The aerating device comprises an air conduit assembled from a plurality of aerating modules tightly held together. Each of the aerating modules comprises an annular disperser and a sectional tubular member on which the disperser is horizontally cantilevered in the area where the components of the tubular member are held together and with which it communicates by compressed air. The disperser has a seating ring provided with a hole for compressed air to pass, the axis of the hole being misaligned with respect to the axis of the annular disperser, and a dispersing member defining, together with the seating ring, an annular space wherein a ring-shaped throttling member is fixed place. The disperser is capable of performing setting-up motions round the vertical axis of the hole in the seating ring and is provided with device for its being held rigidly to the sectional tubular member, which device has a vertical passage coaxial with the holes in the seating ring. The flow passage area of the throttling member equals from 0.15 to 1.0 the cross-sectional area of the vertical passage, and the ratio between the outside diameter of the annular disperser and the hole diameter is from 1.5 to 2.6.

One state-of-the-art aerating device is known (cf. an advertising prospectus "Brandol area" of Messrs Schumacher GmbH & Co.KG, Germany, 1989) to comprise a tubular air conduit provided with radial holes arranged lengthwise one of the generatrices thereof. A cylinder-shaped dispersing member is held to the peripheral surface of said tubular air conduit above each of said holes, said element being plugged at both ends.
The aforesaid aerating device features a high degree of dispersion of the compressed air fed into the liquid being aerated. However, a sophisticated construction of their attachment to the air distributor affects adversely the operating reliability of the aerating device, because compressed air may make its way into the liquid at the place of attachment of the dispersing member to the air distributor.
Another state-of-the-art aerating device is known (cf. the textbook "Aerators for sewage water treatment" by B. M. Khudenko et al., Stroiizdat Publishers, Moscow, 1973, p.36 (in Russian) to comprise a header for feeding compressed air to the aerating device, said header communicating with an air conduit assembled from a plurality of series arranged aerating modules tightly held together, each of said modules having a tubular member provided with at least one radial hole, and a disperser located outside of said tubular member and communicating therewith by compressed air through said radial hole.
The aforesaid known aerating device makes use of dome- or disk-type disperser disposed horizontally above the tubular member. The dispersing member of the disperser together with the baseplate defines an air-tight space to which compressed is admitted to pass from the tubular member. The disperser is joined together with the tubular member by a fastening bolt through which compressed air is fed. The disperser-to-tubular member attachment point is made air-tight due to the provision of a rubber gasket.
A water-air flow is established above the disperser during operation of the known aerating device, said flow moving at a velocity of 1 to 3 m/s so as to saturate the liquid under aeration with air bubbles. In this case larger air bubbles appear above the central disperser portion in the area where compressed air is fed thereto, which affects adversely mass-exchange processes occurring in the liquid being aerated.
Furthermore, an ascending water-air flow develops a rarefaction zone in the surrounding liquid, with the result that the sludge settled on the aerotank bottom gets involved in the flow motion. However, a considerable proportion of the sludge is stuck to the disperser bottom portion and to its side and a top portion adjacent to the bottom portion thereof. This reduces an active disperser surface and decreases the degree of aeration of sludgy sediments which in turn affects the vital activity of microorganisms living in said sediments. A higher air flow rate fails to eliminate sludge sticking to the disperser.
The width of the aeration belt can be changed in the known aerator depending on specific operating conditions by using dispersers of another diameter, which involves complete dismantling of the whole system and is therefore technically hard to perform. Use of larger-diameter dispersers and an increased air flow rate might result in the course of operation in inadmissible vibration which is liable to destroy the disperser-to-air conduit attachment points.
The fact that the dispersing member is joined together with the baseplate and both of them are held to the air conduit by a bolt through which compressed sir is fed results in loss of air-tightness in the course of aerator operation, which affects the mass-exchange processes.

Sovmestnoe Rossysko-Ukrainskoe predpriyatie Obshestvo s ogranichennoi otvetstvennostju Nauchno--proizvodstvennaya firma Ecopolimer (OOO NPF "Ecopolimer")


The invention relates to the combination of a sulforaphane precursor, an enzyme capable of converting the sulforaphane precursor to sulforaphane, an enzyme potentiator, and a mushroom (preferably maitake, shiitake, or reishi mushroom) extract or powder. The invention also relates to the combination of sulforaphane or a derivative thereof and a mushroom (preferably maitake, shiitake, or reishi mushroom) extract or powder. The present invention also relates to the combination of a broccoli extract or powder and a mushroom (preferably maitake, shiitake, or reishi mushroom) extract or powder. The present provides compositions and methods relating to these combinations.

The use of natural products is becoming increasingly popular with humans and companion animals. Some of these natural products are being incorporated into dietary supplements and medical foods. There is a need in the art for supplements which are useful as chemoprotective and/or antioxidant agents. In addition, there is a need in the art for pharmaceutical compositions and dietary supplements which are useful for conditions and disorders associated with the breast.
Chemoprotection through the use of natural products is evolving as a safe, effective, inexpensive, easily accessible, and practical means to prevent or reduce the occurrence of many conditions affecting humans and domesticated animals. It is known that carcinogens which can damage cells at the molecular level are often ingested and inhaled as non-toxic precursors. These non-toxic precursors may then convert into carcinogenic substances in the body. Chemoprotective agents, such as natural substances which can activate detoxifying enzymes or their co-factors, can counteract and allow for the elimination or potentiate the other naturally existing defenses such as the immune system.
Some natural products have antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress plays a major role in aging, the progression of neurodegenerative diseases as well as physiological trauma, such as ischemia. Antioxidant agents can reduce or inhibit the oxidation of vital biomolecules and may play a role in treating, preventing, or reducing the occurrence of cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, and stroke are examples of conditions affected by oxidative stress.
Cancers are largely thought to be a consequence of exposure to environmental challenges—whether from within (i.e.—estrogen, progesterone hormones) or externally (i.e.—bisphenol A (BPA) from plastic)—and chronic inflammation. Fortunately, the damage from environmental challenges can be negated via a complex network of Phase II chemoprotective enzymes found in many cell types of our body. It is well known that estrogens and their metabolites can lead to the proliferation of breast tissue and tumors. Worse, the quinone estrogen metabolites have the capacity to enter the breast tissue and migrate into the nucleus of ductal and glandular epithelial cells. There, they bind to DNA forming quinone estrogen DNA adducts which lead to downstream mutations. These mutations are thought to be responsible for the very foundation of a tumor: cancer initiation. Fortunately, a particular phase II enzyme, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) can take dangerous and highly reactive quinone estrogens and metabolize them to inert chemicals that can readily be removed from the body. Thus, a major mechanism to decrease cancer incidence is to induce protective Phase II enzymes including NQO1. Increased levels of NQO1 can be effective at treating, preventing, repairing, reducing the occurrence of, decreasing the symptoms associated with any conditions which are resulting from high levels of quinone estrogens. Examples of quinone estrogens include, but are not limited to catechol quinones of estrogen. Quinone estrogens are described in the following references, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety: Nutter et al. Chem Res Toxicol, 1994, 7:23-28; Cavalieri et al. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2006; 1089:286-301; Bolton et al. Chem Res Toxicol, 2008, 21(1):93-101; and Cavalieri et al., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2006, 1766:63-78.
An example of a natural product thought to have chemoprotective and antioxidant properties is sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is an organosulfur compound which is also known as 1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulfinylbutane. The sulforaphane precursor, glucoraphanin, can be obtained from vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. However, copious amounts of vegetables must be consumed in order to obtain levels adequate for chemoprevention. Glucoraphanin is converted into sulforaphane by a thioglucosidase enzyme called myrosinase, which occurs in a variety of exogenous sources such as Brassicaceae vegetables and endogenously in the gut microflora. However, upon ingestion of glucoraphanin, not all animals are capable of achieving its conversion to sulforaphane, most likely due to variations in microflora populations and overall health. In addition, in acidic environments such as the stomach, glucoraphanin can be converted to inert metabolites. The active metabolite, sulforaphane induces nuclear erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) which, in turn, upregulates the production of Phase II detoxification enzymes and cytoprotective enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Sulforaphane has been thought to induce the production of these enzymes without significantly changing the synthesis of P-450 cytochrome enzymes. The upregulation of Phase II enzymes is thought to play a role in a variety of biological activities, including the protection of the brain from cytotoxicity, the protection of the liver from the toxic effects of fat accumulation, and the detoxification of a variety of other tissues.
Sulforaphane and its precursor glucoraphanin have been studied extensively. Shapiro at al. (Nutrition and Cancer, (2006), Vol. 55(1), pp. 53-62) discuss a clinical Phase I study determining the safety, tolerability, and metabolism of broccoli sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Shapiro et al. discuss a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical study of sprout extracts containing either glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin or isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane in healthy human subjects. The study found that administration of these substances did not result in systematic, clinically significant, adverse effects. Ye et al., (Clinica Chimica Acta, 200, 316:43-53) discuss the pharmacokinetics of broccoli sprout isiothiocyanates in humans.
A number of mushrooms have been used or studied for their medicinal effects. These "medicinal mushrooms" are thought to have beneficial properties, such as antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, and/or anti-inflammatory activity. Examples of medicinal mushrooms include maitake, shiitake, reishi, cremini, almond, chestnut, wood ear, cloud ear, porcini, ink cap, yarta gunbu, enokitake, shemeji, tiger milk, morel, bamboo, golden oyster, pink oyster, king oyster, hiratake, cauliflower, white jelly, golden jelly, matsutake, Mexican truffle, and straw mushrooms.
Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) are edible mushroom consumed widely as food and used in traditional medicine to enhance immune function and to treat cancer. Maitake mushrooms, which contain glucans, are thought to have beneficial properties, such as antitumor and immunomodulatory effects. There exist standardized extracts from maitake mushroom that contain as active ingredients glucans such as protein-bound beta-glucans. Beta 1,6-glucan, a protein bound polysaccharide, has been identified as an active constituent in maitake mushrooms. Maitake mushrooms have been demonstrated to have antitumor effects, inhibiting tumor metastasis in vitro. In one study, tumor regression or significant improvements in symptoms were observed in half of the subjects using maitake extract. In a study of postmenopausal breast cancer patients, oral administration of maitake extract was shown to have immunomodulatory effects.
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are edible mushrooms native to East Asia. Shiitake mushrooms contain mycochemicals, which are postulated to have antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and anticarcinogenic effects. This is thought to be largely a result of glucans, both alpha and beta glucans. Some shiitake mushroom extracts have alpha glucan content greater than 40%. Additionally, lentinan (1,3 beta-D-glucan), a polysaccharide isolated from shiitake, has been well studied and is thought to play a role in shiitake's beneficial effects. It has been shown to have anticancer effects in colon cancer cells, which may be due to its ability to suppress cytochrome P450 1A enzymes that are known to metabolize pro-carcinogens to active forms. Lentin, the protein component, has strong antifungal properties and has been found to inhibit proliferation of leukemic cells and suppress the activity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase.
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as lingzki mushrooms, are edible mushrooms found in East Asia. Reishi mushrooms are thought to have anti-tumor, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, and immunotherapeutic effects. Reishi mushrooms have a number of components which are thought to contribute to its activity, including glucan, such as beta-glucan, canthaxanthin, sterols, coumarin, ganoderic acid, and mannitol.
Baker's yeast (Saccaromyces cerevisiae) can be a source of glucans, in particular, beta-glucans. The active components of Baker's yeast can be extracted in a number of ways, such as the methods described in Bacon et al. Biochem J, 1969, 114(3): 557-567, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,803,605; 5,702,719; and 8,323,644, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Glucans are described in the following references, which are each incorporated by reference in its entirety: Vetvicka et al. Endocr Metab Immun Disord Drug Targets, 2009, 9(1):67-75, and Vetvicka et al. J Med Food, 2008: 11(4): 615-622.
Zhang et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., (1994), Vol. 91, pp. 3147-3150) discusses a study in Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the anticarcinogenic activities of sulforaphane and structurally related synthetic norbornyl isiothiocyanates. The study determined that administration of sulforaphane was effective in blocking the formation of mammary tumors.
Cornblatt et al. (Carcinogenesis, (2007), Vol. 38(7): pp. 1485-1490) discusses a study in Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the effect of sulforaphane in chemoprevention in the breast. The study determined that oral administration of either sulforaphane resulted in a 3-fold increase in NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) enzymatic activity and a 4-fold elevated immunostaining of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme in the mammary epithelium.
Munday et al. (Cancer Res, (2008), Vol. 68(5): pp. 1593-1600) discusses a study regarding the effects of a freeze-dried aqueous extract of broccoli sprouts on bladder cancer development in rats. The study found that administration of the broccoli sprout extract resulted in a significant induction of glutathione S-transferase and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 in the bladder, which are enzymes having protective activity against oxidants and carcinogens.
Fang et al. (J Altern Complem Med, (2006), Vol. 12(2): pp. 125-132) discloses a study determining the antiproliferative effect of an ethyl acetate fraction of shiitake mushrooms on human breast carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7), a human nonmalignant breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10F), and two myeloma cell lines (RPMI08226 and IM-9). The study found that the inhibition of growth of tumor cells by the components in shiitake mushrooms may result from the induction of apoptosis.
Kim et al. (J Med Food, (2007), Vol. 10(1): pp. 25-31) discloses a study investigating the activation of natural killer (NK) cells and anticancer effects of an exo-biopolymer from rice bran cultured from Lentinus edodes. The study found that the exo-biopolymer may be effective for preventing and/or treating cancer through natural killer cell activation.
Louie et al. (BJUI, (2009), Vol. 153(9): pp. 1215-1221) discusses the synergistic effect of the combination of interferon-α and maitake mushroom D-fraction (PDF), a bioactive mushroom extract on anticancer activity of interferon-α in bladder cancer T24 cells in vitro.
Masuda et al. (Biol. Pharm. Bull. (2008), Vol. 31(6): pp. 1104-1108) discusses a study assessing the anti-metastatic activity of a fraction of maitake mushrooms in a murine model of lung metastasis. The study found that the fraction inhibited tumor metastasis by activation of natural killer cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and suppressing adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, leading to the inhibition of tumor cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells.
European Patent Application No. 2 213 280 discloses formulations comprising glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin, and myrosinase, wherein the formulation is encapsulated or coated.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Compositions comprising sulforaphane or a sulforaphane precursor and a mushroom extract or powder


A bump is formed on a bonding pad provided on a substrate. A passivation film covering a bonding pad provided on a semiconductor chip is provided with two apertures in which bumps are formed. The bump provided on the substrate advances and enters into a clearance between these bumps provided on the semiconductor chip when the semiconductor chip is packaged with the substrate.

The present invention relates to a flip chip packaging structure and a related packaging method.
As shown in FIG. 19, a flip chip packaging technique is applicable to a bonding structure between a semiconductor chip 110 and a substrate 100. According to the structure shown in FIG. 19, a pad 111 is formed on an active face of the semiconductor chip 110. A bump 112, formed on the pad 111, serves as a bonding member for connecting the pad 111 to the substrate 100. Furthermore, a pad 101, provided on the substrate 100, serves as a bonding member for connecting the substrate 100 to the semiconductor chip 110. The bump 112 provided on the chip is connected to the pad 101 provided on the substrate by thermocompression bonding or ultrasonic welding.
It is a recent trend that the semiconductor chip 110 is highly integrated and accordingly the size W1 of the pad 111 provided on the semiconductor chip 110 and a pitch P1 between two neighboring pads 111 are very small. The size of the bump 112 formed on the pad 111 is small, correspondingly. When the semiconductor chip 110 is flip chip bonded to the substrate 100 via the bump 112, it is necessary to adjust the size of the pad 101 formed on the substrate 100 so as to fit to the pitch P1 of the pad 111 provided on the semiconductor chip 110. Accordingly, the size of the pad 101 formed on the substrate 100 is small when the pitch between neighboring pads 111 provided on the semiconductor chip 110 is narrow.
The semiconductor chip 110 and the substrate 100 are bonded in the following manner.
First, by plating or with discharge, a ball is formed on the pad 111 provided on an active face of the semiconductor chip 110. Then, the ball is press welded to the pad 111 under given heat or ultrasonic wave so as to form the bump (i.e. projected electrode) 112 on the pad 111.
Then, the semiconductor chip 110 is mounted on the substrate 100 under a condition that semiconductor chip 110 is faced down. The bump 112 is mechanically and electrically bonded to the pad 101 provided on the substrate 100 under applied heat and pressure. Furthermore, for the purpose of enhancing the bonding reliability, a clearance between the semiconductor chip 110 and the substrate 100 is filled with an underfill member (e.g. a thermosetting epoxy resin) 120.
When the size Φ20 of the bump 112 is small, a gap G to be formed after accomplishing the bonding operation between the semiconductor chip 110 and the substrate 100 is small correspondingly. This results in reduction in a stress relaxing capability of the underfill member 120 which can relax a thermal stress if caused due to a thermal expansion coefficient difference between the substrate 100 and the semiconductor chip 100. Furthermore, a bonding area between the bump 112 and the pad 101 provided on the substrate is small, which results in deterioration in the bonding reliability against the above-described thermal stress.
From the foregoing reasons, this conventional bonding technique cannot be preferably applied to electronic control apparatuses installed in engine rooms or any other devices which are subjected to severe temperature environments.

Flip chip packaging structure and related packaging method


In supplying energy to a medical device implanted in a mammal patient a first coil system (20) external to the patient's body for wirelessly transferring energy can be used that inductively cooperates with a second coil system (12) that, when implanted in the patient's body, receives wirelessly transferred energy for supplying energy or control signals to the medical device, when implanted in the patient's body. The first and second coil systems comprise each at least two individual coils (50, 51; 60, 61) which are not directly electrically connected to each other and operate basically independently of each other. This may give a very efficient and versatile transfer of energy or control signals. The coils in each of the coil systems can be operating at different frequencies by being connected to respective electric circuits, where each of these respective electric circuits operate basically independently of each other generating e.g. alternating electric current of different frequencies.

Medical devices are implanted in humans or animals for many reasons. Some of these devices are used to monitor one or more bodily functions. Other devices are used to stimulate or out rightly control bodily functions. Often, the medical devices will include some kind of communications circuit for receiving signals used to power and/or control the devices, or for sending outside a patient's body information about the medical device or bodily functions monitored or controlled by the device. Typically, medical devices are powered by an electric power supply, such as a battery, that provides the voltage and current needed for their operation.
Medical devices are often intended to be implanted in a patient's body for many years, and in some instances, for the rest of a patient's life. As such, the power supplies used to power these long-term medical devices are implanted in a patient at a location that permit easy access from outside the patient's body for recharging or replacement of the power supply. Typically, these power supplies are recharged by energy drawn from an alternating magnetic field generated outside of a patient's body and extending into inside of the patient's body using a pair of coils. The pair of coils includes a first or primary coil that generates the alternating magnetic field when an electric current is flowing therein and a second or secondary coil that is implanted in a patient's body. Alternatively, the second coil implanted in a patient's body may be connected directly to a power supply or to a medical device implanted in the patient. There can exist a problem that it is difficult to transfer sufficient amounts of energy for driving such a medical device. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a coil system including primary and secondary coils allowing a relatively high rate of energy transfer.


A chain has a resin member integrally molded on an inner circumferential surface of a bushing with a strong joining force between the resin member and an inner circumferential surface of the bushing. The chain has an inner link in which both end portions of a pair of front and rear bushings are press-fitted into bushing holes of a pair of right and left inner plates, and an outer link in which both end portions of a pair of front and rear pins are press-fitted into pin holes of a pair of right and left outer plates. The inner and outer links are alternately connected to each other in a longitudinal direction of the chain. The inner circumferential edge portions 112a of both end portions of the bushing 112 are chamfered, and the bushing is lined with the resin member 115 insert-molded on an inner circumferential surface of the bushing 112 to produce flared ends, and a central portion of the lined bushing 112 between the ends thereof becomes thicker.

Since a chain for in a filling machine for foods and lactic drinks, and the like cannot be lubricated with oil or grease in view of hygiene, wear elongation has been increased. Since in such a chain a hygiene control is taken very seriously where cleaning is performed by use of a chemical, a corrosion resistant stainless bushing has been used. Thus there was a reason for decreasing wear resistance.
Horizontal opposite driving of chains are often performed in a filling machine. However, in such a case when a wear elongation difference between the right and left chains is generated, matching of the phases of the chains must provided. Thus, the frequency of the maintenance operations is high, and long time for maintenance is required. The maintenance operation needs a well trained operator whereby the maintenance cost is very high.
A chain in which a resin member is integrally molded on an inner circumferential surface of a bushing so that wear resistance is improved, has been known (see for example Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. Hei. 8-309888).


An aeration pool or tank has a bottom piping assembly with an inlet at the bottom thereof and an outlet remote from the tank a distance vertically below the inlet, and an air inlet piping assembly having an inlet above the water surface and an outlet within the tank adjacent to the inlet of the bottom piping assembly. Water under pressure flows from the tank by gravity through the bottom piping assembly and draws air through the air inlet piping assembly, mixing it with the exiting water and the aerated water flows into a second body of water across a paddlewheel to disburse the aerated water into the second body of water and create circulation to absorb additional oxygen at the surface of the second body of water. A water circulation piping assembly in the tank creates turbulence and circulation within in the water in the tank.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to water treatment systems, and more particularly to a water aeration system and method for aerating water in an improved manner utilizing natural forces.
2. Background Art
Most conventional water aeration systems require pumps, compressors, or other machinery that consume energy to operate. While capable of introducing air into the water, air compressors and pumps typically output a low volume of air at a relatively high pressure, rather than a higher volume of lower pressure air more suitable for aeration. Consequently, to provide the desired amount of aerating bubbles, compressors frequently require significant amounts of input energy, which makes their operation expensive. In addition, the use of pistons and other associated moving linkages in air compressors increases noise and the likelihood of component breakdown, possible introduction of hydrocarbons into the water being aerated, and potentially expensive maintenance.
Some systems used in aeration of water employ spargers such as perforated pipe and the like for releasing the oxygen bearing gas into the bottom of a storage tank or holding pond. The dispersion of the released gases from the sparger may be further agitated by rotating vanes or multiple level baffles within the storage tank. For example, an arrangement for introducing the oxygen bearing gas in line with a propeller agitator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,721 to Kaelin. Other efforts to directly agitate a fluid by releasing pressurized gas below the fluid surface and into flow directing columns are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,574,783 to Beth, 3,043,433 to Singer and 3,446,488 to Mail et al.
In providing oxygen for an aerobic system, air flow as is generally measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) is highly important as it requires approximately 65 cubic feet of air for each pound of oxygen. A traditional rule of thumb relative to mechanical aeration systems is that two pounds of dissolved oxygen (DO) per horsepower hour is the expected level of recovery and the operating costs for such aeration systems has increased as power costs have increased. Further, the power requirements to overcome the hydraulic head of relatively deep containers or storage ponds, such as, up to a depth of about 20 feet often pose further economic disadvantage for the prior art diffuser and sparger systems.
It has also been known to use a pressure differential injector for drawing gas into a liquid stream as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,430,303 to Hartman while similar such injector/mixer apparatus for other applications are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,046 to Kakumoto et al.
Venturi-type devices for intermingling of gases and fluids, are also known in the art, but have been primarily used for the purpose of agitation accomplished by release of air bubbles at the surface and are not particularly suited for meeting the continuous emulsification and large volume mixing demanded by water treatment facilities.
Accordingly, there has been a continuing need for economic and efficient methods and apparatus of gas/fluid intermingling adequate to meet the demands for odor control as in the use of anaerobic ponds and especially to meet the stringent regulations concerning effluence entering rivers and streams.
The present method and water aeration system utilizes the natural motion of running water and differential pressure to absorb oxygen into a body of water, a system of apparatus that creates turbulence within the body of water to efficiently mix oxygen from the atmosphere with water, and after the creation of the turbulence, passes the aerated water across a paddlewheel to distribute the aerated water evenly throughout a body of water and circulate the water to allow the surface of the body of water to absorb even more oxygen from the air above the water surface.
The present method and water aeration system may be used for aerating wastewater; in aquaculture applications to sustain marine life in lakes, ponds and other bodies of water; in agricultural applications, and in many other applications where a sufficient quantity of oxygen in the water is essential.
The present method and water aeration system does not require pumps, compressors, or other machinery that consume energy to operate, and thus conserves energy, and is environmental friendly. The system utilizes primarily PVC piping and thereby significantly reduces corrosion and maintenance costs, compared to conventional aeration systems.


Methods and systems for controlling a positron emission tomography (PET) system are provided. The method includes receiving timing information from a PET system during an imaging scan using the PET system. The method further includes processing the received timing information and timing bias information relating to the PET system to control the PET system.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly, to image reconstruction using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
PET generates images that represent the distribution of positron-emitting nuclides within the body of a patient. When a positron interacts with an electron by annihilation, the entire mass of a positron-electron pair is converted into two 511-keV photons. The photons are emitted in opposite directions along a line of response. The annihilation photons are detected by detectors that are placed on both sides of the line of response, in a configuration such as a detector ring. When these photons arrive and are detected at the detector elements at the same time, this is referred to as coincidence. An image is then generated based on the acquired image data that includes the annihilation photon detection information.
In PET scanners, the image quality depends on image statistics. The image statistics may be improved by acquiring the image data for longer durations. However, the total time of acquiring the image data is limited by the decay of radioactive isotope and by the inability of the patients to not move for extended durations.
Image quality may be improved by including time-of-flight (TOF) information for the image data. The TOF is the time taken by an annihilation photon to travel from the origin of annihilation to the detector along the line of response. TOF PET also uses the timing difference at which the photons are detected by the detector elements for the reconstruction of an image. If the distance between two detector elements P and Q is 2A and annihilation of a positron-electron pair occurs at the midpoint of the line joining the two detector elements, the time taken by each photon to reach the detector element is A/c, where c is the speed of light. In this case, the timing difference is zero. If the annihilation occurs at a distance x towards detector element P, the time taken by the photons to reach detector elements P and Q is (A−x)/c and (A+x)/c respectively. In this case, the timing difference is 2x/c, which may also be expressed as x/(c/2). The timing difference is used to reconstruct an image along the line joining two detector elements in TOF PET systems.
In order to maintain high resolution of images in the reconstruction process in TOF PET systems, it is typically important to measure the timing difference accurately. A systematic error, or bias, in the estimation of the timing difference between photon detection in the two detectors will translate into a shift of the estimated source of photon annihilation along the line joining two detector elements because calibration errors result in a timing bias. If the timing bias is 0.1 nanoseconds (ns), the reconstruction process shifts the data along the line between the detector elements by 1.5 cm. Such shifts make it difficult to achieve resolution of the order of 0.5 cm or better. Thus, high resolution image reconstruction of smaller objects (e.g., smaller anatomical structures) is difficult, if not impossible.
In known TOF PET systems, the timing difference is measured by determining the overlap of analog pulses representing the arrival time of the photons at the detector elements. The analog pulses are communicated through an AND gate to determine coincidence. Each individual detector element has its own set of electronics that is adjusted to remove the timing biases. However, the timing performance of each channel may drift or shift over time, for example, as the electronics used becomes warmer during longer operating periods. Therefore, it is difficult to tune or calibrate these systems to maintain the desired level of accuracy in reconstruction.
In other known TOF PET systems, the photon arrival time is digitized and coincidence is determined by comparing the digital time stamps for each measured photon. The system is tuned or calibrated by introducing a variable amount of delay in the signal before it is digitized in each detector element. However, a system with a large number of detector elements will, for reasons of economy of manufacture, use a common set of electronics to process a group of detector elements. It is commonly not known which detector within the group has received a photon, and therefore which value of the delay should be applied to the signal before the signal is digitized and processed. Therefore, differences in the timing bias among the detectors in a group cannot be individually corrected by adjusting the electronics as described above, and, if these differences are significant, there will be a loss of accuracy in the reconstructed image.
Another known method of tuning a TOF PET system is to introduce a delay after the signal is digitized by changing the digital time stamp. In this case, the timing signal from each individual detector element can only be adjusted in multiples of the LSB, even though the system may have the capability to determine that the timing is some fraction of the LSB. The adjustment can reduce the timing bias to only ±½ LSB. Because this occurs for each of the two photons in the coincidence pair, the timing bias for the coincidence pair may be as large as ±1 LSB. For example, if the LSB is 500 picoseconds (ps), it corresponds to a location error of up to ±3.75 cm along the coincidence line of response. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve sub-centimeter resolution in a TOF PET system.

Method and system for positron emission tomography image reconstruction


Disclosed herein are variants enzymes that are structurally classified as CE-7 enzymes and have perhydrolysis activity. Also disclosed herein is a process for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters using the aforementioned variant enzymes as well as methods and compositions comprising the variant enzymes. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peroxycarboxylic acids produced by the processes described herein are provided.

Peroxycarboxylic acid compositions have been reported to be effective antimicrobial agents. Methods to clean, disinfect, and/or sanitize hard surfaces, meat products, living plant tissues, and medical devices against undesirable microbial growth have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,047; U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,807; U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,307; U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,724; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0026846). Peroxycarboxylic acids have also been reported to be useful in preparing bleaching compositions for laundry detergent applications (U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,082; U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,161; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,554).
Peroxycarboxylic acids can be prepared by the chemical reaction of a carboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide (see Organic Peroxides, Daniel Swern, ed., Vol. 1, pp 313-516; Wiley Interscience, New York, 1971). The reaction is usually catalyzed by a strong inorganic acid, such as concentrated sulfuric acid. The reaction of hydrogen peroxide with a carboxylic acid is an equilibrium reaction, and the production of peroxycarboxylic acid is favored by the use of an excess concentration of peroxide and/or carboxylic acid, or by the removal of water.
Some peroxycarboxylic acid-based disinfectants or bleaching agents are comprised of an equilibrium mixture of peroxycarboxylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and the corresponding carboxylic acid. One disadvantage of these commercial peroxycarboxylic acid cleaning systems is that the peroxycarboxylic acid is oftentimes unstable in solution over time. One way to overcome the stability problem is to generate the peroxycarboxylic acid prior to use by combining multiple reaction components that are individually stable for extended periods of time. Preferably, the individual reaction components are easy to store, relatively safe to handle, and capable of quickly producing an efficacious concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid upon mixing.
The CE-7 family of carbohydrate esterases has recently been reported to have perhydrolase activity. These "perhydrolase" enzymes have been demonstrated to be particularly effective for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from a variety of carboxylic acid ester substrates when combined with a source of peroxygen (See WO2007/070609 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0176299, 2008/176783, and 2009/0005590 to DiCosimo et al.; each herein incorporated by reference in their entireties). Some members of the CE-7 family of carbohydrate esterases have been demonstrated to have perhydrolytic activity sufficient to produce 4000-5000 ppm peracetic acid from acetyl esters of alcohols, diols, and glycerols in 1 minute and up to 9000 ppm between 5 minutes and 30 minutes once the reaction components were mixed (DiCosimo et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0005590).
The ability to commercialize many bleaching and/or disinfection products based on enzymatic perhydrolysis may be dependent upon the cost of producing the enzyme catalyst. The use of enzyme catalysts having improved perhydrolytic activity may reduce the amount of enzyme catalyst in the commercial product and may significantly decrease the cost of production. As such, there remains a need to identify enzyme catalysts having improved perhydrolytic activity.
Further, enzymatic perhydrolysis is typically conducted using aqueous reaction conditions. Enzyme catalysts having perhydrolytic activity typically exhibit hydrolytic activity, forming carboxylic acids that may lower the pH of the reaction mixture. As such, it is desirable to utilize a perhydrolase that has high selectivity for perhydrolysis of an ester to peroxycarboxylic acid relative to hydrolysis of the same ester to carboxylic acid; the "P/H" ratio (rate of perhydrolysis/rate of hydrolysis) is one method of characterizing the selectivity of a perhydrolase for perhydrolysis.
The problem to be solved is to provide enzyme catalysts characterized by improved perhydrolytic activity. The improvement may be an increase in perhydrolase specific activity for carboxylic acid esters and/or an improvement in selectivity for perhydrolysis over hydrolysis when producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters.

Perhydrolases for enzymatic peracid generation


A hybrid hub-and-spoke communications network with hub-bypass communications paths is disclosed. An edge router receives, from a first origination network gateway node, a first packet destined for a first destination network gateway node. The edge router is communicatively coupled to a hybrid hub-and-spoke and hub-bypass data communications network. The edge router determines that the first packet is to be routed to the first destination network gateway node via a first hub-bypass communications path of the hybrid hub-and-spoke and hub-bypass data communications network. The edge router adds one or more segment identifiers to a header of the first packet that defines the first hub-bypass communications path, and sends the header and the first packet to the first spoke router.

Hub-and-spoke data communication architectures, sometimes referred to as star network architectures, route all traffic from one spoke node to another spoke node through one or more hub nodes. Hub-and-spoke data communication architectures offer several advantages over other types of data communication architectures, such as a ring data communications network or a mesh data communications network. For example, in a hub-and-spoke data communication architecture, if one spoke node, or one communications path, faults, it does not negatively impact the other spoke nodes.

Hybrid hub-and-spoke communications network with hub-bypass communications paths


A functional device is disclosed that can collect and process data/information/parameter values from one or more sensors and compares the same with one or more predefined/threshold value to suggest one or more actions and/or generate alerts/messages/suggestions to be performed by one or a combination of remote system, wearer, home automation network, healthcare provider, doctor, caretaker, among other stakeholders. Communication between the functional device, home automation server and a computational server that stores the data is also disclosed.

The background description is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to exemplary embodiments described herein, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Generally, motor vehicles include a variety of electronic devices for convenience and safety. Among them few cars and other vehicles provide automatic climate system to maintain a set temperature for the driver and passenger and also provide an automatic lighting system to illuminate interior of the vehicle and control external lights of the vehicle. Even many convenience features such as seat adjustments, steering wheel adjustments, automatic mirrors, and the like provide additional convenience for drivers and passengers. Also other features such as intelligent airbags are able to discriminate children from adults to prevent deployment for further safety.
However, existing electronic devices that form part of an automobile have limited capabilities in terms of providing health monitoring by means of various sensors and communicating data/information from such sensors to a remote server/repository where the data can be assessed/monitored/processed in real-time. Furthermore, even though few ambulances provide medical assistance, such services/capabilities are not present in normal automobiles/vehicles in general. Furthermore, existing automobiles do not attempt to couple, integrate, and/or optimize performance of vehicles based on user's health monitoring output, user's preferences, vehicle characteristics, user's profile, automobile settings, among other automobile related parameters such as speed, location, among others. Existing systems also do not efficiently enable transmission of such automobile and/or health information to one or more servers for real-time remote assessment thereof for recommendations/health indications to be put forth.
In addition, existing systems/architectures that enable viewing status of and/or controlling home electrical equipment/automation system remotely also have strong limitations. Existing architectures of such home electrical equipment/automation systems do not provide a single interface such as a single device for users to monitor their health conditions in automobiles and transmit health related information to a server/repository, wherein the same interface/device also enables the user to view/process/evaluate status of one or more home automation sensors and control them remotely.
There is therefore a need in the art for a functional device that enables monitoring of health parameters/conditions of a user and also enables remote viewing/monitoring/controlling of home automation sensors/system.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

System and method for communication between functional device and home automation


A radiation-emitting component includes a semiconductor chip which has a first main surface, a second main surface on an opposite side from the first main surface and an active region that generates radiation; a carrier on which the semiconductor chip is fixed on the side of the second main surface; an output layer arranged on the first main surface of the semiconductor chip and forming a lateral output surface spaced apart from the semiconductor chip in a lateral direction, a recess tapering in a direction of the semiconductor chip being, formed in the output layer and deflecting radiation emerging from the first main surface during operation into the direction of the lateral output surface.

For the backlighting of display devices such as liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) or introduction into light guides, for example, it is favorable for the radiation emitted by the radiation-emitting components to be emitted in the lateral direction, i.e., parallel to a mounting plane of the components. Comparatively complicated external optics are often used for this, which suitably deflect the radiation emitted by the radiation-emitting components.
It could therefore be helpful to provide a radiation-emitting component which emits radiation in the lateral direction and is formed compactly as well as a method by which radiation-emitting components can be produced in a simplified and reliable manner.

Radiation-emitting component and method for producing radiation-emitting components


A solar energy collector apparatus includes a solar collector panel having a parabolic shape, and a base comprising a pair of spaced apart support frames. Each support frame has a parabolic shape corresponding to the parabolic shape of the solar collector panel. Spaced apart rollers are positioned along an upper surface of each support frame to support the solar collector panel. A drive mechanism is coupled to the solar collector panel for rotation thereof. The solar collector panel includes a pair of spaced apart guide channels on an underside thereof for contacting the spaced apart rollers to ensure that the solar collector panel rotates squarely with respect to the base.

There are a variety of solar energy collectors available for converting solar energy into other forms of energy that can be more readily used or stored. These apparatuses typically employ solar collectors that collect solar radiation and convert it into a more useable form of energy, such as heat.
Solar collectors of the flat plate type have been used in low energy applications such as heating water, generating low pressure steam, supplementing air conditioning and heating systems, and the like. Flat plate collectors do not focus the sun's radiation and have limited applicability.
Another type of collector is generically called a concentrating collector. These collectors focus or concentrate the sun's radiation energy in a particular area. Concentrating collectors can be designed to operate at high temperatures with reasonable flow rates, thus substantially increasing the versatility over apparatuses employing flat plate collectors.
One type of concentrating collector is the parabolic trough collector. This type of collector uses an elongated reflective trough having a parabolic cross-section to concentrate the sun's radiation along a focal line extending through the focal points of the parabolic elements of the trough. A conduit can be positioned along this focal line and a heat transfer liquid can be circulated through the conduit, where it will be heated by the sun's energy. Satisfactory flow rates at high temperatures can be obtained from these collectors. With the assistance of a tracking system, parabolic trough collectors can become very efficient as they follow the movement of the sun.
Parabolic type collectors are efficient and versatile for generating energy from solar radiation. As solar energy collector apparatuses incorporating parabolic type collectors are used to satisfy larger energy requirements, they become physically larger. In some apparatuses, the aggregate collector surface may typically approach thousands of square meters. Consequently, there is a need for light-weight parabolic type collectors so that they are easier to transport and assemble.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,4234,719 discloses a parabolic trough solar energy collector that is fabricated without the need for any blind fasteners or blind fastening devices. A integrated parabolic solar energy collector is provided which can be welded or fastened with spot welds, seam welds, rivets, bolts or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,493 discloses a parabolic trough solar energy collector including an elongated support with a plurality of ribs secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. One surface of the ribs is shaped to define a parabola and is adapted to receive and support a thin reflecting sheet which forms a parabolic trough reflecting surface. One or more of the collectors is adapted to be joined end to end and supported for joint rotation to track the sun.
Even in view of the advances made in parabolic trough solar energy collectors, there is still a need to simplify their construction so that they are easier to transport and assemble.

Parabolic solar energy collector apparatus


A powder coating system including a powder coating conveyor, a work piece; the powder coating conveyor including a hang hole tool having a conveyor portion and a work piece engaging portion. The work piece engaging portion is structured to engage a conveyor member supported by the conveyor structure. The work piece engaging portion has an outwardly extending shaft portion extending distally outward from an expanded portion. The work piece has a recess therein, the recess being shaped and sized to receive the work piece engaging portion in close fitting relation and the recess having a first inside dimension at a greatest depth of the recess and a second inside dimension at a least depth of the recess. The second inside dimension is greater than the first inside dimension.

Powder coating is a process of coating a surface in which a powdered material is applied to the surface using an electrostatic method, a compressed air method or a fluidized bed.
Powder coating offers environmental and performance benefits over other coating and laminating systems, such as painting. Most commonly, powder coating has been used to apply coatings to metals. More recently, technology and powder materials have been commercialized for powder coating, heat sensitive substrates, such as wood, plastic, composite wood products and materials such as medium density fiber board (MDF).
Generally, powder coating involves the application of charged powder particles to a grounded preheated substrate. The coated substrate is then heated along with the powder coating to melt the powder and fuse it to itself and to the surface being coated. Thermal set coating powders are heated to the powder's melting temperature until the coating particles fuse into a continuous coating layer. Ultraviolet coating powders are heated in an oven and then cured by application of ultraviolet light to the molted powder coating.
Curing of the powder coating materials is accomplished by infrared and/or convention heating for thermal setting powder coatings. In the case of ultraviolet powder coating, the powder coat is heated in a melt flow oven by infrared or convection heating and then exposed to ultraviolet radiation to cure the powder coat. Generally, only a few seconds of ultraviolet application is sufficient to cure the coating.
After curing, powder coated parts are cooled in the open air or may be cured in a forced air flow.
Powder coating has many advantages. Powder coating processes have high transfer efficiency and generally create reduced or no emissions as compared to painting and other coating processes. Powder coating can generally be accomplished in a one step and one coat process. Powder coating generally eliminates edge banding and allows for a significant reduction of exhaust and oven ventilation. Powder coating benefits from minimal drying time, allows reduction in labor due to increase automation and is highly durable and resistant to chemicals.
In powder coating of objects made of wood, MDF or other wood related non-metal products, items to be powder coated are generally transported on an overhead conveyor through the powder coating process. Generally, the parts are hung on a conveyor support for powder coating by hang hook. Unfortunately, when powder coated non-metal parts are removed from the hanging hook on the conveyor, the powder finished may come off of the part when it is detached from the support hook in the location of the supporting hook. This can present an unsightly result as fused powder can be chipped off and creates a large area of powder break-off, which is unsightly and undesirable as it also leaves part of the powder coated object uncoated.
Accordingly, there is still room for improvement in this area.


A graphene electronic device includes a graphene channel layer on a substrate, a source electrode on an end portion of the graphene channel layer and a drain electrode on another end portion of the graphene channel layer, a gate oxide on the graphene channel layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode on the gate oxide. The gate oxide has substantially the same shape as the graphene channel layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to a graphene electronic device including a gate oxide as a protective layer formed on a graphene channel layer, and a method of fabricating the graphene electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Graphene having a 2-dimensional hexagonal carbon structure is a material that can replace semiconductors. Graphene is a zero gap semiconductor and has a mobility of 100,000 cm2V−1s−1 at room temperature, which is about 100 times higher than that of silicon. Thus, graphene can be applied to high frequency devices, e.g., radio frequency (RF) devices.
A graphene nano-ribbon (GNR) having a graphene channel width of 10 nm or less has a band gap by a size effect. Using the GNR, a field effect transistor that can be operated at room temperature can be manufactured.
Graphene electronic devices are electronic devices that include graphene, e.g., field effect transistors and RF transistors. Graphene electronic devices can be damaged by wet etchant when a graphene is patterned. In addition, if a general oxygen plasma process is used in order to remove a photoresist left on the graphene, the oxygen plasma process cannot be used since exposed graphene is removed together with the photoresist. Thus, the photoresist can partially remain on the graphene. Therefore, obtaining desired properties of electronic devices having graphene may be difficult.

Graphene electronic device and method of fabricating the same


A cutting block includes a body having at least three sections spaced in the anterior-posterior direction. Each section has a proximally facing surface for being placed adjacent to the distally facing surface of the femur. The block includes a distally facing surface with a rib connecting the at least three sections. The rib extends outwardly from the distally facing surface of each of the sections of the cutting block. The rib spaces the sections to form a guide slot between adjacent sections for receiving a saw blade. The rib has a proximally facing surface spaced distally of the distal surface of the cutting block adjacent the slots.

The present invention relates generally to the implant of prosthetic joints and pertains, more specifically, to the preparation of the distal femur for the implantation of a femoral knee prosthesis, utilizing a femoral cutting guide to assist in establishing the surfaces necessary for locating and securing the prosthesis in place on the femur. More particularly, it relates to a cutting guide which is light weight, strong and easy to manufacture.
The implant of a prosthetic knee joint requires that the distal femur be prepared to receive the femoral component of the knee prosthesis by cutting the bone of the femur to establish accurately located surfaces. Upon implantation, the femoral component will rest on these surfaces. As used herein, when referring to bones or other parts of the body, the term "proximal" means closer to the heart and the term "distal" means more distant from the heart. The term "inferior" means toward the feet and the term "superior" means towards the head. The term "anterior" means towards the front part of the body or the face and the term "posterior" means towards the back of the body. The term "medial" means toward the midline of the body and the term "lateral" means away from the midline of the body.
Various resection guides are available to the surgeon for assisting in guiding a saw blade to make the femoral cuts which establish the desired surfaces. These guides usually have guide surfaces for making four resections and are located and secured on the distal femur, upon an already resected transverse surface on the distal femur. Typically, surfaces are provided for guiding the saw blade during the execution of an axially directed anterior femoral cut, an axially directed posterior femoral cut, an anterior chamfer cut and a posterior chamfer cut, all specifically related to the size of the femoral knee prosthesis to be implanted and to the position and orientation of the femoral knee prosthesis on the distal femur. This type of cutting block is known as a four in one cutting block. Such blocks are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,892,093, 5,012,909, 5,364,401, 5,683,397 and 6,258,095. The appropriate location of a femoral cutting guide, then, generally requires the use of well known instruments and alignment techniques to determine the size of the femoral knee prosthesis which will be implanted at an implant site in a particular recipient, and to locate the corresponding femoral cutting guide appropriately on the transverse distal femoral surface for proper placement of the femoral knee prosthesis upon implant at the implant site.


In quenching, where a heated steel pipe (2) is immersed in a water bath (3) in parallel with water surface for cooling a pipe outer surface, and cooling water is injected from an axial center nozzle (8) into one end of pipe for cooling a pipe inner surface, thereby rapidly cooling the entire pipe surface, reduction of strength difference along a length of the quenched pipe becomes possible by moving the nozzle (8) following the motion of the pipe axis (2), and starting injecting the water from the nozzle (8) so as for the water to reach the other pipe end at the time of the immersion of the entire circumference of the pipe outer surface. An opening (3a) preferably faces the nozzle (8) to remove the water, and the flow velocity is preferably set to 23 m/sec or more for better water flow inside the pipe (2).

In order to produce a steel pipe having a desired strength, a heat treatment consisting of quenching and tempering is performed on the steel pipe during the production process thereof. When a steel pipe is quenched, a quenching method in which a heated steel pipe is immersed in a water bath for rapid cooling is often used, since such a method uses a large cooling capacity.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the process of immersing a heated steel pipe in a water bath. A quenching apparatus 1 shown in the same figure comprises a clamping device 5 for supporting a steel pipe 2, and a water bath 3. The clamping device 5 is made up of a first arm 6, and a second arm 7 which is swingably attached to the first arm. The first arm 6 includes a drive roller 61 and a roller 62 for supporting the steel pipe, and the second arm 7 includes a roller 71 for supporting the steel pipe.
When a heated steel pipe is immersed in a water bath by using a quenching apparatus shown in the same figure, the second arm 7 swings in a direction shown by an outlined arrow in the same figure, and the heated steel pipe is then placed on the drive roller 61 and the roller 62, which are included in the first arm 6. Thereafter, the second arm swings to return to a position shown in the same figure so that the heated steel pipe is rotatably supported by the drive roller 61 and the roller 62 included in the first arm and the two rollers 71 included in the second arm. While the steel pipe 2 is rotated in association with the rotation of the drive roller 61 (see the cross-hatched arrow in the same figure), the whole clamping device 5 swings as shown by the imaginary line in the same figure, thereby immersing the steel pipe in a water bath (see the diagonally shaded arrow).
The reason why the steel pipe is immersed in the water bath while being rotated is to prevent a partial decrease in strength for the steel pipe which has been quenched, which may occur when there is a difference in cooling rate between the water surface side and the water bath bottom side for the immersed steel pipe. In such an occasion, generally, a water flow is applied in an axial portion of the steel pipe to enhance the cooling effect of the steel pipe immersed in the water bath, and to uniformly cool the outer surface and the inner surface of the steel pipe.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional method for quenching a steel pipe, which is a process of generating a water flow in an axial portion of a steel pipe immersed in a water bath to rapidly cool the steel pipe. The same figure shows a water bath 3, a steel pipe 2 immersed in the water bath, and an axial center nozzle 8 disposed on the axis of the steel pipe. As shown in the same figure, by injecting cooling water to the axial portion at one end 2a of the steel pipe from the axial center nozzle 8, a water flow from one end 2a toward the other end 2b of the steel pipe is generated in the axial portion of the steel pipe (see the outlined arrow in the same figure). Hereafter, one end 2a of the steel pipe which is disposed near the axial center nozzle at the time of quenching is also referred to as a top end, and the other end 2b as a bottom end.
In a conventional method for quenching a steel pipe, by generating water flow in the axial portion of the steel pipe, the temperature of the inner surface of the steel pipe is prevented from becoming higher than that of the outer surface during rapid cooling, thus preventing the occurrence of a difference in strength between on the outer surface side and on the inner surface side of a steel pipe which has been quenched.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the top end and yield strength in a steel pipe which has been quenched by a conventional method for quenching a steel pipe. In the same figure, the abscissa represents a distance (m) from the top end of the steel pipe, and the ordinate does a yield strength YS (MPa). The yield strengths shown in the same figure are those of a steel pipe which has been quenched by being heated and rapidly cooled. In rapid cooling of a heated steel pipe, a heated steel pipe is rotatably held by using a quenching apparatus equipped with a clamping device shown in FIG. 1 described above to be immersed in a water bath, and a water flow is generated in the axial portion of the steel pipe by the axial center nozzle disposed on the axis of the steel pipe shown in FIG. 2 described above. The steel pipe used for the quenching is made of carbon steel having strength corresponding to grade X65 of API standard, and has an outer diameter of 168.3 mm, a wall thickness of 18.52 mm, and a length of 12 m.
As shown in the same figure, in the conventional method for quenching a steel pipe, the yield strength declines on the bottom end side of the steel pipe compared with the top end side thereof. When the strength difference between on the top end side and on the bottom end side of the steel pipe increases, the product quality thereof will deteriorate, thus posing a grave problem.
Regarding the quenching method in which a heated steel pipe is immersed in a water bath to be rapidly cooled, various methods have been proposed including, for example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2. Patent Literature 1 has its objective to reduce the strength difference that occurs between on the top end side and on the bottom end side of a steel pipe which has been quenched, which is caused in such a manner that when a heated steel pipe is charged into a water bath with the axis thereof being kept in parallel with the water surface, buoyant force acts on the steel pipe due to air bubbles generated in the axial portion, and the bottom end tends to outcrop from the water surface, resulting in insufficient cooling. In the method for quenching a steel pipe according to Patent Literature 1, it teaches that a high-level progressive flow is formed by rapidly increasing the amount of water to be supplied to the water bath at the timing when the bottom end outcrops due to air bubbles, thereby increasing the water level in the area around the bottom end to prevent the bottom end of the steel pipe from outcropping from the water surface.
Further, Patent Literature 2 has its objective to solve a problem that flaws occur due to collision between the bottom end of the steel pipe and the wall surface of the water bath caused by a high-level progressive flow in the method for quenching a steel pipe according to Patent Literature 1. In the method for quenching a steel pipe according to Patent Literature 2, it teaches that by reducing the cross sectional area of the water bath on the bottom end side of the steel pipe, it is possible to reduce the amount of water necessary for forming a high level-progressive flow and to prevent the bottom end from outcropping from the water surface, deterring the axial movement of the steel pipe which is to be incurred by the water flow and to cause a collision between the bottom end and the wall surface of the water bath.
The quenching methods according to Patent Literatures 1 and 2, in which a heated steel pipe is immersed in a water bath, have their objectives to reduce the strength difference that occurs along a longitudinal direction of the steel pipe which has been quenched and is generated due to the outcropping of the bottom end of the steel pipe from the water surface during quenching. However, even when the quenching apparatus equipped with a clamping device shown in FIG. 1 described above is used and quenching is performed on the steel pipe without causing the bottom end side of the steel pipe to outcrop from the water surface, a difference in strength occurs between on the bottom end side and on the top end side of the steel pipe which has been quenched as shown in FIG. 3 described above.

Method for quenching steel pipe and method for producing steel pipe using the same

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


A method and apparatus for displaying multiple communication network monitors having multiple monitoring intervals on a single graphical display. A user, through an input device, selects an object relating to a network monitor to be displayed on a graph and a processor retrieves network data from a communication network pertaining to the selected object. The display values for a line on the graphical display represented by the monitor are calculated by the processor such that, the line and any previously existing lines, are coherent in that the displayed parameters are consistent across the lines. Once the display values are calculated, the line is displayed on an output device. The user may additionally modify parameters associated with the monitor or add or delete a monitor. If the user modifies a parameter, the processor modifies the parameter and updates the display. If the user adds a new monitor, the processor verifies that the new monitor is consistent with current monitors, and if so, the new monitor is added and the graphical display is updated. Otherwise, an error message is displayed. If the user deletes a monitor, the processor verifies that the line associated with the monitor is not the last line on the graph and removes the line. Otherwise, if the line is the last line, an error message is displayed.

A portion of the disclosure of the patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This application is related to the following U.S. Patent Applications:
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/098,026 entitled xe2x80x9cMethod and Apparatus for Discovering Network Devices Using Internet Protocol and Producing a Corresponding Graphical Network Mapxe2x80x9d, filed Jun. 15, 1998, pending.
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/098,027 entitled xe2x80x9cMethod and Apparatus for Automatic Monitoring of Simple Network Management Protocol Manageable Devicesxe2x80x9d, filed Jun. 15, 1998, pending.
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/098,016 entitled xe2x80x9cMethod and Apparatus for Sending Address in the Message for an E-Mail Notification Action to Facilitate Remote Management of Network Devicesxe2x80x9d, filed Jun. 15, 1998, pending.
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/098,031 entitled xe2x80x9cMethod and Apparatus for Verifying Network Devices using Simple Network Management Protocolxe2x80x9d, filed Jun. 15, 1998, pending.
All of the above applications are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety.
The present invention pertains in general to monitoring of communication networks, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a method and apparatus for effectuating graphical display of multiple network monitors over multiple intervals on a single unified graphical display.
Communication networks are changing the way people communicate, distribute, and share information. There are many different ways information can be accessed, shared, or communicated on a network. For example, networks are used to access software applications running on a file server, to send e-mail to someone in another country, and to access information on remote computer servers. Networks consists of many different devices connected together in some form to allow one device to benefit from another. These devices include, but are not limited to switches, routers, repeaters, hubs, terminals, servers, queuing devices, and peripheral equipment such as printers, modems, and scanners. Communication networks allow the user to access remote programs and remote databases either of the same organization or form other enterprises or public sources. They also provide communication possibilities faster than other facilities. Because of these optimal information and communication possibilities, computer networks often increase the organizational learning rate, which many authors declare as a fundamental advantage in competition.
These benefits, however, do not come without their problems. Network systems can be very complex with complex problems which are difficult to identify and solve. To help identify network problems and solutions, network management tools have been developed to monitor networks and identify problems or potential problems associated with the networks. Frequently, these tools allow the user to view the results from a monitor on a graphical display. These displays, however, include only a single monitor over a single interval. To display multiple monitors separate displays are required for each monitor and interval.
It would be advantageous, therefore, to devise a method and apparatus which effectuate graphical display of multiple monitors having different intervals and on different devices.
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for displaying multiple communication network monitors having multiple monitoring intervals on a single graphical display. A user, through an input device, selects an object relating to a network monitor to be displayed on a graph and a processor retrieves network data from a communication network pertaining to the selected object. The display values for a line on the graphical display represented by the monitor are calculated by the processor such that the line and any previously existing lines are coherent in that the displayed parameters are consistent across the lines.
Once the display values are calculated, the line is displayed on an output device. The user may additionally modify parameters associated with the monitor or add or delete a monitor. If the user modifies a parameter, for example the poll rate, the processor modifies the parameter and updates the display. If the user adds a new monitor, the processor verifies that the new monitor is consistent with current monitors, and if so, the new monitor is added and the graphical display is updated. Otherwise, an error message is displayed. If the user deletes a monitor, the processor verifies that the line associated with the monitor is not the last line on the graph and removes the line. Otherwise, if the line is the last line, an error message is displayed.

Method and apparatus for graphical display of multiple network monitors over multiple intervals

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.


A laundry detergent composition having a particle, wherein the particle has: (a) hueing agent, wherein the hueing agent has the following structure:

As textile substrates age, their color tends to fade or yellow due to exposure to light, air, soil, and natural degradation of the fibers that comprise the substrates. To counteract this unwanted effect, laundry detergent manufacturers incorporate hueing agents into their products. Thus, the purpose of hueing agents is typically to visually brighten these textile substrates and counteract the fading and yellowing of the textile substrates.
Detergent manufacturers continue to seek to incorporate hueing dyes into their laundry detergent products, especially their laundry detergent powders. Detergent manufacturers prefer to incorporate detergent ingredients into a spray-dried laundry detergent base powder, by crutching and spray-drying the detergent ingredients: as this is an easy and cost effective means for their incorporation. However, when hueing dyes are incorporated into the crutcher, their colour determines the colour of the spray-dried laundry detergent base powder, which may not be preferred by the consumer. This has led detergent manufacturers to design separate particles for their hueing dyes.
These particles need to exhibit good storage stability, especially in conditions of high humidity, the dye must not bleed out of the particle and affect the colour of the base laundry powder, this is especially important in the presence of non-ionic detersive surfactant that may be present in the detergent formulation, and especially when sprayed onto the bulk of the powder.
These hueing dye particles must still rapidly dissolve in water, even cold water, during the laundering process, and the particles must rapidly deposit dye onto the fabric without causing dye damage such as spot staining.
The inventors have found that a unique combination of a specific type of hueing dye, when incorporated into a particle that additionally comprises clay, the resultant particle exhibits both good storage stability profile, good fabric deposition and does not impact the visual appearance of the base detergent powder when admixed thereto.
The particle exhibits an excellent storage stability profile with very little bleeding of the hueing dye from the particle, exhibits excellent fabric deposition of the hueing dye during a laundering process without causing any spot staining of the fabric, and does not impact the visual appearance of a laundry detergent powder when incorporated therein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Laundry detergent composition comprising a particle having hueing agent and clay

Abstract: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of: H; alkyl; alkoxy; alkyleneoxy; alkyl capped alkyleneoxy; urea; and amido; R3 is a substituted aryl group; X is a substituted group comprising sulfonamide moiety and optionally an alkyl and/or aryl moiety, and wherein the substituent group comprises at least one alkyleneoxy chain that comprises an average molar distribution of at least four alkyleneoxy moieties; (b) clay; and (c) another detergent ingredient.


Present invention is a method of improving circadian rhythms in blind people by stimulation the visual neural system. Ideally a retinal prosthesis of the type used to restore vision can be used to restore normal circadian rhythms. Additionally, brightness on the prosthesis can be increased in the morning and decreased in the evening to stimulate normal Circadian rhythms. Alternatively, if a retinal prosthesis is not preferable, the retina can be stimulated externally, during the day and not at night. While such eternal stimulation can not produced artificial vision, it can stimulate normal circadian rhythms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to neural stimulation and more specifically to neural stimulation of the visual system for improved circadian rhythms and a method of improving the circadian rhythms.
2. Background of the Invention
In 1755 LeRoy passed the discharge of a Leyden jar through the orbit of a man who was blind from cataract and the patient saw "flames passing rapidly downwards." Ever since, there has been a fascination with electrically elicited visual perception. The general concept of electrical stimulation of retinal cells to produce these flashes of light or phosphenes has been known for quite some time. Based on these general principles, some early attempts at devising prosthesis for aiding the visually impaired have included attaching electrodes to the head or eyelids of patients. While some of these early attempts met with some limited success, these early prosthetic devices were large, bulky and could not produce adequate simulated vision to truly aid the visually impaired.
In the early 1930's, Foerster investigated the effect of electrically stimulating the exposed occipital pole of one cerebral hemisphere. He found that, when a point at the extreme occipital pole was stimulated, the patient perceived a small spot of light directly in front and motionless (a phosphene). Subsequently, Brindley and Lewin (1968) thoroughly studied electrical stimulation of the human occipital (visual) cortex. By varying the stimulation parameters, these investigators described in detail the location of the phosphenes produced relative to the specific region of the occipital cortex stimulated. These experiments demonstrated: (1) the consistent shape and position of phosphenes; (2) that increased stimulation pulse duration made phosphenes brighter; and (3) that there was no detectable interaction between neighboring electrodes which were as close as 2.4 mm apart.
As intraocular surgical techniques have advanced, it has become possible to apply stimulation on small groups and even on individual retinal cells to generate focused phosphenes through devices implanted within the eye itself. This has sparked renewed interest in developing methods and apparati to aid the visually impaired. Specifically, great effort has been expended in the area of intraocular retinal prosthesis devices in an effort to restore vision in cases where blindness is caused by photoreceptor degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age related macular degeneration which affect millions of people worldwide.
Neural tissue can be artificially stimulated and activated by prosthetic devices that pass pulses of electrical current through electrodes on such a device. The passage of current causes changes in electrical potentials across visual neuronal membranes, which can initiate visual neuron action potentials, which are the means of information transfer in the nervous system.
Based on this mechanism, it is possible to input information into the nervous system by coding the information as a sequence of electrical pulses which are relayed to the nervous system via the prosthetic device. In this way, it is possible to provide artificial sensations including vision.
One typical application of neural tissue stimulation is in the rehabilitation of the blind. Some forms of blindness involve selective loss of the light sensitive transducers of the retina. Other retinal neurons remain viable, however, and may be activated in the manner described above by placement of a prosthetic electrode device on the inner (toward the vitreous) retinal surface (epiretial). This placement must be mechanically stable, minimize the distance between the device electrodes and the visual neurons, and avoid undue compression of the visual neurons.
Dawson and Radtke stimulated cat's retina by direct electrical stimulation of the retinal ganglion cell layer. These experimenters placed nine and then fourteen electrodes upon the inner retinal layer (i.e., primarily the ganglion cell layer) of two cats. Their experiments suggested that electrical stimulation of the retina with 30 to 100 μA current resulted in visual cortical responses. These experiments were carried out with needle-shaped electrodes that penetrated the surface of the retina (see also U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,933 to Michelson).
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,970 "Striate Cortex Stimulator" to Giles Skey Brindley et al. an implantable device is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes for stimulating the striate cortex.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,652 "Slope Etch of Polyimide" to Carl W. Amgren a semiconductor having an insulating layer overlying a metal layer is disclosed, wherein the insulator comprises an upper oxide layer, an intermediate polyimide layer, and a lower oxide layer in contact with the metal layer, a method for etching a via from an upper surface of the polyimide layer to the metal layer comprising the steps of applying photoresist; etching an opening from an upper surface of the photoresist layer to the upper oxide layer at a location for forming the via so that an upper surface of the upper oxide layer is exposed at the via location; heating the photoresist to cause a more gradual slope of the photoresist layer from the upper surface of the upper oxide layer at the via location to the upper surface of the photoresist layer; applying reactive ion etchant with a predetermined selectivity between photoresist and oxide to transfer the slope of the photoresist layer to the upper oxide layer at a predetermined ratio; and applying a reactive ion etchant with a predetermined selectivity between oxide and polyimide to transfer the slope of the upper oxide layer to the polyimide layer at a predetermined ratio, whereby the lower oxide layer is simultaneously etched to expose the metal layer at the via location.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,481 "Implantable Electrode Array" to Leo A. Bullara an electrode assembly for surgical implantation on a nerve of the peripheral nerve system is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,933 "Method and Apparatus for Visual Prosthesis" to Robin P. Michelson a visual prosthesis for implantation in the eye in the optical pathway thereof is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,049 "Method of Making an Electrode Array" to Charles L. Byers et al. a very small electrode array which penetrates nerves for sensing electrical activity therein or to provide electrical stimulation is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,629 "Circuit Board with Self-Supporting Connection Between Sides" to Robert A. Christiansen et al. a copper supporting sheet is disclosed having vias for connecting semiconductor chips to surface mount components. A laminate of polyimide has vias corresponding to the supporting layer vias with copper covering those vias.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,819 "Thin Film Electrical Component" to James W. Heller a thin film electrical component is disclosed comprising a rigid glass carrier plate, a substrate bonded to the rigid glass carrier plate, the substrate comprising a polyimide establishing a bond with the rigid glass carrier plate that is broken upon immersion of the substrate and the rigid glass carrier plate in one of a hot water bath and a warm temperature physiologic saline bath to release the polymer from attachment to the rigid glass carrier plate, and means for providing an electrical circuit, the providing means being bonded to the substrate and undisrupted during release of the substrate from attachment to the rigid glass carrier plate.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,844 "Retinal Microstimulation" to Eugene de Juan Jr. et al. a method for stimulating a retinal ganglion cell in a retina without penetrating the retinal basement membrane at the surface of the retina is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,957 "Noble Metal-Polymer Composites and Flexible Thin-Film Conductors Prepared Therefrom" to Vasant V. Kolpe a composite article is disclosed comprising a polymeric support selected from the group consisting of a polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyester-ether block copolymer having a noble metal deposited directly onto at least one surface, wherein said deposited metal exhibits a peel force of at least about 0.05 kg per millimeter width after 24 hour boiling saline treatment.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,088 "Three-Dimensional Electrode Device" to Richard A. Norman et al. a three-dimensional electrode device for placing electrodes in close proximity to cell lying at least about 1000 microns below a tissue surface is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,155 "Visual Prosthesis and Method of Using Same" to Mark S. Humayun et al. a visual prosthesis is disclosed comprising a camera for receiving a visual image and generating a visual signal output, retinal tissue stimulation circuitry adapted to be operatively attached to the user's retina, and wireless communication circuitry for transmitting the visual signal output to the retinal tissue stimulation circuitry within the eye.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,819 "Flexible Skin Incorporating MEMS Technology" to Yu-Chong Tai a method of manufacturing a flexible microelectronic device is disclosed comprising first etching a lower side of a wafer using a first caustic agent; depositing a first layer of aluminum on an upper side of the wafer; patterning the first layer of aluminum; depositing a first layer of polyimide on the upper side of the wafer, covering the first layer of aluminum; depositing a second layer of aluminum on the upper side of the wafer, covering the first layer of polyimide; depositing a second layer of polyimide on the upper side of the wafer, covering the second layer of aluminum; depositing a third layer of aluminum on the lower side of the wafer; patterning the third layer of aluminum; second etching the lower side of the wafer using the third layer of aluminum as a mask and the first layer of aluminum as an etch stop and using a less caustic agent than said first caustic agent, such that the wafer is divided into islands with gaps surrounding each island; and depositing a third layer of polyimide on the lower side of the wafer, such that the gaps are at least partially filled.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,429 "Chronically Implantable Retinal Prosthesis" to Doug Shire et al. an apparatus is disclosed which is in contact with the inner surface of the retina and electrically stimulates at least a portion of the surface of the retina.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,143 "Modiolar Hugging Electrode Array" to Peter G. Berrang et al. a cochlear electrode array for stimulating auditory processes is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,847 "Retina Implant Assembly and Methods for Manufacturing the Same" to Wilfried Nisch et al. a retina implant is disclosed comprising a chip in subretinal contact with the retina and a receiver coil for inductively coupling there into electromagnetic energy.
In U.S. Patent Application No. 20010037061 A1, "Microcontact structure for neuroprostheses for implantation on nerve tissue and method therefore" to Rolf Eckmiller et al. a four layer microcontact structure is disclosed in which the active connection between the microcontact structure and the nerve tissue is brought about by electrical stimulation. The layer adjacent to the nerve tissue to be stimulated is composed of the polymer polyimide and contains penetrating electrodes made of platinum which forms the adjoining layer. There follows a further layer of the polyimide and a layer of the polymer polyurethane. Polyurethane has the property of thermal expansion relative to polyimide.
In U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0158588 A1 "Minimal Invasive Retinal Prosthesis" to John F. Rizzo et al. a retinal prosthesis is disclosed comprising an RF coil attached to the outside of and moving with an eye to receive power from an external power source; electronic circuitry attached to and moving with the eye and electrically connected to the RF coil; a light sensitive array electrically connected to the electronic circuitry and located within the eye for receiving incident light and for generating an electrical signal in response to the incident light; and a stimulating array abutting a retina of the eye and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry to stimulate retinal tissue in response to the electrical signal from the light sensitive array. A supporting silicone substrate has a polyimide layer spun onto its surface and cured. The copper or chrome/gold conducting layer is then added and patterned using wet chemical etching or a photoresist lift-off process. Next, a second polyimide layer is spun on, and the regions where circuit components are to be added are exposed by selective dry etching or laser ablation of the upper polyimide layer in the desired areas. Finally, the completed components are removed from their supporting substrate.
Eugene de Juan Jr. et al. at Duke University Eye Center inserted retinal tacks into retinas in an effort to reattach retinas that had detached from the underlying choroid, which is the source of blood supply for the outer retina and thus the photoreceptors. See for example E. de Juan Jr., et al., "Retinal tacks", Am J Ophthalmol. 1985 Mar. 15; 99 (3):272-4.
Hansjoerg Beutel et al. at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT demonstrated the bonding of a gold ball by force, temperature, and ultrasound onto an aluminum metal layer. See for example Hansjoerg Beutel, Thomas Stieglitz, Joerg-Uwe Meyer: "Versatile Microflex-Based Interconnection Technique," Proc. SPIE Conf. on Smart Electronics and MEMS, San Diego, Calif., March 1998, vol. 3328, pp 174-182. A robust bond can be achieved in this way. However, encapsulation proves difficult to effectively implement with this method. Gold, while biocompatible, is not completely stable under the conditions present in an implant device since it dissolves by electromigration when implanted in living tissue and subject to an electric current. See for example Marcel Pourbaix: "Atlas of Electrochemical Equilibria in Aqueous Solutions", National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Houston, 1974, pp 399-405.
A system for retinal stimulation comprising a polyimide-based electrodes being coated with platinum black are described by Andreas Schneider and Thomas Stieglitz. See for example Andreas Schneider, Thomas Stieglitz: "Implantable Flexible Electrodes for Functional Electrical Stimulation", Medical Device Technology, 2004.
It is known that circadian rhythms drive our body's natural cycles of wake and sleep. The hormone melatonin is produced in increasing quantities in the evening and lesser quantities in the morning. Blind people generally do not have normal circadian rhythms and do not produced extra melatonin in the evening. Hence, the perception of light, at least in part, drives the circadian rhythm and the production of melatonin.

Visual prosthesis for improved circadian rhythms and method of improving the circadian rhythms