An ink jet recording head controls an impulse force generated at the time of disappearing of a bubble while keeping an energy efficiency of ink ejection high. The ink jet recording head has a discharge port from which ink is discharged, a pressure chamber by which energy for ejection is given to ink, and a nozzle portion which makes the pressure chamber and the discharge port communicate. The nozzle portion includes a major diameter portion with a sectional area larger than an area of the discharge port, and a minor diameter portion, whose sectional area is smaller than that of the major diameter portion, along an ink ejection direction, and the minor diameter portion is provided between the major diameter portion and the pressure chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head which ejects ink to a recording medium to record an image.
2. Related Background Art
An example of a conventional ink jet recording head (hereafter, this may be abbreviated a "recordinghead") is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B. FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B are enlarged sectional views near a discharge port 105 where ink is discharged. Below the discharge port 105, a pressure chamber 103 in which a heater 102 is provided, a nozzle portion 101 which makes the pressure chamber 103 and discharge port 105 communicate, and an ink flow path 106 for supplying ink to the pressure chamber 103 are provided. Ink supplied to the pressure chamber 103 through the ink flow path 106 is heated by heat generated by the heater 102, and is discharged by the pressure of a bubble, which is generated in the ink at that time, from the discharge port 105 through the nozzle portion 101.
The nozzle portion 101 of the recording head shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has a constant area of a section which is orthogonal to an ink ejection direction. On the other hand, in the nozzle portion 101 of the recording head shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, an area of this section becomes large as it is close to the pressure chamber 103. Hereafter, the nozzle portion 101 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be called a "straight nozzle" and the nozzle portion 101 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B may be called a "tapered nozzle" for distinguishment. Here, the ink flow resistance of a straight nozzle is large, and hence, its energy efficiency of ink ejection is low. Therefore, in order to raise the energy efficiency of ink ejection, a tapered nozzle with small flow resistance becomes mainstream.
For example, when a distance OH from the discharge port 105 to a top face of the heater 102 is 75 μm and the height H of the ink flow path is 20 μm, the thickness (length) of the nozzle portion 1 of both of the straight nozzle and tapered nozzle become 55 μm. In this case, the inertance and viscous resistance of each nozzle portion 101 become as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1StraightTapered nozzlenozzleTaper 5°Taper 12°Taper 19°NozzleInertance1.12E−018.04E−025.72E−024.37E−02portionInertance100725139ratio (%)Viscous2.28E−041.22E−046.82E−054.51E−05resistanceViscous100543020resistanceratio (%)PressureCeiling335829072010743chamberportionarea (μm2)Ceiling100876022portionarearatio (%)
The inertance and viscous resistance of the nozzle portion 101 act as resistance at the time of discharging ink, and when these are large, an ejection energy efficiency falls. The inertance and viscous resistance are expressed by the following formulas, respectively.Inertance M (kPa/(μm3/μs2))
  M  =      ρ                      ∫        0        OP                                                              ⅆ          x                /                  s                                (            x            )                              where,
OP: thickness of nozzle portion
S(x): ink flow path sectional area in position of distance x from lower edge of nozzle portion (μm2)
ρ: specific gravity of ink
Viscous resistance R (kPa/(μm3/μs))
  R  =      η                      ∫        0        OP                                    D                                (            x            )                                                                                ⅆ            x                    /                                    S                                            (                x                )                                      2                              where,
D(x) is a shape factor of a nozzle, and when a nozzle is a rectangular solid:D(x)=12.0×(0.33+1.02×(a(x)/b(x)+b(x)/a(x)))when a nozzle is a cylinder:D(x)=8π
OP: thickness of nozzle portion
S(x): ink flow path sectional area in position of distance x from lower edge of nozzle portion (μm2)
η: ink viscosity (Pa·s)
In addition, since the inertance and viscous resistance in Table 1 are used for relative comparison, they are obtained by simple calculation.
Specifically, inertance is calculated on condition of specific gravity ρ=1, and, viscous resistance is calculated on conditions of coefficient of sectional form of nozzle=1 and viscosity η=1e−3 Pa·s. This is common to all the values of inertances and viscous resistances described below. In order to obtain strict inertance, it is necessary to use the specific gravity of ink to be used, and in order to obtain the strict viscous resistance, it is necessary to calculate using a coefficient of sectional form D(x) adapted to the viscosity η of ink and a cross-sectional form of a nozzle to be used.
As shown in Table 1, it is understood on a straight nozzle that its inertance and viscous resistance are large and it is inefficient. On the other hand, on a tapered nozzle, both of inertance and viscous resistance become small as a taper angle is enlarged. Specifically, at 5° of taper angle, inertance becomes 72% and, viscous resistance becomes 54% to a straight nozzle. In addition, at 12° of taper angle, the inertance becomes 51%, which is nearly a half, and the viscous resistance becomes 30% to the straight nozzle. Furthermore, at 19° of taper angle, the inertance becomes 39%, and the viscous resistance becomes 20%, which is ⅕, to the straight nozzle. Thus, it is possible to raise an ejection energy efficiency sharply in a tapered nozzle by enlarging a taper angle.
Nevertheless, in a tapered nozzle as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a ceiling portion area of the pressure chamber 103 shown by hatching in the figure becomes small as a taper angle becomes large (as to specific numerical values, refer to Table 1). The ceiling portion area of the pressure chamber 103 decreases to 87% of a straight nozzle at 5° of taper angle, decreases to 60% at 12° of taper angle, and decreases sharply to 22% at 19° of taper angle. Since the ceiling portion area of the pressure chamber 103 acts as resistance to the approximately horizontal motion of ink to the ceiling portion when a bubble disappears, the motion loss of the bubble in a bubble disappearing process becomes large, and an impulse force at the time of the bubble disappearing becomes weak as this resistance becomes large. In the tapered nozzle with small flow resistance, since the kinetic energy of ink in a horizontal direction in the pressure chamber 103 becomes large in addition to the kinetic energy of the ink in the nozzle portion 101 being large at the time of the bubble disappearing, the impulse force generated at the time of bubble disappearing also becomes very large. As a result, the impulse force generated at the time of the bubble disappearing, i.e., the impulse force generated at the time of cavitation collapse, becomes large, and there has been a resulting problem of the heater 102 being easily damaged.

Ink jet recording head having nozzle portion with differing sectional areas


Non-solvated hydridomagnesium chloride is prepared in high yield under moderate conditions by reacting magnesium hydride and magnesium chloride in a hydrocarbon solvent and in the presence of a trialkylaluminum catalyst.

Hydridomagnesium chloride, also known as chloromagnesium hydride, is a compound which has utility as an intermediate in the preparation of complex products, such as chloromagnesium aluminum hydride and chloromagnesium borohydride, and as a reducing agent for organic compounds such as ketones.
It is known that hydridomagnesium chloride can be prepared by sintering anhydrous magnesium chloride with magnesium hydride at high temperatures; and it is also known that the use of a tetrahydrofuran solvent permits its synthesis under mild conditions, as in Ashby et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 99, No. 1, 1977, pp. 310-311, Ashby et al., Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 16, No. 8, 1977, pp. 2082-2085, Bogdanovic et al., Z. Naturforsch., Vol. 39B, 1984, pp. 1001-1003, and Canadian Patent 1,135,480 (Bogdanovic).
Although each of the known methods of synthesizing hydridomagnesium chloride under mild conditions can be advantageously employed when it is desired to prepare and use the product in solution form, none of them is suitable for the production of solid HMgCl. As indicated in the references, it has not been found possible to isolate hydridomagnesium chloride from tetrahydrofuran.

Preparation of hydridomagnesium chloride


The present invention can be included in the technical field of moulds for precast concrete element production and relates to a mould for precast concrete element production wherein the relative position of the side walls that define the upper and lower flanks of the precast concrete element is defined by elements that are independent from the rest of the mould, as well as to the manufacturing process that uses the aforementioned mould for precast concrete element production, the precast concrete element thus obtained and a wind turbine comprising, in turn, at least one precast concrete element produced using said mould.

The use of renewable energy sources for electricity production is known in the state of the art, among which wind energy is one of the most efficient. Wind energy enables production of electricity from wind by means of wind turbines. Said wind turbines consist basically of a tower, a nacelle that houses the electric generator and a rotor formed of at least one blade. The wind generator tower supports the nacelle and the rotor. In the case of large wind turbines, the towers may be manufactured from steel, lattice, reinforced concrete or a combination thereof, the latter comprising sections of different materials, for example, a lower section of concrete and an upper section of steel or lattice.
In the last twenty years the nominal power of wind turbines has gradually increased due to the increase in diameter of the rotor thereof, which in turn makes the use of taller towers essential. The increase in height can make it essential for the tower to comprise various sections therethrough which are disposed one on top of the other to form the tower and which in turn can be transported by road or rail. For example, in order to mount a 100-meter tower, five 20-meter tall stackable sections could be used, said dimensions allowing transport thereof by road and rail.
Further, in order to ensure that, while being taller, the towers are equally stable and rigid, one of the options is to increase the tower's transverse dimensions gradually from the top to the base. Said increase could imply new problems for transporting the sections and the usual solution consists of dividing them into longitudinal modules or dowels. The dimensions of the longitudinal modules enable transport thereof by road or rail.
The precision and quality of the dowels, particularly of the upper and lower flanks, determine section stacking precision and therefore tower verticality. In order to solve the stacking problems associated with lack of precision, flatness and parallelism of the sections flanks, the upper section is aligned over the lower section maintaining a space therebetween, in order to subsequently use a joining and filling material that absorbs the deviations with respect to the nominal value of the two sections. In general, the joining material is wet and requires curing time to eliminate the wetness, in such a manner that the joint acquires the adequate mechanical properties. This is known as "wet joint", where the application of the joining material requires the assembly of formwork around the joint.
In the concrete tower assembly process, when the tower sections lack the required precision, as mentioned earlier, a joining material that absorbs the imperfections of both sections, particularly those of the bond flanks, must be used. This requires a long and expensive process. Said process comprises the following steps:                Disposing a section on the part of the tower already assembled, leaving a space between the two adjacent sections.        Aligning the section with the rest of the tower, maintaining the separation.        Assembling formwork throughout the joining area between sections.        Pouring the joining material or mortar.        Waiting for the joining material to cure and disassemble the formwork.
As can be observed, the tower assembly process using this method is long and costly.
An alternative to this assembly process is the joint known as "dry joint", which only comprises the steps of stacking sections and applying the joining means therebetween (bolts, post-tension cables . . . ), significantly simplifying and reducing tower assembly time.
In concrete tower assembly using the dry joint method, the transverse surfaces (upper and lower flanks) of adjacent sections that come into contact must have a flatness and finish such as to guarantee the correct contact therebetween and, therefore, adequate transmission of stresses between sections. It is also fundamental that the upper and lower flanks of each tower section, in addition to being parallel therebetween, are also perpendicular to the axis of the section, as this aspect determines the verticality of the tower once assembled.
In butt joints of this kind, very precise tolerances and surface finishes must be ensured in order for the joint to have good mechanical properties.
In order to achieve the required quality levels, both in wet joint solutions and dry joint solutions, but particularly in the case of the latter, high-precision moulds are required. To this end, the moulds are generally very rigid, as a large amount of material is used in the manufacture thereof in order to avoid deformations due to the weight of the concrete itself or to any other cause, in such a manner that the cost of the mould is very high. Also, the upper and lower flanks are delimited by side walls rigidly joined to the base or countermould of the moulds, due to which any deformation of the mould affects the orientation of the flanks.
By way of alternative, patent application WO2011/157659 A1 discloses a solution for achieving the required degree of precision that consists of mechanically rectifying the flanks of each section once manufactured. This additional process represents a cost overrun for the section.
An intermediate solution consists of applying on the upper flank of the lower section a layer of a high-viscosity joining material, such as resin or mortar, prior to carrying out the butt joint of the upper section. In this manner, the joining material fills any remaining spaces between the two flanks and dispenses with the need for formwork; however, this also requires extremely narrow section manufacturing tolerances.

Mould for precast concrete element production


Disclosed is a fixture plate comprising a back plate defined by a member extending in a widthwise (W) direction and a height-wise (H) direction, a plurality of support arms including a first support arm and a second support arm connecting proximate a bottom edge of the back plate and spaced in the widthwise direction by a distance W1, each of the plurality of support arms comprising a compound profile defining a pivot section and a support section the pivot section extending arcuately downward along the height-wise direction to a first distal end, the support section comprising a first portion forming a support base, the support base extending perpendicularly away from the back plate to a second distal end, and a second portion that forms a hook portion, the hook portion extending upwardly along the height-wise direction to a third distal end to from a free end of the support section.

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of support plates and more specifically to a fixture plate that supports a housing when the housing is pivoted away from the fixture plate.
Destination dispatch fixtures may be mounted to the wall or in the wall of a customer's building. Previous fixtures may have required field mechanics to hold the fixture in their hand while performing the task of wiring the fixture. This may have been found to be challenging as well as cumbersome. It is desired to allow the fixture to be attached to a holding implement so that it may be wired without the need to hold the fixture in one's hand(s).


In a production method in which an acrylic acid-containing solution obtained from an acrylic acid-containing gas (or an acrylic acid-containing liquid obtained simply by subjecting the acrylic acid-containing solution to a separation process of reaction by-products) is directly subjected to a crystallization process, the crystallization process can't be carried out smoothly in an unsteady state (when the concentration of water in the acrylic acid-containing solution is high). The present invention aims to provide a method for collecting the purified acrylic acid having high purity in good yield even in an unsteady state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing (meth)acrylic acid, particularly to a method for producing acrylic acid in good yield without any special operation even in an unsteady state which arises at startup or due to some accident or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Acrylic acid and methacrylic acid (occasionally referred to as (meth) acrylic acid in this specification and claims) are useful raw materials widely used as raw materials for chemical products, and various production methods thereof are proposed. For example, as methods for producing acrylic acid industrially, a method in which propylene and/or acrolein are subjected to the catalytic gas phase oxidation is commonly used, and a method in which an acrylic acid-containing gas obtained by the catalytic gas phase oxidation method is condensed or absorbed in an absorption liquid to make an acrylic acid-containing solution followed by being subjected to distillation and crystallization to obtain a purified acrylic acid is proposed.
As a purification process, in addition to the method described above, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-15478A, a method in which an acrylic acid-containing gas is brought in contact with an aqueous solution for absorption in an absorption column to obtain an acrylic acid-containing solution, and the acrylic acid-containing solution as a crude acrylic acid is directly subjected to a crystallization process, and a distillate obtained by distilling a residual mother liquid discharged in the crystallization process is circulated in the absorption column is proposed. Such circulation to introduce a high-concentration acrylic acid-containing solution in the crystallization process has an effect of obtaining a highly purified acrylic acid with good absorption efficiency, and even more, the production process is easy and simple.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-530376A, the purification of acrylic acid using a cleaning column having a function of forcible transport of crystal for the crystallization of acrylic acid is proposed.

Method for producing (meth) acrylic acid

Abstract: When the acrylic acid-containing solutions 18 and 16 have a concentration of water higher than 10 mass % (unsteady state), the purified acrylic acid 20 and 22 or the acrylic acid-containing solution 23 containing 10 mass % or less of water is mixed therewith to make the concentration of water 10 mass % or less [a] [b]. Alternatively, when the acrylic acid-containing solutions 18 and 16 have a concentration of water higher than 10 mass %, it is used as an absorption liquid [c]. Thereafter, the crystallization process is carried out.


The vehicle suspension lift spacer of the present invention fits between the coil spring and the upper spring receiver of the front suspension. It is made by welding stock flat and cylinder stock material, making it cheap to make and sufficiently rugged for the desired use. The lift spacer is generally cylindrical, having a common axis with an axially mounted shock absorber. The lift spacer has a flat ring upper attachment plate having upward-spaced bolts for attachment through the upper coil spring receiver and shock tower mounts. A lift member is a cylindrical section welded coaxially to the underside of the upper attachment plate and determines the amount of lift of the lift spacer. A flat ring bearing is coaxially welded to the cylindrical lift member for bearing against the coil spring. A cylindrical guide member is welded to the lower side of the bearing plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicle suspensions. More particularly, the present invention relates to suspension lift spacers for use with coil springs.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of vehicles for off-road travel is popular to reach remote camping, fishing, and hunting locations and has developed into a sport in itself. It is common to employ spacers to the suspension to lift the vehicle relative to the ground so as to increase its clearance. This allows the use of larger tires and to travel over rugged terrain. The use of standard pickup trucks and the like for off-road adventure driving is common, however, their suspensions are not originally designed for such use. The use of suspension lift spacers in the suspensions improves their utility for off-road use by increasing ground clearance for rough terrain. Such spacers must be designed for each particular truck make and model. The Dodge Ram 1500 truck, for example, has coil springs and thus requires a spacer fitting between the coil spring and the upper or lower spring receiver and must accommodate an axial shock absorber. Lift spacers are presently available, typically in 2″ and 3″ lift sizes, however known spacers require special casting and/or expensive machining. It would be desirable to provide such a suspension lift which is simple in design, made from readily available plate and cylinder stock, requires no expensive machining, and is sufficiently rugged for its intended use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,482, issued Aug. 20, 1974, to Norris describes an adjustable coil spring lifter to provide lift or restore loaded spring height.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,171, issued Nov. 21, 2000, to Bono et al. describes a coil spring isolator for a vehicle suspension.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,039, issued Feb. 13, 2001, to Gass, describes a projection welded panel spacer and the method for making the spacer by welding flats to tube stock.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,071 B1, issued Nov. 19, 2002, to Newhan, describes a suspension kit to raise a vehicle front end.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,828 B1, issued Apr. 8, 2003, to Gass, describes a welded panel spacer and method of making the spacer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,471 B2, issued Nov. 4, 2003, to Imai et al., describes a method for welding steels including plate to cylindrical stock.
Internet Website http://Performancelifts.com describes a Daystar 02–24 Ram 1500 2″ lift spacer.
Internet Website http://www.daystarweb.com describes front coil spring spacer kits for Dodge Ram 1500 suspensions.
Internet Website http://rough.roughcountry.com of Rough Country a division of Heckethorn Products, Inc. is a source for a coil spring spacer for Dodge Ram 1500 suspensions (See FIG. 5 of the instant application).
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a vehicle suspension lift spacer for Dodge Ram 1500 trucks solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


An interface circuit for providing asynchronous interrupt service for multiple peripheral devices in accordance with instructions from a host computer includes two dual universal asynchronous receivers-transmitters ("UARTs"), a dual port random-access memory ("RAM") and a microprocessor (".mu.P"). The dual UARTs selectively read data separately from selected peripheral devices and selectively write that data to the dual port RAM for access by the host computer, and read data from the dual port RAM as stored therein by the host computer and write that data to a selected peripheral device, in accordance with addresses from the .mu.P. Following initiation of an interrupt sequence, the dual port RAM allows the host computer to selectively and asynchronously read data (e.g. from a peripheral device via a dual UART) therefrom and write necessary data or instructions (e.g. for the .mu.P or a peripheral device via a dual UART) thereto for the .mu.P to asynchronously provide interrupt service to the peripheral devices. This interface circuit configuration minimizes idle time for the host computer during interrupt servicing by the .mu.P.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer interface circuits, and in particular, to computer interface circuits operating in a control environment and providing asynchronous interrupt service to multiple peripheral devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The types of computer interface circuit designs available, as well as their applications, are virtually unlimited in number. As computers have become more prevalent and their applications more varied, more interface circuit designs have become necessary for providing the appropriate interface between the computers and their operating environments.
A common type of computer interface circuit is designed for operating in a control environment in which interrupt service must be provided for multiple peripheral devices. For example, referring to FIG. 1, a typical design for such an interface circuit 10 includes: read 12 and write 14 buffers; a decoder 16; a parallel input-output controller ("PIO") 18; a dual universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter ("UART") 20; a microprocessor (".mu.P") 22; a read-only memory ("ROM") 24; and a random-access memory ("RAM") 26, substantially as shown.
Incoming data from the data bus of a host computer (not shown) is captured and held by the write buffer 14. This data is then transferred via the PIO 18, under control of the .mu.P 22, to the RAM 26 for temporary storage before subsequently being transferred to a peripheral device (not shown) via the dual UART 20. Data coming from a peripheral device via the dual UART 20 is stored in the RAM 26, and then, under control of the .mu.P 22, is transferred to the data bus of the host computer via the PIO 18 and read buffer 12. The read 12 and write 14 buffers are appropriately enabled or disabled by the decoder 16, which is controlled by the host computer via its address bus.
A problem with this conventional interface circuit design involves the need for and use of the read 12 and write 14 buffers, the PIO 18 and RAM 26. This configuration produces a data bottleneck which excessively "loads down" the host computer, i.e. with respect to the host computer's involvement time with the operation of the interface circuit 10. Particularly where the interface circuit 10 is used for servicing interrupts for the peripheral devices, this configuration results in the host computer standing by in a wait, or idle, mode while the .mu.P 22 transfers data for servicing the interrupt. Virtually all data communication between the host computer and the interface circuit 10 (e.g. the .mu.P 22) uses the PIO 18. Thus, while the .mu.P 22 is retrieving data from the write buffer 14 via the PIO 18 and storing it in the RAM 26, or retrieving data from the RAM 26 for transfer to the read buffer 12 via the PIO 18, the host computer must wait.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a computer interface circuit for operating in a control environment for servicing interrupts for peripheral devices, wherein such interface functions can be performed asynchronously with respect to the operation of the host computer, and with minimal interaction time required on the part of the host computer.


Coupled multi-inductors and their applications. An apparatus includes several circuit stages. Each circuit stage includes an inductive element that overlaps with the inductive elements of its adjacent circuit stages, forming a loop of coupled circuit stages. The apparatus may be, for example, a multi-phase oscillator with multiple oscillators that are magnetically coupled to each other for generating oscillation signals at different phases. The apparatus may also be, for example, a phase interpolator for combining input signals.

The present disclosure relates to coupled multi-inductors and their applications.
Multiphase clocking schemes are ubiquitous in radio frequency and high speed systems. In systems that use multi-phase clocking, multiple clock signals are generated such that each clock signal has a predictable relative phase offset from the other clock signals. Multiple clock signals with certain phase relations can be generated by multiple oscillators. One type of multi-phase clocking is quadrature clocking in which the clock signals are ninety degrees out-of-phase with each other. Improving the frequency and phase accuracy as well as the stability of such signals can be important for increasing system performance and efficiency

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electronic circuits using coupled multi-inductors


This invention presents a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive corrosion inhibitor comprises extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In one embodiment, the invention presents a novel EPS corrosion inhibitor using waste activated sludge (WAS). In this embodiment, WAS is heated to release EPS from the microbial mixture.

Corrosion is a wide-spread problem in various regions and numerous industries. Many metals and metal alloys are susceptible to corrosion. For example, in the oil and gas industry, pipes, connectors, tanks, boilers, and other important equipment are often exposed to corrosive substances. Corrosion compromises safety and can costs billions of dollars in repairs and equipment replacements. Corrosion can also contribute to environmental problems and contamination. Accordingly, corrosion prevention is a critical part of many industries, including the oil and gas industry.
A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound that, when added to certain liquids or gas mixtures, decreases the corrosion rate of a material, typically a metal or metal alloy. Corrosion inhibitors allow less expensive metals to be used in corrosive environments. There are various types of corrosion inhibitors including: anodic inhibitors, cathodic inhibitors, mixed inhibitors, and volatile corrosion inhibitors.
Described herein is a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of natural polymers of high molecular weight are used as the anticorrosive product. Sodium chloride saturated with carbon dioxide are added to the test solution to simulate a corrosive environment encountered during, for instance, oil field applications. The invention presents a novel anticorrosive product tested and proved using potentiodynamic polarization.


The invention relates to an acoustic probe for treating cancerous tissue, for introduction into a natural or surgically created cavity in the patient, in close proximity to a tissue area which includes cancerous cells. The probe includes an acoustic transmitter arranged for transmitting an acoustic signal having characteristics which causes damage of said cancerous cells and means for administering chemotherapeutic substances. The invention further relates to a corresponding method and a system for treating cancerous tissue. The use of the invention may be combined with the use of encapsulated cytostatica within micelles or therapeutic molecules.

Traditional treatment of cancer has been combinations of medicine (surgery), radiation and biochemical processes. In this context a major problem has been to differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells, that cancer cells have developed resistance against chemotherapy, in combination with critical location of tumours and/or metastases. An approach that has previously not been systematically used in the treatment of cancer is to utilise the differences in biophysical properties to selectively attack and destroy cancer cells, specifically by:                External mechanical stress and strain        Inducing apoptosis and/or necrosis        Traditional methods of treatment like chemotherapy/antioxidants in synergy with the use of acoustics        Combinations of the above stated procedures
Related to externally induced mechanical stress, any body or systems of bodies, both physical and biological, has or can oscillate at various natural frequencies. Based on the significant differences in internal and external structure between cancer and normal cells, there are qualified reasons to believe that the mechanical resonance frequencies of normal cells and the equivalent for cancer cells are quite different.
A methodology for the application of resonance frequencies was first introduced in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,514.
Apoptosis is a mechanism by which cells are programmed to die under a wide range of physiological, biochemical and developmental stimuli. From the perspective of cancer, apoptosis is both a mechanism which suppresses tumour genesis and is a predominant pathway in antineoplastic therapy. Many cancer cells circumvent the normal apoptotic mechanisms to prevent their self-destruction because of the many mutations they harbour. Thus, disarming apoptosis and other surveillance mechanisms is of fundamental significance in allowing the development of the malignant and metastatic phenotype of a cancer cell.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,882 describes a methodology for the treatment of cancer by inducing apoptosis with the use of ultrasonic energy.
The combination of ultrasound and chemotherapy are discussed in U.S. App. No. 20010007666 and U.S. App. Ser. No. 20010002251, which provide methodologies for the combination of various substances with ultrasonic sound for selective cell destruction.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,714 describes a method for enhancing the action of anti-cancer agents with the combination of ultrasound.
Scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis of selective cell destruction by the combination of chemicals and ultrasound are provided in the literature. Wörle, Steinbach, Hofstädter (1994) [Cancer January;69(1)] studied the combined effects of high-energy shock waves and cytostatic drugs or cytokines on human bladder cancer cells. Maruyama et. al. (1999) [Anticancer Res May–June;19(3A)] studied the application of high energy shock waves to cancer treatment in combination with cisplatin and ATX-70 both in vitro and in vivo. Kato et. al. (2000) [Jpn J Cancer Res October;91(10)] investigated the mechanism of anti-tumour effect by the combination of bleomycin and shock waves. In this study they evaluated the synergistic effects on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis in solid tumours.
The most compelling evidence of the effects of anti-cancer agents in combination with low-frequency ultrasound is provided by Nelson et. al. (2002) [Cancer Res December 15;62(24):7280–3]. They developed a novel drug delivery system that released drug from stabilized micelles upon application of low-frequency ultrasound and demonstrated efficacy using doxorubicin (Dox) to treat tumours in vivo. Forty-two BDIX rats were inoculated in each hind leg with a DHD/K12/TRb tumour cell line. Dox was encapsulated within stabilized Pluronic micelles and administered weekly i.v. to the rats starting 6 weeks after the tumour inoculations. One of the two tumours was exposed to low-frequency ultrasound for 1 h. Dox concentrations of 1.33, 2.67, and 8 mg/kg and ultrasound frequencies of 20 and 70 kHz were used for treatment. Application of low-frequency ultrasound (both 20 and 70 kHz) significantly reduced the tumor size when compared with noninsonated controls (P=0.0062) in the other leg for rats receiving encapsulated Dox. Significant tumour reduction was also noted for those rats receiving ultrasound and encapsulated Dox at 2.67 mg/kg (P=0.017) and rats receiving Dox and ultrasound at 70 kHz (P=0.029). They postulate that ultrasound releases the Dox from the micelles as they enter the insonated volume, and ultrasound could also assist the drug and/or carriers to extravasate and enter the tumour cells.
There may be a desire to bypass certain tissue or omitting the exposuring of specific organs, to locate or gain excess to, and/or target specific organs or cancerous tissue, or to treat tumours or metastatic tissue within or adjacent to body (air filled) cavities, with or without locally administered encapsulated cytostatica. In this respect a need for an endoscopic device for the (partial) treatment of cancer or cancerous tissue or organs with the use of acoustics is apparent.
Experiments
To provide evidence of selective cell destruction by acoustics, research were conducted with the use of balb/c nude mice with WiDr tumours transplanted on the right leg.
The aim of the experiments was to establish relevant frequencies where selective energy absorption occurred in malign tissue, and to conduct treatment at such frequencies on malign tumours.
With the use of an experimental set up as described in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3a, mice were placed in a cylindrical holder with one leg inserted into non-degassed water. Submerged hydrophones were placed on each side of the leg, with an acoustic transmitter located at one end of the tank.
To establish relevant frequencies where selective energy (pressure) absorption could be apparent, a spectroscopy study on five mice over a relatively wide frequency range was conducted. One mouse drowned during the experiments; causing the experiments to be finalized with four animals. The frequency range for the spectroscopy phase was from 9 kHz to 206 kHz, stepwise recording, based on the following frequency intervals:
TABLE 1Interval for stepwise recording.Range (kHz)Δf 8–25127–51254–753 79–1034108–1285134–1646171–2067Relevant data for the mice which were subjected to spectroscopy are provided in table 2. All numbers are in mm.
TABLE 2Relevant data for the mice subjected to spectroscopy.lbhdD1D2D310.24.95.42.619.24.621.49.05.87.22.516.24.9220.127.116.11.52.625.04.125.510.66.15.32.823.65.022.9l = length of tumourb = width of tumourh = thickness of tumour including legd = diameter (thickness) of legD1 = Distance from holder to lower end of tumourD2 = Distance from lower end of tumour to toe tipD3 = Distance from holder to toe tip (healthy leg)
With continuous emission, voltage set at 70 V, exposure time 15 seconds at each frequency and ambient water temperature approx. 28.5 degrees C., Δp were measured over the leg with and without tumour (right leg vs. left leg) as a function of frequency.
As discussed in the chapter to follow concerning attenuation, the impedance of biological matter is inversely related to the water content of the material in question. Based on this analysis, the pressure drop for the healthy legs were expected to be larger than for legs with tumours. The experimental data were in accordance with this hypothesis.
Due to individual developments of the various tumours, their location on the legs varied. This again caused the proportion of the total leg which were submerged to vary for the different mice. To compensate for these effects, the pressure decrease over the legs were related to the length of the submerged leg.
FIG. 4 provides a graph of Δp divided by length of the submerged leg for the legs with tumours minus the equivalent for healthy legs.
Data showed significant selective (pressure) absorption at 27, 45, 72 and 91, all kHz, and to some extent 14 kHz.
Based on the results from the analysis of the spectroscopy data, actual treatment were conducted by the use of the following frequencies; 27 (group of 6 mice), 45 (group of 5 mice) and 91 (group of 6 mice), all kHz. Emission was continuous, voltage set at 80 V, exposure time 10 minutes, ambient water temperature approx. 28.5 degrees C.
An additional experiment on a group of 5 animals, exposed at 45 kHz for 10 minutes was conducted, but with pulsed emission. The pulse length was 2.22 ms, repetition rate 100 Hz, amplitude 20 V, voltage (peak to peak) 200 V. After the experiments, length (l), width (w) and height (h) of the tumours were measured every second day (one period), where the time of treatment is defined as period 0.
The volume of the tumours were calculated by the formula (l×w×h)π/6 (ellipsoidal approximation).
Due to the aggressive nature of the WiDr tumours, we had to start to eliminate mice after three periods.
TABLE 3aVariance analysis versus control-experiments one.GroupEst. αpEst. βp144.000.2287−34.79<0.00012−3.180.9159−6.440.3446343.790.2648−18.790.0592636.280.2908−29.350.0002
TABLE 3bActual model for the various treatment categories-experiments one.GroupEst. αpEst. βp193.490.003820.440.0027246.310.008748.79<0.0001393.290.007436.440.0041685.770.003625.880.0034Control49.490.175455.240.0005
Based on the data in FIG. 5a, a variance analysis was performed. The various groups were firstly analysed versus the control group, and secondly against itself. The data were analysed based on the equation:(Volume)group=α+β(treatment)group*(time)  (1)
As seen from table 3a, groups 1 (27 kHz) and 6 (45 kHz pulsed) provided significance against the control group.
Table 3b represents actual fits for the various groups.
Thermocouples were applied into the tumours for both spectroscopy and treatment, but no significant temperature increase (ΔT<0.1° C.) was apparent.
Due to significant wavelengths at these frequencies (5.6 cm at 27 kHz and 1.6 cm at 91 kHz), the problem of standing waves, and distance from the source (emitter) to the tumour is of great significance.
Total acoustic energy which was emitted was in the range of 3 W. Intensity at the source was 0.01 W/cm2, based on an area of the sphere of 277.6 cm2.
A second set of experiments were conducted with a slightly different set up, ref. FIG. 3b, with same type of mice, cancer line and tumour location.
The various treatment groups were:
Group 1
9 animals, f=27 kHz, applied voltage to the power amplifier=350 V peak to peak, I=2.2 A, exposure time=15 min.
Group 2
9 animals, f=91–95 kHz, Δf=1 kHz, applied voltage to the power amplifier=350 V peak to peak, I=1.1–1.4 A, exposure time=3 min. at each frequency.
Group 3
9 animals, f=31–35 kHz, Δf=1 kHz, applied voltage to the power amplifier=300 V peak to peak, I=2.6 A, exposure time=3 min. at each frequency.
Group 5
9 animals, f=13–17 kHz, Δf=1 kHz, applied voltage to the power amplifier=300 V peak to peak, I=0.5 A, exposure time=3 min. at each frequency.
Control, 16 animals.
Equivalent to experiment one, and based on the data in FIG. 5b, a variance analysis was performed. The various groups were firstly analysed versus the control group, and secondly against itself. The data were analysed based on the equation:(Volume)group=α+β1(treatment)group*(time)+β2(treatment)group*(time)^2  (2)
As seen from table 3c, group 1 (27 kHz) was the only group that provided significance against the control group.
Table 3d represents actual fits for the various groups.
TABLE 3cVariance analysis versus control-experiments two.GroupEst. αpEst. β1pEst. β2p1−66.390.050628.470.0114−4.330.00082−12.200.75267.570.5259−0.550.67723−10.420.79596.880.6443−1.190.47845−26.130.617915.670.2223−2.000.1431
TABLE 3dActual model for the various treatment categories-experiments two.GroupEst. αpEst. β1pEst. β2p14.580.812015.690.04152.450.0086258.780.0541−5.190.54966.23<0.0001360.550.0568−5.890.63705.580.0015544.850.33402.900.76614.780.0019Control70.980.0148−12.770.13136.78<0.0001
There are problems with acoustic impedance related to air, and subsequently the boundary layers between or within tissue or organs and air. In this respect the issue of tumours, metastases or cancerous tissue related to body cavities, or air within organs has to be addressed.
As mentioned, an answer to these challenges may be acoustic endoscopic procedures, devices and system, with or without the use of chemotherapeutic substances, which may or may not be encapsulated within therapeutic molecules. In the analysis to follow, we set the scene by firstly discussing the topic of attenuation. This is followed by a general discussion related to endoscopy and ultrasonic probes in particular, before new endoscopic techniques, apparatuses, method and system related to cancer treatment, are outlined.
Attenuation
The concept attenuation describes the total reduction in intensity (I) of an acoustic beam which propagates in a defined direction (x) within a medium.
Attenuation has its background in;                Absorption of energy in the medium        Deflection of energy due to reflection, refraction, diffraction and scatter.
Absorption involves the transition of acoustic energy into a different energy form (heat). Reflection, refraction, diffraction and scatter causes the sound to transmit in different directions than the direction of propagation. While absorption is dependent on the state of the medium, deflection is both dependent on geometry and physical properties of the object. Reflection and refraction may occur at the boundary layer between regions with different impedance. In this context are the particle pressure, p, the particle velocity, v, related by the expression;p=ρcv  (3)where
ρ=density of the matter
c=speed of sound in the material
The expression p/v=Z=ρc, is called the characteristic impedance.
Diffraction may occur by a barrier or obstruction in the direction of propagation. Scatter is due to the structure of the material.
For a sound wave which propagates in x-direction in a specific type of tissue, the incremental intensity loss δI will be proportional with the intensity, I, and δx.
Subsequently we obtain;I(x)=I0e−μ(f)x  (4)where
I(x)=intensity at tissue depth x
I0=initial intensity
μ(f)=intensity absorption coefficient
Assuming that Attenuationabsorption>>Attenuationdeflection such that any deflection effects are neglected in the calculations to follow.
Attenuation is measured in neper (Np) or decibel (dB). It can be shown that 1 Np=8.886 dB.
μ (f) has subsequently the notation Np per unit of length (cm).
μ(f) relates to frequency by the expression;μ(f)=A(f/f1)m  (5)Combining equation (4) with the expression λ=c/f1, one obtains the absorption coefficient per unit of wave length;μλ=A(cfm−1)/f1m  (6)For soft tissue μ varies with frequency raised in the power of one, while for e.g. water it varies with the power of two.
By assuming m=1, equation (5) indicates that μλ can be independent of frequency.
FIG. 6 shows absorption, defined as α/f, where α=μ/2, as a function of frequency for various types of biological matter. Absorption for the different organs is to a large degree independent of frequency over large frequency ranges. For water it is apparent that attenuation effects first occur at significantly high frequencies (+5 MHz), and that a strong functional relationship to actual frequency is apparent at these frequencies.
Based on table (4) and equation (4) one can calculate the intensity absorption coefficients for various types of matter or tissue.
By studying table 4, it is clear that the absorption coefficient reduces with increasing water content of the tissue.
TABLE 4Parameters to calculate intensity absorption coefficients forvariuos types of tissue/matter. Basis forf1 = 1 MHz.Source: Duck (1990) ["Physical Properties of Tissue",Academic Press, San Diego], Vlieger et. al. (1977)["Handbook of Clinical Ultrasound", John Wiley &Sons, New York].Type of tissue/matterA(Np/cm)mCranium2.31.7Muscle, human0.661.0along the fibersMuscle, human0.261.0normal to the fibersFat, human, stomach0.14–1.2(0.4)–1.4Blood0.0461.3Water0.000462.0Air (STP)2.32.0
In table 5 we have calculated the intensity loss at tissue debts of 0.5 cm and 0.25 cm for muscle mass with wave front both along and normal to the fibers at 100 kHz, 50 kHz, 25 kHz and 10 kHz.
As seen from the table, an absorption rate equivalent to 3.3% is evident at 100 kHz, tissue debt of 0.5 cm and wave front along the fibers. This is reduced to 0.1% at 10 kHz, tissue debt of 0.25 cm and wave front normal to the muscle fibers.
TABLE 5Intensity loss at tissue debts of 0.5 cm and 0.25 cm forhuman muscle tissue with wave front along and normalto the muscle fibers.100 kHz50 kHz25 kHz10 kHzI(0.5 cm)/I0Along the fibers0.9670.9830.9910.996Normal to the fibers0.9870.9930.9960.998I(0.25 cm)/I0Along the fibers0.9830.9910.9950.998Normal to the fibers0.9930.9960.9980.999
The above stated theoretical analysis, which indicates low intensity losses due to absorption for the frequencies in question, supports the empirical findings of the lack of temperature increase, even though there are additional complicating factors like conductivity to ambient water, heat transfer due to blood supply etc.
Also, the reversed effect may be apparent, that the acoustic energy may be trapped within a body, due to its insulation by air.
Endoscopy in General
Endoscopy is a well established medical procedure for both diagnosis and treatment within body cavities. The procedure uses a flexible lighted tube with a lens or video camera on the end, with the additional possibility of an instrument channel for the use of tools to cut, burn, apply various needles, and the like. If a camera is used it is connected to a display unit for viewing.
For upper endoscopy the tube is passed through the mouth to view the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the bowel.
A colonoscope is a type of endoscope that is inserted through the anus, the rectum and into the colon. Colonoscopy allows the therapist to see the lining of the entire colon.
The combination of the ultrasound probe and an endoscope have led to the development of echoendoscopes. Endoscopic ultrasound combines an ultrasound processor on the tip of an endoscope, allowing for improved ultrasound imaging of the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal organs adjacent to it. These instruments allow for the examination of both the lining of the digestive tract with the endoscope, in addition to the wall of the tract and its surrounding structures such as the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and lymph nodes.
It is also possible to study the flow of blood in vessels by Doppler ultrasound. Also, to pass a small needle down the endoscope and direct it, under ultrasound guidance, into structures within or adjacent to the digestive tract, such as lymph nodes or suspicious tissue, can be performed. In this way, tissue can be aspirated for analysis by a pathologist. This technique is known as fine needle aspiration (FNA).
Small flexible catheters have been developed that can be passed through a regular endoscope. They are referred to as "miniprobes" or "catheter probes". They provide high frequency ultrasound images, often in the 12–30 MHz range, while standard diagnostic ultrasound are performed in the 3 MHz–8 MHz range, which allow for very detailed images of e.g. the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
Echoendoscope procedures can provide a variety of information. It is primarily used to detect suspected cancers or to evaluate how far a previously diagnosed cancer has spread in order to determine the appropriate therapy. Echoendoscopy is also used to stage cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and rectum. Spread to adjacent lymph nodes and blood vessels can be determined by the imaging and fine-needle aspiration capabilities of echoendoscope. Echoeindoscope gives partial, but incomplete, information regarding the spread of these tumours to adjacent organs due to its limited depth of penetration. However, imaging enhancements may allow for greater evaluation of adjacent organs.
More recent applications have been to evaluate patients with fecal incontinence. stage lung cancers, and to evaluate for clots in the vessels of the abdomen with the use of Doppler.
If a fluid collection is seen, it can be suctioned through the scope and the fluid sent for analysis. Occasionally, if there is a cyst that needs drainage, a cyst-gastrostomy or a cyst-duodenostomy may be performed, by placing a stent through the stomach or small bowel into the cyst.
For patients with pancreatic cancer and severe pain, a celiac-plexus blockade can be performed in which medications will be injected into the nerves responsible for transmitting this pain. This can lessen the pain in these patients for a period of up to several months.
Further Prior Art
Ultrasonic probes which can be introduced into a body are well known. E.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,446 describes a probe tube which an ultrasonic array is disposed. The primary aim of the device is the employment for bladder endoscopy of male patients. The system comprises an optical insert and an ultrasonic array which are disposed in two layers radially offset and also offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the tube.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,142 describes an endoscopic ultrasound probe which has a rotatable transducer array for obtaining two-dimensional cross-sectional images of a subject along a variety of scan planes. The probe also has a take-up mechanism comprising a flexible cable assembly which is electrically connected to an array for remote ultrasound imaging system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,104 is quite similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,142, but it represents an endoscopic ultrasound probe specifically for use in transesophageal echo cardiography comprising a rotatable ultrasound transducer array for obtaining two-dimensional cross-sectional images. Among other related technologies. U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,968 describes an endoscopic imaging system for viewing an object within a patient's body cavity including an endoscope for viewing an image of the object. The endoscope comprising a distal end, an instrument channel, and a probe to determine the size of an object. U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,712 comprises a video endoscopic probe which has a distal terminal, utilizing an objective, a colour CCD (charge-couple device) sensor, and an electrical interface microcircuit. The probe utilizes a continuous bundle of optical fibers which is coupled to a light source.
Objects and Summary of the Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a probe, a method and a system for treating cancer in a patient, preferably a human, alternatively an animal patient.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a probe, a method and a system for destroying tumours or cancerous cells and tissue, with or without the combination of encapsulated cytostatica.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a probe, a method and a system for treating cancerous tissue, which is less detrimental to the patient than prior art methods.
Further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the above background of the invention in conjunction with the following detailed description of the invention.
The objects stated above, as well as further advantages and favorable results, are achieved by means of a probe, a method and a system as set forth in the appended set of claims.


A computer-implemented image analysis process, including: accessing image data representing an image including an animal object representing an animal; selecting one more start points on a boundary of the animal object using an intensity gradient of the image; and generating boundary data, representing at least a portion of the boundary, starting at each of the selected one or more start points, using the intensity gradient.

In livestock farming, it is important to monitor regularly the weight of living (or in vivo) domesticated animals e.g., pigs, etc., to give an indication of the animals' rate of growth. An animal's growth rate is important as it can determine the profitability of a farming enterprise, especially where meat production is concerned. The weight and health of the livestock can also be related back to the size, shape and condition of the animal. The study of the relationship between shape and weight is referred to as allometry.
Traditionally, weighing livestock is performed manually on-farm using mechanical or electronic scales. This practice is very labour intensive, time consuming and potentially dangerous. Furthermore, the procedures associated with manual weighing are stressful for the animals and the stockmen involved. Computer systems can be used in some conditions for determining information about animals based on images of the animals. Computer-based image analysis can predict a live animal's weight based on body measurements extracted from an image containing an animal (also referred to as an animal image). These body measurements can then be used to predict the animal's weight.
Existing image analysis systems and methods, have insufficient weight prediction accuracy, image capture reliability, and feature extraction reliability, particularly in farming or livestock-handling environments where lighting can be non-uniform (variable).
Furthermore, existing weight estimation methods can be too slow for high-throughput farming environments where many measurements are required.
It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, e.g., as described above, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Image analysis for making animal measurements


Testing of a service is enabled through extraction of object data from an application interacting with the service. An application is executed on a physical or emulated host device, and assembly code is generated for the executing application. The assembly code is analyzed to identify objects associated with the application, and to identify relationships between the objects. Data stored in member variables of the objects is retrieved by setting analysis points at which to extract member variable data during execution of the application. Based on the object data, relationship data, and retrieved member variable data, transaction data is identified for a transaction between the application and the service. The transaction data may be provided to enable a test device to replay the transaction during load testing or other testing of the service.

With the growing popularity of mobile devices, there is an increasing demand for applications, or apps, to run on such devices. Traditional testing of these apps has incompletely or inaccurately represented actual usage, resulting in incomplete or erroneous testing of these apps.
Certain implementations and embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which various aspects are shown.
However, various aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Application testing through object level code inspection


The present invention provides an improved metal to plastic pipe transition fitting. The transition fitting basically comprises a metal sleeve having a pair of metal pipe sections attached thereto and an annular groove within the interior thereof. A plastic pipe is disposed within the metal sleeve which extends through one of the metal pipe sections. The end of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve includes a plurality of spaced plastic retention rings and a snap ring attached thereto and the snap ring is engaged within the annular groove in the metal sleeve. At least one O-ring is disposed between the retention rings on the plastic pipe and a metal stiffening insert is disposed within the end portion of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved metal to plastic transition fitting which can be utilized in various applications such as a gas meter riser.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of plastic pipe such as polyethylene pipe in gas distribution systems has become commonplace. As a result, there are many instances where plastic pipe must be connected to metal pipe. For example, above ground gas meters are often connected by metal pipe to below ground plastic gas service pipe. The metal pipe and plastic pipe are joined together at a transition fitting. A meter riser is often utilized to extend from below ground to a gas meter above ground. Such meter risers have heretofore been comprised of a metal pipe which connects between the gas meter and a metal to plastic pipe transition fitting. The transition fitting is in turn connected to a double walled riser which is comprised of an outer metal pipe and an inner plastic pipe. The inner plastic pipe extends through and out of the outer metal pipe. The outer metal pipe provides protection to the inner plastic pipe and the plastic pipe is sealed to the metal pipe within the transition fitting. Examples of such meter risers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,715,624 issued to Frye on Dec. 29, 1987 and 5,326,137 issued to Lorenz et al. on Jul. 5, 1994.
Metal to plastic pipe transition fittings utilized as meter risers and in other applications have heretofore been relatively complicated and difficult to assemble. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved metal to plastic pipe transition fitting which is relatively simple to manufacture and assemble and is less costly than comparable prior art transition fittings.


A hair removing device capable of feeding a lotion in association with a hair removing operation. The device has a treatment head that is mounted on a housing and includes a hair removing unit for hair depilation or hair epilation and an applicator for supplying a lotion on a user's skin. Also included in the device is a tank holding the lotion and a lotion supply mechanism for supplying the lotion from the tank to the applicator. The treatment head is formed with an actuator which acknowledges an even of the treatment head coming into an operative condition with the skin and activates a lotion supply mechanism to supply the lotion from the tank to the applicator when such event is acknowledged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a hair removing device with a lotion applicator, and more particularly to the personal hair removing device capable of feeding a lotion for facilitating the hair treatment as well as for making a skin care.
2. Description of the Prior Art
WO98/08661 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-108574 disclose a portable shaver capable of feeding a lotion for facilitating the shaving. The shaver incorporates a pump which is activated by a button or switch to feed the lotion over a user's skin where the shaving is intended. The button or switch is mounted on a shaver housing to be accessibly by a finger of the user grasping the housing, so that the user is required to manipulate the button or the switch each time the lotion feeding is desired. However, it is a normal shaving practice to move the shaver intermittently across the skin, i.e., moving from one portion to another portion of the skin through an action of releasing the shaver once from the skin. Thus, the user has to repeat turning on and ff the pump until finishing the shaving, otherwise the pump would be activated continuously to dispense the liquid wastefully.

Hair removing device with a lotion applicator


A connector is provided for connecting a bathtub tailpipe to a drain pipe. The connector has an inlet end to receive the tailpipe and an outlet end that is mountable to the drain pipe, and has a passage extending therebetween. A seal extends about the passage for slidably engaging the tailpipe in a fluid sealing manner.

The drainage system for an island bathtub is supplied beneath the bath in the floor. Generally, no lateral access is provided necessitating connection of the bathtub to the drain pipe either from above or below the floor. In an existing building, connection from above the floor requires destruction of the existing floor. Destruction creates new challenges including refinishing the floor around a bathtub and providing proper support for the bathtub.
In the construction process for a new building, access from below the floor requires the bathtub be installed prior to finishing the ceiling of the room beneath the bath. This early installation of the bath subjects the bathtub to damage for the duration of the construction process.

Connector for bathtub tailpipe to drain pipe


A remotely-controllable motorized toy vehicle having a highly-maneuverable skid steering system driven by single or dual motors, having a separately motorized lift device pivotally secured to the chassis of the vehicle operative to lift and transport transportable elements, and also having an automatic tow hitch mechanism. The lift and hitching mechanism is coupled to a motorized lift gear train which provides for the sequential actuation of the lift for lifting and transport of the transportable elements and acutation of the hitch mechanism for hitching and unhitching towed vehicles. The vehicle is constructed with a particular wheel track to wheel base ratio providing improved skid steering as well as enhanced manueverability and stability. The mechanisms and gear trains have proper ratios and dimensions providing for the proper sequence of hitch actuation during upward and downward movement of the lift device whereby the hitch is operative only upon extended upward operation of the lift. The remote central control device or station being capable of controlling a plurality of vehicles with control inputs from a plurality of operators.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for pleasurable use by people of all ages with youthful minds in operating remotely controlled vehicles simultaneously in a somewhat confined area. In the system of this invention, the vehicles can be remotely controlled to perform competitive or cooperative tasks. The system includes control pads for operation by the users, vehicles remotely controlled in accordance with the operation of the control pads and a central station for coordinating the operation of the control pads and the vehicles. In addition to the inventive aspects of the system, each of the control pads, the central station and the vehicles includes features of an inventive nature. The system of this invention also includes stationary plants (e.g. power plants and elevators) which are controlled by the operation of the control pads. The invention additionally relates to methods including methods for controlling the operation of the vehicles on a remotely controlled basis.
More specifically, this invention relates to remotely controlled vehicles having inventive features such as toy self-loading dump trucks, trailers, forklifts and bulldozers that can be operated to mimic the operation of similar full-size vehicles by employing highly-maneuverable skid steering, having automatic tow hitch actuation mechanisms and having motorized accessories for scooping up transportable elements, transferring the transportable elements to a hopper, automatically activating the hopper to dump the transportable elements, for gripping, lifting and translating transportable elements, and for pushing transportable elements along a surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of toy systems exist, and have existed for some time, in which vehicles are moved on a remotely controlled basis. Examples of a vehicle in such a system are an automobile, airplane, truck, water vehicle or construction vehicle. In most such systems, however, the functions and activities that the vehicle is capable of are limited to merely maneuvering a vehicle about on the ground, in the air or in the water. Other types of toy systems involve the use of blocks for building structures. These blocks often include structure for providing an interlocking relationship between abutting blocks. In this way, elaborate structures can be created by users with creative minds. However, such structures are generally built by hand manipulation of the blocks or hand manipulation of a mechanism of toy vehicle for handling the blocks.
Experience has proven that there is a desirability, and even a need, for play systems in which vehicles are remotely operated to perform functions other than merely being steered or maneuvered through a path of travel. For example, there exists a desire for a play system in which the remotely controlled vehicles have the capability of transporting elements such as building blocks maneuverable into position to build a toy or other structure. It is desirable that such systems employ a plurality of vehicles remotely controlled by switches in hand-held control pads so that users can compete against one another in performing various tasks such as moving building blocks or marbles.
Co-pending application Ser. No. 08/580,753 filed by John J. Crane on Dec. 29, 1995, for a "Remote Control System for Operating Toys" and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application discloses and claims a play system for use by people of all ages with youthful minds. It provides for a simultaneous control by each player of an individual one of a plurality of remotely controlled vehicles. This control is provided by the operation by each such player of switches in a hand-held unit or pad, the operation of each switch in such hand-held unit or pad providing a control of a different function in the individual one of the remotely controlled vehicles. Each of the remotely controlled vehicles in the system disclosed an claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 can be operated in a competitive relationship with others of the remotely controlled vehicles or in a co-operative relationship with others of the remotely controlled vehicles. The vehicles can be constructed to pick up and transport elements such as blocks or marbles and to deposit such elements at displaced positions.
When manually closed in one embodiment of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753, switches in pads control the selection of toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly, rearwardly, to the left and to the right and moving upwardly and downwardly (and rightwardly and leftwardly) a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles) or blocks.
When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station, each pad in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 sends through wires to the central station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle. Thereafter the switches identifying in such pad the control operations in such selected vehicle can be closed without closing the switches identifying such vehicle.
The first and second signals for each vehicle in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 are transmitted by wireless by the central station to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the first and second binary signals. The vehicle identified by the transmitted address demodulates the modulating signal and operates its motors in accordance with such demodulation. When the station fails to receive signals from a pad for a particular period of time, the vehicle selected by such pad becomes available for selection by another pad and such pad can select that vehicle or another vehicle.
A cable may couple two (2) central stations (one as a master and the other as a slave) in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 so as to increase the number of pads controlling the vehicles. Stationary accessories (e.g. elevator) connected by wires to the central station become operative when selected by the pads.
Co-pending application Ser. No. 08/763,678 filed by William M. Barton, Jr., Peter C. DeAngelis and Paul Eichen on Dec. 11, 1996 for a "System For And Method Of Selectively Providing The Operation Of Toy Vehicles" and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application discloses and claims a system wherein a key in a vehicle socket closes contacts to reset a vehicle microcontroller to a neutral state. Ribs disposed in a particular pattern in the key operate switches in a particular pattern in the vehicle to provide an address for the vehicle with the vehicle inactive but powered. When the vehicle receives such individual address from an individual one of the pads in a plurality within a first particular time period thereafter, the vehicle is operated by commands from such pad. Such individual pad operates such vehicle as long as such vehicle receives commands from such individual pad within the first particular period after the previous command from such individual pad. During this period, the vehicle has a first illumination to indicate that it is being operated.
When the individual pad of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/763,678 fails to provide commands to such vehicle within such first particular time period, the vehicle becomes inactive but powered and provides a second illumination. While inactive but powered, the vehicle can be addressed and subsequently commanded by any pad including the individual pad, which thereafter commands the vehicle. The vehicle becomes de-activated and not illuminated if (a) the vehicle is not selected by any of the pads during a second particular time period after becoming inactivated but powered or, alternatively, (b) all of the vehicles become inactivated but powered and none is selected during the second particular period. The vehicle becomes de-activated and not illuminated. The key can thereafter be actuated to operate the vehicle to the inactive but powered state.
Co-pending application Ser. No. 08/696,263, filed by Peter C. DeAngelis on Aug. 13, 1996 for a "System And Method Of Controlling The Operation Of Toys" and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application discloses and claims a system wherein individual ones of pads remotely control the operation of selective ones of vehicles. In each pad, (a) at least a first control provides for the selection of one of the vehicles, (b) second controls provide for the movement of the selected vehicle and (c) third controls provide for the operation of working members (e.g. pivotable bins) in the selected vehicle. Each pad provides a carrier signal, preferably common with the carrier signals from the other pads. Each pad modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the operation of the pad controls. The first control in each pad provides an address distinctive to the selected one of the vehicles and modulates the carrier signal in accordance with such address.
Each pad of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/696,263 sends the modulated carrier signals to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern, different for each pad, with respect to time. Each vehicle demodulates the carrier signals to recover the address distinctive to such vehicle. Each vehicle then provides a movement of such vehicle and an operation of the working members in such vehicle in accordance with the modulations provided in the carrier signal by the operation of the second and third controls in the pads selecting such vehicle. Each vehicle is controlled by an individual one of the pads for the time period that such pad sends control signals to such vehicle within a particular period of time from the last transmission of such control signals to such vehicle. Thereafter such vehicle can be selected by such pad or by another pad.
What has been needed, and heretofore unavailable, is a toy system including vehicles remotely operated to accomplish tasks such as lifting, scooping, dumping, leveling, pushing and hauling suitably sized materials and towing of trailers carrying such material, or other vehicles, in combination to create a miniature community or industrial environment, thus providing a person having a youthful mind with the opportunity to employ a remotely-controlled system of vehicles and mechanisms to accomplish these tasks and others within a reduced-scale, industrial environment in cooperation or competition with other individuals in a pleasurable manner.

Toy fork lift vehicle with improved steering


Optical apparatus includes a projector, which directs a sequence of pulses of radiation toward a scene so as to form one or more lines of the radiation on the scene. A receiver includes an array of single-photon detectors, which output, in response to the radiation that is incident thereon, signals indicative of a time-of-flight of the pulses from the projector to the receiver via the points in the scene, and collection optics, which form an image the scene on the array, including the one or more lines of the radiation, such that each single-photon detector receives the radiation reflected from a corresponding point in the scene. A processor receives the signals output by the sensing elements, and derives depth coordinates of the points in the scene from both the time-of-flight of the pulses and triangulation of the one or more lines in the image.

Existing and emerging consumer applications have created an increasing need for real-time three-dimensional (3D) imagers. These imaging devices, also commonly known as depth sensors, 3D mappers, or depth mappers, enable the remote measurement of distance (and often intensity) of each point on a target scene—so-called target scene depth—by illuminating the target scene with one or more optical beams and analyzing the reflected optical signal.
A commonly used technique for determining the distance to each point on the target scene involves sending a pulsed optical beam towards the target scene, followed by the measurement of the round-trip time, i.e. time-of-flight, taken by the optical beam as it travels from the source to target scene and back to a detector adjacent to the source.
Another commonly used technique is based on projecting a pattern of structured light onto a scene and capturing an image of the projected pattern. The pattern may comprise, for example, single or multiple spots of light or single or multiple lines of light. The pattern may be either stationary or scanned across the target scene. The distance to each point in the scene is derived from the local displacement of the pattern.

Depth sensor combining line triangulation and time of flight


Non-invasive methods have been developed for the measurement of NO levels in a variety of fluid media, e.g., body fluids. The present invention embraces the use of a semi-permeable vessel wherein said vessel contains an NO reacting substance to trap NO diffusing thereinto, and a simple physical or chemical detection method to measure the levels of the end products. Since NO is a neutral gas molecule, it is capable of diffusing freely across a wide range of biocompatible polymer membranes which exhibit a high permeability to NO and other neutral gas molecules, such as O.sub.2 and CO.sub.2, but which are not permeable to charged molecules, such as NO.sub.3.sup.- or NO.sub.2.sup.-. The latter two compounds are ubiquitously present in body fluids and often interfere with the measurement of NO levels. The permeability of selected membranes to NO, but not to NO.sub.3.sup.- or NO.sub.2.sup.-, makes it possible for the bags employed in the practice of the invention to selectively collect NO, even in the presence of potentially competing species. The simple, easy and non-invasive methods of the invention will find a variety of uses, e.g., for diagnosis and monitoring of NO overproduction (and underproduction) that has been associated with many inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous free radical, was once considered mainly as an environmental pollutant from car exhausts and in city smog and cigarette smoke. This view toward nitric oxide was changed in 1987, the year in which NO was discovered to be produced in humans (see, for example, Ignarro et al., in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 84:9265-69 (1987) and Palmer et al., in Nature, 327:524-26 (1987)). First identified as an endothelium-derived relaxation factor, NO is now recognized as a new kind of cell signaling molecule that regulates the functions of many mammalian cells and tissues.
NO is generated by the enzymatic cleavage of L-arginine, catalyzed by the nitric oxide synthase enzyme (NOS; see, for example, Rodeberg et al., in Am. J. Surg., 170:292-303 (1995), and Bredt and Snyder in Ann. Rev. Biochem., 63:175-95 (1994)). Three different isoforms of NOS have been isolated, cloned, sequenced and expressed, i.e., endothelial cell derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal cell derived nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The eNOS and nNOS isoforms are expressed constitutively, and both enzymes require an increase in intracellular calcium for activation. Under physiological conditions, a low output of NO is continuously produced by the eNOS isoform, which is present in numerous cells, including endothelium and neurons. This low level of nitric oxide is involved in a variety of regulatory processes, e.g., blood vessel homeostasis, neuronal communication and immune system functions.
On the other hand, under pathophysiological conditions, a high output of NO is produced by the inducible, calcium-independent NOS isoform (iNOS), which is expressed in numerous cell types, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages, upon activation with cytokines or endotoxin. These high levels of nitric oxide production (by cytokine-activated macrophages) contribute to, in part, the ability of these cells to kill bacteria or tumor cells and hence play an important role in host defense. However, while excessive NO helps destroy invading microbes, the systemic overproduction of NO by numerous types of cytokine-activated cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages and hepatocytes, may trigger a cascade of events that can result in a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases and conditions, such as tissue injury, shock, multiple organ failure and death. In fact, abnormally elevated levels of nitric oxide have recently been associated with many inflammatory and infectious diseases or conditions, such as, for example, septic shock, over expression of cytokines, diabetes, allograft rejection, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and the like.
Similarly, production of an insufficient amount of nitric oxide is also capable of causing a variety of disease states, such as, for example, neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, post-angioplasty restenosis, impotence, and the like.
Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator (see, for example, Palmer in Arch. Surg., 128:396-401 (1993) and Radomski & Moncada in Thromb. Haemos., 70: 36-41 (1993)). For example, in blood, NO produced by the endothelium diffuses isotropically in all directions into adjacent tissues. As NO diffuses into the vascular smooth muscle, it binds to guanylate cyclase enzyme, which catalyzes the production of cGMP, inducing vasodilation (see, for example, Ignarro, L. J., Ann. Rev. Toxicol. 30:535-560 (1990); Moncada, S., Acta Physiol. Scand., 145:201-227 (1992); and Lowenstein and Snyder, Cell, 70:705-707 (1992)).
The overproduction of nitric oxide causes an extreme drop in blood pressure, resulting in insufficient tissue perfusion and organ failure, syndromes that are associated with many diseases and/or conditions (e.g., septic shock, stroke, over expression of cytokines, allograft rejection, and the like). The overproduction of nitric oxide is triggered by a number of stimuli, such as the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., the overproduction of interleukin-1, interferons, endotoxin, and the like). Additionally, the overproduction of NO has been found to be one of the major side-effects of cytokine therapy (see, for example, Miles et al., in Eur. J. Clin. Invest., 24:287-290 (1994) and Hibbs et al., in J. Clin. Invest., 89:867-877 (1992)). Thus, abnormally elevated nitric oxide levels have been associated with many inflammatory and infectious diseases.
The half-life of NO in vivo is only 3-5 seconds, a short lifetime that makes it very difficult to detect and quantify. Several biophysical techniques have been developed for the measurement of NO levels in aqueous solution. These include chemiluminescence assay (see, for example, Downes et al., Analyst, 101:742-748 (1976)), oxyhemoglobin assay (see, for example, Kelm and Schrader, Cir. Res., 66:1561-1575 (1990)), GC-MS detection (see, for example, Palmer et al., Nature (London), 327:524-526 (1987)), and nitrosyl-hemoglobin formation detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at liquid nitrogen temperature (see, for example, Lancaster et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:1223:1227 (1990)).
Production of NO can also be indirectly detected by measuring its end products, NO.sub.2.sup.- /NO.sub.3.sup.- (see, for example, Palmer et al., supra). None of these techniques in their present form, however, can be used for in vivo detection of NO production. Recently, an invasive electrochemical microsensor to detect NO levels in blood vessels of healthy human volunteers has been described (see, for example, Vallance et al., Lancet, 346:153-154 (1995)).
Dithiocarbamates are a class of low molecular-weight sulphur-containing compounds that are effective chelators (see, for example, Shinobu et al., Acta Pharmacol et Toxicol., 54:189-194 (1984)). For example, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) is used clinically for the treatment of nickel poisoning. Recently, it was found that N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD) chelates with ferrous iron as a two-to-one (MGD).sub.2 --Fe! complex, which in turn interacts strongly with NO, forming a stable and water-soluble complex in aqueous solution, i.e., (MGD).sub.2 --Fe--NO! (see, for example, Lai & Komarov, FEBS Lett., 345:120-124 (1994)). The latter complex gives rise to a sharp three-line spectrum with g.sub.iso =2.04, characteristic of a nitrosyl-Fe-dithiocarbamate complex which can readily be detected by EPR spectroscopy at ambient temperatures. This method of detecting NO in body fluids in real time has recently been described by Lai in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,703.
There is, however, still a need in the art for more rapid, preferably non-invasive methods for the detection of nitric oxide in fluid media such as mammalian body fluids.

Methods for the detection of nitric oxide in fluid media