Pressure limiting valve for being inserted into ventilation gas apparatus which valve includes a first vent for venting ventilation gas present in the apparatus above a first pressure to provide pressurized ventilation gas delivered to a person with a peak inspiratory pressure during periods of inspiration substantially equal to the first pressure, and including a second vent for venting accumulating pressurized ventilation gas present in the apparatus from increasing above a second pressure less than the first pressure to establish a base line pressure for the pressurized breathing gas to which the person is exposed during periods between periods of inspiration.

This invention relates generally to a new and improved pressure limiting valve for ventilation gas apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved adjustable pressure limiting valve for adjustably controlling the peak inspiratory pressure of ventilation gas with which a person, particularly an infant, is ventilated. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved pressure limiting valve for both adjustably controlling such peak inspiratory pressure and for providing a base line pressure for pressurized ventilation gas received by the apparatus from a source, and to which the person, particularly an infant, is exposed during periods between periods of inspiration.
As known to those skilled in the art, manual ventilation of infants with a ventilation gas such as compressed or pressurized oxygen is commonly indicated for resuscitation, for transport of ventilator-dependent infants, to increase the concentration of delivered ventilation gas and to oxygenate the infants prior to and after performing tracheobronchial suctioning.
A variety of reusable and disposable devices comprising ventilation gas apparatus are known to the art for manual ventilation of a person such as an infant. These apparatus can generally be categorized into two types: self-inflating or flow-dependent breathing bag apparatus. Regardless of the type, the primary problem or objective in ventilating infants is to control the pressure of the ventilation gas delivered to the infants. Infants are particularly challenging in this regard in that their lungs are more fragile than those of adults but less compliant, therefore, fine control of delivered peak inspiratory pressure of the ventilation gas delivered to an infant is critical. Furthermore, base line pressure, i.e. the pressure of the ventilation gas present in the ventilation gas apparatus and to which the lungs of the person being ventilated are exposed during periods between the periods the ventilation gas is delivered to the patient, i.e. periods between delivered breaths, must be controlled to prevent collapse or over-distension of the person's lungs, particularly those of an infant. Control of such base line pressure is particularly important for infants being ventilated because such control, it is believed, at least facilitates exhalation by the infant during the periods between the periods the infant is being ventilated or the periods between delivered breaths.
Numerous relatively complicated pressure limiting valves, and pressure limiting valve systems, are known to the art for controlling the peak inspiratory pressure of ventilation gas delivered to a person such as an infant during manual ventilation. In most instances, however, the delivered peak inspiratory pressure of-the ventilation gas by such prior art apparatus is largely dependent on operator technique in compressing or squeezing the breathing bag which, upon squeezing or compression, delivers the ventilation gas to the person through the-ventilation gas apparatus. The self-inflating breathing bag ventilation apparatus known to the art typically include a fixed pop-off valve as a safety back-up to prevent delivery to the infant of undesirably high or elevated inspiratory ventilation gas pressures, but such known valves and valve systems typically are not adjustable whereby the pressure of the delivered ventilation gas up to the level of the pop-off pressure of the fixed pop-off valve remains dependent upon the technique of the operator compressing the self-inflating breathing bag. Ventilation gas apparatus employing flow-dependent breathing bags typically incorporate a simple adjustable bleed valve having an adjustable orifice to control the exhaust pressure of the ventilating gas. This bleed valve has been found to be effective only to obtain an acceptable base line pressure at the flow rate of the ventilation gas into the ventilation gas apparatus. However, this type of ventilation gas apparatus is very flow-dependent whereby a small difference in operator technique of squeezing or depressing the flow-dependent breathing bag can significantly alter the delivered inspiratory pressure of the ventilation gas.
Also known to the art are reusable, adjustable metal pop-off valves which incorporate a spring and disc and which are also known for controlling the peak inspiratory pressure of ventilating gas delivered to a person such as an infant during ventilation, e.g. during resuscitation. These pop-off valves, which are generally known in the art as adjustable pressure limiting valves, apparently are at present the most effective in limiting the peak inspiratory pressure of ventilation gas delivered to .infants. However, because these pop-off valves only relieve pressure once the preset threshold is attained, an undesirable build-up of the ventilation gas in the apparatus, to which the person being exposed or subjected, is possible during periods between periods during which the person is being ventilated with the ventilation gas or during periods between delivered breaths. This condition is sometimes referred to in the art as elevated base line pressure or inadvertent PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure). If such base line pressure becomes too high, particularly during the periods between the periods the infant is being ventilated, it is believed that the ability of the infant to exhale can be greatly impaired. Furthermore, these valves suffer from the disadvantages of other reusable devices in that they are expensive, they must be disassembled for cleaning between use and thereafter reassembled, and they must be periodically maintained.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a new and improved pressure limiting valve for insertion into ventilation gas apparatus which can be mechanically or manually adjusted to provide control, particularly adjustable control, of the peak inspiratory pressure of the ventilation gas substantially independent of operator technique in compressing or squeezing the breathing bag. Further, there exists a need in the art for a new and improved adjustable pressure limiting valve for insertion into ventilation gas apparatus which provides or limits a base line pressure for the ventilation gas also substantially independent of the technique of the operator in squeezing or compressing the breathing bag. Still further there exists a need in the art for a new and improved adjustable pressure limiting valve which provides control of both such peak inspiratory ventilation gas pressure and such base line pressure.

Pressure limiting valve for ventilation gas apparatus


A hinge includes a positioning member, and a first rotational assembly rotatably mounted to the positioning member. The first rotational assembly comprises a first shaft rotatably mounted to the positioning member, an interference member, a resilient member fixed to the first shaft, and a securing member fixed to the first shaft. The interference member is fixed to the first shaft, and slide relative to the positioning member to engage with or disengage from the positioning member. The resilient member comprises an aseismatic block and a spring clamping a circumference of the aseismatic block. The resilient member is sandwiched between the interference member and the securing member, and the interference member abuts against the aseismatic block.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to hinges and, particularly, to a hinge capable of reducing impact shock when used.
2. Description of Related Art
A collapsible device, such as a notebook computer, or a clamshell mobile phone, generally including a main body and a display, often uses a hinge to interconnect the main body and the display. The hinge allows the display to be rotational with respect to the main body, and to be folded to the main body for saving space.
A hinge normally includes a male interference member and a female interference member fixed to the main body and the display of the collapsible device, respectively. The male interference member includes at least one raised portion. The female interference member includes at least one depressed portion configured for receiving the at least one raised portion. When the male and the female interference members are rotated relative to each other, the at least one raised portion is in frictional engagement with the at least one depressed portion. Therefore, the display can be maintained at any angle with respect to the main body by friction between the male and female interference members. However, impact shock may easily occur when the at least one raised portion engages with the at least one depressed portion, between the display and the main body, possibly resulting in damage the collapsible device.


Rectal insertion device (1) for treating disorders of the digestive tract of a human or animal body such as colic comprising an elongate shaft (3) which is insertable into the anal canal of the human or animal body and a receptacle (12) for collecting feces discharged when the elongate shaft is inserted into the anal canal.

The present invention relates to a rectal insertion device for treating disorders of the digestive tract in human or animal bodies such as colic, including infantile colic, hemorrhoids, constipation, gas, piles and the like.
A rectal insertion device for treating colic, constipation and gastrointestinal gases is disclosed in International patent application publication WO94/20059. The rectal insertion device takes the form of a solid rod of a diameter small enough to fit into the anal canal but wide enough to sufficiently stimulate the sphincter muscles without completely filling the anal canal. The device is used to treat colic, constipation and gastrointestinal gases by moving the rod back and forth in the anal canal to stimulate the sphincter muscles until gastrointestinal gases are released over the outer surface of the rod. A transversely extending plate is provided on the rod between the proximal and distal ends to delimit insertion of the rod into the anal canal and also to serve as a handle. To assist insertion of the rod it is suggested that the rod be lubricated immediately prior to use with a lubricant such as glycerine or petroleum jelly.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,263,914, 1,042,624 and 1,547,127 also make known rectal insertion devices in the form of rods for treating rectal diseases such as hemorrhoids and piles. In these devices, the rods are provided with a central lumen which extends between an opening in the tip at the distal end of the rod and an opening in the proximal end of the rod. It is also suggested for some of these devices that insertion into the anal canal would be facilitated by lubricating the outer surface of the rod immediately beforehand, for example with Vaseline(copyright).
A problem with the hitherto proposed devices is that no provision is made for capturing the feces discharged through the anal canal as a result of their application. The aim of the present invention is to address this problem.
According to the present invention there is provided a rectal insertion device for treating disorders of the digestive tract in a human or animal body comprising an elongate shaft which is insertable into the anal canal of the human or animal body and a receptacle for collecting feces discharged from the anal canal when the elongate shaft is inserted into the anal canal.
In an embodiment of the invention such as the one hereinafter to be described, the receptacle is coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention such as the one hereinafter to be described, the shaft is provided with a lumen which extends between a proximal opening in the proximal end of the elongate shaft and a distal opening in the distal end of the elongate shaft and the receptacle communicates with the proximal opening of the lumen. The receptacle may be made of a material which is gas permeable thereby to allow gastrointestinal gases discharged through the lumen of the device to pass through the receptacle.
In an embodiment of the invention such as the one hereinafter to be described, the rectal insertion device is provided with means for controlling the degree of insertion of the elongate shaft into the anal canal, for example a transversely extending plate-like element mounted on the shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention such as the one hereinafter to be described, the elongate shaft is preformed with a friction-reducing coating on the outer surface thereof. This negates the requirement with the previous devices to lubricate the outer surface with a jelly or the like immediately prior to use. The friction-reducing coating may be a hydrophilic coating which has a reduced friction when wetted, for example a coating formed from polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
The elongate shaft of the rectal insertion device may be presented by a urethral drainage catheter and the receptacle by a urine collection bag.
In an embodiment of the invention, the elongate shaft of the rectal insertion device is adapted for insertion into the anal canal of a human infant body whereby disorders of the digestive tract of the human infant body such as infantile colic are treatable.
According to the present invention, there is further provided a kit for the treatment of disorders of the digestive tract in a human or animal body comprising a structure which presents an elongate shaft which is insertable into the anal canal of the human or animal body and a receptacle which is adapted to be coupled to the structure for collecting discharged feces when the elongate shaft is inserted into the anal canal.


The present invention provides for the isolation and characterization of an invertebrate calcium channel subunit gene.

Early electrophysiological studies on invertebrate preparations revealed the presence of calcium currents and suggested the presence of multiple types of voltage-dependent calcium channels (reviewed by Hille, B., (1992), In: Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes, 2nd Ed., Sinauer, Sunderland, Mass.). Continuing studies of calcium channels have shown that they are ubiquitous since they are found in excitable cells in species ranging from Paramecium to humans. Calcium channels are involved in many cell functions including: membrane excitability, synaptic transmission, and differentiation (Tsien et al., (1988), Trends Neurosci., vol. 11, pp. 431-438). Voltage-dependent calcium channels have been studied extensively in vertebrate neuronal tissue using electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches and as a result have been divided into four classes designated L, N, T, and P (Bean, B. P., (1989), Annu. Rev., Physiol., vol. 51, pp. 367-384; Hess, P., (1990), Annu. Rev. Neurosci., vol. 13, pp. 1337-1356).
Gene cloning studies, which up to this point have focused exclusively on vertebrate species, have helped to elucidate the molecular nature of calcium channel structure and have suggested a remarkable degree of channel heterogeneity beyond that predicted from physiological and pharmacological approaches. This molecular diversity of calcium channels arises from several mechanisms. Calcium channels are comprised of multiple subunits designated .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .beta., .gamma., and .delta. (Catterall, W. A., (1991a), Cell, vol. 64, pp. 871-874; Catterall, W. A., (1991b), Science, vol. 253, pp. 1499-1500). The .alpha..sub.2 and .delta. subunits are encoded by the same gene and are cleaved during posttranslational processing whereas each of the other subunits arise from different genes. One way that calcium channel diversity arises is through the presence of a family of genes each encoding genetic variants of a given subunit. For example, in rat brain the .alpha..sub.1 subunit appears to be encoded by a family of at least five different genes (Snutch et al., (1990), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 87, pp. 3391-3395; Snutch et al., (1991), Neuron, vol. 7, pp. 45-57; Hui et al., (1991), Neuron, vol. 7, pp. 35-44; Starr et al., (1991), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 88, pp. 5621-5625; Dubel et al., (1992), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 89, pp. 5058-5062; Soong et al., (1993), Science, vol. 260, pp. 1133-1136). For each member of the gene family further diversity is introduced by alternative splicing (Biel et al., (1990), FEBS Lett., vol. 269, pp. 409-412; Koch et al., (1990), J. Biol. Chem., 265, pp. 17786-17791; Perez-Reyes et al., (1990), J. Biol. Chem., 265, pp. 20430-20436; Snutch et al., (1991), Neuron, vol. 7, pp. 45-57). Recent studies point to the existence of similar molecular diversity for the other subunits as well (Williams et al., (1992a), Science, vol. 257, pp. 389-395; Williams et al., (1992b), Neuron, vol. 8, pp. 71-84). The .alpha..sub.1 subunit is the essential portion of the calcium channel as it is involved in forming the pore in a membrane. The .beta. subunit is of special interest since its coexpression with .alpha..sub.1 in an artificial expression system often significantly increases the channel current and the drug binding ability and brings channel kinetics closer to the physiological norm [Lacerda et al. (1991), Nature, Vol. 352, pp. 527-530; Varadi et al. (1991), Nature, vol 352, pp. 159-162; Neely et al. (1993), Science, vol 262, pp. 575-578]. In some cases, no functional expression is detected without coexpression of the .beta. subunit. .beta. subunits have also been implicated in the regulation of calcium channels by protein phosphorylation [Singer et al. (1992), FEBS Lett., vol 306, pp. 113-118].
Generally the cloned vertebrate calcium channel .beta. subunits are highly conserved, but there are three nonconserved regions within the molecule. We report here a PCR strategy that showed that invertebrate calcium channels also contain a .beta. subunit. We report here the deduced amino acid structure, expression pattern, and chromosome mapping of a .beta. subunit from the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. We also show that alternative splicing occurs in at least three regions to generate multiple isoforms. These studies set the stage for genetic analysis of .beta. subunit function in the intact organism.
If each subunit variant can interact with more than one form of each of the other subunits to form functional channels, then there is a potential for even further molecular diversity.
Although studies of the molecular diversity of calcium channels in Drosophila are just beginning, there is evidence for structural and functional heterogeneity in this system. Binding of phenylalkylamines (calcium channel blocking agents) to Drosophila head extracts showed curvilinear Scatchard plots indicative of multiple classes differing in ligand affinity (Greenberg et al., (1989), Insect Biochem., vol. 19, 309-322). Pelzer et al., (1989), EMBO J., vol. 8, pp. 2365-2371, reported at least 8 distinct voltage-sensitive calcium channels in Drosophila head membranes following reconstitution into phospholipid bilayers. Patch clamp studies on cultured embryonic Drosophila myocytes and neurons also showed variability of channel properties, suggesting at least two types of calcium channels in Drosophila (Leung and Byerly, 1991). Further evidence for channel heterogeneity comes from differential sensitivity of Drosophila calcium channels to a purified toxin from the spider Hololena curta (Leung, H. T. and Byerly, L., (1991), J. Neurosci., vol. 11, pp. 3047-3059). This heterogeneity is further supported in another insect (Periplaneta americana) where radiotracer flux studies have demonstrated the presence of dihydropyridine-insensitive and -sensitive components of phenylalkylamine-sensitive calcium uptake in nervous system and skeletal muscle membranes, respectively (Skeer et al., (1992), Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol., vol. 22, pp. 539-545).
Given the heterogeneity of calcium channels in insects, Drosophila provides an ideal system for a molecular genetic approach to define the significance of channel diversity by mutating individual subunit genes and determining the physiological and behavioral consequences.
Other ion channels have also been reported to date. For example, electrophysiological studies of ligand-gated ion currents in insect nerve and muscle cells provide evidence for the existence of chloride channels gated by glutamate, histamine, and taurine, as well as those gated by .alpha.-Aminobutyric acid ("GABA") (Sattelle, D. B., (1990), Adv. Insect Physiol., vol. 22, pp. 41-56 and Lummis et al., (1990), Annu. Rev. Entomol., vol. 35, pp. 345-377). Although these findings imply the existence of a large and diverse gene family encoding ligand-gated chloride channels in insects, very little is known about homologous channels of invertebrates. In ffrench-Constant et al., (1991), Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 88, pp. 7209-7213, a Drosophila melanogaster cDNA having significant predicted amino acid sequence identity to vertebrate ligand-gated chloride channel genes was isolated and mapped to a genetic locus ("Rdl1") that confers resistance to cyclodiene insecticides and other blockers of GABA-gated chloride channels. Rdl was shown to encode a GABA subunit by the expression of functional homomultimeric GABA in Xenopus oocytes following injection with Rdl mRNA (ffrench-Constant et al., (1993), Nature, vol. 363, pp. 449-451).
One other example of a ligand-gated chloride channel gene from an invertebrate species is a GABA .beta.-like subunit gene isolated from the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis (Harvey et al., (1991), EMBO J., vol. 10, pp. 3239-3245). The functional relationship of the product encoded by this gene to vertebrate GABA .beta. subunits was corroborated by the formation of a functional chimeric with properties similar to vertebrate .alpha./.beta. heteromultimers when the gene was co-expressed with a vertebrate .alpha. subunit in Xenopus oocytes.
The characterization and isolation of an invertebrate calcium channel subunit gene(s) would be useful in the cloning of calcium channel subunits from other invertebrate preparations of physiological or economic importance for purposes such as screening drugs to identify drugs which specifically interact with, and bind to, the calcium channel on the surface of a cell, such as, for example, organic calcium channel blocking agents, e.g., phenylalkylamines.

Genes encoding an insect calcium channel

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


The present invention relates to demucilaged flax sprouts derived from flaxseeds freed of their mucilage. The flax sprouts according to the invention are easily digestible and can be utilized in different fields, e.g. in food industry, therapy and hus-handry. The invention also relates to the production process and applications of the demucilaged flax sprouts. The present invention further relates to a process for recovering mucilaginous substance generated as a by-product in the production process as well as to various applications thereof.

The flax is a highly nutritious plant. It could be advantageously utilized in human nourishment on account of its high protein and oil content. Compared to other nutritive material sources it is the flax that contains the greatest amount of unsaturated fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid of type omega 3 which is essential for the human organism [see Table 1; Bene et al.: "Szappanok és mosószerek" (Soaps and detergents), Müuszaki Könyvkiadó, Budapest, 1957].
TABLE 1Average percentage distribution of the fatty acids of more important fatsSaturationSaturated acidUnsaturated acidNumber of carbon atoms12141618201818181822The name of fatty acidLauricMyristcPalmiticStearicArachicOthersOleicLinolicLinolenicRicinoleicErucidicOthersCoconaut oil63188362Palmnut oil571582171Mutton tallow525312361Beef tallow3282012442Pork fat128124865Bone fat2019556Palm oil4384468Olive oil102808Castor oil48286Groundnut oil7466221Rapeseed oil222618250Rice germ oil182147284Sesame oil1024939Cotton-seed oil122228452Soybean oil17526556Grape-seed oil623755Corn oil844642Pumpkin-seed oil1363744Tomato-seed oil1571662Sunflower oil423856Linseed oil1093744
The flax seed, as far as the composition of the contained nutritive materials is concerned, has excellent properties [see: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 17 (2004)]. Furthermore, it contains phyto-hormones (lignans) in great quantity which certifiably have anticancer effect (see e.g.: Carcinogenesis 20(9): 1831-1835, 1999; Nutr. Cancer 43(2): 187-192, 2002). On the basis of the properties of the contents it is desirable that the flax should be an integrated part of the nutrition and it should be utilised in the food industry in a wide range. For the time being the utilisation of the flaxseed, is however, for many reasons, very limited.
The reasons for this situation can be summarized as follows.                1. The oil content of flaxseed can reach 40-50% and the oils occurring in this oil content belong to the so-called drying oils. Because a considerable part are unsaturated their melting points are very low, and because they are unsaturated they react very quickly with the oxygen in the air and quickly become rancid. Because of the rancidity a so-called "varnish" taste develops which makes the flaxseed less suitable for human consumption. Though by milling of the flaxseed the active ingredients become accessible, the milled product, is however, difficult to store and the amount of essential fatty acids of type omega 3 decreases already during the milling.        2. Another property greatly limiting the application of flaxseed is that it contains in the outer surface of the seed husk a very complicated, pectin-like material with a composition unknown up to now. The role of this material is to protect the seeds passing through the digestive tract of an animal that they may remain viable. Similarly, the human digestive tract is also unable to digest the raw, untreated seed, 1 kg flaxseed is able to bind 5 litres of water in consequence of which the gastric juice is not able to reach the surface of seed husk, and this slippery, gel-like material significantly enhances the intestinal activity, and functions as a purgative substance in countless cases. The internal content of the seed cannot, however, be utilized.        3. Furthermore, it is known that the mucilage of the flaxseed contains a lot of materials hindering the digestion, e.g. hydrocyanids and trypsine inhibitors. Though their effect can be decreased by heat treatment, their hindering effect cannot be completely eliminated (Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society 70(9): 899-904, 1993). For this reason the removal of mucilage should be very desirable to ensure better digestion and absorption.
Of course, lots of attempts have been made to eliminate the above mentioned problems. One such programme is mixing flax seed into the fodder of domestic animals, and by subsequently consuming and digesting the meat of animals bred on flax seed a person will be able to absorb the essential fatty acids. The effectiveness of this method, however, is very low, and what is more, the meat of the animals can have a "varnish" taste as a consequence of the rancidity. In another attempt, flax seed is mixed to the bakery products. In this case the mucilaginous materials are not damaged during the bake and the seeds remain undigested, their advantageous effect to the intestines remains only as fibres.
We have to mention that there have been a lot of attempts in connection with the removal of mucilage from the surface of flaxseed. Kalac J. and Rexova L. (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 167(3): 590-596, 1968) applied the mucilage as a test material to characterize an enzyme isolated from Aspergillus niger; during this experiment they worked with a mucilage available in trade. Though the aim of their experiments was absolutely different from the aim of the present invention, their results showed that the pectin-like mucilage of flaxseed can be partially disintegrated. Wanasundara P. and Shahidi F. (Food Chemistry 59(1): 47-55, 1997) used an enzymatic process in order to promote the protein digestion of flax meal obtained through milling of the flax seed. In this process the flax seed mucilage was only partially removed and the possibility of sprouting was excluded.
Another remarkable attempt relates to the feeding of broiler chickens (Br. Poult. Sci. 44(1): 67-74, 2003). Alzueta R. et al. reported that the inclusion of whole flax seed (with the mucilage) milled together in the chicken feed resulted in a mass reduction instead of mass growth in spite of the fact, that the nutritive value of the flaxseed is very high. Including milled flaxseed with reduced mucilage content to the feed, however, improved the utilization. It should also be noted that in this case only a partial removal of mucilage (about 83%) is reached so the results do not reflect a complete utilization. Moreover, the acidic removal of the mucilage and the high temperature applied (80° C.). cause the seeds to loose viability and cannot germinate.
From the point of view of the preservation of active ingredients the most successful procedure is the sprouting of the flax seeds. It is known that the oil present in large quantities in the living seedlings does not become rancid, and the valuable active ingredients are presumably protected against external oxidation processes as they are enclosed into micelles. At present the sprouting of flax seeds, however, has considerable limits. The gel-like material surrounding the husk (so-called mucilage) prevents direct sprouting and the external sterilization of seeds, which is the precautionary measure necessary for distribution. This is why it is necessary to use roundabout solutions. The seeds can, for example, be sprouted on some kind of carrier material (soil layer, cotton fabric, diaper material, etc.), and the green parts of plants can be consumed only by harvesting the cotyledonous plants. This application, however, is very elaborate, and its application is not suited for large scale production. Another disadvantage is the fact that when the cotyledons become green, already significant energy has been drawn from the seed, the development of bitter tastes starts, and the decomposition of multiple unsaturated fatty acids begins, resulting in a limited storability of the plant material (10-12 days).
In the patent publication document No. WO 03/003854 Barker D. et al. introduced a sprouting process in order to increase the relative amount of alpha-linolenic acid in the sprout product. In addition to the fact that we were not able to repeat these results, the aim of the procedure reviewed in the mentioned patent publication document No. WO 03/003854 was not the removal of mucilage hindering the digestion, and does not solve that problem at all. Though the composition of the sprout material was improved with this introduced method, it is very likely that the absorption of these compounds does not happen in the animal and human organism. Furthermore, the method elaborated by Barker D. et al. does not allow for the surface sterilization according to the requirements of food-hygiene.
The flax seed mucilage is by itself an interesting and valuable material. A lot of articles dealt with its investigation (see e.g.: Journal of Food Science 54(5): 1302-1305, 1989; Food Hydrocolloids 17(2): 221, 2003; Chromatographia 58(5-6): 331-335, 2003). The flax seed mucilage is indigestible for the human organism, therefore this material is called water-soluble fibre material (Philips G. O., Food Hydrocolloids 17(2): 221, 2003). According to experiences this material forms a thin layer on the stomach wall and the villi; this layer has both a strong laxative effect, and also prevents the absorption of nutritive substances. Thus it can be utilized as an additive for slimming agents.
The aim of present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and to bring the flaxseed into a suitable form for direct human consumption. We have found that this aim can be reached by removing the mucilage from the surface of flax seed. Through this process the flax seeds are deprived of mucilage, and then the seeds are germinated. The sprouted flax seed become accessible for the gastric juices, and the hard to digest oils are mobilized in the sprouting flaxseed. The flax sprout thus becomes suitable for direct human consumption or can be utilized as a basic food material. A further aim was to preserve the vitability of the seeds in order to retain their ability to sprout and also to gain access to their inherent values.
Thus, the objective of the present invention has been to work out a process suitable for completely removing the gel-like mucilage from the surface of the flax seed and thereby to make the surface of flax seed suitable for direct sterilization and sprouting.
The composition of mucilage surrounding the flaxseed is only partially known, this problem is not completely solved yet. Anyway, a complex molecule with a very complicated composition is in question, the removal and decomposition of which presents a problem so far unresolved. The results till now show only the fact that there is an enzyme which begins the partial decomposition of mucilage. During our experiments it was proved that in the case of different cultivated flax varieties the composition of mucilage can vary considerably from variety to variety as they react to the enzymatic treatment in a very different ways.
The mucilaginous material from the flax seed steeped in water could not be removed by washing, pressing and intensive agitation. The expression "removal" means an almost 100% removal, as the seeds can be sterilized only in this way. On the basis of this fact it is presumed that the mucilaginous material has a stable gel structure, and that this structure is stabilized with cross-links. Surprisingly the enzymatic treatment of flax seeds steeped in water in advance does not give any result at all. The experiments of digestion directed to the gel from outside were unsuccessful; nevertheless, this method proved to be the most suitable from the point of view of retaining the sprouting ability.
We have found, however, that if the flax seeds are soaked in an aqueous enzyme solution containing at least one pectinolytic, cellulolytic and optionally proteolytic enzyme, the mucilage can be separated from the surface of seeds, and the seeds keep their viability. These results were not predictable on the basis of the prior art at all. The sprouting experiments showed that the husk deprived of mucilage is not injured by the enzymatic treatment (it is important because the lignans are bound to the husk), in fact, it is so stable that the seeds can be effectively sterilized prior to sprouting with sodium hypochlorite solution of high concentration. The flax sprout obtained in such a way is free from mucilage, easy to digest, suitable for direct human consumption and can be employed in a lot of different fields.
Under the effect of enzymatic treatment according to this invention the mucilaginous material separates from the surface of seed on a gentle mechanical influence as a thick, mucilaginous solution. According to our working hypothesis the cross-links of complex gel structure and links between the mucilage and the husk, respectively, split on the influence of enzymatic treatment. This is supported by our observation that the viscosity of the separated mucilaginous material does not change even after intensive incubation (lasting several days). This allows for further processing of the mucilaginous material separated from the flaxseed.
The separation of mucilaginous material enabled us to work out a quick method for the purification and formulation of this material. We have found that at a low temperature (4° C.) the mucilaginous material precipitates from the aqueous solution already at a 40% (v/v) alcohol concentration. Through repeated alcohol washing and heat treatment the materials hindering the digestion (hydrocyanids and inhibitors) are removed.

Demucilaged flax sprouts and their by-product as well as production and application thereof


A novel medical diagnostic imaging system, method, and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a reference image is compared with each image in an image stream, and a similarity value is calculated to reflect the degree of similarity between them. If the similarity value is high enough, the image is saved for later use by the diagnostician.

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for diagnostic imaging. More specifically, a stream of images is compared to a reference image of the diagnostic subject, and image frames with a level of similarity to the reference image are stored for use by a diagnostician in comparison with the reference image.
Imaging is used for diagnosis and analysis in various medical fields. In many such applications, a series of images of the diagnostic subject (e.g., a tooth, bone, tumor, or breast), typically including an initial baseline, or xe2x80x9creference,xe2x80x9d image and subsequent images, depict changes in a particular structure or structures. Similarities and differences between the baseline image and the later-acquired images are examined and interpreted to aid in the diagnosis or study.
A major difficulty with these tools for diagnosis is acquisition of the baseline and later-acquired images from (at least approximately) the same angle, rotation, and zoom/distance with the same lighting conditions and (especially when soft tissues are involved) locations of structures within the subject. Rigid frames have been used in attempts to fix the camera and subject in the same relative position for each image acquisition. Such frames, however, often result in significant discomfort for the patient and may still yield images that are not very well matched with the baseline image. Poorly matched images are, of course, less useful than well matched images for diagnosis and study.
There is thus a need for improved systems, methods, and apparatuses to acquire images for use in diagnosis and study.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a novel imaging system, method, or apparatus for medical diagnostic imaging. Another object is to provide a medical diagnostic imaging system, method, or apparatus that is easier to use than certain available systems. A still further object is to provide a system, method, or apparatus that yields time-series images with improved suitability for use in medical diagnostics and study.
One form of the present invention is a unique medical diagnostic imaging.
In another form of the present invention, a reference image is compared to a series of captured images from an image stream. The level of similarity between the reference image and the captured image is determined and used to decide whether to store the captured image for diagnostic use. In one embodiment of this form, all captured images with a level of correlation above a pre-determined level are stored. In another embodiment, the best n captured images are stored for diagnostic use. In some embodiments, the level of similarity is represented by a number, the similarity value. In some embodiments, the evaluation of the similarity between a captured image and the reference image is accomplished using analog techniques, while in other embodiments the level of similarity is determined using digital techniques.
Another form of the present invention is a method for collecting images for medical diagnostic use, wherein a reference image is compared with a captured image from an image stream to determine the level of similarity between the two images. Based on that level of similarity, a decision is made whether to retain or discard the captured image. In some embodiments, the reference image and the image stream are displayed together as the image stream is captured, for example, in side-by-side windows on a computer monitor. Other embodiments show the reference image and the image stream in the same window, wherein the lines from the two images are interlaced. In yet other embodiments, the difference image between the reference image and the image stream is displayed during capture. In still other embodiments, the shadow of one is placed over the other and displayed during capture.
In another form of the present invention, a system comprises data storage (containing a reference image of a diagnostic subject); an image stream of captured images showing the diagnostic subject; a processor, connected to the data storage, that receives the image stream; and a computer readable medium encoded with programming instructions executable by the processor to (1) calculate a similarity value for each captured image; and (2) determine whether to store the captured image based on its similarity value.
Other embodiments, forms, variations, objects, features, and applications may appear to those skilled in the art from the drawings and description contained herein.

Abstract: In other embodiments, a running list is maintained of the x best-matching frames from the video stream. Images from the list are displayed for the operator.


Techniques are described for pairing an input device to a display device in a vehicle infotainment system and choosing communication modes between the input device and the vehicle infotainment system. In certain embodiments, in response to detecting the presence of the input device, and based on an identity of a user associated with the input device or a detected location associated with the input device, a display device may be selected from a plurality of display devices of the vehicle infotainment system. Finally, the system may pair the input device with the selected display device and a communication mode may be selected whereby the input device can communicate with the vehicle infotainment system.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicle infotainment systems. Modern day vehicles often include vehicle infotainment systems as standard equipment. Vehicle infotainment systems can include a collection of hardware and software in automobiles that provide audio entertainment, video entertainment, vehicle navigation, and other sources of information. Modern day vehicle infotainment systems can also include various modules such as, but not limited to, automotive navigation systems, video players, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, Carputers, in-car internet, and WiFi. The vehicle infotainment systems can be controlled via steering wheel controls and/or hands free voice control. Many vehicle manufacturers market infotainment systems to customers as brand differentiators.
However, current vehicle infotainment systems fail to account for the complexity introduced by the use of multiple display devices and, in particular, fail to envision a system for organizing user input other than the use of traditional touch screens or buttons affixed to the vehicle itself. An improved system is needed for handling user input in modern vehicle infotainment systems.

Pairing of input device and display in vehicle infotainment systems


A method for transmitting data that includes receiving a first request to open a first virtual channel, the first virtual channel associated with a TCP connection, and negotiating a first payload encoding scheme between a client and a server to use on the first virtual channel. The method further includes receiving a first frame from the client, the frame including a first channel-id associated with the first virtual channel and a first payload that includes a first datum encoded using the first payload encoding scheme. In addition, the method includes decoding the first payload to obtain a decoded first datum and processing the decoded first datum to obtain a second datum. The method additionally includes generating a second frame that includes the first channel-id and a second payload that includes the second datum encoded using the first payload encoding scheme, and sending the second frame to the client.

Network traffic, typically in the form of packets, is transmitted over a network, such as the Internet, from one computer system to another computer system. The content of the packets is initially generated by a process executing on the computer system initiating the transmission. This process generates and/or obtains the data to send to the other computer system (i.e., the receiving computer system). The data is then encoded using, for example, Extensible Markup Language (XML). The encoded data is then sent to the receiving computer system using one or more communication protocols, (e.g., HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP)).
Prior to sending the encoded data to the receiving computer system, metadata is associated with the encoded data. The metadata corresponds to data that is required by the communication protocols. For example, if encoded data is sent using HTTP, one or more of the following pieces of metadata must accompany the encoded data: general-header data, request-header data, response-header data, and entity-header data. The various components associated with each of aforementioned headers are defined in Request for Comments (RFC) 2616—Hypertext Transfer Protocol—HTTP/1.1 (June 1999).
The receiving computer system, upon receipt of the encoded data and metadata, processes the encoded data using the metadata. Processing the encoded data typically includes sending the encoded data through the various layers (i.e., physical layer, network layer, transport layer, etc.) of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model in the receiving computer system using the metadata, decoding the encoded data using the metadata, and performing the necessary actions on the data (i.e., the encoded data after it has been decoded) to generate a response.
Once the response has been generated, the receiving computer system performs the same steps described above with respect to the computer system initiating the transmission to send the response to the initiating computer system. Specifically, the receiving computer system encodes the response, generates the necessary metadata, and sends the metadata and the encoded response to the computer initiating the transmission using one or more communication protocols.

Method and system for transmitting data over a network


The macrolide FK506, produced by Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals is effective in inhibiting the replication of hepatitis D virus. It is believed that replication is inhibited either by virtue of the ability of FK506 to inhibit proline isomerase or otherwise to interfere with the function of a C-terminal proline in a replication factor or by virtue of its interference with RNA replication directly.

The macrolide FK506, which is of the formula: ##STR1## is manufactured by Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and is a known immunosuppressant. It is a member of class of immunophilins described by Schreiber, S. L. in Science (1991) 251:283-287. Other members of this class include rapamycin, cyclosporin A, and an additional macrolide designated 506BD. However, the present applicant is unaware of any suggestion that FK506, which is also known to be a proline isomerase (or rotamase) inhibitor, or the other compounds described in this article would have antiviral activity. Unexpectedly, FK506 was found to be capable of inhibiting hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) replication.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,437 describes the ability of compounds related to FK506 to regenerate liver which has been negatively affected by hepatitis B and non A/non B. However, this appears to be unconnected with any direct effect on the virus.

The Regents of the University of California


A system for determining the location of a mobile transmitter is disclosed. The mobile transmitter receives a message signal and responds to the message signal by transmitting a responsive signal, wherein the responsive signal is indicative of the identity of the mobile transmitter. One preferred embodiment comprises at least three antenna site systems 10, a central site system 12, a database processor for use in connection with various applications, and a map system 16. The system may be employed to locate cellular telephones and/or like devices emitting bursty transmissions, e.g., over messaging or control channels.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention may be used to locate the standard transmitters used in a variety of communications networks. A "standard" transmitter is one which is generally used in the network and has not been specially designed or modified to make it easier to locate. For example, standard transmitters of the type mentioned above share two common characteristics.
First, they are intended to be mass marketed and thus inexpensive. To this end, they employ low cost transmitter and receiver circuitry. Such mass marketable transmitters are distinguished from more expensive transmitters designed specifically for use with a locating system. An example of the latter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,618, Jun. 8, 1993, titled "Cellular Telephone Service Using Spread Spectrum Transmission," which discloses a system employing a special type of spread spectrum transmitter to be deployed in vehicles.
Second, each of the transmitters mentioned above employs a messaging channel that carries a bursty data transmission (as distinguished from a voice transmission or a circuit switch data transmission). The expression "messaging channel," as used herein, refers to one or more radio channels carrying two way communications between a first and a second radio transmitter (where either the first or the second radio transmitter is the transmitter to be located), wherein the communications include (1) commands and responses between the first and the second transmitters; and (2) information identifying at least one of the first and second transmitters. For example, a cellular telephone system's control channels are examples of "messaging channels." A CDPD system is a messaging system overlaid on a cellular system. Thus, the portion(s) of a cellular system's spectrum normally assigned to voice conversations may also be considered a messaging channel when carrying CDPD data packet transmissions. For further background on the present invention, the reader is referred to the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/059,248. In addition, reference may be made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/105,506, filed Aug. 11, 1993, "Methods and Apparatus for Increasing the Efficiency of a Cellular Telephone Location System."

System for locating a source of bursty transmissions cross reference to related applications


Disclosed is an absorbent article having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned therebetween, in which the absorbent core is enveloped by a primary core integrity layer comprising a continuous mesh of meltblown material which is joined to the topsheet. The primary core integrity layer is particularly useful for improving the wet integrity of absorbent cores comprising an upper acquisition/distribution layer and a lower storage layer.

Absorbent articles such as diapers which employ relatively thin absorbent cores and which are, therefore, relatively thin products, are desired for numerous reasons. For example, thinner diapers are less bulky to wear and fit better under clothing. They are also more compact in the package, making the diapers easier for the consumer to carry and store. Compactness in packaging also results in reduced distribution costs for the manufacturer and distributor.
The improvement in absorbency provided by incorporation of absorbent gelling materials in absorbent cores has permitted the realization of relatively thin absorbent articles. For example, an absorbent structure wherein hydrogel-forming materials in particulate form are incorporated into fibrous webs is disclosed in Weisman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678; issued Sep. 9, 1986.
Another absorbent core configuration which is useful for use as the absorbent structure in relatively thin absorbent articles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,780, issued Aug. 23, 1988 to Angstadt. This patent discloses absorbent articles, such as diapers, which have a two layer absorbent core configuration wherein the core comprises an upper primary layer and a lower dusting layer. The primary layer is an airlaid web of hydrophilic fiber material with a substantial amount of absorbent gelling material admixed therewith. The dusting layer comprises hydrophilic fiber material and, preferably, contains no absorbent gelling material.
Another absorbent core configuration is disclosed in Weisman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402, issued Jun. 16, 1987. This patent discloses absorbent articles having a dual layer absorbent core. In the dual layer configuration, the core comprises an upper primary layer which is an airlaid web of hydrophilic fiber material, optionally with a small amount of polymeric gelling agent particles admixed therewith. The core also comprises an underlying insert layer which is an airlaid mixture of hydrophilic fiber material and a substantial amount of polymeric gelling agent particles. This insert layer is generally positioned toward the front of the absorbent article such that more than half of the polymeric gelling agent material in the article is found in the front half thereof. Absorbent articles having the particular dual layer configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 can be prepared in the form of especially thin, highly effective, low leakage diaper products.
More recently, absorbent structures have been suggested to provide improved fluid acquisition and distribution in absorbent cores. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,022, issued Jun. 19, 1990 to Lash et al., discloses disposable absorbent articles comprising a layered absorbent core comprising an upper layer of stiffened, twisted, curled cellulose fibers and from about 3% to 15% by weight, of large particle absorbent gelling material; and a lower layer of stiffened, twisted, curled cellulose fibers and from about 15% to 60%, by weight, of absorbent gelling material. The upper layer serves the principal purpose of acquisition and distribution of bodily fluid discharges. The stiffened, twisted, curled fibers are highly beneficial in this regard. The lower layer is principally for fluid storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,445, issued to Young et al. on Jun. 8, 1993 discloses absorbent cores comprising an acquisition/distribution layer comprising a web of from about 50% to 100% of chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers and from 0% to about 50% of a binding means. Preferred stiffened fibers are intrafiber crosslinked, the crosslinking occurring while the fibers are in a relatively dehydrated, defibrated, twisted, curled condition. Suitable stiffening agents include polycarboxylates, and are described along with a process of making the stiffened fibers, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537, issued to Herron et al. on Aug. 11, 1992.
Although the foregoing structures provide improved absorbency when incorporated into absorbent articles, it has been found that such cores tend to suffer from absorbent core slumping, cracking (i.e., breaking), and/or roping in processing, storage, and/or use. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the absorbent core are decreased such that leakage of the article incorporating the same occurs. This tendency to slump, crack, and/or rope is more likely as the absorbent core becomes thinner, for example, in the foregoing constructions incorporating absorbent gelling material and/or stiffened, twisted, curled cellulosic fibers. Thin constructions particularly suffer from breakage and slumping which are believed to be due to the presence of stiffened, twisted, curled cellulosic fibers, a relatively high absorbent gelling material concentration, and/or the force typically used in packaging of the absorbent article. Breakage tends to occur along the fold lines typically imparted for packaging of the absorbent articles (e.g., in the crotch region). When such breakage occurs, the transport of fluids throughout the absorbent core is impeded. For example, where substantial breakage occurs along the crotch fold line, the rear portion of the absorbent article tends to be substantially unavailable for fluid absorption. Thus, when the front portion of the article is saturated to its absorption capacity, leakage may occur.
The tendency to slump, crack and/or rope is particularly exaggerated in absorbent cores incorporating acquisition/distribution components comprising stiffened, twisted, curled cellulose fibers such as described in the foregoing patents. On the one hand, the relatively low density of such components makes the component more likely to lose its integrity. In addition, when this component is wetted, the fibers tend to pull apart (spring back). In addition, the acquisition/distribution component tends to separate and/or slip away from other layers of the absorbent core (e.g., the storage layer) such that fluid transport from the acquisition/distribution layer to such other layers is hindered.
It is known to use glues in absorbent articles to improve absorbent core integrity. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola et al. on Mar. 4, 1986 discloses garments in which the liquid permeable lamina and absorbent core are bonded together in face to face relation with an open pattern of adhesive. Minetola discloses that particular laminae are adhesively secured together with particular patterns, quantities, and types of adhesives to achieve faster absorbency; less absorbent core slumping, cracking and roping; and increased tensile strength without substantially reducing either the softness or overall absorbency of the garment.
While the art has solved some of the problems related to absorbent core integrity of laminated absorbent articles, it has not solved the problems to the extent nor in the manner of the present invention; particularly with respect to the integrity of thin diaper configurations having a relatively high absorbent gelling material concentration, more particularly such thin diapers incorporating an acquisition/distribution layer such as those incorporating the above described chemically stiffened, twisted, curled cellulosic fibers.
The glues used to bond the absorbent core to a chassis component (i.e., topsheet or backsheet) tend to have inadequate adhesion to the cellulose fibers which are typically used in the absorbent core when the absorbent article is subjected to the dynamic motions of the wearer. As a result, the glue tends to be insufficient to maintain the integrity of the absorbent core when absorbent articles incorporating the same are in use. The loss of adhesion and integrity is particularly exaggerated when the article is wetted. For example, when the absorbent gelling material and cellulose fibers typically incorporated into the absorbent core component expand upon wetting, the forces exerted by the expanding absorbent gelling material and cellulose fibers tend to cause a loss of adhesion between the absorbent gelling material, fibers, and the glue.
In addition, when absorbent core/chassis glues are applied in a spray application to form beads and/or spirals for bonding of the laminae, the bonding is relatively localized. Thus, although the amount of glue is relatively great, this method of application leaves a large portion of the absorbent core surface unbonded and free to move.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent structure having improved dry and wet integrity. Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent structure having a reduced tendency to break, slump, and/or rope while dry or wet. Another object of the present invention is to provide absorbent articles in which the absorbent core is enveloped by a continuous mesh of meltblown material. It is a further object of this invention to provide such absorbent articles wherein the absorbent core can acquire fluid rapidly in the region of discharge and transport the fluid over a relatively large proportion of an absorbent core storage area and, additionally, be capable of effectively acquiring and distributing discharged bodily fluid from second or other successive voiding. It is yet another object of this invention to provide absorbent articles which are capable of meeting the objects described above which are of a relatively thin design.

Absorbent core having improved dry/wet integrity


A small volume, broad beam antenna is disclosed. The antenna has four cavity backed elements. Each of the elements is triangular shaped and is mounted such that the narrow portions of the triangular elements are over the center of the cavity.

This antenna relates generally to antennas for receiving or transmitting radio frequency energy and more particularly to broadband antennas which fit into relatively small volumes.
Antennas are widely used in many types of systems. The structure of the antenna affects its operating characteristics. As a result, antennas take on a variety of shapes. The particular shape is selected to meet the requirements of a system.
For certain systems, it is desirable to construct a broadband, circularly-polarized antenna which transmits or receives a beam of radio frequency energy over a wide angular range (i.e., a broad-beam antenna). The antenna must be relatively small and have a low manufacturing cost. Further, when many antennas are made, each should have substantially the same performance characteristics.
Crossed dipoles are often used to construct inexpensive broad beam antennas. Crossed dipoles are relatively broad beamed. In addition, the phase of signals applied to the different dipoles can be varied to produce signals with linear or circular polarizations.
One variation on the crossed dipole antenna is called a notch antenna. The four dipole halves are constructed from rectangular sheets of conducting material mounted perpendicular to a ground plane which acts as a reflector. The corner of each rectangular sheet near the center of the structure is cut out to form notches.
Such antennas, while adequate for some applications, did not provide adequate gain or bandwidth for some applications.


A reference voltage supplying circuit can include an internal reference voltage generating unit configured to generate an internal reference voltage, a pad configured to receive an external reference voltage, a switching unit selectively configured to supply the internal reference voltage or the external reference voltage to an internal voltage generator in a test mode.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments described herein relate to a reference voltage supply circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus, and more particularly, to a circuit and a method for supplying a reference voltage to a semiconductor memory apparatus for testing the reference voltage.
2. Related Art
Conventional semiconductor integrated circuits use power sources, such as an external supply voltage VDD and a ground voltage VSS, from the outside of a chip, and internal voltages such as a reference voltage (Vref), a peripheral voltage (Vperi), a core voltage (Vcore), an elevated voltage (VPP) and a substrate bias voltage (VBB). To generate these internal voltages, the semiconductor memory apparatus includes various voltage generators.
The reference voltage (Vref) is often used for generating the core voltage (Vcore) and the elevated voltage (VPP). In a conventional semiconductor memory apparatus, it is often the case that a reference voltage level used for a core voltage generator is different from that used for an elevated voltage generator. Consequently, a reference voltage generator is often configured to generate a core reference voltage for the core voltage generator and an elevate reference voltage for the elevated voltage generator respectively.
Meanwhile, a conventional semiconductor memory apparatus receives a reference voltage for buffering data through a reference voltage pad in order to support a buffering operation of input data in a data input buffer. The semiconductor memory apparatus also receives a reference voltage for buffering command addresses through a reference voltage pad in order to support a buffering operation of commands and addresses in a command/address buffer.
As mentioned above, the data buffer reference voltage and the command/address buffer reference voltage are provided externally through the pads. However, a core reference voltage and an elevate reference voltage are internally generated as described above. Generally, the manufacture of a conventional semiconductor memory apparatus includes a wafer test and a package test. However, because the core reference voltage and the elevate reference voltage are not input through a pad, it is not possible to test the core reference voltage and the elevate reference voltage using conventional methods. Accordingly, it is not possible to test for failures in the core reference voltage and the elevate reference voltage after the completion of the package process, which degrades the efficiency of the package test. Consequently, the yield for conventional semiconductor apparatus is reduced because of the limitation on the package test, which also leads to increases in processing time and cost.

Circuit for supplying a reference voltage in a semiconductor memory device for testing an internal voltage generator therein


A cannula for extension through a tissue into a cavity and having: a cylindrical sleeve defining a hollow passageway through which a surgical instrument can be directed, with the sleeve having a) a proximal end to be manipulated by a user in directing the sleeve into an operative position through the body tissue into the body cavity, b) a distal end which projects into the body cavity with the sleeve in its operative position, and c) a cylindrical outer surface; expandable structure at the distal end of the sleeve for preventing withdrawal of the sleeve from the tissue with the expandable structure in an expanded state, the expandable structure being collapsible from its expanded state, wherein it projects radially beyond the outer surface of the sleeve sufficiently to prevent passage of the distal end of the sleeve and expandable structure thereon through an incision having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve, to a collapsed state in which the expandable structure does not project sufficiently beyond the outer surface of the sleeve to significantly obstruct passage of the distal end of the sleeve and expandable structure through a tissue incision approximately equal in diameter to the outer surface of the sleeve; structure for selectively placing the expandable structure in its expanded and collapsed states; a retaining collar having a tapered surface; and cooperating structure on the sleeve and collar for permitting movement of the collar relative to the sleeve towards the sleeve distal end so that the body tissue through which the sleeve is directed can be captured between the tapered collar surface and the expandable structure to thereby maintain the sleeve positively in its operative position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cannulas of the type used to perform laparoscopic surgery and, more particularly, to structure for maintaining a cannula in operative position with respect to body tissue through which the cannula extends.
2. Background Art
In performing laparoscopic surgery, an incision is made in a patient to admit a cannula which serves as a conduit for the introduction of selected surgical instruments into a body cavity. During a surgical procedure, several cannulas may be directed into the patient at spaced locations to facilitate simultaneous use of a number of instruments. The body cavity in which the operation is performed is filled with a gas to expand the surrounding tissue to create a suitably sized operating space.
In designing laparoscopic equipment, there are several objectives. First, it is important to confine the gas used to expand the cavity in which the operation is to be performed with the cannula in operative position. Deflation of the body cavity could result in interruption of a surgical procedure and/or injury to the patient's internal organs.
It is also important that the cannula be positively maintained in its operative position on the body tissue through which it passes. By positively positioning the cannulas, internal and external clashing between multiple instruments is minimized.
A further objective is to permit the cannula, in its operative position, to be reoriented with respect to a cavity to maximize the working range for each instrument and thereby minimize the number of cannulas that must be used.
Generally, the above three objectives are competing. For example, by positively maintaining the cannula in its operative position, the leakage of gas may be minimized, however the range of motion for the instrument extending through the cannula may be limited.
Examples of prior art structures utilized to maintain a cannula in an operating position with respect to tissue through which the cannula extends are shown in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,039,468, to Price; 3,253,594, to Matthews et al; 3,459,175, to Miller; and 4,077,412, to Moossun. In each of the above four patents, a disk with a large surface area is borne against one side of a tissue through which the cannula extends to thereby positively maintain the position of the cannula. The large contact area between the disks and tissue minimizes the amount of permissible repositioning of the cannula with respect to the tissue. Further, if the disk is brought sufficiently tightly against the tissue to maintain the position of the cannula, the underlying tissue may be traumatized.
There is another drawback with prior art structures utilizing an inflatable balloon/membrane to maintain the cannula in operative position. With such devices, a balloon is inflated to provide an obstruction to removal of the cannula from an incision. A tube/conduit is required to selectively inflate and deflate the balloon from a point externally of the body.
Exemplary prior art conduits are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,253,594, to Matthews et al and 3,459,175, to Miller. In each, the exposed conduit is separately passed through an incision in the body tissue. The opening for the conduits affords another escape route for gas within the cavity. The conduits are also prone to being severed or pinched. Further, the conduits are difficult to clean and potentially unsanitary when reused.
The present invention is specifically directed to overcoming the above-enumerated problems in a novel and simple manner.


There is described a handle, for example a door handle, lifting handle or touch pad, which is particularly useful as a self-sterilizing door handle for use in public areas. The handle comprises: a contact area formed of a hydrophilic sintered porous material, particularly a plastic material; and a reservoir containing an anti-microbial liquid, wherein said reservoir is fluidically connected to the contact area. The reservoir can include a port to allow the reservoir to be re-filled or alternatively the whole reservoir can be detached and replaced when required. The anti-microbial liquid can be delivered along the hydrophilic sintered porous material by fluid transmission action so that the contact area is continually treated by the anti-microbial liquid, thereby rendering the handle continuously wetted and disinfected and inhibiting the growth of culture forming units.

Hand hygiene is an important aspect in maintaining public health. In communal areas, door handles are touched by large numbers of people and can be responsible for the transfer of disease-causing microbes from person to person, particularly where one or more individuals exercise poor hand hygiene. The likelihood of door handles being responsible for the spread of microbes is particularly high for toilet doors, kitchen doors, public access ways, and for doors in other communal areas, such as doors within buildings used by a large number of people. A single person failing to wash their hands adequately (or at all) will microbially contaminate a door handle (for example a handle of the toilet block) by touching the handle. The deposited micro-organisms can then colonise the handle, and some micro-organisms will inevitably be transferred to the hands of any subsequent person who touches the handle. The risk of microbial transfer via a door handle can be a particular problem in premises providing food, such as cafes and restaurants. An equivalent problem also arises for any contact surface which is touched by multiple people, including, without limitation, push buttons, hand grips, touch pads and the like.
The problem of hand hygiene is often tackled in hospitals by the provision of sanitising hand gel. However, this is not generally available in other buildings or locations and also relies upon compliance by each person, i.e. that each person will remember to use the hand gel before entry. This issue of compliance has been tackled by Altitude Medical Inc. who have created a door handle which automatically dispenses a portion of sanitising hand gel as the handle is pulled (see WO2014/035610). An alternative device is provided by Pure Hold Ltd (see WO2011/128652). However, it is not always appropriate for a sanitising hand gel to be used at every public access way.
WO 2011/042741 describes a cover for a door handle which includes a porous material holding disinfectant which acts as a reservoir. The disinfectant is squeezed through the cover when the porous material is compressed, for example by a user holding the handle. However, the device described has the disadvantage that squeezing the porous material too hard will result in too much disinfectant being expelled, and in some cases can lead to disinfectant dripping out of the device in an undesirable manner. Additionally, the porous material is inappropriate for areas of high use, where wear and tear would cause the material to degrade.
GB2506386A describes an apparatus specifically for use with a door which comprises a grip portion of the handle being configured to offer the user a partially disinfected surface. However, this arrangement would not provide the necessary protection for the user.


A nozzle guard (80) for an ink jet printer printhead With an array (14) of nozzles (10) and respective ink ejection means for ejecting ink onto a substrate to be printed, wherein the nozzle guard (80) is adapted to be positioned on the printhead to inhibit damaging contact with the exterior of the array (14) of nozzles (10).

Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention:
PCT/AU00/00594, PCT/AU00/00595, PCT/AU00/00596, PCT/AU00/00597,
PCT/AU00/00598, PCT/AU00/00516 and PCT/AU00/00517.
The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by cross-reference.
The present invention relates to printed media production and in particular ink jet printers.
Ink jet printers are a well-known and widely used form of printed media production. Ink is fed to an array of digitally controlled nozzles on a printhead. As the print head passes over the media, ink is ejected from the array of nozzles to produce an image on the media.
Printer performance depends on factors such as operating cost, print quality, operating speed and ease of use. The mass, frequency and velocity of individual ink drops ejected from the nozzles will affect these performance parameters.
Recently, the array of nozzles has been formed using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which have mechanical structures with sub-micron thicknesses. This allows the production of printheads that can rapidly eject ink droplets sized in the picoliter (xc3x9710xe2x88x9212 liter) range.
While the microscopic structures of these printheads can provide high speeds and good print quality at relatively low costs, their size makes the nozzles extremely fragile and vulnerable to damage from the slightest contact with fingers, dust or the media substrate. This can make the printheads impractical for many applications where a certain level of robustness is necessary. Furthermore, a damaged nozzle may fail to eject the ink being fed to it. As ink builds up and beads on the exterior of the nozzle, the ejection of ink from surrounding nozzles may be affected and/or the damaged nozzle will simply leak ink onto the printed substrate. Both situations are detrimental to print quality.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer, the printhead including:
an array of nozzles for ejecting ink onto media to be printed;
an apertured containment formation positioned between the nozzle and the media when the printhead is in use; such that,
ink fed to the nozzle is isolated from at least some of the other nozzles in the array while allowing ink correctly ejected from the nozzle to pass through an aperture in the containment formation to print the media.
In this specification the term xe2x80x9cnozzlexe2x80x9d is to be understood as an element defining an opening and not the opening itself.
Preferably, each nozzle in the array has a respective containment formation to isolate it from all the other nozzles in the array. However, some forms of the invention may have a containment formation configured for isolating predetermined groups of nozzles from the other nozzles in the array.
In a further preferred form, the containment formation is an apertured nozzle guard positioned on the printhead such that it extends over the exterior of the nozzles to inhibit damaging contact with the nozzles while permitting ink ejected from the nozzles to pass through the apertures and onto the substrate to be printed.
In some embodiments, the nozzle guard covers the exterior of the nozzles and the apertures form an array of passages in registration with the array of nozzles so as not to impede the normal trajectory of the ink ejected from each nozzle, and
the nozzle guard further includes containment walls extending from the array of passages to the exterior of each of the nozzles to form a ink containment chamber enclosing each nozzle. In a further preferred form, the nozzle guard is formed from silicon.
In one particularly preferred form, each containment chamber has ink detection means which actuates upon a predetermined level of ink within the chamber and provides feedback for a fault tolerance facility to adjust the operation of other nozzles with the array to compensate for the damaged nozzle. In some forms of this embodiment, the printer stops supplying ink to the damaged nozzle in response to the ink detection means.
An ink jet printer printhead according to the present invention, isolates any ink leakage such that it is contained to a single nozzle or group of nozzles. By containing the ink flooding, the adjacent nozzles can compensate to maintain print quality.
The containment walls necessarily use up a proportion of the surface area of the printhead, and this adversely affects the nozzle packing density. The extra printhead chip area required can add 20% to the costs of manufacturing the chip. However, in situations where the nozzle manufacture is unreliable, the present invention will effectively account for a relatively high nozzle defect rate.
The nozzle guard may further include fluid inlet openings for directing fluid through the passages, to inhibit the build up of foreign particles on the nozzle array.
The nozzle guard may include a support means for supporting the nozzle shield on the printhead. The support means may be integrally formed and comprise a pair of spaced support elements one being arranged at each end of the guard.
In this embodiment, the fluid inlet openings may be arranged in one of the support elements.
It will be appreciated that, when air is directed through the openings, over the nozzle array and out through the passages, the build up of foreign particles on the nozzle array is inhibited.
The fluid inlet openings may be arranged in the support element remote from a bond pad of the nozzle array.
By providing a nozzle guard for the printhead, the nozzle structures can be protected from being touched or bumped against most other surfaces. To optimize the protection provided, the guard forms a flat shield covering the exterior side of the nozzles wherein the shield has an array of passages big enough to allow the ejection of ink droplets but small enough to prevent inadvertent contact or the ingress of most dust particles. By forming the shield from silicon, its coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matches that of the nozzle array. This will help to prevent the array of passages in the shield from falling out of register with the nozzle array. Using silicon also allows the shield to be accurately micromachined using MEMS techniques. Furthermore, silicon is very strong and substantially non-deformable.

Nozzle flood isolation for ink printhead


A table such as an x-ray or operating table with a top positionable into multiple positions and angular orientations with respect to a mounting base such that the positions or orientations include variable elevated positions, variable transverse positions, variable longitudinal positions, variable angular orientations in the longitudinal direction, variable angular orientations in the transverse direction, and variable rotational orientations.

Existing x-ray and surgical tables available today are limited in the amount and kind of movement that they can provide to a doctor or a technician. With the continued advancements in procedures used for diagnostic and clinical processes, it is becoming more important that the doctors can position the patient in many positions, both to present the parts of the patient in the most advantageous position for the doctor, and, as in the case of x-ray, to allow the body parts to move into a natural position for any body position. Also, positioning the body parts in various positions allows medicines or diagnostic fluids to flow naturally in the manner the doctors or technicians desire. As an example, if a patient is injected with CO2 gas, gases naturally rise; therefore, if a doctor wishes to have the gas flow into the lower extremities, it is desirable that the lower extremities are positioned in an upward direction. This is also true if it is desired to have the gas flow to the left extremities or the right extremities, the right or left should be elevated. In cases where liquids are injected, it may be useful to have gravity drain the injection from certain areas. As a result, it is desirable to lower the sights from which it is desirable to have the injection flow.
In the existing art, tables exist which raise and lower the table top, cradles exist that are add-ons to existing tables that enable rocking of the body from side to side, and tables exist which provide elevation of the body to an upright position but do not perform in both directions, do not move to 90 degrees from the horizontal or do not allow for the diagnostic equipment to follow the body positions desirable. Since state of the art diagnostic equipment requires free movement both above and below the body as well as to the front or rear of the body, the table top movements must be achievable without affecting the free movement of the diagnostic or clinical procedures equipment.


A low cost, office environment platform for performing off-station verification and integration of Automatic Test Program Generation test program sets for digital circuit boards includes a general purpose computer which oversees integration of the test program sets developed on the simulator with the digital circuit boards using a basic test control unit such as the HP16500 Logic Analysis System. A method of utilizing this apparatus involves generating and simulating the test program sets and applying the test program sets to the digital circuit boards during development with feedback to the host computer on which the test program sets are generated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system and method for facilitating test program generation, and to a test station of the type in which a test control unit sends stimulus information to a unit under test (UUT), samples responses from the UUT, and analyzes the responses to determine whether the UUT is good or faulty.
2. Description of Related Art
A number of systems are currently available for testing complex electrical or electro-mechanical equipment through the use of a controller which sends stimulus information to a UUT, samples responses from the UUT, and analyzes the responses to determine whether the UUT is good or faulty.
The tests are carried out under the control of instructions known as test program sets (TPSs). A software simulation technique known as automatic test program generation (ATG) is used to generate TPSs for digital circuit boards. Suitable software for carrying out this technique includes commercially available LASAR.TM. Version 6 ATG software, which is run on a DEC VAX.TM. computer system.
Integration of the simulator's output with the UUT currently requires large and expensive government furnished automatic test equipment (ATE). The ATG test station (ATS) of the invention disclosed and claimed herein was developed to reduce ATE loading by providing a low cost, office environment platform to perform off-station verification and integration of a ATG test programs. Approximately 80-95% of the integration can be performed on the ATS. By significantly reducing the integration time, it is estimated that the ATS reduces the entire ATG test program development time by 30%, resulting in a significant competitive edge for the developer.
When taking the traditional approach to ATG test program development, the entire test program is developed before the start of integration. This results in the disadvantage that problems which arise early in the integration phase can have a significant impact on the rest of the test program, necessitating drastic unforeseen changes which can set the development program back by a significant amount. Currently, no system is available for developing a test program incrementally, enabling elimination of early problem areas and the testing during development of fundamental engineering calculations related to specific UUT circuitry.


A tool box including a body having two side surfaces, a depression, a slot and a groove formed in one end of each of the side surfaces, the slot inclined from the depression to a middle and upper portion of the body, the groove extended vertically from the depression to the bottom portion of the body, and a cover including a pair of flanges each having a stub formed integral on one end for engagement with the depressions of the body, whereby, the stubs are slidable along either the slots or the grooves.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool box, and more particularly to a tool box for accommodating tools such as screw driver, wrenches, sockets etc.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Typical tool boxes comprise two parts pivotally coupled together, the two parts can not be easily disengaged from each other, such that, when the tool box is disposed in a drawer, the upper part can not be fully opened, thereby, the tools accommodated within the tool box can not be easily fetched. The tool box should be taken out from the drawer such that the tools can be fetched.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional tool boxes.


A LED chip including a substrate, a semiconductor device layer, a current blocking layer, a current spread layer, a first electrode and a second electrode is provided. The semiconductor device layer is disposed on the substrate. The current blocking layer is disposed on a part of the semiconductor device layer and includes a current blocking segment and a current distribution adjusting segment. The current spread layer is disposed on a part of the semiconductor device layer and covers the current blocking layer. The first electrode is disposed on the current spread layer, wherein a part of the current blocking segment is overlapped with the first electrode. Contours of the current blocking segment and the first electrode are similar figures. Contour of the first electrode and is within contour of the current blocking segment. The current distribution adjusting segment is not overlapped with the first electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) chip. More particularly, the present invention relates to a LED chip where a current distribution therein can be adjusted.
2. Description of Related Art
With development of semiconductor technology, a present LED may achieve a high-brightness output, and since the LED has advantages of power-saving, small-size, low power driving and non-mercury, etc., it has been widely used in displays and illumination devices, etc. Generally, a light-emitting efficiency of a LED chip relates to internal quantum efficiency (i.e. light-extraction efficiency) of the LED chip. When the light emitted from a light-emitting layer has a higher transmittance with respect to the LED chip, it represents that the LED chip has good light-emitting efficiency.
Electrodes of the LED chip are generally fabricated by metal materials, and since the metal materials are opaque, the light emitted from a region under the electrode of the LED chip may be blocked, which may cause a waste of power. Therefore, a technique of forming a current blocking layer between the electrode and the semiconductor device layer is developed.
FIG. 1A is top view of a conventional LED chip having a current blocking layer. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the LED chip of FIG. 1A along the I-I′ line. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the LED chip 100 includes a substrate 110, a semiconductor device layer 120, a current blocking layer 130, a current spread layer 140, a first electrode 150 and a second electrode 152. The semiconductor device layer 120 includes a first type semiconductor layer 122, a light-emitting layer 124 and a second type semiconductor layer 126.
As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the second electrode 152 is disposed on the first type semiconductor layer 122. The first electrode 150 is disposed on the second type semiconductor layer 126, and the current blocking layer 130 is disposed between the first electrode 150 and the second type semiconductor layer 126. Moreover, the current spread layer 140 is disposed between the first electrode 150 and the second type semiconductor layer 126, and covers the current blocking layer 130 entirely, wherein a shape of the current blocking layer 130 and a shape of the first electrode 150 are similar figures, and an area of the current blocking layer 130 is slightly greater than that of the first electrode 150. The current blocking layer 130 is used to block the current passing through an area covered by the current blocking layer 130. If the LED chip 100 does not have the current blocking layer 130, the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 124 under the first electrode 150 can be shielded by the first electrode 150, which may lead to a poor light-emitting efficiency of the whole LED chip 100. If the LED chip 100 has the current blocking layer 130, the light-emitting layer 124 located at a region under the current blocking layer 130 does not emit light or only emits few light, while the light-emitting layer 124 located at a region other than that under the current blocking layer 130 can emit light without being shielded by the first electrode 150. Therefore, waste of the power at the region under the first electrode 150 can be reduced by applying the current blocking layer 130.


A helmet for the protection of sportsmen and/or workers in potentially hazardous occupations is disclosed. In one embodiment the helmet comprises a protective head shell and means to position the helmet on a users head in which the head shell has an outer section slidably connected to an inner section. The outer section is adapted to move relative to the inner section on impact with an object. In another embodiment the helmet further comprises a plurality of cushioning projections located between the two shells, each projection being integrally connected to one of the shells.

Helmets having a rigid or substantially rigid outer shell are used by sportsmen and workers involved in activities in which there is a risk of injury to the head.
The shape and design of protective helmets vary according to their intended use. In general, however, conventional protective helmets have a rigid or substantially rigid outer shell, cushioning means, such as foam padding and/or straps, and frequently a chin strap or similar device, to attach the helmet to the user's head. In such helmets the cushioning absorbs a major amount of the energy on impact with an object. While conventional protective helmets afford significant protection for the head of the user, such helmets are capable of improvement especially with respect to the amount of energy that may be absorbed by the shell of the helmet.
Protective helmets having two shells are known. For example, a protective helmet having interconnected internal and external shells is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,656 to G. Vogliano and D. Beckman, issued Dec. 3, 1968. A helmet having two shells and adapted for circulation of air between the shells for cooling is disclosed in Canadian Pat. No. 693,175 of R. F. Denton, issued Aug. 25, 1964.


A method of making nanostructures using a self-assembled monolayer of organic spheres is disclosed. The nanostructures include bowl-shaped structures and patterned elongated nanostructures. A bowl-shaped nanostructure with a nanorod grown from a conductive substrate through the bowl-shaped nanostructure may be configured as a field emitter or a vertical field effect transistor. A method of separating nanoparticles of a desired size employs an array of bowl-shaped structures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to nanostructures and, more specifically to patterned nanostructures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Binary semiconducting oxides often have distinctive properties and can be used as transparent conducting oxide (TCO) materials and gas sensors. Current studies of semiconducting oxides have been focused on two-dimensional films and zero-dimensional nanoparticles. For example, fluorine-doped tin oxide films are used in architectural glass applications because of their low emissivity for thermal infrared heat. Tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) films can be used for flat panel displays (FPDs) due to their high electrical conductivity and high optical transparency; and zinc oxide can be used as an alternative material for ITO because of its lower cost and easier etchability. Tin oxide nanoparticles can be used as sensor materials for detecting leakage of several inflammable gases owing to their high sensitivity to low gas concentrations.
In contrast, investigations of wire-like semiconducting oxide nano structures can be difficult due to the unavailability of nanowire structures. Wire-like nano structures have attracted extensive interest over the past decade due to their great potential for addressing some basic issues about dimensionality and space confined transport phenomena as well as related applications. In geometrical structures, these nanostructures can be classified into two main groups: hollow nanotubes and solid nanowires, which have a common characteristic of cylindrical symmetric cross-sections. Besides nanotubes, many other wire-like nanomaterials, such as carbides, nitrides, compound semiconductors, element semiconductors, and oxide nanowires have been successfully fabricated.
However, the nanostructures discussed above can have a variety of deficiencies. For example, often it is difficult to control the structure and morphology of many nanostructures. Further, many nanostructures are not defect and/or dislocation free. These deficiencies can cause problems such as, for example, uncontrolled properties due to uncontrolled structure and morphology, scattering from dislocations in electric transport applications, and degraded optical properties.
Semiconducting oxides, as an important series of materials candidates for optoelectronic devices and sensors, have attracted considerable attention in scientific research and technological applications. Recently, quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures for the functional materials have been successfully fabricated by using various approaches including thermal evaporation, sol-gel, arc discharge, laser ablation and template-based method. To date, extensive research work has been focused on ZnO, which is one of the most useful oxides for optical and sensor applications. Many different morphological ZnO nanostructures, including wires, belts, and rods, etc., have been fabricated.
In ZnO, a combination of the three types of fast growth directions ([2 1 10], [01 10], and [0001]) and the three area-adjustable facets [2 1 10], [01 10], and [0001]) of ZnO has resulted in a diverse group of hierarchical and intricate nanostructures. In addition to non-central symmetry, the semiconducting and piezoelectric as well as surface polarization characteristics of ZnO make it one of the most exciting oxide nanostructures for investigating nano-scale physical and chemical properties. Structural configurations such as piezoelectric nanobelts, nanosprings, and nanorings, etc., are known.
Certain patterned nanostructures have utility in many different applications, including electronics, optics and size differentiation of various particles. Unfortunately, such patterned nanostructures may be difficult to make at a large scale.
Therefore, there is a need for a method of making patterned nanostructures at a large scale.
There is also a need for patterned nanostructures.

Large scale patterned growth of aligned one-dimensional nanostructures