An apparatus for supporting and positioning a patient's leg during a surgical procedure includes a substantially rigid, non-linear support structure comprising a distal segment and a proximal segment. The apparatus further includes a proximal locking swivel joint and an actuation handle. The proximal locking swivel joint is coupled to the proximal segment of the support structure and holds the support structure in a plurality of positions. The actuation handle is connected to the distal segment of the support structure and coupled to the proximal locking swivel joint. Activation of the actuation handle results in release of the proximal locking swivel joint, thereby allowing repositioning of the support structure into a plurality of positions.

Medical and surgical procedures often times require that the patient's body and/or extremities be positioned to facilitate access to the surgical site(s). Often, the procedure(s) being performed may require that the limb be repositioned during the procedure (i.e., intra-operatively). Typically, in surgery, a patient is given a general anesthetic prior to a procedure, which may prevent the body's natural defense mechanisms (e.g., pain responses or involuntary movements) from protecting the body from long periods of high pressure or movement of the limb(s) outside their normal range of motion. Excess pressure on a limb, or movement of the limb, during surgical procedures pose a well-documented risk of severe patient injury, which may include nerve and/or muscle damage as well as joint dislocation or post-surgical discomfort.
Because the surgical staff is wearing sterile gloves and gowns to maintain the sterile surgical site, it is imperative that they be able to adjust the non-sterile equipment without breaking the sterile field. Limb holders, such as lithotomy stirrups, have support structures fixed to a proximal swivel joint which, in turn, is attached to a surgical table accessory rail. These stirrups are typically used to position legs, for example, during gynecological and urological procedures.
Limb holders introduced in the late 1990's enabled distal actuation of the motion of the supporting structure relative to the proximal locking swivel joint. This feature allowed clinicians to adjust the patient's limb position through a sterile drape and at a distance from the surgical site, which is typically the groin or abdomen. Sterile drapes, in this case, are often made of a clear material, allowing the staff to see the distal handle and actuate it manually, while maintaining proper protocols to maintain the sterile field. In addition, limb holders typically have a gas piston which, in certain positions, provides an upward force that reduces the force required to support the leg while the clinician is moving the limb during or before surgery.
Current limb holders/extremity holders allow distal actuation of simultaneous axes of motion (including abduction/adduction and high low lithotomy positioning) of the supporting structure and supported limbs during medical and surgical procedures, intra-operatively. Conventional devices accomplish this distal actuation through the use of a single, rigid actuation rod located within a hollow support structure. This actuation rod and support structure follows a linear path longitudinal to the patient's body and the surgical table, translating the rotational motion of the distal actuation handle along a straight and singular, linear path to a clamp release mechanism. The support structure is fixed to a proximal locking swivel joint, and is allowed to move along various axes, relative to the mounting mechanism fixed to the table, when the clamping force is released. Then, it is again held in place when the clamping force is reapplied as the actuation rotational force at the handle is removed.
In the conventional limb holder arrangement discussed above, the rotation of the actuation handle, the rotation of the actuation rod, and the rotation of the proximal locking swivel joint release mechanism and the structure of the supporting member all share the same linear axis. Note that the proximal locking swivel joint mechanism and mechanisms for releasing a clamping force of this proximal locking swivel joint are generally understood in the art; therefore this will not be explained in this application. For purposes of this application, the term "proximal locking swivel joint" will be used to refer to a typical mechanism for accomplishing this action, such as a band clamp or similar friction based mechanism.
During surgery, the patient's foot is held either in a booted lithotomy stirrup or a hip distractor. In the case of a booted lithotomy stirrup, the patient's legs are held in a padded boot and positioned hold the legs out of the surgical field and provide access to the surgical site (anus, vagina, lower abdomen). These stirrups are intended to protect the lower leg from injury during a surgical procedure. The boot is generally mounted medially to the support structure. In the case of a hip distractor, the patient's foot is held in a boot or strap system in order to efficiently pull the leg along the longitudinal axis of a spar, resulting in the partial separation of the hip joint for access to the joint by arthroscopic surgical instruments. Hip distractors generally hold the foot above (anterior to) the spar. The legs are not generally bent at the knee and any additional range of motion of the boot mount is intended to align the pulling force through axis determined by the patient's ankle, knee and hip joints.
Conventional limb holders have a number of flaws that make them suboptimal in many model surgical scenarios. For example, the use of a linear (i.e., straight) support structure requires that when the patient's leg is moved to adjust its position, the axis of translation of the boot or limb cradle passes below the hip joint rather than through the hip joint. This translation offset has the potential to create stress at the patient's femoral acetabular junction and trochanter, and in the case of lithotomy positioning, could lead to patient injury, possibly in the form of hip dislocation or discomfort. Additionally, many modern robotic surgery techniques employ multiple tool arms and tools that are used in surgical procedures requiring limb positioning, and may be located laterally and/or medially relative to the patient's limb or limbs. The conventional limb holders require that the support structure, through which the actuation mechanism is placed, be located lateral to the patient's leg (and along the patient's longitudinal axis), potentially obstructing some modern robotic surgical arms and instruments, such as those used in urological or gynecological procedures.
Moreover, some surgical procedures require that the surgical table be angled so that the patient's head is elevated up to 45 degrees above the feet (i.e., a "reverse Trendelenburg position") while other procedures require the feet to be elevated up to 45 degrees above the head (i.e., the "Trendelenburg position"). Some procedures may require that the patient be moved from one of these positions to another. The surgical table must be so angled thus requiring a wide range of motion of lithotomy stirrups, and the legs they support, relative to the surgical table. This can require the stirrups supporting the legs to have a range of motion of up to 140°. This extreme range of motion was not contemplated when distally actuated stirrups were originally introduced. In fact, conventional systems limit the range of motion to about 118°
In the case of extreme Trendelenburg positioning, whereby the table may be positioned at up to a 45 degree incline relative to the floor, the patient's body may move. This movement may cause the patient's foot to slide out of the support boot, thereby creating a risk of injury due to hyperextension of the leg. In this case, the clinician must reposition the boot to reestablish proper leg positioning. The boot mount apparatus of conventional stirrups, when unlocked, releases the boot stirrup to move along multiple axes relative to the support structure, when only motion along the longitudinal axis of the support structure is desired. This requires unlocking of all ranges of motion which, in turn, results in a single clinician having to bear a significant portion of the weight of the patient's leg creating an unsafe and unstable situation for both clinician and patient.

Limb holder allowing distal actuation along non-linear paths of actuation


The number of simultaneous equations needed to find the location solution of an asset being tracked, such as a railcar, or, in the alternative, to improve the localization accuracy of any of several positioning methods used to track assets, is reduced by using a railway track database. Known railway track locations are used to constrain the railcar (i.e., asset) location solutions. This constraint makes the Cartesian coordinate location x, y and z values interdependent and reduces the number of simultaneous equations needed to find the location solution. Since all relevant railcars must be supported on railway tracks, and railway track locations and elevations throughout North America are available in a database, the number of satellite signals required is reduced. The railway track database represents a complex set of railway tracks. Instead of forming the complete set of function factors that make up the railway track data base every time a railcar location solution is needed, a start is made from a previous solution and only those railway tracks and/or branches that are feasible (i.e., nearby) are tried. Thus, the complexity of forming all railway track function terms is reduced to forming only those needed in a short railway track "tree search".

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to Global Positioning System (GPS) asset localization and, more particularly, to a method of minimizing the number of GPS satellite signals needed or to improve accuracy in GPS-based asset localization.
2. Background Description
The tracking and location of assets such as railcars, shipping or cargo container, trucks, truck trailers, automobiles, etc. can be highly advantageous in commerce. Precise tracking of such vehicles and objects can facilitate their being allocated and positioned in an efficient manner, and can provide for immediate, accurate localization of lost, delayed or damaged assets. The space-based global positioning system (GPS) implemented by the United States Department of Defense constitutes a convenient instrumentality for determining geographical position in real time.
The GPS is a multiple satellite-based radio positioning system in which each satellite transmits data that allows precise measurement of the distance from selected ones of the GPS satellites to the antenna of a user's receiver so as to enable the user to compute position, velocity and time parameters through known triangulation techniques. The signals provided by the GPS can be received both globally and continuously.
The GPS comprises three major segments known as space, control and user segments. The space segment consists of twenty-one operational satellites and three spare satellites. The satellites are positioned in a constellation such that typically seven satellites, but a minimum of four, are observable by a user anywhere on or near the earth's surface. Each satellite transmits L-band signals on two frequencies known as L1 (1575.42 MHZ) and L2 (1227.6 MHZ), using spread spectrum techniques that employ two types of spreading functions.
C/A (or coarse/acquisition code) and P (or precise) pseudo random noise (PRN) codes are transmitted on frequency L1, and P code only is transmitted on frequency L2. Both P and C/A codes contain data that enable a receiver to determine the range between a satellite and the user.
Superimposed on both the P and C/A codes is a navigation (NAV) message. A NAV message contains the GPS signal transmission time, a handover word used in connection with the transition from C/A to P code tracking, ephemeris (position) data for the given satellite, and almanac data for all of the satellites in the constellation, including information regarding satellite health, coefficients for the ionospheric delay model for C/A code users, and coefficients used to calculate universal coordinated time (UCT).
The control segment comprises a master control station (MCS) and a number of monitor stations. The monitor stations passively track all GPS satellites in view, collecting ranging data and satellite clock data from each satellite. This information is passed on to the MCS where the satellite's future ephemeris and clock drift are predicted. Updated ephemeris and clock data are uploaded to each satellite for retransmission in each satellite's navigation message. The purpose of the control segment is to ensure that the information transmitted from the satellites is as accurate as possible.
The GPS is useful in a wide variety of applications, including space, air, sea and land vehicle navigation, precise positioning, time transfer, altitude referencing and surveying. A typical GPS receiver comprises several subsystems, including an antenna assembly, an RF (radio frequency) assembly, and a GPS processor assembly. The antenna assembly receives the L-band GPS signal and amplifies it prior to insertion into the RF assembly. The RF assembly mixes the L-band GPS signal down to a convenient IF (intermediate frequency) signal. This signal is then fed to the GPS processor assembly in which the PRN code modulating the L-band signal is tracked through code-correlation at the receiver. This provides the processing gain needed to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) sufficient for demodulating the navigation data and signal-transmission time stamp. The Doppler shift of the received L-band signal is also measured through a carrier tracking loop. The code correlation and carrier tracking function can be performed using either analog or digital signal processing.
A GPS receiver can determine its location by processing signals received from several of the GPS satellites so as to determine the satellite positions and range from the receiver to each of the satellites. With perfect knowledge of the range to just three satellites, exact receiver position can be determined as the intersection of the three spheres induced by the known satellite positions and the derived receiver ranges. The range to a particular satellite is calculated as the propagation time multiplied by the speed of light. The propagation time is found by recognizing a predetermined transmitted marker in the received signal and noting its reception time, reading the transmission time associated with the marker from the NAV data stream, and calculating propagation time as the difference between the reception and transmission times. The reception time is found by performing a cross-correlation of the received signal with a local replica of the known satellite Gold code, and noting the reception time of a chosen correlation peak. The satellite signal structures use Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) coding so that the above cross correlation is part of the standard GPS receiver processing.
One type of known GPS receiver is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,155, wherein the position of the receiver responsive to C/A signals derived from multiple, orbiting satellites is determined to an accuracy better than 100 meters. Each of the C/A signals has the same transmitted carrier frequency and a different, predetermined Gold code sequence. C/A signals transmitted to the receiver are separately detected by cross-correlating received Gold code sequences with plural locally derived Gold code sequences. Four of the detected C/A signals are combined to compute receiver position. To determine receiver position to an accuracy typically better than 100 meters, the cross correlation is repeated while the relative phase of the locally derived Gold code sequences is varied over the interval of one chip (i.e., pulse) of each sequence. This provides for sub-chip accuracy in the signal timing.
In operation, a typical GPS receiver performs the following for each of at least four satellite signals:
1) acquires the GPS signal, (detects the signal and learns its code, code-time offset, and Doppler shift), PA1 2) synchronizes with the NAV data stream and reads the satellite transmission time-stamp, clock-correction, ionospheric-delay and ephemeris data, PA1 3) calculates the satellite position from the ephemeris data, PA1 4) reads its own receiver clock to determine the receiver time associated with the reception of the time-stamp epoch, and PA1 5) estimates the signal travel time by subtracting the time-stamp value from the associated receiver time. This time difference is multiplied by the speed of light to obtain an estimated range to the satellite.
Any error in satellite and receiver clock synchronization leads to proportional range errors. Because the same clock is used in receiving all satellite signals, there is only one unknown receiver clock "bias" or error to be found. By receiving and processing a fourth satellite signal, four measurement equations are generated and these are used to jointly solve for the clock bias and the three receiver position coordinates. Error induced by receiver noise is reduced by (effectively) averaging over several range calculations.
A preferred application of the present invention is the locating and tracking of assets such as rail cars, shipping or cargo containers, trucks, truck trailers, and the like, using the GPS. In such application, the GPS receiver is usually battery powered since an independent source of power is generally not available. It is advantageous to increase the operating life of the battery by reducing the energy consumed by the GPS receiver.
In one system of the invention, a central facility or station must track multiple railcars. Each tracked railcar carries a GPS receiver that processes data from several of the visible GPS satellites; however, an accurate position determination is not made at the receiver. Instead, only partial processing is performed at the receiver and intermediate results are transmitted from the railcar to the central station. These intermediate results do not require decoding of navigational or other data from the GPS signals. This system thus allows the GPS receiver and signal processor to be powered only long enough to acquire the GPS satellite signals. With this system, a dominant energy consumer is the GPS signal acquisition process, and the GPS receiver energy used at each tracked railcar will be reduced if the number of GPS satellite signals needed is reduced.
The above referenced application Ser. No. 08/456,229 discloses two methods of centralized object tracking that do not require demodulation of the received GPS signals NAV data. These methods thus allow the GPS receiver and signal processor to be powered only long enough to acquire the GPS satellite signals. In the first method, five GPS satellite signals must be received. The code or bit phases are measured for each signal and sent to the central station along with their associated satellite identification numbers. From these measurements, the asset location is determined at the central station. In the alternative second method, only four GPS satellite signals must be received. The reception time and the code or bit phases are measured for each signal and sent to the central station along with their associated satellite numbers. From these measurements, the asset location is determined at the central station.
It is advantageous to further reduce the number of GPS satellite signals that must be received by a tracked asset such as a railcar. Railcars are frequently in positions where trees, buildings, and the like block reception of some GPS signals so that fewer than the normally required four or more GPS satellite signals are receivable. In such cases, it would be advantageous for the central station to be able to determine railcar location from the limited number of GPS signal measurements. Furthermore, in the above referenced centralized tracking system, the acquisition consumption of energy (and other costs) associated with transmitting the measurements to the central station will be reduced at the tracked railcar if the number of GPS measurements needed is reduced.

Method and apparatus for locating an object using reduced number of GPS satellite signals or with improved accuracy


A specimen support for optical observation or analysis. The support comprises a disc-like member composed of a rigid material and having at least one unobstructed hole extending therethrough. When analyzing a liquid specimen, the disc is dipped in the liquid and the surface tension of the liquid will cause the liquid to bridge or span the hole. The support is then placed in a tray or holder and exposed to an infrared beam to generate an infrared spectrum.

Infrared microspectroscopy can be used to provide an infrared spectrum of liquid and solid materials. In a typical apparatus of this type a source of infrared energy is directed through the specimen which is supported on an optically clear disc-like window, and mirrors are employed to vary the wavenumber or length of the beam and generate an infrared spectrum of a specific area of the specimen. The window used in an apparatus of this type is generally composed of a crystal such as KBr, BaF.sub.2, or the like, which is capable of transmitting infrared radiation.
When analyzing a solid specimen, such as animal or plant tissue, paint flakes, or the like, a thin section of the specimen, generally having a thickness in the range of 5 to 15 microns, is mounted on the window. It is important that the specimen have a thickness in the above-mentioned range, for if the specimen is too thick, distorted spectra are obtained, in which strong bands flatten out and weak bands are disproportioned. It is also important to hold the specimen flat against the window, and this is generally accomplished by either clamping the specimen between two windows or discs, or holding the specimen taut against a surface of the window through use of tape or the like.
When analyzing a liquid specimen, a thin film of the liquid is applied to the surface of the disc-like window. However, the conventional windows, as used in the past will not tolerate water or acidic materials, for the water or acidic materials will attack the window, which will cause loss of specimen integrity. The procedure, as used in the past, for analyzing aqueous solutions, has been to initially distill off the water to obtain a solid or viscous liquid and then neutralize the residue. The residue is then extracted with a solvent which will not attack the window. The solvent solution is then placed on a surface of the window and an infrared spectrum can them be obtained. However, the spectrum of the solvent itself, as well as the spectrum of the window, must be deducted from the composite spectrum. It has also been noted that when using this extraction method, there is some loss of specimen integrity, due to the processing involved.
As a further problem, the disc-like windows, as used in the past to support the specimens,,are very expensive and in most cases are discarded after use, or alternately, require costly surface repolishing before re-use.


An isolated mixed bacterial culture, preferably BC-1, ATCC No. 202057, which degrades ethers, especially branched alkylethers including MTBE, under aerobic conditions has been prepared.

Alkyl-alkyl ethers (R--O--R) such as methyl t-butyl ether (hereinafter "MTBE") are being used as octane-enhancers in the reformulation of low volatility unleaded gasoline blends and for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds from engines. In general, alkylethers, especially those alkylethers which have only one ether linkage and without other functional groups, are chemically stable compounds and there is little information on their biodegradability in soil, groundwater and activated sludge environments. The lack of alkylether degradation by indigenous microbes in soils and biosludges may be attributed to the very stable and chemically unreactive ether linkage, the inability of these compounds to be transported into cells and/or the lack of inducible or existing enzyme activities (e.g. oxygenases, hydroxylases) which can attack the ether bond.
It is known that MTBE can persist in groundwater from accidental spills of unleaded gasoline from underground storage tanks. However, no known naturally-occurring microbial cultures exist to biotreat groundwater, wastewater, tank bottom wastes or soils containing this ether.
Alkyl ethers such as symmetric dioctyl ether have been shown by Modrzakowski and Finnerty to be only partially oxidized by an Acinetobacter strain in which the ether linkage is not cleaved and only the terminal carbons are utilized for growth. See Intermediary Metabolism of Acinetobacter Grown on Dialkyethers. Can J. Microbiol. 35:1031-1036 (1989).
Studies on the biodegradability testing of MTBE in sludges and soils by Fujiwara et al. showed that 100 ppm MTBE or diisopropylether (DIPE) does not degrade in activated sludge (300 ppm solids) in an oxygen uptake assay. Moreover, MTBE did not significantly affect the respiration rate of other hydrocarbons when blended (12% w/v) with the fuel. See Fujiwara, T., T. Kinoshita, H. Sato and I. Kojima, Biodegradation and bioconcentration of alkyl ethers. Yukagaku 33:111-114 (1984).
Moller and Arvin proposed that MTBE (10 ppm) or TAME (t-amyl methyl ether, 3 ppm) were not degraded in 60 days by microbes in an aquifer soil, topsoil or activated sludges. In these experiments, MTBE at 200 ppm levels showed a weak inhibitory effect on the biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons (3.5 ppm BTEX). See Moller, H. and E. Arvin, Solubility and Degradability of the Gasoline Additive MTBE, methyl-tert-butyl-ether and Gasoline Compounds in Water, Contaminated Soil '90, 445-448 (1990), Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Recent studies by Suflita and Mormile on the anaerobic degradation of gasoline oxygenates in a landfill aquifer material showed that of several alkyl ethers tested (MTBE, TAME, ETBE, DIPE, ethyl ether, propyl ether) only n-butyl methyl ether was metabolized under anaerobic methanogenic conditions. MTBE is only cleaved under anaerobic condition to t-butyl alcohol which is not degraded further. See Suflita, J. M. and M. R. Mormile, Anaerobic Biodegradation of Known and Potential Gasoline Oxygenates in the Terrestrial Subsurface. Environ. Sci. Technol. 27:976-978 (1993).
Parales et al isolated actinomycete from biosludge which was shown to grow on 1,4-dioxane could also utilize some of the linear alkyl ethers such as diethyl ether and methyl butyl ether, but not the branched alky ethers such as diisopropylether, ethyl t-butyl ether or ethylene glycol ethers. See Parales, R. E., J. E. Admus, N. White, H. D. Degradation of 1,4-dioxane by an Actinomycete in Pure Culture, Applied Environ Microbiol, 60, 4527-4530, May, 1994.
Japanese patent application number 04,110,098, filed by Kyowa Hakko Kagyo KK, proposes the decomposition of ethyleneglycol alkylethers with bacteria. The ethers decomposed have more than one ether linkages and/or have hydroxyl functional groups, which are known to be more readily degradable than those with only one ether linkage and without other functional groups.
Japanese patent application number 62,208,289, filed by Hodogaya Chem Ind KK, proposes the degradation of polyoxytetramethylene glycol with bacterial strains. The ethers degraded have multiple ether linkages and thus are more readily degradable than those with only one ether linkage and with no other functional groups.
Thus, there remains a need for a bacterial culture capable of degrading under, aerobic condition an ether, especially an alkyl ether, more especially a branched alkyl ether such as MTBE. The culture would be useful for treating wastes and groundwater containing ethers, especially branched alkyl ethers such as MTBE.

Biodegradation of ethers using an isolated mixed bacterial culture


A welding torch having a torch body that is adapted to receive a welding electrode. A collet and collet body, or other mechanism, may be used to secure the electrode to the torch body. The welding torch has a handle that is securable to the torch body, but which may be selectively removed from the torch body. The welding torch may be operated with the handle removed. The welding torch is adapted to prevent arcing from the torch body to a surrounding surface when the handle is removed. The welding torch also may have a cable that is adapted to convey gas and electricity that is affixed to the torch body. The torch body may have an electrical connector disposed within the torch body for connection to the cable operable to convey gas and electricity. The cable and torch may also be adapted to provide cooling water to the torch body. The torch body may also be flexible.

The present invention relates generally to the field of arc welding systems, and more particularly to an arc welding torch that is adapted for operation with a removable handle.
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding (also known as gas tungsten arc welding, GTAW, or HELIARC) is a type of arc welding process in which an electric arc is maintained between a cylindrical metal electrode and a metal object. The heat generated by the arc produces localized melting of the metal object. The electrode, typically tungsten, is secured to a torch to enable a user to direct the electrode and establish the point of contact between the electrode and the object. TIG welding may be performed with or without the addition of a filler metal. Typically, the weld puddle and the area surrounding the weld puddle are protected from the atmosphere by an inert gas. The inert gas prevents rapid oxidation of the weld and the surrounding metal.
The electricity for the welding process is provided by a power source through a welding cable coupled to the torch. Typically, the power source is a constant voltage AC, DC, or a combination AC/DC source. In addition, a TIG welding cable typically is adapted to transport the inert gas to the torch. Furthermore, the TIG welding process typically generates a substantial amount of heat in the electrode. Consequently, cooling fluid may be used to cool the torch. Thus, a welding cable for a TIG welding system may transport electricity, gas, and cooling fluid.
A typical TIG welding torch has a torch body and a handle that is disposed onto the torch body. The welding cable from a power supply typically is connected to a connector on the torch body. The handle may be removed from the torch body to enable the welding cable to be connected to the torch body. However, the handle typically is long or otherwise bulky and limits the ability of a user to operate in tight areas. The handle may be removed from the welding torch to enable the torch to access a tighter area. However, if the handle is removed, conductive metal portions of the welding torch are exposed, such as the connectors used to connect the torch body to the welding cable, increasing the possibility of an arc being produced between the welding torch and an adjacent structure, or the user.
A need exists for a technique to enable a welding torch to be operated with and without a handle. More specifically, a need exists for a technique to enable a welding torch to be operated without a handle and without risk of electrical arcing from the portions of the welding torch that are exposed when the handle is removed.

Welding torch having removable handle and method of operating same


An intraocular lens, in the form of a disk, intended to replace the crystalline lens of a patient's eye, in particular after cataract extraction, comprises on its distal side, an aspherical sector extending approximately from the midline of the disk over one quarter of the surface thereof. The rest of the distal side is spherical. The radius of curvature of the aspherial sector varies monotonously between the value of the radius of the spherical sectors and a lower value. Such a configuration allows light rays impinging on the intraocular lens to be refracted at different angles and provides both near and distant vision. The discontinuity at transition between the aspherical sector and the spherical sector is blocked out by dark or etched plastic to eliminate glare. The proximal side can either be a convex surface, a concave surface or a plane.

Intraocular lenses have been increasingly used in the last decade, in particular in aphakic patients after a cataract operation. Intraocular lenses provide many advantages over both spectacles and contact lenses. They permit a better elimination of perceptual problems and reduce image size disparity. Since the intraocular lens is intended to remain in situ, it eradicates the difficulties in inserting and removing contact lenses encountered by elderly patients. The use of an intraocular lens may also be advantageous for those working in unusual environments and for those whose visual requirements for occupation must be fulfilled. Presently, ophthalmologists and eye surgeons recommend that intraocular implant lens surgery be performed when the patient is not likely to manage a contact lens.
Accordingly to Norman S. Jaffe et al., "Pseudophakos", published by the C.V. Mosby Company, 1978, the majority of patients who undergo lens implant surgery in the United States receive implants whose power is estimated from the basic refraction of the eye. Experience has shown however, that there are many pitfalls in estimating the basic refraction in this way, in view of the high incidence of residual anisometropia and aniseikonia cases in patients thus corrected. More recently ophthalmologists surgeons have endeavored to design bifocal intraocular lenses (IOL hereafter) to focus both the near and far images on the retina. The "Ocular Surgery News", Jun. 1, 1987, Volume 5, Number 11, reports the latest findings concerning bifocal IOLs. These IOLs, however, provide near and distance vision but do not provide a continuum in the dioptric range. To the best of the inventor's knowledge, there is not known, any multifocal intraocular lens.


A printer of the present invention includes a print drum around which a master made by cutting a stencil is to be wrapped, an ink feeding device for feeding ink to the master wrapped around the print drum and a pressing member for pressing a sheet relatively to the print drum to thereby print an image on the sheet. The operator of the printer is capable of selecting either one of a usual print mode and a silence print mode that give priority to image quality and noise reduction, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer of the type printing an image on a sheet by pressing the sheet against a print drum with pressing means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A thermosensitive, digital master making type of stencil printer is known as a simple, convenient printer. A stencil for use with this type of printer has a laminate structure made up of a porous support implemented by Japanese paper fibers, synthetic fibers or a mixture thereof and a thermoplastic resin film (simply film hereinafter) adhered to the support.
The above stencil printer includes a thermal head or similar heating unit including a number of heat generating devices. When the film surface of the stencil is in contact with the thermal head, the thermal head is moved in the main scanning direction in accordance with image data representative of a document image read by a scanner or image data received from a personal computer or a computer, selectively perforating, or cutting, the stencil with the heating devices to thereby make a master. The master thus made is automatically wrapped around the circumference of a cylindrical, porous print drum while being moved in the subscanning direction by a platen roller or similar master conveying means.
Subsequently, ink is fed from ink feeding means arranged inside the print drum to the master while a sheet is fed from a sheet feeding section toward the print drum. The sheet is continuously pressed against the print drum via the master by a press roller, press drum or similar pressing means, so that the ink is transferred to the sheet via the porous portion of the print drum and perforations formed in the master to thereby print an image on the sheet. The sheet thus adhered to the print drum by the adhesion of the ink is peeled off from the print drum by an air knife or blowing/peeling means implemented by a fan and then driven out to a print tray.
The stencil printer of the type described has some problems left unsolved, as will be described hereinafter. If much ink penetrates the master wrapped around the print drum, the amount of ink to be transferred to the sheet increases and brings about an occurrence that the image printed on the sheet runs or that when consecutive printed sheets are stacked, the ink on the underlying sheet is transferred to the reverse surface of the overlying sheet (so-called offset). On the other hand, if the amount of ink penetrated the master is short, then the amount of ink transferred to the sheet is also short, tending to cause the image on the sheet to blur.
Paying attention to the fact that the problems stated above are greatly dependent on the viscosity of the ink and the pressing force of the pressing means, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-155170 proposes a stencil printer capable of allowing the pressing force and other various conditions to be set for realizing high image quality.
Generally, a stencil printer includes some mechanisms that produce noise, e.g., contact noise ascribable to hitting of a press roller, which is a specific form of the pressing means, against the print drum, air blow noise and sheet feed noise. Such noise is particularly great when the pressing force of the press roller is increased or when print speed is high. However, the noise particular to printing operation has not been discussed in the past because the stencil printer has, in many cases, been used in an exclusive room.
On the other hand, the current tendency is toward a stencil printer including a controller that operates when the printer is connected to, e.g., a personal computer. Such a modern stencil printer is often situated in an ordinary office instead of an exclusive room, so that noise produced thereby is not negligible.
Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2005-154119 and 2004-198889


An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery. The system includes a reusable junction box with a needle communicating directly to a pressure transducer sensor. The sensor transmits changes in pressure to a conventional pressure monitor. A connector attached to the catheter is pushed into the junction box and is held in place by a plastic latch. Inside this connector are an elastomeric plug and an adjacent diaphragm. When the connector is installed in the junction box, the needle pierces the plug and the tip enters the air-filled volume between the plug and the diaphragm. Fluid pressure in the catheter is communicated to the diaphragm surface and, in turn, passed to the air in the volume between the diaphragm and the plug. Thus, the intrauterine pressure is transmitted directly to the sensor. The system may be zeroed to atmosphere by simply removing the connector from the junction box.

The development of devices used to monitor intrauterine pressure in labor and delivery has vastly improved the ability of a physician to assess the health of both fetus and mother during childbirth. The use of such a device, often in conjunction with a fetal heart monitor, serves to warn a physician of potential problems before they become life-threatening. For example, an intrauterine pressure monitor allows a physician to assess whether adequate oxygen and nutrients are being transferred from mother to fetus and whether the rate, duration, and intensity of the intrauterine contractions are acceptable.
Two types of devices are commonly used to monitor intrauterine pressure in a mother during labor and delivery. Often an external device secured to the mother's abdomen is used. For example, a pressure sensitive button, called a tocotransducer, capable of measuring the frequency and duration of intrauterine contractions is available. This type of external device has the advantage of being completely noninvasive. Therefore, it eliminates any threat of infection and risks little discomfort to the mother.
External devices frequently provide inaccurate measurements of intrauterine pressure, however, because they are sensitive to excessive movement and to obesity of the mother. In addition, external devices are poorly capable of measuring the actual intensity of intrauterine contractions. For these reasons, an external device is ineffective in many childbirth situations, specifically, when there is risk of complication and the physician desires very accurate information.
Devices capable of measuring intrauterine pressure when inserted into the uterus provide a more accurate measure of events during labor than the external devices and, in particular, a more accurate measure of intrauterine contraction intensity. Because the nature and duration of the contraction is measured directly, the intrauterine devices minimize the potential for inaccurate readings due to the mother's movement or obesity.
Historically, the most common intrauterine devices are those which use a liquid-filled catheter which, after it is inserted into the uterus of the mother, is hydraulically connected to an external pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is typically mounted to a bedside IV stand and is connected to a monitor device. The monitor may be a cathode ray tube display, a digital display and recording device, a printer, or a plotter.
Typically, the catheter is primed with a sterile solution to provide a continuous column of liquid from the pressure transducer to the tip of the catheter within the uterus. Upon contraction of the uterus, the increased intrauterine pressure causes displacement of the liquid in the catheter which is subsequently measured by the pressure sensor and transmitted to the monitor. The monitor displays the mother's intrauterine pressure as a function of time.
The pressure transducer may be used with a disposable dome which fits over the transducer diaphragm. Typically, there are two ports in the dome, a side port which is connected to the liquid-filled catheter after it is primed with a sterile solution, and a second port which is used for calibration and zero balancing.
There are two significant disadvantages of this type of intrauterine device. First, cumbersome manipulations and time are required to fill and prime the catheter with sterile solution. Second, air bubbles frequently enter the open end of the catheter. Such air bubbles require flushing of the catheter with a sterile solution or replacement of the entire catheter, either of which may cause discomfort to the mother.
An improved, in-dwelling, catheter apparatus useful for monitoring changes in intrauterine pressure during labor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,161 issued to Wallace et al. The catheter has apertures near its distal end, placing a first chamber formed in the distal catheter tip in fluid communication with the fluid of the uterus. Liquids enter the first chamber and form a liquid column with a liquid-air interface. A second chamber, filled with air, is defined by an interior lumen extending the length of the catheter up to the first chamber. An air column is formed by air trapped in the second chamber. The relative volumetric capacity of the first and second chamber is such that, under maximum uterine pressures, the trapped air column will limit the liquid column in the first chamber, minimize hydrostatic pressure error, and prevent fluid from entering the second chamber. Uterine pressure is transmitted from the partially liquid-filled first chamber, through the air-filled column of the second chamber, to the diaphragm of the pressure transducer--which is also part of the catheter.
The design of the '161 device eliminates the requirement for the cumbersome flushing and filling of the catheter found in previous designs. That device requires, however, that the volumes of the two chambers be carefully controlled. Moreover, the pressure sensor is mounted in the catheter and is in direct contact with the intrauterine fluid. Therefore, the entire catheter and pressure sensor device must be discarded after use to prevent transmitting infectious agents from one patient to another. This presents a significant economic disadvantage; the pressure sensor is one of the most costly components of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,049 issued to Cooper et al. discloses a diaphragm-type pressure gauge for use with medical apparatus such as catheters. The gauge has a pressure diaphragm which responds to a change in fluid pressure and activates a mechanical pressure signal translation mechanism. A second, sealing diaphragm may be disposed adjacent the first diaphragm to transmit pressure changes thereto without allowing the passage of materials between the two diaphragms. (Alternatively, the pressure diaphragm may be sealed with a biocompatible material.) The fluid may be provided by a catheter whose wall is disposed against the pressure diaphragm so that the diaphragm senses fluid pressure changes without contact between the diaphragm and the fluid. The gauge is essentially reusable because the pressure diaphragm does not contact the fluid.
The design of the '049 device incorporates a relatively complex method of connecting the gauge and transducer to the measuring circuit, involving, in the preferred embodiment, two diaphragms (one in the wall of a tube). Moreover, the design does not focus on the catheter and, consequently, fails to provide a lumen in the catheter for adding fluid to and removing fluid from the body. Finally, the '049 design risks significant attenuation of the pressure signal because it uses a mechanical pressure signal translation mechanism and the catheter wall to transmit the pressure signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,307 issued to Hon et al. discloses an intrauterine catheter which is connected at one end, through an adapter, to the input of a pressure transducer and closed at its uterine end by a flexible membrane. The catheter is filled with a sterile fluid. No air is in either the catheter or pressure transducer. A change in intrauterine pressure is transmitted to the pressure transducer without contact between the intrauterine fluid and the pressure transducer.
Although the pressure measuring system of the '307 patent can be zeroed while the catheter is in the uterus, the procedure required is relatively complex. Also relatively complex is the procedure required to set up and insert the system in the uterus. The catheter may be filled with a silicone-based fluid, which could enter the uterus upon development of a leak in the tip membrane. Finally, the design of the '307 device fails to provide a lumen in the catheter for adding fluid to and removing fluid from the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,820 issue to Moriuchi et al. discloses a disposable pressure transducer for measuring fluid pressure which includes a sensor assembly in a housing. The housing has a fluid chamber and a chamber accomodating the sensor assembly; the two chambers are integrally formed. Pressure changes are transferred to the fluid chamber and then to a diaphragm of a pressure sensor through a pressure-transmitting medium disposed between the two chambers. The pressure-transmitting medium thus isolates the sensor from the fluid whose pressure is being measured.
The apparatus of the '820 reference is costly because the sensor is disposable. Like the pressure measuring system of the '307 patent, there is no structure disclosed in the disposable pressure transducer apparatus of the '820 patent to zero the apparatus instantaneously. Finally, the design of the '820 device fails to provide a lumen in the catheter for adding fluid to and removing fluid from the body.
To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, a new intrauterine pressure catheter system is provided. The general object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of monitoring intrauterine pressure in a woman during labor and delivery which is economical to use and reuse. In order to achieve that general object, a more specific object is to provide an intrauterine pressure catheter system in which all of the components which come into contact with the mother's bodily fluids and tissues are sterilizable, inexpensive, and disposable. Related objects are to separate the expensive pressure sensor from the disposable part of the system and to isolate the pressure sensor from the mother so that it can be reused without risk of transferring infectious agents from one patient to another.
Further objects are to provide a system which is safe to both the mother and the physician. Its use must create minimal discomfort to the mother and provide accurate information to the physician. In addition, the use of the system must avoid the complexity of running a liquid-filled tube from the catheter to a stand-mounted transducer.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the transducer can be zeroed after the catheter has been inserted into the uterus and the appropriate monitoring device connected to the transducer. Yet another object is to provide an intrauterine pressure catheter system which allows fluid samples to be withdrawn from, and fluids to be infused into, the uterus.


A process for the production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials by applying an electric potential to the anaerobically decomposed organic materials, including landfill materials and sewage, to form hydrogen, and for decreasing the time required to treat these anaerobically decomposed organic materials. The organic materials decompose to volatile acids such as acetic acid, which may be hydrolyzed by electric current to form hydrogen. The process may be continuously run in sewage digestion tanks with the continuous feed of sewage, at landfill sites, or at any site having a supply of anaerobically decomposed or decomposable organic materials.

It is recognized that additional sources of energy are needed for sustained industrial growth. There exists an ever present danger in depending too heavily on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) represent a limited supply of stored energy which are typically released during a combustion process. By burning hydrocarbons mankind has spewed billions of tons of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. It therefore makes sense from both an environmental and economic standpoint to develop alternative sources of renewable fuels.
Hydrogen is a fuel which does not produce pollutants, water being its only combustion product. Hydrogen has many industrial uses in the production of fertilizers, dyes, drugs, plastics, hydrogenated oils and fats and methanol and is used in many industries. It is also used as a rocket fuel and in this invention as a minus-emissions fuel that allows ordinary engines to clean the air.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials, including materials such as those found in landfill materials and sewage sludge, by applying an electric potential to and thereby creating a current through the anaerobically decomposed organic material and thereby forming hydrogen.
2. Description of Related Art
The established processes for producing commercially significant amounts of hydrogen are: (1) steam reforming of hydrocarbons, (2) partial oxidation of coal, (3) electrolysis of water, and (4) direct use of solar radiation (photovoltaic method).
Steam-reformation of hydrocarbons and partial oxidation of coal are disadvantageous in that fossil hydrocarbon fuels are consumed. Production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water, a relatively simple and non-polluting process, is costly and therefore economically disadvantageous for most industrial applications because the amount of energy needed for electrolysis of water exceeds the energy obtained from the combustion of the resulting hydrogen. Photovoltaic methods of hydrogen production have inherent inadequacy related to access to solar radiation for much of the world's population.
Unlike the methods for production of hydrogen outlined above, the process of the present invention does not depend on fossil fuels or the somewhat random appearance of sunlight to produce hydrogen. The present process converts what are typically waste materials into hydrogen, while simultaneously reducing the mass of said materials and/or reducing the treatment time of such materials by application of a relatively small and/or intermittent electric potential to said materials. The process of this invention uses raw materials typically found in, among other places, municipal waste sites and sewage treatment plants and produces more energy, in the form of the chemically stored potential energy of hydrogen, than the electric energy required to produce the hydrogen.
A method of producing hydrogen from sugars is discussed in Energy and the Environment, Proceedings of the 1st World Renewable Energy Congress, Reading, UK Sep. 23–28, 1990. S. Roychowdhury and D. Cox ("Roychowdhury"). This method involves the production of hydrogen from pure sugars such as glucose or maltose.
Roychowdhury reports the initial production of hydrogen upon inoculation of a sugar solution with so-called "landfill inocula". To obtain landfill inocula, materials were obtained from various depths in a landfill, dried, ground (to obtain "landfill powder") and then incubated in situ. The incubated culture medium was observed to produce carbon dioxide and methane, primarily, and little else, indicating the presence of highly methanogenic flora in the inoculum. The supernatant from this culture medium, or in some cases the landfill powder, were used as inocula.
Previously, Roychowdhury disclosed that upon inoculation of various sugar solutions with the landfill supernatant or landfill powder, the sugar solution produced hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and no methane or oxygen; indicating the presence of hydrogen-producing bacteria present in the landfill inoculum and/or landfill hydrogen. Hydrogen production decreased with increasing acidity.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method of hydrogen production which does not require the use of fossil fuels.
It is an object of the invention to serve communities that have relatively undeveloped electricity distribution and other energy infrastructures with a system that provides useful energy from collected wastes.
It is an object of the present invention to separate carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other gases from produced hydrogen.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials


Alcoholic addiction is treated by administering pyridine nucleotide phosphate derivatives having the formula represented by Formula 1: ##STR1## where y can be a second NAD group or an adenosine group and x can be 1, 2, or 3.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to treatments of addictive disorders, such as alcoholism, more particularly this invention relates to the treatment of the symptoms of alcoholic withdrawal.
2. State of the Art
Alcoholism is a common health problem in the United States. Millions suffer from the disease in one degree or another. The results of the disease are billions of dollars spent on treatment, rehabilitation, and more billions wasted on lost man hours at work and petty crimes committed by inebriated individuals. The social cost to the families and acquaintances of alcoholics is incalculable.
Alcoholism is a syndrome consisting of 2 phases: problem drinking and alcohol addiction. Problem drinking is the repetitive use of alcohol, often to alleviate anxiety or solve other emotional problems. Alcohol addiction is a true addiction similar to that which occurs following the repeated use of other sedative-hypnotics.
40% of Japanese have aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency and are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol.
The signs of alcoholic intoxication are the same as those of overdosage with any other central nervous system depressant: drowsiness, errors of commission, psyomotor dysfunction, disinhibition, dysarthia, ataxia, and nystagmus.
There is a wide spectrum of manifestations of alcoholic withdrawal, ranging from anxiety, decreased cognition, and tremulousness through increasing irritability and hyperactivity to full-blown delirium tremens. The latter is an acute organic psychosis that is usually manifested within 24-72 hours after the last drink (but may occur up to 7-10 days later). It is characterized by mental confusion, tremor, sensory hyperacuity, visual hallucinations (often of snakes, bugs, etc.), autonomic hyperactivity, diaphoresis, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, hypokalemia hypomagnesemia, seizures and cardiovascular abnormalities. The acute withdrawal syndrome is often completely unexpected and occurs when the patient has been hospitalized for some unrelated problem and presents as a diagnostic problem. Suspect alcohol withdrawal in every unexplained delirium. Seizures occur early (the first 24 hours) and are more prevalent in persons who have a history of withdrawal syndromes. The mortality rate from delirium tremors has steadily decreased with early diagnosis and improved treatment.
In addition to the immediate withdrawal symptoms, there is evidence of persistent long-term one, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, excitability, fatigue, and emotional volatility. These symptoms may persist for 3-12 months, and in some cases they become chronic.
Alcoholic (Organic) Hallucinosis occurs either during heavy drinking or on withdrawal and is characterized by a paranoid psychosis.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism new treatments and new medical agents to help provide such new treatments are needed for the additional factors they have identified as effects of alcoholism including: 1) agents to decrease the desire to drink by attenuating alcohol craving and blocking the euphoric effect (reward) derived from drinking alcohol; 2) agents to induce sobriety in intoxicated individuals; 3) mechanisms of alcohol intoxication and development of a clinically useful antagonist of alcohol-intoxication. (A significant number of people die each year from alcohol overdoses. In order to effectively treat this problem, medications developed based on the mechanisms of the depressant effects of alcohol are needed); 4) development of medications to improve cognitive dysfunction in alcoholic dementia/Korsakoff's psychosis. (Progress in this area would lead to enrichment in quality of life of alcoholics as well as reduction in costs of long-term institutionalization. Recent studies have shown that serotonin reuptake inhibitors can improve memory to a clinically meaningful degree in some patients with alcohol-induced amnesia); 5) development of medications to treat alcoholic liver disease and other alcohol related, end-organ diseases. (In reducing the high mortality from alcoholic hepatitis, potential medications include that affect the production or clearance of cytokines, prevent other causes of necrosis/inflammation, and avert the progression of fibrosis. Other potential agents are those with potential utility in treatment of portal hypertension and alcohol-induced pancreatic disease); 6) determination of appropriate medicational strategy based on severity of acute alcohol withdrawal; 7) mechanisms of alcohol dependence, Psychological and physical dependence on alcohol are presumed to contribute to continued drinking and relapse. (Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of craving for alcohol after chronic use and how it might be reduced is needed); 8) strategies to reduce the organ damage caused by chronic alcohol abuse. (This damage is mostly to the liver, brain, cardiovascular system, and pancreas. Research is needed into the underlying mechanism of alcoholic hepatitis, brain damage portal hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and pancreatitis. Understanding these mechanisms will lead to the development of medications that are useful in alleviating or counter-acting alcohol induced tissue injury, such as free radical scavengers, cognitive enchanters, and transplantation). It is clear that new approaches to the treatment of alcoholism are needed.
There have been many approaches to the problem, including the psychological, such as counseling and self help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and drug treatment such as Antibuse. None have been completely successful either in stopping all alcoholics from drinking or from keeping a non-drinking alcoholic from starting to drink again.
One promising approach to the treatment of acute intoxication is the administration of Nicotinamide-adenine Dinucleotide (NAD), also known as Diphospho Pyridine Neucleotide (DPN) and Coenzyme I to the sufferer. This allows the alcohol dehydrogenase found throughout the cytoplasm to function to oxidize alcohol in other places in the body other than the liver.
The use of pyridine nucleotides is known to facilitate the treatment of several diverse diseases. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,190 to O'Holleran teaches the use of NAD for the lipids in the blood stream. They have also been used to treat alcoholism. Canadian Patent 670,909 teaches the use of NAD for the control the symptoms of acute alcoholism.
NAD is metabolized in the body rapidly. It would be advantageous to provide a slower metabolizing form of NAD for the recovering alcoholic. NAD also comes in a phosphated form, NADP having slightly different activity and resistance to metabolic deactivation. It would be advantageous to allow the alcoholic sufferer to be dosed with both NAD and NADP to increase the spectrum of the pharmacological action. Finally, NAD is not completely absorbed by the gastric acid intestinal mucosa. It would be advantageous to provide a form of completely absorbed NAD that could be orally administered.

Treatment of alcoholism and related disorders with (nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide) phosphate derivatives


A prime calculating apparatus calculating a prime and determining whether the prime has been duly generated. The prime calculating apparatus (i) generates a random number, (ii) calculates a multiplication value R by multiplying a management identifier by the random number, and (iii) calculates a prime candidate N, according to N=2×(multiplication value R+w)×prime q+1, with respect to w satisfying an equation of 2×w×prime q+1=verification value (mod management information). Then, the prime calculating apparatus judges whether the calculated prime candidate N is a prime, and outputs the calculated prime candidate N as a prime when determining that it is a prime.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for maintaining information security that applies difficulty of prime factorization as a source of safety.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data communications based on computer technology and communication technology have become in recent years widely in use. In these data communications, a privacy communication system and a digital signature system are used. Here, the privacy communication system is a system in which communication is performed with the communication contents kept secret from any other entities except for certain communication destinations. The digital signature system is a communication system showing the validity of the communication contents to the communication destinations, or proving the sender's identity.
1. Public Key Encryption System
An encryption system called a public key encryption system is used in the privacy communication system or the digital signature system. In the privacy communications using the public key encryption system, the encryption key and the decryption key are different from each other, and the encryption key is made publicly available while the decryption key being kept secret. The decryption key kept secret is called a private key, and the encryption key made publicly available is called a public key. When there are a number of communication destinations, a key must be kept between the communication destinations in common key encryption. On the other hand, in public key encryption, communications are made possible if the communication destinations simply have a single unique key, and therefore, the number of keys required is less than in the common key encryption even if the number of communication destinations increases. Thus, the public key encryption is well suited to communications with a number of destinations, and indispensable and fundamental technology.
The safety of an RSA encryption system—a type of the public key encryption system—is based on that solving prime factorization of integers is difficult in terms of computational effort. The prime factorization is a problem to find primes p and q with respect to an integer n, when n=p×q. Here, "×" is general multiplication. In general, when p and q are as large, for example, as 1024 bits, solving the prime factorization is difficult. This therefore makes it difficult to find out a private key from a public key with the RSA encryption system, and also makes it difficult for users not having the private key to find out a plain text from an encrypted text. Note that prime factorization is discussed in detail in Non-Patent Reference 1 (pp. 144-151).
1.1 RSA Encryption System Applying Prime Factorization
Here is described the RSA encryption system applying prime factorization.
(1) Key Generation
A public key and a private key are calculated in the following manner:                Choose large primes p and q randomly, and calculate the multiplication n=p×q;        Calculate the least common multiple L=LCM(p−1, q−1) of (p−1) and (q−1);        Choose randomly a natural number e which is coprime to L and is smaller than L,1≦e≦L−1, GCD(e, L)=1,where "GCD(e, L)" is the greatest common divisor of e and L; and        Calculate d satisfying e×d=1 mod L.Since GCD(e, L)=1, such d exists without exception. The integers e and n obtained thus form a public key while the integer d is a private key. Here, "x mod y" is a reminder when x is divided by y.
(2) Generation of Encrypted Text
By using the integers e and n of the public key, an encrypted text c is calculated by performing encryption calculation on a plain text m.c=m^e mod n
Note that, in this description, an operator "^" indicates that a number following this is an exponent. For example, "A^x" means A is multiplied by itself x times when x>0.
(3) Generation of Decrypted Text
By using the integer number d of the private key, a decrypted text m′ is calculated by performing decryption calculation on the encrypted text c.m′=c^ d mod n
Note that the decrypted text m′ agrees with the plain text m since
                              m          ′                =                              c            ^            d                                                                        mod                                                              n                                        =                                            (                              m                ^                e                            )                        ^            d                                                                        mod                                                              n                                        =                              m            ^                          (                              e                ×                d                                                                                mod                                                                                L                            )                                                                                mod                                                              n                                        =                              m            ^            1                                                                        mod                                                              n                                        =                  m                                                              mod                                                                          n            .
RSA encryption is discussed in detail in Non-Patent Reference 2 (pp. 110-113).
The generation of primes is carries out in the public key generation step in the RSA encryption applying the prime factorization described above. The prime generation is described in detail in Non-Patent Reference 3 (pp. 145-154). There are two types of methods to generate primes: stochastic prime generation methods and deterministic prime generation methods. Primes generated by a stochastic prime generation method are numbers "likely to be primes", and they are not always primes. On the other hand, a deterministic prime generation method unfailingly generates primes. Details of stochastic and deterministic prime generation methods are described in Non-Patent Reference 2. The following gives an account of a deterministic prime generation method.
1.2 Example of Conventional Technique 1: Deterministic Prime Generation Method
Here is described a deterministic prime generation method using Maurer's method, by which primes are deterministically generated. The Maurer method is discussed in detail in Non-Patent Reference 3 (pp. 152-153).
In the deterministic prime generation method, primes are generated by repeating the following steps. A prime q having a bit size lenq is provided in advance.
<Step 1> A random number R having (lenq-1) bits is selected. Note that the beginning bit of the random number R must never fail to be 1.
<Step 2> A number N is calculated by using the following equation:N=2×q×R+1.
<Step 3> When the following 1st and 2nd judgments are both true, the number N is determined as a prime. Otherwise, it is determined as not being a prime.                1st judgment: 2^(N−1)=1 mod N; and        2nd judgment: GCD (2^(2R)−1, N)=1.
When being determined as a prime, the number N is output as a prime. When the number N is determined as not being a prime, the processing returns to Step 1 and is repeated until a prime is output.
The judging test of Step 3 is called the Pocklington's primality test, and described in detail in Non-Patent Reference 3 (p. 144). In the Pocklington's primality test, when q in "N=2×q×R+1" is a prime and the results of the 1st and 2nd judgments are true, the number N is unfailingly a prime. Therefore, it makes possible to determine and generate a prime in a deterministic manner.
In the deterministic prime generation using the Maurer's method, the prime N having a size 2×lenq is thus generated based on the prime q having a size lenq. Accordingly, in the case when a prime having a predetermined length is to be generated by using the Maurer's deterministic prime generation method, the generation of a prime having a length shorter than or the same as the predetermined length is repeated. For example, when a 512-bit length prime is to be generated, a 16-bit prime is generated based on an 8-bit prime provided in advance. Then, a 32-bit prime is generated based on the generated 16-bit prime. Next, a 64-bit prime is generated based on the generated 32-bit prime. After the repetition of the prime generation in a similar fashion, a 512-bit prime is generated.
Note that the 2nd judgment can be replaced by the following judgment.                3rd judgment: 2^(2R)≠1 mod N
The 3rd judgment is discussed in Non-Patent Reference 4. Hereinafter, the 3rd judgment is employed.
1.3 Key Issuing System Having Multiple Key Issuing Servers
Regarding key issuing systems for public key encryption, there are cases where a key is generated by a user and where a key is issued to a user by a key issuing server. When a key is issued by a key issuing server, it is often the case that a single server issues a key to the user. However, in order to reduce the processing load, a key issuing system may have multiple key management servers, and keys are issued by the respective key management servers.
<Patent Reference 1> Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2003-5644;
<Non-Patent Reference 1> Coedited by Tatsuaki Okamoto and Kazuo Ohta, Angou·Zero Chishiki Mondai·Suron (Encryption·Zero Knowledge Problems·Number Theory), 1990, Kyoritsu Syuppan;
<Non-Patent Reference 2> Tatsuaki Okamoto and Hiroshi Yamamoto, Gendai Angou (Modern Encryption), 1997, Sangyo-Tosho;
<Non-Patent Reference 3> A. J. Menezes, P. C. van Oorschot, S. A. Vanstone, Handbook of Applied Cryptography, 1997, CRC Press;
<Non-Patent Reference 4> Eiji Okamoto, Angou Riron Nyumon (Introduction-to Encryption Theory), 1993, p. 21, Kyoritsu Syuppan; and
<Non-Patent Reference 5> Henri Cohen, A Course in Computational Algebraic Number Theory, 1993, GTM 138, Springer-Verlag.

Prime calculating apparatus, key issuing system, and prime calculation method


Platinum (Pt) thin film heaters are deposited by a focused ion beam for semiconductor manufacturing of thermally tunable distributed feedback lasers. An exemplar 1.3 μm InGaAsP/InP laser is integrated with a tuning element having a wide wavelength tuning range of 4.9 nm, that is, 857 GHz, with a small heater current of 13.0 mA.

Long wavelength tunable single-longitudinal-mode lasers have been developed for over a decade mainly for telecommunication applications. Various types of 1.5 μm tunable lasers have been used including distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers, optically or electrically pumped vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) integrated with micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), distributed feedback (DFB) laser arrays, and others. Especially, multi-section DBR lasers employing non-uniform grating structures such as super-structure gratings or sampled gratings have shown a wide tuning range by carrier injection. However, the fabrication process steps involved are demanding, and sophisticated control electronics are often required to adjust the currents to different sections, such as, active section, passive DBR section, and phase control section, in order to obtain a wide tuning range and avoid mode hops while maintaining a constant output power.
Even though DFB lasers have shown a narrower tuning range compared to DBR lasers, DFB lasers advantages include a much simpler fabrication process and no need for sophisticated control electronics. Additionally, DFB laser technology is the only technology that is currently mature. Thermal tuning is usually employed for DFB lasers because only a very small tuning is possible by carrier injection due to two adversely competing processes, that is, the thermal effect and plasma effect. There are at least two different techniques to tune DFB lasers thermally using an external thermo-electric cooler (TEC, or Peltier cooler) and using an integrated thin film heater. The first approach requires a lot of power and the tuning speed is very slow because the cooler needs to heat and cool the laser as well as the submount and heat sink. There have been several reports on 1.5 μm InGaAsP/InP DFB and DBR lasers integrated with thin film heaters, but the heater current required to obtain a tuning range of 3.0 nm was 200 mA, which is more than a factor of four higher than the laser operating current to obtain an output power of 5 mW. This high heater current has been an obstacle for these lasers to find practical applications and is due to the low electrical resistance from Pt thin films formed by evaporation processes. Platinum is a metal having inherently low electrical resistance and generally not suitable for use as a heating element. Platinum has been deposited using semiconductor fabrications processes such as evaporation, sputtering, and focused ion beam (FIB). However, FIB deposited platinum is generally not suitable for use in microelectronic devices because of the carbon contamination associated with platinum deposition processes. When depositing platinum using FIB technique, the film shows high electrical resistance and much effort has been devoted to remove contaminating carbon without result. These and other disadvantages of FIB deposited platinum films can be used for the benefit of improving tunable lasers using the invention.

Focused ion beam heater thermally tunable laser


A spinnagle pet toy is taught which comprises at least three equally displace appendages projecting out from a central hub. The pet toy appendages may include weighted ends to facilitate angular rotation of the pet toy. The pet toy weighted ends may include cavities, but all preferably weighted equally.

Pet owners are increasingly including pets as members of the family. As such, pet owners are increasing concerned about the overall wellbeing of the pet, which includes insuring that the pet has adequate amusement and exercise. A typical solution for pet owner's concerns is a pet toy which may excite the pet's interests and cause the pet to exert physical energy in playing with it.
Conventional pet toys have often added levels of complexity in their design to amuse the pet. However, the added complexity usually results in a reduced life for the toy and/or increased For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,220 titled "Whirling wheel toy", issued Apr. 7, 2009 to Ragonetti, et al, teaches a throwable pet toy that creates an interest for a pet when it strikes the ground. The invention whirls when it hits the ground. The body of the toy is deformable upon impact. However, the invention is complicated in that it uses two different domed structures to capture the ambient air and facilitate whirling, and a deformable outer shell that must be reformed before use. Having to reform the body is an inconvenience to the pet owner.
The Dizzy Thin Electronic Spinning Cat Toy, currently being sold by Petlinks is another attempt at amusing and exercising a pet that adds complexity that diminishes the durability of the toy. In this case, the Dizzy Thin toy features a weighted base attached to an upwardly projecting rod. The rod includes tethered discs which are rotated by a motor located in the base. The toy has its shortcoming in that it is electronic and prone to failure especially if it comes in contact with liquid. Also, since the rotating discs are tethered to the rod projecting from the base, the discs may be easily ripped off by an overly eager pet. Both shortcomings result in the Dizzy Thin toy requiring repair or in the toy having a reduced useful life.
Both the aforementioned prior arts exhibit problems typically found in pet toys that provide amusement and exercise. What is needed is a pet toy that addresses the problems of complexity and durability found in the prior.


An optical microscope including a revolver for mounting a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications, a stage for holding a specimen to be inspected and being movable in a plane perpendicular to an inspection optical axis, a television camera for picking-up an image of the specimen by means of an objective lens which is indexed into the inspection optical axis, and a television monitor for displaying an image of the specimen on a display screen. In order to select an objective lens having a desired magnification and to move the stage with respect to the inspection optical axis automatically, a desired region is denoted on the image displayed on the display screen by operating a mouse. Then, a necessary magnification is calculated in accordance with a division ratio obtained by dividing an area of the desired region by a full area of the display screen. An objective lens having a magnification which is equal to the necessary magnification or which is closest to the necessary magnification, but is smaller than the necessary magnification is selected and is automatically indexed into the inspection optical axis. At the same time, a moving amount of the stage is calculated and the stage is automatically moved such that a center point of the desired region comes into a center point of the display screen.

1. Field of the Invention and Related Art Statement
The present invention relates to an optical microscope with variable magnification, in which a magnification can be changed by rotating a revolver supporting a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications such that any objective lens having a desired magnification is selectively indexed into an inspection optical axis, while a stage for holding a specimen to be inspected is moved in a plane perpendicular to the inspection optical axis.
Heretofore, there have been developed various kinds of optical microscopes for inspecting enlarged images of specimens, for displaying enlarged images of specimens on a television monitor screen and for taking photographs of enlarged images of specimens. Such microscopes have been widely used in various fields such as industrial and biological factories and laboratories.
In the known optical microscopes used in the above mentioned fields, a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications are secured to a revolver which is arranged rotatably to index any one of the objective lenses into the inspection optical axis, so that a magnification of an image of a specimen can be varied. Usually, in case of changing the magnification of the inspected image of the specimen, the condition of illumination of the specimen is changed in response to the rotation of the revolver in order to illuminate the specimen in the most effective manner. Moreover, when a low magnification is changed into a high magnification, in order to avoid that a portion of the specimen to be inspected is removed out of the field of view, before the magnification is changed, the stage must be moved such that said portion to be inspected is situated substantially at a center of the field of view.
However, when all the above mentioned operations are carried out manually by the user, a necessary time for adjusting the microscope is liable to be very long and a time for studying the specimen becomes shortened accordingly.
In Japanese Patent Application Publication Kokai Sho Nos. 59-177507 and 59-177508, there is disclosed a microscope in which the illuminating condition is automatically adjusted in response to the change of objective lenses. In Japanese Patent Application Publication Laid-open Kokai Sho No. 60-118827 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-32244, there is described another known microscope in which the revolver is rotated by means of an electric motor. Further in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Kokai Sho No. 60-8816, there is disclosed still another known microscope in which the specimen stage is moved by means of an electromagnetic driving means.
In these known optical microscopes, parts of the operations for handling the microscope are effected with the aid of the electromagnetic driving means. That is to say, the revolver and stage are driven by means of the electric motors. However, in order to move the revolver and stage, the user has to operate switches and the like. That is to say, in the known microscope, the revolver and stage could not be driven automatically.
Therefore, when the magnification is to be changed from a low value into a high value, the operation of the specimen holding stage becomes cumbersome and requires a relatively long time. It should be noted that even though a desired portion of the specimen is moved into the center of the field of view, when the revolver is rotated to index an objective lens having a high magnification into the inspection optical axis, the desired portion could not be seen, because parts of the microscope such as the objective lenses and revolver have errors in precision as well as in assembling, so that desired portion of the specimen might be shifted from the center of the field of view. Therefore, in almost all cases, when the magnification is varied into the high magnification, the stage has to be adjusted precisely.
Moreover, when an enlarged image of a desired portion of specimen under inspection is inspected with the low magnification, it is necessary to select an objective lens having a higher magnitude by visually judging a size of the desired portion of specimen on the basis of the image having a low magnification. Sometimes this results in error in selection of an objective lens and requires high user skill level. If the desired portion of the specimen could not be inspected with a desired magnification, it is necessary to select another objective lens. In this manner, in the known microscope, the operation of changing the magnification becomes very cumbersome.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Kokai Sho No. 64-53157, there is disclosed another known optical microscope in which the operation is improved by automating the inspection of a specimen. In this known microscope, predetermined successive steps for checking a specimen are performed automatically, but it is not possible to inspect a desired portion of specimen with a desired magnification.

Optical microscope with variable magnification


A protection circuit for a gate driver on array (GOA) unit, which relates to ESD or EOS protection for the gate GOA unit. The protection circuit includes: a first voltage gating module configured to output, when a gate line signal output end should output a valid driving voltage of a gate driving signal, an output voltage of an output end of a first voltage source; and a first protection module, an input end of which is connected to an output end of the first voltage gating module, and an output end of which is connected to a gate line; wherein in the case where the output voltage of the first voltage source and a current output voltage of the gate line signal output end satisfies a first predetermined condition, the first protection module outputs the output voltage of the output end of the first voltage source as an adjusted gate driving signal.

Electrical Static Discharge (ESD) is a top killer of existing electronic devices. In a field of display, for the reasons that a display screen of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), for example, has a large area and that an electronic device including TFT-LCD is directly contacted with human bodies and so on, it is easy for TFT-LCD to be influenced by ESD, thereby resulting in display abnormality. Additionally, TFT-LCD is easily influenced by Electrical Over Stress (EOS).
In the field of display, the gate driver on array (GOA) unit is usually integrated at outside of a display panel, and is easier to be influenced by ESD or EOS. Especially, in various ultra-thin (Air) electronic devices, it is easier to cause the GOA unit to be broken down, thereby resulting in the display abnormality of the display panel.
Therefore, it needs to perform ESD or EOS protection for the GOA unit, so as to enhance reliability of the display panel and raise the quality of the electronic devices.

Protection circuit for gate driver on array unit, and array substrate


A backpack vacuum cleaner motor mounting assembly having a first housing, a suspension housing, a suction motor, and one or more springs. The first housing has an inlet, outlet and a suspension chamber in it. The suspension housing is at least partly in the suspension chamber, can move a predetermined distance along a suspension direction from a first position to a second position, and is restricted from moving perpendicular to the suspension direction. The suction motor is connected to and moves with the suspension housing. The springs are oriented to bias the suspension housing from the second position to the first position. A backpack vacuum cleaner having a suction motor in a movable suspension housing is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners that are carried on an operator's body, and more specifically to shock-absorbing and sound-reducing features for such devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
User-wearable vacuum cleaning systems are known in the art. Such systems typically include a vacuum module that is mounted on the user's body, a flexible hose connected to the vacuum module, and a cleaning head connected to the flexible hose. The vacuum module may be mounted on the user's back, waist, or both. For brevity, user-mounted vacuum cleaners are referred to herein generally as "backpack" vacuum cleaners, regardless of where on the body they are mounted.
A backpack vacuum module usually includes a suction motor and a dirt separation system. For example, backpack vacuum cleaners typically use a cord- or battery-operated electric motor that is connected to an impeller to provide a suction motor. The suction motor is located upstream or downstream of a dirt separation system for removing and collecting dust from the airflow. Separation systems can comprise a filter bag, cyclone separator, or the like. Combinations of separation systems, such as a cyclone used in conjunction with pre- and post-motor filters, are also known. Typical backpack vacuum cleaners are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,267,371; 6,073,301; 6,295,692; 6,473,933; and 6,553,610, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The flexible hose and cleaning head provide a fluid conduit from the surface to be cleaned to the vacuum module. The cleaning head often comprises a floor-facing nozzle that is connected to the flexible hose by a rigid pipe that doubles as an operating handle. Other cleaning tools, such as dusting brushes, furniture nozzles, and crevice tools, also may be attached to the flexible hose, as known in the art.
While various prior art devices like the ones described above have been used in the art, there still exists a need to provide alternatives to such devices.


An apparatus and a method for a bias modulator using a Zero Current Switching (ZCS) are provided. The bias modulator includes a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal generator for converting an input envelope signal to a PWM signal; a PWM/ZCS converter for calculating the number of ZCS control signals to be provided within an on-time duration of the PWM signal and generating at least one ZCS control signal according to the number of the ZCS control signals; and a ZCS switching regulator for generating a bias current according to the ZCS control signal.

Mass-capacity multimedia services and data gradually increase signal complexity and broaden a band in a wireless communication system. Correspondingly, a power amplifier which produces a final output in the system demands high efficiency and high linearity at the same time.
FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a conventional Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier.
In FIG. 1A, I and Q signals generated at a baseband signal generator 100 are input to a baseband signal controller 102. The baseband signal controller 102 extracts an envelope of the signal. The envelope signal is supplied as power of a power amplifier 124 via a bias modulator 106. An RF modulator 104 modulates the baseband signal I+jQ received from the baseband signal controller 102 to an RF signal and outputs the RF signal to the power amplifier 124. The power amplifier 124 outputs a high-power RF signal by amplifying the RF signal.
The bias modulator 106 includes a linear amplifier 114 for supplying a linear current and a switching regulator 108 for supplying a high current. A control signal 150 of the switching regulator 108 is fed to a switch 118 via a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal generator 110 that converts the envelope signal to a PWM signal and a switch driver 112 that regulates the signal magnitude to operate the switch.
The switching regulator 108 includes a power unit 116 for supplying the power, the switch 118 for switching on and off the power supply according to the control signal 150, an inductor 122 for removing a switching ripple of the current, and a diode 120 for building a current path when the switch is switched off.
In the bias modulator 106, the efficiency of the switching regulator 108 for supplying most of the currents is quite important. However, the switching regulator 108 is subject to a conduction loss caused when the current flows due to the resistance within the switch. That is the loss caused by the abnormal operation in the intrinsic loss of the component and the on/off state of the switch. That is a switching loss 156 superposed by the switching current 154 and the switch both-end voltage 152 as shown in FIG. 1B.

Apparatus and method for bias modulator using zero current switching


A racking system for storing equipment in a rack includes a rail that is configured to be attached to the rack and a housing that receives the equipment. One of the housing and rail includes a catch, and the other of the housing and the rail includes a slot for engaging the catch. The catch is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the catch engages the slot and extends away from a surface of either the housing and the rail, and in the second position, the catch is withdrawn from engaging the slot. The catch rotates upon moving between the first position and the second position, and the catch is biased towards the first position.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to racking systems for equipment and, more specifically, to a system for enabling in-rack servicing of rack-mounted equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
For equipment, such as computer servers and audio/video devices, mounted in a racks, there is an occasional need to adjust and/or service the equipment without completely removing the equipment from the rack. For example, the complete removal of the equipment from the rack may require the disconnection of one or all of a multitude of cables/connectors to which the equipment is attached. Although the cables/connectors may not have enough slack to permit complete removal of the equipment from the rack, there may be enough slack to permit partial removal of the equipment.
Two current devices used to connect the equipment to the rack are commonly known as slides and rails. Rails are typically mechanically simpler than slides and usually have a L-shaped cross-section. The vertical portion of the L-shaped cross-section is connected to the rack and the equipment rests on the horizontal portion of the L-shaped cross-section. Although both space- and cost-efficient, equipment mounted on rails are typical not considered to be rack serviceable. The space-efficiency of the rail can be attributed, at least in part, to only the vertical portion of the L-shaped cross-section being between the rack and a housing of the equipment.
As an example, for a rail-mounted piece of equipment that is partially removed from a rail for servicing, the rail only provides support in a single direction for that portion of the equipment resting on the rail. If force, either from the user maintaining the equipment or the weight of the equipment cantilevered from the rack, is sufficiently large, the equipment may rotate/tip, which can cause damage to the equipment itself or the cables/connectors to which the equipment is attached.
To prevent the tipping of the piece of equipment in the rack, slides have been developed that enable the equipment to be partially removed from the rack. Many different types of slides are known with many types of configurations. A common configuration is a two-piece system in which a first piece is connected to the rack and a second piece is connected to the equipment, and the first and second pieces slide relative to one another. An issue arising with the use of slides, however, is that the slides take up horizontal space within the rack. For a given horizontal size of a housing of a piece of equipment, a rack using slides requires about ¾″ more space in a horizontal direction than a rack using rails. Since, in many applications, space is limited, there is a need for a racking system that combines the space-efficiency of rails with the in-rack service capability of slides.

International Business Machines Corporation