An apparatus for the shredding and scanning of receipts has a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a feeding mechanism positioned in the housing, and at least one blade positioned in the housing adjacent to the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism is suitable for drawing the receipt through an interior of the housing. The blade is suitable for cutting the receipt. The feeding mechanism serves to pass the cut receipt through the outlet opening. A scanner is positioned adjacent to the inlet opening so as to read information on the receipt prior to the receipt encountering the blade.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to paper shredding mechanisms. Additionally, the present invention relates to apparatus for the scanning of information on receipts. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus that both scan information on receipts and shred the receipt subsequent to scanning.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
Receipts are commonly provided following the payment for goods and/or services. Typically, the receipt is printed onto a very small piece of paper. It is known that the ink that is used for the printing of receipts can often be toxic to the skin. The fumes from such printing fluids can produce toxic effect to those in proximity to the receipt. As such, it is important to remove the receipt, as soon as possible, from contact with a body or clothing of the person that has received the receipt.
Throughout normal commerce, persons will typically accumulate a wide variety of receipts. Typically, these receipts will be folded or accumulated with in a pocket. Over time, the ink will fade and the information will no longer remain in a visible form upon the receipt. It is often difficult to organize the receipts so that later recording of information from the receipts can be obtained. Additionally, a typical person may accumulate a wide jumble of receipts. The accumulation of such a large number of receipts will tend to discourage efforts by the person that receives the receipt to record the information from the receipts. As such, need has developed whereby the information on the receipt can be immediately secured and that the receipt can be immediately shredded and/or discarded.
Shredding mechanisms are known in the past. The shredding mechanisms are typically used in an office or commercial environment for the shredding of large pieces of paper. Typically, a large number of such pieces of paper are placed within the shredder. As such, the shredder will have a relatively large housing and a wide variety of blades and shredding mechanisms therein so that the large pieces of paper can ultimately be shredded. After the shredding, the information on these large pieces of paper would no longer be available for use by others. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to transport such shredders. Such shredders would seldom, if ever, be conveniently available in order to shred small receipts obtained during a normal day of commercial transactions. As such, a need has developed so as to provide a very compact shredder that can be available for the immediate shredding of receipts.
In the past, various patents have issued relating to scanners for the scanning of information on receipts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,550, issued on Jul. 20, 1999 to D. L. Davis, shows a scanner that is constructed to prevent illicit post-scan modification of a data set. The data set is a representation of visual images printed on a document scanned by the scanner. To prevent illicit post-scan modification, the scanner produces a digital signature which is output in combination with the data set.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,194, issued on May 28, 2002 to Houvener et al., shows a receipt scanning system and method. This transaction data processing system is especially configured to capture, store and retrieve transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction. The transaction data processing system includes a scanner located at a point of use location. The scanner is configured to scan a transaction document including the signature of at least one party to the transaction. A transaction data processor is also included for processing the scanned transaction data and for generating a transaction data record. A communication link will link the remote database site to the transaction data processor, which is located at the point of use location.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,168, issued on Mar. 18, 2003 to T. N. Ching, shows an information entry and reporting system and a method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point-of-sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine-readable data form pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the data form pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned data form pattern, extract the debt transaction data, and store for subsequent analysis and reporting.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,240, issued on Jun. 27, 2006 to Spero et al., describes a system and method for capture, storage and processing of receipts. The system includes an image capture device, such as a scanner or digital camera connected to a computer processor that is able to capture and store images. The computer processor analyzes the images of the receipts, converts the images to text, analyzes the data, extracts expense data, and puts the data into an expense report. The end user can review the captured expense data, correct it or add to it. The system displays the image of the receipt side-by-side with the captured expense data to make review and editing easier.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,746,510, issued on Jun. 29, 2010 the R. K. C. Pandipat, teaches a receipt scanner and financial organizer. The system includes a scanner, an apparatus for scanning receipts into a computer, and a unique software program which automatically processes, organizes and saves expense information that can be viewed in various formats. The scanner accommodates paper of differing sizes. The scanner is used to input bills, receipts, and bank statements. The scanner is connected to a computer through a Universal Serial Bus or a parallel port. The software program creates a text file of the scanned data by inclusion of sorting, categories, etc., and automatically saves the information in a Quicken Interchange Format so as to allow it to be imported into any financial management software for further processing.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,285,604, issued on Oct. 9, 2012 to Trandal et al., provides a method and system for receipt management and price comparison. In particular, the system maintains purchase records, creates shopping lists, and comparison pricing.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,693,070, issued on Apr. 8, 2014 to R. K. C. Pandipati, describes a portable device that is configured to obtain an image of a document. The document is of no predefined format. The document also contains numerical data. The numerical data is extracted and automatically organized into a report in a predefined or customized format and stored into a database. The database is accessible and searchable by a user to obtain either the numerical data of the image or the report.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0137770, published on Jun. 9, 2011 the V. Glasco, teaches an electronic checkbook for recording and monitoring transactions. The electronic checkbook includes a booklet of checks in which the checks are positioned in the lower half of the checkbook. An electronic device is provided so as to store, record and scan receipts. It also serves to record transactions related to a plurality of accounts and to display data related to the transactions and the plurality of accounts. The mechanism to scan receipts also includes a pin scanner connected to the electronic device.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0188647, published on Jun. 3, 2014 to Argue et al., discloses the a process for searching digital receipts at a mobile device. A customer mobile device receives and stores one or more digital receipts. The digital receipts correspond to transactions conducted with a merchant. A user captures an image from the item. Search criteria are derived from the captured image. The search criteria are used to search digital receipts stored at the customer mobile device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that facilitates the ability to scan and shred receipts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is very compact.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that any effectively avoids issues associated with the use of toxic ink on receipts.
It is a further object of the present invention provide an apparatus which facilitates the ability to store information from the receipts.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be effectively placed within a conventional wallet.
It is still a further object of the present invention provide an apparatus which effectively shreds valuable information from receipts.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

Apparatus for shredding and scanning of receipts


A new and improved instrument bow for use with a stringed instrument is provided. A unique new instrument bow is provided that may be constructed with a braided material and/or composite to form the instrument bow. Additionally, the new instrument bow using a braided composite to form a single piece construction instrument bow for use in conjunction with a stringed instrument. The instrument bow may be a combination of a synthetic material covered with a braided material in a single piece construction that will provide the instrument bow with increased resilient and strength without the necessity for reinforcement and/or repair.

The bow historically has been a very important part of most stringed instruments, and most stringed instruments would be practically useless without one. Therefore, an understanding of the origin of the bow is important to understand the origin of the related stringed instrument.
The bow as a musical instrument, was well-known among primitive cultures around the world, and throughout the Arab world and the Byzantine Empire, but was not introduced into Western culture until around the eleventh century.
Stringed instruments and the bows used to play these instruments were quite rudimentary, and were subject to considerable variation. The curvature of the stick was also convex, and the hair fastened directly to the stick without a device for adjusting the tension of the hair. These types of bows had to be frequently replaced and/or discarded.
The development of the bow remained rather the same for a considerable time. Certain developments, such as devices to spread the hair were contemplated, but it is not until much later after the introduction of the violin instrument that improvements such as frogs with denotated mechanisms to adjust hair tension, and true button and screw mechanisms were developed.
The familiar pike-type bow head appeared around the time of the death of instrument producer, Stradivari. Common woods used for making bows during this era were iron and snakewood; lighter woods were often fluted to give the bow additional strength and rigidity.
For a long period of time, the curvature, or camber of the bow, remained convex. Perhaps as a result of experimentation and artistic collaboration, the camber was changed from convex to concave, the fluted bow and pike's head abandoned, and the ferrule invented.
During this period, the bow changed considerably as a result of changes in performance venues, as music moved from the smaller stages to larger venues and larger audiences. The newer bows enabled greater sonority, power, and projection, sustained a wider range of dynamic levels, and articulated a greater variety of new bowing techniques.
Pernambuco wood became the wood of choice for string instrument bows because pernambuco wood is extremely heavy and dense. Pernambuco also was an important source in dye manufacturing before the advent of synthetic aniline dyes. The ready availability of tremendous quantities of pernambuco wood eventually changed the construction of the bow because of pernambuco's combination of strength and elasticity for making bows.
Modern producers of bows have attempted to make the bow out of a composite material including fiberglass and plastics. However, the sound qualities and the construction necessary to make these bows have been problematic and have led most users to stick with the wood designs.
A problem with the standard type instrument bows is that they are made up of a plurality of pieces that must be fitted together to form the unit. Because the instrument bow is constructed in a plurality of pieces that are subsequently affixed to each other, they tend to come apart after substantial use and must be either fixed or discarded.
Yet another problem exists because the typical instrument bow must be constantly adjusted and requires a considerable amount of upkeep to keep the bow in condition for use.
What is needed is a improved instrument bow and technique for making the improved instrument bow. Further, a need therefore exists for an improved instrument bow that may use more modern materials that may be cheaper and easy to form. Moreover, a need exists for an instrument bow that is a single piece construction that does not need frequent repair and/or adjustment yet has good sound quality and utility.

Braided composite stringed instrument bow


A transmission system having a power input shaft for connection to a power source and two coaxial differentially driven outputs located substantially parallel to and spaced from the input shaft. The power input shaft is operatively connecting the driven outputs to simultaneously drive the driven outputs in response to rotation of the power input shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a transmission system for automotive vehicles and more particularly to a transmission system for vehicles which are propelled by a pair of laterally spaced differentially driven wheels. The transmission system provides a substantially even distribution of torque and stress throughout the vehicle chassis.

Transmission system with parallel input and concentric outputs


Non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding to form parts having high fatigue strength and excellent bend leveling property even in a case of applying soft-nitriding without thermal refining, comprising, by mass %, C: 0.30 to 0.45%, Si: 0.1 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.6 to 1.0%, Ti: 0.005-0.1% and N: 0.015 to 0.030%, and the balance Fe and impurities, having a mixed microstructure of bainite and ferrite whose bainite fraction is 5 to 90% or having a mixed microstructure of bainite, ferrite and pearlite whose bainite fraction is 5 to 90%, the steel could contain one or more of elements of Nb: 0.003 to 0.1% Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%, Cu: 0.01-1.0%, Ni: 0.01 to 1.0%, B: 0.001 to 0.005%, S: 0.01 to 0.1%, and Ca: 0.0001 to 0.005.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding. More specifically, it relates to a non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding as materials of machine parts such as crankshafts or connecting rods, for example, in automobiles, industrial machines and construction machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, machine parts such as crankshafts or connecting rods, for example, in automobiles, industrial machines and the construction machines are manufactured by applying hot working such as hot forging and then applying thermal refining (hardening, tempering, normalizing, or annealing). The microstructure is homogenized and refined by the thermal refining. After the thermal refining, soft-nitriding is applied with an aim of improving the fatigue strength.
Since distortion occurs upon application of the soft-nitriding and deteriorates the dimensional accuracy of parts, bend leveling, or straightening, is often conducted after applying the soft-nitriding. Accordingly, it is necessary for parts after the soft-nitriding to have high fatigue strength and excellent bend leveling property.
"Excellent bend leveling property" means that cracks are not developed on the surface of the part till reaching a certain large bending displacement amount and that the fatigue strength after applying the bend leveling does not reduce so much as that before applying the bend leveling.
In the manufacture of machine parts, omission of thermal refining is desired for decreasing the manufacturing cost and saving the energy. Such demands have become strong more and more in recent years.
However, in a case where the thermal refining is omitted, non-homogeneous microstructure formed during hot working tends to remain and, further, crystal grains that are grown coarse during heating of the material before starting hot working remain in the products, which lowers the mechanical property of products. Then, normalization treatment is usually applied after hot working to solve the problem. In a case of not applying the normalization treatment after hot working, the crystal grains remain coarse, and a non-homogeneous microstructure is formed in which hot deformed structure remains partially. Accordingly, no desired fatigue strength can be obtained for the material without normalization treatment even when the soft-nitriding is applied.
Further, as described above, it is necessary for parts after soft-nitriding to have excellent bend leveling property but, in a case of omitting the thermal refining, the bend leveling property of parts after soft-nitriding is often deteriorated remarkably because of coarse crystal grain and/or non-homogeneous microstructure described above.
Accordingly, it has been demanded for the development of parts having high fatigue strength and excellent bend leveling property even in a case of omitting a thermal refining with an aim of cost reduction and energy saving, as well as a non-heat treated steel for use in soft-nitriding capable of obtaining such parts.
Then, "normalization" is to be described as a typical example of thermal refining. As the method of obtaining non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding capable of forming parts having high fatigue strength and excellent "bend leveling property" after soft-nitriding even in a case of omitting the normalization treatment, several methods have been proposed so far. They are classified roughly into the following groups.
(1) A method of avoiding growth of the microstructure in hot forging as much as possible while keeping the microstructure of a steel to consist of ferrite and pearlite such as in thermally refined steels (for example, refer to the following Patent Documents 1 to 4).(2) A method of forming the microstructure of steel into bainite (for example, refer to the following Patent Documents 5 to 9).                [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H9-291339.        [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H9-324258.        [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H9-324241.        [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H10-46287.        [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H5-65592.        [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2000-309846.        [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H7-157842.        [Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H8-176733.        [Patent Document 9] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2000-160287.
The Patent Document 1 discloses a steel for nitriding in which the content of alloying elements comprises, by mass %, C: 0.15 to 0.40%, Si: ≦0.50%, Mn: 0.20 to 1.50%, Cr: 0.05 to 0.50%, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, in which the microstructure after hot working is substantially a ferrite—pearlite microstructure, the ferrite area fraction is 30% or more, the ferrite grain size is of 5 or more of grain size number, and the average size of pearlite is 50 μm or less. It is described that the steel is excellent in the fatigue strength and the bend leveling property after the nitriding even when normalization treatment is omitted.
The Patent Document 2 discloses nitrided parts formed by nitriding a steel in which the steel contains alloying elements comprising, by mass %, C: 0.15 to 0.40%, Si: 0.50% or less, Mn: 0.20 to 1.50%, and Cr: 0.05 to 0.50%, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, in which the steel has a mixed microstructure comprising ferrite and pearlite in a state as hot worked, the average size of ferrite grains is 50 μm or less, the average size of pearlite grains is 50 μm or less, the average hardening depth by the nitriding is 0.3 mm or more and the fluctuation of the hardening depth is within a range of 0.1 mm. Then, it is described that the part is excellent in the fatigue strength and the bend leveling property even in a case of nitriding while omitting the normalization treatment after hot forging.
The Patent Document 3 discloses a steel material for soft-nitriding having a chemical composition comprising, by weight %, C: 0.20 to 0.60%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 1.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.005 to 0.10%, Cr: 0.3% or less, Al: 0.08% or less, Ti: 0.03% or less, N: 0.008 to 0.020%, Ca: 0.005% or less, Pb: 0.30% or less, Cu: 0.30% or less, Ni: 0.30% or less, Mo: 0.30% or less, V: 0.20% or less, Nb: 0.05% or less, and satisfying: 221C (%)+99.5Mn(%)+52.5Cr(%)−304Ti(%)+577N(%)+25≧150, with the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, in which the microstructure comprises ferrite and pearlite with the ferrite fraction of 10% or more, etc.
The Patent Document 3 describes that nitrided parts excellent in the fatigue strength and the bend leveling property can be obtained even when the normalization treatment is omitted in a case where the fatigue strength is expressed as the regression formulae of the contained elements and the factor is at a predetermined magnitude or more, and the microstructure comprises ferrite and pearlite with the ferrite fraction of 10% or more.
The Patent Document 4 discloses a steel for nitriding comprising, by weight %, C: 0.30 to 0.43%, Si: 0.05 to 0.40%, Mn: 0.20 to 0.60%, P: 0.08% or less, S: 0.10% or less, sol. Al: 0.010% or less, Ti: 0.013% or less, Ca: 0.0030% or less, Pb: 0.20% or less, and N: 0.010 to 0.030%, and the balance Fe and impurities, in which Cr is 0.10% or less and V is 0.01% or less in the impurities, etc.
The Patent Document 4 describes that a product excellent in the fatigue strength and the bend leveling property can be obtained by moderating the hardness gradient in a nitriding layer even when applying nitriding while omitting the normalization treatment.
The Patent Document 5 discloses a steel with high fatigue strength comprising, C: 0.1 to 0.35%, Si: 0.05 to 0.35%, Mn: 0.6 to 1.50%, P: 0.01% or less, S: 0.015% or less, Cr: 1.1 to 2.0%, Mo: 0.5 to 1.0%, V: 0.03 to 0.13%, B: 0.0005 to 0.0030%, Ti: 0.01 to 0.04%, Al: 0.01 to 0.04%, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, etc.
The Patent Document 5 describes that Cr is effective for improving the hardenability and nitriding hardenability and V is effective for refining precipitated carbides to enhance the fatigue strength. In this case, since the nitriding hardenability caused by Cr is due to precipitation of Cr nitrides, improvement in the fatigue strength in this case is based on precipitation hardening by Cr and V. However, in the Patent Document, a once produced steel material is again heated and cooled to form a bainite microstructure, then the steel is classified into the category of thermally refined steel.
The Patent Document 6 discloses a non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding containing, by mass %, C: not less than 0.1% but less than 0.3%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 1.5 to 3.0%, Cr: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mo: 0.1 to 1.0%, acid soluble Al: 0.01 to 0.045%, N: 0.005 to 0.025%, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, etc.
The Patent Document 6 describes that the steel having the bainite structure obtained by air cooling from the hot working temperature is excellent in toughness and has excellent bend leveling property after applying soft-nitriding. In this case, the C content is defined as less than 0.3% in order that the hardness of bainite does not become excessive to deteriorate the machinability, and the Mn content is defined as 1.5% or more for ensuring the hardenability of the steel to form bainite. Further, the hardness of the nitrided layer is intended to be increased by precipitation hardening due to Cr nitrides by the addition of 0.01 to 0.05% of Cr. That is, in the Patent Document, the C content is defined as less than 0.3% so that the hardness of bainite is not excessively high, on the bases of the fact that the bend leveling property is improved by the bainite microstructure because bainite has higher toughness than the ferrite-pearlite microstructure at an identical hardness. However, a steel where the C content is less than 0.3% is worried about the lack of wear resistance. In machine parts such as crankshafts and connecting rods, the wear resistance is also an extremely important factor.
The Patent Document 7 discloses a steel for soft-nitriding having a chemical composition comprising, by weight %, C: 0.05 to 0.30%, Si: 1.20% or less, Mn: 0.60 to 1.30%, Cr: 0.70 to 1.50%, Al: 0.10% or less, N: 0.006 to 0.020%, V: 0.05 to 0.20%, Mo: 0 to 1.00%, B: 0 to 0.0050%, S: 0 to 0.060%, Pb: 0 to 0.20%, Ca: 0 to 0.010%, satisfying 0.60≦C+0.1Si+0.2Mn+0.25Cr+1.65V≦1.35, or satisfying 0.60≦C+0.1Si+0.2Mn+0.25Cr+1.65V+0.55Mo+8B≦1.35, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, with the hardness of a core part of Hv 200 to 300 and the microstructure being a bainite or having a mixed microstructure of "ferrite+bainite" where ferrite fraction is less than 80%, by cooling after hot rolling or hot forging with no heat treatment.
The invention in the Patent Document 7 also adopts the idea of improving the fatigue strength by utilizing the precipitation hardening caused by Cr and V as well as in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H5-65592 described above. However, since the C content is defined as less than 0.3%, the worry about the lack of the wear resistance remains as well as in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2000-309846 described above.
The Patent Document 8 discloses a steel for soft-nitriding comprising, by weight %, C: 0.15 to 0.40%, Si: 1.20% or less, Mn: 0.60 to 1.80%, Cr: 0.20 to 2.00%, Al: 0.02 to 0.10%, N: 0.006 to 0.020%, V: 0.05 to 0.20%, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, and satisfying both conditions of 0.60≦C+0.1Si+0.2Mn+0.25Cr+1.65V≦1.35 and 0.25Cr+2V≦0.85, with the hardness for a core part of Hv 200 to 300, and having mixed microstructure of "ferrite+pearlite" or a mixed microstructure of "ferrite+pearlite+bainite whose bainite fraction is less than 20%", by cooling after hot rolling or hot forging without heat treatment, and discloses a steel that has high surface hardness and deep hardened depth and, further, low heat treatment distortion by applying soft-nitriding.
It is expected that the disclosed steel in the Patent Document 8 is improved for the wear resistance since the C content is 0.15 to 0.40%. However, the idea of improving the fatigue strength by utilizing the precipitation hardening caused by Cr and V is also adopted in this steel as well as in the invention of Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H7-157842 described above.
The Patent Document 9 discloses a non-heat treated forged nitrided parts containing, C: 0.15 to 0.35%, Mn: 1.00 to 3.00%, Cr: 0 to 0.15%, V: 0 to 0.02%, Cu: 0.50 to 1.50%, and Ni: 0.4 times or more of the Cu content, with B, N and Ti contents satisfying 0.0010 to 0.0030% of Bsol as defined by Bsol=B−(11/14){N−(14/48) Ti}, with the balance Fe and inevitable impurity.
The Patent Document 9 describes as follows:
It is preferred that the steel for soft-nitriding comprises a ferrite-based microstructure or, in a case where it is difficult, a single phase microstructure of martensite or bainite rather than a mixed microstructure of "ferrite+pearlite". This adopts an idea of utilizing precipitation hardening caused by Cu instead of by Cr and V. Further, it is described that Mn content has to be 1.0% or more in order to obtain the fully bainitic microstructure, which means to intend to a non-heat treated steel with fully bainitic microstructure.
As has been described above, it has been already known to obtain a non-heat treated steel utilizing the bainite microstructure for soft-nitriding, which provides parts excellent in the fatigue strength and the bend leveling property after soft-nitriding. However, improvement of the fatigue strength by the precipitation hardening caused by the alloying additions deteriorates the bend leveling property on the other hand. That is, the subject of compatibilizing the high fatigue strength and the excellent bend leveling property has not yet been solved.
Further, in order to cope with the demand of further increasing the strength of parts in recent years, it has been demanded for a non-heat treated steel for soft-nitriding, which provides soft-nitrided parts that have higher fatigue strength and are excellent in the bend leveling property. However, the existent technique of "precipitation hardening and bainitic microstructure" cannot always cope with such a demand.


A unitary mattress assembly comprises a plurality of coil springs interarranged to define a single innerspring core having a generally rectangular shape in plan. The core has a first portion which is sized to accommodate a first sleeping person and comprises coil springs having a first preselected compressive strength. Adjacent to the first portion is a second core portion sized to accommodate another sleeping person and having coil springs of a different compressive strength than the springs of the first portion. By the foregoing construction, a mattress may be manufactured having a single innerspring core but having two regions of differing firmness to suit the particular preferences of two people.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mattress constructions and, more particularly, to a unitary mattress assembly for use in bedding having an innerspring construction wherein springs of differing compressive strength are used to provide a mattress surface with a plurality of regions of different firmness.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A standard bed construction which has been popular for some time includes a frame for supporting a box spring. The box spring, in turn, is designed to support a mattress. Mattresses are available in a variety of sizes and are also constructed in various ways. One such construction which has proved to be highly desirable includes the use of an innerspring comprising a plurality of discrete coil springs encapsulated in individual fabric pockets joined together in a string. An assembly of this type is known as Marshall construction and is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,983, issued to Stumpf and assigned to the common assignee herein, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Pocketed strings of coils can be readily manufactured by apparatus disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,501 also issued to Stumpf and assigned to the common assignee herein, the disclosure of which is likewise incorporated herein by reference. In essence, the latter patent teaches producing a string of pocketed coil springs by inserting the coils into spring pockets formed by ultrasonic welding of a tube of appropriate heat sensitive fabric. Once the strings of coils are formed, they may be arranged in any desired fashion such as a chevron or other pattern to provide an innerspring assembly in which the individual springs all have longitudinal axes oriented parallel one to another and the springs are closely packed together in an array having a generally rectangular shape in plan with the ends of the springs lying in a common plane. A suitable quilted foam pad of preselected thickness may then be used to cover the innerspring and provide a generally planar surface on which a person can sleep. Preferably, the innerspring is covered on both sides and has fabric edging connecting the opposed surface covers, thereby defining a unitary mattress assembly.
Mattresses of the foregoing type are generally available with differing degrees of firmness to suit the particular preference of the user. However, known unitary mattresses which are sized for two people, such as full, queen or king size mattresses, have heretofore had only one degree of firmness common to both sides of the mattress. This construction requires one user to compromise his or her preference as to firmness if another user has a different preference. To provide a bed for two people having dual firmness, it is known to construct a continuous border defining a central cavity into which two separate core mattresses are inserted, thereby providing for different degrees of mattress firmness to suit the individual preferences of two users. Such a bed construction is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,261 issued to Magnusson and assigned to the common assignee herein. However, a disadvantage of such a bed construction is that there are discernable gaps or cracks defined between the border and the mattresses inserted therewithin, as well as between the dual mattress cores themselves, which can be uncomfortable and/or inconvenient for the users. Moreover, this type of bed construction is somewhat complicated and expensive in manufacture.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a unitary mattress assembly having selectively positioned, multiple firmness regions therein without requiring a construction involving separate mattress cores. It is further desirable to provide a unitary mattress assembly having multiple, preferably dual firmness which can be manufactured at a cost comparable to conventional single firmness mattresses.


The pole plunger includes a main shaft having an upper disc secured to an upper end and a lower disc secured to a lower end. The lower disc has a radius greater than that of the upper disc, allowing the user to select the appropriately sized disc which matches the radius of a drain pipe to be plunged. Additionally, a handle portion may be secured to the main shaft, extending in a direction orthogonal thereto, providing the user with a handle to grip during the plunging process. The handle portion further has a handle disc secured to its free end, with the handle disc having a radius between that of the upper and lower discs, providing the user with a third size disc for plunging of the drain pipe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pole plunger having plunging discs secured to opposed ends of a main shaft, with the discs having different radii, allowing the user to select the appropriate disc to match the radius of a drainage pipe to be plunged. Further, a handle portion may be secured to the main shaft, with a third disc having a third unique radius being secured to the free end thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various configurations of plungers have been developed and used for unclogging sinks, toilets and drainage pipes. Typical plungers include a shaft having a plunging bell or disc secured to the lower end. The bell or disc is placed in the sink, toilet or drainage pipe, and the user moves the shaft in an alternating up-and-down fashion, to break up clogging waste, either through direct contact or through variations in water pressure. Though bells and discs for these plungers are generally flexible and deformable, they typically are only adapted for drains having a single radius, or a set of radii within a very limited range. In order to clear pipes and drains of different sizes and contours, a plurality of these typical plungers would be needed. It would be desirable to provide a plunger offering multiple plunging discs having a variety of radii, which could be selected by the user dependent upon the size of the drainage pipe or other conduit.
Further, the user grips a typical plunger only by the shaft. If a handle portion is provided, it is typically mounted to the upper end of the shaft and formed as a knob-like structure. Since the user moves the shaft in an up-and-down fashion in operation, in a direction parallel to that of the shaft, this does not provide a secure grip on the plunger. It would be preferable to provide a handle mounted in a lateral direction, which the user could easily grasp and operate.
None of the above inventions, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a pole plunger solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


An ear sensor provides a sensor body having a base, legs extending from the base and an optical housing disposed at ends of the legs opposite the base. An optical assembly is disposed in the housing. The sensor body is flexed so as to position the housing over a concha site. The sensor body is unflexed so as to attach the housing to the concha site and position the optical assembly to illuminate the concha site. The optical assembly is configured to transmit optical radiation into concha site tissue and receive the optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue.

Pulse oximetry systems for measuring constituents of circulating blood have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios. A pulse oximetry system generally includes an optical sensor applied to a patient, a monitor for processing sensor signals and displaying results and a patient cable electrically interconnecting the sensor and the monitor. A pulse oximetry sensor has light emitting diodes (LEDs), typically one emitting a red wavelength and one emitting an infrared (IR) wavelength, and a photodiode detector. The emitters and detector are typically attached to a finger, and the patient cable transmits drive signals to these emitters from the monitor. The emitters respond to the drive signals to transmit light into the fleshy fingertip tissue. The detector generates a signal responsive to the emitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the fingertip. The patient cable transmits the detector signal to the monitor, which processes the signal to provide a numerical readout of physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate.
Pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028, 6,658,276, 6,650,917, 6,157,850, 6,002,952, 5,769,785, and 5,758,644; low noise pulse oximetry sensors are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,088,607 and 5,782,757; all of which are assigned to Masimo Corporation, Irvine, Calif. ("Masimo") and are incorporated by reference herein. An ear sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,559 titled Pulse Oximetry Ear Sensor, also assigned to Masimo and also incorporated by reference herein.
Advanced physiological monitoring systems may incorporate pulse oximetry in addition to advanced features for the calculation and display of other blood parameters, such as carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), methemoglobin (HbMet) and total hemoglobin (Hbt), as a few examples. Advanced physiological monitors and corresponding multiple wavelength optical sensors capable of measuring parameters in addition to SpO2, such as HbCO, HbMet and Hbt are described in at least U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/056,179, filed Mar. 26, 2008, titled Multiple Wavelength Optical Sensor and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/366,208, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, both incorporated by reference herein. Further, noninvasive blood parameter monitors and corresponding multiple wavelength optical sensors, such as Rainbow™ adhesive and reusable sensors and RAD-57™ and Radical-7™ monitors for measuring SpO2, pulse rate, perfusion index (PI), signal quality (SiQ), pulse variability index (PVI), HbCO and HbMet among other parameters are also available from Masimo.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The subject invention relates to compounds having the structure: ##STR1## wherein (a) n is an integer from 1 to about 3;. (b) X and Y are each independently selected from O, S and CH.sub.2, with at least one of X and Y being O or S; PA2 (c) R is unsubstituted, straight or branched chain alkanyl or alkanoxy having from 1 to about 3 non-hydrogen atoms; and PA2 (d) R' is selected from hydrogen, methyl, cyano, and halo;. pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; and the use of such compounds for preventing or treating of disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

Therapeutic indications of alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists have been discussed in the literature: Ruffolo, R. R., A. J. Nichols, J. M. Stadel, & J. P. Hieble, "Pharmacologic and Therapeutic Applications of Alpha-2 Adrenoceptor Subtypes", Annual Review of Pharmacology & Toxicology. Vol. 32 (1993) pp. 243-279.
Information regarding alpha adrenergic receptors, agonists and antagonists, in general, and regarding compounds related in structure to those of this invention are disclosed in the following references: Timmermans, P. B. M. W. M., A. T. Chiu & M. J. M. C. Thoolen, "12.1 .alpha.-Adrenergic Receptors", Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 3, Membranes & Receptors, P. G. Sammes & J. B. Taylor, eds., Pergamon Press (1990), pp. 133-185; Timmermans, P. B. M. W. M. & P. A. van Zwieten, ".alpha.-Adrenoceptor Agonists and Antagonists", Drugs of the Future, Vol. 9, No. 1, (January, 1984), pp. 41-55; Megens, A. A. H. P., J. E. Leysen, F. H. L. Awouters & C. J. E. Niemegeers, "Further Validation of in vivo and in vitro Pharmacological Procedures for Assessing the .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 -Selectivity of Test Compounds: (2) .alpha.-Adrenoceptor Agonists", European Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 129 (1986), pp. 57-64; Timmermans, P. B. M. W. M., A. de Jonge, M. J. M. C. Thoolen, B. Wilffert, H. Batink & P. A. van Zwieten, "Quantitative Relationships between .alpha.-Adrenergic Activity and Binding Affinity of .alpha.-Adrenoceptor Agonists and Antagonists", Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 27 (1984) pp. 495-503; van Meel, J. C. A., A. de Jonge, P. B. M. W. M. Timmermans & P. A. van Zwieten, "Selectivity of Some Alpha Adrenoceptor Agonists for Peripheral Alpha-1 and Alpha-2 Adrenoceptors in the Normotensive Rat", The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 219, No. 3 (1981), pp. 760-767; Chapleo, C. B., J. C. Doxey, P. L. Myers, M. Myers, C. F. C. Smith & M. R. Stillings, "Effect of 1,4-Dioxanyl Substitution on the Adrenergic Activity of Some Standard .alpha.-Adrenoreceptor Agents", European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 24 (1989), pp. 619-622; Chapleo, C. B., R. C. M. Butler, D. C. England, P. L. Myers, A. G. Roach, C. F. C. Smith, M. R. Stillings & I. F. Tulloch, "Heteroaromatic Analogues of the .alpha..sub.2 -Adrenoreceptor Partial Agonist Clonidine", Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 32 (1989), pp. 1627-1630; Clare, K. A., M. C. Scrutton & N. T. Thompson, "Effects of .alpha..sub.2 -Adrenoceptor Agonists and of Related Compounds on Aggregation of, and on Adenylate Cyclase Activity in, Human Platelets", British Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 82 (1984), pp. 467-476; U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,319 issued to Danielewicz, Snarey & Thomas on Jun. 17, 1975; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,528 issued to Gluchowski on Feb. 25, 1992. However, many compounds related in structure to those of this invention do not provide the activity and specificity desirable when treating disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.
For example, many compounds found to be effective nasal decongestants are frequently found to have undesirable side effects, such as causing hypertension and insomnia at systemically effective doses. There is a need for new drugs which provide relief from nasal congestion without causing these undesirable side effects.

2-Imidazolinylamino heterocyclic compounds useful as alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists


An automatic wiring device comprises an initial wiring unit for performing initial wiring processing on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement to be processed, a short cost value setting unit for setting a cost value on each unit cell arranged on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement in such a way that the cost value of the unit cell on the connected wiring in the vicinity of the terminals of the connected wiring is set larger than the cost values of any other unit cells when there remains a terminal pair unconnected in the wiring processing by the initial wiring unit, and a peeling and rewiring unit for performing wiring processing by the cost-attached labyrinth method, using the set cost values, and if peeling off another wiring in the above wiring processing, performing rewiring processing for connecting a terminal pair getting unconnected owing to the wiring being peeled off.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic wiring device and an automatic wiring method carried out by the device for use in a pattern design on an integrated circuit or a printed wiring board, and more particularly to an automatic wiring device and its automatic wiring method capable of obtaining a wiring route by peeling off another wiring in case of necessity, when performing wiring processing on the terminals remaining unconnected through the initial wiring processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
When performing a pattern design on an integrated circuit or a printed wiring board by the use of a computer system such as a CAD system or the like, circuit elements are arranged on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement of pattern at first, and then a wiring route for connecting terminals that are input/output points of each circuit element is searched for, then to carry out wiring.
The wiring processing of the conventional pattern design technique of this kind has been performed as follows. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the rectangle of a wiring surface 801 is divided into unit cells at first. A given value (hereinafter, referred to as a cost value) is set in each unit cell. A cost value is uniformly set in every unit cell. In the example of FIG. 8, the cost value of each unit cell is defined as "1" uniformly.
Next, in a pair of terminals to be connected, a wiring route is obtained by the locus starting from a terminal and stepping every unit cell intervening between the terminals to the end of the other terminal. At this time, the cost value of each unit cell on the wiring route is accumulated. When there exist a plurality of wiring routes with respect to a given pair of terminals, a wiring route having the minimum accumulated cost value is determined as the wiring route of this pair. This searching method of a wiring route is called as a cost-attached labyrinth method.
If there has been another wiring connected already when acquiring a wiring route with respect to the given terminal pair, the wiring becomes an obstacle to the wiring route to be acquired. More specifically, a cost value will not be set in the unit cell through which the wiring is going, so that this unit cell cannot be selected as a through point of the wiring route.
FIG. 8 shows an example in the case of connecting the terminals "S" and "S" while detouring around the obstacle, the terminals "T" and "T", and the wiring "T-T" therebetween. In FIG. 8(A), the accumulated value of each cost value on the wiring route connecting the terminals "S" and "S" is attached to each unit cell except for the unit cell through which the wiring "T-T" connecting the terminals "T" and "T" is going. The minimum accumulated cost value on the wiring route between the terminals "S" and "S" is "10" as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the route "L10" indicated in FIG. 8(B) is determined as the wiring route between the terminals "S" and "S".
Wiring processing is actually performed along thus-determined wiring route, to connect the terminal pair.
No problem arises when all the terminal pairs can be connected by detouring around an obstacle as mentioned above, in the initial wiring processing. However, when there remains a terminal pair unconnected in the initial wiring processing and there exists no route capable of detouring around all the obstacles with respect to the same terminal pair, a wiring route to connect the terminal pair will cross another wiring to cause a short circuit. In this case, a wiring route is searched for, with the cost value set on the unit cell where another wiring is going through. The wiring crossed by the wiring route is peeled off in order to perform wiring processing on this wiring route. As a result, since the terminal pair turns into unconnected state, wiring processing will be again on this terminal pair after completion of the performing wiring processing.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation of connecting the terminal pair that failed to be connected in the initial wiring processing.
Referring to FIG. 9, after necessary initial setting is done (Step 901), wiring processing is performed in accordance with the design rule, in other words, in a way such as to prevent from the crossing of the wiring routes to cause a short circuit (Step 902). At this time, a terminal pair having no routes capable of detouring around all the obstacles is left behind as an unconnected terminal pair.
It is judged whether the wiring has been completed on all the terminal pairs (Step 903). When there remains an unconnected terminal pair, one terminal of the unconnected terminal pair is selected as a candidate for processing (Step 904), and a cost value is set on every unit cell in the wiring permitted area, including the unit cells through which another connected wiring is going (Step 905).
Next, a wiring route connecting the terminal pair is searched for, regardless of the design rule, in other words, in a way such as to permit a short circuit to another wiring, and the wiring processing is performed along the obtained wiring route (Step 906). The other wiring crossed by the wiring route is peeled off at this time.
Rewiring processing for connecting the terminal pair is performed (Step 907), as for a terminal pair which had been connected by the wiring peeled off in Step 906. At this time, if there exists a wiring route capable of connecting the terminal pair by detouring around an obstacle, the wiring processing will be performed along this wiring route. If there exists no wiring route as mentioned above, the wiring processing from Step 904 to Step 907 will be repeated to the terminal pair as an unconnected terminal pair, like other unconnected terminal pairs.
FIG. 10 is a view for use in describing the wiring processing according to the above conventional automatic wiring method. As illustrated in FIG. 10(A), there exist the terminal pairs to be connected, "S, S" and "T, T", on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement. Any wiring route should be determined in a way such as to prevent from the crossing of routes to cause a short circuit. In other words, any wiring route doesn't have a unit cell in common.
As illustrated in FIG. 10(B), assuming that the terminal pair "S, S" is connected with each other, the terminal pair "T, T" cannot be connected with each other without crossing the wiring "S-S" connecting the terminal pair "S, S" and shorting the same. Therefore, the terminal pair "T, T" remains unconnected, so that the wiring processing is performed on it from Step 904 and the later mentioned above. In other words, the wiring route "T-T" is determined with the short circuit permitted to the wiring "S-S", and the wiring processing is performed along the wiring route "T-T" after peeling off the wiring "S-S", as illustrated in FIG. 10(C). The wiring processing is performed on the terminal pair "S, S" again along the wiring route "S-S" capable of detouring around the wiring "T-T", as illustrated in FIG. 10(D).
However, the above-mentioned conventional automatic wiring method, in which a cost value is uniformly set in every unit cell in the wiring processing of the terminal pair remaining unconnected in the initial wiring processing, considers none of the difficulty in the rewiring processing of the wiring peeled off when another wiring must be peeled off. Therefore, when the wiring processing is performed on the terminal pair whose wiring was peeled off, it may happen that another wiring must be peeled off again. Since a terminal in the vicinity of the wiring prohibited area is under restriction as to the direction in which wiring can be extended, it is better to prevent from drawing a wiring route in the vicinity of a terminal. However, since there is no difference among the cost values, it may happen that a wiring route is set in the vicinity of a terminal as follows.
For example, when a wiring route running in the longitudinal direction is set on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement as shown in FIG. 11, either the wiring "L11" or "L12" must be peeled off. In FIG. 11, the unit cells indicated by the oblique lines are wiring prohibited areas. There is, however, a possibility of setting the wiring route "L13" after peeling off the wiring "L11" as shown in FIG. 11(B), because of no difference among each cost value. In this case, the wiring "L13" must be peeled off in order to rewire the terminal "P5", which is a useless processing.
When a wiring route running in the longitudinal direction is set on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement as shown in FIG. 12, the wiring route should cross the wiring "L14" somewhere inevitably. In FIG. 12, the unit cells indicated by oblique lines are wiring prohibited areas. However, there is a possibility of setting the wiring route "L15" passing through the unit cell adjacent to the terminal "P6" as illustrated in FIG. 12(B). In this case, the wiring "L15" must be peeled off in order to rewire the terminal "P6", which is a useless processing.
As mentioned above, when another wiring is peeled off in order to perform the wiring processing on the terminal pair remaining unconnected in the initial wiring processing, further another wiring may be peeled off again in some cases, in order to perform the rewiring processing on the terminal pair getting unconnected owing to the wiring thereof being peeled off, which is defective in efficiency.
Further, it may happen that the wiring processing in accordance with the design rule cannot be completed, because of circulating like a loop between the step of obtaining wiring by a certain wiring processing and the step of peeling off another wiring by the same wiring processing.
For example, on the coordinate plane surface for wiring arrangement as shown in FIG. 13, if the wiring route connecting the unconnected terminal pair "B, B" is drawn like the wiring route "B-B" as shown in FIG. 13(B), with the terminal pair "A, A" connected with each other in the initial wiring processing as shown in FIG. 13(A), the wiring "A-A" must be peeled off in order to carry out the wiring processing along the wiring route "B-B", as shown in FIG. 13(C). This time, if the wiring route connecting the terminal pair "A, A" getting unconnected, owing to the wiring "A-A" being peeled off, is drawn again like the wiring route "A-A" as shown in FIG. 13(D), the wiring "B-B" must be peeled off again, in order to carry out the wiring processing along this wiring route "A-A", as shown in FIG. 13(A). Thus, the wiring processing will circulate from FIG. 13(A) to FIG. 13(D) forever, without being completed.
This kind of the conventional automatic wiring method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open (Kokai) No. Heisei 2-61772 "Automatic Wiring Device", No. Heisei 4-236671 "Automatic Peeling and Rewiring Method", and Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open (Kokai) No. Heisei 7-48221 "Route Searching Method".
The automatic wiring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open (Kokai) No. Heisei 2-61772 "Automatic Wiring Device" comprises a means for extracting an obstacle between the starting point to the end point of wiring that would be unconnected in the initial wiring processing and judging whether the obstacle is removable or not, a means for computing an index for estimating whether it is possible or not to connect the unconnected position by removing a certain segment of the wiring forming the obstacle, as for each segment of the connected wiring forming the obstacle, a means for creating a combination of the segments thereof to be removed, with the removing priority attached there, a means for deleting the relevant segments, and a means for saving the deleted route.
The automatic wiring method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open (Kokai) No. Heisei 4-236671 "Automatic Peeling and Rewiring Method" comprises a step of extending each searching route from a terminal pair to be connected with each other to detect another wiring that may be an obstacle, a step of continuously extending the searching route indifferently to another wiring being shorted by the searching route, a step of establishing the extended searching route as a wiring route for connecting the terminal pair and peeling off another wiring that is an obstacle, and a step of rewiring another wiring turning unconnected by being peeled off.
The automatic wiring method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open (Kokai) No. Heisei 7-48221 "Route Searching Method" comprises a means for attaching each label value, in a way of increasing by one in an ascending order, to each unit cell on a route connecting one terminal to the other terminal, a means for accumulating a label value obtained by adding a first increment value to the above-mentioned label value, as a label value of the route, if the above route comes across another connected route on a certain unit cell, and accumulating a label value obtained by adding a second increment value to the above-mentioned label value, as a label value of the route, if the route comes across none of the unconnected routes, and a means for establishing a route where the total of each label value is minimum, as a wiring route for the terminal pair. Each means repeats the above processing until a predetermined wiring route setting state is set while increasing the first and second increment values by the label value accumulating means.
In the above-mentioned conventional automatic wiring technique, however, manual operation is obliged to decide a wiring route, when the processing of peeling the connected wiring is repeated in order to do the wiring processing for a terminal pair unconnected in the initial wiring processing, thereby deteriorating the efficiency in the wiring processing.

Automatic wiring device and its wiring method


Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a barrier layer on a substrate, wherein the barrier layer comprises molybdenum; and forming a lead free interconnect structure on the barrier layer.

As microelectronic technology advances for higher processor performance, microelectronic package sizes may shrink and higher input/output (I/O) counts may be required to reduce manufacturing costs. Packaging technologies, especially in some chipset applications, may drive a finer pitch between interconnect structures, such as between solder balls in a ball grid array package, for example. With the scaling of pitch, smaller ball size is expected which may pose a challenge to interconnect joint (i.e., the interface between an interconnect structure and another surface, such as a substrate or contact pad) performance.

Forming a barrier layer in interconnect joints and structures formed thereby


An N-domino latch includes a domino stage, a write stage, an inverter, a high keeper path, a low keeper path, and an output stage. The domino stage is coupled to an approximately symmetric clock signal. The domino stage evaluates a logic function according to the states of at least one data signal and the approximately symmetric clock signal, where the domino stage pre-charges a pre-charged node high when the approximately symmetric clock signal is low, and discharges the pre-charged node to a low state if the logic function evaluates when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high, and keeps the pre-charged node high if the logic function fails to evaluate when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high, where a latching state of the at least one data signal is provided to the domino stage when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dynamic logic and register functions, and more particularly to a domino output latch that addresses the problem of latching the outputs of complex logic circuits where speed and size are important factors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Integrated circuits use a remarkable number of registers, particularly those having a synchronous pipeline architecture. Register logic is employed to hold the outputs of devices and circuits for a period of time so that these outputs can be received by other devices and circuits. In a clocked system, such as a pipeline microprocessor, registers are used to latch and hold the outputs of a given pipeline stage for a period of one clock cycle so that input circuits in a subsequent stage can receive the outputs during that period while the given pipeline stage is concurrently generating new outputs.
In the past, it has been common practice to precede and follow complex logical evaluation circuits, such as multiple input multiplexers (muxes), multi-bit encoders, etc., with registers to hold the inputs to and the outputs from the evaluation circuits. Generally, these registers have associated setup and hold time requirements, both of which constrain the evaluation circuits in the preceding stage. In addition, registers have corresponding data-to-output time characteristics, which constrain the evaluation circuits in subsequent stages. The "speed" of a register is typically judged in terms of its data-to-output time, that is, the sum of its setup time and clock-to-output time.
Preceding and following a logical evaluation circuit with traditional register circuits introduces delays into a pipeline system whose cumulative effect results in significantly slower operating speeds. More specifically, one notable source of these delays is the data-to-output time requirements that must be satisfied by logical evaluation circuits in order to ensure stable registered outputs. It is desired to reduce these delays to provide additional time in each stage and to thereby increase overall speed of the pipeline system.
A prior and related disclosure, entitled "Non-inverting Domino Register", which is incorporated by reference herein, addressed the problems described above. In the prior disclosure, a non-inverting domino register was described which combined logic evaluation functions with their corresponding registers to achieve a faster clock-to-output time than conventional approaches without compromising the stability of its output. The transitions of the output signal of the non-inverting domino register disclosed therein were shown to be very fast in response to transitions of the clock signal in contrast to the slower transition responses of conventional inverting domino registers. The prior non-inverting domino register, however, was not particularly flexible with respect to the evaluation logic, which had to be provided as N-channel logic. Also, the prior non-inverting domino register could potentially experience leakage effects when embodied in a high leakage or high noise process, such as, for example, 90-nanometer (nm) silicon-on-insulator (SOI).
It is desired to provide an improved domino register that provides all of the benefits of the prior non-inverting domino register, and that is further flexible with regard to the domino stage and that is optimum for use in a high leakage or high noise environment.
It is furthermore desired to provide an improved N-domino output latch that provides all of the benefits of the prior non-inverting domino register when used as a latch, and that is further flexible with regard to the domino stage and that is optimum for use in a high leakage or high noise environment.
It is moreover desired to provide an improved P-domino circuit that, when employed as a latch, provides all of the benefits of the prior non-inverting domino register, and that is optimized for use in a high leakage or high noise environment.
It is additionally desired to provide an improved P-domino circuit that, when employed as a latch, provides all of the benefits of the prior non-inverting domino register, and that is optimized for use in a high leakage or high noise environment.


An erosion control device for use on beach and land areas subject to erosion includes: (a) an elongated beam portion comprising a first wall and a first base; (b) a cross-beam portion having a length that is less than half the length of the elongated beam portion, the cross-beam portion including a second wall and a second base; and (c) a mechanism for connecting the device to a second erosion control device; wherein the cross-beam portion extends transversely through the elongated beam portion at about a mid-point of the elongated beam portion. Also included herein is a matrix of interconnectable, relatively uniform erosion control devices.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a erosion control device for stabilizing soils and remedying beach and land erosion, a number of which can be assembled into a matrix for laying on or just below the surface of the ground or beach.
2. Background Information
Beach erosion and shore building are natural processes caused by the impact over time of waves on the shore. Waves breaking on the beach carry sedimentary material, also called littoral drift, onshore as the waves ascend the beach, and offshore as the waves retreat back. Waves arrive at an angle to the shore and retreat generally perpendicularly to the shore, resulting in a long shore current. This carries the littoral drift in a series of zigzags along the shoreline. The amount of littoral drift is dependent upon the speed of the waves; faster wave action translates to a higher amount of littoral drift. Littoral drift is deposited when the current (i.e., speed of the waves) slows. Thus, waves "steal" from one part of the beach to "feed" another part of the beach. During high tides, waves deposit sediment on higher areas of the beach while current close to the shoreline wears away at lower-lying areas of the beach. In the unusual event of an earthquake, enormous waves can be created that displace large amounts of sedimentary material.
The coast has some natural defenses against erosion. Gently sloping shores dissipate the energy of breaking waves, which decreases their speed as well as the amount of littoral drift. Dunes are natural seawalls, especially when they are covered with vegetation, which binds the sand. Inlets and bays are less subject to severe wave action and turbulence.
However, beach erosion and shore building are frequently accelerated by human activities. Heavy use and over development in shore areas, for example, hastens the erosion process. Damaging activities include dredging for marinas, bulldozing dunes, and pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Bulldozing dunes removes an important coastal defense, since dunes are natural seawalls. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic destroys vegetation and weakens bluffs and banks making them more susceptible to erosion. Obviously, removing large quantities of sand and sediment from a shore area without replacing it accelerates erosion.
Billions of dollars are spent each year on beach re-nourishment projects all along the coasts of the United States. Sand is brought in and spread on existing beaches in an effort to re-nourish them. Wide, attractive beaches in tourist-drawing seaside communities bring in more tourist dollars. Also, wide beaches are said to protect adjacent developed coastal areas from hurricane damage. In some areas where erosion is causing building structures to be washed away, re-nourishment is preventing loss of real estate every year. Beach re-nourishment, or replenishment, projects are controversial, though, because they are said to disrupt natural rhythms and cause more harm in the long run. Imported sand or sand pumped in from off shore dredges usually erodes away from the replenished beach at a faster rate.
Many man-made defenses against erosion, such as breakwaters, jetties, groins, seawalls, sand trapping devices, grass planting, and sand fences, also exist. However, such defenses have disadvantages. For example, breakwaters prevent wave erosion, but not longshore drifts, and are expensive. Seawalls deflect wave energy, but are very expensive and often utilized as a last resort because inevitably the sea slowly destroys sea walls. In fact, poorly designed or improperly installed erosion devices can actually accelerate erosion.
In sum, erosion is generally unstoppable. Yet people still flock to the seashore to build homes, hotels, and other structures directly in the path of erosion. Coastal residents continue to pay a high price, as erosion incessantly damages and claims their property. Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive erosion control device that works.


A heat dissipating device includes a heat sink and a protecting device attached to the heat sink. The heat sink includes a plurality of individual fins in assembly. The protecting device is made from plastic. The protecting device includes a lath resting on the fins, and a plurality of ribs beneath the lath. The ribs are interposed between the fins.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to heat dissipating devices, and more particularly to a heat dissipating device used for electronic components.
2. Prior Art
With advancement of computer technology, electronic components operate rapidly. It is well known that the more rapidly the electronic components operate, the more heat the electronic components generate. If the heat is not dissipated duly, the stability of the operation of the electronic components will be impacted severely. Generally, in order to ensure the electronic components run normally, a heat dissipating device is desired to dissipate the heat generated by the electronic components.
Conventionally, owing to low cost of mould and low level requirement of technics, heat dissipating devices comprising aluminum extruding heat sinks or die casting heat sinks are used widely to remove heat generated by the electronic components. However, due to tehchnics of manufacturing these heat sinks, fins of the heat sinks are formed integratively, such that they are thick and cannot be made thin adequately. Accordingly, the amount of fins of the heat sink decreases, i.e., the heat dissipating area is small. While, the heat generated by the electronic component is more and more with advancement of function and frequency of the electronic component. As a result, these heat sinks cannot meet with the heat dissipating demand of the electronic component. Moreover, also due to tehchnics of manufacture, wastage of heat conductive material used for manufacturing the heat sink is raised.
To overcome the problem set out above, an advanced heat sink with a plurality of fins in assembly arises, each fins is stamped from a thin metal sheet. As a result, the heat sink can have larger amount of fins than before. Consequently, the heat dissipating area of the heat sink is enlarged to a great extent. However, on account of the fins being thin, they are prone to be deformed or scrape operators during transportation or assembling.
Accordingly, in order to avoid what foregoing, a new heat sink with a protecting hood is applied. Referring to FIG. 5, a heat sink 1 with a metal protecting hood 3 shaped "□" is illustrated. The heat sink 1 comprises a plurality of fins 2 stamped from thin metal sheets. The hood 3 hoods on the heat sink 1 and shelters the fins 2 therein to avoid the fins 2 baring to operators or other things. However, the heat sink 1 and the hood 3 are assembled via fasteners 4. It is inconvenient to assemble the hood 3 to the heat sink 1. Moreover, the hood 3 is made form metal, such that a cost of the hood 3 is high.

Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


A method for improving performance of a streaming media session between a plurality of communicating entities. Observation reports are collected from a plurality of monitoring entities. Each observation report includes information pertaining to events observed and recorded at a corresponding monitoring entity. A size of at least one window to be used for analyzing the observation reports is determined. The observation reports are analyzed using the at least one window of the determined size, to determine a correlation between the events across the observation reports. A problem encountered during the streaming media session is identified, based upon the correlation between the events. A notification is sent to at least one of the monitoring entities, based upon the problem. The notification is sent during the streaming media session.

Communication services are increasingly being provided over data communication networks and especially the Internet today. The communication services are becoming richer in functionality with respect to:
the diversity of media (from a single medium to multimedia),                the fidelity of media (from a low quality to a higher quality for at least one type of media from amongst various different types of media),        the number of entities involved in a communication (from two to many),        the duration of the communication (from a few minutes to hours or even days), and        the context of the communication (from a dedicated phone using a specific apparatus to software applications executing on a multi-purpose device, for example, such as a computer, to being embedded in another software application).
These communication services may be offered in various ways and context. As an example, a given communication service may be offered as:                a stand-alone service (for example, such as Google® hangout, Skype® and the like),        a part of a business, another service or a shop offering to support, interact with and bind customers, for example, for pre-sales and/or post-sales activities,        an element of a team communication application, a workflow management system or a groupware system, or        nested in or embedded within another service.
These communication services are increasingly gaining broader acceptance. As more diverse services are being offered, the number of service providers is growing. Accordingly, the number of users is also growing, and hence the number of calls is growing.
While the growth in rich communication over data communication networks, such as the Internet, places increasing demands on the capacity, reliability and flexibility of the data communication networks, the Internet has not been built with considerations of such advanced applications in mind (which occurred only decades after its inception).
As a result, developers and providers of the aforesaid communication services (namely, Communication Service Providers; CSP) have been facing a requirement to:                design their systems and services in a manner that would allow operation in an unknown and unpredictable networking environment having no guarantees,        design their systems and services in a manner that would allow operation in a dynamically changing environment, where changes could be due to:                    other communication services being active at the same time,            changes in the network load as a result of commencing and/or terminating of other calls,            changes in the network load as a result of their own actions (and other reactions to their actions),            changes in a network topology and the network capacity due to mobility or node failures or interference of external forces with elements of wired or wireless communication networks,            physical properties of a channel being used, for example, for wireless communication networks, and            user mobility, for example, such as a change in location, velocity and so forth (which, in turn, may affect the channel).
In such an unpredictable and dynamically changing network environment with a variety of communication services, there arises a need for the Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to be able to measure the quality of their service to identify and mend bottlenecks in their service infrastructure.
There exist techniques for analyzing streaming media distribution and determining multimedia call performance. Conventionally, software may be written to monitor throughput, packet loss and other networking parameters that affect perceived performance of a call.
However, the performance of the call as measured at endpoints does not tell where the problem is in the data communication network. From an end-to-end distribution point of view, it is better to identify the bottleneck or the source of the problem in the network elements/paths/connections, so that it can potentially be remedied. This can be done by identifying a particular session and collecting time-stamped information related to jitter, packet loss, etc. in potentially every network node for that particular session. Moreover, it may be beneficial to monitor multiple sessions and to collect time-stamped information related to the multiple sessions.
While packet streams related to a communication session can be identified and information pertaining to these packet streams can be collected, there is a problem in finding a correlation in the collected information, which is required to identify the source of the problem.
Moreover, collecting and processing such information on packet data networks easily results in a huge amount of data, be it for a single communication session or across multiple communication sessions. This makes it impractical to correlate the collected information, as a large amount of computational resources, namely memory and processing capability, is required to process such a huge amount of data.

Methods and systems for improving performance of streaming media sessions


A method for producing a metal composite powder, such as a high alloy metal composite powder, which includes pretreating the alloying components prior to milling with a base iron powder. A short milling time is used, yielding a metal composite powder which exhibits good compactability, microstructure, controllable flow, post-sintering homogeneity, and offers a more economical production method.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to powder metallurgy and specifically to iron alloys made thereby, wherein powders, which may be used, for example, in the manufacture of pressed and sintered powder metallurgical parts, are produced by a dry milling process.
2. Background Information:
Metal powders are used in powder metallurgy practice to form hardened metal parts by compressing the powder to a compacted shape and then by heating the compacted metal powder to form a coherent mass. The heating, or sintering, step may be done with or without mechanical deformation during the heating step. The present invention relates to a method for producing steel, with particular emphasis on high alloy steels and high speed tool steels. Further discussion of what constitutes these and various other steels is discussed in The Making, Shaping, and Treating of Steel, Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, 10th edition, 1985, pages 1289-1320.
In principle, alloy steels, as an example, can be manufactured simply by the mixing of iron and other elemental metal powders followed by the compacting and sintering of such mixtures. In one method of powder preparation, an elemental admixture, which may be made by simply blending an unalloyed iron powder with the alloying ingredients, forms a soft powder which is easily compactable. However, after sintering, an elemental admixture is likely to result in a product which is non-homogeneous and has poor mechanical properties.
It will be appreciated that easy compaction, or compressibility, is desired in that, in general, the higher the density of the compacted parts prior to sintering, the smaller the dimensional changes which occur as a result of the sintering process. Secondly, good compressibility results in less wear on the compaction dies used in the process of forming the hardened final product. Compressibility may be measured or defined in terms of the density achieved in a part after a given amount of applied compaction pressure. Thus, for example, a metal powder A, which was compressed at 40 tons/in.sup.2 and achieved a density of 6.9 g/cm.sup.3 would be said to have a better compressibility than powder B which, when compacted at the same pressure, 40 tons/in.sup.2, achieved a density of only 6.2 g/cm.sup.3.
Another method, for producing a partially pre-alloyed powder, includes blending an elemental admixture and immediately heating the mixture to a temperature at which the alloying ingredients are diffusion bonded to the surface of the iron powder. This method results in only marginally improved homogeneity. Further, if hard or abrasive compounds, such as carbides, are formed at the diffusion bonded interface, this method may lead to excessive die wear, an event of considerable economic disadvantage to the manufacturer.
The most common method, producing a completely pre-alloyed powder, consists of melting the desired alloy and then spray atomizing a liquid metal alloy stream to produce the powder. The powder produced by this method is very homogeneous, but is generally very hard, and also results in excessive die wear from cold-compaction difficulty. Further, alloy powders made in this manner are typically very expensive to produce and are frequently poorly sized.
Further, in the case of production of high alloy steels, attempts have been made to use mixtures of elemental powders and graphite, and also to use mixtures of iron powder with pre-melted carbides. Such mixtures result in a product with properties less than desired because sintering of this powder to near-full density has proven to be virtually impossible. In fact, it is often the case that swelling rather than densification of a pressed compact occurs when such mixtures are sintered.


Embodiments of the disclosure include a scanning mirror assembly for an optical sensing system. The scanning mirror assembly may include a scanning mirror formed in a first layer of the scanning mirror assembly. The scanning mirror assembly may also include a MEMS actuator formed in a second layer of the scanning mirror assembly, where the first layer is a predetermined distance above the second layer. The MEMS actuator may also include a plurality of stator actuator features and a plurality of rotatable actuator features formed from a same semiconductor layer during a fabrication process.

Optical sensing systems, e.g., such as LiDAR systems, have been widely used in advanced navigation technologies, such as to aid autonomous driving or to generate high-definition maps. For example, a typical LiDAR system measures the distance to a target by illuminating the target with pulsed laser light beams that are steered towards an object in the far field using a scanning mirror, and then measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. Differences in laser light return times, wavelengths, and/or phases can then be used to construct digital three-dimensional (3D) representations of the target. Because using a narrow laser beam as the incident light can map physical features with very high resolution, a LiDAR system is particularly suitable for applications such as sensing in autonomous driving and high-definition map surveys.
In many optical sensing systems, MEMS mirrors are arranged in a closely packed array and configured to steer a laser beam towards an object in the far field when driven by, e.g., a MEMS actuator. In such systems, it may be beneficial to maximize the "optical fill factor" of the array such that the optical surface area of each MEMS mirror in the array is as large as possible relative to its area of support on the substrate. However, in conventional MEMS mirror assemblies, the MEMS actuator is usually formed in the same layer as the mirror, thus occupying a portion of the surface and limiting the size of the mirror surface. This may result in a less than optimal optical fill factor, e.g., seventy-five percent or lower. This may be particularly true for mirrors use a comb drive with rotatable comb drive fingers coupled to the MEMS mirror and stator comb drive fingers coupled to anchors positioned on either side of the mirror. In a typical MEMS array, the comb drive fingers are not part of the reflecting area, thereby reducing the optical efficiency, and hence the fill factor, of such a system.
Hence, there is an unmet need for MEMS mirror assembly that is designed to optimize the reflective surface area of the MEMS mirrors and the fill factor of the array.

Scanning mirror assembly with a scanning mirror elevated above a MEMS actuator


A projected corner structure in which two upright columns 3 and 4 substantially rectangular in cross section are disposed on a diagonal line in a pair of bracket-shaped runners (1, 2) arranged at an angle of about 90° on a floor surface. A corner upright column 5 of a synthetic resin including an outer end portion 5b having an outer surface formed in the form of a circular arc stands upright fitted into a substantially angular clearance C formed on an exterior side between the upright columns. Projecting portions 9 and 10 are formed integrally on lateral portions on both sides of the corner upright column, and are arranged to fit over interior side surfaces of the respective upright columns, and are fastened to the upright columns by countersunk screws 11 and 12. The resulting structure combines simplified construction with increased strength, improved appearance, and decreased cost.

As is well known, for four corners in a room of a building such as a house, there are formed projected corners (corner portions) projected inwards with upright columns and interior member. The Japanese patent document mentioned below shows a conventional projected corner structure.
In this conventional projected corner structure, an upright column is composed of a lip angle steel member and two lip channel steel members provided so as to contact with two orthogonal surfaces of the lip angle steel member. A clearance heat insulating material is provided in the inside of the lip angle steel member so as to fill the inside of the lip angle steel member.
On the inner side of the projected corner, there are provided damp-proof sheets supported by frame members at an orthogonal state. An auxiliary upright column having a rectangular cross section is disposed between the confronting frame members crossing each other at right angles. Accordingly, the projected corner mentioned is formed so as to have a substantially rectangular cross section.
The Japanese patent document referred to is Published Japanese Patent Specification Publication No. 2001-49763.

Projected corner structure of building and indoor recessed wall structure


A system for a vehicle includes a first exhaust gas flow rate (EGF) estimation module, a second EGF estimation module, and an EGF fault detection module. The first EGF estimation module estimates a first flow rate of exhaust re-circulated back to an intake manifold based on a concentration of oxygen in the intake manifold. The second EGF estimation module estimates a second flow rate of exhaust re-circulated back to the intake manifold based on an engine speed and an engine load. The EGF fault detection module selectively indicates a fault is present in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
An engine combusts air and fuel to generate torque. Air flows into the engine through an air induction system. Fuel is provided by one or more fuel injectors. Exhaust resulting from combustion is expelled from the engine to an exhaust system. A mass air flow (MAF) sensor measures a mass flow rate of air into the air induction system.
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system re-circulates exhaust back to the air induction system. For exhaust to flow back to the air induction system, a pressure within the exhaust system must be greater than a pressure within the air induction system. The EGR system maybe controlled to provide a target mixture of exhaust, air, and fuel to each cylinder. The engine may not operate as intended when the target mix is not maintained. Additionally, the presence of a fault in the EGR system may need to be identified, for example, for an on-board diagnostic (OBD) reason and/or one or more other suitable reasons.

Selective exhaust gas recirculation diagnostic systems and methods


A facility for defining a process for approving requests for approval of a selected type is described. The facility displays a palette containing visual representations of each of a plurality of approval process elements. The facility then receives a number of user input instances, each user input instance dragging one of the visual representations into a selected location in a workspace, so as to form an arrangement of approval process elements. The facility then stores a process definition corresponding to the formed arrangement of approval process elements.

Many business organizations utilize approval processes that identify cases in which one member of the organization (the "requester") must submit a request for approval by one or more additional members of the organization ("approvers"). For example, an organization's approval process may require certain members of the organization to obtain approval from their manager, then their manager's manager each time they submit a time sheet recording the hours that they have worked. Typical approval processes may require members of the organization to submit such a request in a variety of other circumstances, such as the following: expense reports, time sheets, time off requests, objectives & reviews, hires, promotions, training requests, incentive compensation requests, contracts, purchase orders, quotes, press releases, and content for web posting.
In a typical organization, some of these types of approval requests are generated manually by the requester, then forwarded on paper or via electronic mail to the appropriate sequence of approvers. For example, transfer requests may be manually generated by requesters, then forwarded to necessary approvers. In such cases, each member of the organization participating in the approval process (the requester and all approvers) must fully understand the approval process specified for requests of this type, and route the request in accordance with this process. For example, a requester generating a transfer request must know that the request must be routed to his or her manager, and so route the request. The requester's manager must approve the request, know that the request must be routed to his or her manager, and so route the request. The requester's manager's manager must approve the request, know that the request must be routed to a particular administrator for further action, and so route the request. This approach requires a significant level of process knowledge and participation by all members involved in the approval process.
Certain types of approval requests may be generated using one of a number of different application programs. For example, a time sheet application may be used to generate time sheets and automatically route them through an approval process, while a separate purchase order application is used to generate purchase orders and automatically route them through an approval process. In such cases, in order for these requests to be automatically routed in this way, one or more approval processes must be created for each application. Such creation is in many cases difficult. For example, the person creating the approval process may be required to write a computer program that implements the approval process in a general-purpose programming language. Further, once an approval process is created for one application, it must be re-created for each additional application with which it is to be used. This may require significant additional effort, as the creation process often varies significantly between applications. In the above example, for instance, the person creating an approval process for the time sheet application may be required to re-create that approval process for the purchase order application.
In view of the substantial shortcomings of the conventional approaches to routing approval requests discussed above, a more effective and user-friendly approach would have significant utility.

Defining an approval process for requests for approval


The present invention provides for the first time the identification of fetal neural exosomal biomarkers isolated from maternal plasma useful in diagnosing fetal neurodevelopmental outcomes. The invention also provides the identification of neonatal neural exosomal biomarkers isolated from neonatal plasma useful in diagnosing neonatal neurodevelopmental outcomes The present invention therefore provides methods, kits and systems for diagnosing fetal neurodevelopmental outcomes, by examining relevant proteins and RNA in fetal neural exosomes isolated from a maternal plasma and neonatal neural exosomes isolated from neonatal plasma.

The prevalence of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions with potential in utero etiologies have been increasing over time (Boyle et al., 2011, Pediatrics 127:1034-42). In utero exposure to chemicals, medications, infections/excess inflammation, unfavorable nutritional conditions, or innate neurodevelopmental conditions, can disrupt fetal brain development, deplete subpopulations of neurons and adversely affect the formation of normal synaptic connections (Rees et al., 2005, Early Hum Dev 81:753-61; Zimmerman and Conners (eds), 2010, Clinical and Research Aspects 978-1-60327-920-8). A major roadblock to unraveling the mechanisms and timing of neurodevelopmental derangement is the almost complete absence of sensitive non-invasive assessments. Recent advances in prenatal diagnosis demonstrate that fetal DNA can both cross the placenta and be isolated from first trimester maternal blood (Lo et al., 1998, Am J Hum Genet 62, 768-75; Fan et al., 2012, Nature 487:320-4; Kitzman et al., 2012, Sci Transl Med 4:137ra76; Bianchi et al., 2015, NJEM 370:799-808; Norton et al., 2014, NJEM 372:1589-97). In adult populations, neural exosomes cross the mature blood brain barrier (BBB) and can be isolated for detection of pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease (Kapogiannis et al., 2015, Faseb J 29:589-96; Fiandaca et al., 2015, Alzheimers Dement 11:600-7; Goetzl et al., 2015, Neurology 85:40-7; Goetzl et al., 2015, Ann Clin Trans Neurol 2:769-73).
Thus, there is an urgent need in the art for compositions and methods for non-invasive diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions in utero. The present invention addresses these needs.

Purification, extraction and analyses of fetal neurally-derived exosomes in maternal blood and neonatal neurally-derived exosomes from neonatal blood

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION