A biomagnetic measurement technique which can obtain a potential waveform corresponding to a ventricular muscle cell action potential in a non-invasive manner. The biomagnetic measurement apparatus including an operating circuit for magnetometer. The output data of the operating circuit for the magnetometer is collected and a current vector at time t is calculated. Further, an absolute value Ixy of the current vector, a potential waveform V (t) in time corresponding to depolarization of a heart from the absolute value of the current vector, and a potential waveform V (t) in a refractory period of the heart to a period corresponding to repolarization from the absolute value of the current vector are calculated.

The present invention relates to a biomagnetic measurement technique detecting a very weak magnetic field such as a magnetocardiogram and a magnetoencephalogram using an SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) magnetometer as a superconducting device.
An action potential occurs by excitation of a ventricular muscle to produce a very weak electric current in the ventricular muscle in appearance. Along with the electric current, a very weak magnetic field is produced outside a living body. The very weak magnetic field from a heart (hereinafter, abbreviated as a "magnetocardiogram") is measured using a highly sensitive magnetic sensor called a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The magnetocardiogram is less affected by the conductivity of a living body, which is hard to be subject to waveform distortion. From the measurement result of the magnetocardiogram, an attempt to image an electric current activity on the surface of a ventricular muscle has been made.
In the attempt to image an electric current activity, there is proposed a method for calculating Ix=dBz/dy and Iy=−dBz/dx from a magnetic field (Bz) of a vertical (z) element to the surface of a living body to reconstruct a distribution of imaginary current vectors I=(Ix, Iy) (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-248821).
As an ischemic area identification method, there is proposed a method for calculating the total of absolute values of the imaginary current vectors I in a predetermined period (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-305019 and 11-151221). An ischemic area is estimated by mapping of the total value in the predetermined period.
As an invasive method for directly measuring a ventricular muscle action potential, there is catheter mapping. The catheter mapping is a method for directly contacting a catheter having at its edge a plurality of potential measurement electrodes with the inner surface of a heart to measure a ventricular muscle action potential.


An apparatus and method for determining an optimum modulation scheme and code rate in a communication system using a variable transmission scheme. In a transmitter included in the communication system, an encoder encodes an encoder packet (EP) and a plurality of modulators having different modulation orders modulate sub-packets being codewords output from the encoder. A selector selects one of the modulators by comparing an MPR (Modulation order Product code Rate) being a ratio of an EP size to a number of payload modulation symbols, and comparing the MPR with a threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a communication system using a variable transmission scheme, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for determining an optimum modulation scheme and code rate in a given environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although a typical communication system adopts a fixed transmission scheme for data transmission, communication technology has been developed to transmit data in a variable transmission scheme. For example, a future generation mobile communication system developed by the 3GPP2 (the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2) adopts a variable transmission scheme.
Thee L3QS (Lucent technology co., LSI co., LG electronics and Qualcomm co., Samsung electronics co.) framework proposal contributed to the 3GPP2 TSG-C WG5 in June 2000 for standardization of 1× EV-DV (1× Evolution-Data and Voice) developed by the 3GPP2 has provided a synopsis of data rates with respect to six EP (Encoder Packet) sizes (i.e., 384, 768, 1536, 2304, 3072, and 3840 bits) in six tables. These data rate tables are designed to increase channel transmission efficiency by supporting a variety of packets transmitted at each instant. An EP is a packet input to an encoder. It is necessary to select an appropriate EP size among the six EP sizes according to channel condition, data backlog (i.e., the status of buffers having data received from a higher layer), and the number of available Walsh codes (NAWC). One of the significant factors for EP size selection is selection of a modulation scheme. For packets with the same EP size, different modulation schemes and different code rates of an error correction code may be applied depending on their transmission durations and NAWC.
Each of the data rate tables lists 69 to 111 different modulation and code rate combinations according to the number of available Walsh codes (NAWC) and the number of slots per sub-packet. For example, if EP size=384, NAWC=28, and NOS (Number Of Slots)=8, then a modulation order=2 (QPSK) and a code rate=0.017857. If EP size=384, NAWC=27, and NOS=8, then a modulation order=2 (QPSK) and a code rate=0.037037. Therefore, it is very important to select an optimum modulation scheme and code rate in a given environment in a communication system using a variable transmission scheme in time.

Apparatus and method for determining a modulation scheme in a communication system


A system of interactive health status assessment comprises a dialogue database including a plurality of health status assessment questions presented by a data output interface; a multimodal data input interface is configured to receive a response information; an identification module is configured to determine the type of the response information; a semantic interpretation module is configured to extract a keyword from the text-type response information; a health status assessment module is configured to generate a first assessment result according to the numeric-type response information, a second assessment result is generated according to the keyword, and an outputted assessment report is generated according to the assessment results; and a control module is configured to selectively notify the health status assessment module to output the assessment report or select another health status assessment question from a follow-up item of the selected health status assessment question.

The arrival of an aging society has made the long-term care of the elderly people one of the most concerned issues in modern society and families. On the other hand, under the rapid development of interaction between robots and artificial intelligence, the homecare services that can be provided are more and more diversified. For example, robots with health care and companionship function can help people to care for elders at home or elders living alone. Technologize care work can ease the pressure of the shortage of long-term care givers. In medical care situations, robots can assist healthcare professionals in repetitive health education, allowing medical staff to focus on individual care needed for patients to improve medical quality.
However, existing systems that combine artificial intelligence technology and health care lack an interactive mechanism with the object being cared for. We communicate using words, a form of unstructured data. If the software of above system lacks the design of deep semantic understanding, it can only rely on experiences on similar things or similar users to assist in judging. Thus, said system usually fails to provide smarter health status assessment results based on current user preferences, causality and context, and is often difficult to accurately detect the user's intention when interacting with the user.

Method of an interactive health status assessment and system thereof


A slide assembly is provided including a first slide segment, a reinforcing member and an overmold shell. The first slide segment defines a first sliding surface and a second sliding surfaces. The overmold shell is molded around at least a portion of the reinforcing member to form a second slide segment with a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface. The first slide segment and the second slide segment positioned such that the first sliding surface of the second slide segment is slidable along the first sliding surface of the first slide segment and the second sliding surface of the second slide segment slidable along the second sliding surface of the first slide segment to control the sliding of the first slide segment and the second slide segment relative to one another.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of slide mechanisms and, in particular, to friction slide mechanisms.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various available slide assemblies are used for mounting drawers and other loads to provide ease of longitudinal motion of the load in a generally horizontal plane. The primary performance criteria for slides is the amount of vertical and horizontal play, the consistency of the force and the maximum force required to operate the slide, strength and durability. The other major consideration is cost.
While some low end slides are manufactured from plastic, strength and durability requirements typically necessitate that the slide segments or rails be manufactured from metal.
There are three standard types of slide assemblies: a ball bearing slide; a roller slide; and a friction slide. A ball bearing slide utilizes slide segments or rails separated by ball bearings which are maintained in alignment by ball retainers and bridges. In most environments, the ball bearing slide provides for the smoothest travel, although at the greatest cost. The roller slide utilizes a pair of segments, each of which includes a roller and a track for receiving a roller from the mating slide segment. While not as smooth or as durable as the ball bearing slide mechanism, the roller slide is less expensive than the ball bearing slide. The friction slide is the least expensive but least smooth of the slide mechanisms, and generally comprises two slide segments or rails which slide directly against one another. Undesirably, this arrangement results in jerky movement and substantial wear on the slide mechanism. While efforts have been made to overcome this drawback by spraying a carbon coating on the mating slide segments, the carbon coating tends to quickly wear off and pieces of the carbon coating tend to flake off and into the working environment of the slide. Typically, the carbon coating will have a thickness of no more than about 0.002 inches. While the quality slides are occasionally manufactured from plastic, plastic provides insufficient strength to support all but the lightest load.
In certain working environments, such as a slide for a table saw, a very smooth and precise slide mechanism may be desired, yet a constant presence of sawdust tends to interfere With the working of the slide mechanism. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved slide mechanism which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, preferably at a relatively low cost.

Friction slide rail assembly with overmold bearing shell


An electronic transaction verification system comprising a client subsystem, a merchant subsystem, and a transaction verification subsystem. The transaction verification subsystem receives a quantum payment serial number from the client subsystem and performs entangled quantum encryption on the received quantum payment serial number to generate an entangled quantum payment serial number. The verification subsystem encrypts the entangled quantum payment serial number and transmits the encrypted entangled quantum payment serial number to the merchant subsystem. The transaction verification subsystem also transmits the entangled quantum payment serial number to the client subsystem.

Securely transferring data and information across a network poses several technical challenges. Networks are susceptible to attacks by unauthorized users trying to gain access to sensitive information being communicated across the network. Unauthorized access to a network may compromise the security of the data and information being communicated across the network.
Furthermore, one or both parties to an electronic transaction may dispute some portion of the transaction. For example, a first party may claim that a second party has not completed the electronic transaction, or the second party may claim that the first party has not fulfilled its end of the transaction. Accordingly, both encryption and authentication are important for electronic transactions.

Three party authentication using quantum key distribution


A semiconductor device including a bilayer charge storing layer and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the method includes: (i) forming a first layer of the bilayer charge storing layer; and (ii) forming a second layer formed on a surface of the first layer, the second layer including an oxynitride charge trapping layer. Preferably, the first layer includes a substantially trap free oxynitride layer. More preferably, the oxynitride charge trapping layer includes a significantly higher stoichiometric composition of silicon than that of the first layer. In certain embodiments, the oxynitride charge trapping layer has a concentration of carbon selected to increase the number of traps therein. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Non-volatile semiconductor memories, such as a split gate flash memory, typically use a stacked floating gate type field effect transistors, in which electrons are induced into a floating gate of a memory cell to be programmed by biasing a control gate and grounding a body region of a substrate on which the memory cell is formed.
In particular, transistors used in semiconductor memories typically have an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) or silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) stack between the floating gate and control gate in which a single, homogenous nitride or oxynitride layer is used as either a charge storing or retention layer of the memory.
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an intermediate structure for a semiconductor device 100 comprising a SONOS gate stack or structure 102 including a conventional ONO stack 104 formed over a surface 106 of a silicon substrate 108 according to a conventional method. In addition, the device 100 typically further includes one or more diffusion regions 110, such as source and drain regions, aligned to the gate stack and separated by a channel region 112. Briefly, the SONOS structure 102 includes a poly-silicon (poly) gate layer 114 formed upon and in contact with the ONO stack 104. The poly gate 114 is separated or electrically isolated from the substrate 108 by the ONO stack 104. The ONO stack 104 generally includes a lower oxide layer 116, a nitride or oxynitride layer 118 which serves as a charge storing or memory layer for the device 100, and a top, high-temperature oxide (HTO) layer 120 overlying the nitride or oxynitride layer.
One problem with conventional ONO and SONOS structures 102 and methods of forming the same is the single, homogenous nitride or oxynitride layer 118 that is used as a charge retention or memory layer, and which can have poor or decreasing data retention over time, limiting the device 100 lifetime and/or its use in several applications due to leakage current through the layer. Referring to FIG. 2A, if the memory layer is silicon (Si) rich there is a large, initial window or difference between the programming voltage (VTP), represented by graph or line 202, and the erase voltage (VTE), represented by line 204, but the window collapse very rapidly in retention mode to an end of life (EOL 206) of about 1.E+07 seconds.
Referring to FIG. 2B, if on the other hand the memory layer is if a high quality nitride layer, that is one having a low stoichiometric concentration of Si, the rate of collapse of the window or Vt slope in retention mode is reduced, but the initial program-erase window is also reduced. Moreover, the slope of Vt in retention mode is still appreciably steep and the leakage path is not sufficiently minimized to significantly improve data retention, thus EOL 206 is only moderately improved.
Another problem with the conventional approach to forming an ONO structure is that when a pure oxide layer is used as a tunnel bottom oxide the oxide layer needs to be thin enough to allow the initial program-erase window to be large to support an end of life program-erase window sufficient to meet a specified minimum difference between VTP an VTE. On the other hand, a tunnel oxide layer that is too thin will limit the retention by creating a charge loss path from the memory layer to the substrate that is too small or short, resulting in a bigger or steeper slope of Vt in retention mode.
Accordingly, there is a need for a memory device including an ONO stack with an oxynitride layer as a memory layer that exhibits improved data retention and methods of forming the same. It is further desirable that ONO stack and method not adversely impact programming and erase speed.

Oxynitride bilayer formed using a precursor inducing a high charge trap density in a top layer of the bilayer


A method of and a system for controlling an inverse kinematics generated animation of an articulated chain is described. A resolution plane in a default orientation is computed by determining a root-effector vector extending from a root of an articulated chain to an end effector of the articulated chain and letting the resolution plane extend through the root-effector vector. A control icon representative of a position relative to the root is visually displayed. The resolution plane of an articulated chain is manipulated by manipulating the icon and re-determining the resolution plane using the root-effector vector and a root-control vector extending from the root to the icon. The animation of the articulated chain is constrained relative to the resolution plane and a solution of positions and orientations of all limbs of the articulated chain in achieving a goal is computed and displayed.

The human skeleton is made up of a torso, limbs, and articulation points, each of which can move independently of each other to some extent and also together. In animating a human skeleton, inverse kinematics, or sometimes referred to as "goal-directed motion", is one method of approaching animating articulated chains. Forward kinematics is the other method of animating articulated chains.
In forward kinematics, the skeleton is moved into position by specifying the angle of each joint and then keyframing these positions. Each movement is carefully planned to create the desired animation. Using forward kinematics, the orientation of each joint is precisely controlled allowing creation of many types of movements that may not be possible with inverse kinematics alone.
In inverse kinematics, the goal of an action is defined by positioning an end effector of an articulated chain. An inverse kinematics algorithm then calculates the position of the rest of the chain to reach the desired goal. For example, an animator may wish to animate a character reaching for a glass; the animator positions the wrist or end effector of an articulated chain representing the arm at a location in space where the glass is positioned. The inverse kinematics algorithm calculates the positions and orientations of the rest of the arm as it moves so that the final position has the wrist at the glass.
Inverse kinematics solves for the position and the orientation of all articulation points in the limb hierarchy that lead to the end effector. EQU .theta.=.function..sup.-1 (X)
where .theta. is a state vector and X is a position and orientation in space of the end effector. The dimension of the state vector .theta. is equal to the degrees of freedom of the articulated chain.
The function .function.( ) is highly non-linear and rapidly becomes more complex as the number of limbs increase. In order to invert this function, the function is made linear by localizing about a current operating position and inverting the Jacobian to give: EQU d.theta.=J.sup.-1 (dX)
where J is a matrix of partial derivatives relating differential changes of .theta. to differential changes in X. The function is iterated towards the goal over a series of incremental steps.
Inverse kinematics theory is more fully described in Advanced Animation and Rendering Techniques, Theory and Practice, A. Watt and M. Watt, Addison-Wesley, 1992, New York, Chapter 16, Animated Articulated Structures, pp 369-384, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Inverse kinematics is relatively more computationally expensive than forward kinematics. However in animating walking and arm movement, forward kinematics is counterintuitive and tedious to do in practice. Inverse kinematics is thus preferred in many animation applications.
In computing a needed position and/or an orientation of each limb or link of an articulated chain so that the effector reaches the given goal, there can be computed a solution comprising a set of all positions and/or orientations of all limbs. In most cases, there exists many more than one solution for a given goal. For example, for an arm of a character to reach for a glass, the arm could either move across the chest or over the head. The inverse kinematics algorithm must then choose one of the possible solutions. Unfortunately, the chosen solution may not be the solution desired by the animator. Even worse, the inverse kinematics algorithm may choose a first solution for part of the animation and then "flip" to another solution for another part of the animation. The result is that the animated motion will be discontinuous, which is undesirable.
One method of addressing the discontinuity problem is to use a previous position or frame for calculating the next position of the articulated chain. The inverse kinematics algorithm is then limited in the number of possible solutions for the next position thereby avoiding discontinuities. The drawback of this approach is that animation is not fully reproducible. If any errors in the calculations had been made, such errors accumulate. The result becomes apparent when reciprocally extending an articulated chain; the articulated chain is unlikely to return to its original position.

Control solutions for the resolution plane of inverse kinematic chains


Stripped porous polymer film and a method for making such film from substantially heterogeneous porous polymer film are described. The heterogeneous film has surface characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the interior bulk material, and the method comprises mechanically stripping at least a portion of at least one surface layer from the heterogeneous film. The stripped porous polymer film may be incorporated into composite membranes. Such composite membranes are particularly suitable for incorporation into membrane electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells, including electrochemical fuel cells.

The present invention relates to stripped porous polymer films, as well as methods for preparing such films from substantially heterogeneous porous polymer films.
Porous polymer films are used in a wide variety of applications such as liquid and gas filtration, waterproof breathable fabrics, controlled-release systems, batteries, and fuel cells. Such films may be prepared by a variety of methods. For example, microporous polymer films may be made by extruding a solution of a polyalkene into a film, cooling the resulting film to below the gelling point of the solution, then removing the solvent and stretching the solvent-free film in at least one direction. A process of this kind is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 0378279 A1, in which a solution of polyethylene in decalin is cooled to below the gelling point, the gel is extruded to form a film from which decalin is removed by evaporation, and the resulting film is then stretched in at least one direction to increase its porosity and mechanical strength.
The applicability of a particular porous polymer film for a given use generally depends upon the structural properties of the film and the properties of its constituent monomers/polymers. For example, known porous polymer films vary in dimensional stability at higher temperatures, thermal/electrical conductivity, mechanical stiffness and mechanical strength, as well as chemical reactivity. Such variation may be due to one or more factors such as, for example, the properties of the constituent monomers/polymers, the effective molecular weight, density, porosity, pore size, thickness, and degree of crosslinking of the film.
Known porous polymer films also may have surface characteristics that are different from those of the interior bulk material. For example, DSM Solutech B.V. manufactures and markets microporous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) membrane materials under the tradename Solupor(copyright) that have higher surface densities and as such have smaller average surface pore sizes relative to the interior bulk material.
Porous polymer films may be useful as substrates for making composite membranes, for example. Particulate solids, polymers that are poor film formers, or polymers that form dense films with mechanical properties that would limit their use in certain applications, can be inserted in pores of a porous polymer film. The resulting composite membranes can have the desired physical properties for use in a wide range of applications. Composite ion exchange membranes suitable for use in electrolytic cells and fuel cells have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,523 discloses composite membranes comprising porous sheet materials impregnated with xcex1,xcex2,xcex2-trifluorostyrene-based polymeric compositions; suitable microporous films include polyethylene and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Composite ion exchange membranes are often preferred in fuel cell applications because they generally have increased mechanical strength in the dry state (which increases ease of handling, for example), and increased dimensional stability (changes in the dimensions of the membrane due to changes in the degree of hydration) in the wet state, compared to dense film ionomeric membranes made by casting or extrusion.
In fuel cell applications, in particular, suitable porous films for incorporation into composite ion exchange membranes preferably have good mechanical and structural properties, a substantially uniform porosity, and are chemically inert. Known porous polymer films can have the requisite mechanical properties, porosity, and chemical inertness. However, the aforementioned difference in the surface characteristics compared to the characteristics of the interior bulk material of some such porous films can be disadvantageous. For example, such heterogeneous films can be resistant to filling with an ion exchange polymer. A polymer solution, for example, brought into contact with the surface of the film may not penetrate the film easily, presumably due to surface density characteristics and/or smaller surface pore size. A more homogeneous porous polymer film having the requisite physical and chemical properties would therefore be advantageous.
A variety of methods may be employed to facilitate penetration of materials into heterogeneous porous polymer films. Surfactant additives have been used to overcome adverse surface interactions with solutions and thereby facilitate penetration, but the presence of surfactants in the final product can be detrimental to subsequent performance of the films, depending upon the application. Furthermore, the removal of surfactants from the final product can be both difficult and costly. The surface density of a heterogeneous porous polymer film could be modified by various means, such as chemical modification (for example, acid etching), heavy atom/particle bombardment, laser ablation, or micro-machining. Such methods can also be costly, however, and may undesirably alter the chemical or structural characteristics of the polymer film surface. Alternatively, the surface layer of a heterogeneous porous polymer film could be removed by high frequency vibrational polishing using a liquid abrasive slurry. However, the process may be difficult to control and/or reproducibility may be difficult to achieve. In any event, the liquid slurry would then need to be removed from the treated porous polymer film, adding an additional step.
A simple and cost-effective method for making a stripped porous polymer film suitable for use as a membrane or substrate in a variety of applications is described herein. The described method involves stripping at least a portion of a surface layer of a heterogeneous porous polymer film, resulting in a more homogeneous porous film.
Also described is a stripped porous polymer film used as a substrate material and composite membranes employing said film as a substrate. Preferably at least a portion of a surface layer of the stripped microporous polymer film has surface characteristics that more closely resemble the characteristics of the interior bulk material. It may also exhibit improved permeability to, and/or penetration of, solids, liquids and gases, increased surface roughness, and increased average surface pore size, relative to the heterogeneous starting material from which it is prepared. Fuel cells, and in particular, membrane electrode assemblies employing such composite membranes, are also disclosed.
In an embodiment of a method for making a stripped porous polymer film from a substantially heterogeneous porous polymer film, the heterogeneous film having surface characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the interior bulk material, the method comprises mechanically stripping at least a portion of at least one surface layer from the heterogeneous porous film. In particular, the method may comprise applying a shearing force to at least a portion of at least one surface layer of the heterogeneous porous polymer film.
The method may comprise attaching a first anchor to a major surface of the heterogeneous porous polymer film, and applying a first shearing force via the first anchor to the major surface to remove at least a portion of a first surface layer from the heterogeneous porous polymer film. The at least a portion of the first surface layer may be associated with the major surface to which the first anchor is attached, or to the opposing surface. In the latter case, the first shearing force removes the surface to which the anchor is attached and the interior bulk material, separating them from the opposing surface.
Optionally, the method may further comprise attaching a second anchor to the opposing major surface of the heterogeneous porous polymer film, and applying a second shearing force via the second anchor to the opposing major surface to remove at least a portion of a second surface layer from the heterogeneous porous polymer film. The first and second shearing forces may be applied simultaneously. Thus, the method may also comprise stripping at least a portion of both surface layers from the heterogeneous porous polymer film, and may further comprise stripping essentially all of both surface layers from the heterogeneous porous polymer film.
Preferably, the shearing forces are applied at a substantially constant angle relative to the plane of the heterogeneous porous polymer film, most preferably at an angle of 90xc2x0 or less from the plane thereof.
The method may be incorporated in a reel-to-reel process in which the heterogeneous porous polymer film is transferred from a feed roller to a collection roller, a first anchor is associated with a first stripping roller, and a first shearing force is applied by the first stripping roller to remove at least a portion of a surface layer of the heterogeneous porous polymer film. The method may include transferring the resultant partially stripped film from a feed roller to a collection roller and removing at least a portion of the other surface layer via the first anchor and first stripping roller. Optionally, the method may incorporate a reel-to-reel process wherein a second anchor is associated with a second stripping roller, and the second stripping roller applies a second shearing force to remove at least a portion of a second surface layer of the heterogeneous porous polymer film. The first and second shearing forces may be applied simultaneously.
Generally, the surface characteristics of the heterogeneous porous polymer film differ from the characteristics of the interior bulk material. Specifically, the surface density of the heterogeneous porous polymer film may be greater than the density of the interior bulk material thereof. The heterogeneous porous polymer film may be microporous. The heterogeneous porous polymer film may comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene, polyvinylidene halides, and copolymers thereof. Preferably, it comprises a microporous polymer film comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers. More preferably, it comprises a microporous film consisting essentially of polyethylene. Most preferably, it comprises a microporous film consisting essentially of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
A second embodiment is a stripped porous polymer film, wherein the surface characteristics of the stripped film are essentially the same as the characteristics of the interior bulk material, and wherein the stripped film consists essentially of a polyalkene and is preferably made from a precursor film made by a process comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a solution of the polyalkene into a film containing a solvent;
(b) cooling the resulting film to below the gelling point of the solution;
(c) removing the solvent to yield a solvent-free film; and
(d) stretching the solvent-free film in at least one direction.
The stripped porous polymer film, which may be prepared, for example, by the aforementioned methods, may comprise a polyalkene, for example, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene, polyvinylidene halides, and copolymers thereof. Preferably, the stripped porous polymer film comprises a polyalkene selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers. More preferably, it may consist essentially of polyethylene. More preferably, the stripped porous polymer film may consist essentially of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
The stripped porous polymer film may have a surface density lower than the surface density of the heterogeneous porous polymer film from which it is prepared. It may also have a rate of transplanar wicking greater than the rate of transplanar wicking of the precursor heterogeneous film. Further, it may have a Gurley number lower than the Gurley number of the precursor heterogeneous film.
Composite membranes can be made which comprise the present stripped porous polymer film at least partially filled with solid particulate or a liquid composition. For example, metals or metal oxides may be incorporated and used as catalysts. Other materials such as, but not limited to, carbon, glass, or ceramics, may also be employed, depending upon the intended use of the composite membrane.
The stripped porous polymer film in the composite may be at least partially filled with an ion exchange polymer. Optionally, the composite membrane may be at least partially impregnated with a liquid composition of ion exchange polymer. Depending upon the intended application, the resultant composite membrane may be substantially gas impermeable.
Where the composite membrane is an ion exchange membrane, it may be incorporated in a membrane electrode assembly, or in an electrochemical cell, such as a fuel cell

Method of making stripped porous polymer films


A surround sound processor for presentation of a stereophonic source program on a multiple loudspeaker array surrounding the listening area, the processor comprising input signal conditioning and matrixing circuits, a control voltage generator responsive to the directional information contained in the stereophonic source signals, and a variable matrixing circuit for generating appropriate loudspeaker feed signals to create the illusion of the sound field spreading around the listening area, the control voltage generator having improvements in performance and reduced circuit complexity and cost. An inexpensive width-modulated pulse oscillator provides means for varying the time constants applied to directional information signals to produce control voltage signals for varying the matrixing coefficients. A new duration stretching circuit ensures tracking of the control voltages. The log-ratio detector circuits for producing the directional information signals achieve improved performance using less expensive parts.

A surround sound processor operates to enhance a two-channel stereophonic source signal so as to drive a multiplicity of loudspeakers arranged to surround the listener, in a manner to provide a high-definition soundfield directly comparable to discrete multitrack sources in perceived performance. An illusion of space may thus be created enabling the listener to experience the fullness, directional quality and aural dimension or "spaciousness" of the original sound environment. The foregoing so-called periphonic reproduction of sound can be distinguished from the operation of conventional soundfield processors which rely on digitally generated time delay of audio signals to simulate reverberation or "ambience" associated with live sound events. These conventional systems do not directionally localize sounds based on information from the original performance space and the resulting reverberation characteristics are noticeable artificial.
To accomplish this end, a surround sound processor typically comprises an input signal conditioning and matrix circuit, a control voltage generator and a variable matrix circuit.
The input conditioning and matrix circuit usually provides for balance and level control of the input signals, generates normal and inverted polarity versions of the input signals, plus sum and difference signals, and in some cases generates phase-shifted versions thereof, and/or filters the signals into multiple frequency ranges as needed by the remainder of the processing requirements.
The control voltage generator typically includes a band-pass filter circuit, a directional detector circuit, and a servologic circuit. The band-pass filter circuit shapes the frequency response of the signals applied to the directional detector circuit so that this circuit responds similarly to the human ear. The directional detector measures the correlations between the signals which represent sounds encoded at different directions in the stereophonic sound stage, generating voltages corresponding to the directional location of the predominant sound. The servologic circuit uses these signals to develop control voltages for varying the gain of voltage controlled amplifiers in the variable matrix circuit in accordance with the sound direction and the direction in which it is intended to reproduce the sound in the surrounding loudspeakers.
The variable matrix circuit includes a number of voltage-controlled amplifiers and a separation matrix. The voltage-controlled amplifiers amplify the input matrix audio signals with variable gain, for application to the separation matrix, where they are used to selectively cancel crosstalk into different loudspeaker feed signals. The separation matrix combines the outputs of the input matrix and of the voltage-controlled amplifiers in several different ways, each resulting in a loudspeaker feed signal, for a loudspeaker to be positioned in one of several different locations surrounding the listener. In each of these signals, certain signal components may be dynamically eliminated by the action of the detector, control voltage generator, voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCA's) and separation matrix.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,415 entitled "Surround Processor", Fosgate discloses a servologic control voltage generator which employs a width-modulated pulse train to vary the time constants applied to the control signals, in accordance with the difference between the raw detector output signals and the smoothed control signals resulting after they have been passed through the variable time-constant filters, thereby placing the modulating elements within a feedback loop, as shown in FIGS. 5-7 of that application and FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 9b herein.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,059, Fosgate discloses use of variable time constants operated by means of a width-modulated pulse train, the duty cycle of which is controlled by means of a signal level detector, and further by means of a one-shot responsive to signal "attacks". This one-shot is so designed that the output pulse duration is sufficiently long to ensure that the control signals reach their appropriate values fairly quickly, but is sufficiently short that very low transient intermodulation distortion occurs, such that the listener is unable to hear any artifacts in the decoding process. This scheme is described with reference to FIGS. 2-5, 6a and 6b of the above-referenced patent, and FIG. 5b of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/789,529.
A time constant processing circuit is provided for smoothing directional information signals produced by a detector circuit with continuously variable time constants in order to generate one or more control voltage signals. The circuit is responsive to both the amplitude and the rate of change of the directional information signals, such that as the difference between each of the directional information signals and its corresponding control voltage signal increases, the value of the corresponding time constant decreases, so as to allow the control voltage signal to more closely follow the directional information signal.
Furthermore, if the difference between these signals increases beyond a certain threshold value, in co-pending application Ser. No. 07/789,529, the one-shot is triggered, and causes the time constants applied to all of the directional information signals to be reduced to the minimum value for a short, predetermined period of time, so that the control voltage signals rapidly catch up with the directional information signals from the directional detector circuit When the difference between the direction information signals and their corresponding control voltage signals decreases, the corresponding time constant increases so as to provide very smooth processing of the audio information.
Typically such large and fast changes in the direction information signals correspond with sudden attacks in the information presented to the surround processor. While the use of such a one-shot is not essential, it has been shown to be more effective than relying only upon the normal action of the servo-logic processor itself, without this addition.
In the present invention, this one-shot is replaced by a new circuit which lengthens the duration of a detected signal direction change and which acts on a single pulse width modulator (PWM) circuit to reduce the time constants in both of a pair of variable time constant circuits responding to front-back and left-right directional information signals. This provides a more effective circuit with fewer components and lower cost, while improving the perceived performance of the surround sound processor.
In surround sound processors, much of the subtleties of the presentation are due to the characteristics of the direction detector and servologic circuit of the control voltage generator and of the VCA's. As these are further refined, the apparent performance becomes more transparent and effortless-sounding to the listener.

Control voltage generator for surround sound processor


A remote keyless entry system includes a remote key fob or transmitting unit which may be carried by the operator. This fob may transmit coded function signals directing the vehicle to perform requested functions, e.g. unlock the doors, and an on-board receiver that receives the request and performs the function. The receiver may be reprogrammed by the customer to accept signals from a different transmitter in the event that a key fob is either lost or stolen. To program the receiver, the system is put in a programming mode by using a transmitter whose security code is already stored within the receiver. This programming mode is entered by depressing specified buttons on the transmitting unit for a predetermined amount of time. Once in the programming mode, all previous security codes are erased, and a new transmitting unit code may be programmed into the receiver by depressing any button on that unit. The receiver will chime to acknowledge to the customer that the new security code has been accepted.

Keyless entry systems are known in the art and are used, among other things, to gain access to a host of devices including automobiles, marine vehicles and garage doors. Presently available keyless entry systems include devices which have a numerical keypad located on an exterior surface or panel of, for example, the door of a vehicle or a garage. The operator enters a unique multiple digit code on the keypad to automatically unlock the vehicle or open the garage. In certain keyless entry systems, it is possible for an authorized user or customer to change the access code. However, this requires the authorized user or customer to physically input commands into the keypad. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,199 ("the '199 patent") describes a keyless marine access and engine control system having a primary and a secondary access code, either of which may be entered through a keypad to gain access to the marine vehicle. The secondary access sequence may be changed by a person who knows either the primary access sequence or the secondary access sequence. The primary access sequence can be reprogrammed through the keypad after a switch located in a secure location on the vehicle has been activated for a predetermined length of time. Thus, the primary access sequence can only be changed by a person having knowledge of both the present primary access sequence and the physical location of the reprogramming switch. Although the primary access code may be changed by an authorized user or customer, this requires (a) having an external keypad, (b) knowing the physical location of the reprogramming switch, and (c) memorizing the primary access sequence. A similar system used for automatic garage door openers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,960.
Like the '199 patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,959 describes a keyless entry system having an input unit for entering either a permanent code or a user code. The input unit is generally located on the external door handle or other surface of the vehicle. Although the user code may be changed by an authorized user or customer knowing the permanent code, the permanent code is preset in the system and cannot be changed by the customer. A further disadvantage of the system described in the '959 patent is that an input device attached to the vehicle is still required.
The above-discussed patents do not disclose remote control entry systems, as opposed to key-less entry systems in that a keypad or some other input device is required to input the security code into the system. Actual remote keyless entry systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,319,364 and 5,109,221, hereinafter the '364 and the '221 patents respectively. A passive remote keyless entry system is disclosed in the '364 patent where the operator carries a portable transmitter which includes a motion sensing switch that automatically activates the transmitter whenever movement of the transmitter is sensed. The transmitter corresponds to a receiver located in the vehicle which is adapted to unlock the vehicle whenever the coded radio frequency signal or a coded optical signal is received from the transmitter.
A new transmitter identification code may be programmed into the controller by having authorized service personnel ground the "program" input line, and then bring the transmitter within range of the receiving antenna. The identification code from the transmitter is then automatically read by the microcomputer into the EEPROM. Therefore, if a transmitter is lost, a new transmitter with a different identification code can be provided and the new transmitter identification code programmed into the receiver/controller by authorized service personnel. However, there is still no convenient way for an authorized user or customer to reprogram the identification code without going to the dealer and having the dealer program in the new transmitter identification code.
The remote control system disclosed in the '221 patent is similar to the '364 patent, but without the "passive" feature. A new transmitter identification code may also be programmed into a receiver by having authorized service personnel first ground a program input line, and then depress any function switch on the transmitter. Like the '364 disclosure, the '221 invention, suffers from the same disadvantage of not being reprogrammable by an authorized user or customer in the event that the transmitter is either lost or stolen. As with the '364 patent, the '221 patent requires that the authorized user or customer return to the dealer to have a new transmitter programmed into the receiver unit of the system.

Reprogrammable remote keyless entry system


A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.

The present application relates to engine control systems and more particularly, but not exclusively, to engine control systems for controlling knock within spark-ignition gasoline engines.
Internal combustion engines can generally be grouped into one of two classes: spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines. Spark-ignition engines typically operate by introducing a stoichiometric mixture of air and fuel into a cylinder of an engine. A piston then compresses this mixture, and at a predetermined crankshaft angle, a spark plug will ignite the air/fuel mixture producing a flame front that propagates through the combustion chamber. The rapid increase in heat from the burned fuel triggers an increase in pressure which forces the piston downward in the cylinder. The ability to precisely time the combustion event through the use of a spark plug is a benefit of the spark-ignition engine. However, the spark-ignition engine may be somewhat inefficient since the compression ratio of the engine is kept to a relatively low level to avoid "knock." Knock occurs when the air/fuel mixture ignites independently of the spark plug and may cause engine damage. Consequently, spark-ignition engines typically have compression ratios in a range of 8 to 11.
The compression-ignition engine, on the other hand, operates at relatively high compression ratio that is typically within the range of 15 to 22. This high compression ratio boosts the mechanical efficiency of the compression-ignition engine. The compression-ignition engine operates by introducing unthrottled air into the cylinder to increase the efficiency over that of the throttled spark-ignition engine by decreasing pumping losses. In a traditional compression-ignition engine, ignition timing is controlled by the injection of diesel fuel into the cylinder near the end of the compression stroke, when the trapped air within the combustion chamber is of a sufficient temperature to ignite the fuel. The heat released during the combustion process causes an increase in in-cylinder pressure which then forces the piston downward in the same fashion as the spark-ignition engine.
While more efficient than spark-ignition engines, compression-ignition engines produce more of certain types of emissions which often require expensive aftertreatment. Consequently, it would be desirable to improve spark-ignition engines so as to control, minimize or otherwise prevent the occurrence of knock therein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for reducing engine knock


Disclosed are a decelerator configured so that a planet gear type first deceleration unit is provided inside a cycloid type second deceleration unit to provide eccentric rotational force to the second deceleration unit and a motor brake with the same. In the decelerator, the increase in axial thickness of a motor is restrained, and a deceleration ratio is effectively increased. In the motor brake with the decelerator, the deceleration ratio of the motor is increased, and the increase in total length of the motor brake is restrained by the decelerator, thereby improving space utilization.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a decelerator configured so that the increase in axial thickness of a motor is restrained, and a deceleration ratio is effectively increased, and a motor brake with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, brakes used in vehicles have increasingly adopted a motor as a power source. A representative example of the brakes is a disc type motor brake adopting a motor as a power source of a driving device to press a frictional pad/
The disc type motor brake includes a disc rotated together with a wheel of a vehicle, a pair of frictional pads to press the disc, a carrier to support the frictional pads, a piston to push one of the frictional pads to the disc, a caliper housing supported at the carrier in an advance and retreat fashion, the caliper housing has a cylinder to receive the piston, a motor to generate rotational force in alternating directions, and a conversion unit to convert rotation of the motor into linear reciprocation and to transmit the linear reciprocation to the piston. A screw shaft coupled to the piston is generally used as the conversion unit.
In the motor brake with the above-stated construction, driving force from the motor is transmitted to the screw shaft constituting the conversion unit, and the piston is linearly reciprocated in the rotation direction of the screw shaft in a state in which rotation of the piston is restricted to push the frictional pads to the disc, thereby performing a braking operation.
Generally, RPM of a motor is high, whereas torque of the motor is low. For this reason, a decelerator is generally used to increase the torque. In the motor brake, a decelerator to increase torque of the motor is connected between the motor and the conversion unit.
The decelerator generally includes a plurality of planet gear units stacked in the axial direction of the motor to increase a deceleration ratio, thereby achieving deceleration in multi stages.
However, the planet gear units stacked in the axial direction of the motor excessively increase the total length of the brake in the axial direction of the motor, thereby lowering space utilization of a vehicle.

Decelerator and motor brake with the same


The present invention provides a compound of general formula (9), useful as potential antitumour agents against human cancer cell lines. The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4][benzodiazepine g hybrids of general formula (9).

Pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs), a group of potent naturally occurring antitumour antibiotics from various Streptomyces species, are of considerable interest because of their ability to recognize and subsequently form covalent bonds to specific base sequence of double strand DNA (Dervan, P. B. Science 1989, 232, 464.; Hurley, L. H. J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32, 2027.; Thurston, D. E.; Thompson, A. S. Chem. Br. 1990, 26, 767). Well-known members of this group include anthramycin, DC-81, sibiromycin, tomamycin, chicamycin and neothramycin of A and B (Hurley, L. H. J. Antibiot. 1977, 30, 349.; Schimizu, K.; Kawamoto, I.; Tomita, F.; Morimoto, M.; Fujimoto, K. J. Antibiot. 1982, 35, 992.; Lown, J. W.; Joshua, A. V. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1979, 28, 2017.; Thurston, D. E.; Bose, D. S. Chem. Rev. 1994, 94, 433.; Molina, P.; Diaz, I.; Tarraga, A. Tetrahedron 1995, 51, 5617.; Kamal, A.; Rao, N. V. Chem. Commun. 1996, 385.; Kamal, A.; Reddy, B. S. P.; Reddy, B. S. N. Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 6803). The cytotoxicity and antitumour activity of these agents are attributed to their property of sequence selective covalent binding to the N2 of guanine in the minor groove of duplex DNA via an acid-labile aminal bond to the electrophilic imine at the N10-C11 position (Kunimoto, S.; Masuda, T.; Kanbayashi, N.; Hamada, M.; Naganawa, H.; Miyamoto, M.; Takeuchi, T.; Unezawa, H. J. Antibiot., 1980, 33, 665.; Kohn, K. W. and Speous, C. L. J. Mol. Biol., 1970, 51, 551.; Hurley, L. H.; Gairpla, C. and Zmijewski, M. Biochem. Biophys. Acta., 1977, 475, 521.; Kaplan, D. J. and Hurley, L. H. Biochemistry, 1981, 20, 7572). The molecules have a right-handed twist, which allows them to follow the curvature of the minor groove of B-form double-stranded DNA spanning three base pairs. A recent development has been the linking of two PBD units through their C-8 positions to give bisfunctional-alkylating agents capable of cross-linking DNA (Thurston, D. E.; Bose, D. S.; Thomson, A. S.; Howard, P. W.; Leoni, A.; Croker, S. J.; Jenkins, T. C.; Neidle, S, and Hurley, L. H. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 8141).

Recently, PBD dimers have been developed that comprise of two C2-exo-methylene substituted DC-81 subunits tethered through their C-8 position via an inert propanedioxy linker (Gregson, S. J.; Howard, P. W.; Hartely, J. A.; Brooks, N. A.; Adams, L. J.; Jenkins, T. C.; Kelland, L. R. and Thurston, D. E. J. Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 737). A non-cross-linking mixed imine-amide PBD dimers have been synthesized that have significant DNA binding ability and potent antitumour activity (Kamal, A.; Ramesh, G. Laxman, N.; Ramulu, P.; Srinivas, O.; Neelima, K.; Kondapi, A. K.; Srinu, V. B.; Nagarajaram, H. M. J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45, 4679). However, the clinical efficacy for these antibiotics is hindered by several limitations, such as poor water solubility, cardiotoxicity, development of drug resistance and metabolic inactivation. Due to the excellent activity of these molecules, there is need to develop novel derivatives which are devoid of above limitations.
Benzothiazoles are small synthetic molecules that contain a benzene ring fused to a thiazole ring. These simple molecules have shown remarkable antitumour properties and some of them are undergoing evaluation in clinical trials (Shi, D.-F.; Bradshaw, T. D.; Wrigley, S.; McCall, C. J.; Lelieveld, P.; Fichtner, I.; Stevens, M. F. G. J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 3375; Kashiyama, E.; Hutchinson, I.; Chua, M.-S.; Stinson, S. F.; Phillips, L. R.; Kaur, G.; Sausville, E. A.; Bradshaw, T. D.; Westwell, A. D.; Stevens, M. F. G. J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 4172; Hutchinson, I.; Chua, M.-S.; Browne, H. L.; Trapani, V.; Bradshaw, T. D.; Westwell, A. D.; Stevens, M. F. G. J. Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 1446). Recently Westwell and coworkers have prepared a series of benzothiazole derivatives and evaluated for anticancer activity, One of these analogues has shown excellent anticancer activity (Mortimer, C. G.; Wells, G.; Crochard, J.-P.; Stone, E. L; Bradshaw, T. D.; Stevens, M. F. G.; Westwell, A. D. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 179). The structurally related benzoxazoles have also been reported to possess anticancer activity (Kumar, D.; Jacob, M. R.; Reynold, M. B.; Kerwin, S. M. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2002, 10, 3994; Gong, B.; Hong, F.; Kohm, C.; Bonham, L.; Klein, P. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2004, 14, 1455). Based on the potent anticancer activity of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines, benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles, new PBD hybrids have been designed and synthesized by linking benzothiazole and benzoxazole moieties at C8-position of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine with varying alkane and alkylamide spacers.

Benzothiazole and benzoxazole linked pyrrolo[2,1-c] [1, 4] benzodiazepine hybrids as novel antitumour agents and process for the preparation thereof

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research


An electrophotographic photosensitive member which has VA, VB, and d satisfying an expression (|−600−VA|−|−600−VB|)/d=0.13 and VC satisfying an expression −5=−(−450−VC)=2 provides an excellent suppressing effect on ghost images and hardly causes a ghost phenomenon even when it is mounted on a color electrophotographic apparatus or an electrophotographic apparatus having no electrostatic removal device. The invention also relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having such an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

In recent years, electrophotographic photosensitive members each having a photosensitive layer containing an organic charge generation substance and an organic charge transport substance (organic electrophotographic photosensitive members) have been vigorously used for electrophotographic apparatuses such as a copying machine and a printer. Photosensitive layers each having a laminated (forward-laminated) layer configuration have been in the mainstream of such photosensitive layers from the viewpoint of durability, the photosensitive layers each having a laminated (forward-laminated) layer configuration being obtained by laminating a charge generation layer containing a charge generation substance and a charge transport layer (hole transport layer) containing a charge transport substance (hole transport substance) on the side of a support.
Of the charge generation substances, a charge generation substance having sensitivity in a red or infrared region is used for an electrophotographic apparatus to be mounted on, for example, a laser beam printer that has remarkably developed in recent years, and the frequency at which such a charge generation substance is demanded is increasing. Known examples of a charge generation substance having a sensitivity in an infrared region include: phthalocyanine pigments such as oxytitanium phthalocyanine, hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, and chiorogallium phthalocyanine; and azo pigments such as monoazo, bisazo, and trisazo pigments.
However, when a charge generation substance having high sensitivity is used, there arises a problem in that the amount of charge to be generated is large, an electron after injection of a hole into a hole transport layer is apt to reside in a charge generation layer, and a memory is apt to occur. To be specific, a so-called positive ghost in which the density of only a portion irradiated with light at the time of forward rotation in an output image increases, or a so-called negative ghost in which the density of only a portion irradiated with light at the time of forward rotation in an output image decreases is observed
As a conventional technique for suppressing such ahost phenomena, JP-A 11-172142 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A 2002-091039 (Patent Document 2) each disclose a technique involving the use of type-II chlorogallium phthalocyanine as a charge generation substance, JP-A 07-104495 (Patent Document 3) discloses a technique involving incorporating an acceptor compound into a charge generation layer using oxytitanium phthalocyanine, JP-A 2000-292946 (Patent Document 4) and JP-A 2002-296817 (Patent Document 5) each disclose a technique involving incorporating a dithiobenzyl compound into a charge generation layer using phthalocyanine, and JP-A 02-136860 (Patent Document 6), JP-A 02-136861 (Patent Document 7), JP-A 02-146048 (Patent Document 8), JP-A 02-146049 (Patent Document 9), JP-A 02-146050 (Patent Document 10), JP-A 05-150498 (Patent Document 11), JP-A 06-313974 (Patent Document 12), and JP-A 2000-039730 (Patent Document 13) each disclose a technique involving incorporating an electron transport substance, an electron accepting substance, or an electron aspirating substance into a charge generation layer.    Patent Document 1: JP-A 11-172142    Patent Document 2: JP-A 2002-091039    Patent Document 3: JP-A 07-104495    Patent Document 4: JP-A 2000-292946    Patent Document 5: JP-A 2002-296817    Patent Document 6: JP-A 02-136860    Patent Document 7: JP-A 02-136861    Patent Document 8: JP-A 02-146048    Patent Document 9: JP-A 02-146049    Patent Document 10: JP-A 02-146050    Patent Document 11: JP-A 05-150498    Patent Document 12: JP-A 06-313974    Patent Document 13: JP-A 2000-039730

Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus


A device for dispensing pills one at a time or one dose at a time includes a unit chamber fittable within/integral with the rim of a bottle. The unit chamber includes a plurality of radial projections which project inwardly to define discrete pill holding areas. The distance between adjacent radial projections is slightly larger than the width of the pill sought to be contained and dispensed by the container. As the bottle is inverted, pills will fall into the pill holding areas, one pill or dosage amount per area. A dispensing cap is rotatable relative to the unit chamber. A single pill-width window in the cap is positionable opposite the pill holding areas of the unit chamber. When a pill is meant to be dispensed, the bottle is inverted or angled downward, and a single pill in the pill holding area opposite the window falls out of the bottle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the general field of pill, capsule, tablet, caplet, and bulk powder or granulated supplement (all hereinafter collectively "pill" or "pills") containers for dispensing by individuals. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for attachment to or integration with a pill container that regulates or restricts the number of pills dispensed at a given time.
2. Description of Related Art
Pill containers and dispensers have existed for quite some time. Generally, they comprise a bottle-like holding compartment with a removable cap. The container is initially provided with a large number of doses of the pills and the consumer will desirably dispense to himself or herself one or two of the pills at a time. Often, and of recent, the caps to such containers have been provided with safety mechanisms so that children cannot inadvertently or accidentally gain access to the pills contained in the bottle. That, of course, could be very harmful to a young child, should he or she ingest a number of the pills.
Many safety mechanisms have been developed over recent years, most requiring two or more discrete different movements, and sequential hand movements to gain access to the inside of the bottle so as to obtain a pill. For example, a very common safety mechanism incorporated into commercially available pill dispensers today requires the simultaneous pushing down on the cap of the device while turning the cap so as to cause alignment of portions, thereby allowing the cap to be removed. However, with the known prior art devices, the removal of the cap provides access to all of the interior contents. Thus, a child who even accidentally discovers the method of gaining access to the interior of the bottle or, also possibly, an adult who disables the safety mechanism because of the dexterity and/or strength required to overcome it (which is often difficult for many, especially arthritic persons), unavoidably provides a potentially dangerous implement to a child: an open bottle with medication containing a plurality of pills.
A major drawback to the conventional pill bottle, and even the conventional safety cap for same, is that once the bottle/cap is opened, the user has access to all of the pills inside whether he wants such access or not. Typically, one opens the bottle and gently tries to shake out the desired dose, usually one or two pills. However, it is quite common that far more than one or two pills emerge from the bottle as a result of the shaking. The prior art devices thus allow a user to remove many pills at once and then the individual replaces the excess (not-to-be ingested) pills back into the bottle only after his or her fingers have touched the same. If the person lives alone, this is not such a problem. However, in many situations, a bottle with multiple pills is accessible to many individuals, as, for example, a bottle of aspirin pills in an office with many workers. It is unsanitary for multiple people to touch and subsequently replace pills, especially when the typical user of such pills may be sick.
One advance in the art appears in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,515 to Khan et al., created by two of the instant inventors, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein. The components of that patented device provide gentle nudging of the contained pills such that as one pill is dispensed, the internal pills are mixed, leading to more pills falling into any of the empty chambers for subsequent dispensing. The second "stroke" of the dispensing cycle, i.e., when the cap is rotated clockwise to dispense a pill, causes the pawl of the cap to push against the edge of the walls of the wheel-like component and to tend to deflect the holding plate from its horizontal orientation. Once the pawl is through with its cycle, the snapping of it back into position, ready to turn the next chamber of the wheel-like component (by interengagement with an edge of a wall of a chamber), causes a realignment, shaking, or vibration of the pills within the container. This facilitates the mixing of the pills such that they will fall into any empty chambers. The wheel-like component is attached to the holding plate. Once the wheel-like component is pushed by the pawl, the holding plate flexes and then snaps back into its non-flexed position, after the pawl passes under the wheel-like component. This causes the dispensing of one pill at a time. The sweeping blades also facilitate the mixing and alignment of pills with any empty chambers for subsequent, one-at-a-time dispensing. The sweeping blades direct the pills downwardly and away from the center, i.e., into the outside chambers when the cap is directed downwardly, to help the dispensing process.
The main drawback to the prior Khan device is that it is complicated and expensive to make and use. The prior device required no fewer than five separate pieces to accomplish its objective of dispensing one pill at a time. While the device did function in the desired manner, it has been commercially stagnant because it is perceived to be difficult and expensive to manufacture.

One dose at-a-time pill dispenser and container having same


An elongated strip of connected picture hangers adapted to be coiled around a feeding reel and fed into an assembly machine for further processing and for automatic attachment of the picture hangers to the backing of picture frames, each hanger comprising substantially planar metallic body portion having a living hinge extending thereacross for allowing the hanger to be accepted by the assembly machine. A portion of the body of the hanger is cut out for receiving support means from the desired hanging location. A reinforcement rib extends along the top edge of the hanger for strengthening the picture hanger for larger and heavier type picture frames. A pair of dimpled protrusions automatically bias the picture hanger away from the picture frame backing for easier attachment of the picture hanger to the display support means. The arrangement of the above features provides for spacing means which allows for proper stacking of the picture hangers around the feeding reel.

This invention relates generally to picture frames and more particularly to a picture frame hanger of the type used to attach a picture frame to a wall or other visibly aesthetic location.
Various methods of displaying picture frames have heretofore been available in the art. One such method available is to have an integrally formed support leg hingedly attached to the back of the picture frame movable between an open position where the leg extends outwardly from the back of the frame and a closed position where the leg remains flush with the back of the picture frame. Such display means are preferably used for smaller type picture frames wherein the support leg is moved to the outer position for supporting the picture frame in an upright position in the desired display location. Another such method available, utilized for larger type picture frames, is to have a picture hanger attached to the back of the picture frame for supporting a picture frame on a wall or any other desirable location lacking horizontal support.
The instant invention is directed to a picture hanger that is manufactured in strip form and then is coiled around a feeding reel and subsequently fed into an assembly machine for automatic processing and attachment of the picture hanger to the back side of a picture frame. The combination of the picture hanger adapted to be coiled on a feeding reel and fed into an assembly machine provides for the efficient and expeditious assembly of the hangers to the back side of picture frames in a continuing operation.
The picture hanger of the instant invention comprises a substantially planar metallic body portion having opposing top, bottom and side edges. A living hinge extends generally across the middle portion of the body of the hanger from one side to the other for allowing the hanger to be compatible with the assembly machine during processing and attachment of the hanger to the back side of a picture frame. A portion of the body of the hanger adjacent the living hinge is cut out and the top edge of the cut-out area has teeth-like formations formed therein for receiving support means, such as a nail, from the desired location where the picture is to be displayed. An elongated rib, integrally formed, extends along the top edge of the body of the hanger to provide extra strength to the picture hanger when displaying larger and heavier type picture frames. The reinforcement rib also acts as a spacing element enabling the strip of hangers to be neatly stacked on the feeding reel. Lastly, a first and second pair of opposing dimple-like protrusions extend in opposite directions from the body of the hanger whereby the first pair also acts as a spacer enabling the strip of hangers to be neatly stacked on the feeding reel, and the second pair biases the hanger away from the picture backing, after attachment, for easier insertion of the hanging support member into the aforesaid teeth-like formations of the picture hanger.
Accordingly, among the several objects of the instant invention are: the provision of picture hangers made by a progressive tool in strip form and adapted to be coiled around a feeding reel and fed into an assembly machine for more efficient attachment of a large number of the picture hangers to the back side of picture frames in an automatic and continuous operation; the provision of a picture hanger having multiple spacing elements for proper alignment when stacking the hangers on the feeding reel; the provision of a picture hanger that is more efficiently attached to the back side of a picture frame in both a horizontal and vertical orientation; and the provision of a picture hanger that is automatically biased away from the picture backing for easier attachment of the picture hanger to a display support.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Picture hanger with spacer elements for alignment during stacking


Techniques for partitioning data from a data stream into batches and inferring schema for individual batches based on the field values of each batch are disclosed. The system may infer different schemas corresponding to different batches of data records even though the batches are received from a common data stream or a common data source. The system may infer a schema by determining whether a field contains single values or multiple values. Then the system determines the field type(s) associated with the values. These determinations are then stored in a dictionary generated for each batch.

Data storage systems generally store data in a data structures according to a pre-defined schema. The pre-defined schema defines parameters, parameter types, and value types instantiated by the data structures. Data received by a data storage system generally must be compatible with the database schema so that the data may be stored in the established structures of the database.
Using databases that store data in a single configuration of schema can be challenging when applied to, for example, data streams with dozens, hundreds, or thousands of parameter/value pairs (sometimes colloquially referred to as "big data") either when storing or when querying the data. Also, storing data in databases that use a single schema may also present challenges in the context of multi-tenant storage environments. For example, the various tenants may not all collect data or define parameter types in the same way, nor necessarily collect data in a format that is consistent with the database schema. This may cause inconvenience to tenants of the system by requiring tenants to adapt their data collection and data object definitions to match the database schema. Variability between tenant data and the database schema may also cause errors in data storage when data received from tenants is structured in a way that is inconsistent with the database schema.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.


A clip and base assembly includes at least one polymeric clip and a base. The clip includes first and second elastic arms, and a support arm. The clip forms an aperture therein. The first and second elastic arms move between first and second positions. The first and second elastic arms are located on opposing sides with the support arm in between. The base includes a first and second sets of notches, and an elongated slot. The first set of notches is sized and shaped to receive the first elastic arm. The second set of notches is sized and shaped to receive the second elastic arm. When the first and second elastic arms are in the second position, the clip is moveable in the elongated slot. When the first and second elastic arms are in the first position, the clip is fixed respect to the base.

Computer systems, such as servers, computers, and printers include numerous components contained therein. These components include electrical devices. The electrical devices within these computer systems typically have cables that are connected to, for example, printed circuit boards. These cables can be of similar or differing lengths and/or having similar or differing gaps between connections. These cables are often disorganized. Attempts to organize these cables can lead to inefficient and less than optimal designs, limited flexibility, and/or limited connector locations.
It would be desirable to have an assembly that manages the cables and allows for an optimized design, flexible connector locations and/or ease of operation.


A series of indoline-sulfonamide compounds is disclosed. The formula of indoline-sulfonamide compounds is shown as formula (I). In formula (I), R1 is H or halogen; R2 is Ar, Ar—C(O)—, Ar—CH2—, Ar—SO2—, Ar—O—C(O),

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an indoline-sulfonamide compound and, more particularly, to an indoline-sulfonamide compound for inhibiting tubulin polymerization.
2. Description of Related Art
The microtubule system of eukaryotic cells is an important target for the development of anticancer agents. For a more concrete description, the tubulin polymerization/depolymerization is a popular target for the development of new chemotherapy agents. A number of clinically used agents (such as paclitaxel, epothilone A, vinblastine, combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), dolastatin 10, and colchicines), taking tubulin polymerization/depolymerization as the target, all exhibit their anticancer properties by disrupting cellular microtubule structure and function resulting in mitotic arrest, as well as inhibiting the growth of epithelium of newly formed vasculature to shut down the blood supply to tumors (please refer to Jordan et. al., (1998) Med. Res. Rev. 18: 259-296).
Therefore, according to the microtubule system (such as tubulin polymerization/depolymerization) as the target for developing compounds, the new therapy used for the treatment or the prevention of cancers or cancer related symptoms, or the treatment of angiogenesis related disease, such as cardiovascular disease (e.g. atherosclerosis), chronic inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease), diabetes (e.g. diabetic retinopathy), psoriasis, and retinal neovascularization or corneal neovascularization can be developed (please refer to Griggs rt. al., (2002) Am. J. Pathol. 160(3): 1097-1103).
A variety of synthetic small molecules have been reported as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, which compete the colchicine-binding site to tubulin. Structurally, they involve various heteroaromatic cores, for instance including the indole, benzothiophene, benzofuran, imidazole, thiazole, and oxadiazoline moieties. The indole system has a majority, for example 2-aroylindoles, 3-aroylindoles, 3-aroyl-2-phenylindoles, 3-arylthioindoles-2-carboxylate, and indolyl-3-glyoxamides that show strong antiproliferative and antitubulin activity.
The sulfonamide-containing compounds, such as N-pyridinyl sulfonamide ABT-751 (formerly E-7010) and styryl-pyridine N-oxide sulfonamide HMN-21416, demonstrated effective inhibitor of tubulin polymerization and a potent antimitotic agent, respectively. ABT-751 and HMN-214 are now undergoing human clinical trials against various tumor types. So far, there have been no reports on the inhibition of tubulin polymerization by Indoline-sulfonamides.

Abstract: or R″—C(O)—, and Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted C5-C20 aryl, cyclyl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl, R′ and R″ independently is C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxyl; and R3 is C5-C15 aryl or C1-C10 alkyl. The indoline-sulfonamide compounds disclosed in the present invention are characterized in inhibiting tubulin polymerization, and treating cancers and other tubulin polymerization-related disorders with a suitable pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.


In a multi-chip module (MCM), optical waveguides in a first plane convey modulated optical signals among integrated circuits (which are sometimes referred to as ‘chips’). Moreover, an optical-butterfly switch, optically coupled to the optical waveguides, dynamically allocates communication bandwidth among the integrated circuits. This optical-butterfly switch includes optical components in the first plane and a second plane, and optical couplers that couple the modulated optical signals to and from the first plane and the second plane. In this way, the MCM communicates the modulated optical signals among the integrated circuits without optical-waveguide crossings in a given plane.

1. Field
The present disclosure generally relates to optical networks. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-chip module (MCM) that includes integrated circuits that communicate via a butterfly optical network without optical-waveguide crossings in a single layer of the butterfly optical network.
2. Related Art
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which allows a single optical connection to carry multiple optical links or channels, can be used to provide: very high bit rates, very high bandwidth densities and very low power consumption. As a consequence, researchers are investigating the use of WDM to facilitate inter-chip communication. For example, in one proposed architecture chips in an array (which is sometimes referred to as a 'macrochip,' a multi-chip module or an MCM, and the chips are sometimes referred to based on the locations or 'sites' where they are placed in the array) are coupled together by an optical network that includes optical interconnects (such as silicon optical waveguides).
In order to use photonic technology in interconnect applications, an efficient design is desired for the optical network. In particular, the optical network ideally provides: a high total peak bandwidth; a high bandwidth for each logical connection between any two sites in the array; low arbitration and connection setup overheads; low power consumption; and bandwidth reconfigurability.
A variety of optical network topologies having different characteristics and contention scenarios have been proposed to address these challenges in interconnect applications. In general, the topology for the optical network that couples the chips is dependent on application demands and on potential future improvements in optical technology. For example, some applications only require processes on each chip to communicate with one other chip or a small number of other chips. In these cases, an optical network that allows the chips to use their full optical communication bandwidth to communicate with one other chip may provide the most efficient use of optical-network communication bandwidth, and if the complexity of the optical link used to support this communication technique is not too high, then this optical network may also be the most energy-efficient choice.
A variety of such optical networks (such as: crossbar, butterfly and Clos topologies) have been designed and implemented in the electronic domain. However, when implemented in silicon photonics, such topologies often have complicated optical-waveguide routing which can result in long optical-waveguide lengths and optical-waveguide crossings. The latter are problematic because in-plane optical-waveguide crossings introduce both crosstalk and signal loss. For example, a single-plane implementation of a 16-node butterfly optical network may include a worst-case optical link with 207 optical-waveguide crossings between switch stages. Using current technology, each optical-waveguide crossing may result in approximately 0.1 dB of signal loss, which may result in 20 dB total per-optical-link signal loss. In the absence of a significant breakthrough in optical-waveguide crossing design that achieves 0.0007 dB signal loss per optical-waveguide crossing, this single-plane design is not feasible.
Hence, what is needed is an MCM with an optical network that does not suffer from the above-described problems.

Butterfly optical network with crossing-free switches


An electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact having a first mating element, and a second electrical contact having a second mating element. The first and second electrical contacts being configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface. A distribution of contact pressure across the contact interface at least partially coincides with a distribution of electrical current flow across the contact interface.

The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical contacts, and more particularly, to an assembly of mated electrical contacts.
Complementary electrical contacts are configured to mate together at a contact interface where mating elements of the complementary electrical contacts engage (i.e., physically contact) each other. Many electrical contact assemblies form a Hertzian style contact interface when the mating elements of the complementary electrical contacts engage each other. Hertzian contact interfaces are formed when the mating element of one of the complementary electrical contacts includes a curved surface that engages a curved or approximately flat surface of the mating element of the other complementary electrical contact. The curved surface(s) deforms slightly under the contact force that holds the mating elements in engagement. For example, a Hertzian style contact interface is formed when a mating element in the form of a spherical protrusion engages an approximately flat (i.e., planar) surface of the mating element of the complementary electrical contact.
Hertzian contact interfaces are not without disadvantages. For example, the mechanical and electrical distributions across the Hertzian contact interface are typically not coincident. Specifically, the regions within the Hertzian contact interface having the greatest mechanical contact pressure (i.e., the greatest normal load or the greatest normal pressure) have different locations within the Hertzian contact interface than the regions within the Hertzian contact interface that carry the greatest amount of electrical current (i.e., the greatest current density). For example, the maximum mechanical contact pressure may be located at the center of the Hertzian contact interface, while the maximum amount of electrical current is distributed across the outer perimeter of the Hertzian contact interface. As a result of the mechanical and electrical distributions not being coincident, only a portion (e.g., a minority) of the area of the Hertzian contact interface is contributing to the flow of electrical current, which may lead to greater overall contact resistance and/or a greater localized thermal response.
Moreover, in situations wherein a shear force is applied to the Hertzian contact interface (e.g., from vibrational and/or thermal effects), mechanical degradation of the Hertzian contact interface will first occur where the lateral deformation is the greatest but the mechanical contact pressure is the lowest. In other words, shear forces may cause the Hertzian contact interface to mechanically degrade (e.g., break, fracture, wear, and/or the like) first at the regions that carry the greatest amount of electrical current, which may reduce the amount of electrical current that is carried by the Hertzian contact interface to fall below desired levels and/or may cause the electrical contacts to completely lose electrical contact therebetween. Shear forces may be especially problematic for Hertzian contact interfaces that are formed from electrical contacts that include non-noble metal coatings (e.g., Sn), which may require a higher normal load to penetrate the inherent oxide film that forms on non-noble metal coatings.


A device is provided to apply make-up (10) in low-light situations. The device has a body tube (14), with a first and a second and a intermediate portion therebetween. The first end has a radial cross-section with an inner portion and an annular outer portion. Mounted in the inner portion of the first end is a make-up (10) applying means (16). Surrounding the make-up applying means (16) is an illuminating means (22) for illuminating, positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end. It is adapted to project the illumination axially outwardly. The illuminating means (22) is power by a powering means (24) is activated by a switch (621).

Proper application of lipstick and other make-up requires a certain amount of visual input, so it is generally done in front of a mirror. In a low-light situation, additional lighting is sometimes required. Such additional lighting should be directed to the point of application.
A make-up applicator with a lighting source is an ideal solution to this problem. The prior art is replete with attempts to provide an effective solution, but apparently the attempts have been ineffective, as commercial products incorporating these concepts are simply not available.
One piece of prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,667 to Hwang (Dec. 19, 1989) teaches a lipstick cap with lamp devices, including a cap sleeve used to receive a common lipstick sleeve and a rotary switch engaged with the cap sleeve, wherein the cap sleeve is equipped with several lamp devices and a pair of conducting plates that electrically connect the lamp devices in series. The rotary switch has a battery container including an anode and a cathode conducting plate that can be selectively electrically connected with the conducting plates of the lipstick cap by rotating the rotary switch. When a battery is contained in the battery container, the lamp devices can be lighted for illuminating the make-up applicator.
Another piece of the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,972 to Nadel, teaches a wand-type applicator that comprises a light-transmissive material, with an LED mounted at a fixed end of the wand. When the LED is activated, light emitted from the LED is diffusively emitted along the length of the wand. Although such a device may provide an applicator that is visually striking to others than the user, the diffuse lateral emission of the light and the ease with which the applicator wand is soiled with the opaque makeup material being applied greatly attenuate the value of the light to the user under low-light application conditions. Further, the Nadel '972 patent is limited to wand-type applicators and has no utility with, for example, a conventional tube lipstick.
It is therefore a present object to provide an effectively lighted make-up applicator for use in low-light situations.

Make-up applicator with LED light source


The invention relates to a blood filter that is to be positioned within a blood vessel to trap blood clots. The filter includes a head to which there are attached and from which there extend several legs comprising at least one elongated element having two opposite ends. The legs are radially movable and the elongated element of at least some of these legs has a shape folded back upon itself, substantially in the form of a loop. According to the invention, one of the ends of at least some of these elongated elements is disposed at a distance from the inside of the head of the filter.

The invention relates to a blood filter that is to be positioned within a blood vessel to trap blood clots carried along by the flow of blood. It should be noted at this point that the filter according to the invention can be both a "definitive" (or permanent) filter and a "temporary" filter, that is a filter which can be implanted in a vessel and which can be left there permanently, or removed after a given period of implantation (nowadays typically of the order of a fortnight).
Conventionally, a filter known as a "definitive" implantation filter is provided with means for fastening or attachment to the wall of the vessel in which it is implanted.
Some examples of such filters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,205, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,733 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,427. However, some such blood filters are also known which have hooks for attachment to the wall of the vessel and which are nevertheless defined as being removable or repositionable, as long as the period for which they have been positioned in a specific location within a vessel has not been too long and cellular development does not in practice prevent them from being moved. U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,304 describes such a filter whose head has a hook enabling the filter to be caught.
However, other filters defined as "temporary", that is removable under the conditions outlined above, are such that the filter itself is attached to a long, flexible carrier tube (often a catheter) which meanders through the body of the patient as far as the cutaneous surface region from which the filter was introduced into the vascular system, this elongate tube even generally protruding outside the patient's body. Some examples of such filters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,086, in FR-A-2 713 081 or in U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,891.
Among these different types of filter, the one according to the invention is, structurally, more especially a filter having an axis and comprising a head which is arranged substantially on that axis and to which there are attached and from which there extend several legs or limbs, comprising at least one elongate (filiform) element having a first end and a second, opposite end, the legs being radially movable between a radially expanded state and a radially contracted state in which the legs are brought close to the axis, the elongate element of at least some of these legs being in a form folded back upon itself, substantially in the form of a loop.
A filter with such a structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,427.
However, that filter, like those mentioned above, still has defects in regard to the permeability of its head in respect of blood circulation.
This is a critical problem since the filter must be capable of trapping and retaining blood clots of at least a given size, but it must not excessively disrupt the blood circulation or the vessel in which it is implanted.
These two constraints are difficult to satisfy simultaneously.
The filter's mechanical resistance, its suitability for implantation from a tube (catheter) having a small diameter and its reliability must also be taken into consideration.

Blood filtering device having improved permeability