This invention relates to a system for introducing nucleic acid into the DNA of a cell. The system includes the use of a member of the SB family of transposases (SB) or nucleic acid encoding the transposase and a nucleic acid fragment that includes a nucleic acid sequence with flanking inverted repeats. The transposase recognizes at least a portion of an inverted repeats and incorporates the nucleic acid sequence into the DNA. Methods for use of this system are discussed.

This invention relates to methods for gene expression, mapping genes, mutagenesis, methods for introducing DNA into a host chromosome and to transposons and transposases.
Transposons or transposable elements include a short piece of nucleic acid bounded by repeat sequences. Active transposons encode enzymes that facilitate the insertion of the nucleic acid into DNA sequences.
In vertebrates, the discovery of DNA-transposons, mobile elements that move via a DNA intermediate, is relatively recent (Radice, A. D., et al., 1994. Mol. Gen. Genet. 244, 606-612). Since then, inactive, highly mutated members of the Tc1/mariner as well as the hAT (hobo/Ac/Tam) superfamilies of eukaryotic transposons have been isolated from different fish species, Xenopus and human genomes (Oosumi et al., 1995. Nature 378, 873; Ivics et al. 1995. Mol. Gen. Genet. 247, 312-322; Koga et al., 1996. Nature 383, 30; Lam et al., 1996. J. Mol. Biol. 257, 359-366 and Lam, W. L., et al. Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 93, 10870-10875).
These transposable elements transpose through a cut-and-paste mechanism; the element-encoded transposase catalyzes the excision of the transposon from its original location and promotes its reintegration elsewhere in the genome (Plasterk, 1996 Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 204, 125-143). Autonomous members of a transposon family can express an active transposase, the trans-acting factor for transposition, and thus are capable of transposing on their own. Nonautonomous elements have mutated transposase genes but may retain cis-acting DNA sequences. These cis-acting DNA sequences are also referred to as inverted terminal repeats. Some inverted repeat sequences include one or more direct repeat sequences. These sequences usually are embedded in the terminal inverted repeats (IRs) of the elements, which are required for mobilization in the presence of a complementary transposase from another element.
Not a single autonomous element has been isolated from vertebrates; all transposon-like sequences are defective, apparently as a result of a process called xe2x80x9cvertical inactivationxe2x80x9d (Lohe et al., 1995 Mol. Biol. Evol. 12, 62-72). According to one phylogenetic model (Hartl et al., 1997 Trends Genet. 13, 197-201), the ratio of nonautonomous to autonomous elements in eukaryotic genomes increases as a result of the trans-complementary nature of transposition. This process leads to a state where the ultimate disappearance of active, transposase-producing copies in a genome is inevitable. Consequently, DNA-transposons can be viewed as transitory components of genomes which, in order to avoid extinction, must find ways to establish themselves in a new host. Indeed, horizontal gene transmission between species is thought to be one of the important processes in the evolution of transposons (Lohe et al., 1995 supra and Kidwell, 1992. Curr. Opin. Genet Dev. 2, 868-873).
The natural process of horizontal gene transfer can be mimicked under laboratory conditions. In plants, transposable elements of the Ac/Ds and Spm families have been routinely introduced into heterologous species (Osborne and Baker, 1995 Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 7, 406-413). In animals, however, a major obstacle to the transfer of an active transposon system from one species to another has been that of species-specificity of transposition due to the requirement for factors produced by the natural host. For this reason, attempts have been unsuccessful to use the P element transposon of Drosophila melanogaster for genetic transformation of non-drosophilid insects, zebrafish and mammalian cells (Gibbs et al., 1994 Mol. Mar. Biol. Biotech. 3, 317-326; Handler et al., 1993. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 22, 373-384; and Rio et al., 1988 J. Mol. Biol. 200, 411-415). In contrast to P elements, members of the Tc1/mariner superfamily of transposable elements may not be as demanding for species-specific factors for their transposition. These elements are widespread in nature, ranging from single-cellular organisms to humans (Plasterk, 1996, supra). In addition, recombinant Tc1 and mariner transposases expressed in E. coli are sufficient to catalyze transposition in vitro (Vos et al, 1996 Genes. Dev. 10, 755-761 and Lampe et al., 1996. EMBO J. 15, 5470-5479 and PCT International Publication No. WO 97/29202 to Plasterk et al.). Furthermore, gene vectors based on Minos, a Tc1-like element (TcE) endogenous to Drosophila hydei, were successfully used for germline transformation of the fly Ceratitis capitata (Loukeris et al., 1995 Science 270, 2002-2005).
Molecular phylogenetic analyses have shown that the majority of the fish TcEs can be classified into three major types: zebrafish-, salmonid- and Xenopus TXr-type elements, of which the salmonid subfamily is probably the youngest and thus most recently active (Ivics et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 5008-5013). In addition, examination of the phylogeny of salmonid TcEs and that of their host species provides important clues about the ability of this particular subfamily of elements to invade and establish permanent residences in naive genomes through horizontal transfer, even over relatively large evolutionary distances.
TcEs from teleost fish (Goodier and Davidson, 1994 J. Mol. Biol. 241, 26-34 and Izsvak et al., 1995. Mol. Gen. Genet. 247, 312-322), including Tdr1 in zebrafish (Izsvak et al., 1995, supra) and other closely related TcEs from nine additional fish species (Ivics et al., 1996. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 5008-5013) are by far the best characterized of all the DNA-transposons known in vertebrates. Fish elements, and other TcEs in general, are typified by a single gene encoding a transposase enzyme flanked by inverted repeat sequences. Unfortunately, all the fish elements isolated so far are inactive due to one or more mutations in the transposase genes.
Methods for introducing DNA into a cell are known. These include, but are not limited to, DNA condensing reagents such as calcium phosphate, polyethylene glycol, and the like), lipid-containing reagents, such as liposomes, multi-lamellar vesicles, and the like, and virus-mediated strategies. These methods all have their limitations. For example, there are size constraints associated with DNA condensing reagents and virus-mediated strategies. Further, the amount of nucleic acid that can be introduced into a cell is limited in virus strategies. Not all methods facilitate integration of the delivered nucleic acid into cellular nucleic acid and while DNA condensing methods and lipid-containing reagents are relatively easy to prepare, the incorporation of nucleic acid into viral vectors can be labor intensive. Moreover, virus-mediated strategies can be cell-type or tissue-type specific and the use of virus-mediated strategies can create immunologic problems when used in vivo.
There remains a need for new methods for introducing DNA into a cell, particularly methods that promote the efficient integration of nucleic acid fragments of varying sizes into the nucleic acid of a cell, particularly the integration of DNA into the genome of a cell.
We have developed a DNA-based transposon system for genome manipulation in vertebrates. Members of the Tc1/mariner superfamily of transposons are prevalent components of the genomes of teleost fish as well as a variety of other vertebrates. However, all the elements isolated from nature appear to be transpositionally inactive. Molecular phylogenetic data were used to identify a family of synthetic, salmonid-type Tc1-like transposases (SB) with their recognition sites that facilitate transposition. A consensus sequence of a putative transposase gene was first derived from inactive elements of the salmonid subfamily of elements from eight species of fish and then engineered by eliminating the mutations that rendered these elements inactive. A transposase was created in which functional domains were identified and tested for biochemical functions individually as well as in the context of a full-length transposase. The transposase binds to two binding-sites within the inverted repeats of salmonid elements, and appears to be substrate-specific, which could prevent cross-mobilization between closely related subfamilies of fish elements. SB transposases significantly enhance chromosomal integration of engineered transposons not only in fish, but also in mouse and in human cells. The requirements for specific motifs in the transposase plus specific sequences in the target transposon, along with activity in fish and mammalian cells alike, establishes SB transposase as the first active DNA-transposon system for germline transformation and insertional mutagenesis in vertebrates. In one aspect of this invention, the invention relates to a nucleic acid fragment comprising: a nucleic acid sequence positioned between at least two inverted repeats wherein the inverted repeats can bind to a SB protein and wherein the nucleic acid fragment is capable of integrating into DNA in a cell. In one embodiment nucleic acid fragment is part of a plasmid and preferably the nucleic acid sequence comprises at least a portion of an open reading frame and also preferably at least one expression control region of a gene. In one embodiment, the expression control region is selected from the group consisting of a promoter, an enhancer or a silencer. Preferably the nucleic acid sequence comprises a promoter operably linked to at least a portion of an open reading frame.
In one embodiment the cell is obtained from an animal such as an invertebrate or a vertebrate. Preferred invertebrates include crustacean or a mollusk including, but not limited to a shrimp, a scallop, a lobster, a clam or an oyster. Preferred vertebrate embodiments include fish, birds, and mammal such as those selected from the group consisting of mice, ungulates, sheep, swine, and humans. The DNA of the cell can be the cell genome or extrachromosomal DNA, including an episome or a plasmid.
In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, at least one of the inverted repeats comprises SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO: 5 and preferably the amino acid sequence of the SB protein has at least an 80% amino acid identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. Also preferably, at least one of the inverted repeats comprises at least one direct repeat, wherein the at least one direct repeat sequence comprises SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8 or SEQ ID NO:9. A preferred direct repeat is SEQ ID NO:10. Also preferably the nucleic acid fragment includes a direct repeat that has at least an 80% nucleic acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 10.
In another aspect of this invention, the invention relates to a gene transfer system to introduce DNA into the DNA of a cell comprising: a nucleic acid fragment comprising a nucleic acid sequence positioned between at least two inverted repeats wherein the inverted repeats can bind to an SB protein and wherein the nucleic acid fragment is capable of integrating into DNA of a cell; and a transposase or nucleic acid encoding a transposase, wherein the transposase is an SB protein with an amino acid sequence sharing at least an 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment, the SB protein comprises SEQ ID NO:1. Alternatively, the SB protein is encoded by DNA that can hybridize to SEQ ID NO:3 under stringent hybridization conditions. In one embodiment, the transposase is provided to the cell as a protein and in another the transposase is provided to the cell as nucleic acid. In one embodiment the nucleic acid is RNA and in another the nucleic acid is DNA. In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the transposase is integrated into the genome of the cell. The nucleic acid fragment can be part of a plasmid or a recombinant viral vector. Preferably, the nucleic acid sequence comprises at least a portion of an open reading frame and also preferably, the nucleic acid sequence comprises at least a regulatory region of a gene. In one embodiment the regulatory region is a transcriptional regulatory region and the regulatory region is selected from the group consisting of a promoter, an enhancer, a silencer, a locus-control region, and a border element. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence comprises a promoter operably linked to at least a portion of an open reading frame.
The cells used in this aspect of the invention can be obtained from a variety of sources including bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. In one embodiment, the cells are obtained from an animal; either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. Preferred invertebrate cells include crustaceans or a mollusks. Preferred vertebrates include fish, birds, and mammal such as rodents, ungulates, sheep, swine and humans.
The DNA of the cell receiving the nucleic acid fragment can be a part of the cell genome or extrachromosomal DNA. Preferably, the inverted repeats of the gene transfer system comprise SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5. Also preferably the amino acid sequence of the SB protein has at least a 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:1 and preferably at least one of the inverted repeats comprises at least one direct repeat and wherein the at least one direct repeat sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:9. In one embodiment, the direct repeat has a consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO:10. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence is part of a library of recombinant sequences and the nucleic acid sequence is introduced into the cell using a method selected from the group consisting of: particle bombardment, electroporation, microinjection, combining the nucleic acid fragment with lipid-containing vesicles or DNA condensing reagents, and incorporating the nucleic acid fragment into a viral vector and contacting the viral vector with the cell.
In another aspect of this invention, the invention relates to nucleic acid encoding an SB protein, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:1 or a protein comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:1. The nucleic acid encoding the SB protein can be incorporated into a nucleic acid vector, such as a gene expression vector either as a viral vector or as a plasmid. The nucleic acid can be circular or linear. This invention also relates to cells expressing the SB protein.
In one embodiment the cells containing the SB protein cell are obtained from an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. Preferred vertebrates include fish, birds and mammals. The cells can be obtained from a variety of tissues including pluripotent and totipotent cells such as an oocyte, one or more cells of an embryo, or an egg. In one embodiment, the cell is part of a tissue or organ. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the SB protein is integrated in the genome of a cell.
The invention also relates to SB protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a transgenic animal comprising the steps of: introducing a nucleic acid fragment and a transposase into a pluripotent or totipotent cell wherein the nucleic acid fragment comprises a nucleic acid sequence positioned between at least two inverted repeats, wherein the inverted repeats can bind to a SB protein and wherein the nucleic acid fragment is capable of integrating into DNA in a cell and wherein the transposase is an SB protein having an amino acid sequence identity of least 80% to SEQ ID NO:1; and growing the cell into an animal. Preferred pluripotent or totipotent cells include an oocyte, a cell of an embryo, an egg and a stem cell. In one embodiment, the introducing step comprises a method selected from the group consisting of: microinjection; combining the nucleic acid fragment with cationic lipid vesicles or DNA condensing reagents; and incorporating the nucleic acid fragment into a viral vector and contacting the viral vector with the cell as well as particle bombardment and electroporation. In another preferred embodiment the viral vector is selected from the group consisting of a retroviral vector, an adenovirus vector, a herpesvirus or an adeno-associated viral vector. Preferred animals used in this method include a mouse, a fish, an ungulate, a bird, or a sheep.
In yet another aspect of this invention, the invention relates to a method for introducing nucleic acid into DNA in a cell comprising the step of: introducing a nucleic acid fragment comprising a nucleic acid sequence positioned between at least two inverted repeats into a cell wherein the inverted repeats can bind to an SB protein and wherein the nucleic acid fragment is capable of integrating into DNA in a cell in the presence of an SB protein. In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises introducing an SB protein into the cell. In one embodiment, the SB protein has an amino acid sequence comprising at least a 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:1. The SB protein can be introduced into the cell as protein or as nucleic acid, including RNA or DNA. The cell receiving the nucleic acid fragment can already include nucleic acid encoding an SB protein and already express the protein. In a one embodiment, the SB protein is integrated into the cell genome. The SB protein can be stably expressed in the cell or transiently expressed and nucleic acid encoding the SB protein can be under the control of an inducible promoter or under the control of a constitutive promoter. In one aspect of this method, the introducing step comprises a method for introducing nucleic acid into a cell selected from the group consisting of: microinjection; combining the nucleic acid fragment with cationic lipid vesicles or DNA condensing reagents; and incorporating the nucleic acid fragment into a viral vector and contacting the viral vector with the cell. Preferred viral vectors are selected from the group consisting of a retroviral vector, an adenovirus vector or an adeno-associated viral vector. In another aspect of this method, the method includes the step of introducing an SB protein or RNA encoding an SB protein into the cell. The cells used for this method can be pluripotent or a totipotent cell and this invention also relates to transgenic animals produced by this method. Where transgenic animals are produced, the nucleic acid sequence preferably encodes a protein and preferably a protein to be collected from the transgenic animal or a marker protein. The invention also relates to those cells of the transgenic animal expressing the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence.
The invention also relates to a SB protein. In one embodiment the protein has the following characteristics: an ability to catalyze the integration of nucleic acid into DNA of a cell; capable of binding to the inverted repeat sequence of SEQ ID NOS 4 or 5; and 80% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment, the protein has the following characteristics: transposase activity; a molecular weight range of about 35 kD to about 40 kD on about a 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel; and an NLS sequence, a DNA binding domain and a catalytic domain and wherein the protein has at least about five-fold improvement in the rate for introducing a nucleic acid fragment into the nucleic acid of a cell as compared to the level obtained by non-homologous recombination. Preferred methods for testing the rate of nucleic acid fragment incorporation is provided in the examples.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for mobilizing a nucleic acid sequence in a cell comprising the steps of: introducing the protein of this invention into a cell housing DNA containing the nucleic acid fragment of this invention, wherein the protein mobilizes the nucleic acid fragment from a first position within the DNA of a cell to a second position within the DNA of the cell. In one embodiment, the DNA of a cell is genomic DNA. In another, the first position within the DNA of a cell is extrachromosomal DNA and in yet another, the second position within the DNA of a cell is extrachromosomal DNA. In a preferred embodiment, the protein is introduced into the cell as RNA.
The invention also relates to a method for identifying a gene in a genome of a cell comprising the steps of: introducing a nucleic acid fragment and an SB protein into a cell, wherein the nucleic acid fragment comprises a nucleic acid sequence positioned between at least two inverted repeats into a cell wherein the inverted repeats can bind to the SB protein and wherein the nucleic acid fragment is capable of integrating into DNA in a cell in the presence of the SB protein; digesting the DNA of the cell with a restriction endonuclease capable of cleaving the nucleic acid sequence; identifying the inverted repeat sequences; sequencing the nucleic acid close to the inverted repeat sequences to obtain DNA sequence from an open reading frame; and comparing the DNA sequence with sequence information in a computer database. In one embodiment, the restriction endonuclease recognizes a 6-base recognition sequence. In another embodiment, the digesting step further comprises cloning the digested fragments or PCR amplifying the digested fragments.
The invention also relates to a stable transgenic vertebrate line comprising a gene operably linked to a promoter, wherein the gene and promoter are flanked by inverted repeats, wherein the inverted repeats can bind to an SB protein. In one embodiment, the SB protein comprises SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence with at least 80% homology to SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment, the vertebrate is a fish, including a zebrafish and in another the vertebrate is a mouse.
In addition, the invention also relates to a protein with transposase activity that can bind to one or more of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, and SEQ ID NO:10.

DNA-based transposon system for the introduction of nucleic acid into DNA of a cell


A medical instrument includes a housing, a movable handle, and a spring. The movable handle is configured to move between a first position as an opened position and a second position as a closed position with respect to the housing. The spring is provided between the housing and the movable handle. The spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the housing or the movable handle. The spring is provided to alleviate an increase in the biasing force generated in the spring in response to the movable handle moving from the first position to the second position.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,598A discloses a medical instrument including a movable handle that moves relative to a housing. In this medical instrument, a spring is arranged between the housing and the movable handle. The spring keeps the movable handle away from the housing. A surgeon can move the movable handle to a position close to the housing against a biasing force of the spring.


The use of oxidizable phosphorus or phosphorous stabilizers, such as the phosphites, to reduce the color formation of the ionomeric polyester compositions is disclosed.

It is known in the industry to disperse a polyamide polymer into a polyester polymer matrix. It is also known that sulfonated polyester polymers will increase the dispersion. It is also known that color bodies may form during the dispersion process and that the use of the lithium salt of the sulfonated polyester polymer reduces the color formation.
These dispersions are used in the packaging industry to create high barrier bottles. What has been observed is that when the bottles are ground up and the dispersion is exposed to a second thermal history, such as drying and re-extrusion, there can be an increase in yellow color.
While some advocate the use of phosphates, one would not typically use the phosphites, or oxidizable phosphorus compounds. It is well known that the use of oxidizable phosphorus compounds reduces the catalyst such as antimony to its elemental metal form in the polyester causing an undesirable dark color.
There exists therefore a need for a stabilizer that does not reduce the metal catalyst in the polyester polymer and that has a minimal or reduced increase in yellow color upon the second thermal history; such as would occur during the recycling operation.

Phosphite stabilizers for ionomeric polyester compounds


A method of fusion splicing optical fibers. Cores of the optical fibers to be fusion spliced are arranged in such a manner that the ends of the corresponding cores of optical fibers opposingly face to each other between discharge electrodes for fusion splicing. Discharge current flowing between the discharge electrodes is automatically adjusted according to a number of the cores of the optical fibers to substantially provide an optimal correction to the discharge current in relation to the number of the cores of the optical fibers. The discharge current is further adjusted to a variation in atmospheric pressure to substantially provide an optimal correction to the discharge current in relation to the variation in atmospheric pressure.

The present invention relates to a method for fusion splicing optical fibers in a batchwise manner, and further relates to an apparatus for use in practicing the method. The batch fusion splicer is capable of performing batch fusion splicing in multimode for connecting multicore fibers, such as single, double, 4, 8, 10, and 12 core fibers.
The discharge power which is a heat source of splicing depends upon a variation in atmospheric pressure. The discharge power becomes smaller as the atmospheric pressure lowers at a constant discharge current. In an earlier attempt it has been proposed that: a variation in atmospheric pressure is detected and feedbacked to correct the discharge power according to the variation, so that the discharge current changes to produce a constant discharge power (see Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 63-106,706 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,638, for example).
The earlier attempt is briefly illustrated in FIG. 3, in which a voltage of a d.c. power source 10 is changed to a necessary high-frequency voltage through a dropper circuit 12, a chopper 14, and a step-up transformer 16, and thereby discharges take place at electrodes 18. The discharge current is detected by a resistance 20. The detected discharge current is feedbacked to the dropper circuit 12. These elements constitute a discharge control unit 22. In this attempt, an output of the pressure sensor 24 is provided to a microprocessor 26. The amount of feedback to the dropper circuit 12 is corrected in the microprocessor 26 on the basis of the output of the pressure sensor 24: when the atmospheric pressure becomes lower, the discharge power decreases, and therefore a correction is made to increase the discharge power.
In the prior art, the correction amount of the discharge power to a variation of atmospheric pressure cannot be, however, changed according to the number of fiber cores. When the correction amount is adjusted for 12 core fibers, for example, it is not appropriate for other fibers different in the number of cores. The correction amount can be excessively large for 4 core fibers.
Therefore, the correction amount is set to an intermediate value of the correction amounts of the all kinds of the fibers generally used. This setting is time consuming. Furthermore, the intermediate value does not produce sufficient results. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the amount of correction for providing an appropriate discharge power is different for each number of cores, and in the case illustrated in FIG. 4 the amount of correction is set to that of the 8 core fibers which is intermediate. Considerable splice losses are produced for the other kinds of optical fibers.

Method and apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibers


The present invention discloses a debris collection device for cutting mechanism and an LCD panel cutting debris suction device. A debris collection device for cutting mechanism comprises a debris collection cap and a suction spray head used for connecting with a suction device; the debris collection cap comprises a connecting part used for surrounding and fixing on the cutting mechanism, and the debris collection cap is provided with a through hole communicated with the suction spray head. The present invention can remove the debris produced in the cutting process in time, and can reduce relevant defects such as line scratches, terminal scratches, short circuit, broken circuit, etc. which are generated because of debris. Thus, the product yield and quality of LCD panels can be improved, and the time of the subsequent cleaning process can be reduced.

Thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD) has already become a crucial display platform of modern IT and video products. The main operating principle of the TFT LCD is as follows: appropriate voltage is applied between the liquid crystal layers formed by bonding an array glass substrate to a color filter (CF) glass substrate, so that liquid crystal molecules are deflected under the action of the voltage, and different penetration rates are obtained by the control of different voltages. Thus, display is achieved. The array glass substrate is bonded to the CF glass substrate by frame adhesive, and an electrical signal at the CF end is connected with the line at the array end by gilded Au-Ball(s) with the radius of micron order.
As show FIG. 1, an eighth-generation LCD substrate (2200 mm*2500 mm) is cut into eight panels of 47 inch (1040 mm*59 mm), and LCD panels C101, C102, C103 of different sizes are formed through cutting after the array glass substrate is bonded to the CF glass substrate. The substrate is cut in the rear section for forming boxes in accordance with set size. Glass debris is generated in the cutting process, and the debris is required to be cleaned in the production process to avoid affecting subsequent processes and product yield.
As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of a glass cutting machine in the CELL process. The existing glass cutting machine does not do any treatment in the cutting process, so that the corresponding glass debris is kept and is cleaned in the next station. The treating mode causes the following results:
1. The subsequent cleaning time is increased, and the productivity increase is affected;
2. The problems of line scratches, terminal scratches, short circuit, broken circuit, etc. of an LCD panel are caused by glass debris;
3, The lung of a person is injured when glass debris is inhaled by the person, and lung cancer is caused if the glass debris is inhaled for a long time;
4. Bad products are easily caused if foreign matter such as glass debris, etc. fall into workpieces; and
5. The machine is easily seized or is rapidly worn if foreign matter such as glass debris, etc. falls into workbench.
To solve the problem of glass debris, the prior art provides a technical scheme as shown in FIG. 3. The technical scheme is as follows: a sucking disk is arranged behind the traveling direction of a cutting wheel to adsorb the generated glass debris, and then glass debris is adsorbed in the cutting process in time. However, because glass debris is dispersed around the cutting wheel, the technical scheme can only adsorb partial glass debris behind the traveling direction of the cutting wheel, but cannot adsorb glass debris in other directions.
As shown in FIG. 4, a Chinese patent CN201241007Y discloses an LCD debris collection device. The glass cutting machine comprises a cutting mechanism 100, a positioning mechanism 200 and a cutting wheel 300. The cutting wheel 300 is arranged on the head part of the cutting mechanism 100 and is fixed on the cutting mechanism 100 by bolts and the like, and glass is levelly cut by the cutting wheel 300 at high speed. The positioning mechanism 200 is positioned under the cutting wheel 300, and is used as a workbench for fixing the glass to be cut.
The core of the technical scheme is that the glass cutting machine also comprises an injection device, and the injection device comprises an injection source mechanism 400 and a number of discharge pipes 500. The discharge pipes 500 are made of plastic or metal, and are arranged around the cutting mechanism 100; one end of each discharge pipe 500 is connected to the injection source mechanism, and the other end is connected to a suction spray head. The suction spray head is just aligned with the position of the cut glass, and can spray water or mist into the discharge pipes 500. Therefore, when cutting glass, the cutting wheel 300 can achieve the effect of cleaning foreign matter in the cutting path by spraying water or mist to the cutting position; and more importantly, the sprayed water or mist can prevent glass debris from flying to damage the workbench, products and human bodies. The technical scheme can prevent the damages caused by flying glass debris. However, spraying water or mist can only flush the glass debris from the machining area of the cutting wheel, and the glass debris flows with the water flow and falls on the glass surface. Thus, the problems of line scratches, terminal scratches, short circuit, broken circuit, etc. of the LCD panel are still caused. In addition, the machined LCD panel is still required to be further cleaned, and then the productivity increase is affected.

Debris collection device for cutting mechanism and LCD panel cutting debris suction device

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The inertial rotation sensor comprising a vibrating resonator associated with transducers defining a pair of control channels and a pair of detection channels, preferably comprises a single multiplexer member for all of the channels, the multiplexer member being associated with a processing unit generating cycles comprising control action times on each control channel followed by detection action times on each detection channel, with two succession action times being separated by a relaxation time.

Inertial rotation sensors are known that comprise a vibrating resonator, which resonator may either be a vibrating bell or else a Quapason (a configuration of four vibrating beams), associated with transducers defining a pair of control channels and a pair of detection channels. With existing sensors, each of the channels is connected to a processing system that is dedicated to that channel, and because of the differences in performance that exist between the components making up the processing system, there exists a degree of anisotropy in the processing performed on the various channels. This anisotropy leads to sensor drift due to gain and phase errors accumulating while the sensor is in use.
Document WO 00/45127 discloses a vibrating resonator inertial rotation sensor in which four channels are used in alternation for control and detection purposes, using time division multiplexing. For control purposes, each channel receives an individual excitation signal, while for detection purposes the channels are connected in pairs to two distinct differential amplifiers. Thus both in control and in detection, differences exist in the ways the channels are processed.
Document EP 0 859 218 discloses a vibrating resonator inertial rotation sensor including a multiplexer member for combining four separately-generated control signals. Each control signal is thus generated with its own gain such that the resulting gain of the signal that is applied to each of the various control electrodes varies depending on the electrode in question. The detection signals are also processed separately.

Vibrating resonator inertial rotation sensor


A three-dimensional page protector comprising a pocket defining a partially-enclosed space, where that pocket comprises a first length, a first width, a height, and a first side. The three-dimensional page protector further includes a longitudinal edge continuously attached to the first side of the pocket, where that longitudinal edge has the first length and a second width, where the first width is greater than said second width, and where the longitudinal edge is formed to include one or more through-bores.

Prior art methods to protect documents, artwork, and the like, comprise using what are commonly referred to as "protector sleeves" for those documents. Such prior art "protector sleeves" adequately protect two-dimensional objects, such as for example documents, cards, photographs, and the like. Many, in fact most, prior art "protector sleeves" are not suitable, however, for protecting three-dimensional objects.
Certain prior art protector sleeves are formed such that the enclosed pocket is large enough to physically accommodate objects having dimensions along each of the three axis, i.e. where the height of the object exceeds about a tenth of an inch. Placing a three dimensional object within such a prior art protector sleeve forms what is sometimes referred to as a "lumpy" page. Such a "lumpy" page often assumes a pillow configuration.
While such prior art protector sleeves may be dimensioned to enclose three dimensional objects, the resulting "lumpy" pages do not include rigid side walls to minimize and/or eliminate compressive forces being exerted on the enclosed object(s). In order to protect such "lumpy" pages, an album housing a plurality of sheets including one or more lumpy sheets must not be stored, handled, or transported, horizontally whereby the combined weight of the plurality of pages will crush the three dimensional objects. Rather, such albums must only be stored, handled, and/or transported, vertically. Needless to say, such prior art protector sleeves provide less than maximal protection for three dimensional objects.
What is needed is a three-dimensional album page protector which is formed such that three-dimensional objects can be removeably disposed therein, and wherein those three-dimensional objects are protected from being crushed by the weight of other album pages disposed there above. Applicants' three-dimensional album page protector provides such an improvement over the prior art.


A remote control system comprises a mobile object, a remote controller for remotely controlling the mobile object, and a storage unit where background images to simulate a driving room or an operation room of the mobile object are stored. The mobile object has a stereo camera, a camera control unit for controlling image pickup direction of the stereo camera, and a first communication unit for communicating information including at least images photographed by the stereo camera. The remote controller has a second communication unit for communicating to and from the first communication unit, a control unit for controlling the mobile object, and a display unit for synthesizing at least a part of the images photographed by the stereo camera and the background images and for displaying the images so that a stereoscopic view can be displayed.

The present invention relates to a remote control system when a mobile object is remotely controlled by manual operation.
In a case where a mobile object is remotely controlled, or in a case where a mobile object is remotely controlled in a range where the object cannot be visually confirmed, or in a case where precise operation is required even in a range where the mobile object can be visually confirmed, it is necessary to have information such as conditions of the mobile object or advancing direction of the mobile object.
The Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-A-H8-280003 discloses the fact that a three-dimensional camera is mounted on the mobile object, and an image obtained by the three-dimensional camera is transmitted to an operator side, and the operator has a head-mounted display on his head and remotely controls the mobile object while watching an image, which is transmitted to the head-mounted display.
According to the Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-A-H8-280003, the three-dimensional camera is fixed on the mobile object, and sighting direction is fixed in forward direction on front side of the mobile object. As a result, the operator can only passively watch an image transmitted from the three-dimensional camera, and field of view is also limited by the field angle of the three-dimensional camera. Accordingly, it is not possible to obtain images of the object in forward upper direction or in forward lower direction or in forward leftward direction or forward rightward direction or in lateral direction. Therefore, sufficient information on operation cannot be obtained at a narrow and confined place or at a place with many obstacles.
Further, in a case where the mobile object is a flying object such as a small type helicopter or the like, its advancing direction can be changed in wider range, i.e. in leftward or rightward direction or in upper or lower direction, and degree of freedom for the change of direction is higher. As a result, types of information needed for remote control operation are not limited to the images with limitation in field angle of the three-dimensional camera, and images in wider range is needed. Also, it is preferable that the operator can obtain the images in such direction as the operator wants to change to suit the will of the operator.
Further, the Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-A-H3-56923 discloses a remote control system, which can change the direction of photographing by detecting a movement of the head of an operator.


Communication networks and methods are disclosed for negotiating control over a PTT call between an OMA PoC network and a P25 network. If an OMA PoC PTT server receives a request for the PTT call from a calling party, then the PTT server transmits a call initiation message for the PTT call to the P25 network offering control over the PTT call to a PTT server in the P25 network. The P25 PTT server processes the call initiation message to identify the offer for control, assumes control over the PTT call, and determines whether the calling or called party has the floor for initial transmission for the PTT call. The P25 PTT server then transmits a response message to the OMA PoC PTT server indicating which one of the calling or called party has the floor. The party granted the floor may then initiate voice communications for the PTT call.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of communication networks and, in particular, to negotiating for control over a Push-to-Talk (PTT) call between an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Push-to-Talk over cellular (PoC) network and a Project (P25) network.
2. Statement of the Problem
Push-to-Talk (PTT) over Cellular (PoC) is a walkie-talkie type service that is provided over a cellular phone network. PTT calls are half duplex communications meaning that voice communications are transmitted one way from a speaking party to one or more listening parties, as opposed to a two-way transmission between the speaking party and the listening parties. To place a PTT call, the speaking party pushes a button on his/her mobile device, and the mobile device transmits a PTT call request to the PoC network. The PoC network grants the speaking party the floor for the call, and the mobile device is permitted to transmit voice communications to the listening parties. While the speaking party has the floor, the PoC network does not permit the listening parties to transmit voice communications to the speaking party because of the half duplex connection. After the speaking party is done talking, a listening party may then obtain the floor from the PoC network to respond to the speaking party.
The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) is a standards body that defines standards for PoC networks (other proprietary standards also exist). The OMA PoC standards set forth rules for assigning control over initial transmission for PTT calls within the PoC network. A PoC network comprises one or more PTT servers that serve PTT calls. The OMA PoC standards define which PTT server is granted control, and the controlling PTT server determines which party is granted the floor for a PTT call. The controlling PTT server forwards voice communications from the party having the floor, and discards any voice communications from other parties to the PTT call that do not have the floor.
Project 25 (P25) is a suite of standards for digital radio communications for use by federal, state/province, and local public safety agencies in North America to enable them to communicate with other agencies and mutual aid response teams in emergencies. P25 was established to address the need for common digital public safety radio communications standards for first responders and Homeland Security/Emergency Response professionals. The P25 suite of standards involves digital Land Mobile Radio (LMR) services commonly used by police, first responders, and other public safety organizations.
It may be desirable for P25-compliant LMR devices to communicate with mobile devices of an OMA PoC network for PTT calls. The P25 suite includes the Inter-Subsystem Interface (ISSI) which defines the interface between Radio Frequency (RF) subsystems and wide area networks, such as an OMA PoC network. Like the OMA PoC standards, the ISSI standards set forth rules for assigning control over initial transmission for PTT calls within the P25 network. The PTT server in a P25 network is referred to as the Radio Frequency Subsystem (RFSS). The ISSI standards define which RFSS is granted control, and the controlling RFSS determines which party is granted the floor for a PTT call.
Problems would be encountered when a one-to-one PTT call is placed from an OMA PoC network to a P25 network. According to the OMA PoC standards, the PTT server that is serving the calling party for a PTT call is assigned as the controlling PTT server. According to P25 ISSI standards, the RFSS that is serving the called party for a PTT call is assigned as the controlling PTT server. Thus, when a call is established from a calling party in an OMA PoC network to a called party in a P25 network, both the PTT server in the OMA PoC network and the RFSS in the P25 network assume the role of controlling server. The PTT server in the OMA PoC network grants the calling party the floor for initial transmission for the PTT call, while at the same time the RFSS in the P25 network grants the called party the floor for initial transmission. When a voice communication from the called party reaches the PTT server in the OMA PoC network, the PTT server discards the communication because the called party doesn't have the floor in the OMA PoC network. Likewise, when a voice communication from the calling party reaches the RFSS in the P25 network, the RFSS discards the communication because the calling party doesn't have the floor in the P25 network. Due to the conflict between the OMA PoC and P25 ISSI standards, no voice communications are exchanged between the parties resulting in a communication breakdown.

Negotiation of control over a PTT call between an OMA PoC network and a P25 network


A method and apparatus for applying tension to a fabric decking on an article of furniture are described. The apparatus includes a cylindrical base having a central axis and that is adapted to be placed in proximity to a frame of the article of furniture. A plurality of spaced needles are coupled to, and extend away from, said base. The needles are aligned in a row parallel to the axis of the cylindrical base. The needles extend away from the base a distance greater than a thickness of the fabric decking material. The apparatus also includes a rotation mechanism coupled to the base and operable to impart a rotational movement to the base about the axis, between a first, ready position for engagement with the fabric decking material, and a second stretched position.

In an article of furniture, such as a sofa, loveseat, or chair among others, the decking provides a flexible surface that supports a seating surface, or in some instances, comprises the seating surface. The decking might be covered with one or more materials and cushions to provide a desired aesthetic and comfort level. Historically, a wire grid supported by a number of helical springs was used for decking materials. Furniture manufactures have since begun using elastomeric or other stretchable fabrics for decking instead of or in addition to wire grids and helical springs.
Fabric decking is typically stretched between a pair of opposing frame rails to provide the desired tension or stiffness in the decking Such a process currently has several drawbacks mainly dealing with the tools used. Currently, simple wide pliers are used to grip and stretch the material in a section or spot. The stretched material is then stapled in place. The problem stems from the repeated stretching, stapling and repeating needed in such a process. Not only is such a process time consuming, but it also results in an uneven tension applied across the decking, as the operator is unlikely to supply the same tension to each pull.

Apparatus for installation of a textile deck assembly in an article of furniture


First identification information identifying the first terminal device and status information that indicate participation status of the first terminal device are received from a first terminal device. A first request is transmitted to a second terminal device. A first response is received from the second terminal device. The second terminal device is set as a registered second terminal device when the first response is received. First transmission/reception processing is started when the registered second terminal device is set. The first transmission/reception processing transmits first conference data received from the first terminal device to the registered second terminal device, and transmits second conference data received from the registered second terminal device to the first terminal device. The first transmission/reception does not transmit third conference data received from a third terminal device to the registered second terminal device. The third terminal device is different to the first and the second terminal device.

The present disclosure relates to a teleconference management server device, a teleconference management method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
A system in known that allows realization of a teleconference by each of a plurality of terminal devices performing communication with the other terminal devices via a conference management server device. When the conference server of the known conference system has received a command from one of conference terminals (a control terminal) for a microphone sensitivity adjustment of another of the conference terminals (a controlled terminal), the conference server displays microphone information of the controlled terminal on the control terminal and receives individual microphone sensitivity adjustment operations. Further, a known remote operation method causes a communication terminal that is a communication counterpart to function as a remote operation source terminal, and causes another communication terminal to function as a controlled remote operation terminal that is remotely operated by the remote operation source terminal.

Teleconference management server device, teleconference management method and non-transitory computer-readable medium


A method and system that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allows for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest's electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest's smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking. Also provided is a system and method for identifying a customer's location at a business and provide notification to a company representative upon arrival of the customer at the business location. Real-time location determinations for the customer and customer location tracking can be provided. One or more wireless beacons communicate with the customer's electronic device. The beacons provide the system with real-time data about the customer's whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking of the customer at the location. A first non-limiting example of use, include a company that provides food and beverage allowing the customer to place an order for food and beverages on their electronic device and having the order delivered to the person at their current location as determined by the system. Another non-limiting example includes a company using the notification system to have assigned staff members notified of the customer's arrival.

Controlled access areas have become increasingly commonplace in modern society. From hospitals to gated communities, sensitive industries to prison complexes, there is a need to control the flow of human capital. Systems for doing so are often rudimentary, such as those that utilize a guard who checks an individual's identification and access rights. Other systems involve physical keycards and passes, which allow access past static checkpoints.
These systems are often insufficient for controlling and tracking the movement of guests who have access for a particular, limited purpose. Once past a static checkpoint, control systems have limited means for tracking a guest's movements. Furthermore, guests may become lost or enter into areas beyond the scope of their invitation.
Additionally, the hospitality industry is highly competitive with companies always looking for competitive advantages, whether it be on price, features or customer service. In recent years, in an effort to differentiate themselves from other competitors, many hospitality companies such as Hotels, Restaurants and Casinos have implemented customer reward and tracking programs. These programs reward customers for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, spending time at specific locations, spending money at specific locations and/or performing certain activities. Additionally, the reward programs provide a treasure trove of data for the companies on their customers, which assist in marketing efforts, administrative decisions and more.
Current systems require both the customer and company to proactively perform a task in order to be recognized at the location and receive the proper rewards program recognition. Most of the time this is done by the customer handing a card to a company representative and that card information then entered into an existing system. This process is often insufficient for proper tracking of the customer.
It is to addressing or reducing these problems that the current disclosure is directed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electronic identification, location tracking, communication and notification system with beacon clustering


Disclosed are devices, a systems, and methods for determining the dipole densities on heart walls. In particular, a triangularization of the heart wall is performed in which the dipole density of each of multiple regions correlate to the potential measured at various locations within the associated chamber of the heart.

Systems used to localize the origin of cardiac arrhythmias measure potentials (e.g. in millivolts) in the cardiac chambers and localize them on a three dimensional representation of the cardiac chamber wall. The measurement of the electrical activity present on the cardiac walls is called mapping. For this purpose, a multiple electrode mapping catheter may be positioned within the heart such that multiple potentials can be simultaneously measured at different locations on the wall of the cardiac chamber without having direct wall contact (non-contact mapping). The cardiac chamber is visualized as a three dimensional structure, either directly by moving one or more mapping electrodes within the corresponding heart chamber or by importing an anatomical geometry of the cardiac chamber from an imaging device (e.g. Computed Tomography, MRI, or ultrasound). The electrical activity within the heart can be measured with the multi-electrode mapping catheter, which may be able to simultaneously measure potentials at different points in three dimensional space. In the current systems, the measured potentials from the non-contact multi-electrode mapping catheter do not directly correspond to the electrical activity on the cardiac wall as measured with an electrode with direct wall contact (contact mapping). The measured potentials of the non-contact mapping system have to be converted with computer programs and extrapolated into virtual electrograms projected on the heart chamber of the mapping system.
The current conversion methods are inaccurate, and further processing, termed regularization methods, have to be used. These regularization methods decrease spatial resolution. Another limitation of the current methods is that the provided potentials represent only the mean electrical activity that emanates from different cells, consisting of membranes separating electrical dipoles.
Since the localization of cardiac arrhythmias by the use of potentials is imprecise, the successful treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has been difficult and has demonstrated limited success and reliability. There is, therefore, a need for improved methods of localizing cardiac arrhythmias.

Device and method for the geometric determination of electrical dipole densities on the cardiac wall


The skate chassis of the present invention includes a single, homogeneous, integrally molded upper boot and truck assembly which more evenly distributes internal stresses created in the chassis during use. The truck assembly may include a beam extending at an angle from the upper boot to form an axle hub for attaching the wheels. Also, an impact post may be integrally formed with the truck assembly to provide both vertical support and a surface for the rotation of the axle hub and beam. The one piece chassis provides improved handling and maneuverability while simplifying the manufacturing process.

The continued increase in popularity of roller skates has resulted in an increased demand for greater performance from the skates. To achieve greater performance from the roller skate, skate designers and manufacturers continue to search for designs and manufacturing techniques to improve the handling, maneuverability, support, and durability the skate can offer the user.
Conventionally, prior art roller skates have been manufactured by first fabricating a shoe or boot to secure to the foot of the user, and secondly by attaching wheels to the shoe or boot through the use of a wheel hanger or truck assembly. The truck assembly is normally attached to the shoe or boot using screws, bolts, rivets or another similar form of fastener. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,918 issued to Sandino discloses a roller skate chassis including a foot plate unitarily molded with wheel trucks and wheel axle mounts. The footplate is then attached to a shoe member by threaded screws or rivets. As a result of this two piece construction, the large amount of internal stresses developed in the skate during use are concentrated at the junction between the shoe member or boot and the foot plate or truck assembly. This concentration of stress can lead to gradual separation of the boot from the plate resulting in excessive play or movement between the parts reducing the handling and maneuverability of the skate. Also, the fasteners may fail or rupture causing complete separation and possible injury to the user. Most importantly, because of the practical inability of fasteners to adequately join two separate, non-homogenous parts together as a single integral unit, the lines of force transmitted through the boot during use are not sufficiently distributed throughout the skate to maximize the handling and maneuverability characteristics of the particular skate. Lastly, the manufacturing of the skate disclosed in the Sandino patent necessarily includes a separate additional step of attaching the shoe member to the foot plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,655 issued to Landay et al. discloses a roller skate including an upper boot adhesively bonded by injection molding to a beam sole or foot plate to which is attached wheel hanger structures. In this design, the internal stress in the skate will be concentrated at the junction between the beam sole and the hanger structures because of the inability of these connections to evenly distribute the lines of force created in the skate. The adhesive connection between the upper boot and the beam sole will be more apt to provide an even force distribution throughout the skate than a connection formed by other fastening techniques. However, since the upper boot is constructed of a different material than the beam sole, the connection is not as effective as a homogeneous, integrally molded junction in distributing forces while minimizing junction stresses. Moreover, the manufacturing process of the skate disclosed in Landay et al. would necessarily involve the steps of attaching both the upper boot and the hanger structures to the beam sole.
The handling and maneuverability of wheeled devices has been improved by the use of a truck assembly having a deflection beam extending at an angle from an upper support plate to form an axle hub for supporting the wheels. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,735 to Evans et al., the deflection beam, combined with a impact post for creating a pivot point for rotation of the axle hub, provides a very stable support system with minimal wobble at high speeds and a high degree of maneuverability. However, since the deflection beam is fastened to an upper board, a high concentration of stress will be developed in the junction between the beam and the board causing an uneven distribution of forces in the truck assembly. Also, pivoted lateral movement of a user's foot, ankle and leg is not effectively transmitted to the truck assembly since no shoe or boot is attached to the upper board. Consequently, the maneuverability and handling potential of the skate is not maximized and the benefits obtained by the deflection beam can not be fully appreciated.

Homogeneous integrally molded skate chassis


A hub unit with rotation speed sensor comprising;. a stationary outer ring member having an outer raceway formed thereon, a rotatable hub having an axially inner end with a male thread portion formed thereon, PA1 a inner ring member having an inner raceway formed thereon, and fittingly fixed onto the hub, a nut screwed on the male thread portion of the hub to axially retain the inner ring, a plurality of rolling members located between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a cover fittingly fixed to the outer ring member at its opening end portion, an annular sensor supported by the cover so as to be located radially between the nut and the cover, a rotatable tone wheel made of magnetic material and fittingly fixed onto the inner ring, the sensor comprising an annular permanent magnet, a magnetic stator and a coil, so that the sensor is opposed generally circumferentially to part of the tone wheel with a small clearance therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a hub unit with a rotating speed sensor which is used to rotatably support an automobile wheel with a suspension apparatus, while it is used to detect the rotation speed (rpm) of the wheel.
2. Description of the Related Art
A hub unit with rotation speed (rpm) sensor that is used to rotatably support an automobile wheel with respect to a suspension apparatus, and that is used to control an anti-lock brake system (ABS) or traction-control system (TCS) by detecting the rotation speed (rpm) of the wheel, has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,455 as shown in FIG. 1.
The hub unit with rpm sensor shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hub 3 that has a flange section 1 located on its axially outer end (left end in FIG. 1) to secure the automobile wheel (not shown) and a first inner raceway 2a located around the outside peripheral surface in the center of the hub 3, an inner ring member 4 that is fitted around the outside peripheral surface in the center of this hub 3 and has a second inner raceway 2b around its outside peripheral surface, a nut 6 that is screwed onto a male screw portion 16 formed on the outside peripheral surface of the axially inner end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the hub 3 so as to press against the axially inner end face of the inner ring member 4 and to secure this inner ring member 4 to a prescribed location on the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3, an outer ring member 9 that has outer raceways 8a, 8b in rows around its inside peripheral surface and a mount section 7 around its outside peripheral surface for securing it to the suspension apparatus (not shown in the figures), and a plurality of rolling bodies or member 10 that are located between the hub 3 and the outer ring member 9. Thus, the hub 3, to which the automobile wheel (not shown) is secured, is rotatably supported inside the outer ring member 9 that is supported by the suspension apparatus.
In FIG. 1, there is a cylindrical tone wheel 29 securely fitted around the axially inner half (right half in FIG. 1) of the inner ring member 4. An uneven section 12 is formed on the axially inner end face of the tone wheel 29 (this is the end surface facing inward in a widthwise direction when installed in the vehicle; the right end face in FIG. 1) and the magnetic characteristics of this end face change, alternating at equal intervals around the tone wheel 29 in the circumferential direction. Moreover, a cover 34 covers the opening on the axially inner end of the outer ring member 9. Provided in this cover 13 is a sensor 35 whose axially outer end face is opposed to the uneven section 12 of the one wheel 29.
When using the hub unit with rpm detector constructed as described above in FIG. 1, the automobile wheel (not shown) secured to the flange section 1 formed on the axially outer end of the hub 3 is supported so that it rotates freely with respect to the suspension apparatus (not shown) to which the outer ring member 9 is supported. Also, as the tone wheel 29 secured around the inner ring member 4 rotates as the automobile wheel rotates, the output of the sensor 35, which is faced to the uneven section 12 formed on the axially inner end of the tone wheel 29, changes. The frequency at which the output of the sensor 35 changes is proportional to the rotation speed (rpm) of the automobile wheel, and therefore if the output signal from the sensor 35 is input into a controller (not shown), the rotation speed (rpm) of the wheel can be used to adequately control an ABS or TCS.
The prior art hub unit with rpm detector as described above has problems that must be solved.
Specifically, it is difficult to make it compact in size, therefore the type of vehicle that it can be installed in is limited to comparatively large-sized automobiles. In other words, because the sensor 35 to detect the rotation speed (rpm) of the automobile wheel is axially faced to the uneven surface 12 formed on the axially inner end face of the tone wheel 29, large dimensions in the axial direction of the rpm detection section could not be avoided.
Especially in the case of a relatively inexpensive device, simple magnetic material (not permanent magnetic material) is used for the tone wheel 29, and a so-called passive type sensor having a coil would around a magnetic core is used as the sensor 35 facing this tone wheel 29. In the case of this passive sensor 35, in order to maintain the output of the sensor 35, the dimensions of the sensor 35 in the axial direction become somewhat large. As a result, the axial dimension of the hub unit with rpm detector is increased in the axial direction.
Besides the hub unit with rpm detector described above, the structures disclosed in Japanese Patent First Publication KOKAI No. H1-175502 and in Japanese Utility Model First Publication KOKAI No. H3-99676 have also been known.
In the constructions described in No. H3-99676 and No. H1-177502 mentioned above, the magnetic characteristics of the inside or outside peripheral surface of the tone wheel changes in the circumferential direction, and the detection section of the sensor is faced to the inside or outside peripheral surface of the tone wheel. However, in the case of the construction described in these publications, the core material of the passive type sensor is placed in the axial direction, and so it is desirable to make it more compact.
Furthermore, in Japanese Utility Model First Publication KOKAI No. H4-36121, the tone wheel, which rotates together with the outer ring member, is constructed so that its inside peripheral surface is faced to the sensor. However, in this case, the construction to which the tone wheel is applied differs from the construction in the present invention, and the conditions of its use are limited.
In European Patent Publication No. 0426298A1, a structure is disclosed where the tone wheel secured to the end portion of the hub is rotatable with the automobile wheel and its outer peripheral surface is faced to the inner peripheral surface of the annular sensor which is supported by the cover fittingly fixed to the outer ring member.
In this structure, the inner ring member is fitted onto the hub, and the tone wheel and a stop ring to prevent the inner ring member from being removed from there are provided in series in the axial direction of the hub. Since the sensor is of an annular shape, the sensor output can be increased. On the other hand, the installation space for the tone wheel must be large, so that compacting is difficult.
In order to reduce the dimensions of the hub unit in the axial direction, so that it is possible to install the hub unit in compact-sized automobiles having limited installation space, and thus simplifying the design of the vehicle, the hub unit with rpm sensor as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is disclosed in the copending Japanese patent application under No. H5-48365, which is hereinafter referred to as the previous invention. A hub 3 is formed with a flange section 1 on the outside peripheral surface of the axially outer end (this is the end that faces outward when installed in the vehicle; the left end in FIG. 2) of the hub 3 for securing the automobile wheel (not shown). There is a first inner raceway 2a and stepped section 15 formed around the outside peripheral surface in the middle portion of the hub 3.
Furthermore, an inner ring member 4 having a second inner raceway 2b formed around its outside peripheral surface, is fitted, for supporting, around the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3, and its axially outer end (left end in FIG. 2) comes into contact with the stepped section 15.
Incidentally, in place of forming the first inner raceway 2a directly on the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3, it is possible to form it on another inner ring member (not shown in the figure) that is separate from the hub 3, and this another inner ring member and the inner ring member 4 can both be secured around the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3.
There is a male screw portion 16 formed around the axially inner end portion (the portion located on the inside in the width direction when installed in the vehicle; right side in FIG. 2) of the hub 3. A nut 6 screws on to this male screw portion 16, and by tightening it, the inner ring member 4 is secured in a prescribed place around the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3. A mount section 7 is formed around the outside peripheral surface in the middle portion of an outer ring member 9 that is located around the hub 3, and it is used to secure the outer ring member 9 to the suspension apparatus (not shown).
Moreover, there are outer raceways 8a, 8b formed around the inside peripheral surface of the outer ring member 9 and faced to the first and second inner raceways 2a, 2b, respectively.
Also, there are a plurality of rolling bodies or members 10 located between the first and second inner raceways 2a, 2b and the outer raceways 8a, 8b, and they allow the hub 3 to freely rotate inside the outer ring member 9.
The "inner raceway" and "outer raceway" are also referred to as "inner ring raceway" and "outer ring raceway".
Furthermore, there is a seal ring 17 between the inside peripheral surface on the axially outer end of the outer ring member 9 and the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3, so that it closes off the opening on the axially outer end of the space where the rolling bodies or members 10 are located between the inside peripheral surface of the outer ring member 9 and the outside peripheral surface of the hub 3.
Also, on the axially inner end of the hub 3, there is a cylindrical end section 22 with constant diameter located further axially inward than the male screw section 16, and formed to stick out from the axially inner end of the nut 6, so that a tone wheel 29 is supported by this cylindrical end section 22. The outer diameter of the cylindrical end section 22 is smaller than the groove or bottom diameter of the male screw 16.
The tone wheel 29 is made of magnetic sheet metal such as steel sheet that is formed by pressing, drawing, or another plastic working. This tone wheel 29 comprises an inner cylindrical section 19 with a smaller diameter, an outer cylindrical section 20 with a larger diameter that is concentric with the inner cylindrical section 19, and an annular section 21 that connects the two cylindrical sections 19 and 20. The tone wheel 29 is generally circular and has a cross-section that is crank-shaped.
There are a plurality of through-holes 33 that penetrate the outer cylindrical section 20, and by evenly spacing these through-holes 33 in the circumferential direction, the magnetic characteristics of the outside peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical section 20 are changed, alternatively at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
The inner cylindrical section 19 of this tone wheel 29 is fitted around and secured to the cylindrical end section 22 formed on the axially inner end of the hub 3. With the tone wheel 29 secured to the hub 3 in this manner, the outer cylindrical section 20 is located around the nut 6.
Also, by closing off the opening on the axially inner end of the outer ring member 9 with a cover 34, it is possible to prevent dust or water from getting inside the outer ring member 9 through the opening. This cover 34 is made of sheet metal such as stainless steel and is formed by a processing method such as drawing.
The axially outer end (left end in FIGS. 2 and 3) of this cover 34 has an opening. Provided on the outside peripheral surface of the axially outer end near the opening of the cover 34 is a protruding support section 25 that is flange shaped. The outer diameter of the axially outer end of the cover 34 in a free state is the same or a little larger than the inner diameter of the opening in the axially inner end face of the outer ring member 9. As a result, the axially outer end of the cover 34 near the opening is fitted into the opening on the axially inner end of the outer ring member 9, so that the protruding support section 25 comes into contact with the axially inner end face of the outer ring member 9.
Moreover, a passive-type sensor 35 is fastened and secured at a prescribed location inside this cover 34. The output signal of this sensor 35 is fetched from the lead wires (not shown in the figure) connected to the connector 26 located on the outside surface of the cover 34. The detection section 27 of the sensor 35 is faced inward in the radial direction of the cover 34. With the cover 34 securely fitted into the axially inner end of the outer ring member 9, this detection section 27 is faced to the outside peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical section 20, and is separated by a small gap or clearance 28 of 0.6 to 1.0 mm.
Furthermore, the core material of the sensor 35 is arranged so that it runs in the circumferential direction of the tone wheel 29 (front to back in FIGS. 2 and 3). At least one end of this core material is bent inward in the radial direction to form the detection section 27, and it is very close to and faced to the outside peripheral surface of the tone wheel 29.
The hub unit with rpm sensor of this previous invention, constructed as described above, supports the automobile wheel so that it rotates freely with respect to the suspension apparatus, and its function in detecting the rotation speed (rpm) of the automobile wheel attached to the flange section 1 of the hub 3 is substantially the same as the prior art hub units with rpm sensor previously mentioned.
In the hub unit with rpm sensor of this previous invention, the sensor 35 of the passive type having a larger axial length is located on the radially outside of the tone wheel 29, and elongated in the circumferential direction, so that the dimensions of the hub unit with rpm sensor are reduced in both the axial and radial directions, making it possible to be installed a limited space in compact-sized automobiles etc.
The hub unit with rpm sensor constructed as described in the previous invention reduces its size in the axial direction, making it possible to install in compact automobiles etc. with limited installation space, and simplifying the vehicle design, when compared to the prior art constructions. But, it is still desired that the following points be improved.
In other words, it is desired that the output of the sensor 35 is raised (the change in output voltage is made larger) in order that the rotation speed (rpm) of the automobile wheel fastened to the hub 3 can be detected correctly. On the other hand, in order to amplify the output of the passive sensor 35 due to the change in voltage that accompanies the change in density of the magnetic flux that passes through the yoke or stator, the size of the sensor 35 must be increased, or the density of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet (magnetic force) installed in the sensor must be increased.
The space that the sensor 35 can be installed in is limited, therefore the amount that the size of the sensor 35 can be increased is also limited. In addition, the amount that the density of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet can be increased is also limited, and even if a permanent magnet with a high magnetic flux density is installed in the sensor 35, whose yoke or pole piece has only a small cross-section, the magnetic flux becomes easily saturated in the yoke or pole piece. If the magnetic flux becomes saturated, the output of the sensor 35 is reduced.
In the structure as disclosed in European Patent publication No. 0426298A1, since the sensor is of an annular shape, the saturation in magnetic flux leading to the output reduction hardly occurs. On the other hand, since the axial dimension is inclined to be larger, there are problems in practical use of the hub unit with rpm sensor in the compact cars in which the installation space is limited.


The semiconductor device according to an aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device having an electrode pad to be contacted a test probe for performing probe testing, a bonding area mark for defining a bonding area which performs wire boding on the electrode pad, and a probe area mark for defining a probe repair area for repairing or replacing the test probe for the electrode pad.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising an electrode pad for external connection (referred to as "electrode pad" hereinafter), a method and apparatus for testing the semiconductor device, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. Particularly the invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising an electrode pad which contacts a test probe for electrical characteristic testing, a method and apparatus for testing the semiconductor device, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor device in the form of a chip, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, electrical characteristic testing is performed by bringing a test probe of an electrical characteristic testing apparatus into contact with an electrode pad provided in the semiconductor device, which is so called "probing", before mounting a semiconductor chip on the semiconductor device, to electrify the semiconductor device through the test probe. In such a semiconductor device, when bringing a test probe into contact with the surface of an electrode pad when performing probing, a contact damage called "probe damage" is generated on the surface of the electrode pad.
Recently, the area of an electrode pad is made small considerably in order to improve the integration degree of a semiconductor device. When performing so-called bonding where an electrode pad having the small area on which the probe damage is generated is connected an external electrode, the contact area between the external electrode and electrode pad decreases since asperities are formed on the surface of the electrode pad due to the probe damage. Therefore, the problem was that reliability of bonding is decreased. Particularly, a problem is generated when connecting an aluminum electrode pad with gold wire by ultrasonic bonding, because this bonding is performed by forming an alloy of aluminum and gold on the surface of the electrode pad, so the bonded surface is decreased due to the probe damage, whereby the bonding strength between the gold wire and electrode pad is decreased.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-329742 discloses a semiconductor device for solving such problems described above. In this semiconductor, a test pad for testing which abuts on a test probe, and a pad for bonding which is used for bonding are formed.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-147304 discloses a testing method for performing testing on a semiconductor device. With this testing method, probe damage is optically detected to test whether or not the probe damage protrudes from the allowable range. If the probe damage protrudes from the allowable range, an alarm is released, and then proceedings of the testing are stopped.
However, there are the following problems in the conventional testing. For example, in the semiconductor device comprising a pad for testing and a pad for bonding, the area occupied by the electrode pads on the semiconductor chip is large. In this case, the electrode pad is an obstacle to realizing high scale integration of the semiconductor. Particularly, with the recent multifunction of a semiconductor, the number of electrode pads is increasing, so it is difficult to achieve a multifunctional and highly integrated semiconductor device.
In the testing method where the probe damage is optically detected to judge whether or not the probe damage protrudes from the allowable range, sometimes the probe damage is detected by mistake. Also, testing is repeatedly performed using a probe card, the contact location of the probe end with respect to the electrode pad is gradually shifted. Specifically, location accuracy at the time when the probe is brought into contact with the electrode pad formed on the surface of the wafer is decreased due to deterioration of the physical strength of the probe. Furthermore, testing of a semiconductor is usually implemented before scribing a semiconductor wafer around the semiconductor chip. In this case, after testing is executed in the state where the probe is deteriorated, the probe damage is detected in a detection process. In a specific chip on the wafer, if the probe damage of the electrode pad which is detected in the detection process is defective in determination, the entire chips into which the probe contacts become defective in following tests which judge whether or not the probe damage protrudes from the allowable range. Therefore, there occur problems that yield cannot be improved, and that it is difficult to improve productivity.
Hence, It has now been discovered that testing cannot be performed accurately with the conventional testing method of a semiconductor device, whereby it is difficult to improve productivity.

Semiconductor device, method and apparatus for testing same, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A device for displaying teletext information on a screen after decoding teletext data multiplexed into a composite television video signal for performing a full flash function by successively storing teletext data multiplexed into several flash picture planes and for simultaneously displaying the stored teletext data on a screen.

The present invention relates to a device for displaying teletext involved in a TV broadcasting signal, and more particularly relates to a device for displaying teletext on one screen so as to provide convenient viewing.
Teletext is an information service that provides television viewers with textual and graphic information such as weather forecasts, traffic information and news. Generally, a TV broadcasting station provides a teletext service by providing signals concerning characters and/or simply diagrams in a composite video signal. Since such teletext signals exist in a vertical blanking interval of the composite video signal, the teletext information is displayed on a television screen by decoding the composite video signal by means of a decoder attached to or assembled in a television receiver. In a conventional device, when the user turns on a flash key of a remote controller or a key matrix attached to the television receiver, teletext information within one flash picture plane is decoded and displayed on the lower part of a television screen. In order to see the next flash picture plane after the previous flash picture plane is displayed, the user has to operate a next key for each and every flash picture plane. Further, in order to view a previous flash picture plane again, the user must turn the flash key off and then turn it on again. Then, the user must operate the next key continuously until the desired flash picture plane is displayed. Meanwhile, the user can automatically display all flash picture planes according to the order by operating an automatic key. In this case, since a plurality of flash picture planes are automatically displayed according to a predetermined speed, a viewer may not be able to completely read the teletext information.
Thus, the conventional devices are defective in that there is an inconvenience for the user to operate a flash key and/or a next key for each and every flash picture plane. Furthermore, there is a drawback in that in the case of activating an automatic key a plurality of flash picture planes are automatically displayed at a predetermined speed even though a user may not be able to completely read the displayed teletext information at the predetermined speed.

Device for displaying teletext data on one screen


In an image forming apparatus, a sheet is guided into a first conveyor path or a second conveyor path selectively when a first cover is in a closed position, and is ejected onto the first cover when the first cover is in an open position. Upon power-up, a controller causes a first conveyor roller to rotate but if the first cover is in the open position, when a sheet sensor detects a sheet, the controller does not cause a second conveyor roller to rotate, and causes a flapper to swing from a first position to a second position, and when a front end of the sheet reaches a position downstream of an upstream end of the flapper in a conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed by the first conveyor roller, the controller causes the flapper to swing from the second position to the first position.

An image forming apparatus known in the art comprises a housing provided with an output tray on an upper surface thereof, an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a rear cover so provided at a rear side of the housing as to make up part of a conveyor path for guiding a sheet from the image forming unit toward the output tray, and a conveyor roller configured to convey a sheet in the conveyor path. The cover is configured to be openable and closeable, i.e., moveable to an open position and to a closed position relative to the housing. When the cover is in the closed position and forms the conveyor path, a sheet with an image formed thereon is guided by the conveyor path, conveyed by the conveyor roller and ejected onto the output tray; on the other hand, when the rear cover is in an open position, a sheet with an image formed thereon is ejected onto the rear cover.


A system and method of in vivo testing for recently viable dental cellular debris is disclosed herein. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for detecting for the presence of cellular debris from an endodontic cavity and other areas of a tooth by testing for the presence of cellular debris such as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The sample is collected from a tooth or endodontic cavity and combined with a chemical indicator which causes a detectable change in the indicator that is sensed by a luminescence reader. The level of ATP in a sample corresponds to the level of contamination still present in the tooth or endodontic cavity and can be used to determine what additional steps, if any, are necessary in order to clean and disinfect the tooth. This method of sampling the tooth or endodontic cavity allows for a rapid, chair-side, affordable, and easy to use method to determine the level of cellular contamination.

The dental pulp is contained within a tooth and may become injured for variety of reasons including physical trauma, microbial contamination, and chemical trauma that may result in the tooth undergoing an inflammatory and often infectious process that results in damage to the tooth and its supporting structures. A root canal procedure is a way of reducing and ideally eliminating the inflammatory and infectious process inside a tooth to allow for healing in the structures surrounding the tooth. A root canal procedure consists of the removal of dental pulpal tissue and removal of microorganisms from inside of the root canal. The root canal is then filled with various materials to seal off any remaining microorganisms or pulp tissue within the endodontic cavity to prevent reinfection of the root canal space and to prevent inflammatory signals from escaping the root canal. After a root canal procedure is complete the root canal is sealed with a filling material or covered with a crown in order to restore function to the tooth and prevent reinfection of the root canal.
A root canal procedure typically involves a dentist opening the tooth with a dental drill through the crown of the tooth in order to gain access to the dental pulp. The dentist will then remove the dental pulp and microorganisms mechanically by enlarging the root canal using various metal files. Disinfection of the tooth and endodontic cavity can also be aided chemically with various rinses, solutions, and other methods that remove additional pulpal tissue and microorganisms not removed by the mechanical instruments. A dentist may also schedule additional visits to further reduce the number of vital microorganisms that may be present in a root canal.
Tissue debris, microorganism debris, and viable microorganisms left in the root canal after completion of the root canal procedure can result in a failed root canal procedure in which the patient continues to show radiographic bone loss around the tooth and experience possible symptoms such as pain or swelling. Because there is currently no easy way to test for the level of cellular debris in a tooth, dental practitioners may end up unnecessarily removing more root canal structure then necessary to prevent the chances of reinfection. Even after enlarging the root canal to larger sizes by mechanical instrumentation the endodontic cavity may still contain high levels of cellular debris.
Much research has been conducted into the effect of various factors on the success of root canal procedures. One study demonstrated that only 58.8% of the root canal walls are touched by the root canal rotary files, which means that 41.2% of the root canal walls are untouched and depend on chemical irrigation to clean and disinfect the tooth. Even with all the mechanical instruments, chemical disinfectants, and various ways of activating those disinfectants approximately 15-25% of root canal procedures fail.
Other research has shown that cellular contamination plays a major role in the success rates of endodontic procedures. A related study showed that a root canal procedure that cultures negative for bacteria just prior to sealing the root canal has a 94% success rate compared to a success rate of only 68% for root canal procedures that culture positive for bacteria just prior to sealing the root canal.
While the goal of a root canal procedure is to seal off those remaining areas that contain cellular debris with a filling material, the filling and sealing materials have thus far failed clinically to provide a perfect seal of the tooth, especially when difficult anatomy and lateral canals are present. Given the large number of root canal procedures completed every year in the United States, the importance of cellular contamination in the outcome of those root canal procedures, and the difficulties that currently exist when filling a root canal, there remains a need for a rapid and quantitative method of testing for the level of cellular contamination inside of a root canal.
There are several patents and research studies that relate to the field of endodontic bacterial contamination and imaging.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,500 describes a method of testing for the presence of viable cellular tissue within a root canal by incubating a sample of the root canal with an inactive form of a fluorescent dye that is activated in the presence of viable cells to emit fluorescence. However, the device requires that the cells be viable in order to test for the presence of cellular debris, which limits the sensitivity of the device because inactive, dormant, or non-viable cells that do use the specific viable cellular substrate to create the fluorescent dye are not detected. Also, the device requires that the cells are incubated for a given period of time which results in additional delays for the dentist and the patient while they wait for the results of the viability test.
United States Patent Application 2003/0108490A1 describes a method of testing for the presence of periapical disease or inflammation by testing for the level of matrix metalloproteinases in the periapical exudate. The method uses matrix metalloprotease antibodies and fluorescent dyes to test for the presence of inflammation that is leaking into the root canal system from periapical tissues. The test does not check for the presence of contamination that remains in the root canal system and does not measure cellular debris, but rather measures for the presence of inflammatory indicators.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,427,384 describes a method of determining a patient's caries risk through a patient questionnaire and using an Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence sampler to test for the presence of ATP on the outside surface of a tooth. Depending on the results of the questionnaire and the ATP test the patient is recommended various oral rinses to reduce their risk of caries. This method of tooth biofilm testing does not give the dentist any insight into the contamination within the tooth or root canal, though. The oral rinse treatment protocol recommended for these patents is meant to reduce the patient's biofilm and bacteria levels on the tooth surface and outside of the tooth, but is not intended to reduce microorganisms inside of the tooth or root canal system.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,562,253 describes a method of using a reagent to lyse cells of bacteria, and then using an ATP colorimetric agent to observe for a change in color with the unaided eye when bacteria is present beyond a given concentration in the sample. By determining if bacterial ATP is present the practitioner is aided in deciding if the patient has a bacterial infection, as opposed to a viral infection or other inflammatory condition. Bacterial testing in endodontics to determine the cause of infection is of little use, though, as virtually all infected root canals contain some bacteria. Also, this method of determining the presence of bacteria in a sample requires subjective interpretation of the test color change, which is not objectively quantitative or sensitive enough to be used in an endodontic setting.
Other research has attempted to quantify the bacterial contamination in a root canal, but the suggested protocol was complicated and never caught on with dental practitioners. The protocol required materials and techniques not commonly used by dental practitioners, such as using 96 well plates, serial dilutions, a centrifuge, pipettes to measure the reagent, and known concentrations of bacterial cultures. The procedure also required five minutes to obtain results, which is an extended period of time for the patient and the dental practitioner to wait, especially if multiple tests are needed. Due to the complicated protocol, need for additional laboratory equipment, and the length of time needed to obtain results the method of same day bacterial testing is not used.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and method of in vivo testing for recently viable dental cellular debris that provides a dental practitioner with accurate and reliable measures of the bacterial load within a root canal during or prior to completing the root canal procedure. Such a system and method may further increase the success rate of root canal procedures so as to improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for corrective follow-up procedures. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

System and method of in vivo testing for recently viable dental cellular debris