery pack having a plurality of rectangular batteries connected in series and/or parallel, and in particular to a battery pack for use in a battery driven vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a pure electric vehicle (PEV).
2. Description of the Related Art
Higher output in a limited space is sought for a battery pack or battery array used as a power source in an electric vehicle or hybrid car. Consequently, rectangular batteries have been used, which have energy density superior to that of circular cylindrical batteries. However, in this type of battery pack with a plurality of rectangular batteries connected in series and/or parallel, adjacent rectangular battery cells are in close disposition. Therefore, the ability to efficiently radiate heat is imperative. In particular, lithium ion batteries can for some reason experience thermal runaway, and separators are used to thermally insolate adjacent battery cells (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Disclosures 2006-48996 and 2004-362879). In addition, these types of separators, which are disposed between rectangular batteries using metal external, cases, also serve to electrically insolate those battery cells.


A disposable device for exfoliating skin is disclosed which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The device can be secured to a shower floor or wall without tools or adhesives, and provides a stationary and waterproof exfoliating device for hands-free use while showering.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disposable device for exfoliating skin and, in particular, to a simple and inexpensive device that can be secured to a shower floor or wall without tools or adhesives, and which provides a stationary and waterproof exfoliating surface for hands-free use while showering.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the normal course of personal health care, exfoliation of the skin is common practice. Exfoliation is the action of scrubbing skin with a gritty substance to remove the dead skin from the surface. In particular, it is common practice to exfoliate the feet. As with the feet, exfoliation can be practiced to remove calluses and corns.
One option for treatment is to visit a doctor, foot care specialist, or salon. Each of these options requires time, cost, and the added inconvenience to make appointments and travel there and back. While salons are far more convenient and affordable than an appointment with a medical specialist, recent information regarding exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses in these environments has decreased their appeal. Most people desire to have the capability of exfoliating their skin themselves, in the privacy of their home.
Most exfoliating devices are handheld devices that require the user to sit down or balance on one foot to exfoliate each foot with a pumice stone or other equally abrasive surface. The disadvantage of this method is that dry skin is then dispersed onto the floor, requiring clean-up. Another disadvantage, particularly for large or elderly persons, is that the position required to reach the lowest extremities of the body is uncomfortable. Another disadvantage is that persons with physical disabilities, such as arthritis, find it painful to exfoliate the feet in this position. Another disadvantage is that in this position, the arms can get tired from scrubbing. Another disadvantage is that dry skin is more difficult to exfoliate.
The most convenient location in the home for people to exfoliate their feet is in the shower or bathtub. Exfoliated skin is very small and easily dispensed down the drain. However, large or elderly people may have physical difficulty exfoliating their feet in a shower, and doing so without risking loss of balance and serious injury from falling.
To resolve this problem, devices have been developed which are secured to the floor of the shower, allowing persons to exfoliate their feet hands-free, and without bending over uncomfortably. They can then use their hands to support themselves in the shower while using the strength of their lower body to exfoliate each foot. Devices such as these typically incorporate a pumice stone secured to an elastic base having suction cups beneath the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,096, issued to Mayhew et al., claims a method for exfoliation. Disclosed is a large, generally flat rubber pad having multiple suction cups on the bottom and an abrasive surface on the top.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,350, issued to Finch, discloses a contoured exfoliating device for use in the shower, having a Scotch Brite® abrading surface which includes a flexible matted type layer, and having flexible sidewalls.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,913,313 and 6,142,156, issued to Brunderman, disclose exfoliating products of pumice stone including a separate toe stick for exfoliation between the toes, and particular geometric configurations of the pumice to more comfortably access certain areas of the foot.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,218, issued to Jusinski, discloses an exfoliating device configured to fit in a corner of a shower, and capable of supporting a scraping device, a soaping device, and a brushing device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,986, issued to Medina et al., discloses a slipper device having a pumice stone attached to a top surface of the slipper such that one can rub the other bare foot on the stone.
A principal disadvantage of these prior art devices is that most of them rely upon the use of a pumice stone. Pumice stones are hard and inflexible, requiring the person's foot to conform to the stone to perform exfoliation. This requires extensive and particular positioning of the foot against the stone to comfortably exfoliate the desired portion of the foot.
A second disadvantage is that accidental contact with the stone in the shower can be frequent and painful, as people are not normally inclined to look downward when moving around under the water flow of a shower. A third disadvantage of these devices is that when left in a moist environment, like a shower, the permeable pumice stone will experience mold growth. Mold is unsightly, unhealthy, and potentially hazardous.
A fourth disadvantage of these devices is that they are relatively expensive and therefore not disposable. This disadvantage is magnified by the potential for mold growth, such that discarding the device is often required before the stone has reached the end of its useful life. The products should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis for extended, continued use.
A fifth disadvantage is that devices using interwoven plastics, such as Scotch Brite®, retain unsightly exfoliated material within the matted structure, which can provide a nutrient source for microbial growth. A sixth disadvantage of these devices is that they take up too much room in the shower.
A seventh disadvantage of the known devices is that they are heavy, generally exceeding 4 ounces in weight, such that they are expensive to ship, and too heavy to be suspended in a vertical position against a shower wall without falling off over time.
Therefore, there is a need to develop an improved exfoliating device that is disposable, capable of being attached to a shower floor, having a lightweight, deformable structure with an abrasive texture adhered with a waterproof and flexible adhesive, being resistant to mold growth, and being cost effective to replace.

Stationary and waterproof exfoliating device


A composition having a first nonionic nonylphenol surfactant having an HLB value ranging from about 10 to about 15, a second nonionic nonylphenol surfactant having an HLB value ranging from about 16 to 20, an aqueous solvent, and optionally, a bio-film permeation agent. A total of the first surfactant and the second surfactant in the composition ranges from about 2 to about 20 percent by weight of a total weight of the composition, and a ratio of the second surfactant to the first surfactant in the composition ranges from about 2:1 to about 4:1.

Conventional cleaning products for surgical waste management systems typically include highly corrosive industrial cleaning agents because bio-film growth on surgical waste containers is often impervious to conventional enzymatic cleaning solutions or simple detergent cleaning solutions and compositions. Such highly corrosive cleaning agents rely on strong detergents using both acidic and alkaline components that are often corrosive to metal and non-metal surfaces of the waste management system equipment.
Even with the use of such strong detergents, extensive manual scrubbing of such surfaces may be necessary to dislodge the bio-film adhered to the surfaces. Unfortunately, some areas of the waste management canisters are inaccessible for adequate scrubbing and thus leave behind untreated surfaces.
Furthermore, some of the acidic and alkaline components of the cleaning agents are incompatible with disinfectant cleaning agents and may create hazardous liquid and gaseous byproducts in waste discharge plumbing drains and trap assemblies. Accordingly, what is needed is non-corrosive rinsing and soaking solutions that are effective to penetrate bio-films on waste management system surfaces and mobilize and denature entrained protein, lipid complexes, and bacterial residue for removal from the system surfaces. The rinse and soak solutions should also be relatively environmentally friendly so that disposal of the solutions does not create additional hazards.
With regard to the foregoing needs, the disclosure provides a composition having a first nonionic nonylphenol surfactant having an HLB value ranging from about 10 to about 15, a second nonionic nonylphenol surfactant having an HLB value ranging from about 16 to 20, an aqueous solvent, and, optionally, a bio-film permeation agent. A total of the first surfactant and the second surfactant in the composition ranges from about 2 to about 20 percent by weight of a total weight of the composition, and a ratio of the second surfactant to the first surfactant in the composition ranges from about 2:1 to about 4:1.
Other exemplary embodiments provide unique rinse and soak solutions that are effective to decontaminate and protect surfaces of medical equipment.
An advantage of the compositions described herein is that the compositions are not highly corrosive, and do not rely on the use of enzymatic agents which are highly sensitive to alkaline or acid components used in conventional cleaning solutions and to rinse water temperatures. Furthermore, the compositions provide a residual detergent barrier film that may be effective to prevent odor causing bacteria coupled with protein and lipid complexes from attaching to cleaned surfaces. Conventional cleaning solutions may be effective on either waste protein structures or on waste lipid structures, but may not be effective on both. However, the compositions described in more detail herein may be effective as a cleaning agent for both protein-based and lipid-based structures on a surface. The compositions described herein do not promote the attachment of bacterial, protein, lipid, and/or odorous compounds to the cleaned surfaces. Other advantages may be apparent from the following detailed description.

Water soluble barrier film conformal coating composition