Coupling between a unit main body and a front panel is detachably carried out by catching means and coupling means. The coupling means comprise slide means 33 provided with a slide plate 24 which slides with respect to a bracket hardware 24 embedded in the unit main body, and holding means 28 provided at a front face of the slide plate 24 and for holding the front pane!.

In recent years, in audio units such as cassette player, CD (Compact Disc) player or DVDs (Digital Versatile Disc), which are recording and/or reproducing devices, various units of vehicle-mounted specifications come into wide use. In such vehicle-mounted units, there arises a problem that the unit may be stolen while a driver is away from his/her vehicle.
For this reason, the countermeasures are taken such that the audio unit is constructed to have a unit main body and an operating part divided, for example, wherein the operating part is detachable with respect to the unit main body. When leaving the vehicle, the driver detaches the operating part from the unit main body to carry it with him/her. Since the unit main body cannot operate without operating part, there is no possibility of theft of the unit main body.
With the vehicle-mounted audio unit having an operating part detachable as described above, a conventional example of a mechanism for attaching and detaching the operating part to and from the unit main body is described in Japanese Patent JP-A 7-156719, which is constructed as follows:
As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, an audio unit 1 comprises a unit main body 2 and a front panel 3 as an operating part. The front panel 3 is provided with operating buttons 4 and a display 5, and is formed with a cassette opening 6b corresponding to a cassette loading mouth 6a of the unit main body 2. Moreover, connection terminals 7a, 7b are arranged for electrical connection upon mounting of the front panel 3.
Next, the structure for attaching and detaching the front panel 3 will be described. The unit main body 2 is formed with blind plate 8 for receiving the front panel 3 and a frame 8a at the periphery of the blind plate 8. There are arranged catching means 9 for catching one side or the right side of the front panel 3 and coupling means 10 for coupling another side or the left side of the front panel 3.
The catching means 9 comprise a pair of protrusions 11 formed on the frame 8 and a pair of engaging portions 12 formed with the front panel 3. The coupling means 10 comprise a mounting support plate 13, an arm 14, a holder 15, an extension coil spring 16 and a spring 17 normally elastically biased in the direction of center X as shown in FIG. 12, and an engaging recess 18 as shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 shows the state of the front panel 3 attached. Since the arm 14 having a pin 14a and a release operating part 14b integrated therewith and formed out of synthetic resin is rotatable about pins 13a, and the spring 16 is greater in biasing force than the spring 17, the engagement is maintained between engaging portions 15a of the holder 15 mounted to the arm 14 to be rotatable about the pin 14a and pins 13b. Thus, an engaging portion 15b is engaged with the engaging recess 18, holding the attached state of the front panel 3.
When detaching the front panel 3, a release button 19 is pushed. Then, the release button 19 is protruded from the back of the front panel 3 (state in FIG. 13B) against a biasing force of a spring 20 to push the release operating part 14b. Then, the arm 14 is pushed backward against a biasing force of the spring 16 as shown in FIG. 15, in accordance with which the engaging portions 15a are disengaged from the pins 13b by a biasing force of the spring 17. The front panel 3 is pushed forward by a biasing force of the spring 17. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the front panel 3 is pushed further forward by the action of the spring 17.
In the state in FIG. 16, the engaging portion 15b is engaged with the engaging recess 18, holding the attached state of the front panel 3. In this state, when taking the front panel 3 by hand and disengaging the engaging portion 15b from the engaging recess 18, the front panel 3 can completely be detached from the unit main body 2.
Next, when attaching the front panel 3, the pair of engaging portions 12 is engaged with the pair of protrusions 11 in FIG. 11, and then the left side of the front panel 3 is pushed in. Then, the engaging portion 15b is engaged with the engaging recess 18, attaching the front panel 3 to the unit main body 1 as shown in FIG. 14.
However, as seen from FIG. 14, since the coupling of the coupling means 10 is carried out by engaging the engaging portion 15b with the engaging recess 18, a large play between the two may cause falling out of the front panel 3 due to easy disengagement, while a small play may cause breakage of the engaging portion 15b and the engaging recess 18. Thus, fine combination verification is needed every time a metal mold of the front panel 3 is formed, leading to complicated and troublesome work.
Therefore, the present invention aims to provide attaching and detaching mechanisms which are free from such problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A releasable and retrievable vascular filter system comprising a filter, a porous filter membrane attached to the filter, and an anti-migration feature for causing the filter to remain substantially stationary in the lumen of the vessel during the clinical procedure. The releasable and retrievable vascular filter system minimizes or substantially eliminates filter movement during the procedure, which may result in damage to the lumen, and/or the release of embolic particulates captured within the filter. The releasable and retrievable vascular filter system also allows for guidewire exchanges, which may be necessary for successful completion of the clinical procedure.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), stenting and atherectomy are therapeutic medical procedures used to increase blood flow through the coronary arteries. These procedures may often be performed as alternatives to coronary bypass surgery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting may often be performed as alternatives to carotid endarterectomy, and femoral-popliteal bypass procedures. In PTCA or PTA procedures, the angioplasty balloon is inflated within the stenosed vessel, at the location of an occlusion, in order to shear and disrupt the wall components of the vessel to obtain an enlarged lumen. In stenting, an endoluminal prosthesis is implanted in the vessel to maintain patency following the procedure. In atherectomy, a rotating blade is used to shear plaque from the arterial wall.
One of the complications associated with all these techniques is the accidental dislodgment of plaque, thrombus or other embolic particulates generated during manipulation of the vessel, thereby potentially causing occlusion of the narrower vessels downstream, which may lead to ischemia or infarct of the organ which the vessel supplies. Such emboli may be extremely dangerous to the patient, and may result in myocardial infarction, stroke or limb ischemia. In 1995, Waksman et al. disclosed that distal embolization is common after directional atherectomy in coronary arteries and saphenous vein grafts. See Waksman et al., American Heart Journal 129(3): 430-5 (1995). This study found that distal embolization occurs in 28 percent (31 out of 111) of the patients undergoing atherectomy. In January 1999, Jordan, Jr. et al. disclosed that treatment of carotid stenosis using percutaneous angioplasty with stenting procedure is associated with more than eight times the rate of microemboli seen using carotid endarterectomy. See Jordan, Jr. et al. Cardiovascular Surgery 7(1): 33-8 (1999). Microemboli, as detected by transcranial Doppler monitoring in this study, have been shown to be a potential cause of stroke. The embolic materials include calcium, intimal debris, atheromatous plaque, and thrombi.
Vascular filters are also well known in the art, especially vena cava filters, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,727,873 and 4,688,553. There is also a substantial amount of medical literature describing various designs of vascular filters and reporting the results of clinical and experimental use thereof. See, for example, the article by Eichelter and Schenk, entitled "Prophylaxis of Pulmonary Embolism," Archives of Surgery, Vol. 97 (August, 1968). See, also, the article by Greenfield, et al; entitled "A New Intracaval Filter Permitting Continued Flow and Resolution of Emboli," Surgery, Vol. 73, No. 4 (1973).
Vascular filters are often used during a postoperative period, when there is a perceived risk of a patient encountering pulmonary embolism resulting from clots generated peri-operatively. Pulmonary embolism is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs when these clots travel to the lungs. The filter is therefore typically placed in the vena cava to catch and trap clots before they can reach the lungs.
Many of the vascular filters in the prior art are intended to be permanently placed in the venous system of the patient, so that even after the need for the filter has passed, the filter remains in place for the life of the patient. U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,747 describes a stainless steel filtering device that is permanently implanted transvenously within the inferior vena cava. This device is intended to treat recurrent pulmonary embolism. Permanent implantation is often deemed medically undesirable, but it is done because filters are implanted in patients in response to potentially life-threatening situations.
To avoid permanent implantation, it is highly desirable to provide an apparatus and method for preventing embolization associated with angioplasty, stenting or other procedures. In particular, it is desirable to provide a device that may be temporarily placed within the vascular system to collect and retrieve plaque, thrombus and other embolic particulates that have been dislodged during angioplasty, stenting or other procedures. Such a device is removed at the end of the procedure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,179,861 and 6,001,118 describe guidewire-based filters where the filter resembles a windsock and is supported by one or more articulated support hoops. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,814,064 and 5,827,324 describe guidewire-based filter devices, wherein the filter is expanded to a predetermined diameter through the introduction of a fluid or a gas. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,168,604 and 6,152,946 describe guidewire-based filters, wherein the diameter of the filter is controlled by advancing and retracting a sheath over the filter component.
Notwithstanding the usefulness of the above-described methods, one concern commonly encountered with these devices is that the filter may move when the guidewire moves, thereby causing potential damage to the lumen, and risking the release of embolic particulates had been captured during the procedure. Another concern commonly encountered with these devices is that the filter and the guidewire are a single unit. Therefore, guidewire exchanges, which may be necessary for successful completion of the clinical procedure, cannot be performed.
The prior art has yet to disclose, and a need still exists for, a vascular filter system which may be used to address the clinical problem of minimizing or substantially eliminating movement of the filter during the clinical procedure. The prior art has also not yet disclosed, and a need still exists for, a vascular filter which may be used to address the problem of allowing guidewires exchanges, which may be necessary for successful completion of the clinical procedure.

Releasable and retrievable vascular filter system


A door connected between reinforced "A" and "B" posts of an automobile includes a horizontal beam extending from the front to the rear of the door. Extension members are connected to the beam with interlock members connecting the extension members to the side sill of the automobile.

Various means for reinforcing automobile doors and protect them against intrusion resulting from side impacts have been used. Generally, beams have been connected between the front and rear of the door to provide added strength to the door. While some consideration has been given for utilizing such beams to absorb impact forces, very often they are not located in positions so as to provide maximum protection against high side impact forces. Even in cases where such door beams were properly positioned, they often were not designed in conjunction with other parts of the automobile so as to be able to adequately transmit the forces generated in the door into the "A" and "B" posts and side sill of the automobile.

Reinforcement means for resisting side impacts against an automobile door


A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. The method of the present invention employs the suture anchor (10) and includes the steps of forming a hole (36) in a bone (38) and inserting the suture anchor (10) to a desired depth in the hole (36) in the bone (38) using an inserter device (100). Suturing thread ( 22) extends from the suture receiving opening (24) in the tip and along the length of the walls (27,28) out of the hole (36) in the bone (38). An anchor spreader (130) is used to firmly seat the anchor (10) in the hole (36). The suture (22) is pulled at the same time to help seat the barbs 14 on the anchor (10) into the bone (38).

Suture anchors used to secure sutures in openings formed in bones are important for joint reconstructive surgery and arthroscopic surgical techniques. Such suture anchors are used, for instance, to anchor ligaments or tendons to bones in knee, shoulder and elbow reconstruction and repair operations.
Important attributes of bone anchors are that they be easy to insert, and provide a firm anchor. Bone anchors also should be simple and reliable. Bone anchors may be bio-absorbable or nonbio-absorbable depending upon the material used to form the bone anchor. Either can be used depending on the type of operation and selection of the surgeon.
Initially, one type of bone anchor took the form of a fish hook-type barb which was inserted into a hole and hooked into the soft marrow of the bone. Another prior approach to suture anchors is disclosed in Goble et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,255. This patent discloses a suture anchor delivery system which uses a specialized two-piece anchor including an anchor rivet and a slotted ring. The anchor rivet is drawn into the slotted ring to deform the slotted ring into an acorn-shape when pressure is applied by an anchor mandrel through which the suture is drawn. This slotted ring includes slots that are split to allow the ring to be deformed and an anchor ridge is formed around the inside circumference of the slotted ring. As compared with the present invention, the Goble suture anchor is more complex in configuration and requires a specialized anchor delivery system for manipulating the two-piece rivet and slotted ring. Also, manufacture of the Goble suture anchor requires close tolerance assembly of the two-piece anchor and cooperation between the two parts of the anchor.
Another patent disclosing a system for fastening articles to bones is disclosed in Rosenberg U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,071. This patent discloses an orthopedic screw with an expandable portion including side slits which are formed radially through the distal end of a screw. The side slits produce a plurality of outwardly expansible tips that are flared by driving a rod-shape member through an internal bore of the orthopedic screw. The Rosenberg device is turned in a manner of a screw for insertion which presents some difficulties in performing arthroscopic procedures. Further, the Rosenberg device requires close tolerance in manufacturing and assembly.
Still another prior art system is shown in Hayhurst U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,330. This patent discloses anchoring devices for attaching sutures to bones, the anchoring devices being deformable cylindrical shaped solid plugs attached at their midpoints to sutures.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a bone anchor which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to install.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bone anchor which automatically locks itself into a bore formed in a bone by simply applying pressure to the suture which causes the barbs or ridges in the bone anchor to dig into the walls of the hole in the bone locking the anchor to the bore hole.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bone anchor which is compact and automatically guides itself into the hole in the bone.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a bone anchor which may be formed by a simple molding operation with no close tolerance assembly operations required. This feature makes the bone anchor both economical and reliable.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inserter device for installing the bone anchor in place, as well as a spreader device for helping to firmly seat the anchor in the bone.
These and other objects are met by the present invention which will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings.

Bone anchor and method of anchoring a suture to a bone


A method for decorating a vitreous substrate with a radiation curable ink composition, comprising applying an ink composition comprised of an N-vinyl lactam to the glass in a predetermined design, the ink being operable when cured to bond to the vitreous substrate, curing the ink on the vitreous substrate by exposing it to the radiation by which it is curable, thereby bonding the ink composition to the substrate; and a method for decorating a vitreous substrate with hot stamping foil comprising applying an ink composition comprised of an N-vinyl lactam to the glass in a predetermined design, the ink being operable when cured to bond to the vitreous substrate, curing the ink on the vitreous substrate by exposing it to the radiation by which it is curable, thereby bonding the ink composition to the substrate, pressing a sheet of hot stamping foil against the substrate with a die heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the hot stamping foil to adhere to the heated, cured, ink design but not to the ink free areas of the vitreous substrate, removing the die, thereby leaving behind a portion of the foil adhered to the ink design but not to the ink-free areas of the glass.

The invention is in the field of decorating glass with ultraviolet (UV) radiation curable compositions.
Hot stamping is the heat transfer of a pigmented color or metallized surface from a polyester carrier onto a thermoplastic substrate. A heated die or roller is used to apply pressure to the hot stamping foil. The pressure forces the pigmented or metallized portion of foil into contact with the plastic substrate. The combination of heat and pressure softens the plastic substrate and activates the foil, causing it to adhere to the substrate. A vertical stamping or roll-on machine is used for the operation. The vertical stamping machine contains a heated die of brass, steel, or silicone rubber to transfer an area of a specific pattern as each part is placed into position. Roll-on methods utilize a silicone rubber roller or arced die to apply the foil in a continuous or batch process. Heat transfer can be achieved at temperatures of about 107xc2x0 C.
Hot stamping is an efficient, inexpensive way to apply decoration to a thermoplastic substrate. Hot stamping cannot be used with glass because glass melts at a much higher temperature than most thermoplastic materials.
Generally decoration in the form of gold or silver leaf, color design, or printing, is applied to glass by a glazing process similar to that used with ceramics. The colored or metallic ink decoration is applied to the glass container by a variety of methods such as silk screen, printing, etc. The container is then subjected to extremely high kiln temperatures and the decoration is, in essence, baked on. Unfortunately this process is time consuming, expensive, energy intensive, and subject to safety considerations due to the high temperatures and gases necessary to operate the kilns.
Applying hot stamping foil to glass is disclosing in U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,047, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The glass is first printed with a radiation curable cycloaliphatic epoxide ink, and cured by exposure to radiation. Hot stamping foil is applied, and adheres to the cured ink design. However, the adhesion and durability of such decorated containers can always be improved. Accordingly, there is a need for ink compositions that provide improved adhesion and durability in the decoration of glass and other vitreous substrates.
The invention comprises a method for decorating a vitreous substrate with a radiation curable ink composition, comprising the steps of:
a) applying an ink composition comprised of an N-vinyl lactam to the glass in a predetermined design, said ink being operable when cured to bond to the vitreous substrate,
b) curing the ink on the vitreous substrate by exposing it to the radiation by which it is curable, thereby bonding the ink composition to the substrate,
The invention additionally comprises a method for decorating a vitreous substrate with hot stamping foil comprising the steps of:
a) applying an ink composition comprised of an N-vinyl lactam to the glass in a predetermined design, said ink being operable when cured to bond to the vitreous substrate,
b) curing the ink on the vitreous substrate by exposing it to the radiation by which it is curable, thereby bonding the ink composition to the substrate,
c) pressing a sheet of hot stamping foil against the substrate with a die heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the hot stamping foil to adhere to the heated, cured, ink design but not to the ink free areas of the vitreous substrate,
d) removing the die, thereby leaving behind a portion of the foil adhered to the ink design.
All percentages mentioned herein are percentages by weight, unless otherwise indicated.
The ink compositions used in the method of the invention contain 10-60%, preferably 15-55%, more preferably 20-50% of an N-vinyl lactam. Preferably the N-vinyl lactam comprises a lactam having 4 to 6 ring carbon atoms. The N-vinyl lactam may be a liquid or solid at room temperature, and is a monomer, oligomer, or low molecular weight homo- or copolymer. Preferably the N-vinyl lactam has a molecular weight of about 100 to 150 daltons. Preferred N-vinyl lactams for use in the method of the invention are N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinyl caprolactam. N-vinyl pyrrolidone may be purchased from International Specialty Products, Wayne N.J., and has the CAS Registry No. 86-12-0. This monomer has a molecular weight of 111 daltons, is a liquid at room temperature, and has a melting point of 17xc2x0 C. N-vinyl caprolactam may also be purchased from International Specialty Products, and has the CAS Registry No. 2235-00-9. This monomer has a molecular weight of 139 daltons, and is a solid at room temperature, having a melting point of 35xc2x0 C. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ink composition contains N-vinyl caprolactam.
Preferably, the ink compositions also contain other ingredients such as one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers or oligomers in addition to the N-vinyl lactam. A variety of other ethylenically unsaturated monomers or oligomers may be used, including those which cure by both free radical and cationic mechanisms.
Preferably the ink compositions contains 15-65%, preferably 20-60%, more preferably 25-50% by weight of the total composition of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, oligomer, or low molecular weight homo- or copolymer in addition to the N-vinyl lactam. Suitable monomers may contain free acid groups, such as a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, or phosphoric acid group. The phrase xe2x80x9chaving a free acid groupxe2x80x9d means that the monomer unit has at least one free acid group, or the oligomer contains at least one monomer unit containing a free acid group, or if a homo- or copolymer, at least one monomer unit thereof contains at least one free acid group. Preferably the ink composition contains a monomer or oligomer, in particular an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or oligomer having at least one free acid group. Examples of preferred monomers or oligomers include those having carboxylic acid functional groups such as:
wherein R1 is H, a C1-30 straight or branched chain, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a pyrrolidone, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, alicyclic, or bicyclic ring where the substitutents are C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, or halogen.
Also suitable are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or oligomers having the unit formula:
wherein R1 is as defined above, and R2 is C1-30 straight or branched chain, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a pyrrolidone, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, alicyclic, or bicyclic ring where the substitutents are C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, or halogen; or 2-tetrahydrofuran; or Xxe2x80x94COOH wherein X is a C1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or (CH2CH2xe2x80x94O)nY COOH or (CH2CH2CH2xe2x80x94O)nY COOH wherein Y is a C1-10 straight or branched chain alkyl and n is 1-10,000.
Preferably the monomer or oligomer is of Formula II wherein R1 is H or CH3, and R2 is is 2-tetrahydro-furan, or Xxe2x80x94COOH wherein X is a C1-10 straight or branched chain alkyl, more preferably ethyl. More preferably the composition comprises a mixture of Formula II monomers or oligomers, the first being wherein R2 is 2-tetrahydrofuran, and the monomer or oligomer is tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, which preferably has a molecular weight of about 156 daltons and is a clear liquid having a specific gravity of about 0.872. This tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate is sold by Sartomer Company under the tradename SR 285. The second preferred Formula II monomer or oligomer is wherein R2 is also beta-carboxyethyl, e.g. as in beta-carboxyethyl acrylate, which is sold under the tradename B-CEA by UCB Radcure, Inc. B-CEA is a reactive monomer which contains both acrylate and carboxylic acid functionality, predominantly as the acrylic acid dimer, and, in particular, is a mixture of about 40% by weight B-carboxyethylacrylate, about 40% by weight higher homologs of acrylic acid, and about 20% by weight of acrylic acid. The B-carboxyethylacrylate component of this mixture has the following formula:
In addition, the ink composition may also contain carboxylic acid functional oligomers, such as aromatic acid methacrylate half esters and aromatic acid acrylate half esters, are also suitable acid functional oligomers for use in the method of the invention. Examples of such oligomers are partial esters of anhydride-containing copolymers such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,947, which is hereby incorporated by reference. These copolymers correspond to the following formula:
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, C1-20 alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl, or halogen; R3, R4, and R5 (see below) are each independently hydrogen, C1-20 alkyl, or aryl; and R6 is the same or different and is alkyl, aralkyl, or an alkyl substituted aralkyl radical containing about 1 to 20 carbon atoms as well as oxyalkylated derivatives thereof; and the subscripts x, y, z, and p are each whole numbers such that the sum of x, y, z, and p may range from about 3 to 20; and x, p, and y are each equal to or greater than 1, and z may be 0; and B is xe2x80x94OAOCOCR5CH2 wherein A is a linear or branched divalent alkylene of from about 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an oxyalkylated derivative thereof as described for R6.
Particularly preferred aromatic partial esters of anhydride containing copolymers are those sold by Sartomer, Inc. under the Sarbox tradename, such as SB-400, SB-500, and SB-600. Particularly preferred is aromatic acid methacrylate half ester in ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, which is sold by Sartomer, Inc. under the tradename Sarbox SB500E50.
Other suitable carboxylic acid functional monomers include acrylic acid, bisacrylamidoacetic acid, 4,4-bis(4-hydroxphenyl)pentanoic acid, 3-butene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, 2-carboxyethyl acrylate, itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, 4-vinylbenzoic acid, and mixtures of these materials.
Examples of monomers containing sulfonic acid groups include 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid; 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, 2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, 4-styrenesulfonic acid, 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, 3-sulfopropyldimethyl-3-methacrylamidopropyl ammonium inner salt, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, vinysulfonic acid, and so on.
Examples of monomers containing phosphoric acid functional groups include bis(2-methacryloxyethyl)phosphate, monoacryloxyethyl phosphate, and so on.
Other radiation curable monomers, oligomers, or low molecular weight homo- or copolymers, terpolymers, or graft or block copolymers which do not contain free acid groups are also suitable. Examples of suitable monomers include epoxides, cycloaliphatic epoxides, vinyl chloride, styrene, ethyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, difunctional acrylic monomers such as hydroxy alkyl acrylates, or hydroxy alkyl methacrylates, vinyl butyrate, vinyl methyl ether, methyl methacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof. Suitable polymers include oligomers, homo- or copolymers, terpolymers, graft copolymers of the above monomers provided they have a molecular weight of less than about 50,000, otherwise it is too difficult to effect polymerization, i.e. curing. Preferred are acrylate homopolymers or acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, preferably acrylate or methacrylate copolymers. Examples of such acrylate or methacrylate copolymers include epoxy acrylates, copolymers of propylene glycol and a dicarboxylic acid, urethane acrylates, and the like. Preferably, the compositions contain one or more polymerizable reactants selected from the group consisting of urethane acrylate copolymers, tripropylene glycol acrylate, epoxy acrylate, and mixtures thereof.
Pigment
The compositions used in the invention may contain 5-95%, preferably 5-50%, more preferably 8-35% by weight of the total composition of pigment. A wide variety of pigments are suitable including organic and inorganic pigments. Examples of such pigments are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,952, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Inorganic pigments include extender pigments such are baryites, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, talc, clay, alumina, titanium dioxide, white carbon, chinese white, zinc sulfide, lithopone, ultramarine, Prussian blue, cobalt, chrome oxide, viridian chrome green yellows, oranges, and reds, cadmium, chromium, iron oxides, carbon black, metallic pigments, aluminum powder, bronze powder, zinc chromate, strontium chromate, zinc dust, copper, and so on. Examples of suitable organic pigments include azo pigments, indolinones, isoindolinones, vat pigments, the Lakes, pthalocyanine pigments and so on. The preferred pigment to impart white color to the ink composition is titanium dioxide. Preferred red and yellow pigments are isoindolinones and pyrrolopyrrols as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,415,685; 4,579,949; 4,791,204; 4,666,455; 5,074,918; 4,783,540; 4,914,211; 4,585,878; as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,359 of Kamen, et. al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. These pyrrolopyrrols are generally of the formula:
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl, arylalkyl, aryl, substituted or unsubstituted isocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radicals; R3 and R4 are each independently H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aroyl (e.g. benzoyl), arylalkyl (e.g. benzyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl), alkanoyl, C5-6 cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, arylcarbamoyl, or alkoxycarbonyl; and X is O or S. Preferred is a compound wherein R1 and R2 are each independently phenyl or naphthyl, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, and X is O. Particularly preferred as a red pigment is pyrrolo 3,4-C pyrrol-1,4-dione, 2,5-dihydro-3,6-di-4-chlorophenyl which has a CAS number 84632-65-5 and is known by the common name C.I. pigment red 254. This pigment is commercially available from Ciba-Geigy Pigments Division, Newport, Del., under the tradename Irgazin DPP Red 80. Other Ciba-Geigy red pigments sold under the tradename Irgazin are also suitable.
Suitable isoindolinones are as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,884,955, 3,867,404, 4,978,768, 4,400,507, 3,897,439 and 4,262,120 and 5,194,088 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred isoindolinones are tetrachlorocyanobenzoic acid alkyl esters, particularly benzoic acid, 2,3,4,5-tetrachloro-6-cyano-methyl ester which is reacted with 2-methyl-1,3-benzenediamine and sodium methoxide. This pigment composition has the common name C.I. Pigment Yellow 109 and is available commercially from Ciba-Geigy Pigments Division, Newport Del. under the tradename Irgazin yellow 2GLTE. Other pigments in the Irgazin Yellow series as manufactured by Ciba-Geigy are also suitable.
Particularly suitable are blue pigments marketed by Ciba-Geigy under the tradename Irgazin Blue X-3367, or by Whittaker, Clark, and Daniels under the tradename Ultramarine Blue 5009.
Surfactant or Defoaming Agent
The ink compositions used in the invention also preferably contain about 0.01-10% of a defoaming agent or surfactant. Defoaming agents cause the ink to apply smoothly on the glass substrate without bubbles or unevenness. A wide variety of defoamers are suitable, such as polyether defoaming agents sold by BYK Chemie under the BYK tradename. Examples of such defoaming agents are alkylvinyl ether polymers set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,201, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples of other defoamers include polyethers such as BYK-052, BYK-053, and BYK-033. BYK-052 and -053 are polyethers such as polyethylene or polypropylene glycol ethers, and in particular, polyvinyl ethers. Also suitable is BYK-354 which is a polyacrylate solution, and BYK-022 which is a mixture of hydrophobic solids and foam destroying polysiloxanes in polyglycol. Preferably the polyether defoaming agent is an alkoxylated alkyl phenol, more particularly a mixtures of petroleum distillates and an ethoxylated alkyl phenol, such as that sold by BYK-Chemie under the tradename BYK-033.
Also suitable are various surfactants which may be cationic, anionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, or nonionic. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are generally derivatives of aliphatic secondary or tertiary amines wherein one aliphatic radical is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the other aliphatic radical contains an anionic group such as carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include betaines, as well as those of the general formula:
wherein R2 contains an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxy alkyl radical of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties and 0 or 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R3 is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; R4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene of from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate groups. Suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl ether sulfates and sulfonates, as well as succinates, succinimate, and olefin sulfonates.
Preferably, the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants are generally compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups with a hydrophobic compound. Classes of nonionic surfactants are:
(a) Long chain dialkyl sulfoxides containing one short chain alkyl or hydroxy alkyl radical of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms and one long hydrophobic chain which may be an alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, or ketoalkyl radical containing from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms, from 0 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties, and 0 or 1 glyceryl moiety.
(b) Polysorbates, such as sucrose esters of fatty acids. Examples of such materials include sucrose cocoate, sucrose behenate, and so on.
(c) Polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, for example the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms with ethylene oxide being present in amounts of about 10 to 60 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol.
(d) Condensation products of ethylene oxide with the reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine.
(e) Condensation products of aliphatic alcohols having 8 to 18 carbon atoms with ethylene oxide, for example a coconut alcohol/ethylene oxide condensate having 10 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol fraction having 10 to 14 carbon atoms.
(f) Long chain tertiary amine oxides such as those corresponding to the general formula:
R1R2R3NO
wherein R1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxyalkyl radical ranging from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in length, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties, and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety and R2 and R3 are each alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.
(g) Long chain tertiary phosphine oxides corresponding to the general formula:
RR1R2PO
wherein R contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or monohydroxyalkyl radical having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, from 0-10 ethylene oxide moieties and 0 or 1 glyceryl moiety, and R2 and R3 are each alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
(h) Alkyl polysaccharides having a hydrophobic group of 6 to 30, preferably 10, carbon atoms and a polysaccharide group such as glucose, galactose, etc. Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonydecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides, galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses, and so on.
(i) Polyethylene glycol (PEG) glyceryl fatty esters, which are the reaction product of polyethylene glycol, glycerin, and fatty acids. Suitable PEG glyceryl fatty esters may be monoesters, diesters, or triesters. Such compounds are manufactured by Goldschmidt Corporation under the TAGAT tradename. Suitable monoesters include, for example, those having the general formula:
RC(O)OCH2CH(OH)CH2(OCH2CH2)nOH
wherein n is 2-200 and RC(O)xe2x80x94 is a hydrocarbylcarbonyl group wherein R is an aliphatic radical having 7 to 30, preferably 8-20 carbon atoms.
(j) Other nonionic surfactants that may be used include C10-18 alkyl(C1-6)polyhydroxy fatty acid amides such as C12-18 methylglucamides, N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, N-propyl through N-hexyl C12-18 glucamides and so on.
Other suitable nonionic surfactants include fluorinated nonionic surfactants. The term xe2x80x9cfluorinated nonionic surfactantxe2x80x9d means a fluorine containing compound having at least one liphophilic group or portion and at least one hydrophilic group or portion. Examples of such surfactants are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,976 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Also suitable are fluorocarbon surfactants, such as those marketed under the Fluorad trademark by 3M Company. These fluorochemical surfactants include fluorinated alkyl esters, fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene ethanols, and the like. Fluorinated alkyl alkoxylates are marketed by 3M under the trademark FC-171.
The preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention are polyethylene glycol glyceryl fatty esters of the formula
RC(O)OCH2CH(OH)CH2(OCH2CH2)nOH
wherein n is 2-200 and RC(O)xe2x80x94 is a hydrocarbylcarbonyl group wherein R is an aliphatic radical having 8-20 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred is a polyethylene glycol glyceryl fatty acid monoester sold by Goldschmidt Corporation under the tradename Tagat S5, which is PEG-5 glycerylmonostearate. In the preferred embodiment of the invention Tegoglas T5 is used which is an aqueous solution of Tagat S5, sold by Goldschmidt Corporation.
Adhesion Promoter
The ink compositions used in the invention also preferably contain about 0.01-25%, preferably about 0.05-15%, more preferably about 0.1-5% of a silane adhesion promoter which will enhance adhesion of the cured resin to the vitreous surface. Examples of silanes are silane esters, vinyl silanes, methacryloxy silanes, epoxy silanes, sulfur silanes, amino silanes, or isocyanoto silanes. Suitable silanes include organofunctional silanes of the formula:
wherein n=0-3
a=0-2
X is each independently CH3, Cl, OCOCH3, OC2H4OCH3, (OC2H4)2OCH3, or xe2x80x94OR, where R is a C1-20 straight or branched chain alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl.
Silanes having this formula are commercially available under the Dynasylan trademark from Huls, America, Inc., Piscataway, N.J. or Osi Specialities Inc. Other organofunctional silanes such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,560, which is hereby incorporated by reference, are also suitable. Such organosilanes are acryloxyfunctional silanes including 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 2-methacryloxyethyltrimethyoxysilane, 2-acryloxyethyltrimethyoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-acryloxypropyltrimethyoxysilane, 3-acryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, 2-methacryloxyethyltriethoxysilane, 2-methacryloxyethyltriethoxysilane, 2-acryloxyethyltriethoxysilane, etc. Suitable glycidoxy silanes include 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 2-glycidoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, 2-glycidoxyethyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethyl silane, and so on. Preferred for use in the compositions of the invention are acryloxy-functional silanes, isocyanato silanes, and amino silanes. The preferred acryloxy-functional silane is 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane, which is sold by Huls America, Inc. under the tradename DYNASYLAN MEMO. The preferred amino silane is sold by Huls America, Inc. under the tradename DYNASYLAN TRIAMO. The preferred isocyanoto silane is sold by Osi Specialities Inc., under the tradename A-1310. In the preferred ink compositions of the invention a mixture of the three silanes is preferred, generally 0.01-2% by weight of each.
Photoinitiator
The ink compositions preferably contain a photoinitiator which catalyzes the polymerization of the monomers upon exposure to the radiation by which the monomers are curable. There are generally two types of photoinitiators: free radical and cationic. Free radical initiators are more commonly used with ethylenically unsaturated monomers and oligomers, while cationic photoinitiators are used with epoxy or vinyl ether functional resins. Preferably, the compositions used in the invention contain free radical photoiniators. Suitable free radical-type photoiniators include carbonyl compounds such as ketones, acetophenones, benzophenones, and derivatives thereof. Examples of such materials include, for example, methyl ethyl ketone; benzophenone; benzyl dimethyl ketal; 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenylketone; diethyoxyacetophenone; 2-methyl-1-(methylethiophenyl)-2-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone; 2-benzyl-2-N,N-dimethylamino-1,4(4-morpholinophenyl)-1-butanone; 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone; 2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholino propan-1-one; 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one; 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)ketone; and a mixture of bis(2,6-dimethyoxybenzoyl)-2-4-4-trimethylpentyl phosphine oxide and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one. Preferred are 2-methyl-1-(methylethiophenyl)-2-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone a mixture of 25% bis(2,6-dimethyoxybenzoyl)-2-4-4-trimethylpentyl phosphine oxide and 75% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one, which are sold under the tradename Irgacure 907 and Irgacure 1800 by Ciba-Geigy.
Cationically curable monomers or oligomers may be used in the compositions of the invention. Examples of cationically curable monomers or oligomers include those with epoxy or epoxide groups, such as cycloaliphatic epoxides as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,047 or the bis-phenol-A epoxy resins disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,336, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. If cationically curable monomers or oligomers are used in the ink compositions, it is desirable to use cationic photoinitiators. The term xe2x80x9ccationic photoinitiatorxe2x80x9d means a molecule or ingredient which, upon excitation, undergoes a photochemical transformation which efficiently generates a species capable of initiating cationic polymerization. If the ink composition of the invention is cured by UV or actinic radiation rather than electron beam it is desirable to add a cationic photoinitiator which catalyzes cross-linking of the resin upon exposure to the radiation to which the resin is sensitive. On the other hand, if the ink compositions of the invention are cured with electron beam it may be possible to dispense with the cationic photoinitiator. Various types of cationic photoinitiators are suitable. Both ionic cationic photoinitiators such as onium salts or organometallic salts are suitable as well as non-ionic cationic photoinitiators such as organosilanes, latent sulphonic acids and the like. Preferred are photosensitive onium salts, in particular, onium salts such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,058,401, 4,138,255, 4,161,478, 4,175,972, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Triaryl sulphonium salts are most preferred, in particular triaryl sulphonium salts such as those sold by Union Carbide under the tradename Cyracure UVI 6990 and 6974. Also suitable are ferrocenium salts such as those sold under the Irgacure tradename by Ciba-Geigy, in particular Irgacure 261. Sulphonyloxy ketones and silyl benzyl ethers are also good cationic photoinitiators. A detailed analysis of the mechanism of cationic curing is disclosed in xe2x80x9cPhotosensitized Epoxides as a Basis for Light-Curable Coatingsxe2x80x9d by William R. Watt, American Chemical Society Symposium, Ser. 114, Epoxy Resin Chemistry, Chapter 2, 1979, and in xe2x80x9cChemistry and Technology of UV and EB Formulation for Coatings, Inks, and Paints,xe2x80x9d Volume 3, entitled xe2x80x9cPhotoinitiators for Free Radical and Cationic Polymerization, K. K. Dietliker, pages 332-374 (1991), both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Photosensitive onium salts are used as photoinitators in cationic curing, in particular, onium salts such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,058,401, 4,138,255, 4,161,478, 4,175,972, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. For cationically curable monomers or oligomers triaryl sulphonium salts are most preferred, in particular triaryl sulphonium salts such as those sold by Union Carbide under the tradename Cyracure UVI 6990 and 6974. The photoiniator is generally present at about 0.1-15%, preferably about 0.5-12%, more preferably about 0.5-10% by weight of the total composition.
The preferred ink compositions used in the method of the invention comprise:
20-50% of an N-vinyl lactam,
10-65% of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or oligomer in addition to the N-vinyl lactam,
0.01-10% of a nonionic surfactant.
The term xe2x80x9cdiexe2x80x9d means any object which is capable of being heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the hot stamping foil to adhere to the cured ink design, and is capable of compressing the hot stamping foil against the substrate. Suitable dies include dies of brass, steel, or silicone rubber found on traditional stamping machines, hand held rollers, silicone rubber rollers, arced dies, and so on.
The term xe2x80x9csubstratexe2x80x9d means glass, ceramic, or other similar vitreous substrates which are capable of decoration including containers, decorative objects, figurines, vases, windows, tiles, and so on.
The term xe2x80x9chot stamping foilxe2x80x9d means, in general, a laminate comprised of a carrier material (often polyester, cellulose acetate, or another similar material capable of release), a release film, and a decorative or color coating, in that order. The decorative coat is usually color or a metallized coat. The decorative coat is usually color or a metallized coat. The metallized coat can be actual gold, silver, or aluminum, which is colored to look like gold or silver, or have holographic properties. The colored layer is most often applied by vacuum metallization. More specifically, hot stamping foil can be defined as a multilayer web comprised of a backing film carrier, a release coating, one or more protective top coatings, one or more color coatings, and a hot melt adhesive, in that order. In the general hot stamping process the hot melt adhesive layer of the foil is compressed against the substrate with a heated die. The hot melt adhesive layer adheres to the substrate and the application of heat also causes the release layer to release the backing film carrier from the protective op coat layer leaven the protective top coat layer exposed on the surface of the substrate. The release coating is either a wax or wax-like material, or a thermoplastic material which melts upon application of heat to release the protective top coat layer from the backing film carrier. Suitable thermoplastics used for release layers include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), acrylics, polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), polyamides, or similar thermoplastic materials as set froth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,719, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The protective top coating is usually a lacquer of some type which is capable of protective the color or metallized layer. The final layer is a hot melt adhesive which can be a wide variety of substances and is selected so that it is capable, upon application of heat, to adhere to the substrate to which it is applied. Generally thermoplastic materials such as EVA, PVC, and the like are suitable hot melt adhesives.
The term xe2x80x9cactinic radiationxe2x80x9d means light having a wavelength of 4 to 600 nm.
The term xe2x80x9cultraviolet radiationxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cUVxe2x80x9d means light having a wavelength of 4 to 400, preferably 325 to 365 nm.
The method of the invention comprises decoration of vitreous substrates such as glass, tile, ceramic ware, and the like with hot stamping foil. The ink composition can be applied to the vitreous substrate in a variety of ways including silk screening or screen printing, offset printing, or any other application technique. Silk screening is preferred because it is adaptable to online production. Hand application using paintbrushes or other similar hand-help applicators may be employed where the ink is applied to a substrate such as a figurine or other highly decorative article which is not readily amenable to screen printing.
After the ink composition is applied to the substrate it is cured by exposure to the radiation by which it is curable. Electron beam may be used to cure the ink, although actinic radiation, preferably ultraviolet (UV) radiation is used. The ink on the decorated substrate is cured by exposure to UV light for a period of time to effect polymerization of the monomers present in the ink, usually ranging from fractions of a second to about 3 minutes, depending on how thickly the ink is applied to the substrate. UV conveyers such as those manufactured by Fusion Systems work well for this purpose. UV conveyers are comprised of a conveyer belt situated beneath a UV lamp. When the substrate is placed on the conveyer belt it moves along and is irradiated by the lamp. Obviously, where cure times are greater, the substrate the substrate can be passed repeatedly through several conveyers in line, or several times through the same conveyer. The conveyer is set up so that the substrate passes through for the appropriate amount of time to cure and adhere to the substrate.
After the ink has been cured it adheres to the substrate and provides durable, decorative indicia.
It may be desireable to apply hot stamping foil to the cured ink design. If so the substrate is stamped with hot stamping foil. In particular, the foil is compressed against the substrate with a heated die of an amount of time sufficient to cause the hot stamping foil to adhere to the cured ink design but not to the ink free areas of the glass. Generally the die should be heated to a temperature of 250 to 400xc2x0 F., preferably 25xc2x0 to 350xc2x0 F. to cause adherence of the foil to the cured ink design. The die is compressed against the substrate for a period of time ranging from fractions of a second to several minutes depending on the die used, the temperature of the die, and the ink composition. When the heated die is removed the hot stamping foil is peeled away. A portion of the hot stamping foil, in particular the hot melt adhesive layer and the metallized or color layer, and the protective top coating, if present, in that order, remain affixed to the cured ink design such that the hot melt adhesive adheres to the cured ink design, followed by the colored coating layers, and the protective top coat layer on the surface of the container. The protective top coat may or may not contain part of the release coat layer, which is designed to release the color layer from the protective top coat.
The decoration which is applied to the substrate by this method is extremely durable and capable of withstanding the stringent conditions necessary to make it commercially acceptable.

Glass decorating method using ink compositions containing N-vinyl lactams


The brake shoe rivet press is for removing in a single operation rivets which are arranged in rows to hold a fibrous liner to the base of a brake shoe to thereby permit removal and later replacement of the liner. The press has a frame and a punch holder fixedly carried by the frame. The punch holder has a plurality of movable punches also arranged in rows and corresponding in number to the number of rivets in the brake shoe. The press includes upper and lower rams movably carried by the frame on opposite sides of the punch holder. The lower ram is provided with a support surface for positioning and supporting the brake shoe and also includes a plurality of openings arranged in rows for receiving the spent rivets. The upper ram has an operating surface, which, when the upper ram is actuated, engages the punches so as to urge them against the rivets to remove them from the brake shoe in a single operation. A hydraulic circuit is provided for controlling the movements of the upper and lower rams. In a further embodiment, the upper ram has two strokes, with a first removing rivets from a center of the arc, and a second stroke which removes all of the rivets.

When heavy duty truck shoe brake shoes become worn, it is necessary to remove and then replace the fibrous pads. This is generally accomplished by removing the rivets one or a few at a time. Generally, there are two or more rows of rivets securing the fibrous pad to the base of the brake shoe. One typical design of brake shoes has thirty-two (32) rivets, eight rows of four rivets each. Generally, it takes much time and labor including a considerable number of machine operations to remove all of the rivets.
It is known in the prior art to use manually actuated presses having a cam surface that forces a plurality of punches to remove the rivets. Such systems are deficient in several ways. First, they must be individually tailored to the particular type of brake shoe which is being repaired. Various brake shoes may have different numbers of rivets, and it is somewhat limiting for the press to operate with a fixed number of rivets. Further, the prior art presses punch all of the rivets with a single stroke. Brake shoes generally extend along an arc, and rivets near the ends of the arc tend to be deformed by the force on the center of the arc caused when the rivets are removed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to design a brake shoe rivet press which will remove all rivets from the corresponding brake shoe in one hit or in a single operation thereby resulting in a savings in time and labor.
It is further an object of the present invention to design a press in which two strokes are used. A first stroke forces the rivets from the center of the arc, and a subsequent stroke forces all of the rivets out of the brake shoe. Also, it is an object of the present invention to disclose such a press that may be tailored to repair brake shoe having varying numbers of rivets.


A portable console includes a universal positioning arm for holding a surgical instrument such as an endoscope during a surgical procedure. Coarse adjustment of instrument elevation above an operating table is provided by a reversible drive motor which extends and retracts an upright support shaft from which the instrument is supported. Coarse adjustment of instrument X-Y position within the sterile zone above an operating table is provided by an articulate arm which is rotatably coupled to the upright support shaft. Fine adjustment of instrument position across the sterile zone is provided by a reversible drive motor which extends and retracts the instrument along the longitudinal axis of the support arm. Fine adjustment of instrument elevation is provided by a reversible drive motor which lifts and lowers the distal end of the support arm. The insertion orientation of the instrument is adjustable by a rotatable coupling. Coarse positioning is performed by actuation of console and arm-mounted switches, and fine positioning is performed by foot pressure applied to floor switches by the operating surgeon.

In the performance of surgery and related procedures, sterile operating conditions are maintained by a surgical drape which covers the patient and the operating table. The surgical procedure is performed through a slit or preformed fenestration which is aligned with a desired surgical site. It is sometimes necessary to support and stabilize an instrument such as endoscope in an elevated position above the patient for long periods of time, with a portion of the instrument being inserted into the patient's abdominal cavity. An endoscope is a slender viewing tube which may be rigid or flexible, and which includes an optical lens system and a light source. The purpose of the endoscope instrument is to provide visual access into a body cavity, for example, the abdominal cavity, the knee, shoulder, bladder, uterus and bowel. A laparoscope is a type of endoscope which includes a rigid viewing tube for insertion through the abdominal wall.
It is necessary to vary the position of the instrument from time to time according to the needs of the surgical procedure. During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), for example, an endoscope is inserted into the upper abdominal cavity which is inflated and pressurized with carbon dioxide by an insufflating machine. The endoscope is guided through a trocar sheath which serves as an interface port through the abdominal wall. By sliding the endoscope up and down the port, or rotating it in the desired direction, a view of the internal organs can be obtained by a video camera which is attached to the endoscope, and with the image being displayed on a video monitor.
The video camera also records the movement of other surgical instruments, for example, a grasper, a hook, a spatula, forceps and dissector, which are guided into and out of the abdominal cavity through one or more secondary surgical trocar sheaths. When the distal tip of the instrument appears on the video monitor, the surgeon guides it into place and controls its action and movement as displayed on the video monitor. It is usually necessary to re-position the endoscope from time to time to view the operative site so that the surgical instruments are positioned appropriately within the cavity to expose the organ or internal tissue for inspection, repair, dissection or excision.
The success of the laparoscopy procedure depends in part on the surgeon's ability to gauge spatial relationships as viewed on the video monitor, and to be able to easily adjust or reposition the endoscope as the procedure progresses. During gall bladder removal, for example, it may be necessary to re-position the endoscope and hold it in a desired orientation as the gall bladder duct is sealed by a surgical clip. Additionally, it may be necessary to re-position the endoscope while using an electrocautery instrument to excise the gall bladder from the underside of the liver. After the gall bladder organ has been severed, it is removed through an exit port. It is then necessary to reposition the endoscope to an upper midline port so that the surgeon can correctly position and operate a grasper instrument through a secondary trocar port.
Examples of procedures which may be performed or assisted by endoscopy include the following:
______________________________________ Diagnostic Tubal Sterilization Ablation Endo- metriosis Ovarian Biopsy Ovarian Cyst Aspi- Ovarian Cystectomy ration Ovarian Oophorectomy Laser Uterine Endocoagulation Nerve Ablation Presacral Neurecto- Salpingoplasty Salpingostomy my Salpingectomy Tubal Reanastomosis Myomectomy Pelvic Abscess Removal of foreign In Vitro Fertiliza- body (IUD) tion Hysterectomy Ovarian Torsion Multiple Peritoneal Biopsies Omentectomy Lymphadenectomy Lysis Bowel Adhe- sions Appendectomy Cholecystectomy Colectomy Hernia Repair Gonadectomy Nephrectomy ______________________________________
Other procedures which may be assisted by endoscopy include orthopedic knee surgery, orthopedic shoulder surgery, urological procedures, bowel procedures, and other gynecological procedures.


In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is an exemplary system, method and computer-accessible for determining a characteristic(s) of a tissue(s), that can include, for example, receiving magnetic resonance imaging information regarding the tissue(s) including a time-intensity curve(s) of the tissue(s) based on a contrast agent(s) concentration, actively encoding a part of the time-intensity curve(s) with a magnetic resonance relaxation property(s) of the tissue(s) by varying a magnetic resonance imaging scan parameter(s) to generate encoded data during magnetic resonance data acquisition, and determining the tissue characteristic(s) based on the encoded data.

T1-weighted dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging ("DCE-MRI") can be an important procedure for diagnosis, and for assessing treatment response of cancer (see, e.g., References 1-4), as well as for various inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (see, e.g., Reference 5), rheumatoid arthritis (see, e.g., Reference 6), and inflammatory bowel diseases. (See, e.g., References 7 and 8). Time-intensity curves of DCE-MRI can contain rich information about the tissue microcirculation environment, and can be analyzed using contrast kinetic models to estimate physiologically relevant parameters, such as a transfer constant (e.g., Ktrans), plasma volume fraction (e.g., vp), and extravascular extracellular space volume fraction (e.g., ve). (See, e.g., References 9 and 10). However, quantitative analysis of DCE-MRI data remains challenging, particularly due to the need to separately measure the pre-contrast longitudinal relaxation time constant (e.g., T10) of the tissue (see, e.g., Reference 9) and actual flip-angles ("FA") achieved for T1 measurement and the dynamic scan. (See, e.g., References 11-13).
The degree of contrast enhancement in a tissue can vary depending on the T10 of the tissue, such that analyses of DCE-MRI data based on time-intensity curves without taking into account the T10 variability in lesions can result in a limited diagnostic accuracy. (See, e.g., Reference 14). For a more robust quantitative analysis, DCE-MRI time-intensity curves can be converted to contrast agent concentration curves. Such signal-to-concentration conversion process can utilize T10 values, which can be measured using various methods, such as inversion recovery (see, e.g., Reference 15 and 16) and variable flip angle methods (see, e.g., Reference 17), but at the cost of extra scan time. In addition, accurate T1 mapping can typically utilize correction for the inhomogeneous radiofrequency ("RF") transmit field (e.g., B1). (See, e.g., References 11 and 18-20). B1 field maps can also be used to correct for the B1 inhomogeneity effect in the T1-weighted DCE-MRI data itself. Various B1 mapping methods have been developed based on either magnitude images (see, e.g., References 21-23) or phase images (see, e.g., References 24-26) which can be made sensitive to the B1 field. Most B1 mapping methods utilize either a long repetition time ("TR") to minimize the tissue T1 effect, or an extra measurement of B0 field to minimize the off-resonance effect, which can lead to a further increase of the scan time. Furthermore, there can be other factors that can also affect the actual FA, such as slice profile (see, e.g., Reference 27) and RF amplifier nonlinearity. (See, e.g., Reference 28). The scan time needed for these additional measurements of T10 and FA correction factor (f) can often be similar to, or longer than, the actual DCE-MRI scan itself (See, e.g., References 11 and 29). Given a limited scan time available in most clinical scans, it may not be trivial to conduct a quantitative DCE-MRI experiment with appropriate T10 and f measurements. Thus, in order to utilize the full potential of DCE-MRI as a clinical and research tool, it can be beneficial to improve the means to accurately measure and/or correct for T10, and other factors affecting FA, without substantially increasing the total scan time.
Fast B1 mapping has been evaluated for many quantitative MRI measurements, including DCE-MRI, as B1 non-uniformity can be one of the main causes of difference between the nominal FA and actual FA. B1 mapping can be performed using either the magnitude or phase of magnetic resonance ("MR") images that can reflect the B1 field strength. There are several B1 mapping techniques based on the magnitude images, such as finding the signal null at a FA of 180° (see, e.g., Reference 23), or calculation of the signal ratio from images with two FAs. (See, e.g., References 21 and 22). Since the image magnitude can depend on T1 of tissue and TR, the magnitude-based methods typically utilize a long TR (e.g., >about 5T1) to eliminate the T1 dependence (see, e.g., Reference 21), which can lead to a long scan time. In order to reduce the scan time, fast imaging methods with extended echo-train-length (see, e.g., References 38 and 39), or echo-planar imaging (see, e.g., References 40 and 41), have been used, in addition to employing a means to minimize the effect of not-fully recovered longitudinal magnetization by playing out special RF pulses at the end of the sequence. (See, e.g., References 41 and 42). The phase-based B1 mapping methods use either composite excitation pulse (see, e.g., Reference 24) or an excitation pulse followed by an off-resonance Bloch-Siegert Shift pulse (see, e.g., References 25 and 26), in order to sensitize the phase of the images to the B1 field strength. One of the challenging issues with the phase-based methods can be the influence from the B0 inhomogeneity that can bring a need for additional B0 field mapping at the cost of additional scan time, or careful advanced design of RF pulse. In the case of the Bloch-Siegert Shift method, RF power deposition in the tissue can be another constraint as the measurement accuracy improves with the Bloch-Siegert Shift pulse power. Thus, while these recent developments offer a number of different ways to measure B1 field map, acquiring B1 map during clinical scans still remains technically challenging and an extra burden of scan time and warrants further development.
Thus, it may be beneficial to provide exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium that can be used to measure both f and T10 values, along with kinetic model parameters from dynamic scan data, without having to run additional scans for separate measurement of f and T10, and which can address and/or overcome at least some of the deficiencies described herein above.

System, method, and computer-accessible medium for determining at least one characteristic of at least one tissue or at least one MRI measurement condition of the at least one tissue using active contrast encoding magnetic resonance imaging procedure(s)


Peer-to-peer communication is established between two remote computing units over a network channel, even though a permanent network address is not known. An originating computer sends a message over a monitor channel, such as a circuit-switched telephone line, to a receiving computer creating a triggering event. In response to the triggering event, either the originating computer or the receiving computer determines a network address associated with either the originating computer or the receiving computer. Then, using the network address, peer-to-peer communication between the originating computer and receiving computer is established over the network channel.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to computer communication, and more particularly to establishing peer-to-peer communication between computers using dynamic network addresses to access a network channel.
2. Discussion
The Internet provides a means for establishing a communication link between two remote computers. A peer-to-peer or one-to-one connection between remote computers allows these computer users to conduct a conversation, exchange files, or participate in real-time gaming. However, establishing peer-to-peer communication with someone through the Internet is at best inconvenient.
In the past, a user needed to schedule in advance a time when both users would connect to the Internet. At the appointed time, the first user would connect to the Internet to publish their dynamic address using an Internet address location service. The second user would then connect and use the same address location service to lookup the network address of the first user. Alternatively, after connecting to the Internet the first user may manually lookup their temporary network address and communicate it to the second user. Assuming both users are simultaneously connected, the two remote users could then establish a peer-to-peer connection. Comparable to trying to meet someone at an airport, this process is complicated, frustrating and unpredictable.
Difficulty in establishing peer-to-peer communication stems from using dynamic network addresses when connecting to the Internet. Many remote computer users gain access to the Internet through either of the following two means: (1) through a telephone dial-up connection provided by a local Internet service provider that dynamically assigns network addresses, or (2) through a local area network having a limited number of permanent Internet addresses and which dynamically assigns Internet network addresses to requesting local users. Predetermined methods for establishing peer-to-peer connections are thus inhibited by dynamic network addresses and temporary network connections.
Current communication methods also do not exploit cost efficiencies associated with using the Internet to eliminate the cost of a long distance phone call. For instance, unattended, automated file exchanges between remote users can be done cheaply using the Internet. However, two problems must be overcome. First, it can be problematic when a remote user of a receiving computer is not connected to the Internet when the user of the originating computer desires to establish communication. Maintaining a continuous connection to the Internet by a remote computer can be very expensive as costs accrue based on connection time. Second, establishing an immediate connection requires that a remote user of the receiving computer be present at the time communication is established.
Accordingly, a need exists for a simple automated method and apparatus for establishing peer-to-peer communication between remote computers over the Internet or other network channels. Establishing a connection should overcome any limitations caused by dynamic network addressing and temporary network connections. The receiving computer should monitor a second monitor channel. The originating computer can then initiate the connection process by sending a message along the monitoring channel, and thus minimize overall transaction costs associated with maintaining a continuous connection to either the monitor or network channel. It is further desirable that this method establish communication without any intervention by the remote user of the receiving computer.

Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication


An expansion chamber is attached between two air compression stages of an air compressor or between an air compression stage and the air holding tank of the air compressor. The expansion chamber has a cylindrically shaped wall with top and bottom portions attached so as to define an enclosed inner chamber. The enclosed inner chamber may have one or more baffle plates located therein. Various designs of baffle plate arrangements provide different air circulating patterns within the expansion chamber. Since the expansion chamber is exposed to the ambient environment, the compressed air heated in the compression process is cooled down in the expansion chamber. This cooling down of the compressed air as well as the expansion of the compressed air as it circulates within the enclosed inner chamber causes any moisture suspended in the compressed air to drop out and go to the bottom of the expansion chamber. Black pipe arrangements are provided to supply the compressed air to as well as bleed the compressed air from the expansion chamber. In this way the compressed air is thermally isolated from the ambient temperature except in the expansion chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices designed to remove unwanted condensate formed in air compressor systems. More specifically, this invention relates to devices using expansion chambers with a plurality of baffle chambers located therein, wherein an inlet leading into a first baffle chamber is connected to a discharge stage of an air compressor through the use of a black pipe arrangement and an outlet is used to bleed off a last baffle chamber for discharging compressed air free of condensate through the use of another black pipe arrangement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 825,796 issued Jul. 10, 1906 to John H. Barlett et. al. and U.S. Pat. No. 1,828,626 issued Oct. 20, 1931 to Joseph E. Swendeman both disclose various designs for expansion chambers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,097 issued May 28, 1963 to David R. Friant discloses a system which uses condensate traps between compression stages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,005 issued Oct. 11, 1983 to Lorne J. McKendrick discloses the use of a filter for removing condensate from air.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,151 issued Sep. 19, 1989 to Forrest M. Bird discloses using the heat of the compressor motor to remove condensate from an air compressor holding tank.
None of the prior art of record discloses the use of black pipes leading to and from an expansion chamber having the baffle chamber designs of the present invention to remove condensate from air passed therethrough.

Air compressor condensate removal system


Disclosed are .beta.-lactams of formula I ##STR1## wherein X is a chromogenic or fluorogenic substituted aryl or heteroaryl, which are specific inhibitors of Human leukocyte elastase (HLE). Upon contact with HLE these compounds are cleaved to form a chromogenic or fluorogenic species which may be readily measured by the assay disclosed herein. The assay thus provides a means for direct measurement of the amount of active HLE in a body fluid or other sample.

The invention concerns compounds useful in determing the amount of active human leucocyte elastase in a body fluid or other sample. Human leucocyte elastase (HLE) is a therapeutic target implicated in a number of chronic inflammatory dieseases characterized by extensive destruction of proteinaceous components of structural tissue. These include inflammatory conditions resulting in connective tissue destruction, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, emphysema, bronchial inflammation, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, lupus, psoriasis atherosclerosis, sepsis, septicemia, shock, periodontitis, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and reperfusion injury. High levels of active HLE are found in the sputa samples from patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis (ref). Irreversible inhibitors of HLE are believed to be useful therapeutic agents and should decrease the concentration of active elastase in the biological fluids of patients. See (Davies, P., (1991) Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, ed. Weinbaum Giles and Krell, vol 624, pp 219-229).
The concentration of elastase in biological samples can be determined by immunological techniques (ref) although this will not necessarily distinguish between active and inactive enzyme. Active HLE can be measured in terms of its ability to hydrolyse a given substrate. However, this technique could result in underestimating the concentration of active elastase due to the presence of endogenous substrates or reversible inhibitors. In particular, HLE found in human sputa samples may be tightly complexed to the reversible inhibitor bronchial antileucoprotease (ALP, Gauthier, F., Fryksmark, U., Ohlsson, K., and Bieth, J. G. (1982) Biochim. et Biophys. Acta 700, 178-183). Irreversible active site titrants that utilize the catalytic machinary of the enzyme, require active enzyme and would be ideal for this purpose. Ideal active site titrants react specifically, rapidly, and stoichiometrically with the target enzymes. In addition irreversible active site titrants should produce stable enzyme-inhibitor complexes. Prior active reagents that meet these criteria are radiometric (e.g., radiolabeled diisopropylfluorophosphate as disclosure by Cohen, J. A., Oosterbann, R. A.,. and Berends, F., Methods Enzymol. 11, 81). Unfortunately, this reagent not only reacts with serine proteases but serine esterases as well. Initial active site titrants of serine proteases were often nonspecific. For example, 4-nitrophenyl-4-guanidinobenzoate developed for trypsin-like proteases also reacts with chymotrypsin (Chase, T. and Shaw, E. (1970) Methods Enzymol. 19, 20-27). More recently Gupton et al. (1984) and Powers et al. have pioneered the use of aza-peptides as active site titrants of serine proteases (see Gupton, B. F., Carroll, D. L., Tuhy, P. M., Kam, C-M., and Powers, J. C. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4279-4287; and Powers, J. C. and Carroll, D. L. (1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 67, 639). For a review of this class of inhibitors see Powers, J. C. and Gupta, B. F. Methods Enzymol. 46, 208-216. The specificity can be controlled by the peptide sequence. While they are more specific, a reagent such as Z-Ala-Ala-Pro-Aala-ONp originally developed for elastase also reacts with chymotrypsin and subtilisin (Powers and Carroll, 1975). In addition, these reagents may react with nonspecific esterases or be degraded by other proteases found in biological samples. These reagents also form relatively labile enzyme-inhibitor complexes with half-lives of approximately 1 hour at 25.degree. C. (ref). Aprotinin derivatives described by Mehlich et al. (1988) fare somewhat better in that they produce complexes with half-lives an order of magnitude more stable but the reagents are proteins (58 amino residues) and thus less practical to work with due to cost (Melich, A., Beckmann, J., Wenxel, H. R., and Tschesche, H. (1988) BBA 957, 420-429. Powers, J. C. Boone, R., Carroll, D. L., Gupton, B. F., Kam, C-M., Nishino, N., Sakamoto, M., and Tuhy, P. M. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 4288-4294.)

.beta.-lactams useful in determining the amount of elastase in a clinical sample


A vertical foldable wheelchair (10) having a pair of side frame assemblies (11, 11') each including frame members coupled together for selective movement of the side frame assemblies (11, 11') between a vertically extended deployed condition and a relatively vertically compact collapsed condition. The frame members are coupled together to provide a bi-stable, over-center, linkage assembly (13, 13') which is movable between and biased toward both of: (i) a first stable position on one side of a linkage assembly centerline when the side frame assemblies (11, 11') are in the deployed condition; and (ii) a second stable position on an opposite side of the centerline when the side frame assemblies (11, 11') are in the collapsed condition.

Portable wheelchairs are becoming an increasingly popular alternative over the standard rigid models for wheelchair riders. The portable wheelchairs generally have a frame which folds or collapses for easy transportation, enabling a user to conveniently travel between various locations, such as from home to work, school, restaurants, the theater or any other site of interest. Typically, the portable wheelchairs are light in weight for improved maneuverability and handling. The frame is often formed from a tubular material, such as a lightweight, high-strength aircraft-grade aluminum tubing, to reduce the overall chair weight while providing the necessary strength. In efforts to further reduce the weight of the chair, the number of components comprising the chair frame has also been reduced.
Traditionally, the folding wheelchair assemblies available in the art are "side-folding" wheelchairs which typically include two opposed side frame assemblies having upper and lower horizontally extending bars and a pair of cross braces pivoted for movement about the lower frame bars. The opposite ends of each of the cross braces are pivotally mounted to a horizontally extending seat frame rod. A flexible seat is suspended between the laterally spaced seat frame rods. When the wheelchair is deployed, the seat frame is supported on brackets carried by the upper bars of the opposed side frames. The seat frame is held by the brackets in a superimposed position above the side frame assemblies. The wheelchair frame is folded or collapsed for transport by pivoting the cross braces about the respective side frame bars, raising the seat frame and drawing the opposed side frame assemblies towards one another. Typical of patented prior art side-folding wheelchair apparatus are the wheelchairs disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,025,088; 4,101,143; 4,273,350; 4,371,183; 4,768,797; 4,840,390; 5,154,438; and 5,328,183.
While these scissor-like folding frames are capable of folding to a reduced dimension, they are still quite large, even in the folded state. Often the wheels and wheel hubs extend outwardly of the side frames which adds to the overall width. This is particularly true if the wheels are to remain mounted to the frame when collapsed. Further, since the seat must collapse upwardly or downwardly, the backrest frame and/or the foot rest frame are prevented from folding inwardly toward the seat without requiring a complex assembly of interengaging linkages.
Another problem associated with these side folding wheelchairs is that frames generally lack torsional rigidity since the torsional loads are focused through the hinge joints rather than through other rigid or locked members. Hence, stability is affected which limits its use. Moreover, this design makes the use of a rigid seat member and rigid backrest member more difficult since they must either be hinged or removed from the frame to enable collapsing of the frame.
These problems have partially been overcome through the design of vertical folding wheelchair frames whereby the backrest frame generally folds atop and parallel to the seat assembly, while the footrest assembly folds underneath and parallel to the seat assembly. These wheelchair designs provide increased torsional rigidity and stability similar to a non-folding wheelchair, while further optionally allowing the use of a more rigid backrest member and rigid seat member. Typical of these patented vertical folding frame wheelchairs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,679,816; 4,736,960; and 4,887,826.
One significant problem associated with these designs, however, is that the linkage assemblies allow the frames to be moved inadvertently between the fully collapsed or retracted position (i.e., for storage or transportation), and the fully deployed or extended position (i.e., for use). Typically, these assemblies include some type of locking mechanism, such as locking sleeves, locking pins, or the like, to lock the linkages in the deployed position to prevent collapse. This problems may be quite serious if the unfolded frames are unintentionally not locked together when the wheelchair is in use. In this situation, the weight of the wheelchair occupant, and/or the forces exerted on the frame and linkages during normal use may cause the unfolded linkages to collapse to the folded position, potentially injuring the occupant.


A device and method for the surgical removal of tissue from a mammalian body, specifically arteriosclerotic plaques from human beings, including a photo-degradatory endoscope having a tip end and a tubular body connected to a power source, a light source, controls, and a viewer, which are remote from the tip end, the tubular body comprising a light-transmissive material such that catalyst-activating wavelengths emitted from the light source are transmitted to the tip end and through a tip into the body; and a photocatalyst for tissue degradation that is presented proximal the tip end for making a reaction with catalyst-activating wavelengths transmitted from the light source through the tubular body, through the tip, and into the body.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a device and method for the surgical removal of tissue from the body and, more particularly, to a device and method for the removal of arteriosclerotic plaques occluding arteries.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Prevalence and Etiology of Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among adult males in the United States. Several risk factors have been shown to be involved, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress, gender, heredity, and age. These factors, in combination, cause damage to the endothelium of blood vessels, the layer of cells lining the interior surface of these vessels. In an attempt to repair the damage to these cells and prevent further damage to the vessel, platelets aggregate at the point of damage, forming clots. These clots, composed of cholesterol and other molecules, gradually harden over time to form large, arteriosclerotic plaques. These plaques may continue to grow, eventually occluding the vessel. If the occlusion occurs in one of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, the lack of blood results in a life-threatening condition known as cardiac ischemia and the patient may suffer a heart attack.
Prior Art for Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease
A variety of prior art methods and devices were used to restore adequate blood supply to the heart in cases of coronary artery blockage by arteriosclerosis. Replacement of the blocked artery(s) with veins from other regions of the body (coronary by-pass) has been routinely used to restore blood supply to cardiac tissues. Another method involves the introduction of expandable stents into the artery(s), thus holding the artery in an expanded state to and allowing adequate blood supply to the tissue. A third method is the physical removal of the arteriosclerotic plaques by endoscopy-based surgical devices.
However, these methods and devices to ameliorate vessel obstruction have several drawbacks associated with their use. Coronary by-pass procedures are expensive, high-risk, and invasive. In addition, scar tissue may require later surgical procedures to remove additional tissue and/or scar tissue to prevent further blocking and/or damage to the arteries.
Thus, there remains a need for a device to easily, safely, and inexpensively remove obstructing tissue from arteries and other areas of the body.
Titanium Dioxide Self-cleaning Glass
Fouling of glass by oils and other lipids is a problem in certain industries, for example, in analytical chemistry applications. A new technology for cleaning this glass has recently been developed that involves the incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) within the glass. When this glass is irradiated with ultraviolet light, lipids and other hydrocarbons on the exterior surface of the glass spontaneously degrade into the volatile gases methane and ethane, thus leaving no residues on the glass. To date, no medical applications involving this technology are known. The photocatalyst may include photo-activated semiconductors such as Titanium Oxide; TiO2 (photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Tungsten Oxide; WO2 (photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Zinc Oxide; ZnO (photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Zinc Sulfide; ZnS (photo activation wavelength; not more than 344 nm) and Tin Oxide; SnO2 (photo activation wavelength; not more than 326 nm). In addition to these catalysts, other catalysts, such as PtTiO2, are known.
TiO2 may be preferably applied as the photocatalyst, considering that the activation power is very high, the catalyst is long-lived with high durability, and safety for human applications is certified, as TiO2 has been used safely for a long time in cosmetic and food applications.
The present invention is directed to a device and method for the surgical removal of tissue from the body.
The present invention is further directed to a method for the removal of tissues from the body by a photo-degradatory endoscope.
In particular, the device and method are directed to the removal of arteriosclerotic plaques that are occluding arteries through the use of a TiO2/glass photo-degradatory endoscope.
Thus, the present invention provides for a device and method to remove tissue, and more specifically arteriosclerotic plaques, from the body.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.


A hand grip for pivotal attachment to a surface of a body, as on a vehicle. The hand grip has a U-shaped grip body with a web joining two arms. The free end of each arm is attached on a bearing pin. The bearing pin is swingably mounted on a bearing bracket so that the grip pivots around the axis of the bearing pin with respect to the bracket. A torsion spring normally returns the grip to a position of non-use. To prevent excessive impact and resulting noise upon the return movement, a friction brake, consisting of a molding of a wear resistant viscoelastic plastic material, has a bore which receives an axial region of the bearing pin. The bore diameter is smaller than that of the bearing pin or least is of a size that permits relative movement between the molding and the bearing pin while braking the movement of the bearing pin with respect to the bracket, for slowing the return of the grip to the non-use position.

The present invention relates to a hand grip useful for vehicles, although such an application of the hand grip is not required, and particularly relates to a control of the return pivoting of the hand grip to a non-use position.
A hand grip typically comprises a grip body of U-shape, having a web and two arms. For the hand grip to be pivotable on a car body or another installation, stationary bearing brackets attached to the car body are pivoted to the free ends of the arms by bearing pins attached to the grip body arms. The brackets are adapted to be fastened to the car body usually in the transition region between the roof and a side wall. The grip body is swingable from a position of non-use, where it rests closely against an attachment surface, against the force of a restoring spring, and into a position of use protruding from the attachment surface. Means are provided to prevent sudden movements upon the restoring or return movement of the grip body after the user has released the grip.
In German Published Application OS 35 13 293 from which the present invention proceeds, a hydraulic vane shock absorber is provided for this type of holding grip in order to prevent its sudden movement upon the return motion of the grip body. That known hand grip was not capable of development up to the stage of mass production. It was found that the vane shock absorber could not satisfy technical requirements. On the one hand, the known device proved to be too expensive to manufacture and mount. On the other hand, it was also subject to malfunction in actual use. Thus, up to now a hand grip which does not cause impact noise upon the restoring movement, like the noise occurring on the closing of a mousetrap, is not available.
German Published Application OS 38 28 032 A1 also describes a hand grip in which the movement to the position of non-use is damped by a pinion which acts as a friction brake. However, a liquid of high viscosity or mere friction is suggested as means of producing friction. A brake on the bearing pin of an arm of the grip is not suggested.

Pivot control for hand grip useful for vehicles